Save the Date by R.J. Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Tennant Rowe and Jared Madsen have a special place in my heart and for anyone else who has loved them like I have, this novella will make you very, very happy. It's the perfect end of an era.

Two men who are busy with sports and life aren't supposed to spend their time planning a wedding. Besides, it's what Trent does best. But Trent goes a little overboard and pretty soon picking out napkin edging becomes too much for our boys.

As a last hurrah to the series, we get to see the entire Rowe family involved in wedding planning and pre-wedding interviews. The team shows up for bachelor party shenanigans and it's great to see them all come together to support Ten and Mads, but also to get a glimpse into their craziness as well.

Things fall apart last minute, friends steal the grooms and force them to wear neon, someone gets engaged and there's a silver hockey puck cake. But it wouldn't be a Ten and Mads story if there wasn't romance, a new idea for the future, and strawberries in bed.

As much as I hate to say goodbye to this couple, without an end, this book wouldn't exist. It's well worth the read, as is the entire series.

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

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Scott by R.J. Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had to read this in one sitting. HAD to. Gah.

Seriously, the Scott and Locey team has quickly become one of my favorites. I've grown so very fond of all of their books, but I love the hockey series and while this wasn't completely centered around the craziness of the rink, it was hockey-related. And there was a cameo made by Tennant Rowe, so....swoon.

Told in dual alternating POV's, Scott and Hayne's story was stunning. The juxtaposition of two very, very different characters just worked big time in this story. Hayne was small and lean, with a pretty face and beautiful curls. He was wary of most people, jocks in particular. Being around anyone who could potentially cause harm was a trigger. And yet. He had taken in Scott with open arms, his heart on his sleeve.

Scott had made mistakes. He was gripped with grief, in a place where he couldn't be reached and finally hit rock bottom. With the loss of almost everything, he found someone who could help him heal and rebuild. Someone who could have watched him suffer, but wouldn't.

So, my takeaway from this was pretty much OMG READ THIS BOOK. I fell in love with Hayne and his artsy prose from the start. My heart squeezed each time he winced in worry. If I could ever have a book best friend, it would be Hayne. He was epic.

Scott cradled his heart and made a home for it within his and I have to say, to write a big, husky, burly guy who can flick at gentle curls and have the patience and kindness that he did was awesome. These boys just totally worked so well and I am just sitting here in book hangover heaven.

Well done. All the stars. I want more!!!

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

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Mr. Sparkles by R.J. Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One of my favorites!

This was so freaking cute!

In a few pages it put me in the Christmas spirit! Read it!

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Christmas Prince by R.J. Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 Stars

This book is one in a series of Christmas Angel stories. This story is set in the small country of Montaunoit where Prince Rafael serves as the custodian of his royal history. At an auction, his eyes meet those of Marc, who is the curator at a museum in England. Entirely smitten, the Prince writes up a business proposition to hire Marc as the curator of the Montuanoit special collection, thus moving him in to his home, granting him access to Marc.

Marc is all business. He's made a life for himself and he's worked hard for it. So, if taking this position will earn him a feather in his cap, then he's going to do it and do it well. But he's going to have to watch himself because he's got some feelings floating around when it comes to Rafael and he's hearing things... murmurs from his rooms that are pointing him in the direction of the Prince.

I loved how this story had a sloooooooooow burn. It was short, sweet and everything holiday, yet I still got that epic will they ever get togetherflutter. Rafael was entirely too charming, as you would expect, but not in a hollow way at all. He was the perfect gentleman, yet we still got glimpses of his lusty thoughts due to the dual POV's throughout the story.

I have to say, I was impressed at the royal family and their comfort with the community. It was refreshing to see how much they loved those around them and served them with excitement and it really helped with the character development of Rafael, being that he had everything he could want, but was so grounded.

Such a great holiday story. And not one to miss. This should be added to your holiday romance collection.

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

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Home For Christmas by R.J. Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This latest book in the Texas series starts with Connor in his last year of college in Denver. He's got a friend in River that he'd like to make into something more, but he's leaving to go back to Dallas for Christmas. When he finds that River has nowhere to go, he forces him into going home with him to the D.

Connor is a fixer. He's got a huge heart and wants everyone to have what they want and to be happy. But when River has some major issues and won't let Connor in to fix them, he's at a loss of how to proceed with the relationship. Connor's dads, Riley and Jack are perfect. They are the epitome of what a supportive, healthy, loving family means and they waste no time letting River into their fold.

But, for River, all of this love and family is overwhelming. He's got a shady past that he's kept secret and doesn't know how he'll ever fit in.

The characters of River and Connor were so very different from each other. Connor is an open book. He wears his heart on his sleeve and I loved that about him. He's always looking for ways to make everyone happy, which fulfills him. On the opposite end of the spectrum is River. He holds everything in, building up walls around his heart. I loved how Connor was able to tear them down with words. I loved how he gave his whole self to River and how River was able to accept his family as his own.

The family dynamic was just awesome to read. Jack and Riley were so different as well and they made it work so well for them and their family. They knew each other so well and were able to show that understanding and love and be an example and it was really refreshing to read. I truly enjoyed the familial theme of this story and the bonds that were so easily created with love.

As ever, R.J. Scott's writing was impressive and engrossing, leaving me wanting more of Connor and River's story. I always feel part of the action, like I'm sitting in the backseat of the car with the characters and I love that about her writing. Another awesome adventure.

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

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Neutral Zone: A Christmas Railers Novella by R.J. Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

4.5 Stars

I have really come to love this series. I'm not a major hockey fan, but I know the game and I have to say, R.J. Scott knows her hockey and she knows her way around a romance.

This was a bonus book, if you will, about Tennant Rowe after his traumatic head injury. He's been sent to therapy in Tucson, Arizona, which may as well be on the other side of the world from Harrisburg, the ice, and Jared Madsen.

I loved how you could feel the love between them both through the words that were written. I could feel the ache in them both at being apart. I don't want to give the story away, so I'll just say there is a scene when Jared is alone, frozen to the bone and feeling selfish that is just so heart-wrenching/heart-warming at the same time. I've come to expect a lot out of an R.J. Scott story and this did not disappoint.

If you have missed Ten and Mads like I have, you'll absolutely LOVE this addition to their story.

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

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Love Happens Anyway by R.J. Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was so different that what I was expecting when I saw the cover. This was not a trivial, corny holiday romance. This totally had me feeling things, like EMOTIONS. I don't do that. So yeah, I loved this.

Derek just took over the marketing company that his dad and his grandfather built. Now, as the boss, he feels the degree of separation from his friends and coworkers. He's lost the camaraderie and friendship now that he wears the title of BOSS. Plus, his parents know best and they know he'd be happier if he had a boyfriend. In an effort to get through the holidays, he hires a boyfriend. Now, this is where I typically roll my eyes and find another book. But there was something so touching to me about Derek. He wasn't a jerk. He needed direction and someone in his life. He had me from the start. I mean, who could turn their back on a guy who said, "I need you to make me look normal tonight. It broke my heart.

So, Luke is a firefighter who was hurt in the line of duty. He was released from his job and now carries a limp. He's got the best heart out there and is just a little lost. Having inherited a bar from his dad and grandfather who were both in the service, he wanted to ensure that their legacy was intact. He needed the money and so he said yes to being Derek's boyfriend.

It didn't take long for them to realize that they were good together. They mended each others broken bits and found that they could make the other smile. I loved the way they loved each other.

I loved the aspect of 9/11 and how reverent it was spoken of. I loved that they created a legacy for those who served, those who lost loved ones, those who survived. It brought together family and it added so much heart to this story.

In the end, family was the theme. Derek grew so much in the few pages of this story and it was an epic transformation. Luke had so much love and gave it so freely. It was a seriously awesome story and I'm so happy to have read it.

*Arc provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.*

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