Review: Bachelor Hero by Sam E. Kraemer 4 of 5 stars

Bachelor Hero by Sam E. Kraemer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Golden Elite team is still recovering a year after the bombing at Blue, so Smokey and Parker host a New Year’s bachelor‑party weekend to help everyone move forward. Each couple arrives with big life plans — babies, new jobs, future homes, even living abroad — while surprise guests add extra chaos. By the end of the weekend, someone is getting married.

This was a great holiday story, offering a wonderful update on the lives of all the GEA‑A heroes and their partners. The events at the cabin felt exactly like something this group would get up to — chaotic, warm, funny, and full of their trademark camaraderie. I loved seeing all the relationship updates and the different dynamics between the couples. There were plenty of deep emotions and feelings woven throughout, and the finale of their time together was especially satisfying. The moments between Bruno and Dom were a standout for me, and I’m really looking forward to the day their story gets its own book. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Mouth to Mouth by Athena Steller 3 of 5 stars

Mouth to Mouth by Athena Steller
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Luca loves his Surf City life, even if he’s once again buried in responsibilities. Discovering friends who share his age regression dynamic is freeing, but he’s determined to forget his disastrous hookup with Brad. Brad came to town for a second chance, focused on his five‑year plan, but their mistaken‑identity hookup forces him to make peace with Luca. Friendship quickly blurs as Brad’s long‑suppressed Daddy instincts resurface, leaving them both wanting more.

This was a sweet, emotionally warm story with plenty of clear, easy‑to‑feel emotions throughout. Luca was an adorable little when he let himself relax as he became cute, affectionate, and occasionally a brat which made his dynamic with Brad really charming. Brad came to Surf City determined to rebuild his life after a painful breakup, and although he tried hard to resist his Daddy instincts, Luca’s gentle persistence made it impossible for him to hold back forever. Their connection felt tender and supportive, with a lovely mix of caretaking, vulnerability, and growth. A light, emotional read that balances sweetness with just enough tension to keep the relationship engaging. This was an MM story with mature content and a BDSM-like DDLB dynamic.

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Review: Ruined by Ally Avery 4 of 5 stars

Ruined by Ally Avery
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ollie reunites with Logan years after the man who once cared for him like family suddenly walked out of his life. Logan wants to make up for the time they lost, but Ollie’s feelings have shifted into something far more complicated — and far less appropriate. Despite knowing it’s wrong and fearing he’ll be hurt again, Ollie can’t deny how strongly he’s drawn back to him.

This was a forbidden romance filled with plenty of emotions and complicated feelings as Logan struggled with his conscience and both men wrestled with how or whether to tell Ollie’s family. The tension around their past and the weight of what their relationship meant added a strong emotional pull throughout the story. It also touched on several clear tropes, including former stepdad and stepson, age gap (24 years), hurt/comfort, caretaking, and a size difference. These elements shaped the dynamic between them without ever overshadowing the emotional core of the story. There were plenty of feelings throughout, and watching both men navigate guilt, longing, fear, and hope made the story compelling. It’s a messy, emotional journey — but one that keeps you invested in how they’ll handle the fallout of loving someone they’re not supposed to. This was an MM story with mature content and a BDSM-like Daddy/boy dynamic.

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Review: The Art of Drowning by E.M. Denning 5 of 5 stars

The Art of Drowning by E.M. Denning
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Callum saves Damien from drowning one summer, sparking a bond that Callum’s possessive brother Sam later tears apart. Damien builds a new life far away, but Sam’s death brings the two men back together — along with the dangerous secrets Sam left behind.

This was a very emotional story, full of feelings and turmoil, as Callum and Damien tried to navigate the damage Sam caused in both their lives. Sam was absolutely the villain here — bitter, manipulative, and determined to control everyone around him. Even during his health crisis, he used the situation to inflict more hurt, which made his presence loom over the entire book. I appreciated how clearly the Then and Now chapters were marked, making the shifts between past and present easy to follow. Both men had supportive friends who tried their best to help, even when their advice wasn’t always welcome. Through all the danger, grief, and unresolved history, the story carried a strong emotional core that made their journey compelling. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Trent by Dale Mayer 4 of 5 stars

Trent by Dale Mayer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Trent’s team rescues Naomi and six‑year‑old Ricky from a deadly situation at sea, only to uncover a larger web of drug trafficking, secrets, and danger. As the mission expands, Naomi’s fierce devotion to Ricky becomes the heart of the story — a vulnerable boy with no real support except the woman who’s loved him as her own. Their bond is strained by shocking revelations and threats from people who should have protected him. Fast, emotional, and suspenseful, the story blends action with found‑family warmth and a growing romance. A submarine rescue, an unexpected guardian, and a final twist deliver a hard‑earned happily ever after.

A gripping mix of interconnected mysteries and long‑buried secrets, this story keeps a little boy and his devoted nanny/teacher at its heart. Ricky and Naomi’s bond is the emotional anchor as each lie and hidden truth is peeled back, slowly revealing the full picture only at the very end. Trent steps in as their protector and advocate, and the rescue carried out by his team sets off a chain of danger, revelations, and tense confrontations. The attraction between Trent and Naomi simmers beneath the surface, never overshadowing the urgent fight to keep Ricky safe but adding a lovely spark to the unfolding drama. It’s easy to be swept up in the suspense, the layered secrets, and the fierce loyalty binding these characters together. A compelling blend of danger, heart, and mystery. This was an MF story with just a little mature content near the end.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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Review: Salesman Mateo by Sam E. Kraemer 4 of 5 stars

Salesman Mateo by Sam E. Kraemer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mateo comes to America out of fierce Torrente family loyalty, tasked with protecting his cousin’s children and uncovering a traitor. He tries to keep his life free of emotional ties, but meeting Shay Barr — a talented New York barber with a dangerous past — shakes that resolve. Shay is facing the return of the religious zealots he escaped as a teen, while Mateo is surrounded by threats to his own family. Their chemistry is instant, and each man becomes exactly what the other needs as danger closes in from both sides.

This story had an undeniable connection between Mateo and Shay, even when the drama surrounding them from family threats to dangerous pasts that made things hard. As the tension ramped up, Mateo found himself intervening again and again, digging into both current and historical events to keep everyone safe. There were plenty of emotions and feelings, good and bad, woven through the story. Shay was a standout for me — someone who often felt like he needed a hug as he tried to cope with everything thrown at him, yet still managed to stay strong and compassionate. A dramatic, emotional read with two men fighting danger, family turmoil, and their own fears to hold onto something real. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Herds and Hooves by B.L. Maxwell 4 of 5 stars

Herds and Hooves by B.L. Maxwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Keith is a lifelong Foggy Basin local, content with his quiet rural routine, while Bart arrives from suburban Sacramento completely out of his element. Lost during the town’s Pride parade, Bart accepts help from Keith — a small choice that sparks a connection and may push this city boy toward a life he never expected.

This was an enjoyable story as Bart arrived in Foggy Basin to help his aging uncle with the family dairy farm and ended up never leaving, while Keith crossed paths with him through work. I especially loved Bart’s uncle as he brought a lot of fun and warmth to the story. Keith was harder for me to connect with, mostly because he stayed so reticent about something in his past, and we never really learned what that was. The baby cow added some humour, though a few moments were confusing, especially the switch between feeding from its mother and being bottle‑fed. Overall, the story had light emotions and feelings throughout, and I enjoyed spending time with these characters and the gentle, small‑town charm of their world. This was an MM story with mature content.

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