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: Delicious: An MM/MMM Charity Anthology by Charlie Novak 5 of 5 stars

Delicious: An MM/MMM Charity Anthology by Charlie Novak
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Delicious is a charity anthology packed with seventeen contemporary romance short stories, serving up a tempting mix of meet cutes, second chances, small-town charm, and plenty of spice. From taco trucks to celebrity chefs, this collection blends love and food into a mouthwatering experience. All proceeds benefit LGBTQ+ charities Switchboard and akt.

A great value collection of short stories written by some great authors. All were well written and the characters and settings very well described with all the emotions and feelings easy to understand. These are MM or MMM stories with mature content.

Beth Bolden -Piece of Cake - At Morettis Marco found that love might not be out of reach for him when an old school friend returns to town all grown up and a talented pastry chef in his own right.

K.M. Neuhold - Taco Dirty to Me - This was a fun story full of humour.

Charlie Novak - Loaf of My Life - was such a sweet story as two lonely men met and fell in love all via insomnia for one of them and early shifts baking various goods for the other.

EM Lindsey - The Deaf Chef - A deaf food truck chef and a deaf translator meet and fall in love.

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Review: Strawberry Kisses by Charlie Novak 4 of 5 stars

Strawberry Kisses by Charlie Novak
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Patrick needs to tell his family that he is gay, make a giant cake for an anniversary party, convince Connor to be my fake boyfriend for the weekend, try to keep his hands off Connor and make sure Connor doesn't find out that he has been in love with him for the past three years. Connor needs to perfect his pole routine for Chrome Stars, continue to search for perfect music, survive the weekend with Patrick’s family without mauling him while sharing a bed, prevent his feelings from exploding like a glitter bomb and make sure Patrick doesn’t find out he's been in love with him forever. Simple.

This was an enjoyable story. I enjoyed Patrick's family, their openness and lack of judgement when giving love. The settings and people were well described and their thoughts and feelings were well described. This was an MMM story with mature content.

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Review: Baby Queen by Charlie Novak 5 of 5 stars

Baby Queen by Charlie Novak
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Being broke, single, and homeless after winning the UK's biggest drag show wasn't how Anthony's (Barbie Summers) life was supposed to go. He's meant to be the one with everything, but thanks to an evil tour company, he has nothing but his image and a mountain of debt. Moving back home with his mum and taking the first gig I’m offered in a local drag panto is supposed to help him get back on his feet, but meeting Colin tangles him up more than ever. Colin desperately wants to start doing drag and suddenly Anthony is helping a baby queen find her feet while falling head over heels for the man behind the lashes. Everyone knows mixing power dynamics is a recipe for trouble, but his life is already a mess. Will falling for Colin spell disaster or is he the only thing keeping him upright in my seven-inch heels?

I love these guys with their over-the-top drag personas and the language that they use. Anthony and Colin were drawn together from the start and the mentorship was just a complication but I feel that they were adult enough in their thoughts and actions to make sure that they did not make any mistakes and turn it into a negative experience for either of them. There were a lot of discussions about thoughts and feelings around the way that Anthony was conned out of earnings and the relationship between the two men. I thought Anthony's Mum was brilliant - we all need a mother like her. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Only Orlando by Charlie Novak 4 of 5 stars

Only Orlando by Charlie Novak
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Orlando thought that hooking up with not one, but two gorgeous men would be the perfect antidote to his Saturday night boredom especially as they knew how to push all his buttons. It was only supposed to be a one-time thing, but Charles and Jude are utterly irresistible and he can’t help but go back for more. Not only are they sexy, charming, and determined to spoil him rotten, but they also want to fulfil his deepest desire of having a Sir and a Daddy. But the two of them are already married and even though their relationship has always been open, they’ve never considered inviting anyone in for more than a fling but the more time they spend together, the more Orlando can feel himself falling for them. The three men fit together so perfectly it’s like they were made for each other, but will they ever consider changing their entire lives for him even if the only thing he wants is to be their Orlando?

This was a sweet story on the periphery of the The Court series of books by the same author. Large parts of this was around the sex that they had but it did also cover the dynamics of their relationship and how Orlando felt insecure being with a married couple who were established and together. I did like the way that Charles and Jude balanced each other well and that Jude was a sub for Charles as much as Orlando was, it was just that he had the confidence to call him on his actions when it was necessary. I enjoyed that money was covered and that Orlando stuck to his principles and that he had to be able to contribute as equally as he could to major things. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MMM story with mature content and a BDSM-like D/s and DDLB dynamics.

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Review: Scene Queen by Charlie Novak 4 of 5 stars

Scene Queen by Charlie Novak
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Paramedic Evan thinks his neighbour Rhys is hot and funny, but he is also very annoying with his very loud music. However, he decides to do a one-time thing and hook up with him to get his attraction out of the way. The Rhys seems to be determined to charm his way into Evan's world culminating at being at the same rock concert where his nose is broken and Evan comes to his rescue. Evan has no time for a relationship as he juggles his career, drag and helping with his sister's kids he is pushed closer to burnout as he is always the one helping others and never puts himself first. Time to cause a scene and go for something he wants - a chance with the sparkling man next door who has terrible taste in music.

I loved this story with the neighbours who were attracted to each other and when Rhys recognised that Evan was heading for burnout did everything he could to help and support him. I loved their relationship and the way that they supported each other. Their feelings and emotions were clearly described and explained and I felt as if I was living the story with them. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Drama Queen by Charlie Novak 5 of 5 stars

Drama Queen by Charlie Novak
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rory is a Drag Queen known as Bubblegum Galaxy and during a drag brunch there is an accident and she catches a server which results in a pitcher of Sex on the Beach landing in rugby player West's lap. He finds her online and invites Rory out for drinks. Falling into Bed with West is not hard but balancing a full-time rugby player boyfriend, a full-time job as an electrician and evenings in drag is harder than walking in eight-inch heels. When participation in a local drag story hour draws the ire of certain locals it feels like everything might fall apart. West doesn’t understand why Rory won’t step down, but he's never been afraid of being himself. He needs West to stand beside him because he is the only man who loved him as both Rory and Bubblegum Galaxy, and he won’t let that slip away.

I loved this story. It had prejudice, abuse, bad language and threats of violence all mixed in with the need to be yourself and not be afraid to call out anything abusive or threatening. I loved the relationship between West and Rory and how even when they had a slight hiccup they were able to move past it and support each other. Their love was definitely something for the long haul. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content, some bad language and some threats of a homophobic nature.

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Review: Oh So Oscar by Charlie Novak 5 of 5 stars

Oh So Oscar by Charlie Novak
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Travel journalist Oscar Moore has a couple of problems - he accidentally managed to convince his boss that he has a boyfriend and he now has to persuade photographer Ilias Verrati to play along for a week-long couple's retreat in Hawaii. Illias is full of sass and sunshine and he flirts constantly. They just need to manage the week then Oscar can go for editorial glory. Both men have their reasons for avoiding relationships but they also desperately want one. Their work makes relationships difficult so maybe this fake one is what they need. Before Ilias will risk his heart, Oscar will have to find a way to open it.

I loved this story with the two men who avoided risking their hearts but having talked throughout their time together and after their return home they began to realise that it was too late as their hearts had already set themselves on each other. I enjoyed the easy way they were able to talk to each other after their initial awkwardness. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Finding Finn by Charlie Novak 4 of 5 stars

Finding Finn by Charlie Novak
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Finn is quiet and shy and has very few friends outside of his family but his best friend Gem is a game designer who is funny, self-depreciating and a nerd just like Finn. Finn fell for Gem years ago and is resigned to not being with him. Finn also has a spicy side project that no one knows about. When Gem asks for Finn's help opening a new board game store he steps up and it brings them both closer together. Soon things become complicated as lines of friendship blur between them, and Finn begins to worry Gem will find out his secret. But maybe that wouldn’t be as bad as it seems. Maybe Gem already knows the secret Finn's keeping. All he has to do is convince Finn to share…

I enjoyed this story with the two friends becoming closer over the shared goal of Gem's game store and how their shared loneliness became a friends-with-benefits arrangement before feelings on both sides became apparent. I thought the side gig was funny given that Gem was already a subscriber. The emotional parts of this story were well told and easy to feel as you read it. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Always Eli by Charlie Novak 4 of 5 stars

Always Eli by Charlie Novak
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Drag Queen Eli Baker needs a job as being a full-time drag performer is not paying the bills. So he takes a temporary office job but it has the side effect of reintroducing him to funny and sharp-witted Tristan Rose who just happens to be Eli's oldest brother's best friend. Eli can't stand his brother and the feeling is mutual so getting involved with Tristan could mean family trouble but Eli is not one known for following rules. Tristan is too intrigued to ignore Eli especially when he takes interest and sees Eli's life outside the office. The question is when it comes to it will Tristan choose Eli over his best friend?

This was a fun story to read with the massively intelligent Eli who just shines when he is on stage in drag and the strong and determined Tristan who just could not resist him. I loved Eli's sass and wit when he was in drag mode which also resurfaced when he was handling other people who were just annoying. I loved their relationship which was built on friendship and trust. Easy to read and understand, you will get all of the feels as you read this and understand the depth of their relationship. This is an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Couture Crush by Charlie Novak 3 of 5 stars

Couture Crush by Charlie Novak
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Male model Beau Barrett is about to become the first male cover model for Alt. Bride and when he arrives he sees his childhood best friend Cash working as the makeup artist who he had lost contact with years ago. The spark between them is instant but Beau can't see them having a relationship when his calendar is so full. Cash never thought he would see Beau again but now he has he is determined to hold on to him. It's not going to be easy but they can do it if they want to. Can they get the chance to find the love they always dreamed of?

I really enjoyed this story with the reconnecting best friends, their chance at love and the way that they took it doing their best to adapt and make things work. This was a lighthearted love story which definitely will make you swoon. Easy to read, feel and understand. Contains MM mature content.

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