True (Temptation VI) by Ella Frank

Synopsis

True - adjective: That which is accurate or exact.

I dare you to try.

I think you’re my truth.

Terrify me.

Marry me.

Marry me.

Marry me...
 

Four years ago, Logan Mitchell walked into Tate’s life and challenged him to see it differently.
 

He dared Tate to try a kiss, when normally he wouldn’t have.

He begged him to take a chance, when he probably shouldn’t have.

But most importantly, he asked Tate to trust that he would love him, and he did. From that moment on, Tate realized exactly what his life had been missing—Logan.
 

Happily-ever-afters come in many different forms. But for Tate Morrison, there’s only one ending he wants. The one where the guy marries the guy and true love conquers all.
 

Now all he has to do is tell Logan.
 

Join Logan and Tate as they finally realize what the rest of us knew all along. That they belong together for better or worse—always.

The Temptation series by Ella Frank is the first M/M for read for me.  Although I am of an open mind, I was not prepared to fall for these characters & their story the way I did.  I know I’m only echoing how many of you feel.  But, I’m still blown away by the fact that by the end of Try, I was ready for Take, & then Trust & Tease & oh lord Tate.  I was so excited for True, & am so thrilled with how this love story like no other has closed -what I’m hoping will be it’s not so last chapter- of their happily ever after as we “…celebrate the love these two found in the most unlikely of people.”

True (Temptation IV) is a love story of epic proportions.  These men have fought for the fierce love they share over the years & now is their time to have everything they never imagined they would.  “You’re everything I didn’t know I should be looking for…” They continue to take a chance on what they want. “…For loving me even when it terrified you.”  With the support of friends & family these guys work through struggles so many couples face.  “Logan knew this was exactly the way love was supposed to be—scary, beautiful, and at times, all-consuming.”  This book is all of this & more, funny & endearing, full of intense emotional moments & incredibly sexy “…the heat that lit Logan’s eyes was both possessive and full of love.”  Family bonds are both mended & severed, closure is found where it is needed most. “A family he never knew he’d have, and one he’d never felt more loved by…”  Friendships are strengthened & a surprise answer  – at least I was surprised – to a question we’ve had is revealed.  You will laugh & blush & cry… & blush, & cry…over these men whom we’ve come to admire & love.  “Ah, it’s so romantic I can hardly stand it.”

I love the way Ella has made these guys so genuine that not only did I forget this was a story about a gay couple, I found that if I didn’t know it before, I sure do now – it doesn’t remotely matter. “Perfectly imperfect is this relationship. But it’s one of the strongest and most loving I have ever seen, and nothing feels more right…”  I love that everything about this epic love story is of the heart & have enjoyed each & everyone of my "fictional family members" to the fullest.  Tates dad – the love in that man, holy crap, hands down some of the most intensely emotional stuff I’ve read.  And Rachel & Cole, I just – Oh my god, I’m going to miss them so much!  My only complaint is that this final book in the Temptation series was so much like coming home, such an easy read, that it ended far too soon.  I spent a mere two days all tied up (wink) in this wonderful gift of Logan & Tate from Ella Frank & I can't thank her enough!  For the HOTTEST & SEXIEST shit I’ve ever read.  For making my heart tight in my chest & tears of happiness stream down my face.  Thank you most of all Ella, for not writing an epilogue.

“I’m so damn happy my face hurts from smiling.”

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon US/UK

The Beast Within (The Conversion Series Book #5) by S.C. Stephens

 

BLURB

Nika Adams has had a challenging year. She gave her heart to Hunter Evans, only to have him break it. But Nika refuses to give up hope. Not when there's a chance she can save her true-love—even if she must save him from himself.

Julian Adams finally knows what he wants, and is truly happy. But when he gets mixed up in Nika's suicide mission to save her wayward boyfriend, he begins to wonder if his dream girl can handle the dangerous life that comes with being an Adams 

MY REVEIW

From S.C. Stephens, The Beast Within starts right where The Next Generation leaves you.  Told in first person, from dual perspectives, the continuation of this story will not disappoint.  You'll appreciate way S.C. brings you back up to speed with all the players.  Prepare to be entranced by bonds that may not always remain unbroken.

As Hunter Evans begins working through the reality of becoming what he's been taught to hate - "And who wouldn't struggle with becoming a bloodthirsty nightmare?" He will do what ever it takes to put things right, to avenge his lost soul, bring his unbeating heart peace & justice to this new life.  In the meantime, Nika is left reeling with the remnants of a shattered heart, & feeling every moment of bliss her brother has with his new love, through their ever present emotional bond. 

This story paranormal romance has it all, love, romance, action, surprise twists & an ending that will keep you begging for more.  Heartbreak like no other "Even though we could both potentially live for several millennia, there was no future for us."  Deciding whether to fight, or to let go for self preservation & that of the one held most dear.  Dealing with loss - "My entire life swept away in one painful bite, replaced by a life I barely recognized, and didn't want."

So much emotional turmoil, "I felt lost as I stared into her eyes. I also felt found." - your heart will race, you will get choked up, giggle, worry & feel relieved - all while these characters are learning to accept the new normal & coming to understand that the most important bonds aren't always what you might expect.  Delivering heartbreak & breaking bonds between one another to protect those they love the most, even if - "Her ache was my ache."  Surviving betrayal & abandonment of the worst kinds.  Loving the family who live & fight & put their lives on the line for one another, without thinking twice.  "So long as my undead heart still had life in it, I would use it to protect them. They were all that mattered now."

Have I mentioned how great it is that S.C. throws in some pretty funny dialogue along the way - "Wow, I was about to get staked, just like in some lame vampire flick." LOVE ~ I love that these characters continue to grow & learn life lessons - you can't hate what you don't understand "...see past the species, to the person beneath it."   That they continue to care even when they think they shouldn't & begin to find the beauty in the darkness.  I couldn't get enough of the strong family ties "Family is important. It's possibly the most important thing there is."  I simply can't wait to read more ~ Family is Forever: The Conversion Series Book #6 coming next year

"I'm not scared of you. I'm in love with you."

"So...good..."

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon US/UK

 

The V Card by Lauren Blakely & Lili Valente

 

A brand new sinfully sexy standalone romantic comedy from bestselling authors Lauren Blakely and Lili Valente!

 

When you think about how easy it is to lose keys, phones, sunglasses and your dignity on social media, you might figure it'd be a cinch for me to ditch my V Card.

 

You'd be wrong.

 

At 25, I run a successful business, live in a fantastic apartment, and have fabulous friends to go out with any night of the week. And yet I'm still a card-carrying member of a club I don't want to belong to anymore. Good thing I know just the man for the deflowering job—my brother’s business partner and best friend.

 

Graham Campbell is charming, smart, and, I’m told, oh-so-skilled in the sack. As long as I keep my eyes on the prize, there’s no way this pluck-the-flower project could possibly complicate matters.

 

***

 

Work and pleasure. As the CEO of a fast-growing company, I've been enjoying both to the fullest. What do I do when the board throws me for an unexpected loop so I can keep my business in my hands? I enlist the help of my best friend's little sister since she holds a big stake in the company. But then I learn there's another big stake she wants.

 

The one between my legs.

 

I can do this. Seven nights to teach her everything I know in the bedroom. There's no way I'll fall for her, even though she’s earning top grades in every single sinfully sexy lesson. And turns out I’m learning something too. The trouble is I don’t have the answer key to what to do when I fall hard for her.

 

And that throws a whole new hitch in my plans.

 

 

 

The V Card is a super hot contemporary romance on "...lessons in seduction..." CJ is a girl after my own heart "...an unrepentant bookworm..." focused on "Operation V Card." losing her V card while keeping her friendship & heart safe.  Enter Graham, the only person CJ trusts enough to get the job done-only there are two problems with her plan 1.) Graham is her brothers best friend 2.) who also happens to be on a "Sex-batical..." to ensure focus on the love of his life - the business he built from the ground up with CJ's brother. 

 

Told in first person from dual perspectives, this story is sexy "This is kissing like I've never been kissed before.", funny "It's a win-win. All win. Total win." And I just said "win" four times." & clever.  Surprisingly sweet & sentimental-learning "...how short life can be and how imperative it is to be brave." So very sexy- "It's such an intoxicating mix of soft and filthy at the same damn time."

 

"You're going to be hooked in one go, like a drug addict..."

 

I loved that these characters are sexy, fun & sweet & know each other so well.  I enjoyed the funny banter, sexual innuendo's, the movie references.  "This is wonderful and wicked..."

 

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

 

Amazon US/UK

Everest by S.L. Scott

SYNOPSIS

Six foot three. Dynamic green eyes. Utterly irresistible.

Ethan Everest stole my breath the first time I saw him. He romanced me with skill, dazzled me with his charisma, and proceeded to steal my heart right after.

I might have fallen for his easy going smile the first time we met, but I fell for him the second time.
 

Honey-colored hair. Cherry-kissed lips. Captivatingly gorgeous.

Singer Davis was the first, and only, woman to ever intimidate me. She spoke to my heart with her wit, seduced me with her eyes, and became the only thing that made sense in a world that made none.
 

I let her slip through my fingers once. I won’t make that mistake twice.

Secrets broke us apart. Can a second chance bring us back together?

My Review

 

“Ethan Everest. The Man. The Myth. The Mountain.”, a Texan through & through, carefree, with the world at his feet – but all of that changes in the most scandalous of ways. Everyone seems to want something from Ethan, everyone except Singer Davis. They met one night in Brooklyn, only to be pulled apart, only to get a second chance to play out the “what if’s”… “Tales of unsettled hearts, otherwise known as a romance novel.”

Told in first person from dual perspectives, Everest is a second chance mystery romance with more emotional intensity, suspense & intrigue than I ever expected.  Set in the big apple, the city that “…eats up dreams and spits them out.”  Full range of emotions - fun banter, witty, romantic, sexy “The chemistry…combustible.” & heart wrenching “…overflowing emotions…” With flashbacks throughout, these characters reconnect only to throw mixed signals at each other while struggling with secrets & burdens of their own.  She wants so much to make it in life & in love but is cautious, wanting to “…protect myself and my heart.” While his trust issues have caused him to swear off connections of any kind, dating is not an option “I think I’ve been friend-zoned, and you know there’s no coming back from that.”  Thank goodness “They’re called friends-to-lovers romances for a reason.”  With a mix of strong, friends who are family & love deeply-for a lifetime bond, to those who commit ultimate betrayals that destroy lives.  Secrets are exposed, surprise gut-wrenching twists that will have you gasping out loud…on the edge of your seat until the end.  “The universe sometimes has a mind of its own. But no matter what has happened, we fought our fate and found our destiny.”

I love that he loves sports & she loves books.  Couldn't get enough of Singers genuineness & the way she empowered Ethan – simply by accepting him for who he is.  The intensity between all of the characters, loyalty & love, is so good! 

Thank you S.L. – like Singer, “I love getting lost in a good book.”

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

 

Amazon US/UK