Review: Next of Kin by Marie Sinclair 3 of 5 stars

Next of Kin by Marie Sinclair
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Nick, once the effortless playboy of his friend group, realizes he wants something deeper — a truth that hits hard when a casual hookup with Zack fizzles and Zack is later found dead. Aaron, Zack’s brother, is desperate for answers, and when Nick turns out to be the last person to see Zack alive, the two meet under heartbreaking circumstances. As they search for the truth, an unexpected connection forms between them, pulling them closer in both grief and hope.

An unusual, unforgettable meeting sets the tone for this novella, and the pull between Nick and Aaron is undeniable from the start. What I loved most is how slowly and thoughtfully their relationship develops — no rushed hookup, just a gentle build of trust, comfort, and genuine romance as they navigate grief and uncertainty together. The mystery surrounding Zack’s murder adds a compelling thread, and while Kit’s storyline takes up a surprising amount of space without a real conclusion, it still enriches the emotional landscape of the book. In the end, this is a warm, satisfying novella with a final note that genuinely made me smile. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Touch by A.W. Scott 4 of 5 stars

Touch: An M/M Mafia Romance by A.W. Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Pip is a deadly, chaos‑loving assassin who’s always worked alone — until he meets Henny, the strict, controlled second‑in‑command who seems immune to his charm. Pip can’t resist pushing his buttons, and the tension between them only grows. Surrounded by their found‑family of mafia men, Pip sets his sights on winning Henny over, determined to claim the man he wants and carve out their own version of a happily ever after.

A strikingly intimate story built on the powerful connection between Pip and Henny — two men who fit together in ways neither expected. I loved how Henny brought order, steadiness, and care into Pip’s chaotic world, giving him the structure he never knew he needed. And in return, Pip offered Henny purpose, devotion, and a kind of trust that felt deeply earned. Their dynamic flips the usual script: Pip may be the dangerous one, but the love between them is absolute. This is a different kind of Daddy/boy story, one where the emotional balance is as compelling as the power exchange, and where their bond grows through loyalty, vulnerability, and sheer determination. A quick, engaging read with a relationship that feels both intense and unexpectedly tender. This was an MM story with mature content and a BDSM-like Daddy/boy dynamic.

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Review: Dirty Little Secret by Riley Hart 4 of 5 stars

Dirty Little Secret by Riley Hart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

James, a forty‑year‑old professor, has been meeting Colton through an app because their emotional needs align. He plans to end things, but his life is upended when he suddenly gains custody of younger siblings — and then discovers Colton is now a student in his class. Despite the age gap and the professional boundary between them, their connection only deepens as James leans on the structure Colton provides and Colton feels increasingly drawn to James’s vulnerability and strength. What began as a private arrangement becomes a complicated, meaningful bond neither of them can ignore.

A deeply emotional story with an undeniable connection at its centre, this book beautifully shows how James and Colton’s bond grows into something bigger than either of them expected — a relationship that expands to include James’s two siblings until the four of them feel like a real family. Their dynamic is tender, steady, and full of longing, and watching them navigate that pull is incredibly satisfying. I appreciated that the story doesn’t shy away from the complicated emotions involved: the shock and responsibility of unexpected guardianship, the fear and desire wrapped up in a forbidden relationship, and the vulnerability required from both men as they try to do right by each other and the kids. It’s heartfelt, easy to read, and grounded in genuine feeling, making their eventual togetherness feel well earned and deeply warm. This was an MM story with mature content and a BDSM-like D/s dynamic.

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Review: Midnight Mist by Michele Mills 3 of 5 stars

Midnight Mist by Michele Mills
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Naomi knows the rules on Timbur: never remove your gloves around an unmated male, or you risk triggering a mating bond. So at the Dark Moon Costume Ball, she keeps her gloves firmly on and avoids Chief — the brooding, devastatingly handsome Xylan miner who’s been watching her all night and has a reputation for harsh words. But when midnight strikes and a strange mist fills the cavern, Naomi collapses with the others. She wakes to find her glove missing and her bare hand clasped in Chief’s. The bond has snapped into place, and his growled “You’re mine” makes it clear her life has just changed forever.

A fast, dramatic read with all the intrigue you’d want from a masked ball — the mystery, the anonymity, and the electric tension of Naomi and Chief watching each other from across the room long before either of them speaks. That mutual awareness gives the whole story a delicious slow-burn edge, even as the plot leans into instalove territory. Naomi is wonderfully strong and feisty, refusing to be intimidated even when everything spirals out of her control, and Chief is exactly the kind of determined, unshakeable presence who matches her perfectly. The claiming ceremony adds a burst of high‑stakes drama that fits the world and their dynamic so well. Short, punchy, and novella‑like, this story delivers quick chemistry, bold emotion, and a satisfying hit of destiny‑driven romance. This was an MF story with mature content.

*** Note this was originally released within a charity anthology. This rerelease is expanded, and includes an all-new epilogue!

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Review: Tender by E.M. Lindsey 5 of 5 stars

Tender by E.M. Lindsey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Miles is at his lowest — dumped, homeless, and hopeless — when Emmett, his ex‑girlfriend’s father, and Emmett’s husband, Cosimo, take him in. What Miles thought was a closed, perfect marriage turns out to be far more open and welcoming, and their growing interest in him sparks a dangerous kind of hope. As he slowly lets himself trust their care and affection, Miles begins to realize that his future — and his happily ever after — might be with them.

A tender, passionate story built around the undeniable pull between Miles, Emmett, and Cosimo — a dynamic that feels perfectly suited to who they are and what they each need. Their connection is immediate, magnetic, and deeply emotional, and the way they fit together makes their growing relationship feel both inevitable and right. I really appreciated that the book doesn’t shy away from the harder topics. The exploration of abuse, consent, and healing is handled with care, giving real weight to the emotional work each of them has to do. And Miles — sweet, nervous, hopeful Miles — is absolutely adorable. It’s so easy to see why he’s exactly the person Emmett and Cosimo would fall for, and how naturally he slots into their lives. A heartfelt, spicy, and emotionally rich story about trust, vulnerability, and finding a love big enough for three. This was an MMX story with mature content and BDSM-like D/s and Daddy/boy dynamics.

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Review: First Take by E.M. Denning 4 of 5 stars

First Take by E.M. Denning
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Asher finally gets to film with Lukas Knight’s studio, but he’s still reeling from losing Lukas to Sawyer. His scene partners, Jax Fisher and Blue Davies, step in to support him. Blue, a guarded vet tech who still works scenes, finds himself wanting to take care of Asher — and noticing Jax’s long‑held feelings for him. Jax has loved Blue for years, and now he’s drawn to Asher too. Instead of choosing, he starts imagining a relationship that includes all three of them. If Blue can risk trusting, and Asher can open his heart again, Jax might finally get the chance to build something real with both men.

A beautifully messy, big‑hearted story about three men who need each other more than they realise.  

Jax and Blue have been circling each other for years, carrying a quiet, hidden love neither has been brave enough to name. Their connection burns hot beneath the surface, but it’s Ash who becomes the unexpected catalyst — the glue that draws them together rather than pulling them apart. Ash arrives in pieces, hurting and vulnerable, and while he desperately needs their support, it becomes clear that Jax and Blue need each other just as much. Their chemistry is intense, but it’s the emotional work — the honesty, the communication, the willingness to lean on friends — that gives the story its weight. This book is full of big feelings, complicated bonds, and the kind of tenderness that makes you root for all three men to find something real together. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Sugar by E.M. Lindsey 5 of 5 stars

Sugar by E.M. Lindsey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Juno’s life unravels after a diagnosis threatens his sight, leaving him scared and hopeless. Piper, the older mall security guard he’s secretly admired, offers to take him on a bucket‑list trip before he goes blind. It’s not a cure, but it gives Juno comfort, connection, and a glimpse of a future he thought he’d lost — if he can let himself be vulnerable enough to reach for it.

A beautifully emotional story built around the undeniable connection between Juno and Piper as they slowly fall in love while Juno struggles to cope with his deteriorating eyesight. Their bond feels tender and immediate, giving Juno something steady to hold on to even when fear and uncertainty threaten to overwhelm him. I really enjoyed the warmth of the family and friend relationships woven throughout the book — they add so much heart. That said, Juno’s reluctance to tell his two best friends about his diagnosis felt strange at times, especially given how close they are. Still, the story is easy to feel and understand, full of vulnerability, affection, and the quiet hope that love can make even the hardest moments a little brighter. This was an MM story with mature content.

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