Reviewed by Jen and Valerie

TITLE: End of the Line

SERIES: Rail Riders #1

AUTHOR: Nicky James

PUBLISHER:  Self Published

LENGTH: 277 pages

RELEASE DATE: July 28, 2021

BLURB:

When a boy who has everything meets a boy who has nothing, life will never be the same again.

Leopold Van Eschen is in big trouble. All the money in the world won’t save him from what he’s done. On the run, desperate to get away, Leo finds himself seeking help from a bunch of vagabonds he meets in a railyard.

Leo has no idea his whole world is about to change.

Killian has been homeless and living on the fly for nine years. The closest thing he has to family is a group of fellow freight-hoppers. With the wind at his back and the whole world stretched out before him, he’s happy. It’s not an easy life, but you can’t put a price on freedom.

A chance run-in with a wealthy stranger turns Killian’s world upside down. Leo’s cute and desperate to get away. Without knowing a thing about him, Killian and his friends help Leo escape the city.
It doesn’t take long before Killian realizes the boy he’s slowly falling for has dark secrets.

Who is Leo running from? What happened to make Leo want to give up a life of wealth to live the life of a vagabond instead?

**End of the Line is the first book in a queer romance series. It’s a story of two men from vastly different worlds who fall in love while on a journey of self-discovery. It’s a story of friendship and found family. No cliffhangers. 100% HEA**

Reviewed by Danielle

TITLE: Dare You

SERIES: Dare to Try #1

AUTHOR: Ella Frank & Brooke Blaine

PUBLISHER:  Self Published

LENGTH: 3920Kb

RELEASE DATE: July 30, 2021

BLURB:

From Ella Frank’s Prime Time series and Brooke Blaine’s South Haven series comes an explosive spin-off of both worlds.

Sebastian “Bash” Vogel, the magnetic, cross-dressing CEO of AnaVoge, has long been a lone island when it comes to his personal life. Self-assured and playful, he’s never left wanting for suitors—but Bash isn’t looking for something permanent. He’s more than fulfilled with his company and his closest friends, and no one is going to shake up the status quo.
That is, until he’s thrown over the shoulder of one of Chicago’s finest and hauled out of a burning building.
Kieran Bailey, a sexy, hardworking lieutenant at Station 73, has been reaping the rewards of being crowned the city’s hottest fireman, which his crew never lets him forget. So many ladies, so little time. So when he rescues the latest damsel in distress, no one is more shocked than him to realize he’s played prince charming to another…prince.

But Bash isn’t like anyone Kieran has ever met, and soon his world is turned upside down as he becomes more intrigued by the enigmatic man that he can’t stay away from.

They’re from two different worlds. This could never work. But what if…they dared to try?

Dare You is book one of the Dare to Try trilogy, which must be read in order. Prior reading is not required, but is always a fantastic idea for maximum enjoyment.

Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Logan

SERIES: Chosen Champions #1

AUTHOR: Macy Blake

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 286 pages

RELEASE DATE: August 3, 2021

BLURB:

Logan Moore is a leader without a pack…

And after the rejection he faced from his last pack, he’s not sure he wants one. But when a mysterious benefactor he nicknames The Oracle offers Logan the chance to use his military expertise to lead a group of misfit shifters to protect the creatures of the magical realm, Logan’s wolf won’t allow him to say no.

Bailey Cairn is a man without a protector…

And for the entirety of his very human life, he hasn’t needed one. But when his friend is attacked at a bar, sweet, caretaker Bailey is drawn into a world he hadn’t known existed. A world full of secrets, and magic. A world full of danger… and gorgeous, protective Logan.

But if Bailey and Logan want to break the chains of the past, they’ll have to learn to trust each other and themselves, and start to believe in things that are bigger than they are…

That magic exists.

That packs are about more than blood ties.

That sometimes true love is a matter of fate.

And that heroes aren’t made…they’re Chosen.

Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE: The Quarterback

SERIES:  The Team Book 2

AUTHOR: Tal Bauer

PUBLISHER: Self-published

LENGTH: 314 pages

RELEASE DATE: August 7, 2021

BLURB:

A slow burn, friends to lovers, bi awakening, age gap MM romance.

Falling for his friend’s straight dad might be the worst mistake Colton Hall has ever made.

Colton’s best friend is gay. He’s not: he’s never been attracted to men. So why the hell is he fantasizing about his friend’s dad? Besides, Nick Swanscott is straight. A devoted father and the best man Colton’s ever known. He deserves more than to be the object of Colton’s crush.

The NFL is waiting for Colton, but he decides to stick it out for his senior year in college before joining the league, a decision that proves disastrous when an injury tears him from the game. In the blink of an eye, Colton goes from being a top draft pick to potentially never playing football again.

But Nick is there through his recovery. He takes care of Colton every day and shows him a future that might hold something more than being a superstar quarterback. Maybe Colton’s life isn’t over.

And Colton’s crush explodes: full-on, head over heels, hopelessly falling in love.

He’s so screwed. He’s got to get these feelings under control. All those dreams of kissing Nick can never become reality. And there’s no way Nick could ever love him back.

Right?

Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Whiskey Dreams

SERIES: On The Rocks (Book 1)

AUTHOR: Sam E. Kraemer

PUBLISHER: Kaye Klub Publishing

LENGTH:

RELEASE DATE: August 20, 2021

BLURB:

He’s got rhythm while his new man’s got a record. Will history destroy their ballad, or can two beautiful souls sing in tune?

Country music star Kelso Ray Anderson found the passion he craved in his songs. Rejected by his religious family because of his sexual orientation, he regrets his painful visit home just before a massive European tour. But when he encounters his brother’s handsome friend who was his adolescent crush, he’s captivated by the melody stirring in his heart.

Tanner Bledsoe’s hopes were broken in prison. Determined to make the most of an opportunity offered by an old high school buddy, he never expected to blush like a teenager when he’s re-introduced to his pal’s magnetic brother. Falling hard and fast for the striking musician, Tanner’s terrified his wrongful incarceration will be a devastating deal-breaker.

Hellbent on giving their budding relationship a chance despite his looming international concerts, Kelso pours his musical soul into his troubled new man. But Tanner is torn apart by the agonizing choice between a once-in-a-lifetime love and doing what’s right to protect his partner’s dreams.

Will their undeniable spark find its place in loving harmony?

Whiskey Dreams, On the Rocks is the touching first tale in the On the Rocks M/M contemporary romance series. If you like captivating characters, sweet attractions, and tortured choices, then you’ll adore Sam E. Kraemer’s delicious escape.

Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  The Summer of Us

AUTHOR:  Lily Morton

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  222 pages

RELEASE DATE:  November 22, 2016

BLURB:

It’s going to be a long hot summer.

John is an exceptionally good lawyer. He’s driven, arrogant, and hides a warm heart beneath a façade of cool politeness. He’s used to people disliking him, but for some reason, when meeting Matt in London, the other man’s open dislike bothers him.

He’s therefore surprised to find himself offering Matt a place to stay in his villa in the South of France while he’s working nearby. He’d actually planned to spend the summer working on his book and plotting to get his ex-wife back. However, his perfect plans take a blow as the long hot summer progresses and the two men get closer, and John starts to nurse an unexpected attraction to his houseguest from hell.

Matt is John’s polar opposite. He’s warm, funny, sociable, and scruffy. He loves people, and they love him back. However, to his consternation, he hates John. His arrogance, public school voice, and the air of superiority that he carries around aggravate Matt unbearably. So the idea of staying in his home with just him for company sounds torturous and not in a good way.

However, as the summer days slip by, he’s forced to realise that maybe he’s not such a good judge of character because underneath that arrogance is a warm, vulnerable man who’s incredibly sexy. The only problem is that while Matt is gay, John is straight, and Matt now wants him more than he’s ever wanted anything in his life.

See what happens when two men who think they have nothing in common apart from a past mutual hatred find out that they might be each other’s future.

REVIEWED by Jay V.

TITLE: The Former Assassin’s Guide to Snagging a Reluctant Boyfriend

AUTHOR: Alice Winters

SERIES: The Former Assassin’s Guide #1

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 304 pages

RELEASE DATE: August 26, 2021

BLURB:

Cassel

When I gave up life as a hitman, I thought everything was going to be better. I was going to become a PI, help people, and live normally… and then I met Jeremy, the most perfect man to have ever saved my life (I mean, he might be the only one who has saved my life, but he’s still the best at it). From that point on, it was all over for me—I knew we were meant to be. The issue is that he doesn’t… quite seem to realize that. But when he’s targeted by criminals (literally, someone just shot at his head), he needs to rely on someone, so why not me? He might not know about my past as a hitman or that I don’t need to be protected, but I’m prepared to do everything I can to save the day.

Jeremy

When my past comes back with a vengeance, I’ve never felt so alone and out of my element. That is, until Cassel offers me information that I desperately need, forcing me to drag him straight into danger. The issue is that he’s too sweet and innocent for this world and I’m not sure that I’m strong enough to protect him, but I can’t bring myself to push him away. As truths come to light, I realize that maybe Cassel isn’t quite who I thought he was, and maybe we’re not so different after all.

Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  Friendly Fire

SERIES:  Never Just Friends #4

AUTHOR:  Saxon James

PUBLISHER:  May Books

LENGTH:  229 pages

RELEASE DATE:  August 23, 2021

BLURB:

Rafe

It started in high school. We grew apart. Bit by bit, then all at once. The friend who was my ride or die suddenly wanted nothing to do with me. Now Cam’s back from college, living in the house next door, and pulling stupid pranks just to annoy me. Between my intense family and my failing relationship, I’m struggling enough without his antics. But Cam won’t go away. And I’m not so sure I want him to.

Cam

It started with a smile. A touch. A shared look of mischief. Rafael Ortega stole my heart before I realised it was mine to give away. We were best friends from the time we were in diapers right up until the unthinkable happened: he started dating. I put distance between us to save myself, but now I’m back, willing to do anything for his attention again. Because the only thing worse than Rafe breaking my heart … is him not getting a chance to.

Friendly Fire is the final book in the Never Just Friends series. It’s a low angst childhood-best-friends-to-lovers romance with skinny dipping, sex toys, and one final happily ever after.