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Tag Archives: LGBT romance

Lenni Reviews: “Two for the Show” by Megan Derr

07 Friday Sep 2018

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*This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+.

For the sake of keeping the tabloids busy, retiring rockstar, Niko, grabs a public smooth from country music star, Jake; believing the scandal of kissing a straight guy will distract while Niko rescues custody of his niece and nephew from his abusive drunk of a brother. What he didn’t count on was Jake kissing him back. What begins as a ruse for the press may become something more if Jake and Niko are willing to take a chance.

About halfway through this, I really wondered what was taking so long because it seemed obvious the main pair had caught some feels. But the last half didn’t drag out the ‘will they/won’t they’ theme in a way that bores the reader. In fact, the main conflict between Niko and Jake isn’t their feelings. I won’t spoil it but it was an angle I appreciated the book addressing since it felt more in line with the main characters personalities and fit the story. A sweet story with a surprisingly natural progression! If you like m/m romance centering around music, this ain’t half bad. 3.8 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Otaare” by Alessandra Ebulu

06 Thursday Sep 2018

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*This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

Nigerian singer Bolarinwa “Blaze” Johnson has released a new song entitled “Otaare.” However, Nigerian writer Ukeme Collins accuses the singer of ripping off his work; igniting a Twitter war. In order to calm things down, Blaze offered Ukeme a chance to clear the air by appearing in public as friends. But the more often they spend time together in public for the press, the more they find themselves wanting something deeper.

Our main characters are interesting and the social media aspect of this could easily end up overused and cringy but this book manages to avoid that. It is also awesome to see a romance set in Nigeria and despite the story meeting every beat you would expect, I did enjoy a story with more diversity and some level-headed main leads. 3.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Birthday Presents” by Dianne Hartsock

23 Thursday Aug 2018

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+.

Murderer and rapist Crimson has had Kyle a prisoner for 7 months and his brother, Gene, a police officer, is determined to find the killer before his brother is found dead like so many others.

Well, this is ‘trigger warning the book.’ It is NOT an easy read. There are graphic depictions of torture, rape, child abuse, trauma… But I can’t slam the book or lower my rating because of that. Crimson is a damaged, sadistic monster and I don’t get the feeling I was supposed to be titillated by his actions. The entire time I was reading, I was hooked on how or if Crimson was ever going to be caught and if his victims would be saved. In that, I have to say this book succeeded. I may have predicted certain plot points right away but overall; if you can’t take the mature content or it is triggering for you, don’t read this. You will not be happy. As for me, I give it a 3.8 for the thriller elements that kept me going.

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Lenni Reviews: “The Mystery of the Curiosities” by C.S. Poe

10 Tuesday Jul 2018

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*This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

In this sequel to Mystery of Nevermore; Snow and Winter are back!

Sebastian Snow is enjoying a peaceful life running his antique store and spending his free time with his boyfriend; detective Calvin Winter. But it all too soon turns back into an irresistible mystery when a cryptic message smashes through the window of Sebastian’s store. But when bricks with notes become dead bodies with notes, Snow and Winter must unravel the identity of the killer and why the suspect is connected to P.T. Barnum’s lost museum.

What a fun and wicked sexy ride! I got to geek out over an old-timey mystery, thrilled by the action, and moved by the romance. Calvin and Sebastian are cute without being annoying and they are a blast to follow through the book. Like spiked dark chocolate, this is a sweet romance with a kick. If I had a complaint, I would want more backstory on the villain. It had this very “That’s the one! Okay, BYE!” sort of feel. But this wasn’t a deal breaker for me. 3.9 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Scorpio Hates Virgo” by Anyta Sunday

26 Tuesday Jun 2018

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+.

*This review is cross-posted to Otakus and Geeks.

After his aunt passes away, Percy Friedman moves into her home. Even though she left it to him, Percy is intent on selling it not only because it makes him miss his aunt so much, but it is also located in the same cul-de-sac as his childhood nemesis, Callagahan Glover. But, As Percy settles back into the tight-knit community and gets to know Callagahan all over again, he wonders if running away is the best plan.

I enjoyed this “enemies” to lovers story. There is no real malice between Percy and Cal so when their relationship forms, it feels real and relatable. Their sarcastic barbs are funny, the main leads are charming, and even the side characters have plenty of personality without derailing the main focus. It’s a nearly perfect bit of fluff but since there’s no closure regarding Percy’s relative, Frank, I felt as if that bit was incomplete. Other than that, a great sweet and sexy romance. 3.9 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Runner” by Parker Williams and Patrick Zeller (Narrator)

05 Tuesday Jun 2018

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*This audio-book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated 18+

*This review is cross-posted to Otakus and Geeks.

Matt Bowers has made every effort to isolate himself from the world after he was assaulted as a teenager. He lives on a large piece of land, has everything he needs delivered, and lives off of a sizable settlement account. All that changes when a man comes jogging across his property. Since the stranger isn’t doing anything illegal, Matt cannot get his officer brother to do anything about the man encroaching on his safe space. Faced with no other option than to accept him, Matt gradually learns to tolerate the man’s presence and even get to know him.

This is a sweet story about a traumatized guy learning to love again. It is a quintessential hurt/comfort story with realistic leads who follow a very natural progression as their relationship grows. Matt and Charlie do become an overtly saccharine couple, though Charlie seems almost too perfect in dealing with Matt’s OCD and agoraphobia. Charlie is positively saint like in his acceptance of it and that made him seem less believable in his own right. I mean, he barely blinks at some of the limitations he suddenly has to deal with where as I believe any normal person would at least express some sort of resistance to their life taking a complete 180 in terms of their freedom to do as they please.

I did enjoy listening to this book. Zeller is a great narrator who has a great range to make each character distinct to your ears. While the story kept me entertained overall, I did struggle to remember a lot of things when I sat down to write this review. Cute and romantic but not much staying power. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “The Aftermath” by Kay Simone

02 Wednesday May 2018

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This is the full novel from the short story I reviewed; The Hustler. So, for the summary, head over there to read it.

While the premise and the short story were interesting and entertaining, the novel drags itself though the remainder of the story at a snail’s pace. In this magical world in which condoms are not needed and jail is not a threat (as per the author’s introduction), I had a lot of trouble justifying why this book is so long. There is all this time devoted to how much of an asshole Will is but I didn’t get that about him at all. Clearly self-depreciating, thoughtless perhaps, he consumes a troubling amount of alcohol, but I have seen “asshole” and he doesn’t quite qualify. We also get pages and PAGES of shopping for food and cooking it. Enough that I feel it should have been integral to the plot but it’s just minutia. The lulls in the story felt torturous and only kinda worth the overall payoff. Written well but WAY too long. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Same Love” by Tony Correia

01 Tuesday May 2018

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*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

*This review is cross-posted to Otakus and geeks.

Upon finding out their son is gay, Adam’s parents ship him off to a Christian camp and warn him they won’t tolerate having a gay son. But while there, he falls for Paul and both teens must reconcile their faith with love in order to find happiness.

First off I gotta say, I’m Pagan and even I wish there were nicer Christians in this. From the parents to Randall, they’re almost cartoonishly evil. Boys can’t go shopping together? That means they’re gay? How do you get clothes then?

Anyway, this is a quick story; which makes sense considering it takes place over a short period of time. It has the innocence and charm of a summer camp story without it feeling too much like a typical coming of age plot. I empathize with Paul’s struggle and it’s portrayed in a realistic way that doesn’t overstay it’s welcome. Despite being brief, the story does feel complete instead of rushed like some short stories can be. I can see a teen reading this and liking it and for me, it’s a nice change from the quickie smut. 3 out of 5.

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