The Scarecrow & George C by Mia Kerick
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3-3.5 Stars

Donovan "Van" dresses like a scarecrow. He's been through something at home and would rather the world not see him at all. The scarecrow is his attempt at scaring away anyone who tries to get close. And now, a senior in high school, he's completely alone.

George C was kicked out of his home when he graduated high school. He survived on the streets and did things for money that he's ashamed of. When he gets a job at the same cafe as Van, he's intrigued by him.

Soon enough, George C's past comes to haunt him and he finds himself at the mercy of Van's quirky moods and raw heart. Both of them come to terms with what friendship means and have to save each other before its too late.

I liked the characters for the most part, but some of the exchanges seemed disembodied. The writing style wasn't my favorite, dipping into fourth wall at times, talking specifically to the reader.

The book was told from both POV's, which was a plus for me, but again, things didn't really seem to line up well. Especially with George C. He had a secret that he wouldn't share, then when he did, it seemed like it was no big deal, then it was shared with everyone without issue. It just left me feeling a bit directionless.

Overall the story was sweet, both MC's worked hard at comforting each other and helping to find the HEA they deserved. It was worth the read, just had me hoping for a bit more as far as style goes.

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

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Echoes by L.A. Ashton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There were quite a few twists and turns in this story that I was seriously unable to stop reading to the end. So dramatic, fantastic and the longest pining in the history of pinings.

Oskar is a wandering vampire. He's lived a thousand years, since the Vikings. When he shows up in the middle of corn field flat Iowa, he's overcome with emotion to see his best friend from his human life.

Aranck has made something of himself as the 'Lord' of the vampires in his town. He's charged with dealing with all matters of bloodsuckers as well as keeping the peace with the were wolves in the area. When there's a matter to be dealt with the truce between the two is compromised. But to what end?

L.A. Ashton created a unique world where vampires are known, light-tight motel rooms are a thing, and were wolves are still hidden. In the middle of this small town in nowhere Iowa, an epic love is kindled and lives are changed. And it's sometimes pretty funny...

"The fragility of humans is strange. Creeps me out."

I don't want to give anything away, but this was a serious edge of your seat entertainer full of blood lust, shifters and secret promises you won't want to put down.

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

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Unlocking the Doctor's Heart by Liam Livings
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Honestly, this was a difficult read for me.

It started out with Davie, a nurse, starting a new job at a hospital in London. He's trying to get into the hospital for a walk through, but he doesn't have his staff pass yet, so he's arguing with the desk clerk. When Leo, a staff doctor gets involved, he takes on Davie as his responsibility and shows him around. When they end up working together in the youth transplant ward, they spend a lot of time together at the hospital, but also forge a friendship out of work.

I felt the potential in this story and wanted it so badly to move me, but it just didn't get me there. First off, Davie tells Leo he won't date another doctor, yet every time they spend time together his thoughts are quite the opposite. Leo has an issue to overcome with his ex, but won't discuss it and won't have a relationship because of it. So. That leaves them with longing and a slow burn. But this wasn't the delicious kind of slow burn. I just wanted them to finally get together.

Without completely spoiling the review, I'll just say that there was an HEA, but it only happened in the last 5% of the story, so I honestly didn't feel it. I saw more of the characters apart than together, which was unfortunate.

I did enjoy Davie's character and the compassion he showed for his patients and the ability he had to wear his heart on his sleeve when it mattered most. There just wasn't enough there to keep me rooting for the romance to happen.

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

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Valor by Karrie Roman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

We finally got Alec's story and it was truly worth the wait!

This is book #4 in the Until You series and while it could be considered a stand alone, there are so many characters from the other books that I feel like you'd be missing out. Plus, the other books are wonderful, so do yourself a favor and read them all anyway.

Alec is former military, former FBI, full fledged badass. He works with his friends finding lost and stolen children, returning them to safety. When Alec gets a call from San Diego that a well to do lawyers 4 year old son was taken from the playground, he's called in and prepared to do anything he can to get Jack back.

Asher is somewhat estranged from his family due to his career choice, but his brother has called him home for support. When he walks in the door he takes one look at Alec and is immediately love-struck.

I know, I know. It sounds like insta-love and it felt like insta-love but it wasn't. Honestly. There was burn and it was slooowwww.

This felt like two books in one because of the two separate but related cases and it built so much excitement in me as I read. I also was treated to some much needed comedy in the form of Ben Cronin. I love how Alec has his self made family of support and friendship including Ben, Cameron, Zach, Ethan, Ryan and Lucas. The gang was back together again making memories and forging bonds and welcoming Asher with open arms.

Karrie Roman has created a world in which threats exist, but there is a team of good guys at the ready who happen to be gorgeous, funny and extremely entertaining. If you haven't read this series, now is the time to start. This fourth book was perfect.

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

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Escaping Mortality by Sara Dobie Bauer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So so good. Sara Dobie Bauer has finished this series strong and as much as I hate to see it end, it was totally worth it.

This final book starts where the second book ended, with Edmund finding his elder and being half dead in the ocean. Nothing goes according to plan when Andrew is told he can't be the one to kill Edmund. Somehow, the elder has revived Edmund into immortality with a special ability, but it's one that is reliant on being in contact with him.

As they journey to London to get in touch with Edmund's dying mother, more of his abilities are revealed, as well as the insidious plan the elder has for Edmund.

I have fallen in love with Andrew and Edmund during this series. The books are written in such a way that describes every moment and every action so well without being overly wordy. I love Sara Dobie Bauer's writing style and how she pulls me in so willingly to the characters. And Andrew and Edmund's love affair is so deep and real that I feel part of it.

"He's no longer only my miracle but the world's, as well. Then there's me. I find contentment in simply loving him."

I have often thought of Andrew and Edmund and their past lives being so vastly different than the life they've made together and I feel spoiled to have had the opportunity to get to know them so well. I'll miss reading of their adventures, but with an HEA epilogue I can't really complain.

Do yourself a favor and read this series. It's vampire love at its finest.

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

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Stay A Little Longer by Jess Bryant
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I can read an insta-love/insta-lust book about a famous person and a cop and not be able to put it down, it's gotta be killer writing. I mean, not many can get away with it.

This was done so well. There was ZERO cringe factor. Plenty of loving, plenty of sweet words whispered and pleaded and they were so perfect.

This story is about two men who've lived in the closet their entire lives and never once thought they'd be OUT, yet Trent is outed very publicly by someone he trusted. As he tries to escape the press and craziness that surrounds him, he meets small down Sheriff's Deputy Lance. He's got a cement door and seventeen dead bolts for his closet, yet he smashes it down in minutes for Trent. And then it's ON.

Both Trent and Lance gripped me from the start, but so did Lemon and Shane. The little town of Fate, Texas was a wonderful backdrop to this romantic tale of trust and love and being honest with yourself.

Believe it when I say that this was absolutely worth the read. Jess Bryant delved into the genre of MM Romance in a big way and I'm excited to read more from her.

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

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Trusted by Karrie Roman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 Stars

Trusted is the 3rd book in the series and I would suggest reading them all in order, but I don't think it is strictly necessary.

All three books have a very different feel, but this one was the most intense in my opinion.

Zach grew up the son of a cult leader and the oldest of his many children. In book two, he was found trying to escape and was aided by Ben and Ethan. Cameron, Ben's brother, agreed to take Zach in and look after him, since he had no idea what life looked like outside of the small camp he grew up in.

Despite the immense verbal and physical abuse Zach underwent growing up, he has a heart of gold and a good head on his shoulders. He spends his days learning everything he can about the outside world with Cam at his side. But there are so many things that Cam hasn't gotten around to teaching him yet and there are a few potholes along the way.

Cam spent 5 years in an abusive relationship and has promised himself that he won't ever let anyone get close again. He won't trust anyone and can't give his heart away again, but when Zach needs him he has to decide how long he wants to fight his feelings.

Both MC's are very reserved and somewhat shy, which made it difficult for me to really love them as much as I have loved the characters in the other books. They were both very vulnerable and needy, which worked for their relationship, but was somewhat hard to get excited about. I really just wanted one of them to crack some sort of joke and lighten the mood.

Karrie Roman has created this series of wonderful, deep characters that are very close and always there for each other and I'm excited to read the next book.

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Sugar Cookies and Mistletoe by Kay Doherty
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

2.5 Stars

I started out loving this story. When Preston smells something sweet, his family tells him that it's his mate. He's startled to learn that Dylan is only 12 years old. Dylan's father sequesters him until he's of age and they meet again six years later.

Dylan is a very young adult when he finally is able to be with Preston and acts pretty immature, honestly. Preston was actually an extremely decent guy, given the situation.

I really wished this had been longer so that there was room to get to know the MC's and how they clicked and worked. The entire read was over 8 years in just a few short chapters. I think if given the opportunity to get better acquainted I would have appreciated the story more.

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Only You by Kay Doherty
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was about leaving the past behind and fighting for a second chance.

It had everything I was looking for: angst, a well done age gap, a past to overcome, two MC's who are very different but perfect together.

The story begins with Casey moving from Denver to his grandmother's ranch in a small town. He's basically independently wealthy and living the lifestyle of a 25 year old without a care in the world. He's left behind six boyfriends and packed a bag in his gold Mustang, searching for something else.

When his car breaks down, 44 year old Sheriff Rawley Kane comes to his rescue. Lust is in the air when they can't take their eyes off of each other and a week later, Rawley pretty much attacks him in the best way possible. From there they have to make amends with their pasts before they can think of a future together.

Things that I loved:

-Kay Doherty is brilliant with her writing.
-Rawley knows what he wants and goes after it, even if it goes against the grain.
-Casey is fun and funny and spoiled and smart and keeps Rawley on his toes.
-The characters in town were all awesome. I loved the support and the friendships that were made
as well as the support from the sheriff's office.
-The age gap was done very well and wasn't a main focus in any part of the book.

It hit all of the right spots, but I think it was a little lacking in follow through. The foreward leads the reader into the aspect of PTSD, but the book barely touched on it, which surprised me. I think I would have appreciated some more insight into that part of Rawley's hangups.

There was definite insta-love going on here, but honestly, I was okay with it. I felt like it didn't really detract from the MC's personalities and so it worked for me.

At the end of the day, it's a feel good love story that hits a lot of good feels and is a great read for cuddling up with.

* Arc copy given in exchange for an honest review. Cross posted on www.gaybook/reviews *

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