Stuffed Stockings by K.A. Mitchell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

K.A. Mitchell does naughty like no one else. In this short holiday story, Zane and Lucas are coworkers at an accounting office in NYC. It's a few weeks before Christmas and they have just started their intra-office Secret Santa, but Lucas has started receiving bonus gifts at his desk that are hot and dirty.
He's hoping they are coming from Zane, but according to office gossip, he's got a boyfriend and they are going to get engaged.

I loved the premise of the Secret Santa gift exchange. You could feel the tension in the air when Lucas got to his desk in the morning and a gift was waiting as he nervously swallowed and read the Open in Private tag.

Cute story, well written, a bit of kink, needs a bdsm warning, but overall well done.

*Galley copy given in exchange for an honest review*

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Homebird by Amy Lane
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Yeah, this one totally did it for me. I wasn't quite sure I'd love it when I read the blurb, to be honest. I'm not one for insta-love trip romances and wandering hearts, but I really loved this book.

Crispin has been left all his life. His parents died when he was young, leaving him to be sent to a wonderful, loving adoptive parents who then died when he was in college. Now, as an accountant for a firm where his team of coworkers have taken him in, he finally has a small corner of the world to call home.

On a week long boys trip to Oktoberfest, he meets Luka, the waiter/superhero with many talents, including loving Crispin and helping him heal. But he's also been left... and his method of healing involves running around the world.

I loved Crispin so much. He took his time. Everything was according to his time, which was so real. And the depth of feeling he had, the compassion. I just loved everything about him.

Luka was your typical perfect on the outside, broken on the inside MC with a wandering heart and enough charisma to light up a Christmas tree farm. He was the perfect balance to Crispin.

I loved the group of friends that Crispin had. As accountants, they were so freely giving of their time and expertise and affection. I loved how they took in Jaime as their own, saw what lied beneath, and loved heart and soul.

This was another homerun for Amy Lane. I loved every page and hope there will be more because I need Cam's story.

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

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New Tricks by Andrew Grey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed reading this story. I felt like the characters were genuine and I loved the homey feeling.

Thomas Stepford has spent the last 21 years building an empire for himself, but his life in New York City is killing him... literally. He's got to slow down before his body gives out on him and he's only 39. He's decided to move back home to Colorado Springs to be closer to his parents and to try to live a slower life. His assistant, Marjorie, hires him a local assistant, Brandon, who seems familiar.

Brandon Wilson has finished college with an MBA and can't find a job. He'll take anything at this point. So, when his grandmother gives him a lead on an assistant position, he sends in his resume. Come to find out, he'll be assisting his teenage crush, Thomas Stepford. But he's sure he can keep everything professional... maybe.

There was one aspect of this story that didn't sit right with me, unfortunately. From the start it seemed strange that Thomas had only had one relationship and yeah, it ended badly, but once the truth comes out and it was a harrowing experience, I am surprised he wasn't more guarded than he was. It seemed like the experience he went through was glazed over, which I found a little weird.

I absolutely loved Brandon's character. He was so confident and went after what he wanted in all aspects of his life. And I loved how Thomas was the dominant force, however, when work was through, he really just needed to be taken care of, which Brandon did brilliantly.

Honestly, the main characters were made for each other and I felt that in the writing from the start. It was a fun, exciting read with a clear path and an ending that left me feeling good.

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

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Beautiful Dreamer by Christina Lee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Such a great read! And all about families and close friends getting together for the holidays.

Garrett Coleman had a crush on his best friend's brother for most of his life. Sure, there were some awkward phases since Finn was a few years older, but he was Garrett's hero. Until something happened and they hadn't really spoken in 6 years. During which time, Garrett's mom battled the long road of cancer and recovery and finally beat it.

So, this was the first Christmas in 6 years that both families were getting together again at a cabin in the mountains to re-establish their holiday traditions.

Finn Sweeney still couldn't believe that he hadn't reached out to Garrett in all these years. He was hoping things wouldn't be awkward between them after all this time, but bringing a friend with benefits to this family reunion of sorts may not have been the best idea he'd ever had. Especially after seeing Garrett for the first time in years and realizing what he'd missed.

Things I loved:

*Garrett held a grudge, with good reason, and didn't forgive easily just because he had a crush
*Finn was willing to lay it all out there and put his heart on his sleeve, even asking for forgiveness
*The love and respect that the two families had for one another
*The gift exchange
*The slow burn and the anxiety over what would happen between Gar and Finn
*The sexy times, of course
*The final scene when Finn was leaving...omg I literally screamed in joy (which was mortifying for my family)

Things I didn't love:

*When it ended... because it was over.

Seriously, this is a great little heartfelt story, perfectly written with an epilogue, HEA and lots and lots of feelings. It's the perfect holiday romance.

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

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Chasing Forever by Kelly Jensen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 Stars

This is the third book in the series and although there are characters from the other books, it could be read as a stand alone.

This book didn't capture me like the first book did. I never really got behind the whole Brian is a good guy now thing. It's difficult going from being a villain in one book to being a stand up guy in another. Especially when he's repeatedly deemed a liar, cheat and asshole by more than two different characters.

For the most part, I liked Malcolm's character, but he seemed to have more confidence at the start of the story than he did by the middle. He was pretty sure of himself and he spoke with cockiness when he and Brian bantered in the Colonial, but somehow when they got closer, he felt less attached.

I was hoping for more stability with Josh, Brian's nephew, as well. He needed a place where he felt safe and loved and he ran away twice. And Brian never used the L word with him. That kind of rubbed me the wrong way, honestly.

There was plenty that was great about this book. I loved the writing style and the fact that Brian and Mal were both overcoming major obstacles in their lives and they did it together. I liked that they missed out on a huge opportunity to save the Colonial, but didn't give up and made sure that they saw their vision through to the end. There were so many good moments and dialogue between both of them that it was easy to get wrapped up in their story.

I have really enjoyed reading this series and I'm excited to see more from Kelly Jensen.

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

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Trusting Jack by Ruby Moone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Okay, can I just say WOW! I loved this book.

Jack is 25 and living rough, considerably below his means, due to a debt that his dead brother owes. He finds himself taking an admin job where he works for Michael.

Michael is 30 and lonely. His only relationship ended when his boyfriend stole his ideas and ran, leaving him and his company in jeopardy. But now, his business life is under control. His security company is doing well and his partner handles the people-ing, so he's got it made. Or so he thought...until his secretary announces that Jack stinks and it's up to him to deal with confronting him.

This is where it gets really good. He follows Jack to his 'house' in a derelict building with no doors, then fights off a brute of a man who's the muscle collecting on a $10K note that he owes.

So, I'm trying not to give the story away, but it's obvious that this is more than just a sweet romance. There are so many barriers and issues and boundaries and bad guys. It's got some action and it's got some love and it's totally endearing.

As for the main characters, Jack and Michael. Awesome. Jack was so guarded and skittish but when pressed, he said what he meant and he meant what he said, post haste. Michael had the upper hand being confident and monetarily secure, but he was crap with words. He said all of the wrong things, but he knew it and he fixed it. Right away he fixed it and it was just so real.

Throughout the story was the theme of 'Two's Company' and it was very fun to see that woven in their relationship and how they saw each other.

This was just a very sweet, charming, honest story of two different lives making space for love and jumping in with eyes wide open. Loved it.

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

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His Hart's Command by A.E. Via
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

4.5 Solid Stars

I love a series, but I love a series that has strong characters with actual jobs and lives along with a romance and this had it all!

Lennox Freeman is working with his best friend Tech for the Atlanta PD as an admin, but he's a genius and one of the best hackers in the world. He's laying low due to a shaky past, but he's hoping to grow some roots here in Atlanta.

Ivan Heart is the Captain of the Atlanta PD SWAT and he's tough as nails. He's a big, hairy, bear of a man who's had his heart crushed by his abusive ex-wife. Now, he's ready to be the person he's always wanted to be and he's got his sights set on Len.

I loved the car chases, the fires, the rush of adrenaline and the romance. This book had it all and it was incredibly written. The sexy scenes were hot and sweet and not overly done.

My favorite thing was how both Len and Hart were big, strong men, but they each had their own alpha male as well as sub qualities and it totally worked for them. I loved the razzing they got at work and how everyone was on their side.

This played out like a serious action movie with lots of heat and just enough of a burn. I loved every page and can't wait until the next book in the series!

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

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