Book of the Week Poll
Welcome to the Love Bytes Book of the Week Poll!
Here are the books which achieved a 4.5 or 5.0 review last week from our reviewers.
As a reminder, the top two books from each week’s poll will roll into our Book of the Month poll at month’s end. Happy Voting!
Please scroll to the very bottom for the voting section.
POLL SCHEDULE:
This poll will remain open until at least 6PM, Amsterdam time next Friday. The actual closing time will vary depending on blog staff schedules…
The Professor’s Green Card Marriage (Dreamspun Desires #98) by Heidi Cullinan
Reviewed by Cheryl
TITLE: The Professor’s Green Card Marriage
SERIES: Dreamspun Desires #98
AUTHOR: Heidi Cullinan
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 228 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 18, 2020
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I’ll marry you.
Professor Valentyn Shevchenko isn’t sure how to react when, after months of ineffective flirting, the cute barista’s first words to him are a proposal. In many ways, Peter Grunberg is the solution to all his problems. With his work visa inexplicably denied, Valentyn is running out of options to keep from being deported. But is a green card marriage really the answer? Is it still a marriage of convenience when he’s this attracted to his potential spouse.
Peter came to his uncle’s coffee shop in Boulder, Colorado, to reset his life after his struggles with selective mutism returned with a vengeance. He never meant his first words to the handsome ecology professor to be an offer of marriage, but he’s not backing out now. It doesn’t matter that Peter struggles to find words. He can say everything he needs to with his body.
Though this relationship may have started out back-to-front, Valentyn and Peter are determined to make their fake marriage real. But one misstep in their immigration interview could bring everything crashing down. They’ll have to hope that their love is enough to overcome all their obstacles and give them the prize they’ve both been dreaming of: a certified happy ever after.
Cancer Ships Aquarius (Signs of Love #5) by Anyta Sunday
Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: Cancer Ships Aquarius
SERIES: Signs of Love #5
AUTHOR: Anyta Sunday
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 282 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 17, 2020
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Prepare to dip your toe into the biggest adventure of your life, Cancer. There’s romance in the air, and it smells deliciously salty.
Dumped by the fifth girl in two years and abandoned by his best friends, Reid Glover is alone and in need of a home.
Desperate, he interviews to become a live-in manny aboard widowed Sullivan Bell’s yacht, the Aquarian.
The job? Not to look after thirteen-year-old Joanna. No, this child-mastermind needs Reid to befriend her dad, urge him to participate more in family life, encourage him to date, oh, and become his closest confidant and help him unleash his bottled emotions.
No pressure.
At least he’s not entirely out of his depth.
Okay, so he may have a slight aversion to the ocean. And possibly attract more than his fair share of misadventure.
But he is a pro at crying.
Watch out, Sullivan. Reid is on his way with a family-sized carton of tissues. He will help Sullivan through his fears. Will help him find love again.
Will absolutely not fall for him in the process . . .
Caution, Cancer, how long will you fool yourself?
A Touch of the Heart by Pelaam
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: A Touch of the Heart
AUTHOR: Pelaam
PUBLISHER: MLR Press
LENGTH: 37 pages
RELEASE DATE: December 6, 2019
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Christmas—a time for Santa, elves, and angels. But they don’t exist. Or do they? Alex is about to find out.
Alex loves making Christmas special for the customers who visit his shop, despite his own sadness and loneliness. He employs Michael as his store Santa, and when a young would-be shoplifter, Jackson, is caught, he’s persuaded by Michael to give him a chance. To Alex’s surprise, he’s attracted to Jackson, but he really has no idea how to deal with it.
Will Alex get a touch of the heart from an angel to help him find the love he deserves?
Pros & Cons of Desire (Pros & Cons #3) by A.E. Wasp
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Pros & Cons of Desire
SERIES: Pros & Cons #3
AUTHOR: A E. Wasp
PUBLISHER: Kelpie Press
LENGTH:
RELEASE DATE: February 20, 2020
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FIVE JOBS. FIVE CHANCES FOR REDEMPTION.
One thing’s for sure: these men are no angels.
Two jobs down, three to go, and job #3 is mine. My name is Ridge Pfeiffer, I’m a dirt poor jewel thief from the wrong side of the tracks, and I don’t play well with others.
Theoretically, the deal works like this. I do the job Charlie planned for me and Miranda erases my past, makes my biggest problems go away. Too bad my biggest problem is the one thing I don’t want to go away: Diplomatic Security Agent Davis Ethan.
When Davis caught me breaking into a safe during job #2, I should have ended up in jail. instead, I ended up in his bed. Rich, gorgeous, and privileged, the only thing we have in common is a love of beautiful lingerie and beautiful men. He’s everything I hate, everything I want, and he could destroy me with a word.
There are a hundred red flags surrounding this job, I should walk away and take my chances, but I’m going to do it anyway. Anything to buy me one more night with Davis.
One more job, one more night, and then I’ll leave for good.
Fake it ’til You Make Out (Love & Luck #1) by Isla Olsen
Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Fake it ’til You Make Out![Fake it 'til You Make Out (Love & Luck Book 1) by [Olsen, Isla]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41hL7vyIHXL.jpg)
SERIES: Love & Luck
AUTHOR: Isla Olsen
PUBLISHER: Moonwalker Press
LENGTH: 198 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 6, 2020
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It’s a classic story: Boy meets girl, girl breaks boy’s heart, boy pretends to be gay to get back at girl, girl outs boy to everyone on Facebook…
Okay, maybe it’s not that classic. But it’s what happened to me.
When I bump into my cheating ex and catch sight of the moon-sized rock on her finger, there’s only one option to save face: pretend to be dating my gay best friend, Declan.
And when she outs me on Facebook and everyone I know sees it, there’s still only one option: keep pretending to be dating Declan.
And when Declan and I have to kiss to keep up the ruse and it turns out there’s actually a spark between us (more like a blazing inferno, if truth be told) there’s once again only one option…
Warning: this book is not appropriate for anyone who doesn’t like laughing, anyone who doesn’t like dogs, or anyone who doesn’t like hot men having a lot of sex…with each other.
*Happily Ever After included
Nicki’s Fight (Twin Peeks Bookstore #2) by Mellanie Rourke
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Nicki’s Fight
SERIES: Twin Peeks Bookstore #2
AUTHOR: Mellanie Rourke
PUBLISHER: self-published
LENGTH: 245 pages
RELEASE DATE: December 9, 2019
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KAINE –
A lifetime of abandonment leaves its mark on a person. So much so that when Nicki left, it made a twisted sort of sense. After all, everyone else I had loved in this world had left me, why should he be any different?
Six years later and he’s back in my life. He’s still the same Nicki. Still the same sensitive, intelligent, loving and compassionate man he was years ago. Except…there are shadows in his eyes that were never there before. How do I love him again, trust him again? If he disappears now, there’s no way I’d survive.
NICKI –
I love Kaine Devereaux. I always have. But sometimes love just isn’t enough. When my family moved thousands of miles away to chase the dream of a cure for my mysterious illness, Kaine and I had no idea that more than distance would end up separating us.
How do I ask Kaine to trust me again when I almost destroyed him? How do I ask him to love me again, when I’m still haunted by the specter of my past?
Again (Delicious #4) by Stella Starling
Reviewed by Anna Lynn
TITLE: Again
SERIES: Delicious #4
AUTHOR: Stella Starling
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
RELEASE DATE: October 18, 2019
LENGTH: 318 pages
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“If you can’t remember it, was it ever real at all?”
“How do I fall out of love?”
Cash Bennett enlisted in the Marines the day his boyfriend married someone else, but military life failed to numb the pain. After he got out, he relied on casual sex and the adrenaline rush of pushing his limits to distract himself from the inescapable truth: He’d lost his heart the first time he laid eyes on Robbie Logan, and he’s never going to get it back.
“I want a divorce.”
An accident on Robin Logan’s eighteenth birthday changed his life. He lost his memory but gained a best friend, a woman whose dreams were stolen when their lives collided. At the urging of his homophobic father, Robin married her out of guilt. But now he’s free… and not at all sure he’s got the courage to go after what he’s never admitted to wanting. Or whether he even deserves it.
“I love you. I don’t know how to do anything else.”
Robin doesn’t remember what they once were to each other, and Cash can’t forget the way they’d been. Sometimes, though, life gives you a second chance to do it all over again…
Anyone But You by Brien Michaels
Reviewed by Becca
![Anyone But you by [Michaels, Brien]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41vZZJdBoYL._SY346_.jpg)
TITLE: Anyone But You
AUTHOR: Brien Michaels
PUBLISHER: Riptide Publishing
LENGTH: 223 pages
RELEASE DATE: December 9, 2019
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Murder is one hell of a drag.
Jack Kieza has a problem. He’s deeply attracted to men, but his homophobic family has left him too afraid to act on it. With his thirtieth birthday around the corner, his curiosity gets the best of him, and he finds himself at a gay club. After spending a fiery night with drag queen Sheila Saltue, everything changes. Especially when he discovers her alter ego: his boss, Ryan Swift.
Ryan knew he should’ve said no the second Jack approached him. Now he can’t stop himself from texting Jack every chance he gets. But Jack won’t let him take the wig off during sex, and being Sheila off-stage is wearing thin.
The more time they spend together, the more intense their feelings get, but Jack isn’t ready to date a man yet. When drag queens start turning up murdered, it forces Jack to reexamine his feelings, because what if Ryan is next? While Jack wants their burgeoning relationship to work, it would mean having to admit who he is to the world. And that’s an idea as frightening as death.
Rick’s Bear (Boys of Brighton #3) by M. Tasia
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Rick’s Bear
SERIES: Boys of Brighton #3
AUTHOR: M. Tasia
PUBLISHER: Boroughs Publishing Group
LENGTH: 137 pages
RELEASE DATE: March 2, 2017
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Welcome back to Brighton, Texas. Where any man can find home.
A DEN OF THEIR OWN
Clem “Bear” Mitchell owns the only diner in Brighton and prefers to be left alone. After growing up in—and barely escaping—one of the toughest motorcycle gangs out of Chicago, he just wants peace. Librarian Rick Johansson is the same. Due to his anxiety, he has always lived on the outskirts of society, finding it far safer to stay in the stacks. But no man is an island, and when the two are thrust together by dangerous events playing out around them, they see that life is better together. The tattooed, bear of a biker and the quiet, unassuming librarian will soon show the residents of Brighton that the local bookworm can teach an old bear new tricks.
Flawed Justice (The Asylum Fight Club #1) by Tibby Armstrong & Bianca Sommerland
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Flawed Justice
SERIES: The Asylum Fight Club #1
AUTHOR: Tibby Armstrong & Bianca Sommerland
PUBLISHER: self-published
LENGTH: 377 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 24, 2019
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If there were an emergency number for adulthood, Matt Kincaid would have dialed it months ago. Raising his kid brother alone is already an uphill battle, nevermind when an ugly gang initiation lands the teen in lockup. Again. Only, this time for a hate crime against a local fight club, where settling debts isn’t taken lightly. When the club offers to let Matt risk everything in a long-shot match with a man who’s as brutally handsome as he is tough, he jumps at the chance.
If Matt wins, all will be forgiven. If not? Well, he might as well move in, because ‘The Law’ will own his ass…for a very long time.
There are no limits to what Lawson ‘The Law’ Gaumond will do to protect the club he and his former lovers built. An inner-city sanctuary where Anniston Falls’ gay leather culture thrives, The Asylum Fight Club isn’t an easy place, but it’s home. Taking on a local hothead whose younger brother vandalized the space isn’t high on his priority list, but there’s something about Matt that cries out for a firm hand.
Lawson’s never backed down from a fight, and he’s not about to start when there’s no way he can lose.
When renewed gang violence erupts, spilling blood over The Asylum, Lawson and Matt must confront their pasts to find a way forward. Gunshots and knives should be harder to survive than this rough love, but coming to the ring armed with nothing but the truth is their greatest challenge of all.
Slow Dances Under An Orange Moon (Colors of Love #4) by V.L. Locey
REVIEWED by Jen B.
TITLE: Slow Dances Under An Orange Moon
SERIES: Colors of Love
AUTHOR: V.L. Locey
PUBLISHER: V.L. Locey
LENGTH: 222 Pages
RELEASE DATE: February 19, 2020
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Can the love they once shared be saved or has the pain of the past eclipsed it?
It’s been twenty years since Kye McLeod left the quaint little mountain town of Spruce Lake, Maine to play professional hockey. He’s had his share of ups and downs, but his choice to hit the big city and not look back has paid off handsomely. The future hall-of-famer is now ready to retire and come out of that dark closet he’s been sequestered in since his first secretive kiss with Davy Aguirre in high school. Now that he’s heading home to keep an eye on his feisty grandfather, there might be the chance to rekindle the flame between him and Davy.
Kye quickly learns that the boy he left behind isn’t the man he’s now knocking heads with. He always imagined grown-up Davy—who now insists on being called David—would be beyond the pain that Kye’s youthful blunder caused him, but now he’s not so sure. When the wildlife conservation officer squares off with the ex-hockey captain their connection is incendiary, and there are more than just fireworks. However, winning back the man he walked away from may not be as easy as he thought…
Sanguineous by Diana Waters
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Sanguineous
AUTHOR: Diana Waters
PUBLISHER: eXtasy Books
LENGTH: 23 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 25, 2019
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Niccolo, a vampire-turned-private detective, is living peacefully in New York with his lover, Felix—until, on the eve of a certain holiday, a late-night visitor from his past comes calling…
Alpha Home (JT’s Bar # 3) by Sue Brown
Reviewed by Kimberley
![Alpha Home: J.T's Bar #3 by [Brown, Sue]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/413tY%2Bf9xUL.jpg)
TITLE: Alpha Home
SERIES: JT’s Bar # 3
AUTHOR: Sue Brown
PUBLISHER: One Hat Press
LENGTH: 167 pages
RELEASE DATE: December 31, 2019
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Will an alpha guy like Si willingly give his heart to Howie for a second chance at love?
Si Raines thought his plans were set for the future. He’d marry his fiancé, the bar-owner Howie Gray, continue with his covert ops career, and when he was ready to retire from that, find a new job and settle down to life together. But a text from Howie throws all the plans into a maelstrom of chaos and hurt, and Si swears he’ll never return to J.T’s Bar again.
Two years later, when an injury ends his covert ops job against his will, he finds himself back at the bar, only to discover Howie is still around, and in danger from a stalker. When Howie begs him for help, Si has to decide if he’s willing to get involved. Apart from doubting whether he can protect anyone with his injury, is he really prepared to be around Howie again? The attraction between them is still electric, and Howie seems willing to explain his behaviour. But can Si forgive him? Faced with the resurrection of old wounds and imminent danger to them both, can Si find it in his heart to rebuild his relationship with Howie and take a second chance on love?
How to Vex a Vampire (Vampire Related Crimes #1)
by Alice Winters
Reviewed by Valerie
![How to Vex a Vampire (VRC: Vampire Related Crimes Book 1) by [Winters, Alice]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51IIuCXUeeL.jpg)
TITLE: How to Vex a Vampire
SERIES: VRC: Vampire Related Crimes
AUTHOR: Alice Winters
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 360 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 18, 2020
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Finn
Getting into the vampire-only detective unit was the easy part; what’s going to be more difficult is dealing with my new partner, an ancient vampire who keeps threatening to eat me. The unit has never had a human in it, and Marcus—or as I like to call him, Fangy McFangface—would really prefer to keep it that way. He’s grumpy, short-tempered, and broody, but I have a way with words and I know he’s starting to like me, even if he swears he’s not. But what he doesn’t know is that I didn’t join the unit because I was tired of being a homicide detective, I joined because there is someone after me. They’ve already taken enough from me and I’m afraid they’re going to take all of me if I don’t find someone to help. That’s all Marcus was supposed to be, but now, he’s so much more and I can’t imagine my life without him.
Marcus
The moment the pesky human walked through that door, I knew I had to get rid of him. He’s charming and almost everyone else instantly loves him, but he doesn’t understand how risky it is being part of this unit as a human. But as I get to know the stubborn man, I learn that perhaps he’s not as naive as I once thought. And maybe he’s what I needed to realize there is more to life than just work and my dog. A group arises who is threatening to disrupt the alliance between the humans and the vampires, but Finn is the one who shows me how strong that alliance can be and reminds me why it’s worth protecting. When threats hit closer to home, I realize I would do anything for Finn because he’s brought so much joy to my life—and because he’s mine.
This 105k word book contains: A creative use for undergarments, unintentional splits, a wolfhound who just wants to be a part of things, a vertically challenged human who still manages to wrap every vampire he meets around his little finger, the best date ever, possessiveness, really awkward dancing, some workplace revenge, and just a bite or two. Or three.
A Timely Gift by Kris T. Bethke
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: A Timely Gift
AUTHOR: Kris T. Bethke
PUBLISHER: JMS Books LLC
LENGTH: 46 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 2, 2019
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Sometimes the right gift can be life-changing …
On the solstice, Rory’s grandfather gives him a pocket watch he claims will have Rory’s life sorted and his problems solved by Christmas. Rory starts out skeptical, but when he reconnects with an ex he never thought he’d see again, he has to admit there might be some holiday magic at work after all.
Deacon’s life is in shambles, and he’s returned to Syracuse for a fresh start. Running into Rory again feels like much more than a coincidence, and neither of them can deny the passion between them is still smoldering. With the watch behaving oddly at just the right moments, Rory and Deacon might receive the gift of a lifetime … if they’re willing to accept it.
The Alpha and His King (Kincaid Pack #1) by Kiki Clark
Reviewed by Donna
TITLE: The Alpha and His King
SERIES: Kincaid Pack #1
AUTHOR: Kiki Clark
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 336 Pages
RELEASE DATE: January 24, 2020
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When Kai flies out of a shed, swinging a rake, Rick’s life flips upside down.
As alpha, Rick’s dedication to his pack has never wavered—until Kai. The pull he feels toward the younger man is more than a simple distraction, but Rick won’t let himself lose focus. Not while a hidden enemy is drawing near.
Moving in with the grumpy alpha who saved him is a big change for Kai, and it isn’t long before he begins to ache for something he can’t have. As a half-human shifter responsible for his three younger siblings, he knows he can never be Rick’s mate.
Pushing aside their doubts and insecurities, they grow closer. But when the pack’s enemies strike, bringing their fears to fruition, Rick and Kai have to decide if they’re willing to risk it all to be together.
The Alpha and His King is the first book in the Kincaid Pack series and features a quick-tempered and possessive alpha; a sweet and feisty alpha-mate; shifters, seers, and witches galore; massive amounts of hurt/comfort; and a happily ever after.
Snow Way in Hell (Snowed In – Valentine’s Inc #10) by Abigail Kade
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Snow Way in Hell
SERIES: Snowed In – Valentine’s Inc #10
AUTHOR: Abigail Kade
PUBLISHER: self-published
LENGTH: 107 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 13, 2020
BLURB:
A sexually repressed man with a longing to let go and an ex-priest with a lust for decadence get snowed in together for the weekend. Will it matter that they hate each other?
Josiah lives his life in control. Always in control. When he meets a handsome Australian who brings out all the secret urges he’s been suppressing, he does his best to push him away. It doesn’t matter that they had one scorching hot encounter in the past. He keeps telling himself it will never happen again. Or will it?
Sebastian thought his calling was to serve, but he was so wrong. He left the church and is finding a newfound belief in himself, including his sexual wants and needs. He sees Josiah as a challenge at first, someone to conquer. However, after their first encounter, he wants more with this beautiful man who’s living only half a life. He’s attracted to everything Josiah is and can be, and wants to pursue something real with him. But it doesn’t seem like it’ll ever happen. Or will it?
One road trip, an unexpected snowstorm, and a cabin in the woods may give these two the chance to break down their walls, and come clean about what they really want. Josiah and Sebastian can help each other find what what they’ve been looking for, if they finally give in and take the chance mother nature is giving them. But will they?
All This Could be Yours by J.V. Speyer
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: All This Could Be Yours
AUTHOR: J.V. Speyer
PUBLISHER: MLR Press
LENGTH: 1506 kb
RELEASE DATE: August 11, 2019
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Can a straightlaced FBI agent fake a relationship with a mob rat long enough to close the case?
There’s only one way out of this family, but Tanner thinks he’s found another one. He’s going to fake a relationship with a straightlaced undercover FBI agent and help him take the organization down from within. That is, if the two of them don’t strangle each other first.
Maddox hates the Mob. He doesn’t have a lot of respect for mob rats either. He knows why he was stuck with this case, and he’s not thrilled about it. He wants the win, but having to play nice with gorgeous criminal Tanner might be more than he can take.
When secrets come out, Tanner and Maddox will have to trust each other with everything they have. They may be opposites, but they’re exactly what each other will need to get through this job with their bodies and souls together.
Claimed by His Beta (Wolves in the Fae Court #2) by Marie Medina
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Claimed by His Beta
SERIES: Wolves in the Fae Court #2
AUTHOR: Marie Medina
PUBLISHER: Evernight Publishing
LENGTH: 58 pages
RELEASE DATE: March 4, 2019
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Luke accompanied his Alpha to the fae court to do his job, nothing more. Since his mate’s death, he’s been fine with a few nights of solace here and there. He’s never needed anything more than that.
But his gaze keeps drifting to one fae in particular—Dane, the best friend of his Alpha’s newly found mate. When he finds out a human hurt Dane years ago, his protective instincts rise and refuse to be calmed. Protective feelings soon turn possessive as he learns more about the beautiful fae. Dane’s more than willing to come to his bed, but Luke wants more than that. Far, far more.
Power Tool by Elizabeth Lister
Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Power Tool
AUTHOR: Elizabeth Lister
PUBLISHER: MLR Press
LENGTH: 20,000 words/1106 kb
RELEASE DATE: July 4, 2019
BLURB:
Danny and Travis are neighbours.
Danny works in IT and gets annoyed at everything. Travis bakes pot brownies and renovates in his underwear.
When these two get together, nothing will stop the insults and arguments, except maybe some seriously sexy innuendos and a challenge.
How will two men who seem to hate each other resolve their differences and find a path to something more satisfying?
Maybe it’s not about resolving anything. Maybe it’s about revealing things, including a penchant for soft kink and a fear of intimacy.
Maybe Danny and Travis can get over themselves and find something in each other they never expected.
~ An enemies-to-lovers short with swearing, insults, pot brownies, domestic discipline, and a lot of heart.~