Review: Lights, Murder, Action by Ashlynn Mills 3 of 5 stars

Lights, Murder, Action by Ashlynn Mills
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sterling is used to playing a fake villain — scripted blood, staged murders, all pretend — until suddenly it isn’t. Pulled into a real nightmare, he becomes trapped and controlled, clinging to cameraman Hayden’s praise as the only thing that still feels good. Chained, surrounded by real violence, Sterling fixates on performing for Hayden, blurring fear and devotion as he becomes the “star” of a show he can’t escape.

This is a very dark romance built on the intense obsession between Sterling and Hayden, and that fixation drives every moment of their twisted connection. I found myself struggling at times with just how dark every character was — it became hard to tell who was worse, which added to the unsettling tone of the story. I do enjoy dark romance, but this one pushed the limits for me. Still, the obsessive pull between the leads is undeniable, and the story delivers exactly the kind of disturbing, emotionally charged intensity it promises. This was an MM story with mature content.

** Please note the trigger warnings **

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Review: Look My Way by Ashlynn Mills 4 of 5 stars

Look My Way by Ashlynn Mills
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Zavier lives in the shadows, punishing evil with ruthless precision. He’s never claimed to be good—only effective at turning nightmares against those who deserve them. One glance from Liam changes everything. For the first time, Zavier feels something deeper than vengeance: a need to protect, to belong, to be the one person Liam can depend on. Liam saved Zavier’s life, and now Zavier will do anything to help him live his—even if it means eliminating anyone who threatens him. Love, for Zavier, is fierce, possessive, and deadly.

I loved this dark story of violent redemption wrapped in obsessive tenderness. Daniel was evil and abusive and Zavier recognised that and determined to save Liam from that and replace it with his own brand of obsession. A lot of violence, emotions and passion in this story. I did enjoy Daniel's demise. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Halluci-Dating A Demon by Ashlyn Mills 3 of 5 stars

Halluci-Dating A Demon by Ashlynn Mills
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Struggling with hallucinations during sleep, Elias's nightmares are unexpectedly replaced by a quirky, food-loving purple demon called Arien who also takes a liking to his hoodies. Torn between viewing him as an annoyance or secretly hoping he's real, the situation blurs the lines between imagination and reality, creating a unique and whimsical conundrum.

This was a sweet story as the lines blurred between dreams and reality as they found ways to communicate with each other in real life. There were a few twists in the story as we discovered the truth about the accident that started Elias's journey into self-recrimination. It could have done with some more detail about thoughts and feelings around the accident and the cause. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: My Demon Rebound by Ashlynn Mills 4 of 5 stars

My Demon Rebound by Ashlynn Mills
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Everly found his soon-to-be husband hooking up with his best man in his dressing room on their wedding day and so ditched up and decided to take their honeymoon on his own. Then something calls out from the floorboards of the kitchen for help and he finds and frees a demon called Rorian who claims that Everly's blood woke him. They spend the next two weeks alone and Rorian insists that Everly is his fated mate. The longer they spend together the more Everly wants it to be true as he doesn't want his heart to be broken.

This was a sweet novella with the two fated mates who are finally together with the help of some unexpected friends who stopped all the forces that are trying to keep them apart. I enjoyed the ending and the result which suggests that there needs to be a follow-up story about a certain cat and the story of him and his fated mate. Easy to feel, read and understand. This is an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Lessons by Ashlynn Mills 3 of 5 stars

Lessons by Ashlynn Mills
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Benicio's wife died and their son Miles had Leukaemia while drowning in his grief he tried to do the best for his son. After trying many teachers he kidnaps his former school teacher Mathias where everything changes in the house. Benicio is less lonely, the house feels less empty and he feels like the missing piece in his life. Mathias fights him and tries to run away every chance he gets but in between the "I hate you" and threats he wants to be Benicia's good boy. Benicio doubts they'll be able to continue as they are without consequences but Mathias's smiles and the way he calls him Daddy makes Benicio want to do whatever it takes to keep him where he is.

I enjoyed this story it just felt a bit superficial at times as there was analysis around the thoughts and feelings of the characters. I also found it strange that Benicio was able to switch from being with a woman to a man with all the preparation immediately as I would assume he would need a little internet education. It was a pleasant story with a perceptive Miles who was quite happy to let them know that he know what was going on between them both. Mathias coped with the death and destruction fairly well for a school teacher. This was an MM story with mature content and a BSDM-like DDLB dynamic.

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Review: Conflicted by Ashlynn Mills 4 of 5 stars

Conflicted by Ashlynn Mills
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Andres has done a deal with Samantha who to save her father's reputation needs a husband in a marriage of convenience and in return he gets money. Then he meets his intended father-in-law and he worries it is over before it begins as his stupidity and loneliness might have cost him everything. Zacharias is a well-known drug lord in Texas and usually when he sees something he wants he takes it, but he wants his daughter's fiancé who is beautiful and the perfect submissive.

This was a slow-to-start story which soon developed into a story full of drama, danger, twists and turns as the two men central to this story meet and realise that they may have met before. They seem to be into taking risks but Andres seems to be unable to resist his Daddy and as the danger ratchets up and the plots get darker they both have to be involved in increasing levels of danger. This was easy to read, feel and understand. This is an MM story with mature content and a BSDM-like DDLB dynamic. There are some descriptions of murder and mutilation.

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Review: Be Mine, Heartless Valentine by Ashlynn Mills 3 of 5 stars

Be Mine, Heartless Valentine by Ashlynn Mills
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Every Friday Ezra drives a truck to a warehouse, collects product and delivers it to his given address. It stays locked at all times and he knows not to look inside no matter what. Paxton was with his boyfriend when he was abducted and trafficked. Then one Friday Ezra is stranded in the middle of nowhere and something calls his attention to the back of the truck - when he cuts the lock he finds a frightened Paxton and his resolve to follow the rules even if it means his family's safety is shot to hell. Is Paxton really worth the risk and can Ezra keep them safe from the men who will be after them?

I found this a difficult story to follow with the identity issues, the uncertainty and the loose way they were in a relationship (or were they?). I did enjoy the story about the abduction, the discovery and the sanctuary but I did get confused. I also found the ending a little rushed too. I've enjoyed the previous three books in this series but just did not feel it for this one. This is an MM story with some mature content.

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Review: Flying Hard for Finn by Ashlynn Mills 3 of 5 stars

Flying Hard for Finn by Ashlynn Mills
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Finn went to a friend's party and stumbled upon a beautiful and graceful pet he flapped his wings and went into a cage. It struck a chord and he realised that as a master he was always meant to have a bird - that particular bird. When he takes off his mask it all gets complicated as it is his step-father's brother Theo. When Finn looks at Theo he knows they belong together but can he persuade everyone (including Theo)? Can Finn heal his broken wings so he can touch the sky again?

This was a sweet story with a younger Dom who was determined to be with the man he knew he was meant to heal and nurture as he let him fly and be free. I thought the Dove that Theo became was a great animal for such a sensitive man to be. There were some nice analyses of some of the feelings involved in their relationship and the damage that had been done to Theo's confidence in the past. Easy to read, feel and understand. This is an MM story with mature content with a BDSM-like D/s relationship with pet play.

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