Review: The Holiday Exchange by Riley Hart by Christina Lee 3 of 5 stars

The Holiday Exchange by Riley Hart by Christina Lee

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Dawson has a quiet crush on Briar, the charming regular at his café. But just as he’s about to make a move, Briar shows up dating Dawson’s twin brother, Nathan. Three months later—right before Christmas—Nathan dumps Briar, leaving him heartbroken and without a date for his family holiday in Maine. In a twist worthy of a rom-com, Briar asks Dawson to pose as his boyfriend for the trip. What starts as a friendly favour quickly rekindles the spark Dawson always felt. As they navigate festive small-town charm, nosy relatives, and lingering feelings, Dawson must decide if he’s brave enough to confess the truth: he’s been falling for Briar all along. Now the question is—can a fake holiday romance turn into something real?

I enjoyed this novella which was a seasonal fake date story with the twin brother feeding into the confusion. I did find it a bit hard to get past the thought of the fact that Briar had had sex with both twins and how he resisted comparing their performance. The setting was very Hallmark Christmas Movie like which was nice. Easy to read and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Pretty Wild by Riley Hart by Christina Lee 5 of 5 stars

Pretty Wild by Riley Hart by Christina Lee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Clark is twenty-four, has a responsible job and an apartment and just needs to find the right guy to settle down with. Then he reconnects with childhood friend Skylar who was his first real friend (and first crush) who after a twelve-year gap is just as gorgeous and free-spirited as he was before. he can feel sucked back in but knows he can't fall for him as he is looking for forever and he focuses on casual. Skylar is the good-time guy who loves hookups, shaking his booty at the club and having fun. He has seen too many broken hearts and doesn't want to have one. Having Clark back in his life makes him feel grounded while his glasses make him an adorably hot Cark Kent. Hooking up with him is a bad idea but resisting him is impossible and so each touch, kiss or night spent together makes Skylar crave more. Clark makes Skylar want to break his rules as his best friend has stolen his heart even though he was afraid to give it. It comes down to Skylar potentially hurting Clark, or losing the only guy he's ever really wanted. Pretty wild, right?

I loved this emotional story which really looks at being brave enough to love someone and whether the reward is worth the risk. I loved the family politics involved and so was thrilled when Clark finally told his mother how he really felt. This was a lovely story and they definitely deserved to get a HEA together so that they could start to make up for the time they were kept apart. A great story to end the series on. Easy to read, feel and understand. This is an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Pretty Sweet by Riley Hart by Christina Lee 5 of 5 stars

Pretty Sweet by Riley Hart by Christina Lee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Seth hoped that moving to Portland would be a fresh start for him so he could live for himself but instead, he lives in an apartment his Mum chose, drives a car she chose and majors in Finance just like she wanted. Bad memories stop him from hooking up with anyone and has no idea how he could find a guy who would get him and his need to help and feel safe anyway. After befriending a worker at the assisted living facility he volunteers at she invites him to dinner and realises that her son Jakw is a guy he met last fall. He's hot and sweet and they are both attracted to each other even though Jake has never been with a man and Seth is a virgin so they set the pace together. Jake had a rocky childhood as his father was abusive and so as soon as he graduated high school he got them both out and is now managing a garage he owns with his best friend while living in his own home. Seth and Jake fulfil each other's needs and they have complete trust together which is priceless. Can they strike the right balance?

I really enjoyed this story which was heartbreaking on both sides - Seth had a dead father, a mother driven to succeed and near sexual abuse followed by bullying while Jake had an abusive father and a need to protect his mother. I thought their relationship was beautiful and that their trust and ability to confide in each other were very special. There were definitely a couple of moments in this story when I cried and so I was completely invested in the success of their relationship. Easy to read, feel and understand. This is an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Pretty Perfect by Riley Hart by Christina Lee 4 of 5 stars

Pretty Perfect by Riley Hart by Christina Lee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jesse started off trapped in a small town where he could not be himself because a make-ip-wearing boy who liked boys was not acceptable. He left and was loud, proud and unapologetically himself while following his dreams. He lives in an apartment with his best friend, studies so eventually he can do his dream job and dances the nights away at the hottest gay bar in Portland. Sexy bartender Dane is the only fly in the ointment as he has a perma-scowl made at Jesse and the tension between them i such that clubgoers notice. Every Friday night their bos makes the two of them dance on the bar together and Jesse does things just to wind Dane up. Dane was badly burned by his last boyfriend but thankfully his sister Bree and his niece Hailey make his days brighter while he gets back on his feet including his job as a bartender. No way does he want to get reeled in by another charming, pretty face and get hurt again. But he wants to push Jesse against a wall and screw the boldness out of him, but Jesse can also be pretty sweet (especially with Hailey) as he moves from enemies to angry hookups to friends and something uncharted.

I enjoyed this story with two strong but damaged men who had an undeniable attraction that meant that over time their relationship morphed into friendship and then love. I thought the relationship between Dane and Hailey was special and the way that was expanded to include Jesse (who was great with her) was also special. There were some emotional moments near the end of this book. I loved the please for love and acceptance even if it went against religion. Easy to read, feel and understand. This is an MM story with mature content.

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