Reviewed by True

TITLE: Elite Connections: an LGBTQ Romance Charity Anthology

AUTHORS: V.L. Locey – Colette Davison

PUBLISHER: Heartbound Press

LENGTH: 1665 pages (whole anthology)

RELEASE DATE: April 26, 2024

Every need met. Every desire fulfilled.
Welcome to Elite Connections, the secret, exclusive service where money is no object and your every wish is guaranteed to come true.

Fake dates, arranged marriages, or just some company for the night, whatever it is, with Elite you are covered.

Benefitting Outright International, an organization that works to amplify inclusion and equality across the world, and Lambda Legal, fighting for the civil rights of LGBTQ+ people.

Elite Connections is a queer charity anthology containing MM, FF, and other LGBTQ+ romances and will be available for a limited time only. All proceeds will be split between the chosen charities.

With stories from:
Ana Ashley – BA Tortuga – Colette Davison
Emily Silver – Erin Zak – Jax Calder
Kelex – Frances M. Thompson – Jodi Payne
Rhys Everly – Sarah Zane
Saxon James – V.L. Locey

———————

Darts and Dashers by V.L. Locey

BLURB:

One fake date, one weekend awards ceremony, and one new love about to be neatly sewn up…

It’s been one hell of a season for Chicago Steelheads captain Paul Rocha. His team won it all, his name was announced as a finalist for a prestigious award, and his ex-boyfriend—a player in the league as well—left him for another man. So yeah, a season of ups and downs. Now he’s faced with attending an awards ceremony in West Palm Beach alone, something that would put a damper on what should be a joyous occasion. He’s about to cancel the trip when his PA whispers in his ear the name of an exclusive agency that can provide the superstar with a tasteful companion for the weekend. Dreading the thought of showing up stag when his ex has his new man on his arm, Paul contacts Elite Connections for a discreet date. His match is a man who turns his structured world on its ear in all the best ways possible.

Roth Morrison needs cash. Like yesterday.

The young sewist has just lost his job as a barista at a coffee shop in his sleepy New Hampshire neighborhood. No job means no rent being paid, no food in the fridge he shares with four other struggling college grads, and no material to create more outfits. His online shop is struggling despite the accolades from people who have purchased his quirky matching outfits for them and their pets. Knowing his options are limited—and the rent is due in two weeks—Roth gives in and applies for a position at Elite. To his amazement, he’s quickly matched to some jock seeking a date. The payment and destination are enough to have him packing his tiny swimsuit and matching beach hat before he can reply to the email properly. Roth’s not at all prepared for his “date” for this testosterone-fueled weekend to be so tall, so handsome, and so utterly charming.

Darts and Dashers is an age gap, low angst, opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine M/M romance with a rather set in his ways hockey player, a bubbly pet modiste, a weekend filled with luxurious settings, copious amounts of smiles and sunscreen, incredibly bright beachwear, and a perfectly fitted happy ending.

REVIEW:

Paul is the captain of the hockey team. And has to attend the sports gala, being nominated as sportsman of the year
His boyfriend just broke up with him and left him for someone else.
Paul doesn’t want to go to the gala alone, his PA has a solution.
Here’s where Elite Connections steps in.
Paul has already a perfect picture of how this sophisticated fake date man should be. Ha! If he only knew!

Roth is broke, just lost his barista job and he really needs money for his rent, sewing, and food.
When there’s an opportunity to work for Elite Connections he takes it.
Luckily he got an offer right away. And he can take his beloved doggie with him, hooray!

Jeez, Roth is exhausting, he’s a feminine whirlwind, and he never stops talking! Roth is so not the man Paul expected him to be. There are so many reasons why he’s afraid to admit what he wants, maybe someone like Roth.
Thankfully his PA knows what he really needs. You go, Dee!

Paul is hot! Yes, Roth already loved his pics. Sadly in reality Paul doesn’t seem to like Roth’s appearance. Ha! If he only knew!

Watch them, gosh it was so wonderful! So opposites but so compatible!
I loved this fast-paced wonderfully written, romantic story, I loved Paul and Roth and loved the doggies and friends.

RATING:

Falling for my Husband by Colette Davison

BLURB:

Harper is a darling, he’s silly rich, and his mom organized one date after another for him.
He doesn’t but she’s a force, she wants him to get married.
He has a plan, through Elite Connections he wants to hire a husband for a year. This way his mother will back off.

Bailey works for Elite Connections, business is going well. It allows him to have a decent life and also he can work for the shelter. The shelter helped him when he was thrown out on the streets at sixteen because he was gay. He lived on the streets himself and wanted to help others as much as he could. The offer from Elite Connections to play husband for a year for a huge amount of money means he can offer the shelter even more help.

Harper and Bailey meet and the contract is signed in no time. Harper’s parents are thrilled and such lovely people.

Harper is sweet and completely stunned by what Bailey does with his life. He never experienced any of this. He has money in abundance.
What follows is just wonderful, I fell so in love with these guys.

It was a super delightful story, with the best characters, the best secondary characters, and a wonderful plot.
Overall a fast-paced, amazingly written story, with delicious spicy moments, a lot of fun, some seriousness, and ALL the feels, I shed some happy tears.

RATING:

BUY LINKS:

Amazon