Sarina just knows how to write easy, entertaining love stories. Every single one is good. This one is no exception. Its a typical fake dating type stoSarina just knows how to write easy, entertaining love stories. Every single one is good. This one is no exception. Its a typical fake dating type story with some funny moments. Fake turns to FWB which turns to feelings. Same formula with a great execution. I don't feel overly connected to any side characters and don't feel compelled to move to book 2, especially since it is a different author. Maybe if I didn't have to buy it, I'd continue (if it was included in Audible plus/library, not piracy). Maybe one day I'll circle back to this series. ...more
This book is the closest I've gotten to that high of the HIM series by the same author and Elle Kennedy. No one write mm hockey quite like Sarina. I gThis book is the closest I've gotten to that high of the HIM series by the same author and Elle Kennedy. No one write mm hockey quite like Sarina. I gobbled this book up like it was my next breath. It follows almost the exact formula of the HIM series while still standing on its own. My only issue is how quickly it wrapped up. We didn't get a lot of closure or HEA goodness. Maybe the next couple books will give some more closure as side scenes. ...more
This was a good book. Lots of drama and angst separate from the romantic plotline. This is a story about two people with complicated pasts/presents coThis was a good book. Lots of drama and angst separate from the romantic plotline. This is a story about two people with complicated pasts/presents coming together to be each others strength and solace.
Our MMC was the manwhore of book 1: Bridger. In this book, we find out that he has taken physical custody (not legal) of his sister. Now he has more responsibilities and can no longer participate in his manwhore ways OR be on the hockey team.
The FMC is running away from her hometown where her father has been accused of some pretty serious crimes. She changes her name and enrolls in college with so many secrets. She quit playing hockey too.
The two form a bond while helping each other in the classes the other struggles with. Slowly, they open up to each other and become involved while trying to navigate their collective baggage.
I am really enjoying this series so far and looking forward to the next few books! Sarina rarely disappoints! ...more
I love a good disability rep book! This one was a lot of fun with some swoonworthy moments. In this one, Corey is the FMC and in a wheelchair/crutchesI love a good disability rep book! This one was a lot of fun with some swoonworthy moments. In this one, Corey is the FMC and in a wheelchair/crutches/braces due to a hockey injury. She damaged her spine and can't use her legs. She goes off to college and meets a guy who recently broke his leg playing hockey. They bond over similar interests and both being disabled. They become fast friends but he has a girlfriend. He, unfortunately, stays with his girlfriend for most of this book while growing closer in friendship with Corey. Their friendship was beautiful and it was so easy to believe they were in love by the end. This book probably has one of my favorite sexual scenes I've read. I've really enjoyed a lot of Sarina's books and I look forward to the rest of this series. ...more
I loved this one. I am just a sucker for a well done brothers bestfriend trope. This one has even more layers because they are twins and she never keeI loved this one. I am just a sucker for a well done brothers bestfriend trope. This one has even more layers because they are twins and she never keeps secrets from her twin. And it was with HIS BEST FRIEND! Ugh so good. We met all these characters in book 1 which was mm and about her twin, Royal, falling for Kai's roommate. Now Kai is falling for Royal's twin sister. Oh the drama and angst!!! ...more
Another masterpiece by Emma Scott. This was an amazingly emotional duet with tropes written in a different way than what I've read in the past. This iAnother masterpiece by Emma Scott. This was an amazingly emotional duet with tropes written in a different way than what I've read in the past. This is not your typical love triangle trope. The depth of love between the two main characters is so vivid and just blooms through the beautiful prose.
Some authors who write about a poet and poetry don't have the talent to pull it off. The poems come off as cheesy. This is NOT the case with Emma. I want to see if she has written a rockstar book because I bet she would also write amazing song lyrics. This duet is just so well written and I felt ALL the things, as per usual with this author. ...more
WHHHHYYYY does Emma Scott have to do this to me EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. This book is heartbreaking. I knew exactly what was going to happen, yet still foWHHHHYYYY does Emma Scott have to do this to me EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. This book is heartbreaking. I knew exactly what was going to happen, yet still found myself in shock and denial at the end. I have no time to dwell because I'm chasing that HEA in book 2 (that I hope is there). ...more
So.... for about 50% of this book - I HATED IT. I was rolling my eyes and groaning with how much I hated everyone. This was my 5th attempt at startingSo.... for about 50% of this book - I HATED IT. I was rolling my eyes and groaning with how much I hated everyone. This was my 5th attempt at starting a book due to mood reader problems so I just didn't have the energy to start another one - so I stuck it out. I am so glad I did. A book that started as a 1 star and ended as a 5 star book!!! Its moments like this that make me regret DNFing other books. Maybe I didn't give the other books the chance they deserve.
Tobias was such a conceited, cocky, son of a bitch for a lot of this book. I LOATHED him. There were moments where you could see his guard dropping and see the man he truly was behind the façade. I lived for those moments and they helped push me through. So he is close to failing his classes and needs a tutor immediately. Meyer is voluntold to be his tutor by the baseball coach. The whole situation is odd and all is revealed in time. They spend months together growing closer and closer. Its a slow burn but the chemistry/tension is there to hold you over. At the end, the twists and turns had my jaw dropping multiple times. I thought I had it all figured out and I was semi-right while also wrong about the direction this book would head. I really enjoyed their journey and HEA. They deserved it!!! ...more
The second twist/plot climax was glaringly obvious.
I kept waiting for the signature Emma Scott flare with I guessed the twist when I read the blurb.
The second twist/plot climax was glaringly obvious.
I kept waiting for the signature Emma Scott flare with tons of emotion and sadness. Never came.
I, thankfully, read books 2 and 3 first and LOVED THOSE ENTIRELY. Thought I'd circle back to finish the series and I find myself glad that I didn't start with this one because I would not have picked up book 2.
Every conflict in this story could have been solved by talking to each other and involving the police. They made every bad decision possible. Stupid....more
Book 2 in the New York Gods Series. Although this book is technically a standalone following 2 separate characters from book 1, I highly suggest readiBook 2 in the New York Gods Series. Although this book is technically a standalone following 2 separate characters from book 1, I highly suggest reading book 1 first. You get a lot of background information on the 2 main characters in this book. You get to know who they are and their personalities. Reading book 1 will make you so excited to get to this book.
Book 1 was about Oliver and Isaac. This book follows Owen and Colin. Owen is Oliver's identical twin with severe mental health challenges. Colin is/was Isaac's roommate.
This book's premise spins off from some of the plot of book 1. Oliver was slated to marry Colin's younger sister and then he fell in love with and married Isaac. The families scrambled and decided Owen would now marry his sister. She is a teenager and Owen just could not be less interested in being married off. He has a full blown tantrum and flies off to vegas to sulk. Colin follows him under the guise of threatening him to stay away from his baby sister. They end up drunk and well... what happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas in this book. They end up hitched. Colin is openly gay, Owen is a self proclaimed "straight guy" despite never really having sexual desires for any one sex. Owen is asked to join the USA National Team to compete for the Olympics in Fencing. Just like with book 1, the fencing parts were difficult for me because I know nothing about the sport or terminology. I am a visual reader and like to visualize everything I read so when these things come up in books it is hard for me to not go on a google deep dive to learn everything about the new topic. I resisted because I honestly have no interest in fencing.
Overall, I really enjoyed the story. It was so hilarious at times while also tackling some serious mental health topics. It was fun to see Oliver and Isaac be a married couple in this book.
Owen and Colin's relationship developed REALLY fast and Owen's sexuality should have just been "gay" from the start. The "gay awakening" in this book was odd. Owen just kind of went with it and didn't really spend a lot of time in his head or questioning things. This book is VERY dialogue heavy which I love. I don't like a lot of inner monologues but it would have been better to have Owen wrestling with his sexuality more or for him to admit he was more fluid from the start so it seemed more believable.
I am excited to see what is next from Andi and J.R.! They are a great writing duo!...more
My first water polo book! I read a lot of sports romance so this was fun to have something different - although the sport does not take over the plot My first water polo book! I read a lot of sports romance so this was fun to have something different - although the sport does not take over the plot at all. I saw in some reviews that others hated the beginning of this book but I loved it. It's essentially a give/take relationship. One needed tutoring bad and the other offered tutoring in exchange for sexual favors. It was very hot given this is a gay/bi awakening book! The tutor is reclusive, grumpy, nerdy, and has a cat! The one needing a tutor is the popular jock on campus, dudebro type personality, and just so much fun. Both have some trauma to unpack in this book to be able to move forward. They are each others perfect counterpart to getting past the trauma. I'm excited to start book 2 and read about the side characters with hopes of seeing these characters again! ...more
This was fun. We have met the Dalton twins back in the CU Hockey series and it was a good time hearing about Asher and West but unfortunately, they diThis was fun. We have met the Dalton twins back in the CU Hockey series and it was a good time hearing about Asher and West but unfortunately, they didn't get any page time.
The ending of this book was incredibly rushed. So much build up and then it felt like Saxon just wanted to be done with the book so we summarized them meeting each others families in the span of a few paragraphs and then BOOM - 10 years later. It was the perfect opportunity to have cameos that the fans of the Sadenverse would have loved. This feels very different from the other books in the Sadenverse. I can't wait for Em's story from Eden! ...more
This book started off as a novella in the Worthy Anthology. here is my original review of the novella:
Oh wow, I loved this short story. It wasn’t lon
This book started off as a novella in the Worthy Anthology. here is my original review of the novella:
Oh wow, I loved this short story. It wasn’t long enough!!!!!!!! I read it all in one sitting and I never do that (granted it is a short story, but still).
So first of all, this is a book with TWO HOT JOCKS falling for each other. Phew!!
So I was randomly scrolling on my kindle and accidentally clicked this book. It was a free book offered by the author somewhere and I grabbed it. I diSo I was randomly scrolling on my kindle and accidentally clicked this book. It was a free book offered by the author somewhere and I grabbed it. I didn't have any intention to get to it right away but when the book opened on my kindle to the content warnings page - I couldn't help but continue to turn the page.
Of course, this book is so short, I finished it the same night. It starts out with figuring out who the characters are and we learn that our hero is actually a villain with murderous tendencies. He is also hot for his sister. His BLOOD sister. This is only my second incest book and I loved the first one. Granted the first one I read had over 600 pages of chemistry that convinced me to love them. This one didn't have enough content to convince me that blood siblings were right for each other. I was able to set that aside and just look at it as if they weren't related. Even doing that - it didn't make the book much better. He blatantly RAPED her while in disguise. Again, this was in the content warnings so I knew it was coming. And I didn't even have a big problem with that scene. Ultimately, I enjoyed this novella for what is was: a quick taboo story that lacks depth due to being a novella. The writing is decent and it was quick to get through. Also being Halloween themed was nice since its currently October....more
Soooo good! I don't know what type of crack Finley (and James) puts into these books but this is my 21st in their catalog and I am not even close to bSoooo good! I don't know what type of crack Finley (and James) puts into these books but this is my 21st in their catalog and I am not even close to being burned out. Every book is mm yet unique and so swoony.
This one is part of the Vino and Veritas series and I did not read the first two first. I have read the over arching series by Sarina Bowen but that was so long ago that I don't remember it. I haven't read any of the Moo U books either. This one works just fine as a standalone ... ALTHOUGH - we get a fun little cameo of the couple from the CU Hockey series. I was like " I KNOW THEM!!!!!".
This book:
- Hockey (Whit plays on the Moo U team) - Virgin (Whit) - Fall from glory (Rainn was a former hockey star until injury) - Bi-awakening (Rainn) - Gay-For-You - Strangers to friends to lovers
I loved their chemistry! The way she wrote Rainn's transition/acceptance of being Bisexual was so well done. It was very believable. The friendship was built and solid before things started to escalate. I was at the grocery store during their first kiss and I was no sure I would be able to hold in my squeals of excitement. LOVED this book so much!
I loved this book soooo much! Elle really knows how to write a damn good book. The beginning was a bit rocky for me. I was a tab bored with all the buI loved this book soooo much! Elle really knows how to write a damn good book. The beginning was a bit rocky for me. I was a tab bored with all the build up and small enemies vibes. I read and loved book 1 too but did not remember any of it to know who these characters are. This felt like a completely new series for me and it was easy as a standalone despite being book 2 in a series.
This book follows Diana and Shane. They both end up living in the same apartment building. She is not happy about this and has list of rules he needs to follow which is how the name of the book ties in. But honestly, who does she think she is to give this man rules for living in his own damn apartment. Whatever, she was slightly irritating but has a lot of baggage and drama in her life, so I forgive her. Shane is fresh out of a long term relationship and despite his recent "plying the field" attitude, he is relationship guy. His ex comes back into the picture and he says he is dating someone and enlists Diana as his fake girlfriend. Diana has her own ex boyfriend baggage and this arrangement ends up benefitting them both... ESPECIALLY when they add in actual benefits *wink wink*.
75% of this book has the typical rom com/sports romance vibe that was really easy to enjoy and then BAM - Elle made me cry. It got real in the last 25% and I was so sad. I never cry at books but this one hurt on a personal level. ...more
Another super easy listen in the Sadenverse! This wraps up Frat Wars! I have loved the epilogues in each one where they jump forward 10 years. I will Another super easy listen in the Sadenverse! This wraps up Frat Wars! I have loved the epilogues in each one where they jump forward 10 years. I will admit that this one was my least favorite because it feels like we only got the middle part of their love story. We jump right in and miss their first hook ups. Its a very odd place to start a book. There is nothing quite like that *first time* together and we don't get that here. They are secretly meeting for no strings attached fooling around until it naturally progresses to a relationship. The end was very rushed. We don't really get many reactions to them being together from their family/friends. The book just sort of ends and we get the flash forward epilogue. Overall, I loved the characters but wanted a bit more out of this book. ...more
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