Review: Remember When by Harper Logan

Remember When by Harper Logan
Amazon
Novel: 216pgs

3 Pants Off

Blurb: Could forgetting everything bring them together? When Cuke awakes in the hospital, a piece of him is gone. Three years have disappeared from his mind, and he’s doesn’t even recognize his life - or the people in it. And then there's this super hot guy who appears to be his boyfriend...

Bouj will never be able to erase the memory of Cuke's skull cracking against the pavement during a typical game of basketball. He'd do anything to help his roommate piece his life back together, but he runs into an awkward situation when Cuke seems to think Bouj is his boyfriend. He knows he should correct his friend's mistake... and yet, something stops him.

Will Bouj realize that his feelings for Cuke run deeper than heterosexual affection? And even if they find love in each other's arms, will Cuke ever remember how they got to this point? 

Review

Trying to Forget

I’m having a hard time with how I feel about this one. On one hand I really liked it and got through it quite quickly, and on the other hand; what in all the crack in the world. This was totally crazy, weird, and a touch juvenile. While the premise sounds like it could make for an interesting read, the delivery kind of fell short.  

Cuke just took a basketball to the head and now he’s in the hospital with no recollection of the past three years. Seems like the ball has left more than a little bump on the head, seemed it also shaked his brain up. In a hospital room with no one he recognizes, and the good looking guy holding his hand seems to be very familiar with him so there can only be one explanation. That guy is his boyfriend (because logic).  

What ensues is ridiculous game of charades between Cuke and Bouj. Cuke can’t explain the person his “boyfriend” is trying to tell him he’s been for the past 3yrs, nothing about anything makes any sense about the person he’s become and the one he remembers. He can’t quite figure out why his relationship with Bouj is so awkward and he’s wanting to got to the sexy bits already. Seems he’s got his head in the clouds and the boyfriend might actually just be a best-friend.  

Alright, so as I said the book had potential but it really turned out to be ok and lack lustre. The dialogue is juvenile, it lost most of it charm and became all cliché and I was not impressed. Surprisingly I was never bored reading it, and was surprised by how quickly I got through the story. I’ll give it that, I could not look away. 

Cuke and Bouj together didn’t quite work for me and then the insta-love element really threw me from their characters. I felt as if they were playing dress up with their lives and I couldn’t buy it. Their relationship started off as a lie, and just remained a lie to me. I wasn’t invested! 

Overall, I kinda liked it. The plot was over the top, it wasn’t executed quite well, and that cover has nothing to with anything. Remember When didn’t quite deliver but in all honesty I didn’t hate it. I’m willing to see what else the author has to offer.

Review: BAMF by SJD Peterson

BAMF by SJD Peterson
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 200pgs

2 Pants Off

Blurb

With his fauxhawk, sleeve tattoos, and visible piercings, Ridley Corbin has the whole bad ass vibe going on in spades. The image serves him well as the self-proclaimed protector of the underdog, and he wants nothing more than to be Alex Firestone's hero.   

Alex, a mild-mannered library assistant, has moved to Slater, a quiet college town, hoping to hide from his past. He keeps to himself, but that doesn't save him from catching the unwanted attention of the campus bully. But not all is as it seems. Alex's past comes calling, and it's time he becomes top dog.

Review

BAMF! I feel like this book needs a new title something along the lines of “WHAT!”. Like what the hell did I just read? I'm still trying to figure out. It's as if I walked into two guys story knowing squat and left their story knowing squat. I had such high expectations for this one. I thought I was getting a sexy nerd, and then it did a total 180, and I got something else instead.

Ridley Corbin looks like a badass with his faux hawk and tattoos. No one messes with him. So he uses his bad boy image to help the underdog. He doesn't like to see anyone get bullied. If he can put an end to that type of situation, he's gonna do it. So it comes as no surprise that his hackles rise when the campus bully hones in on his librarian crush. Alex Firestone has Ridley all twisted up inside with his nerdish good looks and just overall hotness. So it doesn't surprise him when he feels he wants to rescue him. Ridley can hardly say two words to Alex, so he just spends his time stalking skulking around the library looking at Alex.   

When he finally gets Alex on a date, their Chemistry is undeniable, and it leads to a passionate, explosive night. Seemed he pegged Alex for a very good boy and what he gets is nothing like what he expected. The never “judge a book by its cover” is strong with this one. Ridley gets a night of explosive hard sex, and then he's left hanging in the dust with no call back from the sexy Mr. Firestone and wondering if all that heat between them was just a figment of his imagination. When he does run into Alex again, it's not the private meeting he was hoping for. He lands in a fight and is surprised that Alex can take care of himself as more than take care. While trying to be a hero Ridley is brained (and not the sexy type). He gets a serious brain injury and then finds out there is more to Alex Firestone, and it seems he wasn't the bad boy after all.   

There is so much that annoyed me about this book. Like the complete lack of the sexy nerd. That cover cheated me, and I'm all types of disappointed. Next, the characters are flat. Like a five day old opened bottle of Pepsi (without all the sweetness). It's a series of “I thought I was the baddest but you the baddest” and so it goes on. Mans is suffering from a severe head injury, but he's down for rough sex and such. It's the stereotypical I’m a bad ass male BS, and I did not enjoy it all. I had to force myself to finish and overall it was just not a good read.   

This book certainly was not for me. Where it started out promising the overall premise fizzled and burnt out. It's becoming apparent that maybe this author just isn't for me, but I'm holding out hope. BAMF tried to deliver, but all it left me with was “WHY”. 

A letdown!!  

 

Review: Straight Shooter by Heidi Belleau

Straight Shooter (Rear Entrance Video #3) by Heidi Belleau
Riptide Publishing
Novel: 277pgs
4.5 Pants Off

Blurb:
This macho jock has a crooked little secret.

College hockey player Austin Puett is in trouble. Unless he starts treating his flamboyantly gay roommate with respect, he’ll lose his room and his job at Rear Entrance Video. But Austin’s got a not-so-straight secret of his own: nothing turns him on more than insults implying he’s gay—even though he’s definitely not!—and all his old coping methods have stopped working.

Pure desperation drives him to rent a Mischievous Pictures porn flick about straight men tricked into servicing Puck, a male dominant. Instead of letting off steam, though, it just leaves him craving more, more, more, and suddenly, Austin finds himself at Mischievous Pictures Studios for an audition. After all, you can be Gay For Pay and still be straight . . . right?

But meeting Liam Williams, the real person behind Puck, confuses Austin even more. Liam really seems to like him as a person, and Austin likes him back. And while Gay For Pay’s okay, what does it make Austin if he still wants Liam when the cameras aren’t rolling?

Review
Heidi Belleau has done it again with Straight Shooter. I have yet to be disappointed in a story by this author, and in the REV series this book hands down is my favourite. Like my feels had feels and the importance of story when it comes to labels and dealing with sexuality is legit. I'm just in awe and Austin just took my heart a piece at a time (what a dude).

Austin Puett is losing his friends and roommates fast on the account of his being a homophobic asshole to Bobby (Wallflower). He can deal with Bobby just being a gay man but throw in the women’s clothing and he's at the end of wits. Also, he's surrounded by all the gays and he's worried that maybe it might rub off him and he's on the brink of his budding hockey career and as they say "aint nobody got time for that" time for being gay at least. But getting called "fag" and a heap of derogatory names really makes him hot under the collar, and throw in exhibit B, him working at a gay porn store and Austin is beginning worry.

When the roommates give him an ultimatum, to better shape cus not all the times is Bobby going dress like a man. Austin decides it time to become tolerable and while he's doing that maybe check out a few gay porn DVDs here and there. He's feeling confident that his boners in the locker room are for naught when he remains unaffected by them. That is until he pops in a Mischievous Pictures DVD and sees Puck for the first time and his world starts spinning.

Austin considers being gay for pay and his fascination with Puck gets the best of him. He's going into this for all the wrong reasons, and that’s to be dominated, humiliated, and most of all get this "gay" thing out of his system. He never expected Liam though, and Austin finds that his life was simpler when he was just merely questioning his sexuality. Now he's opened up a whole other can of worms and can he mange it (all fingers point to he's out of his league on this one).

Oh Austin you incredibly fantastic dude! I am just so in love with this guy and his asshole fantasticness. I'm also very in love with the story that surpasses the traditional romance novel, and the expected GFY while putting forward a non complicated idea of sexuality. I'm all for more books like this, and it’s no surprise that this one is by Heidi Belleau. Making shit legit since The Saturnalia Effect and writing complex diverse characters. The REV series is 100% great and these guys fill up a space dominated by the cookie cutter white guy with pretty faces.

The relationship that develops between Liam and Austin is golden, very sweet and sexy. I'm all for this, so for this, all down wit this. Straight Shooter is a fantastic addition to an already wonderful series. Legit!

4.5 Pants Off

Review: Book #1 Apple Polisher

Review: Book #2 Wallflower

Review: Wood, Screws, and Nails by Piper Vaughn and Kade Boehme

Reviewed by Whuppsy
Wood, Screws, & Nails by Piper Vaughn and Kade Boehme
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 176pgs
4.5 Pants Off

Blurb:
Aaron Costa’s summer was all planned. Despite having to remodel the family lake house, it would be a vacation of sorts, and he had every intention of enjoying it—until the friend who was supposed to help him got injured and left him in a lurch. He decides to take the opportunity to bond with his son and hires Julian and his roommate, Malachi, to assist. 

As a broke college student, Malachi could use the money, and spending the summer with Aaron for eye candy sounds like a dream. "Look but don’t touch" becomes his motto. But when Julian starts flaking on his responsibilities and Malachi and Aaron are forced to spend long hours alone together, their mutual attraction is impossible to resist. 

Aaron can’t fight the temptation sexy Malachi presents. But more than their age difference stands in their way, not the least of which is Aaron’s semi-closeted status and the fact that he’s never openly discussed his sexuality with his son. He has no idea how Julian will react when he learns his father is not only gay, he’s also dating his best friend.

Review
Ok, now this was such a sweet little romance. I enjoyed taking the time to read about these characters and fall a bit in love with them.

Aaron Costa is a 37 year old gay man who is not exactly out or in the closet. He’s just who he is. At the tender age of 16 he gets his best friend pregnant and they have their son, Julian. They raise him together and let him know that he’s loved. Aaron hasn’t been in a real long term relationship with anyone and that makes it easier not telling Julian that he’s gay. He wants to find someone to share his life with, but in his work as a contractor and dealing with the manly mentality of the job makes it hard to find someone.

Malachi is 21 years old and is Julian’s best friend and roommate. He’s given the chance to work most of his summer with Julian and his father in restoring Aaron’s Parents lake front property. He’s always known that he was gay and he has a thing for older guys. So, his falling for Aaron isn’t really a big thing for him. Malachi wants to go to school to become a teacher. He’s doing it for such wonderful reasons and he has such a great heart. I liked how Mal was this great character. Warm, funny and just an all- around good guy.

The secondary characters in this story were pretty great. Julian’s mom and step-dad were such good friends to Aaron they were there for Aaron to talk to and give good advice. Mal’s parents were so sweet and loving. I loved the way that they supported him. Even Aaron’s Parent’s stepped up in the end. Now…Julian. Sigh. This boy was the brat of the story. I really didn’t like him much. He was this spoiled brat and such a slacker. I disliked him for much of the story. But he redeemed himself at the end.

I know that Piper Vaughn stated that she was worried about how people would react to the age difference and the fact that Aaron was Mal’s roommate’s dad, but I have to say that it didn’t bother me in the least. I felt that it wasn’t really a big deal for me. That it was truly a story about two people falling in love with each other. That the age difference and who they were to each other didn’t factor in to it for me. I just love a great story and Piper and Kade delivered one.

This story flowed so smoothly and you were on the journey with them. You felt each emotion that our characters went through. You felt for them. You watched them try to hide how they felt for each other and watched them finally give in. You watched Aaron struggle with Julian’s behavior and how to handle it. You watched them struggle to find what they meant to each other. It was really a sweet and yet so very sexy book to read.

I would recommend you give this sweet book a try. Aaron and Malachi are such sweet characters and it was fun to watch them fall in love. Don’t let the age difference bother you. Just read this sweet love story and fall in love with these two wonderful guys.

4.5 Pants Off

Review: Trouble and the Wallflower by Kade Boehme

Trouble & The Wallflower by Kade Boehme
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 200pgs
3.75 Pants Off

Blurb:
Raised in near seclusion by an agoraphobic mother, Davy Cooper’s social skills are almost nonexistent. Now that his mother has died, he needs to make friends for the first time in his life. He catches Gavin Walker’s eye, but the sexy, confident, bad boy hipster intimidates shy Davy so much that he throws away Gavin’s number every time he offers it.

When Gavin defends Davy from a rude guy, Davy begins to warm to him. However, with his limited experience, he thinks he and Gavin are too different, and anything more than a casual acquaintance will end in complete disaster.


Review
This was my very first time reading the author, and I can't say I'm overly impressed but I did like it and I enjoyed the characters. However, I can say my feelings are mixed on how much I like it, like a blender of mixed feelings. On one hand it had moments of awesome and in other parts it felt flat. I feel like if this was tighter in both delivery and overall plot this book would have been great. It had the ingredients but the measurements weren't on par (omg what is with that description).

Davy Cooper's social life is surely lacking, which highly due to the fact that he was raised at home by an agoraphobic mom. To say that this new found freedom to talk and be around people is understatement but Davy can deal with all that. What he can't deal with is the sexy Gavin stopping in with his friends and making him feeling nervous, also a little nauseous, and inadequate. There is just no way in hell a guy like Gavin could be interested in awkward social pariah like himself so the only conclusion is that this over flirting is a joke and Davy isn't really finding it funny.

Davy decides to step out of his comfort zone once again and hit up a gay bar. He's done it before with no success but he's willing to give it another go. When Gavin arrives with his friends Davy decides to be bold even knowing that Gav is nothing but trouble, but sometimes you gotta take risks and all that. He gets proven right when Gav hits the dance floor with a sexy twink and it starts to look a little bit more than just dancing. Davy has now got his answer clear as day. Gav was just being flirty and having a little fun with the shy boy who was playing hard to get, seems he got tired of the chase.

Gavin likes to fuck and he makes no apologies, he's young and isn't in a relationship so he will have all the fun. Yet, he can't quite explain his attraction to the shy Davy. Gav knows that Davy could never be a random hook-up and yet he doesnt want to run and he needs Davy in his life. Too bad he's fucked up more than once and he wouldn't be surprised if Davy gave him no chances. Davy is the man he wants to take home and introduce to his grandpa and hang out with. Seems like Gavin might have turned over a new leaf aka he only wants to fuck this one guy (who knew?).

As I said, I really liked the characters and the story but it started to drag for me in the middle and close to the end. But first let’s talk about what I liked, I really enjoyed Davy and Gavin and together they worked for me. They created a nice balance for each other and it worked. Love that little twist when it came to them having sex, I thought it would have been an easy resolved issue but I loved that the author stuck to their characters and found ways of making them work. I swear I didn't miss the anal part of it, and it was great to see them function and not make it an impossible part of their relationship. Loved the friends and just their overall coming together.

What I didn't like, I don't want to give too much a way so let’s say the arrival of a certain woman and her stupidness. It felt contrived and I just think it took away from a story that had so much already going for it. It really felt pointless to me and with Gavin already dealing with so much, it became too much. As I said, a cleaner delivery would have made this a book I loved, with such an amazing trope, it did fall a little short. This being my first time reading the author, I'm very much gonna seek out his backlist.

DarienMoya

Review: Cold Moon by M.J O'Shea

Cold Moon (Moon #3) by M.J O'Shea
Harmony Ink Press
Novel: 180pgs
4 Pants Off

Blurb:
Charlie Fitzgerald is sick of being the kid nobody takes seriously. His older brother Colin is fighting vampires and other troublemakers in New York City, and Charlie wants in on the action—but no one will listen. Then he overhears the lycan council is looking for a human emissary to take a message of peace to a werewolf in the forests of Romania, and Charlie decides he's the man for the job.

Xan is furious: his best friend, Charlie, one of the Fitzgeralds he's vowed to protect, is walking into danger, and Xan chases him all the way to the freezing Romanian forest to save his stubborn butt. When Charlie is almost killed, Xan realizes he feels much more than friendship for his charge, and emotions that have been bubbling under the surface of his calm façade threaten to boil over and flood them both.

They end up in the middle of a political mess involving lycans, werewolves, and nosy vampires, and if they make it out alive, the friendship between the headstrong hunter and his bullheaded protector might turn into a love neither can live without.

Review
Cold Moon is the third book in the Moon series and I gotta say I really enjoyed it. I had to go back and revisit Hunter's Moon the second book in the series since I first read it over 3yrs ago and I needed a refresher on the characters. I still very much liked that book, and Cold Moon is next to fall in my good graces, where Blood Mood was all "Meh" for me the final two books sealed the deal on enjoyability and I love these band of merry supernatural hunters and the people they fall in love with.

Charlie Fitzgerald is from a long line of Hunters, his legacy dates back generations and so his career is already set n stone. His parents are hunters, and his older brothers are hunters so it makes sense that he would be one too cus it’s been like his forever dream. Yet, his family is failing to begin his training and he is getting tired of his mundane life. Getting up going to school and pretending like everything is easy does it when he knows there are Supernatural beings out there (pencil to the eye please). All he has his best friend for like forever and he needs to get the hell away from dodge and find a little excitement.

Excitement comes in the form of him not being Mr Know It All after-all, cus like epic bombs of info has been dropped that turn his world upside down. Charlie suddenly feels small, and the person he trusted most and thought he knew better than anyone in the world his BF Xan ends up hurting him the most. Well Charlie is gonna put his big girl panties on and persevere, and that means taking on the family business all by his lonesome. He does something most stupid, so stupid but hopefully this will show everyone he's not just the youngest anymore and can legit get all the jobs done. Too bad he ended up needing his Xan but maybe not so bad afterall.

I really liked reading this, it’s pretty much all fluff and stuff but the characters are enjoyable and it felt like visiting old friends. My least fave thing is the relationship between Xan and Charlie; they just weren't in it to win it for me. I guess it could be because I was expecting all types of intense feels, they're cute but their friends to lovers’ story just didn't do it for me, which sucks because that’s one of my fave tropes.

Hands down M.J O'Shea is becoming a fave author of mine. I seem to like her work the more I read her books, after Catch my Breath and now Cold Moon I'll most definitely will grab this author's books anytime. I love the feel good feels, enjoyable characters, and just overall good times. While this mostly would be considered corn syrup, sometimes we need a little sweet to feel good. The Moon series is enjoyable with the right amount of sexy and atmosphere for god YA novels.

4 Pants Off

Review: Book #1 Blood Moon

Review: Biochemistry by Andrew Grey

Reviewed by SinChan
Biochemistry (Chemistry #2) by Andrew Grey
Dreamspinner Press
Novella: 158pgs
3 Pants Off

Blurb:
When his college biochemistry class turns out to be much more difficult than star quarterback Freddie Samuelson imagined, his lab partner, Kurt Maxwell, agrees to help. They’re very different: a rich kid athlete and a hardworking openly gay scholarship student. But Kurt slips past Freddie’s defenses, and little by little—despite Freddie ignoring his own sexuality in the past—Freddie realizes he wants to get to know Kurt, especially when Kurt helps him through more challenges than their science class. But it isn’t long before rumors begin to fly, and the obstacles Freddie will face may block him from both the future he planned on and the future he didn’t know he wanted.

Review
This is the second book in the Chemistry series, however, it can be read as a standalone. For readers that have read Organic Chemistry, it'll be a pleasure to see Brendon and Josh again.

Kurt attends college through a scholarship sponsored by Freddie's father. Freddie, the star quarterback, needs some help from Kurt to pass his biochemistry class. When they realized they are falling for each other, they have to overcome negative opinions from their friends, the football team, and Freddie's father.

The build up of Freddie's and Kurt's romance is well written and filled with obstacles, mostly on Freddie's side. Freddie is unsure of his own sexual orientation and insecure in his identity as a football player and college student. He faces difficult decisions on how to come out to his family, his team, and the school. His father also gives him a lot of pressure (and threats) to be a football star, instead of succeeding academically. No one believes in him or encourages him to discover his potential beyond playing football until Kurt.

Kurt, on the other hand, is out and pride. The only struggles he deals with in the book are rejections from Freddie and the threat of Freddie's father revoking his scholarship. Kurt's troubles all stem from Freddie. When Freddie is still unsure of their relationship and wants to hide their relationship from the public, Kurt says no. Kurt is the stronger person and I think Freddie needs Kurt more than Kurt needs Freddie.

The only character that I was confused about is Freddie's father. He switched personalities too fast. Originally, he is against gay relationships, threatens Freddie with stopping Kurt's scholarship, and just thinks about his son as the football star. At the end, Freddie's mother "talked" with him and then he become so accepting. The resolution to Freddie's family tensions comes too easily and too fast.

Overall, the story is very predictable. The theme is very similar to the first book, Organic Chemistry. I still enjoyed the story and reading about Freddie coming out of the closet, but I liked the first book better.

3 Pants Off

Review: The List by Sandra Bard

Reviewed by Fehu
The List (Proud to be A Vampire) by Sandra Bard 
Less Than 3 Press
Novella
4.5 Pants Off

Blurb:
Gavin Summers' quiet, academic life is shattered when he is attacked by a mugger and rescued by Dillon, a member of the Night Watch. Soon Gavin finds himself embroiled in anti-vampire propaganda, vampire politics, and the dangers of associating with vampires in a city where vampires are being killed daily, forcing him to make a choice: remain neutral or stand with the vampires.



Review
Delightful vampire story and I lucked out with my first pick! With a new author, I am always a bit apprehensive, but it turned out I didn't need to be. The List had an interesting premise; vampires are not some obscure myths figures, but a part of society. Of course not all people are happy about them. Vampirism as an answer to human disease is not a new take, but the list adds a twist. There is a list and people need to be on this list to be turned, they are only turned when new vampires need to be made and it is all regulated as to who might get turned and what cases they decline.

Vampires work close with the police, but have their own group: the Nightwatch, which accepts donations in blood or money. After Gavin was assaulted and nearly died, he came across a member of the nightwatch, who introduced himself with a number and told him to report to the police station to make his statement. The vampire he met and who actually did help him get home, Dillon, picked Gavin's curiosity.

In the meantime the anti-vampire protests and actions have reached their peak. Hate groups were killing vampires, by chaining them and letting them burn alive. Gavin's advisor is a very vocal member of the anti-vampire movement and it turns out the vampires suspected Gavin to be of the same opinion. What the vampires didn't know and wanted to find out, was how the haters managed to snatch their people, since vampires are usually faster and stronger than humans and of course how did they find them? That's why members of the nightwatch have been assigned to watch out for the leaders of the anti-vampires groups and people close to them and that is how Dillon has been assigned to watch over Gavin.

The meeting with a vampire turns out to be a catalyst for Gavin, since now he sees all the bad things posted about them and his own advisor makes him participate in the rallies against vampires. His own positive experience and the ones of the many people saved by the nightwatch, don't seem to mean munch in the face of so much prejudice. Meanwhile there is the attraction he feels towards Dillon and the drive to find out more about vampires in general, that motivate Gavin to research more. Gavin's questions about the vampires don't go unnoticed and soon he has to pick sides. Especially after Dillon get's kidnapped by the radicals to be burned by the sun.

I liked the characters a lot. Gavin was a bit naive at first, but it was nice to see him grow a pair and actually fight back against his advisor, who exploited him. Dillon was a bit of a mystery, but he grew on me pretty fast and actually turned out to be a very sweet person and not at all as standoffish as he was when he first encountered Gavin. The regulations of who was to be turned intrigued me, since there didn't appear to be rogues, who turned people at their whim. While this was not a very long story, it managed to be quite engaging with interesting characters and fast moving plot.

Should You Read It? If you search for a good vampire story that avoids the typical tropes, than The List is a good pick.

4.5 Pants Off

Review: Apple Polisher by Heidi Belleau

Apple Polisher (Rear Entrance Video #1) by Heidi Belleau
Riptide Publishing
Novel: 230pgs
4.5 Pants Off

Blurb:
This straight-A student has a dirty little secret.

Christian Blake dreams of being a kindergarten teacher, but making the grade means maintaining a squeaky clean image: no drinking, no drugs, no swearing, no sex. And definitely no falling for his new roommate—tattooed bad-boy Max, who may or may not be a drug dealer.

Most of all, it means no working at a porn store. But Christian’s aunt has cancer, and her beloved Rear Entrance Video will go bankrupt if Christian doesn’t take over managerial duties. Soon enough, Christian finds himself juggling sticky twenty-five cent peepshow booths, a blackmailing employee, and a demanding professor who likes to make an example of him.

And then there’s Max, who doesn’t know anything about the store, but hates Christian’s preppy sweater vests and the closet Christian forces him into when they’re together. Max just wants Christian to be himself—even though Max is keeping secrets of his own. Christian struggles to find the impossible balance between his real life and the ideal one he thinks a teacher needs to live . . . all while trying to keep his aunt’s dream alive without losing his own.

Review
I can honestly say that my expectations were high for this book. After knowing the awesomeness that is Heidi Belleau through co-authoring with some very talented authors, her solo work was a must read on my list. I have to say I was not disappointed at all, this book delivered for me and I couldn't help falling in love with all the characters.

Christian Blake is a straight A student with a squeaky clean image, after all he's gonna be a teacher and it’s his job to lead by example. So Christian wears his sweater vests and tries to be all that he can be, but he's hit n hard times and he needs a place to live fast. What he can afford comes with four new roommates, and though the setting might not be ideal, Christian knows he's going to have to be extra diligent when it comes to fun. No drinking, no smoking, and especially no sex with men, no matter how hot is his roommates are. Especially that Max, who may or may not be a drug dealer with his tats and attitude, Christian isn't sure if he likes him not at all or a whole lot.

Christian has got a lot on his plate. He has to uphold this squeaky clean image which is exhausting, and his aunt who is like a mother to him is sick from cancer. His priorities are a little screwed because he's always wanted to be a teacher and he is willing to go the distance to achieve it, and yet he's guilty of not being the most supporting family member when his aunt has always been there for him. Things would have been simpler if his aunt didn't own a porn shop, and she didn't need help with said porn shop, Rear Entrance Video. Life is just one long complicated mess for Christian who hides in a closet, and hides behind his dream of teaching.

Of course his chemistry with bad boy is off the chain, and he's all angsty about it. Yet, the body wants what the body wants, and Christian and Max dive into a sexual relationship, Christian knows his lust for Max is strong but he isn't very positive that he even likes the dude. But it turns out that Max is the more real of them both, and Christian has got to put on his big boy panties and go help out at his aunt's video shop. Well you know...all secret and shit.

First, I enjoyed the crap out of this one! Christian is such a real character who is very scared of doing the wrong thing even though it’s actually the right thing. His being scared to open up is so legit in this book, and he might come off as stuck up but his reasons are sound. I can imagine wanting something so bad and one little thing could make you lose it all. Plus, the one time he shared who he was to the person whom should have accepted him the most, she just threw him away. Then there is Max, it all comes back to Max a man who challenges, infuriates, and is all the things that Christian shouldn't want and don't even deserve having but above all else needs. They couldn't be more opposite, but yet are so very much alike I freaking love them together.

Apple Polisher is such a fitting name for the first book in this series cus Christian is sweater vest wearing ass kisser (duuuuude seriously) but he's legit. It's also a mix of geek, a modern day romance of opposites attract and sexy fire explodes on the floor of porn shop (real scene that happened), and a lesson in being true to yourself. And of course the most important is that Apple Polisher is so diversified and for that alone I salute you Heidi Belleau. I love reading about a strong positive black character and the woman that raised him, and Max who proves never to judge a book by its cover. I can't wait to read book 2!!

Should You Read It? Yes, yes, and more yes. I enjoyed reading this one a whole lot, and it’s an awesome read from a fantastic author.

4.5 Pants Off

Review: Horizons by Mickie B. Ashling

Horizons (2nd Edition) by Mickie B. Ashling
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 250pgs
2.75 Pants Off

Blurb:
College football player Clark Stevens, a popular wide receiver with a potential NFL contract, has a few problems. He's got a jealous girlfriend, a narrow-minded and controlling father, an attention problem, and an unexpected and powerful attraction to the trauma doctor—the male trauma doctor—who treats him for a broken bone.

Dr. Jody Williams is getting some really mixed signals. He can't ignore how much he wants Clark, because it's obvious Clark feels the same way. For the out and proud doctor, the solution seems very simple. For Clark, it's not! His world is not gay-friendly, and the obstacles he's faced have led him to deny his sexuality for years.

It's the Super Bowl of disasters, no matter how you look at it. In the end, Clark has to decide if he's going to stick with the only life he's ever known or take a chance on a new one with Jody.

Review:
I became a fan of Mickie B. Ashling after reading Loving Edits, which happens to be one of my fave ménages out there. Then the awesome continued with Tono, so of course I was totally down with reading Horizons the blurb sounded interesting enough but what sounded interesting soon started to fizzle and I was left all kinds of disappointed.

Clark Stevens is a star football player at his college; he's so fantastic that the NFL is most definitely in his future. Too bad he's miserable, with his grades at failing and constantly feeling miserable all the time and Clark is at his breaking point. What he does is lash out and his temper lands him a broken arm and a date in the E.R. What Clark doesn't expect is his instant attraction to doctor Jody Williams, he's kept that part of himself buried tight and wrapped up, but now he's flirting with the doctor but Clark knows that being gay and football just doesn't go hand in hand. Yet, he keeps seeking out the company of the sexy doctor and doing this sexual tension filled dance around each other. Things get more intense when Jody decides to tutor Clark in English and their attraction cannot he denied.

Clark comes with a series of problems, a girl he sleeps with occasionally to show his heterosexuality, a father that’s more of a bully than anything else, and the fact that he feels like an idiot pretty much all the time. Alas, he has Jody a man he's a falling in love with and finally realizing how much happier he is now that he's being honest with what his body wants. Too bad he's gotta stay in the closet until he figures out how to come out without losing everything, because though his new found honesty is exhilarating letting the world know could cost him everything.

First, these guys are like the Canadian weather; one minute they're hot and the next a cool front moves in out of nowhere. They're happy and in the next minute there is tears and them having all the feels. Realistically I can understand Clark's fear of being outed when he's not ready but dude was just setting the trap for a whole bunch of hurt. Obviously, he wanted to come out so his later "lets protect Jody from my crazy father" was just a little too late cus dude was asking for it. Jody...for a doctor he is a darn fool sometimes, I get that love makes you do crazy things but I was not impressed with most of his decisions. Like yeh, these guys fuck all amazing but otherwise I just couldn't get a handle on them (cloudy with a chance of mood swings).

Mostly everyone in this book is sort of annoying with the exception of Jody's best-friend who I really liked. Clark's parents especially his dad should have called it quits with being a parent, his adult status has surely gone up in flames. Clark likable, but his constant self pity was a bit annoying, Jody also likable but easily forgettable. I just couldn't read this one without eye-roll numerous and in the end I was disappointed. Not a good read for me, but I am usually impressed with this author work so overall "it just wasn't the right read" for me.

Should You Read It? *sound of crickets* to each his own I say, this one didn't work for me but I did get through it quickly. In all honesty the pacing is good; I just didn't enjoy the overall story. HEA was too neat, in a perfect world it’s awesome but I didn't find it believable.

Review: Welcome. Brother by Erica Pike

Welcome, Brother (College Fun & Gays #5) by Erica Pike
Unavailable for Purchase
Short Story: 29pgs
3 Pants Off

Blurb:
Please note: This title is being prepared for republishing and will be unavailable for a while. Sorry for the inconvenience.

When arts student Kyler Morris applies for membership to The Nova Britannia Brotherhood, he's immediately floored by their intimidating leader, Hunter Kingsley. Fellow arts student Hunter, however, isn't the bad-ass he's made out to be and takes Kyler under his wing.

While Kyler struggles to keep his crush under control and his sexuality hidden from the Brothers, Hunter battles daemons of his own in the form of two Brothers who aren't playing by the rules.

Short Review:
Kyler Morris is hoping to join The Nova Britannia Brotherhood, but judging from the questions he might not get in. Just so happens that the leader of the brotherhood is present during his interview, Hunter Kingsley which is really throwing Kyler off his game. Hunter in all reality is the big man on campus and what sexy dreams are made of, but Kyler knows he most definitely is off limits. With the random question interrogation, Kyler can see his chances dwindling every time he answers but you can't knock him for wanting to try.

To his surprise Kyler is accepted and the icing on the cake is getting Hunter as a mentor which would mean he gets to share a room with him. Which is a win/lose situation because he can lust after Hunter in close proximity but he has to keep it on the DL because his sexuality isn't something he’s willing to battle with. There is just no way he can be gay in the brotherhood, and when he witnesses the horrible bullying of a friend believed gay, it just confirms that his sexuality be kept a secret.

Welcome Brother is very different from the previous stories in the series. This one is about establishing a friendship that moves into a romantic relationship. I really enjoyed the closeness of the characters, their sensitivity in helping a friend, and eventually being honest about their feelings. Though not my fave in the series the author still does a wonderful job of handling a real issue. Only problem is that its way too short to really get into to the meat of anything.

P.S Love all the cuddling, it’s to die for.

3 Pants Off

Review: Astronomical by Silvia Violet

Astronomical by Silvia Violet
Loose-Id
Short Story: 99pgs
4 Pants Off

Blurb:
When sexy, kilt-wearing astronomy professor Greg MacIntyre moves in next door, Blake Theriot knows he's in trouble. Blake is a research librarian, and he likes things orderly and controlled. But in his secret fantasies, he craves a big, powerful man like Greg to stir up his life.

Every time Blake tries to talk to his erudite neighbor, his brain shuts down and his vocabulary is reduced to one-word utterances, but when Blake's niece challenges him to invite Greg to dinner, he does. A few shots of after-dinner whiskey loosen Blake's inhibitions, and the two men share a hot kiss and the promise of more. Can Blake relax enough to give himself a chance with Greg, or will his fear of letting go ruin his hopes for love?

Publisher's note: This book is a revised, re-edited version of one previously released by another publisher under the same title.

Review:
There is nothing greater than two geeks in one book, but add a kilt wearing geek on a ladder and you have gold. I loved the hell out of this cute story, and it’s one of those I would love reading another 100pgs.

Blake Theriot is a research librarian and he spends all his day surrounded by books (he's a total book nerd). He also enjoys the time he spends with his niece and cooking, after his last disastrous relationship Blake isn't looking for a relationship. He likes order, lists, and making plans and adding that in a relationship has taught him a hard lesson. So yeh, single life isn't anything to celebrate but no one can hurt him that way. So when Greg MacIntyre moves in next door, Blake is taking notice. Greg is sex on legs, and sometimes you get to see those legs because Greg is the kilt wearing type. When his evil genius niece suggest they invite Greg over for dinner, Blake knows he's gonna lose his heart and pop serious boners at the dinner table.

Hard to fathom Greg being interested in him but it turns out that he is and their chemistry is off the chain. But of course there’s the doubt that eventually Greg will tire of him eventually so what’s the point in even starting something. It will take his niece and sister to show him how much of an idiot he's being, and maybe having Greg in his life wearing kilts on a ladder might be worth a little heartache.

I really liked this one, very cute and sexy because two nerds are better than one. Really like Blake, he's all bookish, insecure, and I love a man that can cook. Greg wears a kilt on a ladder (nough said). Together their cute, though not enough pages to delve in their relationship the impression is that their solid and will make it. A cute short read!

Geek Level: A solid 4 out of 5. Greg is an Astronomy professor and he says something that are just so smart and he watches The Last Airbender with Blake's niece. Blake is just geeky and loves books with the added nerd factor of his upcoming geeky niece (also into astronomy).

4 Pants Off

Review: Dirty Laundry by Heidi Cullinan

Reviewed by Fehu
Dirty Laundry (Tucker Spring #3) by Heidi Cullinan
Riptide Publishing
Novel: 265pgs
3.75 Pants Off

Blurb:
The course of true love doesn’t always run clean. But sometimes getting dirty is half the fun.

Entomology grad student Adam Ellery meets Denver Rogers, a muscle-bound hunk of sexy, when Denver effortlessly dispatches the drunken frat boys harassing Adam at the Tucker Springs laundromat. Thanking him turns into flirting, and then, much to Adam’s delight, hot sex over the laundry table.

Though Denver’s job as a bouncer at a gay bar means he gets his pick of geek-sexy college twinks, he can’t get Adam out of his head. Adam seems to need the same rough play Denver does, and it’s damn hard to say no to such a perfect fit.

Trouble is, Adam isn’t just shy: he has obsessive compulsive disorder and clinical anxiety, conditions which have ruined past relationships. And while Denver might be able to bench-press a pile of grad students, he comes from a history of abuse and is terrified of getting his GED. Neither Denver nor Adam want to face their dirty laundry, but to stay together, they’re going to have to come clean.

This title is part of the Tucker Springs universe.

Review:
A geek and a bouncer meet in a Laundromat. It does sound like a joke...or the beginning of a porn movie, which is not far from what happened after the geeky grad-student; Adam is rescued by Denver, a gay bouncer from a nearby gay club, when Adam is harassed by some drunken frat boys.

Adam is working on his PhD in Entomology, so he gets geek points for the studying the subject and some more for choosing and being exited about hawk moth. I can honestly say I've learned more about the hawk moth from this book, than you'd imagine one could reading an m/m romance. Did you know that you could mistake the hawk moth for a humming bird in flight? No, me neither and I had to Google the moth. Well if he had to study bugs, moth isn't as bad as it gets, but studying any insects sounds very geeky, so that made it perfect for the geek week.

I liked the combo of a geek with a bouncer, not exactly innovative, but a nice contrast. What made the book quite unique was Adam's OCD and how it was handled here. OCD played a big part of this story and I liked the fact the Adam had weaknesses, had issues, it made him appear more fleshed out and real and that was also a bit of a distraction. A lot of the book deals with Adam's issues, like not being able to tolerate other people in his place or being in their place, his panic attacks, his angst and self-criticism. He appears in full colour and other characters dim in comparison, even Denver his lover, is not as fleshed out. Secondary characters like Louisa, a Trans* woman and even his bug study group or the ex-boyfriend Brad, pale in comparison to Adams characterisation, which is a shame, since I thought Louisa had a lot of potential, as did Oliver. The book wasn't short, over 200 pages so there was room for development and I think with less sex we could have a bit more geekiness and more detailed characters.

Still I enjoyed the romance and even all the issues for 3/4 of the book and it was going for more than 4 pants, but then something changed. I'm not big on BDSM and it was there from the beginning, but mostly in a lighter form. Actually this is one of the authors who writes that kink in a way that I can enjoy, it's usually not light. My problem here was the punishment and the mental health issues. Adam wanted to be punished after he had freaked out, punished for not  being able to handle his OCD and I'm sorry but that felt wrong with me. Denver has issues of his own; we find out that he has a learning disability and a lot of self-worth issues. They do make quite the pair, but they fit, just the punishments in regard with Adams OCD behaviour made me uneasy. Also the last quarter of the book feels a bit rushed, since all things happen pretty fast and they are building their own house already.

Geek Level: Well this book gets 2 geek points for study subject and choice of profession, sadly the geeky stuff was bugs and some of Adams appearance, and no other geeky trivia was mentioned!

Should You Read It? It depends, I enjoyed it, it's well written for one, some missing words aside. There is a plot and I think it deals with a common trope of geek/ muscle stud in an interesting way, adding some unique twist to the theme through the mental issues. For people who want an easy romance, the OCD might be a bit too much, since it really is a big part of the story, which made the plot more believable and added to it, at least in mine opinion, but I can see how people might find it too much for a m/m romance book. Also the BDSM part is not everyone’s cup of tea, but if one doesn't mind these two points, than this will be a good and intriguing book to discover!

Review: Social Skills by Sara Alva

Social Skills by Sara Alva
Self-Published
Novel: 357pgs
3.5 Pants Off

Blurb:
Music is the only form of communication Connor Owens controls. No matter how badly he wishes to fit in, friendly banter and casual conversations have never been his thing. College is yet another social universe he has no clue how to navigate—until he meets Jared, a football player with chestnut eyes and a cocky grin that holds the power to shatter his self-imposed prison.

Jared's attention opens Connor up to a new realm of emotional and physical intimacy. But as Connor's self-confidence grows, so does his fear that everything will fall apart. Because in this socially stratified world, how long can a relationship between an introverted violinist and a closeted football player really last?

Review:
Connor Owens is extremely shy, and the only time he seems to shine is when he's playing the violin. The music takes over and he gets lost in a world where he speaks through his music and everything seems easier. Connor really wants to fit in, and being in college is a time for socializing and making new friends. Yet, the words always get lost in Connor's throat and leave him feeling silly. He does manage to make a friend in that of his music stand partner. When Connor is asked to tutor two jocks, his shyness and not wanting to hurt his professor's feelings have him saying yes. But when the actual time for tutoring is to begin, Connor just hopes he doesn't bomb and/or completely embarrass himself.

One of the boys he has to tutor is Jared, and Jared is the kind of guy that Connor finds attractive but alas Jared is the typical jock who is insanely popular with the beautiful girlfriend. Connor knows he could never be anymore than his tutor or something even as close as an acquaintance but when a true friendship begins to develop Connor is walking on cloud nine because nothing could be better. That is until Jared kisses him for the first time and Connor realizes he's getting more from Jared than he could have possibly dreamed. Downside, their relationship has to stay hidden behind the walls of Connor's room. But it's alright, Connor is willing to take scraps if it’s coming from Jared and he's just happy with their cozy little love nest. That is until the walls start to crumble and keeping their relationship a secret starts to hurt Connor more than he ever expected. It might be a case of love gained and then lost.

On one hand I really enjoyed this story, but on the other hand I feel like it followed the typical nerd/jock trope. From keeping the relationship under lock and key then being suddenly outed and riding the storms. I guess I was expecting more but it failed to meet my expectations. Even with my misgiving, there is a lot to like about this story. For on the evolution of Connor Owens was really great to read, he went from a social outsider to a man actually making an attempt to speak up. He didn't become a social butterfly overnight which makes his character believable and enjoyable. Jared, my feelings are mixed on him. I feel like I have read his type so many times that I am far from being sympathetic. Then he had the audacity to pull a jealous type of boyfriend thing, gawww it just freaking annoyed me. I started to like him close to the end when he was showing actual courage.

The lowest point for me was the situation with Jared's ex-girlfriend. I am trying to understand her actual purpose, apart from outing them to the entire college. Writing a mental illness is delicate enough but...I just don't see how she worked into the storyline (I guess helping her out showed both Connor and Jared's caring side). Yeh didn't like that part of the story.

Geek Level: A 2.5 out of 5. Connor is a music geek and dude does all the reading for school (I mean all his reading). He's smart enough to be a tutor, reads a little science fiction and his social anxiety really says geek. Though not 100% a part of the storyline, he still does a little geek.

Should You Read It? If you're a fan of the nerd/jock finding love trope, then yes this book might be it for you. As I said I did like it, but was sorta expecting more and was hoping it would step away from the usual set up. I really liked Connor and have feels like he deserves more than Jared (he certainly does) but alas the heart wants what the heart wants. A good job by Sara Alva, and I am looking forward to more books by the author.

3.5 Pants Off

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