Review: The Vampire by B.L. Maxwell 3 of 5 stars

The Vampire by B.L. Maxwell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Marlon Byrne, a centuries‑old vampire buried beneath the small town of Occident, has grown so lonely that he chooses to lie in a grave, hoping fate will eventually bring him a mate. Blake Miller has heard stories all his life about a vampire buried with a stash of gold, and one night he and his friend Aaron decide to investigate. What they uncover is far more real — and far more dangerous — than a family legend. Awakening Marlon sets off a chain of events Blake can’t control, pulling him into a world where his old life is gone and the cost of survival may demand far more than just his blood.

I enjoyed the premise of this story and the eerie charm of a long‑buried vampire awakening to change Blake’s life, but I was left wanting more. The setup is intriguing and the atmosphere pulls you in quickly, yet the characters never quite deepen beyond their initial roles. Marlon and Blake’s dynamic had potential, but the emotional and personal development felt too thin to fully invest in. The biggest disappointment was how abruptly the story ended. Just as the tension and stakes were building, it wrapped up before exploring the consequences or giving the characters room to grow. It’s a fun, engaging idea with flashes of promise, but the lack of development and sudden finish kept it from being as satisfying as it could have been. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Isaac's Holiday by B.L. Maxwell 3 of 5 stars

Isaac's Holiday by B.L. Maxwell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In Foggy Basin, Tig is brimming with excitement for Christmas, eager to buy presents and decorate the house with his boyfriend Isaac. While Tig’s enthusiasm is boundless, Isaac — new to holiday traditions — is determined to make the season magical for him, even if it means diving into tree decorating, shopping, and a few surprises of his own. With snow promised for the second year in a row, the town buzzes with anticipation. Amidst love, laughter, and a handful of responsibilities to manage, Tig and Isaac are ready to create their best holiday yet — one filled with joy, romance, and the promise of shared traditions.

I liked this short story about love, celebration, and the magic of building holiday memories together. It was nice to read a little more about some of the characters in Foggy Basin but the story felt that the two men making memories wasn't enough to make this story have a lot of depth of emotions and feelings. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: The Boys by BL Maxwell 3 of 5 stars

The Boys by BL Maxwell

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

After discovering his fiancé’s betrayal, Syd Dufort escapes to Iceland on what should have been his honeymoon, hoping to avoid the pain of facing his family during the holidays. But the bleak winter landscape only deepens his doubts. At the airport, he meets Caleb Mies, whose family owns the remote hotel where Syd is staying. Caleb is kind, attentive, and unexpectedly drawn to Syd, though his family’s mysterious Yule tradition carries a darker edge. As the holiday approaches, both men wrestle with attraction, fear, and the secrets they keep. Under the long Icelandic winter nights, revelations will emerge—and Syd and Caleb must decide whether love can survive the shadows of Yule.

This was a dark short story that was a blend of heartbreak, mystery, and the haunting beauty of Yule traditions. I loved that the Icelandic winter setting was a metaphor for isolation and emotional numbness, showing how heartbreak can drive us to seek refuge in unfamiliar places. I liked how the story showed that secrecy can protect but also isolate, and how revelation—though painful—can be the only path to intimacy and transformation. In summary this story showed that connection in the coldest places, confronting secrets through tradition, and discovering that love can survive even in shadowed, haunted spaces. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Finding Isaac by B.L. Maxwell 4 of 5 stars

Finding Isaac by B.L. Maxwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Isaac Grant has always called Foggy Basin home, content with casual flings and a carefree lifestyle—until his closest friend-with-benefits finds lasting love, leaving Isaac unexpectedly adrift and craving something deeper. Tig Sawyer left town years ago, chasing ambition and a faster pace. But when he returns, the quiet charm of Foggy Basin—and Isaac—pulls at something he didn’t know he missed. As the two reconnect, Isaac begins to question his resistance to commitment, and Tig, despite his polished exterior, seems more than ready to take a chance on the wild-hearted local who’s never had a reason to stay. What begins as curiosity might just become the real thing.

I loved this story with the two men who started from different attitudes towards their relationship but that rapidly expanded to be something far more in tune with each other. I loved that the story explored how intimacy can evolve—how physical connection can be a doorway to something more, and how emotional vulnerability transforms relationships from fleeting to lasting. I also loved that the story explored emotional surprise—how the right person can appear when we least expect it, and how openness to possibility can transform our understanding of what we need. Lots of emotions and feelings as their relationship solidified into something much more. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Something Unavoidable by Rory Maxwell 4 of 5 stars

Something Unavoidable by Rory Maxwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Izzy King has a reputation. He's the wild one. The fun one. The one who does what he wants. And if he’s a little broken under his fun-loving façade, well, that’s nobody’s business—especially not Split Rock Ranch’s long-time vet, Dr. Keegan Reid. That guy is the worst. Izzy keeps his distance—that is, until his boss decides they need to work together to care for a group of rescue horses. Whatever. Izzy will do what he does best and ignore the situation until it goes away. Keegan Reid knows what he wants. He’s happy with his practice, his dogs, his cabin, and volunteering with the local animal rescue. What he doesn’t need is chaos—and Izzy King is chaos incarnate. Yet somehow, that doesn’t prevent him from picking up the verbal gauntlet every time Izzy throws it down. There’s something about Izzy that won’t let him turn the other cheek. Izzy and Keegan might fight like cats and dogs—but everyone knows that high emotions often hide explosive chemistry. Keegan thinks they’d be a good fit if Izzy gave him a chance. But apparently, that old saying about leading a horse to water also applies to stubborn ranch hands. Izzy’s got a past that makes him prone to bolting, and Keegan needs to decide if he wants to tame another feral creature.

This was a strange story as Keegan saw what Izzy needed and gave him that as he helped him to sort out his problems. There's was a strange love that seemed to work. Lots of emotions and feelings in this story. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Wrapped Up In Tinsel by B.L. Maxwell 3 of 5 stars

Wrapped Up In Tinsel by B.L. Maxwell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Steve Reynolds prefers to avoid people, and working as a tech guy at one of the big box electronic stores has guaranteed that. He does the repairs and lets the person at the counter deal with the rest, it’s perfect. Until this year, when the store is downsizing and he’s laid off just before Thanksgiving. Garrett Juhl loves Christmas more than anyone has loved Christmas before him. Or at least he likes to tell himself that, and while he’s making deliveries for his job, he also pretends he’s Santa. But he’d rather not admit that to anyone. Desperate for a job Steve takes the first one he’s offered even if he’s not sure he’ll survive it. Being one of Santa’s elves at the local mall has never been something he’d consider, but he’s desperate. When Garrett goes to the mall to see this year's decorations he immediately notices the grouchy elf who even with a frown looks cute in his elf uniform. Maybe this year he could be the one who turns that frown upside down.

This was a sweet story about two men who appeared to be complete opposites but were more similar than they realised. It was easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Something Unprofessional by Rory Maxwell 5 of 5 stars

Something Unprofessional by Rory Maxwell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ev Bailey is done dating his bosses. After the last disaster, he’s sworn off workplace romances for good. Which is why it’s so inconvenient that his new boss is hotter than sin and an expert at pushing all his butons. Gabe Diaz didn’t want a PA, but he has to admit that things run more smoothly with Ev around. The boy is easy to work with and even easier on the eyes. Not that Gabe’s going to do anything about it. He’s too experienced to make that kind of mistake. Besides, he has certain tastes that would probably send his buttoned-up PA running. Anything beyond a professional relationship between them is off the table. Then the hottest spot to play in town hosts a New Year’s Eve masquerade, and with masks firmly in place, anything could happen. They’ll deal with the repercussions on Monday.

This a really enjoyable boss to lovers story with a Daddy link twist. I loved that they both broke their rules because what they had found together was so special and worth it. As is often the case communication and setting expectations was key. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was a MM story with mature content and a BDSM-like Daddy/boy dynamic

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Review: Something Unexpected by Rory Maxwell 4 of 5 stars

Something Unexpected by Rory Maxwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dominic (Nicky) Lauder returned to his aunt's Split Rock Ranch after 20 years with some unfortunate news for her. He meets ranch manager Micah Avery and his husband of three years Ryan who are rocked by the news that Nicky brings. Both the Avery men are also rocked by their attraction to Nicky which is certainly something that they have never experienced before. As the three men explore the attraction between them Nicky has to decide who he is allied with and how serious the relationship is between them.

This was unexpected with the relationship between the three men on the one hand, the treachery of Nicky's father, and the depths that he has plunged into. There was a lot of heat between the three men and I loved the way that Micah and Ryan discussed it fully and made sure that it didn't affect their relationship before any discussion with Nicky. The story track involving Nicky's father was well covered and the involvement of the wider family was very useful. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MMM story with mature content

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Review: Just Another Day At The Morgue by B.L. Maxwell 4 of 5 stars

Just Another Day At The Morgue by B.L. Maxwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bran Tanda works at the hospital morgue despite the fact he can see and hear all the spirits that tend to congregate there. Jordan Amid is Bran’s assistant. He’s reluctant to interact too much with the dead since he can feel all the pain from their death and the confusion they’re left with. But he’s drawn to work there with Bran, and his ghost dog Buddy. Bran and Jordan are thrown into a world where things are changing, and without their help, everyone will suffer the dead. Stronger together than separately, they’ll both need to face their fears and find the strength they’ll need to fight the evil forces that threaten them and all of humanity.

I enjoyed this prequel to the new Spirit Boys series. In this book, we learn a little background about them and their current skills. I loved ghost dog Buddy and I hope he can help them both with what is to come. I will read the first story in the series to find out what happens next. Easy to read, feel and understand.

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Review: Something Unforgettable by Rory Maxwell 4 of 5 stars

Something Unforgettable by Rory Maxwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Finn likes working at his grandfather’s feed and general store because people aren’t as intimidating when he’s behind the counter whereas outside Finn is uncomfortably shy. He is likely to stay a single mess forever. Older man Xavier started to show an interest but he was so far out of Finn's league. Xavier DeCain came to Split Rock to help out a friend and didn't plan to keep coming back let alone Finn, whose pretty blushes were irresistible. But Xavier has specific tastes - not to mention an intense desire to be in charge. He isn’t sure innocent young Finn will be able to handle it. Their mutual attraction is too strong to ignore, but for a relationship to work, they’ll both need to fight their demons. Finn will have to trust Xavier to be careful with his wounded heart, and Xavier will have to reexamine the things he finds most important.

I enjoyed this story of love and passion between shy Finn and confident Xavier. Xavier was a typical Daddy who wanted to care for Finn and take away all of his hurts. I loved how genuine Finn was in Hollywood and how he made a good friend out of an A-listed actor. The filling in of Finn's childhood was great for understanding him. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content and a BSDM-like DDLB dynamic.

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Review: The List by B.L. Maxwell 4 of 5 stars

The List by B.L. Maxwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tommy Carter was taking out the rubbish from his job at a local bar and grill when he noticed the man hiding behind the dumpster. He lived through his difficult circumstances in the past so if he can help he will. Tommy doesn’t have a lot, but he has a heart of gold that won’t let him walk away from someone he knows needs a hand up. Zane Martin was left wandering the streets of Sacramento in a haze after tragedy struck. He’s afraid to trust anyone and suffering from a lack of food and adequate clothing to keep him alive and well against the weather about to hit the area. He’s not sure he can trust Tommy, but he wants to. There has to be one good person out there, and maybe he’s just found him. A story of helping when you can, and accepting help when it’s offered.

This was such an inspirational story of big-hearted Tommy who was determined to help Zane and all the friends and acquaintances who helped. I loved the tender way that Tommy cared for Zane and that he never gave up on him. I loved the way that the other people in the Better Together universe were involved. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story.

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Review: The First Twelve by B.L. Maxwell 4 of 5 stars

The First Twelve by B.L. Maxwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rio and Caden met when they were teenagers and life was harsh but together their determination and love enabled them to raise Rio's brother and sister and make a family for themselves. Caden's sister made them an amazing offer to be their surrogate so they could have a child of their own. They need to navigate nine months of pregnancy hormones, morning sickness, and mood swings everything will be easy. Until one little newborn arrives and keeps them busier than they ever imagined possible. Nine months seemed tough, but the first twelve will be even more challenging. Just like every other challenge they’ve faced, they’ll do it together, and they’ll do it with love.

I loved seeing Rio and Caden being so happy even though it was very hard work which was something they have never been afraid of. I loved the ending and just know they will handle everything like the great team that they are. Lots of emotions in this story so be prepared for a few tears. Easy to read, feel and understand. This is an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Chains Required by B.L. Maxwell 3 of 5 stars

Chains Required by B.L. Maxwell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Rio and Caden have been together for a few years and on a rare weekend that they can spend alone they go to Tahoe a few weeks before Christmas. They thought they had planned for every emergency but they can't control Mother Nature. When the car in front of them spins out on newly fallen snow they stop and help and discover that Caden is not as alone in the world as he thought he was. A few planned surprises make for a weekend it special for the hard-working guys.

This was a sweet short story and I loved the link to Caden's past and how wonderful that was for him. It really was a special weekend and it was wonderful to see how close a family unit they all were. Easy to read and understand. This is an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Better Together by B.L. Maxwell 4 of 5 stars

Better Together by B.L. Maxwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Caden was thrown out of his home and dropped off somewhere far away by his parents for being gay and now lives on the streets. He found an unlocked car and decided to fall asleep in it only to be interrupted by Rio stealing the car. Riding along Caden soon discovers that first impressions sometimes don't count after he is taken home and given food and a shower. Seventeen Damario has been raising his little brother and younger sister since their parents were deported. He never knew until then how hard it would be to pay bills and make sure they were all fed until he had to hold the family together on his own. He never expected or wanted to steal cars but the money is very useful. He could never have realised that saving Caden was saving himself too. When Damario’s world starts to fall apart, they both realize that the answer to all of their problems is helping each other and although the world tries to drive them apart, they are better together.

I loved this story with the way that both young men did everything that they could to care for the children and protect them I loved how Caden used the internet to understand how couponing worked as well as how to cook certain things. Their love story was a gentle one to start with but very passionate at the end. I loved their devotion to the kids and each other. Easy to read, feel and understand. This is an MM story with mature content.

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