I recently reread the Turning Point Series by NR Walker. It remains one of my favorite mm series.
I have done a vast amount of rereading this year. Another one I just finished yesterday was On His Knees by Laura Kaye, book 4 of the Blasphemy series (BDSM). Books 1 and 2 are mf, 3 is mmf, and 4 is mm. There is also a novella that is mf. I like the whole series.
I just finished Boyfriend with Benefits by Allison Temple and really enjoyed it! H's new boss is the bully from his childhood so he asks his "straight" roommate to go with him to a retreat and pose as his boyfriend Between the two Hs and the interesting characters that were on the periphery, I enjoyed it. Now I'm having a tough time figuring out what to read next. I bought a few books to catch that latest "buy $25 in ebooks and get a $6 credit" but am waffling over what to start.
BTW, the buy $25, get $6 ends tomorrow so it's not too late to do it if you want to. :-)
I've had a number of duds lately so I'm trying to at least get some of the better ones listed. Loans available where noted.
Aiming High Tanya Chris I liked it. Unique storyline. I don't know how accurate the climbing aspects were but nothing seemed improbable to me. I did find it unlikely that the one H would choose the Olympics to change up his training and climbing approach but overall a pretty good read. Can loan.
I've Been Careless With a Delicate Thing Marina Vivancos. I've read a few by her with varying success. (Thought I had listed some but I guess not.) I wouldn't say I loved this but I certainly liked it very much. There's quite a bit of sex. Ordinarily I would say it's too much to carry the plot but it worked here. Only one POV, some mild D/s, and more of a HFN with a foundation to a HEA. She kinda reminded of Lynn Van Dorn. Some deficiencies in storytelling but something about the writing works for me. Can loan.
Angel Martinez Prisoner 374215 (ESTO Universe) Pretty good but dark. Most of the bad stuff has already happened so it's just the memories and the aftermath. Very short and it's just the beginning of what turns out to be a relationship. Small spoiler
The epilogue is a snippet of history text that reveals they eventually married and raised a family,
Dark enough that I don't know that I would ever reread this but it stuck with me. Can loan A Matter of Faces (ESTO Universe) Decent. It didn't have the depth of a novel...it felt like a novella, if that makes sense. It's rare that I feel I get a full story with a novella but it does happen. Just not here. Still, it was a decent story and I enjoyed it. Rushed ending and not a whole lot of character development. Can loan.
Shift Work: Night Shift: Book One TA Moore. Mixed feelings on this. Spotty world building but it had some unique elements. Werewolves are 80% of the population and the city (world?) accommodates their shifting. The core mystery was solved but there was a backstory to some police/department corruption that was vague and carries into the next book, I assume. Cliffhanger ending. Up til then I was enjoying it but the ending kinda irritated me. I'll prob pick up the next one (April 19th) and see how it plays out. I'm not sure if she plans to continue these on a regular schedule. They are pretty short. Funny line: "He could be nice. Except every time he tried with Marlow, the words that in his head seemed witty--even charming--were hijacked by asshole."
Coddiwomple S.E. Harmon. This was a dud. Been there, done that. Felt like something I've read a thousand times and I questioned the probability of a few things.
I've Been Careless With a Delicate Thing Marina Vivancos. I've read a few by her with varying success. (Thought I had listed some but I guess not.) I wouldn't say I loved this but I certainly liked it very much. There's quite a bit of sex. Ordinarily I would say it's too much to carry the plot but it worked here. Only one POV, some mild D/s, and more of a HFN with a foundation to a HEA. She kinda reminded of Lynn Van Dorn. Some deficiencies in storytelling but something about the writing works for me. Can loan.
Have you read her latest, mjbett? It sounds intriguing.
Yes, I have actually! It was good/pretty good. The Soul Bond wasn't fully explained and there's only 1 POV. I know it's a novella but the ending was rushed. They're still only 18 and have barely decided to give their relationship a go when it's over. It's definitely set up for the HEA but would have benefited from another chapter of two or an epilogue. Sorry, no loan available. I do have In This Iron Ground to loan, if you're interested. I had pretty much the same issues with this one...1 POV, spotty world building (and very quick acceptance of the paranormal) and a big chunk of the book takes place when he's a young teenager (13/14). The blurb makes it seem their relationship starts soon into the book but it's pretty late....maybe 75%?
Like I said, something about her writing clicks for me. I don't really notice the issues, or realize that it is an issue, until I've finished the book.
I can loan Paint Eater too. This one was a little better. The family situation of the one H was a bit unbelievable and a couple scenes strayed into preachy but overall pretty good. They're older and there was a decent epilogue.
Hard Feelings Morgan James & Ashlyn Kane. Still on sale for $.99, was $6.99. I'm only about halfway through but it's pretty good. If it stays on track this might make the reread pile. ***Not sure how much longer this'll be on sale.
And Everything Nice Ada Maria Soto. Very cute but also very short. Listed at 44 pgs but that includes several recipes with baking instructions. It's not much more than a snippet with the setup to be something more but somehow it felt complete. I was satisfied. Can loan.
String Theory Ashlyn Kane & Morgan James. On sale at Dreamspinner through the 5th, $4 there and $6.49 through Amazon. ((I have no idea if Dreamspinner has resolved their issues or not but I read a posting by James plugging the book and decided to get it.)) Very, very good. This reminded me a lot of Alexis Hall. He's had some I didn't like but this was like a good Hall. Intelligent without being pretentious or preachy and some good inclusivity without seeming forced. There are some issues with communication but I didn't feel it overwhelmed the plot and overall it had good flow. This'll be a reread for sure. Sorry, no loan since I picked it up from the publisher.
An Everyday Hero: A M/M Holiday Romance E.J. Russell. Yeah, this didn't work for me. The beginning was pretty good but everything happened too fast. It wasn't instalove but they both seemed to be jumping on the connection way too fast. A short story can feel complete (see above) but this just felt rushed and unsatisfying. ***can loan
Seeing Blind Poppy Dale Cover caught my eye in the midst of some random browsing. Surprisingly good with a unique premise. Editing was also good. It wouldn't make a top list but there's something to be said for an unusual premise that didn't feel too outlandish or forced. I had some issues (they don't meet Irl until near the end) but a very promising first book. I'll keep an eye on the author for her next book. Medium-ish spoiler but something that was bugging me until it resolved.
The barista H always knew that Jamie and the app guy were the same person
Role Model: A Gay Sports Romance (Game Changers Book 5) Rachel Reid. Ugh. I'm beginning to think this author is a one hit wonder...nothing has come close to book 2 for me. Her next book is the sequel to that book and I'm not optimistic. This was just bland. Been there, read that a thousand times. Even the Ilya scenes (favorite character from book 2) couldn't elevate this.