Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE: Sweet as Honey

SERIES: Aster Valley #2

AUTHOR: Lucy Lennox

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 319 pages

RELEASE DATE: April 6, 2021

BLURB:

When I rode my bike into Aster Valley, it was supposed to be temporary. A quick, relaxing visit with friends. No entanglements. Zero drama.

But then I saw the bumblebee being harassed on the side of the highway.

More specifically, I saw Truman Sweet, Aster Valley’s resident botanist, spice merchant, and bee-costume enthusiast, being harassed. And the second I got involved, all my plans for a quick departure scattered like pollen on the breeze.

It turns out that Truman—adorkably shy, relentlessly sunshiny, hot as all heck, reluctantly-still-a-virgin Truman—has secrets. Secrets someone in this charming small town doesn’t want brought to light. Secrets that rouse every one of my protective instincts just as surely as his kisses rouse… other parts of me.

And before I know it, I’m thinking being entangled might not be so bad… if it’s Truman I’m tangled up with.

I’ll do whatever it takes to protect Truman from the dangers in his past, but after a lifetime of loneliness and disappointment, how can I possibly convince him to trust me with his future?

Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Interlude 

SERIES:  Snow & Winter Collection

AUTHOR:  C.S. Poe

PUBLISHER:  Emporium Press

LENGTH:  149 pages

RELEASE DATE:  April 8, 2021

BLURB:

Interlude is a collection of short stories spanning the complete timeline of the Snow & Winter series, beginning with The Mystery of Nevermore, to after the conclusion of The Mystery of the Bones. They feature the point of view of Sebastian Snow and Calvin Winter and consist of mini mysteries, as well as scenes from daily life.

Please note: While many of these titles were previously made available for free to readers, they have all since been rewritten, expanded, and edited for this collection. Several shorts are brand-new and exclusive, including Someone’s in the Wall, St. Louis What Now?, and Trope: Only One Bed.

Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE: If Only For Today

SERIES: Deerbourne Inn

AUTHOR: Gabbi Grey

PUBLISHER: The Wild Rose Press

LENGTH: 141 pages

RELEASE DATE: April 14, 2021

BLURB:

Jared Langford is a happy man. The desk clerk at the Deerbourne Inn knows everyone in his cozy town in Vermont. He is accepted and loved by the community, but he’s missing someone special in his life.

Devastating news has brought journalist Xander Fortier to Willow Springs for some much-needed rest. He’s photographed every major conflict in the world for the last ten years, but being stateside has forced him to reassess the solitary life he’s been living.

Something in Xander’s gruff demeanor calls to Jared’s caring nature. Soon the men are spending time together, but Jared’s kisses might not be enough to keep Xander from leaving. Can the men find a happily ever after if they only have today?

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE: Inevitable

AUTHOR: Briar Prescott

PUBLISHER: Self-published

LENGTH: 266 pages

RELEASE DATE: April 12, 2021

BLURB:

The three of us were never impossible. We were always inevitable.

When Drew meets Ezra, he doesn’t expect much. A one-night stand and a quick goodbye in the morning. That’s how these things usually go. Only there’s nothing usual about Ezra and the connection that forms between them.

When Ezra meets Drew, he doesn’t expect much. A distraction and parting as strangers after a night of meaningless fun. That’s how these things usually go. Only there’s nothing meaningless about Drew and the relentless spark between them that just refuses to disappear.

When Bas meets Ezra… things get complicated. As if being hopelessly in love with his best friend isn’t painful enough. Throw in an unexpected friendship that develops with the one-time hookup of said best friend, and the results are messy at best.

But sometimes beautiful things emerge from messy and complicated beginnings, and where two isn’t enough, three might be just perfect.

Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  The Endgame

AUTHOR:  Riley Hart

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  336 pages

RELEASE DATE:  April 20, 2021

BLURB:

Weston
When I left home, I swore I’d never hide anything about myself again. From college, to law school, to the United States Senate representing California, I’ve done it all as an out gay man. So, when I’m in DC and see a beautiful guy at the hotel bar, I don’t hesitate to proposition him…right before he runs out on me, leaving his sunglasses behind like my very own Cinderfella.

Anson
I’ve always known I’m gay, but never acted on it. Pretending isn’t easy, but it means I can keep playing football. No one has ever guessed my secret until the gorgeous man at a bar in DC. At least he doesn’t know who I am—the best tight end in the NFL, playing for the Atlanta Lightning. Though my identity doesn’t stay a secret from him for long.

Between texts and late-night phone calls, we get to know each other. West’s the only person who knows all the parts of me, just like I know his. When he asks for one night together so he can show me what it’s like to be with a man, I can’t say no. But once isn’t enough, and we keep sneaking around together—brief encounters, in California, Georgia, or DC, filled with passionate touches and whispered truths.

I never thought I’d have love. West never thought he’d want it. Now we’re all in with each other, but he still has time left in his Senate term. I have contract obligations to fulfill, and I’m closeted. We don’t even live in the same state. The odds are stacked against us, but if there’s one thing I know, it’s how to win. He’s the endgame in the biggest challenge of my life, the one I’m banking my future happiness on.

Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Coaching the Nerd

SERIES: Nerds vs Jocks (Book #2)

AUTHOR: Eli Easton and Tara Lain

PUBLISHER: Easton Lain Publishing

LENGTH: 281 pages

RELEASE DATE:  March 16, 2021

BLURB:

Super-bod meets super-brain

What happens when marshmallow-bodied supernerd Sean volunteers to be on the jocks’ flag-football team? It screws Bubba’s fraternity’s chances at the coveted flag football title, that’s what.

Bubba is drafted to be Sean’s personal trainer. He has to whip Sean into shape and make sure he doesn’t F up their team.

Sean may be a supernerd, but to Bubba he’s funny, and wise, and kinda cute. He’s also the one person on campus who doesn’t see Bubba as a big, stupid jock.

One BIG problem. Sean’s motivation for getting into shape is to lose his virginity — and Bubba isn’t happy when guys start sniffing around.

But Bubba’s straight. Isn’t he?

Can a big, dumb jock from Nowhere, Wisconsin change his whole life for a genius who just wants to get laid?

COACHING THE NERD is a total makeover, opposites attract, My Fair Lady trope, bi awakening, campus romance – that grabs your flag. 

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE: The Jock

AUTHOR: Tal Bauer

PUBLISHER: Self-published

LENGTH: 400 pages

RELEASE DATE: April 9, 2021

BLURB:

Wes Van de Hoek clawed his way off his family’s West Texas ranch under the Friday night lights, earning a football scholarship to the state’s best university. Three years in, he has it all: he’s the starting tight end, team captain, and, according to ESPN, maybe the best college football player in the nation. But he’s been keeping a secret from everyone.

Justin Swanscott has three certainties in his life: he’s gay, football is overrated, and he really, really doesn’t like cowboys. He should never have fallen into Wes’s open-range eyes or let his heart run wild when Wes gave him that shy little smile over summer. But he couldn’t stop himself.

Everyone’s asking questions about Wes this season: How is he playing so well? Will Texas be undefeated this year? Will he take the team all the way to the national championship? What’s next for him?

The truth? Wes isn’t dreaming about an NFL contract. His heart belongs to Justin, even though the world wants it to belong to football.

Wes has stadiums packed with screaming fans, ESPN is all over him, and the NFL wants him badly. He’s living under a microscope, and the pressure keeps building as the team keeps winning. Everyone wants something from him, but all Wes wants is to love Justin.

Something’s gotta give.

Reviewed by Danielle

TITLE: No Surrender

SERIES: No Regrets #1

AUTHOR: Nora Phoenix

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 352 Pages

RELEASE DATE: April 18, 2021

BLURB:

No matter what he feels for Wander, he’ll never surrender to him.

I’m in control of my life. That has become Burke’s mantra. He lost control somewhere along the way, descending into a downward spiral until he hit rock bottom. Now he’s back, sober, and determined to never be in that position again. Ever.

That’s why he loves being a dominant. He’s in charge. He can plan everything into detail. He’s in control.

Until he runs into Wander, a private security guy who volunteers to become Burke’s mentor in the club. Wander questions him, challenges him, pushes and prods and pokes until Burke stands with his back against the wall.

But he refuses to surrender, even when Wander evokes feelings in Burke he’s never experienced before. Apparently, he’s not quite as straight as he thought. Whatever. That still doesn’t mean he’ll give in…or that he’ll kneel.

No Surrender is an MM romance featuring a proud, stubborn man who’s hurting and an equally bull-headed man who won’t stop until he’s discovered the truth. It’s the first book in the high heat No Regrets series, a spin off from the No Shame series that can be read on its own, and has a suspense sub plot without cliffhangers. Please check the trigger warnings in the front of the book.