Review: By All Accounts by Kate Hawthorne 5 of 5 stars

By All Accounts by Kate Hawthorne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Daniel and Sophie’s long, loving relationship shifts when a chance encounter brings Finn Covington into their lives — a man they both unexpectedly want. Finn, still hurting from his past, is wary of joining a couple, but being with them feels right. As Sophie and Daniel’s wedding approaches, Finn must decide whether to fight for a future with them or walk away.

I loved this story for the way it centred a love that wasn’t limited to just two people — trust was the foundation of everything between Sophie, Daniel, and Finn Covington. The care and support Sophie and Daniel offered Finn came with no pressure, only genuine affection, which made their growing connection feel warm and safe. Their communication was clear and easy to understand, and I especially appreciated how hard they worked to be equals in their relationship, making the dynamic feel inclusive and balanced. There were plenty of emotions and feelings throughout, from quiet vulnerability to moments of real tenderness. I also loved the way Finn communicated with his brothers and their partners — those scenes added depth and showed how much he was trying to rebuild his life while opening himself to something new. This was an MMF story with mature content.

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Review: Holden by Kate Hawthorne 4 of 5 stars

Holden by Kate Hawthorne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Holden, a quiet tattoo artist, ends up taking Bryce — his chatty co‑worker Merrick’s younger brother — to lunch on Bryce’s first day in LA. Their attraction is instant, and what starts as a casual, secret fling quickly becomes a safe space for both of them: Holden helps Bryce slow down and explore what he wants, while Bryce encourages Holden to speak up for his own needs. But their secret can’t last forever, and once Merrick finds out, their fragile new relationship faces a real test.

This book leans heavily into kink (especially breeding themes) and there’s plenty of heat, but what really holds the story together is the steady thread of relationship angst running underneath it. Even though the colleague’s‑younger‑brother trope can feel a bit overdone and slightly manufactured here, I still enjoyed how well they helped each other communicate and grow. Their emotional push‑and‑pull gave the story some depth, and the way they learned to express what they needed from each other was  satisfying. The rooftop scene at the end was a standout moment — warm, hopeful, and the perfect way to close their arc in this instalment. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Breaking the Mold by Kate Hawthorne 4 of 5 stars

Breaking the Mold by Kate Hawthorne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Riggs, a widowed tattoo artist still healing from the loss of his husband, isn’t looking for love when nineteen‑year‑old Smith faints during his first tattoo. But their unexpected spark only grows stronger when they cross paths again at a kink club, revealing a chemistry neither can ignore. Smith, long overshadowed by his overprotective brothers, finally starts pursuing what he wants — including Riggs. As their relationship deepens, they must navigate age differences, lingering grief, and the return of someone from Riggs’s past who threatens their fragile new happiness. Both men are broken in different ways, but together they might have a chance at a future they never imagined.

This was a really enjoyable story with an undeniable pull between Riggs and Smith — the kind of chemistry that feels immediate yet grounded in the way their kinks and desires align so naturally. Their dynamic fits together beautifully, giving their relationship a sense of inevitability. I especially loved how open‑hearted Smith was, not just in exploring what he wanted with Riggs, but in accepting the lingering presence of Riggs’s late husband with such maturity and compassion. It added a lovely emotional depth to their connection. There are plenty of feelings running through this book — from both men and from the people who matter to them — and those emotional layers make their journey even more satisfying. A heartfelt, passionate read with characters who feel genuinely worth rooting for. This was an MM story with mature content and a BDSM-like D/s dynamic.

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Review: Burden of Proof by Kate Hawthorne 3 of 5 stars

Burden of Proof by Kate Hawthorne
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lincoln feels abandoned after his best friend finds love, leaving him lonely and adrift. Seeking comfort, he turns to submission for a night, but the encounter stirs deeper emotions than expected and entangles him in complications he can’t escape. His search for help leads him straight into the path of Hunter Covington — Marshall’s younger brother, equally dominant, and impossible to ignore. Hunter initially sees their meeting as a fleeting connection, but Lincoln’s vulnerability and strength captivate him. Determined not to walk away, Hunter convinces Lincoln to give him a chance. Their relationship evolves into a unique power exchange — one where Hunter’s protective instincts and Lincoln’s need for safety intertwine with surprising reciprocity. Yet Lincoln’s fear of abandonment makes him want to run, even as Hunter offers him a home and unconditional care. Their love becomes a test of endurance, trust, and self‑worth, as Hunter hopes to prove that Lincoln deserves not only love but a future built together.

I really struggled with this story. There were a lot of sex scenes but although BDSM was new for Hunter we didn't really experience the details of him trying and exploring it. There was also an absence of scenes too. I did enjoy the exploration of the different kinds of relationships although at times it was more of a distraction. This was an MM story with mature content and a BDSM-like D/s and Daddy/boy dynamics.

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Review: Heart2Heart: A Charity Anthology, Volume 8 by Collected Authors 4 of 5 stars

Heart2Heart: A Charity Anthology, Volume 8 by Emmy Sanders by E.M. Denning by Becca Seymour by Charlie Novak by Kate Hawthorne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A great value anthology of queer stories. The H2H app is great for when you need a plus one for an event or someone to attend a class with you. Most are short stories, and many of them are well written with clear emotions and feelings that will make you smile. I loved them all. Most of them are MM stories with mature content.

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Review: Love by Design by Kate Hawthorne 5 of 5 stars

Love by Design by Kate Hawthorne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Silas, a talented architect, thrives on structure and creativity—except when it comes to his chaotic love life. A spontaneous encounter with a stranger leads to an unexpected rescue by none other than Marshall Covington, his father’s business rival. What begins as a reckless moment spirals into something far deeper. Marshall, hardened by years of rivalry and family pressure, never intended to fall for the son of his nemesis. But Silas is magnetic—brilliant, affectionate, and impossible to ignore. As their secret relationship deepens, Marshall grapples with the inevitability of exposure and the emotional stakes involved. Together, they build something fragile but real. Yet with family tensions, professional rivalries, and personal vulnerabilities looming, they must confront the question: Can love truly hold when everything else threatens to tear it down?

I loved this story of the two men where rivalry and vulnerability intertwined into a delightful story of love, passion and commitment. I found Silas's relationship with his best friend strange but generally all other relationships were easy to feel and understand. I loved the way that the communication between Silas and Marshall was very clear with consent at the heart of it. The men felt very real and I was fully invested in their relationship. This was an MM story with mature content and a BDSM-like D/s dynamic.

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Review: Roughed Up by Kate Hawthorne 4 of 5 stars

Roughed Up by Kate Hawthorne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Alex's friends say it's gone on long enough. Trying to lick the wounds of my most recent breakup in private isn't making me feel any better, so I begin the daunting task of trying to venture back into the dating pool. But after a series of misses, I wonder if the answer I've been waiting for has been in my wallet all along. Dylan was offered money for his body by the gorgeous, motorcycle-riding, and glasses-wearing millionaire who keeps coming into my bar which isn't the worst thing that's ever happened to him. Being cut off by his father and forced to choose between money and music is. Walking away from a trust fund was hard, but trying to make ends meet is harder. Getting paid to do something I would have done for free feels like the easiest decision he'll ever make. But one night leads to another, and one customer to more, and suddenly, it's not so fun anymore. Alex has offered him more than his money and his body. He's giving Dylan ways to find worth, pleasure, and substance in a life that he thought he'd ruined. Through the pain of their past and the thrill of their present, it's impossible to not fall in love with him. But their secrets run just as deep as each other, and just because they can't stop it, doesn't mean love will ever be enough.

This was a dark and deep story as both men needed each other in their way. I'm not sure it was a healthy relationship but it did seem to work and Alex did appear to be saving Dylan through his care and love. I enjoyed this book as it was easy to feel and understand them. This was an MM story with mature content.

** Please read the content warnings.

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Review: Naughty November: A Charity Anthology by Cara Dee 4 of 5 stars

Naughty November: A Charity Anthology by Cara Dee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a great-value anthology of MM stories with mature content and BDSM-like dynamics. Some are HEAs or updates for existing characters from one of the author's series. Great writing with lots of emotions and feelings.

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Review: Cried Out by Kate Hawthorne 4 of 5 stars

Cried Out by Kate Hawthorne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Brooks is the same as the rest of his friends, but also nothing like them. Handsome as many and richer than most, getting men to come home with him has never been a problem. At least, not until he met Tate Barlowe at The Black Door. He’s younger and less experienced, but more than willing. He also sneaks out before Brooks can get his phone number, leaving him to rethink everything between them. Tate had spent months of trying and failing to lose his virginity, so decided a little lie is in order. Astor Brooks basically falls into his lap, so falling into his bed is the easy choice. He's not after a relationship, and even though he wants me to stay when we're done, he doesn’t see the need. The problem, he later finds out, is that Brooks is one of a kind in every way. Leaving Brooks high and dry was a bad decision, but once again fate brings them together, and he's ready for another chance. The problem is, Tate lied to him about more than one thing, and Brooks won’t take what he doesn’t trust. He wants Astor Brooks, and he's not giving him up without a fight. He's never met a man like him, and he never will again, but he’s never met a man like me either. The way he loves is like nothing he's ever experienced, and even though he makes him cry, Tate likes it, loves it and loves him. There’s so much in this world outside of their control, but when he's on my knees for him, everything makes sense. Now, Tate just has to make sure he feels the same.

I enjoyed this story with the two men who were into the same kink and who were almost obsessed with each other. I loved their relationship and that they knew that they were perfectly matched. Lots of emotions and feelings in this story. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Tied Down by Kate Hawthorne 4 of 5 stars

Tied Down by Kate Hawthorne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ford is a player who loves a good game, and flirting with his best friend’s straight little brother is well within the rules of engagement. But finding out Boston isn’t so straight after all? There’s no playbook for that. Even though it’s uncharted territory, Ford and Boston are secretly committed to each other. Sooner or later, they'll need to take their relationship into the real world, but that also means coming clean with Ford's friends and Boston's brother. Ford has never wanted to be monogamous before, and Kale has his own ideas about what’s best for everyone. It’s up to Boston to make sure they know that Ford and him are not tied down - that together they’re finally free.

I loved this story of how a determined Boston tamed player Ford and how they faced resistance from Boston's brother. I loved the way that they communicated and were open with each other. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Worth the Chance by Kate Hawthorne 5 of 5 stars

Worth the Chance by Kate Hawthorne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After Aaron is introduced to Verity Jones, his entire world is turned on its head. From the very first conversation they shared, Verity has him fascinated and determined. He wants to know more about them, what makes them tick and why they’re so dismissive of him. He wants to convince them he's worth a chance. Aaron is the most stubborn man Verity has ever met and if he didn’t want him so much, he might hate him.  It’s been years since Verity settled into his identity and Aaron is mixing it up again, but it’s more than that. Venturing into the unknown is scarier than it was as a teenager, but if the reward at the end of the journey is Aaron, there’s a chance it’s all worth it.

I loved this story and the conclusion of the slow development of the relationship between Verity and Aaron. Finding out some facts about Verity's younger life answered a lot of questions and the identities of the females in Chas's life. (I want to read more about him). A push-and-pull situation between the two of them but I loved that they had the HEA that they deserved. Easy to read, feel and understand I loved that Aaron fully accepted Verity's non-binary status and acted the correct way when they were deadnamed. This was an MM story with mature content and a BDSM-like D/s dynamic.

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Review: Worth the Fight by Kate Hawthorne 4 of 5 stars

Worth the Fight by Kate Hawthorne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Micah has been his world for the last six years. He’s the man he loves, the only person he wants, and Justin's number one priority. When Micah proposes they bring another man into their marriage, Justin doesn't know what to say. Keith doesn't think he deserves men like Justin and Micah. Between Micah’s kind-hearted acceptance of him and Justin’s stoic composure and guiding hand, the two of them have opened his eyes to a world he didn’t know existed.  Justin is the best man Micah has ever met and opening things up to include Keith won’t change that. Neither of them expected Keith, and neither of them expected the hell that came with him, but Micah hopes, in the end, they’ll all agree our love is worth fighting for.

I loved this story with the three men, the love between them and how that translated into passion. There were a lot of emotions, feelings and thoughts around the three of them. It was easy to feel all of the emotions swirling around them and all of the dramatic events in their lives. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MMM story with mature content.

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Review: Worth the Wait by Kate Hawthorne 4 of 5 stars

Worth the Wait by Kate Hawthorne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Callum didn’t expect to meet someone so quickly on the online app and he also didn’t expect him to live across the country, and didn’t expect him to want to be called Daddy. But he wants more as he wants commitment and closeness. He wants whatever the thing between them to be real, and he's not convinced he can give that to him. It’s been years since John cared enough to get involved with anyone seriously, so he's caught off-guard after meeting Callum online. Smitten from the start, he is ready to give him anything and everything he needs, except the one thing he’s after most - proximity. All of that changes when John ends up in Los Angeles, faced with the opportunity to make good on all the promises he's been sending him through text. The only question is will Callum wait while John gets his act together or will he get tired of waiting?

I loved this story of the two men who met online and just could not survive without each other such was the depth of their love. There were dramatic times as well as tender times in this story which made them feel more real and relatable. There are a couple of content warnings that you should take note of. Easy to read, feel and understand. This is an MM story with mature content and a BDSM-like DDLB dynamic.

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Review: Worth the Risk by Kate Hawthorne 4 of 5 stars

Worth the Risk by Kate Hawthorne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

At eighteen, Landon couldn’t picture a future without Gregory Douglas by my side, but we quickly learned life had other plans for us. Forced to move away from the first man I loved—who was also my first Dom—I went to college in New York, met my best friend Verity, and eventually, we opened the club of my dreams. Rapture is a BDSM club where people with similar interests can come together—in more ways than one—and inside its walls, I found more than just family. I found a home. One thing I didn’t expect to find at Rapture, though, was Gregory himself. Gregory thought he’d moved on from Landon, but finding him on the stairs at Rapture threw that idea right out of his mind. Feelings and memories rushed back and he knew, without a doubt, that Landon and he were meant to be together. 

I enjoyed this second chance story with the two men who were separated when they went to college and found each other again later in life. I loved that they were able to work through their past hurts and find a way to be together. Verity was such fun and I'm looking forward to learning about them. Some great characters and lots of raw emotions and feelings. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content with a BDSM-like D/s dynamic.

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Review: Until You Say Otherwise by Kate Hawthorne 4 of 5 stars

Until You Say Otherwise by Kate Hawthorne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sam needs an address to get himself a job. Jumping the fence at a really attractive older man's estate wasn't the best idea he ever had. Richard is commanding, but kind, and he offers him something no one else ever has - a home which is a safe place, a warm bed, and a place to explore parts of himself he never knew before. Richard doesn't date and doesn't take in homeless nineteen-year-olds with soft brown hair and big doe eyes. Something about Sam makes him ache to take care of him and when Richard offers, he doesn't tell him no. Before Sam, he also didn't fall in love, but that's one more thing about Richard he's changed. Sam has altered his entire life and he doesn't want him to go, but if he holds on too tight, he'll lose him forever.

This was such a sweet story with a dose of kink that could be a little extreme thanks to Sam's total trust in Richard. I did understand why Richard let Sam have the freedom that he so badly wanted but it took a very high level of trust to know that he would come back. I loved the way that their relationship developed which displayed their trust in each other and the way that Sam had accepted the new world he had become a part of. Lots of emotions and feelings in this story. Easy to read, feel and u understand. This was an MM story with mature content including a BDSM-like D/s dynamic.

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Review: Love Comes After by Kate Hawthorne 5 of 5 stars

Love Comes After by Kate Hawthorne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Chris is not into feelings after losing his fiancé in a car accident that ruined his life. So he decides to keep his life simple and casual. One night, when a copper-haired bartender asks him to bed him and his boyfriend, it's an easy decision. Yes. Aiden loves Bennet more than life but they are not sexually compatible so things between them have reached a breaking point. Thinking that they need a third person to fix everything when he sees Chris he knows he could be that person. Bennet has known for years he can't give Aiden the things he needs, but it doesn't take long for him to realise that Chris can.  Chris was supposed to be a short-term solution, but his body isn't the only thing he brings into their bed. He leaves his heart there too, and that wasn't supposed to happen. We weren't supposed to fall in love, not with him, but one kiss changed everything. Bennet hopes that just because love didn't come first for us doesn't mean it can't come after.

I loved this story with the second chance at love for Chris and the chance to stay together and expand the love for Aiden and Bennet. The three worked together perfectly and it was great to see Chris handle them both separately and yet also connect them to match their sexual preferences. I loved how they handled an accident and how Chris discovered that he had enough love for them both. A lot of emotions and feelings in this story are examined in a suitable level of detail. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MMM story with mature content and BDSM-like D/S and DDLB dynamics.

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Review: The Colors Between Us by Kate Hawthorne 4 of 5 stars

The Colors Between Us by Kate Hawthorne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Donny is shorter, quieter, nicer and softer than his sister. Everyone treats him like a second-place competitor.except for Roland. He looks at him differently, with anger and inspiration in his eyes, but also attraction. An undeniable kind of attraction. Roland has spent years looking for inspiration at the bottom of a bottle. If losing his boyfriend, his career, and his muse weren't bad enough, now he's on the brink of losing his mind too. At least With Donny comes fresh inspiration, but he deserves more than the scattered pieces of Roland. Either he succeeds at conquering the demons inside of him, or he loses Donny forever.

This was an inspirational story as Roland battled his demons to be the kind of man that Donny deserved. They were an odd couple but they just worked. This definitely was an emotional story as Roland and Donny worked out their relationship and Roland fought his demons. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was a MM story with mature content.

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Review: His Kind of Love by Kate Hawthorne 4 of 5 stars

His Kind of Love by Kate Hawthorne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Being homeless isn't the worst thing that's ever happened to Joel, but it's only temporary, or at least that's what he's trying to remind himself of the night he almost get car jacked and robbed. Thankfully, he's saved by a handsome stranger who offers him a place to stay until he can get back on his feet. Gabriel is a patient and rich man. Gabriel is a dedicated man who.has waited and lingered, moving people around like chess pieces on a board until everything lines up just so. The right strings have been pulled, the traps set, but the games have gone on long enough. He is tired of waiting and is.ready to bring home what's his. Joel has learned to love his lies, but can he learn to love Gabriel as much as he love him in return?

This was a dark story of obsession, love and how close they can be together. What started as an obsession on Gabriel's side became expected by Joel which was unexpected. Their life similarities were exceptional. A lot of thoughts, emotions and feelings in this story. This was a MM story with mature content.

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Review: A Very Messy Motel Brothers Wedding by Kate Hawthorne 3 of 5 stars

A Very Messy Motel Brothers Wedding by Kate Hawthorne
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Cameron Motel feels shorted that his oldest brother Charlie and his best friend Eddie got married in secret, and he's ready to throw them the wedding they deserve. Emotions run high, and words from the past resurface, leaving Cameron doubting his future with Luke. Thankfully, his brothers and their boyfriends rally to his side, and when all is said and done, maybe two couples will end the day with rings on their fingers.

This was a sweet short story which was high in emotions and feelings but I felt missed a trick by being only two weddings. I also wondered on the person who officiated but maybe that is just my unfamiliarity with the US. Easy to read, feel and understand this was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Limitless by Kate Hawthorne 4 of 5 stars

Limitless by Kate Hawthorne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Andy didn’t understand the romance of Paris until he kissed a stranger in a rainstorm. Then he followed the man home, hoping for a taste of the adventure of which he’d been so desperately searching. He got more than he bargained for, starting with a shared bottle of wine in a rented flat and ending with heartbreak in Bordeaux hotel. Leonidas Filo had been content to travel and wander, never wanting to settle—whether it was down or for less. The handsome American he spied on the street was only meant to be a moment of fun, but he couldn’t deny how right it felt to keep pushing his limits with Andy Motel. after months of separation, the two men who are still barely more than strangers find themselves together again, but this time in Cherry Creek. Leonidas is ready to offer everything he can, but Andy needs to find a way to turn a collection of moments into a lifetime of love.

This was a srory about passion and trust as the two men learnt about their own brand of love and what that meant for then. I loved the different approaches of the family. Leo's sisters both of which were typical big sisters. Easy to read, feel and understand this was an MM story with mature content and a BSDM-like D!s dynamic.

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