M/M Romance

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Lenni Reviews: Hazel Takes Over (Lyon Road Vets #3) by Sue Brown

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I purchased this book for free from All Romance Ebooks and is intended for 18+.

This book brings us back to Evan and Peter from the first book in this series. Now that Peter has settled into his new life, he is surprised Evan doesn’t bug him about getting a new pet. After Harry’s death, Peter still doesn’t feel ready. But Evan isn’t the type to wait until Peter is ready and brings Hazel into the picture, insuring Peter falls in love with the pup and can’t say now. Peter isn’t happy having these plans made behind his back so the hope is he will overcome his past pain and love this little one as much as he loved Harry.

While the book makes you think the book will be mostly about Hazel, the only interesting conflict in this book is Peter’s ex-wife, Toni, getting abused by her current boyfriend. The rest of it is mundane everyday stuff. While I have been known to enjoy a little slice-of-life story, this was all fluff and boring as all get out. Getting a new puppy and learning to live with it would have been a fitting epilogue to the first book. I just couldn’t get into it. I feel generous in giving this one a 2 out of 5 for taking a step forward in the character’s lives, written well, but ultimately boring.

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Lenni Reviews: “Hairy Harry’s Car Seat” (Lyon Road Vets#1) by Sue Brown

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I purchased this book from Amazon and is intended for 18+.

Divorced father of two, Peter, has to say goodbye to his best friend and Wolfhound/Terrier mix, Harry. When Peter takes Harry to the vet, he is attended by a new doctor; Evan Wells. The pair become friends as Even helps Peter deal with losing Harry and Peter notices he doesn’t quite mind when Evan casually touches him despite the fact he’s straight. Will Peter be able to reconcile having feelings for a man after considering himself straight for so long?

I really empathized with losing a pet and it was sweet to see happiness come out of grief but I would have liked if it wasn’t ‘gay for you.’ Those always strike me as a little strange. Not entirely off-putting, but strange. I guess it’s nice to be attracted to someone for more than the presence or lack of dangly bits but Peter and Evan are nice enough characters to read to keep my focus off that strange trope. They’re a sweet couple and the intimate scenes aren’t too over the top. I give it a solid 3 out of 5 because it can be a little frustrating if a character just doesn’t come out and say what they feel and I selfishly would have liked Paul to also fall in love with another dog as well.

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Lenni Reviews: “Chaos Unchained: Outlaw MC Book 1” by James Cox

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I purchased this book for free from All Romance E-Books. Intended for 18+.

Our main character is named Chaos and a member of a motorcycle gang rebelling against the oppressive regime currently in power. He lives in a world where Earth is now a prison planet, which is where Chaos is headed to serve 6 months for drinking, which is illegal. While he manages to survive by being a fighter and competing for extra rations, he meets a man named Beau, who is currently serving time for preventing another man from being beaten. The two pair up but Beau is getting out sooner than Chaos. Will Chaos be able to keep his rages under control with Beau gone and will Beau keep his promise to be waiting when Chaos gets out?

This is an interesting start to a series with good world-building but you don’t get to spend much time in it. The story focuses on Chaos and Beau’s fast forming romance and hot sex. This book doesn’t flinch from bad language, smut, and violence but Beau is such a lovable little cutie, I found myself smiling more often than not. I give it a 3.5 out of 5 for taking a chance but ending up more on the crude side than visceral (which I think what the book was trying to go for?). Maybe a little more detail would have provided that extra bit of poetry to give it more impact.

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Lenni Reviews: “Taken by the Hunter” by C. M. Hartley

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I purchased this book for free from All Romance Ebooks and is intended for 18+.

Jasper is a Will-o-Wisp who ran afoul of a warlock named Hendrick and is now cursed to guard Hendrick’s treasure. He can’t leave unless he tricks someone into taking his place and if he doesn’t before Hendrick returns, Jasper will die. When a hunter comes by, Jasper sees his chance to escape but he’s a horny little sprite who has gone way too long without any relief but his own hand. Will Jasper choose to end his 100-year entrapment or give into the temptation and give up this chance at freedom?

This story is the first in a series of trysts Jasper has while he’s trapped guarding that box. It’s not badly written but it is purely a guilty pleasure read. You don’t have a slow build to get to know the characters, just some brief, naughty fluff to take up a few minutes of the day. I’d give it a friendly 2.9 since this is really an excuse for some steamy smexy times but it’s written well enough that I didn’t cringe while reading it.

And obviously only for adults here.

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Lenni Reviews: “A Serious Thing” by Annabelle Jacobs

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I purchased this book for free from All Romance Ebooks and is intended for 18+.

Patrick and Will have been together for awhile and Patrick has decided it’s time to get serious and say those special three words. Finally having some time to themselves over Christmas break, Patrick has big plans to tell Will he loves him on Christmas Day.

Will and Patrick are almost too cute and infatuated with each other. The love between them is sweet and it’s written well. This is a short slice of life story that is perfect to read curled up with some hot cocoa by a fire. I’d give it a 3 since I think this story would have has more of an impact on me if I was familiar with the series these characters are from. Standing alone, I simply thought “Aw, that was cute.” and moved on to the next thing without giving it much more thought.

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Lenni Reviews: “Until We Meet Once More” by Josh Lanyon

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I purchased this book for free from All Romance Ebooks and is intended for 18+.

Vick Black, Army Ranger Captain, is sent on a rescue mission. Known as ‘Stone Man’ for his focus and determination, he is certain he can get in and get out with his rescue without a problem. Then he hears the name of the POW he’s being sent to retrieve; his former lover. Then the Stone Man begins to crack. It’s not just another mission anymore, now it’s personal.

I found it a bit difficult to get into this one. It felt a little distant; almost clinical despite the intriguing premise. I ended up being more interested in the rescue mission itself rather hand the romantic relationship. However, by the end of this short read, I felt satisfied and entertained. I wish there was more to is as I think the reason why it felt distance is because everything was so clipped. More length may have had the story and characters make a bigger impact on me. As is, this story is nothing special but certainly not terrible. A firm 3.5.

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Lenni Reviews “Bag the Beast” by Jane Perky

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I purchased this book for free from All Romance Ebooks and is intended for 18+.

Clement, a werewolf, is in dire need of a pumpkin for a pie he plans to bake for a Thanksgiving baking contest. And only the best pumpkins grow on Dall’s farm; a reclusive bear shifter affectionately nicknamed ‘The Beast.’  Intending to steal it, Clement sneaks on to the farm in wolf form and ends up not only ending up at the wrong end of Dall’s gun but senses the werebear is his mate.

This story is so short (18 pages) it’s hard to really rate it. The conflict – such as it was – could have been developed more so that the ending provided more satisfaction. It felt so fast, I didn’t get enough time to care if these two got together. I’d call it ‘drive by erotica’ with just enough smut to titillate if not completely entertain. Not bad but not really good either. I’d give it a 2 for having potential but being too short to really leave an impression.

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Lenni Reviews: “Cruel to be Kind” by Kim Dare

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I purchased this book from All Romance Ebooks and is intended for 18+.

Xander, a human, has wanted to belong to Malone, a vampire, for a long time. As they are friends and business partners. In a last desperate effort, Xander offers himself to Malone knowing if a human offers themselves to a vampire, the vampire has 24 hours to do whatever they want with the offering. Xander is determined to show Malone he can endure anything Malone can throw at him but Malone is equally determined to show Xander how bad it can get so he never does it again; believing if he is cruel to Xander now it will spare him future pain. Will Xander be able to take it? Will Malone even be able to bring himself to hurt a man he loves for his own good?

This story isn’t bad as far as BDSM paranormal M/M erotica goes. As it is so short (35 pages) if you’re looking for long sessions between the two main characters, you won’t get them. It’s more about whether or not they will reach an understanding. You do get some interesting insight into the mindset of a submissive and Kim Dare is a good writer, but I give this story a solid 3. But if BDSM isn’t your thing, don’t read this one. And this is obviously for grownups only.

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Lenni Reviews: “Hungry For Love” by Louise Lyons

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I purchased this book for free from All Romance Ebooks.

After a bad breakup, Sam Wilkinson turned to food for comfort, eventually landing him in the doctor’s office  because of dizzy spells and breathlessness. When his doctor says he needs to lose weight for his own health, Sam joins the local gym and meets Luke Walker; fitness trainer. The pair are attracted to each other but Sam is convinced no man could ever want him again and Luke has past issues with a cheating ex. Will these two be able to gather enough courage to love again?

I’m not an emotional eater but my own struggles with weight and self-esteem struck a chord with me. I could completely identify with both character’s feelings of “what if my dickwad, cheating ex was right and I’m unworthy of love?” This story manages to convey those feelings without beating the message over your head. Sam and Luke are likable and I found myself disappointed when the story was over. But it’s best to be short and sweet when a story is written well. It doesn’t get super naughty until the end, though so the smexy times are well placed and feel natural. I would give this story a solid 3.5 out of five because things were wrapped up a little too perfectly but I still felt like the characters deserved their happy ending.

And if you think that’s a spoiler, you obviously don’t get the genre.

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Lenni Reviews: “Fireworks: A Sexmas Short Story” by Kate Lowell

 

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I purchased this book for free at All Romance Ebooks.

Carter and Thilo are very different so when the straightlaced and shy Thilo asks to see Carter dance at the strip club where he works, Carter is understandably taken aback. Carter is worried his profession will cause a problem in their new relationship and that the prim accountant wouldn’t be able to handle watching such a spectacle. However, Thilo is determined to show Carter he can look beyond the job and still treat Carter the same. On New Year;s Eve, Carter arranges for Thilo to watch a show. Will the reserved Thilo be able to see Carter at work and stay in the relationship?

This was a short and sweet read with a relatable situation. Carter and Thilo are as fleshed out as characters can be in 23 pages. And it’s honestly not that graphic. Of course, the story takes you to the strip club and describes what happens in one but I’d rate this a PG if I was feeling very judgemental. Out of 5, I would give this a vague 3 because I enjoyed it despite it being really short and it was nice to read something sweet without it being overloaded with smut.

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