Review – Sweet Something

23 Thursday Jul 2026

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Sweet Something

Wood Hollow Stories #2

by Lane Hayes

Blurb:

The baker, the grumpy lumberjack, and a new dad journey…

DEXTER

The donut business is booming in Wood Hollow, along with my flag football program. Now I’m ready to take on a new challenge—parenthood. See, I’ve always wanted to be a dad and it’s finally happening. Wood Hollow is the perfect place to raise a child. It’s quiet, safe, and the folks here are friendly.

One glaring exception is the grumpy lumberjack…who ends up being besties with my surrogate. What are the odds?

Yeah…this will be interesting.

VIGGO

I’m a logger. I like wood. That’s it. Maybe that makes me a solitary person, but so what?

Unfortunately, I can’t ignore the handsome donut man’s new dad-to-be situation. Not when it concerns an old family friend.

Look, I don’t want to be involved, but I have no choice. And if that means I’ll have to step outside of my comfort zone and do people-y things to make sure Dexter is a going to be a good dad, so be it.

It doesn’t mean I like Dexter. He’s accidentally funny, kind of sweet, very hot, and—

Okay, fine.

Maybe I like him too much.

Sweet Something is an MM bisexual, grumpy/sunshine, small-town romance featuring Wood Hollow’s hottest baker and the grumpy lumberjack with a big heart.

getbook.at/WoodHollowStories2

*****

Review:

I can’t decide who I love more – Dexter or Viggo. Dexter’s brightness and tendency to run at the mouth when nervous or excited and his ability to get Viggo to step out of his comfort zone – wonderful. But the way that Viggo opens up as he spends more and more time with Dex is just so sweet. Together they are fun and funny and touching.

Dex’s eagerness (and worry) for becoming a dad is just as vivid as he is. He’s going to love that baby with everything he has, providing it with everything he wanted but didn’t have growing up – unconditional love and attention. And that enthusiasm is infectious and draws in Viggo, and the reader, as well. Viggo who usually prefers spending his time alone but soon finds himself drawn into Dex’s life and life in their small town, participating in flag football and socializing *shudder* 🙂 And even worse, enjoying himself.

Dexter & Viggo together are just the best. A grumpy/sunshine kinda vibe but with a little trauma thrown in. Like with This Guy, their story is very low angst with the only conflict coming from each of them facing ghosts from their pasts and having to decide if they are willing to risk the chance of getting hurt. And, as with any of Hayes’s books, I was there for every moment leading up to their HEA. (That epilogue is absolute sweetness on the page.)

Review – Falling Into You

19 Sunday Jul 2026

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Falling Into You

Colburn Brothers #3

by Jill Shalvis

Blurb:

Some love stories don’t stay buried, no matter how far you run.

Hazel Pierce has three goals for coming back to Star Falls:
1. Help her estranged dad.
2. Keep things strictly temporary.
3. Absolutely, under no circumstances, fall for Tucker Colburn again.

That plan dies a dramatic, soggy death when a rogue wasp sting sends Hazel swerving off the road and into the river—only to be hauled out, half-drowned and furious, by the Star Falls Fire Department’s finest. Unfortunately, “finest” is ex–best friend, ex–one-night mistake, and the man she’s been avoiding for a decade.

Tucker’s always had a way of getting into her head. And now between a family that thrives on gossip and a town that’s way too small for all this chemistry, Hazel’s running out of ways to avoid the truth. As sparks turn into late-night confessions and slow, toe-curling kisses, Hazel has to decide if she’s done running—from her past, from this town, and from the only man who’s ever made her feel like home. And Tucker has to prove that this time, he’s not just her safe place to crash—he’s her always.

Buy Links: https://www.jillshalvis.com/falling-into-you

*****

Review:

Shalvis brings us so much slow burn, angst, and ups & downs with the final Colburn book. When Hazel comes home to help her dad after a health scare, she’s forced to face her past and her feelings for Tucker. And goodness does she have feelings. She struggles so much with feeling like love can’t last, that she’s not worth sticking around for. Especially when she makes things difficult. And like all small towns, Star Falls residents have long memories and don’t make it easy for her to forget her misspent youth.

And that youth always comes back to Tucker Colburn. Before she left town they were always there for each other, because things weren’t easy for either of them. He’s still there, taking care of his family and taking care of the town. He’s steady and calm and patient and he’s going to need to be. To be willing to wait as Hazel figures out if she’s brave enough to risk her heart again.

I adore this family. The way the Colburn siblings pull together and support each other after their abusive childhood. They are messy, chaotic, noisy, and loving. And I love the way they consider Hazel family, even after she’s been gone for years. I’m sad to see this series end but I’m glad I was here for their journey to a HEA.

Review – Hot Mother Pucker

17 Friday Jul 2026

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Hot Mother Pucker

Hollis U #3

by Sarah Smith

Blurb:

Briar Bennett has always been my best friend, nothing more.

I’ve had a crush on her since high school, but we’ve never crossed that line.

Except when she transfers to Hollis U and asks me for a wild favor: Take her V-card and show her the ropes in the bedroom.

I agree to show her all the steamy stuff she wants. We promise to stay best friends, despite all the dirty things we do.

But the more time I spend in my bed with Briar, the more the lines blur…

Soon she’s sleeping in my bed every night. She’s wearing my jersey and cheering me on the ice.

And when I tell her about my secret sexy social media account outside of hockey, she helps me turn it into a life-changing opportunity.

When she confesses that she’s always had a crush on me too, my whole world turns upside down.

I’m falling hard for Briar…I think she’s falling for me too…

Maybe my beautiful best friend isn’t off limits after all.

Read the Hollis U series here: https://geni.us/QWGHWHT

*****

Review:

I’m used to idiots-to-lovers in MM Romances, not so much MF, but I’m pretty sure this one qualifies 🙂 I get why they didn’t feel comfortable sharing their feelings, since both are convinced the other isn’t interested, plus they’ve been at different universities. But it is pretty obvious to everyone but them.

When they do take the chance, I really like them together. Because of their years of friendship their relationship easily moves into something more and it is very sweet. Blake makes for a really good book boyfriend – amazingly caring, understanding, and patient both in bed and out.

Speaking of in bed, once these two start hooking up the story becomes quite steamy. For a virgin, Briar has ALL sorts of ideas thanks to all the spicy books she reads and Blake is willing to make all her dreams come true. (Gotta say, I didn’t know any one in college that was this good in bed … maybe that says more about the guys I knew 😉 )

Hot Mother Pucker is a really good introduction to this author for me. It’s pretty low angst with a nice mix between the heat & the emotions that come with their shifting relationship. Smith gives us an enjoyable dynamic between not only the main couple but also with their friend group as a whole. I’ll definitely be looking out for Leo’s upcoming book and adding the previous 2 stories to my TBR list.

Review – Secret Husband

16 Thursday Jul 2026

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Secret Husband

Chicago Players #4

by Kate Meader

Blurb:

Years ago, I broke her heart, but fate has given me a second chance. I am here to claim my wife—and I will fight dirty to make her mine.

LAUREN

I might be late to the game of life, but things are finally starting to go my way. I’ve just started my own sports talent agency, stepped on the first rung of the property ladder, and landed myself a normal boyfriend who’s about to propose. (I found the ring!)

Unfortunately, I have a slight problem—as in a husband who is surplus to requirements. Somehow, I got married without even realizing it to the guy who broke my heart years ago. Now he’s back in my life, making demands and turning my world upside down. Except I’m no longer that starry-eyed girl in love with the Russian hockey star. These days I’m a ball buster who fights like hell for my clients, and the last thing I need is Alexei Nazarov ruining everything for which I’ve worked so hard. 

But when he makes me an offer I can’t refuse, I wonder if I’ve struck a bargain with the devil who knows my heart better than anyone …  

ALEXEI

Years ago, I met a hockey playing spitfire and fell ass over skates for her. But my life was in disarray, and I had to let her go. When a chance comes to reconnect with her, I grab it with both hands. 

There are obstacles. A boyfriend (unworthy), her disdain for me (admittedly, hot), and the fact I hurt her deeply (my biggest regret). It won’t be easy, but nothing worth doing ever is. Known for fighting dirty on the ice, I am not opposed to fighting dirty off it to get what I want. 

And I want Lauren Yates …

Buy Link: https://geni.us/secret-husband

*****

Review:

So I have mixed feelings about this one. I really liked Alexei. He is very supportive, so intent on winning back his wife, and a very good son. But for someone who supposedly loved Lauren for over a decade he …. tried to win her back with a single Instagram DM? The man put in 0 effort, and was living a pretty full romantic life, before he was handed a second chance in Vegas.

He does take advantage of that chance though because he goes ALL in to show her how much he cares. I liked Lauren too and I can definitely appreciate her hesitation. The man broke her heart big time and she already has some trust issues thanks to her dad. But there is definitely still a pull between them, she just has to be willing to give him a chance.

The bit with the boyfriend was somewhat obvious but also kind of a curve. It was apparent early on that he was enjoying the access to the players thanks to their relationship but he seemed more just goofy fanboy than anything. He was a terrible boyfriend and Lauren was only with him to check some boxes so no loss. I just kinda wish we’d gone a less predictable path, although it was important for her journey.

There’s a decent amount of angst with Secret Husband as Alexei fights to win back his wife and Lauren has to figure out if she can trust her heart to him again. There’s also a good deal of spice and, thanks to the closeness of the group surrounding the Rebels, Meader manages to give it a small town feel even though they are based out of Chicago. It’s a big, noisy found family type situation with all the love, gossip, and humor you could ask for.

*****

Author Info:

Originally from Ireland, USA Today bestselling author Kate Meader cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Harlequins thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron, a fire hose, or a hockey stick, and she’s there. Now based in Chicago, she writes sexy contemporary romance with big-hearted guys and strong heroines – and heroes – who can match their men quip for quip..

Connect with Kate Meader:

https://www.katemeader.com/links

Review – It’s About Time

13 Monday Jul 2026

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It’s About Time

Blossom Peak #4

by Harlow James

Blurb:

Pretending to be engaged to my enemy might not be my brightest idea.

But it is definitely necessary.

On the brink of the biggest car show of my career, I start to panic because it’s the first time I have to see my ex since our break-up.

Spoiler alert: it wasn’t clean or amicable.

Then when Elliot Thorne’s ex-fiancé shows back up in town, I devise a plan for both of us to get what we want: a buffer from our exes with a dash of revenge.

The problem is Elliot takes his role to protect me too seriously.

He brings me food while I’m working to make sure I eat. He even silences the self-doubt I feel on a day-to-day basis.

And before I know it, he has me on my knees in my garage, and on my back on the hood of my car.

The hate I’ve harbored toward him melts away as fast as my panties, and I soon realize we have more in common than I thought.

Then he tells me a secret that makes me reevaluate our entire relationship.

Now I’m left to consider if something fake could be real…

And that maybe it’s about time I admit that Elliot isn’t my enemy after all.

Read the Blossom Peak Series here: https://geni.us/hPJqEO

(Will BEST be enjoyed having read the first 3 books in the series)

*****

Review:

I loved the hate-flirting between these two, especially the specialty messages on the desserts. And the way Dilynne supports Elliot after he’s left at the alter is perfect. She doesn’t coddle him but her brand of tough love is just what he needs and helps him put one foot in front of the other & move on. It also starts to change the way they see each other. Of course, their pretend engagement only complicates things further.

A bit predictable? Yes. Because of course they started catching feelings for each other. But was it enjoyable anyway? Also yes.

James does a good job of giving us hate-to-love with a reasonable transition and without the hate being mean. And I loved Elliot so much for all the patience and support he gives to Dilynne. He’s proud of her and wants everyone, including her, to know it. And I love that Dilynne isn’t willing to settle for being less that who she is.

We get a lot of spice with this one – gotta love a dirty talking man and a sassy woman who isn’t afraid to own her sexuality – but there are a lot of issues too that both of them have to work thru as well. It’s balanced well as the two of them learn to trust in themselves and each other and get to the point they are willing to take a chance on love again. I got this as an audiobook and the narrators do a good job of delivering all of those feels and tension and heat. Very satisfying ending as the last of this friend group finds their HEA.

~I’ve only read Test of Time (Book #3) but I didn’t have any issues keeping up with this one. If this is your first of the series, I think the biggest issue would be spoilers for previous stories because a lot of their issues are brought up here.~

Review – The Bull Rider and the Bookworm

11 Saturday Jul 2026

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The Bull Rider and the Bookworm

Snow Creek Ranch series

by V.L. Locey

Blurb:

Sometimes the wildest ride isn’t in the arena – it’s falling in love.

Bull rider Hoyt Knox has spent his life chasing applause, adrenaline, and the next eight-second ride. With his body starting to break down and sponsors pulling out, he finds himself facing a possible life change. Confused and hurting, he heads to Snow Creek Ranch to try his hand at something a little easier as he heals while trying to figure out what’s left for him besides a sore back and a fading spotlight.

Enter Aubrey Lancombe, a quiet, bookish man who’s just moved to Chance to escape the city life – and the loss of his beloved grandmother followed by a bad breakup – and finally open the bookstore of his dreams. Aubrey has always preferred words to people, quiet to chaos, and certainly has no time for cocky cowboys with something to prove.

When their worlds collide over a shared love of poetry they strike up a friendship that teeters on the edge of something else entirely. But Hoyt’s not out and Aubrey is scared to fall again. As his time at Snow Creek Ranch passes Hoyt must decide if he’s ready to hang up his spurs for good – or risk his heart on the bookworm who’s rewritten everything he thought he knew about love.

The Bull Rider and the Bookworm is a 58K opposites attract, age gap, gay MM contemporary western romance with a weary rodeo rider, a shy bookhound, a ranch that heals all manner of hurts, a gentleman rooster, a plethora of romantic poetry, and a shiny as a gold buckle happy ending.

Content Warning: This story has references to past sexual abuse and death of a parent.

*****

Review:

These two are so sweet and gentle and understanding with each other from the start. And it is just the absolute sweetest!

Hoyt is such a contradiction, probably because he’s spent so many years hiding who he is. He’s had to stuff down any softness that could be used against him and it’s made him so closed off. When an injury forces him home, and puts him face to face with his abusive father and the brother he left behind … it’s hard.

Then he meets sunshine and happiness personified in Aubrey. Aubrey is all sorts of bubbly, with a loud wardrobe, a big vocabulary, and an even bigger heart. His love for the stray cat and rooster that comes with his little cottage in the woods is absolutely precious. I just adore him.

These two are so different but fit so well. Both have experienced abuse from someone that should love them. Both have a poet’s heart. And both appreciate the other for exactly who they are. Gah, it’s so sweet!

(I didn’t read Jesse’s story, but this one can stand on its own.)

Review – Bear Ink

11 Saturday Jul 2026

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Bear Ink

Bear Ink #1

by CJ Pines

Blurb:

Two lonely men. One mind-blowingly fantastic night. Zero chance of ever meeting again…

Or, that was how it was supposed to go.

Never in his life did Dante imagine he’d be married, much less a widower before he’d made it past his twenties. Luckier than he deserved the first time around, who’d take a chance on a grump like him now?

The past two years haven’t been easy. Losing his muse, his sister urging him to move back to the reservation, struggling under a new boss, watching as the tattoo studio he’d trained in is run into the ground?

Yeah, Dante’s about to blow a fuse.

To top it off, now he’s getting dragged online by some faceless hack on the other side of town. It’s wrecking Dante’s reputation — and his clientele list.

Overworked, underpaid, and fed up with it all, what Dante needs is to find his center; someone willing to let Dante feel in control again, even if only for one night.

And look who just walked in…

Hello gorgeous.

Wes never felt comfortable in his own skin, even before the accident. Maybe that’s why he became a tattoo artist, who knows? He’d never bothered much with philosophy, focusing on his craft instead.

It’s harder than it was before. Wes can’t work the hours he used to; stuck taking more breaks, doomscrolling and lashing out at other artists way too talented to be wasted on the dreck they’re posting online. It’s a jerk move, sure, but he can’t seem to stop. It, like everything else in his life lately, all just spinning out of control.

So when he stumbles across a man with a cocksure grin; who measures Wes up with one look, eyes glittering with mischief as he demands Wes follow him to a nearby motel?

Wes may not be the kind of guy to ever score Mr. Right, but a one-night stand right out of his fantasies with Mr. Right-Now? Oh, yes Sir.

They didn’t even exchange names.

Perfect, it was perfect.

Until…

Bear Ink is an MM rivals to lovers tattoo artists romance.

Expect heavy elements of steamy open door MM romance, swearing, humor, angst, trust, communication, exploration, queer joy, competent characters, adorable awkwardness, and guys cooking breakfast together…

*****

Review:

I wish we’d gotten a longer story with this one. It’s a good introduction to a new series, leaving readers interested in each of Wes’s brothers. But I really liked Wes and Date, individually and together, and would have loved to have gotten more of their romance. There was so much to explore: Wes’s issues coming out of his accident, Dante’s moving on after his husband’s death, and the way their tattooing careers intersect. But what we are given is steamy and fun and emotion packed. There’s a hurt/comfort aspect as well as moving forward from trauma and it gives all the feels. I’m looking forward to hopefully seeing more of them as we get other stories from Bear Ink.

(I was given an ARC and there are some continuity issues that may have been cleaned up in the final copy.)

Review – Endless Summer Nights

09 Thursday Jul 2026

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Endless Summer Nights

Windy Harbor #4

by Willow Aster

Blurb:

A steamy, second-chance, small-town, hockey romance full of heartbreak, heat, and the one he could never quite let go of from USA Today bestselling author Willow Aster.

Running into Lola Donavan wasn’t exactly on my summer agenda—not after she broke my heart in college. But there she is, at my family’s resort…with her new boyfriend. And not just any boyfriend—my hockey rival. Perfect.

Seeing Lola again is a punch to the gut. She’s even more beautiful than I remember, and the second our eyes meet, I know my feelings aren’t as buried as I’ve pretended. I tell myself it doesn’t matter, that whatever we had is long gone. But one look at her and I know I’m lying to myself.

Then fate throws us into each other’s path again—no boyfriend, no dissecting the past, just the two of us and a spark that instantly reignites. One night together proves the chemistry between us never died.

But desire is the easy part. Trust? Not so much.

She walked away once without a word, and it still haunts me. Now that she’s back in my life, I don’t know which is more dangerous—letting myself fall for her all over again, or bracing for the moment she leaves and breaks me a second time.

Endless Summer Nights is book four in the interconnected, standalone Windy Harbor series.

Goodreads: https://geni.us/EndlessSummerNightsGR

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

https://geni.us/EndlessSummerNights

Audible: https://geni.us/ESNAudible

Amazon Audiobook: https://geni.us/ESNAmazonAudio

Narrated by: Megan Wicks & Gideon Frost

*****

Review:

Oh goodness, every book in this series just gets better. We’re back with the angst as Tully runs into the one woman he hasn’t gotten over, the one who destroyed his heart. And it’s just as painful as you would expect. I love the way Aster gives us glimpses of their history as it plays into their relationship today. I’m not usually a fan of flashbacks but I felt this was really well done, helping to highlight their struggle and why their connection is so strong even after so many years.

But they have a lot to overcome. A lot of hurt feelings and heartbreak and more to address if they every hope to move forward. And it’s so satisfyingly done. It’s steamy in spots but it’s really the connection between them, the way they just fit together – from the first moment in college and even after years apart under difficult circumstances – that is the heart of their story. I just felt for them every step as they fight, first against their feelings and then for each other.

Aster is a must read for me and every new book just reinforces that. Endless Summer Nights is packed with heartbreak and second chances and sweet moments and heat. I love this family and it makes me so happy when each new couple finds their HEA.

Spotlight – The Bull Rider and the Bookworm

08 Wednesday Jul 2026

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The Bull Rider and the Bookworm

Snow Creek Ranch series

by V.L. Locey

Blurb:

Sometimes the wildest ride isn’t in the arena – it’s falling in love.

Bull rider Hoyt Knox has spent his life chasing applause, adrenaline, and the next eight-second ride. With his body starting to break down and sponsors pulling out, he finds himself facing a possible life change. Confused and hurting, he heads to Snow Creek Ranch to try his hand at something a little easier as he heals while trying to figure out what’s left for him besides a sore back and a fading spotlight.

Enter Aubrey Lancombe, a quiet, bookish man who’s just moved to Chance to escape the city life – and the loss of his beloved grandmother followed by a bad breakup – and finally open the bookstore of his dreams. Aubrey has always preferred words to people, quiet to chaos, and certainly has no time for cocky cowboys with something to prove.

When their worlds collide over a shared love of poetry they strike up a friendship that teeters on the edge of something else entirely. But Hoyt’s not out and Aubrey is scared to fall again. As his time at Snow Creek Ranch passes Hoyt must decide if he’s ready to hang up his spurs for good – or risk his heart on the bookworm who’s rewritten everything he thought he knew about love.

The Bull Rider and the Bookworm is a 58K opposites attract, age gap, gay MM contemporary western romance with a weary rodeo rider, a shy bookhound, a ranch that heals all manner of hurts, a gentleman rooster, a plethora of romantic poetry, and a shiny as a gold buckle happy ending.

Content Warning: This story has references to past sexual abuse, death of a parent, and suicidal thoughts

Buy link: getbook.at/SnowCreekRanch2

Review – Hide and Seek

06 Monday Jul 2026

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Hide and Seek

Appleton Falls #2

by Felice Stevens

Blurb:

I’m finally living the life I want as a deputy sheriff in the small town of Appleton Falls. I gave up my job as a cop in the NYPD to search for the truth about a father I barely know, except finding him brought me no peace.

But I’m happy. Really. I’d love to fall in love, but it just hasn’t happened. Yet.

Then he shows up to join our force.

My old high school nemesis, Dominic Starr. The gorgeous loner and the bane of my existence.

As well as my secret fantasy.

Why did he leave the NYPD? Was he running from his powerful father? Or hiding from him?

It’s not like he wants to forgive and forget and be friends. At every turn he’s in my face, taunting and teasing me with that stupid nickname he loves and knows I hate.

Starr should be careful, because he’s got secrets only I know.

And one of them is mine as well.

But when the past we both want to leave behind crashes into our present—with deadly consequences—neither of us can hide what we’ve been running from all our lives: The future we both seek is in each other’s arms.

If we make it out alive.

Buy Link:

https://a.co/d/0iKNLXBV

Available in KU

*****

Review:

I love Dom and Emerson together, and their enemies to lovers transition. It was a little insta-love once it got going but there was history there to help get them to that point. I think there was potential to develop on that even more, for a better understanding of their changing feelings, but I like them as a couple.

Stevens does add quite the suspense element to their love story and it packed a pretty big punch. We start with the shift from a strained association to something more and then BAM it gets hairy for Dominic, speeding us straight to the last chapter. I’d only read a couple of her hockey romances so this was a surprise for me. She packed in so much stress and fear and anguish to go with the love and steam and sweetness. And I ate up every page of it!

While I felt the evolution of their relationship could have used a little more something, the two were great together. The way they help each other create something that works for them and are there for each other when they need it. And I really got caught up in the suspense part of it. Not exactly what I was expecting (based on a very small sample size of two hockey books) but very much appreciated and I’ll definitely be looking for the next book in the series.

*****

Author Info:

Felice Stevens writes romance because what is better than people falling in love? Her favorite part of a romance novel is that first kiss…sigh. She loves creating stories of hopes and dreams and happily ever afters. Her stories are character-driven, rich with the sights, sounds and flavors of New York City and filled with men who are sometimes deeply flawed but always real.

Felice writes M/M romance because she believes that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Having traveled all over the world, she can safely say that the universal language that unites people is love. 

Felice has written in a variety of sub-genres, including contemporary, paranormal and has a mystery series as well.

Felice is a two time Lambda Literary Award nominee and the Lambda Literary Award winner for Best Gay Romance for her book, The Ghost and Charlie Muir.

Connect with Felice Stevens:

https://www.instagram.com/felicestevens