I Wished For You by Colette Davison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was exactly what a sweet, friends to lovers MMM romance should be. It was real and raw and powerful. I loved it!

Seb has just been dumped after 5 years. All he wants to do is get drunk with his best friends and numb the pain.

Matt is a straight man, looking for love, wanting a committed relationship.

Connor is in love with his best friends, but a relationship with anyone is out of the question. He fears for his long term health and doesn't want to burden anyone else with 'what if'.

My favorite part of this MMM story was that it was real. It wasn't easy. Nothing was automatic, especially in the bedroom, and each of the men had their own unique hangups. They went slow and the love they had for each other surpassed any questioning thoughts.

Each of the three characters were so very different and brought different qualities to the relationship that just solidified their bond. I loved them all, but Matt just tugged at my heartstrings. He was so open and honest and loving. It was beautifully done.

Piers Ryman as a narrator was perfect. All three voices were unique and full of feeling. I felt as though I was there with them, not just hearing the words out loud. The narration was engaging and full of life.

I wholeheartedly recommend this and give it all the stars.


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The Hate You Drink by N.R. Walker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Alcoholism is powerful, intense and heart breaking. When N.R. Walker writes about it, it's all of those things and more. Because it's backed with love.

It's almost impossible not to fall in love with each and every character in this story. From Erik, who was in love with his alcoholic best friend, who finally had enough and broke his own heart in the process. To Monroe, who drank hate and guilt and sadness and pain. Elektra, who is the supportive, bratty, fun sister we all want. Erik's parents, who did nothing but love without condition. And Saul. Oh, my goodness, Saul. He was probably my favorite in this story. And I couldn't help but thinking 'Better Call Saul' during the entire book. He just understood and healed.

N.R. Walker shows her writing brilliance once again with this heart wrenching story of addiction and shows how people can change when they are loved and supported. It showed that hope is real and can heal. And that everyone is worthy of love.

Given the content, yes, it could be difficult for some to read, however I still recommend each and every word.

*Galley copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Cross posted to http://gaybook.reviews/ *

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Power Play by Cara Dee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this story.

Abel grew up with one constant in his life, Madigan. As his biological dad's best friend, Mads was there through his father's death, every birthday, his mother getting remarried, school events, etc. When Abel's mental illness reared it's ugly head, Mads was the one who calmed him.

Now, at 21, Abel realizes that his love for Mads had turned into more than a friendly, fatherly love. And when he confessed it by text a year ago, his relationship with Mads broke. They haven't spoken since, and Mads has missed a year of his life. So when Abel asks for help with his new lifestyle, Mads can either let him find someone else to mentor him, or finally give in to the feelings he's repressed this whole time.

I was sucked into their story from the Prologue. I loved how intense all of the family members were. There was just this tangible, pure respect, acknowledgement, love aura that surrounded them, which was a really rich part of the story. It was also very dark and real.

Each character was so vital to the story and their reactions and relationships with both Abel and Mads were so important. I just really loved the writing and how everything flowed and built. And the understanding that was between all of the characters.

Honestly, I have nothing but love for everything about this entire story. I'd absolutely recommend this read.

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A Murder of Crows by Jane Wallace-Knight
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As far as this series is concerned, I'm totally hooked. This was the second book in the Agents of C.L.A.W. series and it was a wonderful addition.

Ben Clearwater is a crow shifter, a technical genius and a member of C.L.A.W. After creating a new identity 5 years ago, he won't let anyone close enough to know the real him. But Bear has certainly tried.

Bear has wanted Ben from the start. So when Ben's world collapses and his past comes back to haunt him, he'll do everything he can to keep him safe and hopefully just keep him.

I love a good action/romance and this one was perfect. It wasn't over the top, but there was enough that it got my anxiety up and rooting for the C.L.A.W. team in its entirety. And it was fun to see the characters from the first book as well. I loved how well they all worked together and how understanding the team was of each of its members. Totally supportive, yet highly humorous.

This was a fast paced, fun read with awesome characters, plenty of action and lots of cute romance.

*Galley copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Cross posted to http://gaybook.reviews/ *


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Awakenings & French Songs by Nell Iris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Family and waiting was the theme here and there were such tender moments, I couldn't help but fall for this story.

Iggy has just turned 36 and after a night at the club, he's feeling rather old. And like he's been missing something in his life but he can't figure out what. When he heads home early and alone, for once, he passes his neighbor, Ronan, in the hallway and is invited over for tea.

Ronan is a single dad to 11 year old Emery. They've spent years living across from Iggy and have had a few chats over tea, but tonight something is different. Ronan is different. And when Ronan hears a particular song in French, he's overcome with a feeling that he knows exactly what's been missing and what he wants.

This story was extremely short, but it was packed with ooey gooey goodness in the form of Ronan. I fell in love with him from the start. He was super sensory oriented and touched Iggy gently when the mood hit. He read Iggy's mannerisms and moods and was giving and caring and unafraid to explore new territory when it came to love.

This was a really sweet story of realizing what you want and taking the steps to get there. I loved that they were adult and didn't rush. I loved that they both cared more about Emery than starting a relationship. I just wished there had been more blanks filled in before it ended, though with a epilogue I got my happy ending.

*Galley copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Cross posted to https://gaybook.reviews/2019/01/02/fo... *

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By the Way, I Love You by Seth King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Super fluff!

All the makings of a sappy story, but it touched me. I felt the agony, the fear, the love, the anxiety. All of it. And in such a short, sweet story. For that, I gave 4 stars.

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Hipster Brothel by K.A. Merikan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a fun read! I mean, a Hipster Brothel, boozie jam and the ultimate Lumbersexual Experience.

It was a great story of two best friends, one straight, who had no idea that they were secretly madly crushing on each other. Friends to lovers is the best and this was awesome.

Jo was Chinese and small, extremely stylish and supposedly straight. Mr. B was all lumberjack, from the suspenders to the wooly socks. Total opposites, yet the worked so well.

I just loved this. It was cozy and cute, funny and intense, warm and HOT.

Totally recommend this.

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