M/M Romance

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

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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

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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

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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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