Reviewed by Taylin
This is an Anthology Review of Lookin’ for Mr. Right: A Charity Collection of Contemporary M/M Stories
AUTHORS: J.J. Riley & Suki Gale, Tiegan Clyne, Kinkaid Knight, Joanne Ganci, Bee Murray & CJ Vincent, Charlotte Brice, Aspen Black, Sariah Skye, Adora Crooks, Logan Grey, Maya Nicole & Britt Andrews.
LENGTH: 725 pages
RELEASE DATE: Jan 7, 2021
BLURB:
Lookin’ for love?
Finding love is never easy, but when these men go on their journeys to find Mr. Right, we find out just how right it is. From funny and sweet to steamy and unexpected, these are twenty stories you won’t want to miss.
Look for love in all the right places.
All proceeds from this set will be donated to The Trevor Project.
Lookin’ For Mr. Right is a limited edition charity anthology consisting of 12 M/M stories from authors: J.J. Riley & Suki Gale, Tiegan Clyne, Kinkaid Knight, Joanne Ganci, Helena Novak, Bee Murray & C.J. Vincent, Charlotte Brice, Aspen Black, Sariah Skye, Adora Crooks, Logan Grey, and Maya Nicole & Britt Andrews.
ANTHOLOGY REVIEW:
Works written for charity are always worth buying to support worthy causes. Kudos, too, to the authors for donating their work.
What is an anthology?
A collection of short stories? A chance to discover new authors? An advertising platform? A chance to read a different genre alongside the usual? Short term escapism? Answer – All of the above.
Although, the stories in this charity assortment are not technically great – I found spelling mistakes and autonomous body parts – I may not have had the final edited version of the manuscript. Also, I am not sure what happened with the blurb that I got from Amazon, because one paragraph says 20 stories another 12, but there were 11 tales in the manuscript sent to Love Bytes.
The collection contains stories differing in length and genre, from friends to lovers to BDSM. Such a range is impressive. The hearts awarded, vary as much as the genres – from an average score of three to a fabulous five. Some of the stories I liked better than others, and two were near perfect for my reading taste.
None of the tales are bad. BUT, six of the eleven stories ended with notifications that the work was part of something bigger. They wrapped-up in good places, but the announcements didn’t detract from the fact that I just got to care about characters to be told that I had to read the remainder of their journey elsewhere. Hence average marks for incomplete stories with potential.
Anthology tales are frequently expanded later, but these stories contained the opening chapters, finished on an HFN, and left me hanging with no closure – a tantalizing excerpt. Their advertisement of an ending left me thankful that I’d discovered a good story, but annoyed, cheated, and deflated, too.
I’d buy this anthology for the charity contribution, and read it for a few super tales, but mostly to discover stories to put on a future wish list.
ANTHOLOGY RATING: 
TITLE 1: Hemlock & Thorns by J.J. Riley & Suki Gale
REVIEW:
Arlo owns the flower shop Hemlock & Thorns. When Corbin, a bi tattoo artist from the shop next door enters wanting an ‘I hate you’ bouquet for an ex that won’t go away – the chance meeting turns into more. But the ex-girlfriend lingers.
This story is told in the first person from the viewpoints of Arlo and Corbin. The cast members are varied, suitably sweet or psycho as necessary, and I received a super lesson in floriography. Shout out to Corbin’s mum – loved her.
It isn’t easy to get depth into any short story, as they are mainly snapshots in time, and this is a prime example. The tale skips from one encounter to the next only detailing specific events, which includes explicit intimacy between the men. Arlo and Corbin are lovely, but the nature of the beast prevented me from getting emotionally invested in them or their journey towards each other.
Hemlock & Thorns is one of those stories that I felt was a cropped story. Consequently, it would be better as a longer more complex tale involving the briefly mentioned families whose absence in this version was understandable albeit missed. Hence an average mark for a story that was sweet and a moderate start to the anthology.
RATING: 3
TITLE 2: Love Song by Tiegan Clyne
REVIEW:
Alexander is a New Yorker of Greek ancestry forced to attend a speed dating evening by, Charlie, his best friend. Unfortunately for Alexander, he suffers from social anxiety, which inflames his bitchy side. As a singer/voice coach, Alexander’s comfort zone is either teaching or performing. But as the bartender, Sammy, advises – the best thing about speed dating evenings is meeting people you could become friends with.
Love Song is told in the third person from Alexander’s viewpoint, and I found it a delight to read. The story focused on a specific time range which allowed me to understand Alexander and his way of looking at life. The imagery and supporting cast were adorable. Charlie is larger than life and the voice of reason, and the speed dating emcee was beautifully sarcastic.
I found Love Song to be a lovely story, wrapped in a neat package.
RATING: 4
TITLE 3: Reclaiming His Brogammer: A Bro Jobs Story by Kinkaid Knight
REVIEW:
They were young and in love, then William made a choice. He chose the NFL and a woman over the love of his life. The action broke Rex’s heart. The breakup also sent their group of misfits in different directions. Fifteen years later, most of the college friends found their way back to each other, but the hurts of the past still linger. William, realizing he made a mistake, decides that he wants Rex back.
This story is told in the first person, present tense, from Rex and William’s viewpoint. It is also set during the Covid-19 pandemic. The opening scenes involve an on-line meet-up between Rex and his friends that gives the story a dude/bro vibe that adds a diverse writing style to the selection of stories. Non-American readers may class it as a little ‘Bill and Ted’ with a heavy dose of intelligence. I greatly enjoyed the banter between the friends as it showcased their dynamic and personalities. Speaking of characters, Mrs. Callahan, Rex’s Memaw, is a scene-stealer.
The story is short and a snapshot in time. Beware though -it finishes on a loose end because the author states that the tale is only part of – Reclaiming his Brogrammer – book one of the Bro Jobs series. What it essentially means is that we have the opening chapters of something bigger. It is a shame because I fell for these characters, whose story was cut off, just as it was getting interesting. If this book weren’t for charity, I’d be annoyed as hell at it. While I understand that many authors expand collection stories, personally, I like anthologies because they give me periods of escapism when I don’t have much time and want to read a complete albeit short story. I’ve given it 3.5 hearts because, while it has the makings of a great story, it doesn’t tick all of my boxes in its incomplete state.
RATING: 3.5
TITLE 4: Two for Interference by Joanne Ganci
REVIEW:
On his first day of College in New York, Elliot – a naïve small-town young man – comes to the aid of a man he believes is being bullied by Kylan, an ice hockey jock. Unfortunately, for Elliot, he read the situation all wrong.
What follows is a story, told in the first person, present tense. It sees two people navigate through crossed-wires, personal hang-ups, self-analyzing, and sheer stubbornness, to a place where they can see the other in a positive light that could develop into more.
I fell hard for, Kylan and Elliot, who were adorable and beautifully different. The story has some super dialogue and flows well. Unfortunately, this is another tale where the reader only gets the first few chapters before being cut off and told that the rest would follow in another book coming out soon. This story finished at a good cut off point. But knowing that it isn’t the end of the journey is beyond frustrating. To give four hearts to an incomplete story suggests how good what’s on the page is, and could be a five-hearted story of the future.
RATING: 4
TITLE 5: Kissing Mr. Perfect by Bee Murray & C.J. Vincent
REVIEW:
Isaac has always loved Tristan. He stood by through all of his best friends’ relationships, picking him up when things got bad. When dramatic events ensure both are single in the same apartment, long-buried feelings come to the fore, but both are afraid to act on them, for fear of losing their friendship.
This story told in the third person from Tristan, and Isaac’s viewpoint completely captivated me. I went on an emotional rollercoaster ride while the men explored their feelings and fears. It was everything I hope for and expect from a well-written short story. The tale finishes on an – The End…for now – with no caveats. It implies that more stories may come forth involving Tristan and Isaac in new adventures, but the anthology’s experience is not a few chapters from the start of a bigger book.
RATING: 4.5
TITLE 6: Breaking Free: A Bidsum Club Romance by Charlotte Brice
REVIEW:
Breaking Free is a BDSM story. Having had a horrific experience, Callum is undecided over what he wants in a Dom. Kent is a rusty Dom and is a matchmaker for Dom’s and Sub’s outside of his day job. Kent classes himself as a fixer of hearts. During this story, more than one heart gets fixed. But there is also a twist.
BDSM tales are not my taste in reading. Much the same that some people don’t head for historical or sci-fi books. So, I wouldn’t know a good or bad story if it kicked me in the rear. All I can comment on is how the tale affected me.
The story is set in the UK, with British dialogue and spelling. Conversation centers around a Dom and Sub’s needs and the growing realization of what Kent and Callum mean to one another. The tale contains scenes of rope play, memories of breath play, and sexual appetite is a significant factor throughout.
I came away from this story with a better understanding of the dynamics of BDSM, the delicate balance between pain and pleasure, and how easy it is to abuse the trust of a sub. I’ll admit that some scenes were awkward for me to read and to the unknowledgeable, some aspects seemed like an excuse to have sex. Then again, we live in a world of different needs. But, by the end of the story, I was educated.
Because I don’t understand the world of BDSM, I am on the fence. The story contains intimacy, drama, obsession, love, and was complete – which given other stories in the anthology was appreciated.
RATING: 4
TITLE 7: Focal Point by Aspen Black
REVIEW:
Andrew is a Pansexual student and ex-foster kid. He works hard to graduate as fast as possible to get back to his sister, who is still in the system. While taking a 4 am shower, his time is interrupted by a man having sex in the bathroom. Later, Andrew discovers that the sexy man is his new Ethics TA in his doctorate last year.
Focal Point is a story told in the first person with good imagery and a mostly college setting. Andrew is likable, hardworking, he stands up for himself and has a lot on his shoulders, which is where the foster system comes into play. Kyler is cocky, self-assured, and curious about Andrew. He is the handsome man with a heart that Andrew is determined to rebuff. The person who stole my heart though, was Cindy, Andrew’s nine-year-old sister who is innocently honest with a brain that, in the future, will test any person.
Fate keeps throwing Kyler and Andrew together, and student/teacher ethics are all but thrown out of the window. But, hey, this is fiction, so why not. While some conversations made me have a lump in my throat, any attachment to the story and its characters was soon doused. Just as the groundwork was laid for a good story, it was cut off with the words – ‘Keep up with the Andrew and Kyler story to be continued in Heart Theory.’
RATING: 3.5
TITLE 8: That Thin Line by Sariah Skye
REVIEW:
As children, Andrew fell for his older brother, Connors, best friend, Javier Diaz. Later in life, the two became bitter rivals, so why did they wake up married?
Before the story begins, the reader is advised that it has an HFN finish and that a more elaborate solo release is in the works. Another reminder follows, at the end. While I appreciated the heads-up after several previous stories ended with similar notes, my heart immediately sank, and I didn’t want to read on. Nevertheless, I did.
The story is written in the first person from Andrew’s viewpoint, and the imagery is good. The action takes place while on Connors, stag vacation. So, it contains raucous banter where Andrew and Javier must keep up appearances. A lot of time is dedicated to Andrew and Diaz arguing over their predicament. There is plenty of antagonizing, second-guessing, ruminating, and going over old ground.
While the actions are something many people would do – for reading purposes, I felt that revisiting thoughts and actions went on for a bit too long. I occasionally lost sympathy with Andrew, shouting at the page for him to leave the dick behind. But I understand that when someone is ingrained into your soul, that person is difficult to give up. It’s a battle between heart and head. Then, the minute meaningful progress is made, the story cuts off to, ‘read more in another book’. I knew the message was coming. I read the whole story wondering where the end would be, but the message was not easy to read when it arrived.
RATING: 3
TITLE 9: Mr. Perfect by Adora Crooks
REVIEW:
Hollywood action hero Eric has a secret – he’s in an established relationship with Nico. Unfortunately, his agent insists that he must, be seen as, heterosexual. Nico loves Eric so much that he calls in a favor from his friend Chrys.
Mr. Perfect is a short but enchanting story that shows the internal pain of not showing the world the person you really are. Nico and Eric’s first-person viewpoints show the struggles each of them faces and what they are prepared to do for the man they love. Shout out to Chrys here for her matter-of-fact sarcastic tongue.
This complete, proper short story was sweet, sexy, and emotional. A splendid example of a super short story – Loved it.
RATING: 5
TITLE 10: Mr. Mystery: A Heartbelt Records Short Story by Logan Grey
REVIEW:
Heartbeat records are holding a masquerade party. Caleb has loved his boss Jason for a lot of years and always believed him unattainable. However, the anonymity of the party blurs boundaries.
Mr. Mystery is told in the third person, and there was some head-hopping. The concept behind this tale is proven good material for stories of any length. Maybe it was the party alcohol, but I found it a little weird that two people who worked together for seven years didn’t have a clue who the other was.
The story was basically a masquerade party followed by a night of sex, dreaming, and possible recognition that raised more questions than answers. For me, pages full of sex, don’t make a story. But, the thoughts from Caleb and Jason hinted at something more worth sticking with.
Then came the dreaded words from the author and my heart sank – ‘Caleb and Jason are from my rockstar romance series Heartbelt Records. These two reluctant lovebirds will get their own book in the future, but to see them again, find them in the first three books that are available now on Kindle Unlimited.’
RATING: 3
TITLE 11: Catching Kalen by Maya Nicole & Britt Andrews
REVIEW:
College baseball star, Kalen, had never been with a man. Never wanted it. Never thought of it. Until the shittiest week in his life left him non-responsive over any female company, and very responsive to the beautiful man who bought him a drink. A night of lust leaves Kalen confused, denying anything happened. But when the object of his confusion is his new teacher, Kalen’s life becomes even more complicated.
Catching Kalen is a college student/teacher story with a baseball background. It is told in the first person, present tense, flows well, and is the last story in this charity anthology. Kalen and Monroe are lovely. Kalen has a good heart and a confused head. Monroe has his ethics, but where Kalen is concerned, the chemistry is more than he can bear.
I can’t say any more without giving the plot away. Also, I can’t say much because the story ends with – ‘Want to know if Monroe keeps Kalen? Preorder the full-length novel coming April 28th!’
The story has great potential, but it is not complete, hence the score.
RATING: 3.5
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