Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Boys & Toys
SERIES: Ace’s Wild #9
AUTHOR: Morningstar Ashley
PUBLISHER: self-published
LENGTH: 110 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 19, 2019
BLURB:
After years of staying away from Jax Marsh, Kalen Desford finds himself in an impossible situation when the guy becomes one of his roommates. Kalen can’t help that the puppy love he’d had for the introverted and gorgeous man has grown into a full-blown crush. The problem? Jax doesn’t seem to notice—or care.
Oh, and Jax is the little brother of Kalen’s best friend.
Forgotten laundry—with a little something left behind—and a bright idea from Kalen leads both men into Ace’s Wild. Some shared laughter and a few confessions change things between the two roommates. Kalen jumps in headfirst, no matter the possible consequences from his best friend. Alone for a week during Thanksgiving break, Kalen and Jax find they share more than they thought.
And let’s face it…boys will be boys…especially with their toys.
For the first 90 days of this title’s publication, all sales and page reads will be donated to The One-N-Ten. Their mission is to serve LGBTQ youth and young adults. They enhance their lives by providing empowering social and service programs that promote self-expression, self-acceptance, leadership development and healthy life choices.
Boys & Toys is part of a multi-author series of books that take place in the same fictional town. Each story can be read in any order. The connecting element in the Ace’s Wild series is an adult store owned by Ace and Wilder. The main characters from each book will make at least one visit to Ace’s Wild, where they’ll buy a toy to use in their story! The only characters who crossover to each book are Ace and Wilder. And with various heat levels, there’s sure to be something for everyone!
REVIEW:
This book had me giggling so much. I love when if there is a sex scene, it’s not always so serious or down and dirty. I love when there’s laughter and awkwardness and learning. It’s so much more intimate. Not that a good down and dirty scene isn’t hot. Don’t get me wrong. But I love the intimacy in this book. I love that they see each other. It’s not just a one off or friends with benefits. They have taken the time to truly see each other and learn each other. Even after so many years of knowing each other. It was like starting from the beginning and it was so beautiful.
Jax is one of those people that just can’t handle being around people. For some reason, it just gets to him so bad. He’s not trusting, he can’t handle all the loud and so many people. It’s why he hides in his room so much. His roommates don’t mean to make him uncomfortable, he’s sure of, but it’s just the way he is. But little by little, something about his older brother’s best friend, Kalen, is getting under his skin. It starts out with a gag of sex toys from Ace’s Wild to one of the roommates that has them bonding over a laugh and good time and ends up being so much more every day. They hang out and talk and actually spend time together. When Kalen is supposed to go away for Thanksgiving for a trip, he actually backs out to spend time with Jax. But the more Jax is looking at this, the more he’s hoping this isn’t just a wham, bam, kind of thing. Because he’s learning more about himself since he’s been with Kalen. And if it’s not serious for Kalen, it may just break his heart.
I remember being younger and being more like Kalen. Going out all the time, and partying and stuff. But the older I’ve gotten, the more I appreciate Jax. I’m more introverted now and would prefer peace and quiet to loud people and stuff. It’s to the point of anxiety at times, so I get how Jax feels. It’s nothing bad that’s happened to him. He would tell you that. It’s just people make him uncomfortable. Crowds make him want to curl up and disappear. Can’t say I blame him. But what I love about Jax and Kalen, is that Kalen is bringing him out of his shell more, but Kalen isn’t trying to change who he is. He cares about Jax when he’s quiet and moody as much as he cares about him relaxed and happy. And it’s become his daily goal to get the man to smile and laugh. But Jax has a way of calming Kalen as well. The more Kalen is with Jax, the more he realizes, being out all the time isn’t worth it. It can be a fun way to blow off steam or to get out once in a while, but Kalen is now appreciating a quieter way of life too. They’ve both given each other a new outlook on life and a new way to be. Not necessarily changing each other, but they’ve learned they can truly be free and themselves with each other, when they don’t feel they can with others. And that is truly freeing. And it’s an intimacy like no other.
I love these guys. I love how they make each other better. I love how they love each other. And how they are trusting and giving with the other, while respecting each other as well. It’s such a good little story and I’m so glad I got to read it..
P.S. There’s a lot of fun with sex toys in this that will have you laughing your ass off.
RATING: 
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