Former foster kid Austin Taylor has always been a loner, so when he finds out he now co-owns a dilapidated farmhouse courtesy of a deceased widow he befriended after he fixed her lawn mower, he’s inclined to keep it—even if it comes with complications.
Over a decade ago, Jose Romano became the backup parent to four kids. When he inherits half a house, he’s busy recovering from his last relationship, building a business, and making sure said kids graduate. Selling would put money in his pocket and free him from DIY hell… and potential entanglement with Austin, his distressingly hot co-owner.
Unfortunately, Joe’s always been a pushover.
With a little effort, Austin convinces Joe to fix the house before they sell. But as they handle surprise renovations, help Joe’s kids navigate high school, and accidentally adopt a quartet of furry new mouths to feed, their run-down farmhouse starts to feel like the home Austin’s never had. After a night of no-strings sex with Joe leaves Austin sure he’s found his family, he starts playing for keeps. If only he can convince Joe that Austin—and the fixer-upper—are worth the risk.
Love It Or List It is all slow burn, touching, feel goodness. Joe and Austin may not have much in common but after finding themselves co-owners of a house, it doesn’t take them long to figure out they make a pretty good team. And oh my gosh, it is so sweet! Joe’s relationship with the kids and how he so easily brings Austin into the fold. The way they give up so much for those they love (both 2-legged & 4-legged) without hesitation.
It’s not always easy but they are willing to put in the work. Joe is still burned from his last relationship and Austin … well, he’s never been near a good relationship much less been in one, neither friendship nor romantic. And all that comes with its own baggage and miscommunication. I totally expected a lot more drama because of it, but the authors handle it wonderfully.
I just loved the two of them together – the way they kind of accidentally slide into a relationship, complete with teenagers, pets, and a fixer-upper house is just priceless 🙂 While there are definitely bumps, with a little help from meddling kids and pets and friends, they eventually figure things out.
I’m the last single member of the Jilted Exes’ Club, and I have no plans to change that.
I’m fulfilled with my work at the club, dance classes, yoga, and the Exes. Plus, I’ve been extremely preoccupied with one Kason Maddox, the LA Rebels’ goalie. Let’s just say that since we’ve become friends, my eyes might drift in his general direction a little too much. But it’s only looking. And looking never harmed anyone…
Eventually, our texting sessions lead to dinners out and ending our nights watching our favorite shows. But when the paparazzi catch sight of us and the photos go viral, I suddenly find out I’ve had a boyfriend and didn’t know—a boyfriend without the benefits. And I’m thinking we should reconsider the benefits in this relationship if we are going to be in one.
Kason
So…I thought we were dating. Turns out, the guy I was dating had no idea that’s what we were doing. Friend-zoned without even knowing it. Cool. The equivalent of taking a puck to the face.
But due to an innocent little photo or two, now everyone thinks we’re together, so we have three choices:
1- Stop hanging out to silence the rumors. 2- Hang out as friends and ignore the gossip blogs. 3- Start dating—and both of us are aware of said dating this time.
I know which one I’m rooting for. And if I have to use a little dirty talk and some praise to shift things in my favor, I’m game.
Kason has got his stuff pretty much together, which is good because Anthony needs all the help he can get. Besides all the fallout from the situation that made him a member of the Jilted Exes’ Club, his childhood left a lot of scars from being abandoned, unwanted, and not finding a place where he really fit. Kason is just the opposite and is good at reading what Anthony needs to help him feel more comfortable and confident, not just in their relationship but in general.
While I adore that Anthony is able to change the way he sees & values himself thanks to Kason’s love and positive affirmations, I really wish that someone had recommended therapy to him. He really has A LOT of baggage to work thru and talking to a professional would help him a ton. But he comes so far once he finds that person that understands him and is willing to put in the effort he needs.
While this the first in this series I’ve read (and this author for that matter), I really enjoyed myself. It’s very low angst, especially considering all the issues that Anthony has, and a pretty easy read with a whole lotta steam. While I do wish we’d gotten a little more of their dating without knowing it part, just because they were so darn cute during that part, their courtship and HEA made me happy.
*****
Author Info:
Riley Hart’s love of all things romance shines brightly in everything she writes. Her primary focus is Male/Male romance but under various pen names, her prose has touched practically every part of the spectrum of love and relationships. The common theme that ties them all together is stories told from the heart.
A hopeless romantic herself, Riley is a lover of character-driven plots, many with flawed and relatable characters. She strives to create stories that readers can not only fall in love with, but also see themselves in. Real characters and real love blended together equal the ultimate Riley Hart experience.
When Riley isn’t creating her next story, you can find her reading, traveling, or dreaming about reading or traveling, and spending time with her two perfectly snarky kids, and one swoon-inducing husband.
Some thrills you chase. Others blindside you in a red plaid skirt and combat boots.
Axel – It was probably a little stalkerish to follow him to this office and pin him up against the wall before knowing his name, but in my defense, red is my favorite color. And he made it look so good I found myself tempted to try eggplant for the first time.
Besides, it’s not like I was the only one looking. He’d been not-so-discretely ogling me all afternoon, I just made the first move. And the second. And pretty much all the others until tragedy struck his hometown and he sought me out for comfort.
I knew after that first night one wouldn’t be enough, but when he turned to me in his moment of need, I was done for. Too bad forever is the one thing Lennon doesn’t believe in. He’s spent years building a life he controls—running his restaurant, protecting his heart, keeping everyone at arm’s length. And me? I’m a professional dirt biker with no fixed address and no idea how to stay still.
We don’t make sense. Not on paper. Not in real life. But when he’s in my arms, nothing’s ever felt more right.
He thinks our timing’s all wrong.But I think I finally found the place I want to land—and the man I want to stay for.
This spicy queer romance features a workaholic who channels David Rose’s fashion sense – and emotional neurosis; a daredevil who thrives on challenges – including his first-time attraction to a man; A+ dirty talk; stolen underwear; a restaurant that functions as part therapy space, part relationship bootcamp;and a quirky small town that’s got that nowhere-on-a-map vibe, but somehow becomes the place where people find themselves and fall in love.
*****
Review:
Persistent is all slow burn, with just a little bit of angst at the very end. It’s definitely not for everyone, her late in the third act breakups thing, but it works for me. I enjoy the interaction between the two, how they slowly go from hookups to something much more, and how they don’t let their issues ruin everything for them.
Axel is absolutely the best. Kind, caring, and supportive. He shows up again and again, proving that he’s in the relationship. I do wish he’d done a little more to communicate his plans to Lennon instead of … testing him, I guess. I get it, he wants to know where Lennon stands but a conversation would maybe have helped their issues later on.
Lennon is fabulous too. I love how confident he is in himself as a person, comfortable in his skin and persona, but also guarded due to his family issues. Which are totally understandable. And with some help from his friends, plus Axel’s, he does figure things out eventually.
Just like the other books in the series, Persistent is a good mix of steam & feels, with relatable characters and good pacing & plot. This series is all about the delightful found family/small town charm & satisfying HEAs and I’m looking forward to where she takes us next.
Wheeler Rankin isn’t here for romance—she’s come to Lucky River Ranch to visit her best friend, wrangle a business deal, and prove herself to everyone who ever doubted her. But when she collides with Duke Rivers—resident heartbreaker, restless cowboy, and brother to her best friend’s new flame—sparks fly hotter than a Texas summer.
Duke has always dreamed of more than dusty trails and small-town life. He’s itching to see the world, but one unforgettable night with Wheeler changes his course. When a blizzard and a business road trip leave them stranded together, their no-strings flirtation ignites into something deeper.
But passion brings complications—and unexpected news threatens to upend everything Wheeler’s built. As family pressures, old wounds, and new dreams collide, Duke is determined to stand by her side, ready to forge a future neither of them ever imagined.
Can two fiercely independent souls trust in love, face their fears, and find home in each other’s arms? Or will the ghosts of the past keep them apart for good?
Welcome back to Hartsville, where family is found, love is hard-won, and every cowboy has a story worth telling.
Poor Wheeler is going to get all the negativity for this one, I think. Duke is just a big ol’ walking green flag, everything that you could ask for in a partner, and she just can’t get out of her own way. It’s understandable – between her dad & older brother and some poor past relationships (although she may be a little at fault there, she does have a habit of self-destruction & running away) she doesn’t have a lot of faith in herself and her appeal.
It just breaks my heart because she seems fun and loving and good hearted, everything that you would want for one of the Rivers brothers. And her first meeting “date” with Duke is just swooney. It may be a bit much for some because it does go on for so long, tho.
While she puts up a good fight, Duke isn’t going to let her go too easily. With patience, love, and grit, he’s willing to put in the work, to show not just tell, and prove to Wheeler that he’s genuine in his pursuit. And it is a beautiful thing to see. Those boys have been through a lot but they all grew up to be real good men. Dirty talking, big hearted, good men and I love every one of them.
Peterson delivers another fantastic entry to her Lucky River Ranch series. It’s a slow burn, but it does bring the feels and a deserved HEA. Just one more brother to go – we’re ready for you Ryder!
The hockey player, the figure skater, and the roommate situation…
GUS
No one throws a party quite like I do. Technically, I could have graduated three years ago, but I love Smithton, I love hockey, and the team needs a good captain with a positive outlook. That’s me. I love this town, and it loves me.
Well, except for my roommate.
Rafe doesn’t like me at all—total mystery. I’m a nice guy. Ask anyone. He’s the one with stick-in-the-mud-itis. Or maybe the nonstop partying is too much for him. It’s definitely taking a toll on me, and I’m trying to do better ’cause in a twist, Rafe’s not so bad.
He has a great smile, pretty eyes, cute dimples, and—
Oh, man. I think I have a situation.
RAFE
This cannot be happening. I’m a competitive figure skater with goals and big plans. How did I get saddled with a party-boy hockey-hero for a roommate?
Oh, yeah. I mistakenly assumed the captain of the hockey team would be goal-oriented. Wrong. Gus and I have nothing in common, and I have no idea how I’m going to survive a year of this.
But oddly enough, we’re good together in a crisis. So good, I’m beginning to wonder if we could be something serious. Something more than a couple of athletes playing the roommate game.
The Roommate Game is an MM light-angst, college hockey romance featuring a fun-loving captain, a serious figure skater, and a chance at forever.
Prior Reading: recommended but not essential Genre: contemporary, college, sports Tropes: Hockey, college, opposites attract, roommates
*****
Excerpt:
“Okay, well…I got two ideas for you. Favorite karaoke song and best series you’ve ever binged.”
“That sounds like ‘how to look desperate in under five seconds’ advice.” He made a buzzer sound. “Try again.”
“Nope. I’ve given you gold, Johannsen. Work with it. Everyone has a karaoke story and or a show they freaking love and can’t shut up about. Get him talking while you’re practicing your spins or something. I guarantee you’ll have your opening to ask him out. How do you feel about sriracha?” I held up a bottle.
“I like it…sparingly. Too much changes the taste of whatever you’re eating.”
“True, but I like spicy food. I went to this karaoke bar where they served the hottest wings ever. Ty put my name on the list to sing a Britney Spears song. My mouth was on fire and I could barely whisper into the mic, let alone sing.”
Rafe’s lips twitched with humor as he pushed the cart and perused chicken breasts. “Which song?”
“ ‘Toxic.’ I was supposed to make my voice extra deep and Ty was gonna go high, but those damn wings lit a fire in my throat. I won’t be ordering those any time soon. It’s a great bar, though. Hey, we should go sometime. What are you doing next Friday?” I winked. “See what I did there?”
He added chicken to our now half-full cart and grinned. “That was impressive.”
“Thank you. If you need another pep talk, I’m here for you, but I’ve got do-or-die playoff games next week and—”
“I’m fine.”
“I know you are. I believe in you, Rafester.”
He blushed, then grumbled about the sodium in a bottle of soy sauce. I was a little insulted that he thought I’d buy his faux-grouchy routine. I’d been privy to the real grump, so I could tell the difference. But I didn’t call him out on it ’cause whether he’d realized it or not, Rafe had let me in.
*****
Review:
Gus has been a pretty terrible roommate but he’s been using his party lifestyle to self-medicate, hiding his issues and his conflict over his future with drugs and alcohol. (I really want to know how he did so well in both his classes and on the ice all things considered.) But he’s finally at the point where things have to change and I really appreciate that Hayes had him getting professional help, not just powering thru on his own. That also has him becoming a better roommate to Rafe.
I don’t know how Rafe lasted as long as he did – the drunken parties, missing food, and messy house … but it’s good thing all around that he’s willing to give Gus another chance. Because it gives him a chance to see the funny, caring man inside. Even if he’s so clueless as to why Rafe may not be his biggest fan 🙂
But Sober Gus takes all the enthusiasm of Party Gus and applies it in positive ways. He’s so fun and I love how he brings Rafe along on all sorts of fun adventures, working to help him get out of his head for a bit. And it doesn’t take long for a crush to form. Who can blame him tho the way Gus throws himself full body into everything and that includes being a friend, then friend with benefits.
The newest from Hayes is a slow burn, low angst, sweet “enemies” to lovers situation. I loved these two together – Gus with his big personality & even bigger heart hiding his issues and Rafe with his quiet support and self doubt. Once again Hayes shows finesse with characters, plot, and pacing, delivering a feel good read.
*****
Author Info:
Lane Hayes lives in sunny Southern California with her amazing husband, who thankfully doesn’t mind cooking, and their fabulous fox red Labrador, George, who’s pure mischief. Both provide oodles of inspiration for the low-angst, humorous books Lane loves to write. She’s been telling stories about sexy, funny, sometimes geeky and quirky men who find love for a dozen years now and loving every minute. In her previous life, she sat at a desk and dealt with numbers, so yes…romance is much more satisfying! Lane loves tea, travel, and chocolate…in any order. Add a book and she’s set!
Zander Wicked lives life fast, on his bike, on the job, and with women. But one split second shatters his world and forces him to face truths he’s spent a lifetime outrunning. His family doubts he can change, but Zander knows better, and when the woman who helped save him needs more than a little help herself, he sets out to prove everyone wrong.
Shauna Flores knows what it means to fight for survival. As an EMT and a person in recovery, she’s rebuilt her life piece by piece while carrying the weight of a best friend she refuses to give up on. The last thing she expects is to end up bound to a man like Zander Wicked, or to find herself in a marriage of convenience that blurs every line between right and wrong.
Two people with checkered pasts, an arrangement that ties them together, and a future neither sees coming—one that will test their limits, their loyalties, and the lengths they’re willing to go to for the people they love.
Tropes: Small-town, found family, MC / biker romance, close proximity, protective hero, alpha hero, he falls first, strangers to lovers, chance meeting, reformed playboy, marriage of convenience.
Irresistibly Wicked is emotional, humorous, sexy, and fun. It’s not overly angsty but it is a heart-grabber. Zander is a charmer and he definitely won me over, working so hard to live life a little more purposefully after a near death experience. He won Shauna over too, throwing himself whole body into being a fabulous “fake” husband 🙂
And she needs all the love and care that she can get. Shauna has struggled for so long, lived with little positive attention, that she finds it hard to accept the kindness the Wickeds send her way … and being Wickeds they show up and give her all that she needs & more.
Foster once again hits it out of the park for me. I loved Zander and Shauna together – the way they bloom with each other, the way they laugh and play their way into falling in love, their strength and resilience … just so much to love here. All the way to that moment at the end leading them to their HEA moment *sigh*
Going into this you know that these two are going to take a little bit getting out of their own way. Both have issues that have caused them to feel like a committed relationship isn’t for them but fate keeps bringing them together, showing them signs that they really are meant to be. And it is delightful.
When workaholic best man Carter arrives in Mistletoe Falls for his best friends’ Christmas wedding, a town-wide Santa Festival and a misplaced motel reservation leave him with one option—beg the woman he once rejected for a room at her bed-and-breakfast. Unfortunately, that woman also happens to be the bride’s sister…and the maid of honor.
To make matters worse, the bride and groom are delayed, turning Ashley and Carter into last-minute wedding planners, forced into a truce neither of them wants. But late-night checklists, a blizzard of holiday activities, and a charming small town turn their snark into sparks.
When they get snowed in and every near-kiss feels dangerously close to something real, Carter realizes there’s more to December than year-end deadlines.
As their truce melts, one question remains—is this a holiday fling, or the start of forever?
Audiobook Narrated by: Christine Lakin & Sean Masters
*****
Review:
I love this time of year, with all of the holiday romances full of quirky seasonal fun and the opportunity for a little magic. And Piper Rayne has done a good job of bringing all that and more. Those who have read their other holiday stories will likely be delighted for Carter from Claus and Effect & Merry Kissmas to find his own HEA. (Although this can totally stand on its own if this is your first.)
Carter made less than a stellar impression on Ashley after their one & only date and it makes sense why she would be hesitant to give him a second chance. The timing and circumstances for the end of their previous encounter was … so much less than ideal. But it was fun seeing Carter try to win Ashley’s favor again. He’s a good man, with a big heart and a playful side, and it doesn’t take long for her to see it.
Like the previous books, this one has fun holiday moments, silly hijinks (although not as many as before), steam, and feels. There is a bit of insta-love with the timing, which is kinda standard for this kind of story. But if you take out how many days the book covers, I feel like the pacing of it is well done. Yes it’s like a week or so from beginning to end but for me they were able to spend quality time together, getting to know each other and falling in love. It’s sweet, and that’s what I want from a Christmas read, not realism.
Cole Maddox isn’t looking for romance. After a painful betrayal ends his marriage, he returns to his small hometown to work alongside his dad and keep his life simple. He knows his way around every tool in the box, but nothing prepares him for the writer from New York who tempts him with things he never imagined.
Gavin Price used to believe in love stories. Now he’s grieving the loss of his parents, staring at a blank page, and wondering if he’ll ever write again. Inheriting a rundown inn in snowy New England feels like one more burden, until the straight handyman renovating it helps him find inspiration.
As their connection deepens, Gavin’s work begins to blur the line between fiction and reality. The story he’s writing could expose the secret relationship they’ve tried to keep hidden, and Cole isn’t sure if risking his heart is worth it when privacy is no longer certain.
Under the glow of twinkling lights and tinsel, a small-town handyman and a big city author might just discover that the best stories aren’t the ones you plan, but the ones that linger long after the last page.
Tinsel & Toolsis a holiday MM romance full of opposites attract tension, forced proximity, blue-collar heat, and a bi-awakening that turns a season of repair into a season of love.
Tinsel & Tools is a cute, small town romance with humor, steam, and holiday fun. I enjoyed Cole’s bi-awakening and his developing relationship with Gavin. They make a good opposites attract pairing with a touch of insta-love.
I did have a few issues. I know everyone’s journey is their own, but Cole seemed a little too quick to be ok with getting sexually involved with a man. I would have thought there would be more contemplation of his new feelings and attraction. And how are we OK with outing someone else, especially someone just exploring a change in sexuality? Totally not cool! Cole is completely in his rights to be upset and these people should know better. And I’m not 100% sure they really understand that.
While I enjoyed it overall, I am knocking down this sweet steamy romance a little for bad behavior by some people who I would have expected better from.
*****
Author Info:
Kimberly Knight is a USA Today Bestselling author who lives in the Central Valley of California with her loving husband, who is a great research assistant, and young daughter who keeps her on her toes.
Rachel Lyn Adams is a USA Today Bestselling author who was born in Southern California and currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, five children, and a crazy number of fur babies. In 2017, she took a chance and published her very first book. Little did she know just how much that decision would change her life.
Caleb Kelly has been my secret weakness since the day I moved to Sugar Brush, Wyoming.
I spend my days among the stacks as the town’s librarian and my nights serving drinks at Joy’s Elbow Room. It’s safe, predictable, and a little boring. The only thing that makes my pulse kick is when Caleb Kelly walks through the door and takes a seat at one of my tables.
Four years of stolen glances, watching him laugh with his family, listening to him talk about his son, and pretending he doesn’t unravel me just by saying my name. Alice.
Then one reckless night, I steal a kiss. And for one perfect, heart-stopping second, he kisses me back.
But the thing is, Caleb doesn’t date. He has his son, his ranch, and no room for anything—or anyone—else.
So I finally stop waiting, stop hoping, stop hiding. It’s way past time to begin living my life on my own terms.
Just as I start to move forward, trouble knocks me back. And when I need someone the most, Caleb is the one by my side again and again, standing between me and the worst of it. His steady, fierce presence is impossible to ignore.
I should know better than to keep falling for a man who told me he can’t give me more. I should walk away before I get hurt again.
It’s just that every time he shows up, every time he really sees me, every time he stays, my heart refuses to listen.
But letting him in might be the one thing I can’t come back from.
I read half of this in one sitting, just couldn’t put it down. I didn’t even get 15% into it before my heart just broke for Alice. She’s so strong, tough, finally to the point of asking for what she wants and … oh honey. Goodness that man can’t see what’s right in front of him. The whole allowing her time to lick her wounds – hahahahahaha, clueless man. But she doesn’t back down and I love love love how she put him in his place. Love her!
When Caleb finally figures his crap out, though, he goes all in and he makes a really great boyfriend. Supportive, sweet, wonderful … until he’s not. But that’s OK because Alice is willing to go after what she wants, speak her mind, and stop taking his crap. And it is awesome. I love that for her and it helps redeem him for some of his more stupid moments.
I will say that I’m not really sure I understand Caleb’s hostility towards Kent. I get that he wants to protect his son but I think that there needed a bit more fleshing out Kent’s potential issues. Otherwise, combined with his inflexibility towards Shelby and Kent’s needs, it just made Caleb look like an jerk. Of course, until proven otherwise.
I think readers are going to love Alice and be a little iffy on Caleb at first. But he does prove himself to her and to us so by the end I was more than rooting for them. And I think that’s where Wolf shines. Like with the other two books in the series, her characters are just so fabulously done you can’t help but love them.
Last Christmas, I made a rookie mistake. I had a one-night stand with the Denver Kodiaks’ new golden boy.
It was hot, reckless, and a play I’ll never make again. At least, that’s what I tell myself.
Because forgetting isn’t so easy when I work at the team’s bar. When I see him twice a week, grinning, flirting, acting like he doesn’t remember.
Now, everyone’s favorite rookie is hosting a team holiday getaway, and guess who’s stuck on the invite list? Me. Their favorite bartender.
Cue: -One secluded cabin -One massive blizzard -One too-gorgeous rookie determined to test my limits
I can handle it. I can keep my distance. I can survive a few festive nights in close quarters without slipping up… Right?
Rookie Season is a steamy, snowed-in holiday romance set in the Denver Kodiaks world. Devour a new couple’s story, plus catch up with all your fave characters! This novella is packed with snowy shenanigans, forced proximity, and enough heat to melt every mountain in Colorado.
Audible: Coming Soon! Narrated by: Simone Lewis & Tim Paige
*****
Review:
I’m not usually a fan of flash backs to show us what happened in the past but I feel like Lawson handled them well. There aren’t very many and they are pretty short & to the point, showing us what happened between them last Christmas.
But I will say that I really wanted more of these two. I want to know what it was like for them in the year since. I want to know more about Sierra’s ex(es) and the scars she carries because of them. I want to know more about her relationship with her dad and their struggles & new dynamic.
And I’d love to get more of Ryan’s history, his relationship with the others. If there is a reason that he’s pushing so hard for a great Christmas with them. And I would have loved for it to be more than 2 days of the group together.
I like them. I like all of them and the family they’ve created together. It’s an enjoyably quick holiday read, they just have so much potential and I wanted more of it.
(Returning readers will like the sweet little tidbits we get from previous couples but this one will stand alone just fine for new readers.)
Romantic Reads and Such 