m/m erotica

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Lenni Reviews: “Souls for Sale” by Asta Idonea & Nicki J. Markus

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

In exchange for one night of pleasure, Tom agrees to sell his soul to a demon named Saul. But when the night ends, Saul finds Tom too tempting to let go so they go on the run from the demons of Hell, who are not thrilled with Saul breaking his contract.

I found their flight from the assassin from Hell to be pretty darn interesting. Genuinely invested in this predicament, I wondered how Saul was gonna get out of it without Tom getting killed or worse. In that regard, I was not disappointed.

As for their relationship, the smutty scenes are well written and I empathized a great deal with Tom as the lost nerd and Saul’s sudden acquisition of feelings when he’s not supposed to have any. But in the end, this is pretty standard. Fun but standard. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Equilibrium” by Katey Hawthorne

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

Sam has a problem. Whenever he gets near electronics, they tend to explode. But his roommate, Hansen, has powers as well and offers to help out Sam and get his powers under control. Not only is Hansen harboring feelings for his friend, but the world at large also is not kind to those with powers; the Awakened. If anyone finds out, both their lives would be in grave danger.

This is a cute story but I would have liked to see more of the issue around powers and dealing with how society deals with Awakened people. It’s made such a big deal of, saying it’s life-threatening for ‘sleepers’ to find out if you have powers but in the end, this plot point was lacking. The main characters are fleshed out but the cursory world building left me wanting. Expanding on that would make a really cool novel but as it stands, this book is a quick little romance that will keep you reasonably entertained for a short while. 3.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Pisces Hooks Taurus” by Anyta Sunday

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

Zane believes in love at first sight and he’s hunting for it so he can get married before his visa runs out and he has to return to New Zealand. Beckett prefers slowly getting to know someone; feeling hesitant after divorcing from his cheating spouse. When Zane needs a place to stay and Beckett offers up his spare room, they both feel a connection neither can resist but will love blossom before Zane must leave the country?

As a book nerd myself, I adored the banter between English professor Beckett and Zane, who isn’t familiar with literature and gets his words confused. I empathize with Beckett’s understanding and patience that not everyone knows what he’s talking about; which keeps Beckett from becoming unlikable and pretentious. This pairs well with Zane’s eagerness to learn so seeing them come together is believable and heartwarming. I really enjoy this series and look forward to the next one! 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “The Unmentionables” by Megan McFerren & Val Prozorova

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

James and Henry have tried to keep their relationship secret not only from their wives but from the scrutiny of the FBI; as the organization will happily blacklist a homosexual man as a deviant. But their secret is exposed and James is thrown into a psychiatric facility where they attempt aversion therapy to cure him. Henry risks his job and reputation to save his lover or whatever may be left of him.

This is hardly a feel-good read, but it is uplifting to see Henry and James do whatever it takes to be with each other in the 1950’s when it was much more dangerous to even try. Touching, heartbreaking, and unflinchingly real, this is an incredible read. 4.7 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Submit” by Bailey Bradford

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

Larry keeps his desires as a sub in the BDSM community strictly separate from the rest of his life. But when he meets Bo, Larry finds himself tempted to have more than scenes with this charismatic, dom. But a life ridden with betrayal keeps Larry from taking that risky leap.

Let me sum this up: They meet, they have a scene, they talk about their issues, then they’re fine. I honestly expected more given the premise but even with it being so short, the blew by so fast, I didn’t feel any tension or suspense. I respect the depiction of BDSM in this book, though. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Enter the Dragon” by Jamie Sullivan

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

Jac Conway has always dreamed of working with dragons. Having joined the Academy, he is eager to work with them directly but novice students are not allowed near dragons. But when a prank by older students lands him smack in a dragon’s cave, he gets much more involved with them than he planned.

This is a pretty simple set up with the conflict centered around Jack being tricked into his initial encounter with his dragon mate rather than it happening by chance. That was a bit offputting but everything is consensual so no triggers here if you’re looking to avoid non-con.

It’s short with not much staying power but it’s cute enough. The best parts are the baby dragons. 3 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Rise Again” by L.J. Hamlin

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

Arkady is a rising star, the bad boy of ballet until a freak accident destroys his leg; ending his career. His physical therapist, Prisha, recommends he befriend Cade, an artist with a handicapped arm. Their attraction quickly becomes more than friendship but the freak accident wasn’t an accident at all and whoever tried to kill Arkady hasn’t given up.

When I read the description from the book, I did not expect a killer. I expected Arkady’s struggles to recover from his injuries and face his vastly altered life. Even so, that struggle is there and given its short length, perhaps going with a killer as the main plot was a good idea.

That being said, I liked main leads who aren’t perfect, chiseled gods among men and they have real human flaws and scars. They are normal people just different. Their relationship is still instalove but that’s alright. They work even if Cade is a little too chill with someone trying to kill his new boyfriend. A quick fun read. 3.8 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “The Storm Lords” by Ravon Silvius

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

Rowen lives in scorched and lonely life in a village ravaged by heat storms. After losing her parents and his voice, the final straw is his fellow villagers leaving him exposed in the sun for a crime he didn’t commit. Before the heat can claim him, Rowen is rescued by Kristoff, a Storm Lord who came to break the heat storm with his powers and sensed Rowen has some abilities as well. Jumping at the chance to prevent the same sort of heat storms that claimed his parents, Rowen throws himself into his training but when his abilities flummox his mentor, Kristoff doubts he can be the man Rowen needs in every sense of the word.

Even without the romance, this would be a cool fantasy novel. The best parts are the world building and the magic, as well as Rowen himself as a sympathetic and determined character. From there this book wanders into mediocre territory where not much development is given to other characters, even Kristoff. Overall this balances out to a 3 out of 5 for me; good but not great.

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Lenni Reviews: “The Closet Boy” by Sean Michael, Jeff Gelder (Narrator)

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

Disowned by his hyper-religious, homophobic parents, Way’ra lands a job as a janitor at the Iron Eagle Gym. Only problem is he has nowhere to live so he secretly spends his nights sleeping in a closet at the gym. When gym member Neil McPherson develops a crush on the young man, Way’ra is desperate to keep his circumstances a secret. Neil is determined to get this shy young man back off his feet and out of his shell.

Holy crap, this was a long sit… First off everything came off as unintentionally funny because the narrator sounds like Mister Metokur, and I cannot blame anyone but myself for that comparison.

Secondly, this is another book where the couple has their insta-love but then… Nothing. They’re together. The rest is basically slice of life as they go about their days and meet up at home. And cook. And eat. And have sex. Then do it all again. I kept waiting for the third act breakup or SOMETHING but it never happens. Way and Neil are so sweet, I have diabeetus.

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The religion thing just kinda pops up to remind the reader it IS still a thing and Way’s innocence can come off as a little creepy; like he’s too young to be in this story. All in all, I was just twiddling my thumbs waiting for the ending. This has a LOT of untapped potential to be explored and it’s a shame that opportunity was missed. 2.5 out of 5.

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