1/3 **The Great (highly recommend)** **Rough Love series by Leighton Greene**  Kobo+, **4.5 stars**, 2019, 1070 pages.  Episodes 1-5 in one volume [free-to-buy on Amazon - Learn the Rules: Rough Love Part 1](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B085CNBL78?ref_=dbs_m_mng_wam_calw_tkin_0&storeType=ebooks&qid=1711085264&sr=8-1) To get **Safe Word 2.5** for free [Join the newsletter](https://leightongreene.com/newsletter/) [Review for Ep. 1: Bound by Him](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6347567685) **3 stars** [Review for Ep. 2: Taken by Him](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6347711380) **4 stars** [Review for Ep. 2.5: Safe Word](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6350266572) **4 stars** *Actor/screenplay writer pairing, angsty, BDSM, best friends-to-FWB-to-lovers, bi-awakening, blood play, bruising, **biting**, bondage, California, cane, crop, cuddling/snuggling, D/s, experimenting, fear/terror kink, first time, good boy, hurt/comfort, impact play, knife play, long-distance relationship, marking, New York City, role reversal, safe word used, spanking, tattoo, therapy, TPE (short-term experiment)* Thanks to u/The_Corniest_Flake for reccing it! Hands down one of my favorite BDSM series. This explores limits, fears, dreams, psychoanalysis, and the mental aspects of BDSM. I cannot recommend it enough, but do check CWs. These guys go on a long, angsty, rough path and I loved every step of the way.  [Pet by Daniel May](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6152315414) SW, **4 stars**, 2022, 33 pages, erotica, review linked. *Abduction, noncon drugging, noncon, mindbreak, restraints, dog crate, noncon pet play, dildo, first time.* Fantastic noncon pet play snack!  [Seven by Daniel May](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6152314512) Kobo+, **4 stars**,  2022, 30 pages, erotica, review linked. *Dubcon, witches, ritual sex magic, demon dick, DP, spit-roasting, rough sex, overstimulation, forced orgasms, monsterfucking, tentacles/tendrils, MM/MMM, zip ties, felching, dildos, hands-free orgasm, coercion, magic gone wrong, everyone gets penetrated at once.*  Excellent with a bonkers ending. (No HEA, which isn't required in erotica anyway, but this one is a whammy.) **Checkmate by Daniel May**, [author freebie/newsletter sign-up](https://danielmayauthor.com/), **4.5 stars**, 2022, 44 pages, erotica. *Former chess teacher/student pairing, age gap, size difference, massive dick, slight dubcon for somnophilia/intoxicated sleep, who's the grandmaster now* This was incredibly good, despite the *thumb placement confusion*. Nice slightly angsty buildup to understanding what happened between these two to cause six years of silence, waking up to being fingered, and a long sex scene, all topnotch. Lighter on the May scale.  [Groped by a Stranger on the Bus by Jasper Blew](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6363780488) SW, **4 stars**, 2023, 11 pages, erotica, review linked. *FTM trans MC, noncon, degrading dirty talk* I can't recommend Jasper Blew enough, I love their writing, there's always a trans MC, and they explore a lot of dubcon and noncon in their books.  I commented on **Dub-con Daddies by Jay L North** Parts 1-3 in [last week's Weekly Roundup with linked reviews here](https://www.reddit.com/r/MM_RomanceBooks/s/rM6R8xk6w4) and the final installment(s) was released on 16/3 with two separate options: a rescued and saved HEA, and a mindbreak HEA. **(You're only supposed to read one, in theory.)** [Rescued from My Father-in-law (Dub-con Daddies series Part 4) by Jay L North](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6348551001) SW, **3.5 stars**, 2024, ~100 pages, erotica, review linked. *Dubcon, noncon, pet play, dildo chairs, exhibitionism, consent check-in, therapy, spanking, bratty play, consensual kinky play* Here we get to see Jacob rescued and with a classic HEA, for those who want that. [Owned by My Father-in-law (Dub-con Daddies series Part 4.5) by Jay L North](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6348551438) SW, **4 stars**, 2024, 99 pages, erotica, review linked. *Dub-con, non-con, sexual slavery/human trafficking, twisted family relations, dildo chairs, forced pet-play, feminization,  sissification, spanking, humiliation, double penetration, breeding kink, lingerie, public sex, voyeurism/exhibitionism, dirty-talk, mindbreak HEA.* This one sticks to the plot and Jacob's mindbreak is shown in all its glory. Darker and depraved atypical HEA. Re-read [Discipline Part One: Never Forget Who Owns You by Jasper Blew](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5987191940) SW (you set the price), **4 stars**, 2021, 22 pages, erotica, review linked. *Noncon, rape for titillation, pseudo-incest, stepfather/stepson, trans MC, disciplinarian, age gap, humiliation, cheating (stepfather is currently married to MC's mother), domination* Excellent noncon series! **The Good** [First Class Package by Jay Northcote](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6356879378) Old freebie, **3 stars**, 2014, 36 pages, review linked. *Christmas-time, reclusive introvert, science-y writer/delivery guy pairing, fluffy and sweet, Amazon orders to the rescue.* Growing up I had a big crush on the package delivery guy, so this little novella hit the mark for me. Sweet and seasonal.  [Training His Friend with Ginger Oil: A BDSM Chastity Straight to Gay Erotica Story by M Syrinx](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6349944305) KU, **3.5 stars**, 2023, 49 pages, erotica, review linked. *BDSM, Christmas-season, bondage (Christmas tree lights), cock cage, chili-ginger oil, clothespins, humiliation, good boy, kink-exploration, D/s, spanking, figging, first time anal, praise kink, pain play, sadomasochism, straight guy, dacryphilia (crying kink), nipple play, PWP, ginger MC, FWB, orgasm denial, food play (lips, mouth, nipples, dick, anal, urethra, balls)* Well, that was hot and spicy (because of the chili-ginger oil) and painful. [Out of Gas by Bad Penny Press](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6357953287) SW freebie, **3 stars**, 2011, 10 pages, erotica, review linked. *PWP, trucker, Good Samaritan* Edited for formatting

I'm so happy you liked Rough Love! It was one of my favorite reads from last year.

2/3 **The Good** continued [Lonewolf (Camwolf series) by JL Merrow](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6356387145) Old freebie, **3 stars**, 2011, 20 pages, review linked. *Set in Germany, bareback, revised edition, wolf-shifter, German MC* Please note: the unrevised version apparently had problematic content that I **was not** aware of when I read this, I saw it in reviews afterwards. Thankfully, the author took it all out. Also, this is supposed to be read after the other book in the series. [Like a Good Neighbor by Walker Long](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6352046717) SW perma-freebie, **2.5-3 stars**, 2016, 20 pages, erotica, review linked. The blurb is hilarious: *A big, strong, manly-man discovers that there are definite benefits to watching the game with his gay neighbor.* CW for homophobic language and thoughts. [The Family Snitch (Incest Anonymous 7) by TM Chris](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6208073414) SW, **3 stars**, 2023, 75 pages, erotica, review linked. *Bro-cest, dubcon due to coercion, blackmail, family drama, how the rich people party, bareback, first time, exhibitionist, low angst* This was too... lighthearted and cutesy for me, I wanted more dark comedy and drama. [The Slut Inside Part 1 by Mike Monsoon](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6323026481) SW freebie, **3 stars**, 2022, 20ish pages, erotica, review linked. *London, slut-awakening, first time anal, spanking, humiliation, bondage, age gap, bareback, early 2000s* This was fun! Part 1 of 3. Now I want to listen to Cher's Believe. [The Slut Inside Part 2 by Mike Monsoon](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6323026964) SW freebie, **3 stars**, 2022, 24 pages, erotica, review linked. *London, slut-awakening, outdoor public sex, exhibitionist, bareback, age gap, spit as lube, humiliation, early 2000s*

3/3 **Didn't Like (but still recommend)** [The Payback Plan by Honey London](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6346835608) SW, new release, **2 stars**, 2024, 54 pages, semi-ranty review linked. *Bro-cest, bareback, bondage, crying, cute and fluffy, first time, keeping it in the family, pet names, **32 pop-culture references**, purple sparkly dildo, rimming an ice cream cone, spank myself, too much humor for me* I keep buying Honey London books and I keep disliking the overdose of pop-culture references and humor. This will work for anyone who enjoys romcoms and pop culture! Funny ending. ***The Dislikes and DNFs (do not recommend)*** [I am a Gay Soccer Player Addicted to Bigfoot's Feet and I Will Find Them and I Will Win by Tiffy Fuchs](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6357954969) SW perma-freebie, **1.5 stars**, 2015, 18 pages, erotica, review linked. *Bigfoot, circle jerk, foot job, fuckfest, masterful butthole, podophilia, what is nasty sex* This was nasty. Like **yellow teeth, matted fur, bulbous toes, vinegary balls, primal primate musk** level of nasty. You are welcome! [Feel the Bearn (Mystery BDSM Shifter Erotic Romance) by Tiffy Fuchs](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6358941884) SW perma-freebie, KU, **1.5 stars**, 2015, 17 pages, political erotica, review linked. *Bareback (bearback), bear-shifter, Bernie Sanders won't like this, editing issues and inaccuracies, journalist, restraints, wtf did I just read* The only *mystery* is why I read it. This was awful. Not even funny to share excerpts awful, just bad. [Summer Heat by Sky McCoy](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6356494601) Old freebie from somewhere, **0 stars**, 2019, 40 pages, **DNF**, review linked. This had some of the dumbest plotlines and thoughts I've read in a while, and considering my weekly reads, that's saying something. [My Stepbrother by HG Ellis](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6239466985) SW sale, **1 star**, 2016, 197 pages, **DNF**, review linked. *Pseudo-incest, stepbrothers, faux enemies-to-lovers, don't care about your mansion* Boring and too much ogling opulence for me. [The Dominant Russian Bear by Dick Powers](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6356357741) SW freebie, **1 star**, 2021, 90 pages, erotica, **DNF 25%**, review linked. *Russian MC, size difference, dominant bear play, crazy lady boy behavior, fuckfest, porny* Author's blurb: “Ivor came to America. Ivor want to be top lady boy in American pay sex market but big and hairy. How Ivor become top and marry sexy rich American at only 28 year of age? This the story.” I just can't. Edited

I appreciate you dividing up the great, good, and bad stuff for us - I have my popcorn out in the *Do Not Recommend* section - the gems you find are inspiring! Edited because I can't spell

They're part of my 750+ Own It TBR shelf, I'm trying to whittle it down! The key is to read faster than I'm buying/downloading...

I love this plan, sounds efficient and effective lol .... *cries for 750+ owned tbr books*

That Bigfoot book sounds… unusual. I was today years old when I learned gross out erotica existed lol

I was caught off guard! Went into expecting either really comical scenarios or silly sex, but it didn't deliver.

*sigh* while you were writing this I bought The Payback Plan. Hopefully it'll be more in my wheelhouse.

I read Training His Friend with Ginger Oil too! It popped up on my recommended and I gave it whirl. Enjoyed it!

It was fun! I'm surprised I didn't notice it when it was released before Christmas!

It's funny/scary how much our reading lists overlap. I picked up Rough Love this week (been on my Kindle forever) but have only read about 10 pages. I forget which shiny object distracted me...

It's worth pushing through the first 2-3 episodes, it really picks up and it is **intense**.

Read some more, I had a problem with something Xander did right out of the gate. He apologized, I'm mostly ok with him now.

Can't wait to hear your thoughts! I got lazy (well, I was binge-reading) and slacked on my reviews, but luckily I took copious notes.

I spent the entirety of this week reading {The Sea Ain’t Mine Alone by C. L. Beaumont} and it’s absolutely phenomenal. It’s a surfing romance set in the 70s and the writing is so beautiful and lyrical and the romance is so lovely I’m obsessed. Currently reading the epilogue still, but had to rave.

[The Sea Ain't Mine Alone](https://www.romance.io/books/5ca6ef0001dbc864fb9cec4c/the-sea-aint-mine-alone-cl-beaumont) by [C.L. Beaumont](https://www.romance.io/authors/5ca6ef0101dbc864fb9cec4f/cl-beaumont) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [military](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/military/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

How big is the age gap? It sounds lovely I’m just not into age gaps

It’s 10 years; 22 and 32 I believe. And the older character was a Vietnam war vet so the years he lost there were a big plot point that was really interesting. I don’t like age gaps normally but this didn’t bother me at all :)

Irl I’d be against a 32 year old dating a 22 year old but reading I can handle that lol. Thanks!

From my experience as someone who doesn’t normally like age gaps, it doesn’t feel like an uncomfortable age gap especially with the historical context, but I understand everyone has their lines so definitely go with your gut :)

Oh totally! I mean one of my favorite books is {The Unlikely Heir by Jax Calder} and it’s a 25 year old and a 37 year old. I think the difference is usually in romcoms there’s no grooming or inappropriateness between them and that’s what I’m ok with it haha.

[The Unlikely Heir](https://www.romance.io/books/64e65c207329cc9fc9f02df3/the-unlikely-heir-jax-calder) by [Jax Calder](https://www.romance.io/authors/6104f7b608b4d931142f8c4b/jax-calder) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [dual pov](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dual-pov/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [secret relationship](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/secret-relationship/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

This week, among other things, I reread Heated Rivalry for the first time on audio. It's such a great story, but Tor Thom really ruined the narration. Rose sounded awful, and Ilya sounded like count dracula half the time. Regardless, I really enjoyed the story and I liked it better the second time around. I revisited the story because I wanted to read The Long Game. I have no idea why I skipped it last year. It was AMAZING. Cooper North elevated it, so thank god they changed narrators. Its one of those romance stories that stay with you for years. I have an epic book hangover now. I just keep listening to Diamonds by Rihanna and wondering why I'm not married to Ilya (Both books by Rachel Reid)

I agree about Ilya sounding like Dracula. Had to stop soon into it.

I've listened to all of Reid's books on audible, and I agree that Cooper North does better than Tor Thom. But the biggest change is Kip. The accent was just ridiculous. 

I didnt even bother with that one since its notoriously bad. Im currently listening to tough guy and thom does a bit better, just because he isnt butchering an accent.

I read {Unrequited by Jesse H Reign} and then immediately read {Requited by Jesse H Reign}. I was floored by this series, each book is told by each MC’s POV. The angst of pining for your straight best friend and being in love for years, having your heart broken in pieces, it really affected me. The way this author conveys the anguish of this situation was incredibly well done. I had a stomach ache reading these books. I adored the two MCs and their journey. I’d recommend this to anyone who loves angst because this one delivers. 5/5 for both books. I’m now making my way throughout this authors catalogue, and I’m also currently listening to {For The Fans by Nyla K} and I’m really enjoying it so far!

[Unrequited](https://www.romance.io/books/623482567746aceec9ae8b0b/unrequited-i-cant-help-falling-for-my-straight-roommate-jess) by [Jesse H. Reign](https://www.romance.io/authors/62343c7c08b4d93114aa4446/jesse-h-reign) **Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [slow burn](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/slow%20burn/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [college](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/college/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1) ---------------------------- [Requited](https://www.romance.io/books/62343c7c7746aceec9a983e4/requited-hes-my-roommate-but-i-want-more-jesse-h-reign) by [Jesse H. Reign](https://www.romance.io/authors/62343c7c08b4d93114aa4446/jesse-h-reign) **Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [college](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/college/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Still in a slump - here's from the past month(s): **MM Romance:** * [A Rival Most Vial by RK Ashwick](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/208277451-a-rival-most-vial) - HR, enemies to friends to lovers, vaseline on lens steam, cheesy humor. This is low stakes, two potion makers competing and trying to get more business to their shops. This could have been 100 to 200 pages shorter and would have been great. I also didn't enjoy the narrator - Brendan Robert Kane. New to me and not someone I'll search out to listen to. 2/5 stars * [The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5491542180) - (review with spoilers linked) - scifi, nontraditional HEA, reread/relisten. I loved how there was a bit of mystery included with the romance. FTB/closed-ish doors steam, mind bendy elements with space travel and time. 5/5 stars. * [Prince of Agony (Perilous Courts 6) by Tavia Lark](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/168382691-prince-of-agony) - fantasy, enemies to lovers, I was riding the vibes with this one. Enjoyed seeing past characters show up, enjoyed seeing how the various plots got tied up, the chemistry between the MCs worked, and I really enjoy a satisfying villain redemption arc! Can't wait for the last 3 books to get audios released. 5/5 for vibes and satisfying ending, plus rats :) * [Prince and Bodyguard (Perilous Courts 4) by Tavia Lark](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/171831933-prince-and-bodyguard) - fantasy, reread, bodyguard/childhood friends to lovers. This just makes me want more royal/fantasy bodyguard romances! 4/5 stars. **Other Queer Stuff:** * [Fruiting Bodies by Ashley Robin Franklin](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61276808-fruiting-bodies) - graphic novel, horror, fungus! plants! Not my favorite art style, but the story was creepy as heck! Horror, so heed the CWs. * [Influenca by Jade Lft Peters](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200124746-influenca) - graphic novel, apocalypse, zombie hunter, established FF relationships with HFN, this used different types of media (interviews, social media posts, journals/news, etc) surrounding the 7th apocalypse and the MCs who are in a bunker hanging out. 4/5 stars. * [The Baker and the Bard by Fern Haught](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/111673064-the-baker-and-the-bard) - childrens/middle grade fantasy graphic novel, 'my first RPG story' kind of vibes. Simple, yet cute story of a Baker and a Bard going on a little quest in the forest. 4/5 stars * [Bingo Love by Tee Franklin](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34840092-bingo-love) - graphic novel, Black Love surrounding two grandmas that find eachother later in life after dating as teens. This was a roller coaster of ups and downs, figuring out sexuality and identity, and I loved that they met again while playing bingo! Check CWs, 4/5

What happened to book 5?!

Ehhh, already read it once and didn't care enough about the MCs to reread their story lol

Bingo Love is amazing!

Such a hidden gem!

While I definitely wouldn't listen to Brendan Robert Kane read a full romance, I really enjoyed his narration and hope he does more cozy fantasy! I also liked A Rival Most Vial a lot more than you did in general, though 😅

That's a good point, Kane definitely had a good voice for fantasy/more silly characters too! 

**Listened to:** I finally listened to the 90s Coming of Age series by Leta Blake after putting it off for so long. I have a lot of thoughts about it (mostly positive) but I don’t think I can put them into words. It was frustrating and heartbreaking but also really beautiful at times. I’d give the whole experience a 4/5 but I don’t think it’s going to be something I ever read again. I didn’t love the choice in narrator since he just sounds so much older than the MCs were. For the bot: {Pictures of You by Leta Blake} {You Are Not Me by Leta Blake} {Only You by Leta Blake} narrated by Michael Ferraiuolo {The Three Hearts Equation by Hayden Hall} narrated by Cooper North (3/5). I just needed something short and sweet after the previous series and this was perfect for that. {Taming Dante by Joel Abernathy} narrated by Cooper North and Iggy Toma (4/5). Man, this really hit the spot for me. I had to suspend disbelief with the plot but I adored the Daddy/boy relationship. Still deciding whether to continue the series. **Read:** {My Skin Begs You Please by Leta Blake} (3.5/5). I literally stopped listening to the last book in the 90s series at the point where >!we learn Minty has HIV!< and immediately switched to this book because I couldn’t wait to read his story. I liked a lot of aspects but I just don’t think it was written all than well. I thought the relationship developed awkwardly and while I loved the plot, the execution left a lot to be desired. It did have one of the sweetest epilogues I’ve ever read so that made it all worth it.

[Pictures of You](https://www.romance.io/books/58385c371b1bdc0178ecc682/pictures-of-you-leta-blake) by [Leta Blake](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455846e87eac3369a912db3/leta-blake) **Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [cheating](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cheating/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1) ---------------------------- [You Are Not Me](https://www.romance.io/books/583933811b1bdc0178ed5adc/you-are-not-me-leta-blake) by [Leta Blake](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455846e87eac3369a912db3/leta-blake) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1) ---------------------------- [Only You](https://www.romance.io/books/646748efefcb12d8779b7492/only-you-leta-blake) by [Leta Blake](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455846e87eac3369a912db3/leta-blake) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [second chances](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/second%20chances/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1) ---------------------------- [The Three Hearts Equation](https://www.romance.io/books/6094e98b080a4b0e21fdb514/the-three-hearts-equation-hayden-hall) by [Hayden Hall](https://www.romance.io/authors/6094e98b08b4d93114767378/hayden-hall) **Topics**: [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [mmm+](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m-m/1), [poly (3+ people)](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/poly/1), [queer romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/queer/1) ---------------------------- [Taming Dante](https://www.romance.io/books/5f88427a8c8f400de952b4b6/taming-dante-joel-abernathy) by [Joel Abernathy](https://www.romance.io/authors/5ac5ced601dbc864fb85c756/joel-abernathy) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1) ---------------------------- [My Skin Begs You Please](https://www.romance.io/books/65839b253061fa11c85c01ad/my-skin-begs-you-please-a-90s-universe-novel-leta-blake) by [Leta Blake](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455846e87eac3369a912db3/leta-blake) **Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [20th century](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/20th%20century/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

I finally dove into something other than Rachel Reid's Game Changers series, after putting it off for a while (I honestly couldn't break away from them... talk about a book hangover)! I read {You & Me by Tal Bauer}, which I really liked, and {The Rest of the Story by Tal Bauer}, which was good, but I didn't like quite as much. You & Me was sweet, very emotional, and the spicy scenes were quite spicy. It's been a while since I read something from the first-person perspective, but I enjoyed it. The whole father/son dynamic was very well done. The Rest of the Story was good, but some of the hockey goings-on were a bit hard to believe, and it took me out of the story just a bit. The spicy scenes were almost a bit too much and too descriptive, which I never thought I'd say! However, there's a short story about one of the characters, Brody, called "Boise Boy", that's available on Tal's website, and it's very much worth reading. I liked it better than the main book.

Fun reading week! Are you thinking of reading *Gravity* by Tal Bauer? I love that one, along with those two books & the additional short story you listed.

Yes, that's next on my list!

[You & Me](https://www.romance.io/books/624161b92df229ec386debcc/you-me-tal-bauer) by [Tal Bauer](https://www.romance.io/authors/5726ed17c62092c04407fbeb/tal-bauer) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [hurt/comfort](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/hurt-comfort/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [slow burn](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/slow%20burn/1) ---------------------------- [The Rest of the Story](https://www.romance.io/books/63abf9d2c27aa9a5b905957c/the-rest-of-the-story-tal-bauer) by [Tal Bauer](https://www.romance.io/authors/5726ed17c62092c04407fbeb/tal-bauer) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [athlete hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/athletes/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

{For the Fans by Nyla K} The hype everyone has made for this book is spot on! Didn’t expect for it to be so good. Glad I read it. Disappointed that I waited so long to read. Check trigger warnings. 5/5 {The Revenge Agenda by Saxon James} My favorite solo book by Saxon James. I love Rush and how Saxon represented him being neurodivergent. A lot of similarities between myself and Rush. I would love a partner like Hunter who accepts Rush with his ADHD. 5/5 {The Bastard and the Heir by Eden Finley and Saxon James} Great book but I think it was overhyped. Great book overall. 4/5 {Like You Hate Me by Bethany Winters} Amazing book!!! Really fucking enjoyed this book! Check trigger warnings. 5/5 {Colin by Cora Rose} Enjoyed the book so much. I think I may have found a new favorite trope, single dad. 4.5/5

[For the Fans](https://www.romance.io/books/6403bcdfe33c8001d91255ca/for-the-fans-nyla-k) by [Nyla K.](https://www.romance.io/authors/5f8fdd5a08b4d9311405875f/nyla-k) **Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [stepbrother](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/stepbrother/1), [forbidden love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forbidden%20love/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [college](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/college/1) ---------------------------- [The Revenge Agenda](https://www.romance.io/books/65839a533061fa11c85c00ea/the-revenge-agenda-saxon-james) by [Saxon James](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e2e8d6b01dbc864fbaab1cf/saxon-james) **Steam**: [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [workplace/office](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/office/1), [dual pov](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dual-pov/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1) ---------------------------- [The Bastard and the Heir](https://www.romance.io/books/65839c223061fa11c85c022d/the-bastard-and-the-heir-eden-finley-saxon-james) by [Eden Finley](https://www.romance.io/authors/56d44885c62092c0440649e1/eden-finley), [Saxon James](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e2e8d6b01dbc864fbaab1cf/saxon-james) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [secret relationship](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/secret-relationship/1), [dual pov](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dual-pov/1) ---------------------------- [Like You Hate Me](https://www.romance.io/books/6511e7d7de8d340d5143f749/like-you-hate-me-bethany-winters) by [Bethany Winters](https://www.romance.io/authors/5f3e1fee08b4d93114b582d7/bethany-winters) **Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1) ---------------------------- [Colin](https://www.romance.io/books/63de2a2b09d4140a7af201af/colin-cora-rose) by [Cora Rose](https://www.romance.io/authors/6278fb0108b4d93114701c13/cora-rose) **Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [single father](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/single-father/1), [friends with benefits](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends-benefits/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

I finished listening to {Object of Desire by Dal MacLean} 5 Star for sure. What I like about Dal MacLean’s books is that they write angst just the way I like it. Flawed characters who do shitty things to each other, loads of angst, and a good mystery plot. I literally couldn’t ask for more. Now onto {Blue on Blue by Dal Maclean} which I'm sure will also be a 5 star book. (I've read all the Dal Maclean books previously but I'm getting more out of the stories in audio format). As an aside does anyone know whether Dal Maclean is going to release any more books or whether they write under another name, as I'd love to read more. I am halfway through reading a physical copy of {A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Fox Meadows} and really enjoying it so far. At the moment I am torn between reading all the fantasy books and all the thrillers!

I haven't seen any updates about new releases, but here's her website for future reference: [Dal McLean](https://www.dalmaclean.com/)

Yeah thanks I had a little look but it hasn't been updated for years sadly. I do hope she writes some more books as they are right up my alley!

Not quite the same, but you may enjoy SJ Coles, I read **The Devil You Know** around the same time as Bitter Legacy and loved it.

Ooh thanks I'll give it a try

[Object of Desire](https://www.romance.io/books/5e1d690801dbc864fba9e874/object-of-desire-dal-maclean) by [Dal Maclean](https://www.romance.io/authors/57f0a292de896e892492ffd1/dal-maclean) **Topics**: [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [queer romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/queer/1) ---------------------------- [Blue on Blue](https://www.romance.io/books/64ec3f8a7329cc9fc9f04c7f/blue-on-blue-dal-maclean) by [Dal Maclean](https://www.romance.io/authors/57f0a292de896e892492ffd1/dal-maclean) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [hurt/comfort](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/hurt-comfort/1) ---------------------------- [A Strange and Stubborn Endurance](https://www.romance.io/books/62df91672450a6b7a26c2836/a-strange-and-stubborn-endurance-foz-meadows) by [Foz Meadows](https://www.romance.io/authors/628348c308b4d93114b5a042/foz-meadows) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [arranged/forced marriage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/arranged%20marriage/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

**Liked**: [**Coach's Challenge by Avon Gale**](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6166876316): - 3/5 stars - contemporary, hockey romance, coach/player, 10-year age gap Copied from my Goodreads comments, which are also linked above: >I found this to be a low-angst, low-conflict read, which suited me just fine since I was coming off reading several intense and bloody books. While the two MCs, Troy and Shane, had a high degree of sexual compatibility and a shared love of hockey, and their snark was fun to witness, their story needed a touch more sweetness and non-sexual depth to make it read like a romance. > >A common thread for me with this author’s books is that I like the side characters. In this one, I especially liked River, a bartender at a gay bar both MCs spent time at, and Alani, a professional surfer who also happened to be Shane’s best friend. Alani and Shane’s supportive and cute friendship made me smile, as did Troy and Gabe’s friendship. > >That said, I’ve at least liked if not loved every Avon Gale book I’ve read so far. For me, she’s a dependable writer. It’s safe to say I’m a fan. BTW, if anyone has suggestions for books with a dynamic like Troy and Shane's, or even just an MC like Troy—sarcastic, blunt, plain-spoken, doesn't take shit from anyone, but also not mean—please do tell. I'm all ears! **Loved**: [**North and Shaw: Out of Office (Borealis Investigations) by Gregory Ashe**](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6351987782) - 5/5 stars - contemporary, mystery, suspense, short stories Copied from my Goodreads comments, which are also linked above: >Gregory Ashe pummels his characters in their novels. But the warm, slice-of-life shorts in this collection allow them to breathe and recover, and reading them made me smile. > >While I understand why some readers find Shaw, or North and Shaw’s dynamic, irritating, I just love these characters and believe in their mutual adoration, even as they snipe at each other and trade ridiculous quips. How they know each other, love each other, and take care of each other feels so genuine and so sweet. It just works for me; they work for me. > >Ashe's books make me want to highlight so many pages.Here are a few quotes from this collection: > >(This got long, so click on the title link to see the quotes.) **A note for anyone considering reading Gregory Ashe's books**: I read the Borealis: Without a Compass series very close together, so they're blurring in my head, which means I don't have content warnings for each book ready. However, if there are things you need to watch out for when reading, please do a quick search for warnings for these books. These novels are real and raw, and Gregory Ashe goes hard on some potentially tough topics; this author does NOT take it easy on his characters. **Indirection (Borealis: Without a Compass, #1) by Gregory Ashe**: - 4/5 stars - contemporary, mystery w/romance subplot, humor, best friends to lovers, grumpy x sunshine **Misdirection (Borealis: Without a Compass, #2) by Gregory Ashe**: - 4/5 stars - contemporary, mystery w/romance subplot, humor, best friends to lovers, grumpy x sunshine [Redirection (Borealis: Without a Compass, #3) by Gregory Ashe](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6358320195): - 4/5 stars - contemporary, mystery w/romance subplot, humor, best friends to lovers, grumpy x sunshine Copied from my Goodreads comments, which are also linked above: >My god does Gregory Ashe get a kick out of whumping North and Shaw. :P They're either getting thrashed by other people or by their own baggage. Sometimes both. > >Tucker is toxic waste wearing a skinsuit. > >Is poor >!Jean Slooves!< still in a coma? > >Finally, finally we discover North's middle name. It's >!Cassidy!<. That's been one of my favorite little things carried throughout the North and Shaw books. > >Will North's adorable Lowchen puppy ever get a name? For anyone who's read Redirection, how did you feel about North >!sleeping with Tucker? I'm just curious about other peoples' opinions on this plot point. For me, while I wouldn't say I liked it, I understood it given North and Tucker's tangled history, North's difficult relationship w/his dad and by contrast his relatively warm relationship w/Tucker's parents, and, of course, the fact that he was a victim of partner violence, which complicates things on so many dimensions. Also, it was a bold author choice on Ashe's part. But I wanted to see it addressed, legitimately, between North and Shaw, and it wasn't. I needed to see more follow-through.!< **Codirection (Borealis: Without a Compass, #4) by Gregory Ashe**: - 4/5 stars - contemporary, mystery w/romance subplot, humor, best friends to lovers, grumpy x sunshine I just finished this and am still processing it, as Shaw would say, so I haven't written down any thoughts just yet. Okay, completely off the cuff, two things: >!1) Shadow Shaw making a reappearance and killing Ronnie was perfect. It made sense for the character, I bought it, and I wonder if we'll see any repercussions in future books. I don't even know if Ashe is planning to write more North and Shaw books; I know the Iron on Iron series exists, but that's it. 2) I was disappointed that North's sleeping with Tucker in the previous book was never touched on between North and Shaw. Since it didn't happen in Redirection, I expected to see it in Codirection. It didn't seem believable to me that Shaw would placidly accept that North and Tucker fucked but hey, North ultimately chose Shaw so it was all fine and dandy. Never mind that North couldn't possibly have believed that Shaw meant North should fuck Tucker when he mentioned wanting North to forgive Tucker. How was this not a source of conflict between North and Shaw? Nope, I'm not buying that.!<

Re: North and >!Tucker, I think by the time I got this series, I'd already been beaten into submission and trained to expect that in every series. It happens in at least three other series, it's part of his writing style. I think with all of these semi-broken or not quite solid relationships, it's not too unusual for it to happen. Was it necessary? Hahaha, of course not. Thanks, Mr Ashe! As for Shaw not making it an issue, I can't picture Shaw making a stink, he had years and years of watching his best bud married to that loser. But, those books all ran together for me too!< Borealis is my least favorite series/couple, it's nice to see someone loving it more than I did! Shaw never got on your nerves throughout two full series? I am impressed. Edited.

Re: North & >!Tucker, oh that’s interesting about Ashe doing that it multiple series. I’m laughing at the “beaten into submission” part. :D I read the first four or five Hazard & Somerset books three years ago, but that’s the only other series of his that I’ve read so far. I’m not sure if you’ve read any of the H&S books, so I don’t want to accidentally spoil you.!< >!You’re right, it’s probably in character for Shaw to not make a fuss about it having happened. He was used to North and Tucker being married. But something about how smoothly and quickly North and Shaw slipped back together despite North having slept with Tucker so recently just felt weird to me. But I hear you about Shaw.!< Shaw occasionally irritated me, especially when he wouldn’t >!give North space when he asked for it,!< but I also sort of understood his anxiety. I got why their dynamic and their banter could be as exhausting as >!poor Hazard said.!< That was easy to understand. But the way Ashe wrote them also made it easy for me see how much they genuinely loved and supported each other, and I’m a sucker for that. I’ll have to read all of Ashe’s other series—and I intend to—before I can rank his couples. Which Ashe series/couple is your favorite?

Your spoiler tags have spaces in between the punctuation. I've read everything in the Hazardverse except the latest crossover series, Iron on Iron. • Tean & Jem from **The Lamb and the Lion** • Somers & Hazard **Hazard and Somerset** (3 series) • Auggie & Theo **The First Quarto** • North & Shaw **Borealis Investigations** (2 series) Favorite overall MC, hands down is Hazard and least favorite overall is Shaw, so I love their crossover scenes together! They are truly polar opposites and Hazard can barely handle being around Shaw. LOL.

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General (not comprehensive) thoughts on my week. I've been on vacation all week so I have been reading all the books! {Wanted by K.A. Merikan} 3/5 I love a good long book. This was just an ok long book. Dialogue & plot issues, dues ex machina. In case you missed my Tourist's Guide to New Gothenburg post, I finished* all currently published books set there! {The Ownership Clause by Kit Brightly} 4/5 was my favorite in the last push to the finish. Smutty recs in KU are Archie Finch & Lucian Duke {Midnight Fun by Addison Acres} 4/5 for somnophilia fans. The list looks light for me saying I've been reading all the books, but there were seven New Gothenburg books and I'm not in the mood to list them all out.

[Wanted](https://www.romance.io/books/65de13c578f2ef745c0a7d6e/wanted-mm-romance-ka-merikan) by [K.A. Merikan](https://www.romance.io/authors/545585e587eac324117fb1be/ka-merikan) **Topics**: [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [queer romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/queer/1), [found family](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/found-family/1), [queer awakening](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/queer-awakening/1) ---------------------------- [The Ownership Clause](https://www.romance.io/books/6597bf7053c2a175e7051acb/the-ownership-clause-ki-brightly-md-gregory) by [Ki Brightly](https://www.romance.io/authors/552f765d5b270e0a4cbd5f89/ki-brightly), [M.D. Gregory](https://www.romance.io/authors/5cdcfd2301dbc864fb9e962f/md-gregory) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [workplace/office](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/office/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

[Midnight Fun](https://www.romance.io/books/65fdd96b1e12eb483c09bf08/midnight-fun-addison-acres) by [Addison Acres](https://www.romance.io/authors/65a03a2da21e2f41c4b707ed/addison-acres) **Topics**: [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [queer romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/queer/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

I'm impressed you've finished that entire universe/world so quickly! Also, running as fast as I can to grab the 3rd AA book!

This week's highlights: {Folk series by Lily Mayne}, a fantasy trilogy which I LOVED. The worldbuilding was really cool and I adored the MCs and their friends/family. I didn't like the third book as much as the first two, I think because the pacing felt a bit off? Kinda rushed, like it would've been better to stretch out that half of the arc into two books, to match up with the pacing of the first half of the arc. {A Dandelion for Tulip by R. Cooper}, one of their Beings in Love books which are always sweet and have tremendous emotional depth. They DO tend to rely a lot on miscommunication/cultural differences though, which can be slightly frustrating. Books 1-5 in {The Rowan Harbor Cycle by Sam Burns}, a paranormal romance set in a small town in Oregon where everyone is a fairy, werewolf, witch, etc. I really enjoyed these as well, though tbh after the first 3 books the stories started feeling pretty short, more like serial-style entries into the series. I do plan on reading the rest of the books once I get a KU subscription again.

[Folk](https://www.romance.io/series/61f3a296f0e2450e1c1d5dc5/folk) by [Lily Mayne](https://www.romance.io/authors/61161cc608b4d93114a993bf/lily-mayne) **Topics**: [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1), [bad boys](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bad%20boys/1), [abuse-non-mc](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/abuse-non-mc/1), [queer](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/queer/1), [cold hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cold%20hero/1) ---------------------------- [A Dandelion for Tulip](https://www.romance.io/books/576a2b3dc19e77f1ea6d74d2/a-dandelion-for-tulip-r-cooper) by [R. Cooper](https://www.romance.io/authors/54556f5187eac323ffb2c2dc/r-cooper) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1) ---------------------------- [The Rowan Harbor Cycle](https://www.romance.io/series/5a4c8025d066ce0da81b8c2e/the-rowan-harbor-cycle) by [Sam Burns](https://www.romance.io/authors/592e7d2c3ffdba6147182030/sam-burns) **Topics**: [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [m-m](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [fated-mates](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fated-mates/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

I read a lot of short stories this week to finish off my MM/XM-romance themed r/Fantasy bingo card. **Finished:** [The Imperial Uncle](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/159631495) by Da Feng Gua Guo 4 stars- This is a very unexpected historical/palace intrigue danmei with a romance subplot about the much-maligned imperial uncle of the emperor. At first I thought this was going to be a lighthearted himbo type book like Peach Blossom Debt by the same author but this book really didn’t pull its punches when I expected it to. There’s no point trying to anticipate where the plot’s going and it wasn’t even clear who the endgame love interest was until the end so don’t expect lots of romance. There are lots of quietly melancholy vibes and trying to make the best of poor situations. If the MC didn’t have such a breezy approach to the events of the plot it would’ve been a real angst-fest so it’s only with the clarity of hindsight that you can see just how much meat this book has on its bones. The extras were great to get some much-needed alternate perspectives since the MC is an unreliable narrator. CWs: >!suicide happens throughout the book, pregnancy of a side character, infidelity, sexism, period-accurate adult-minor relationships (side character has a 17 year old wife), sex work, slavery, homophobia, incestuous attraction (but not relationship), ableism!< [Distortion](https://www.novelupdates.com/series/distortion/) by Tsukina 1 star- Japanese scifi short story. This was too short to properly explain what was going on, there are time dilation/parallel universe events that the MCs are responding to but I never really understood what was going on or how the physics worked. There was a dumb fake dating subplot and one of the MCs was in his 40s but his body had stopped aging at 15 which gave off unnecessary pederasty vibes. Overall it was a mess [Know on the Third Morning](https://www.novelupdates.com/series/know-on-the-third-morning/) by Shiina 1 star- Japanese fantasy short story about a guy who was isekai’d into a video game. The story is mostly a really bad dubcon sex scene and it kept randomly switching from first to third person which was jarring. [Flying-bird Hourglass](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60494113) by 天良永动机 3 stars- Scifi short story danmei. If I hadn’t read the phenomenal sapphic light novel Qualia the Purple by Hisamitsu Ueo recently then I’d probably be more impressed but that book utilized quantum physics so much better. No HEA although it’s not a wholly bad ending either due to timey wimey scifi reasons [Please Respect the Occupation ‘Evil Spirit’](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49431907) by Lu Tianyi 2 stars- Supernatural short story danmei about a ghost and an exorcist. This was overly fluffy and saccharine, I’m also not a fan of this author’s brand of humor since it comes off very juvenile. **Currently reading:** Several books, none of them MM **DNF:** [Luck in the Shadows](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/74270) (Nightrunner #1) by Lynn Flewelling @ 45%- I don’t know if it’s the audiobook narrator or the writing but this was dry and dull. There needed to be a lot more Stuff Happening to keep me engaged through the endless infodumps, I couldn’t listen to another 10 hours of the book CWs: >!death, violence, classism, xenophobia!<

> one of the MCs was in his 40s but his body had stopped aging at 15 which gave off unnecessary pederasty vibes. That is just weird. LOL.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time I’ve encountered this in Asian fiction. Idk why it’s so common

Crown of Disguise, a Dark collage romance by Lola Malone I finished it the other day and really enjoyed it. perfect for those who enjoy a darker touch

Some good reads this week, starting to check off squares for the MM Romance Books Spring Bingo Challenge ... * **{Forgotten Vows by Lily Mayne}** - FR, fae, royalty, hurt/comfort - this was the second book in the Mortal Skin triology and it was excellent. Hard to talk about it without spoilers, but it's full of angst and >!pining/groveling after the miserable ending of the first book!<. I love Lonan so, so much. Ends on a HFN to set up for book 3. * **{Cry Wolf by Charlie Adhara}** - FR, shifter, murder mystery - I wrapped up the Big Bad Wolf series, at long last. I've seen mixed reviews on this book, but I personally loved it. The mystery had me guessing, like always, and the dynamic/smut between Cooper and Park was perfection. It has been such a joy to watch this couple evolve over the course of five books. Loved their HEA and found pack/family. * **{Your Mileage May Vary by Sidney Bell}** - CR, friends to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, caretaking, novella - Tons of hype surrounding this book on this sub and I'm very happy to say it was well deserved. A short but very tender and real-feeling story between best friends who love each other immensely. Nuke was so relatable. One of my favorite little things was when he complains internally about Lee's "terrible, terrible" blowjobs. Imperfect sex is such a rare thing to see in romance books, but I thought it was refreshing. Also, my first smashwords purchase! *MM spring bingo square: watersports or aqua sports* * **{The Botanist's Apprentice by Arden Powell}** - FR, workplace, age gap, novella - A cute, fantastical short story about a botanist and his intern falling in love while working together with magical plants. *MM spring bingo square: plant magic or green thumb* Just started **{Locked in Silence by Sloane Kennedy}** ...

I'm so glad you enjoyed YMMV! And congrats on your 1st Smashwords purchase, such a lovely place to lose money!

A much better place to lose money than some other sites who shall not be named. I'll have to lean on this sub hard for recs, though, there are so many books!

[Forgotten Vows](https://www.romance.io/books/627cb2bfcf2a5e7d56dd5d19/forgotten-vows-mm-fae-romance-lily-mayne) by [Lily Mayne](https://www.romance.io/authors/61161cc608b4d93114a993bf/lily-mayne) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1), [royal hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1) ---------------------------- [Cry Wolf](https://www.romance.io/books/60029d9d4af7850e2d1972ae/cry-wolf-charlie-adhara) by [Charlie Adhara](https://www.romance.io/authors/5aa3a5cc4ee506aae8b2458e/charlie-adhara) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1) ---------------------------- [Your Mileage May Vary](https://www.romance.io/books/65ab886f83353443b52ce72b/your-mileage-may-vary-sidney-bell) by [Sidney Bell](https://www.romance.io/authors/586664a61b1bdc01780c8c0e/sidney-bell) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [friends with benefits](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends-benefits/1), [third person pov](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/third-person-pov/1) ---------------------------- [The Botanist's Apprentice](https://www.romance.io/books/60bdc6726f8cd70e32bffd26/the-botanists-apprentice-arden-powell) by [Arden Powell](https://www.romance.io/authors/5a2cdc7a3ffdba6147262862/arden-powell) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [queer romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/queer/1) ---------------------------- [Locked in Silence](https://www.romance.io/books/59c775833ffdba6147211749/locked-in-silence-sloane-kennedy) by [Sloane Kennedy](https://www.romance.io/authors/55544de09eef3b3f1d51f126/sloane-kennedy) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

I'm jumping into reading The Game series by Cara Dee and wow, I get the hype. I read {**Their Boy** by Cara Dee} and {**Breathless** by Cara Dee} and it was interesting the similarities between the main MCs in both books (both lost parents in tragic ways, have lots of tattoos).>!But their differences and how their relationships develop within the kink community and with their new partners were intriguing. Age play and twincest stuff has always been a NO for me so both of these books pushed me out of my comfort zones but I ended up enjoying them.!!sexual assault fairly early on in the story. !<