REVIEW: SANTINO HASSELL ✮ DOWN BY CONTACT

DOWN BY CONTACT

The Barons #2

by

SANTINO HASSELL

✮✮✮ 4.5 STARS ✮✮✮

Two rival football players begin a game with higher stakes than the Super Bowl in this steamy romance from the author of Illegal Contact. 

Simeon Boudreaux, the New York Barons’ golden-armed quarterback, is blessed with irresistible New Orleans charm and a face to melt your mama’s heart. He’s universally adored by fans and the media. Coming out as gay in solidarity with his teammate hasn’t harmed his reputation in the least—except for some social media taunting from rival linebacker Adrián Bravo.

Though they were once teammates, Adrián views Simeon as a traitor and the number-one name on the New Jersey Predators’ shit list. When animosity between the two NFL players reaches a boiling point on the field, culminating in a dirty fist fight, they’re both benched for six games and sentenced to joint community service teaching sullen, Brooklyn teens how to play ball.

At first, they can barely stand to be in the same room, but running the camp forces them to shape up. With no choice but to work together, Simeon realizes Adrián is more than his alpha-jerk persona, and Adrián begins to question why he’s always had such strong feelings for the gorgeous QB…

Homophobia is vile, there is no whitewashing it. It attacks a person's choice of who they love and that in itself is evil. Most of the MM books make it a theme one way or another but Santino Hassell  always puts his own stamp on it. Just take the setting of the book: two players in one of the most hypermasculine sports and let them butt heads on a football field.

On one side there is Adrián Bravo, who slams homophobic comments towards Simeon Boudreaux, who is the guy playing for the other team, in more than one sense - Simeon is Adrian's rival on the football field. After an altercation between the former-friends-turned-enemies that turned violent they are forced together, working at a Community Center for the length of their suspension.

Simeon is out and proud and completely unapologetic about his sexuality. His charm and easy-going, laid-back manners make him a favorite of the press, and me. Simeon is kind, affectionate and totally lovable. He's also very observant and calls Adrián out when he messes up but that mostly comes from a good place. I fell in love with him in the first book in this series and nothing has changed. Especially thesweet affectionate little gestures which he bestowed on Adrián made me break out in a smile repeatedly. He is an endearing, sweet character with his heart in the right place.

“I need you to tell me I won’t ruin your career by being in your life. Because no matter how hard I try to be discreet, I know somehow . . . I’ll screw it up. ’Cause that’s me, boo. I’m a mess. A loveable mess, but still a goddamn mess.”

Adrián seems shallow in the beginning. His behavior toward Simeon is more the one of a grade school boy pulling pigtails, seemingly unrepentant about his actions. It takes a while until he can admit to himself where his hostility towards Simeon stems from and until then he acts a lot like a brat.

From the moment he has his come-to-Jesus-moment Adrián pulls out all the stops to make it up to Simeon. I loved how he fought for their relationship, how once he realized that he was falling in love he was all in. Adrián is a complex character, adorkable, hilarious, with a too-smart-for-his-own-good mouth, but his devil-may-care attitude is only for show. Underneath there is an insecurity, a vulnerability and a sensitive soul that surfaces the more time he spends with Simeon.

Simeon touched my hand, fingers so tentative and so light it broke my heart. He shouldn’t be afraid to touch me.

I adored them together. They are playful, cheeky, their dynamic is sizzling and totally engrossing because both of them are dominant characters but with Simeon being the more relaxed one of the duo they find common ground. He lets Adrián set the pace of their developing relationship. When they get dirty it's downright combustible, their chemistry is insane.

That Santino Hassell chose people of color doesn't go unappreciated. It's s rare to find in MF books, even less in MM. The way the two main characters talk feels entirely natural, authentic, which made their interaction even better. The dialogues are full of wit and banter and their exchanges made the book lighter than I thought it would be.

“Motherfucker, I do not have no small dick.”

“If you say so, partner. No judgment here in the land of seven inches.”

“And ain’t no need to front over here in the land of eight.”

Adrián leaned farther across the table. “Wanna check?”

This enemy-to-lovers story is powerful, has enough grit to make it not too sweet and has an important message. The writing is top-notch, gripping and keeps you invested in Adrian and Simeon's journey. Santino Hassell is quickly becoming a favorite. I am super curious who the next book will be about. I'll definitely pick it up!

REVIEW: RONI LOREN ✮ THE ONES WHO GOT AWAY

THE ONES WHO GOT AWAY

The Ones Who Got Away #1

by

RONI LOREN

✮✮✮ 4 STARS ✮✮✮

Liv's words cut off as Finn got closer. The man approaching was nothing like the boy she'd known. The bulky football muscles had streamlined into a harder, leaner package and the look in his deep green eyes held no trace of boyish innocence.

It's been twelve years since tragedy struck the senior class of Long Acre High School. Only a few students survived that fateful night—a group the media dubbed The Ones Who Got Away.

Liv Arias thought she'd never return to Long Acre—until a documentary brings her and the other survivors back home. Suddenly her old flame, Finn Dorsey, is closer than ever, and their attraction is still white-hot. When a searing kiss reignites their passion, Liv realizes this rough-around-the-edges cop might be exactly what she needs...

Doesn't this blurb sound like a super angsty story? Yeah? Wanna know if it was? Read on!

I'll tell you right away, this is my first Roni Loren book, another one of those authors I have been meaning to read but never gotten around until The Who Got Away. It was the blurb that I found so intriguing that I wanted to jump in and give this author a chance. Not regretting it. Nope. So let me tell you a little bit about it. 

Olivia is one of the survivors of a vicious attack against high school kids on their prom. Not all of the teenagers, who lived to tell the story, processed what happened completely and moved on. Both Liv and Finn live with hangups from that night that cripples their quality of life in some way, both of them fear something. 

It’s like it’s all just sitting there, waiting to remind me how we can never really escape it. How the ones who got away never really get away.

Finn left a deep scar when his actions endangered Olivia, his then-girlfriend and dirty secret. When they meet again twelve years after the tragedy that changed all of their lives there is a little bit of resentment on Liv's behalf left.They work pretty fast through that which I appreciated. 

Liv is a woman who forgot, who she used to be. With the help of her friends and Finn she ventures on a journey of re-discovering her own self under the armor she built around herself. She does so with courage and resilience, is genuine, funny and gives it to you straight. When she faced her fears, moved past them I felt pride for her. After all she'd been through she still had spunk left in her and it came out exactly at the right time. In the end Liv honored the victims of the tragedy and it was respectful, sweet and touching. 

Finn...ah...what a wonderful man. He is sweet, sensual, through and through decent and so, so guilt-ridden. He left his hometown as a hero, having saved one of his friends during the shooting but he never felt like one. Now he is on a mission to rid the world of everything that's evil and of course he does at the expense of his own happiness and that of Liv. I thought he was a little bit I think he got a little too stuck in his guilt and towards the end I was a leeeettle peeved at him. Good thing he made it up to Olivia.

For the first time, it hit her that Finn was going through this, too. 

The rekindling of their relationship is beautiful. They both think they don't have the capacity for more than a casual relationship but their connection is strong, intense and undeniable, the feelings they have for one another so obvious. A connection like that doesn't just break, no matter how much time passes, and Finn and Olivia never got over each other. 

She’d been pretty in high school. Quirky cool. But now she was just flat-out beautiful. And successful. And hella smart. And off-fucking-limits.

Both of them have a playful side and lots of humor which contributed to this story being a lot less angsty than I thought it would be. As heart-breaking some parts are it's generally an uplifting story about friendship and healing.

Liv's friends, a group of women who formed a bond after the tragedy, are phenomenal. Especially Kincaid is best-friend-material. I hope Roni Loren writes a book about her. I was so on the fence about Rebecca in the beginning, I expected drama and ugly scenes but she turned out to be amazing, a wonderful friend to both Finn and Liv. 

I see at least three more books in the future of this series. The Ones Who Got Away was a well-written, captivating introduction to this series and for me to Roni Loren's stories. I enjoyed it immensely, it had passion, romance, an intriguing story line and characters you cheer on and want to be friends with. I realized that Rebecca's story will be next and guess who's going to read that one? Yeah. That would be me!

Broken glass still made art. Sometimes, the most beautiful kind.

4.5 STARS ✮ CHARLEE JAMES ✮ THE BOOKWORM AND THE BEAST

THE BOOKWORM AND

THE BEAST

by

Charlee James

✮✮✮ 4.5 STARS ✮✮✮

When quiet, bookish Izzy Simon accepts a two-week assignment as an assistant for an author of children’s books, it seems like the perfect way for her to make some much-needed extra money, but the grumpy author claims he doesn’t want or need her services. He might be as handsome as a storybook prince, but his prickly personality and resistance to all things Christmas are sure to make for a chilly holiday season.

Derek Croft never agreed to the cheery temp his staff arranges for him while they’re on vacation. Izzy is his polar opposite, but Derek soon realizes she could be the perfect solution to his interfering family…if he can get her to agree to pretend to be his live-in girlfriend. Before long Izzy’s sweet disposition and unflappable optimism has him decorating a tree and looking forward to late night hot cocoa, but he’s all too aware their time together can’t last.

I love a fairytale retelling. They’re a guilty pleasure and this was pretty much all I could have wished for as Charlee James has created a story filled with Christmas sparkle, romance and feeling.

A worm and a porcupine. We make quite a pair.”

I fell head over heels for these characters within pages. From the moment sweet, stubborn librarian Izzy knocks on reclusive author Derek’s door having being employed by his meddling staff as his temporary PA over the holidays, I was hooked. And it’s no secret that a brooding arse of a man, and one who loves his dog at that, can render me a puddle on the floor. 

People weren’t always what they seemed, including the ones you loved most.”

Characters like Derek are proof that I don’t need my literary men to be a brute in the bedroom to steal my heart because he stole mine without displaying an ab or an appendage: it was his brain, his words and his actions which totally stole my heart. And when you mix that with a heroine who brings fun, fight and light, then you won’t go far wrong with me. 

I’m not ready for this to be over.”

This would have been a solid 5 for me had the ending not felt rushed, but nevertheless, Charlee James has created an enchanting modern day fairytale perfect for this time of year. And with a lovely writing style, I can’t wait to read more from her in the future. 

Happily-ever-afters certainly existed.”

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4 STARS ✮ KATIE REUS ✮ TEMPTING DANGER

TEMPTING DANGER

Retribution #2

by

Katie Reus

✮✮✮ 4 STARS ✮✮✮

 

Alena Brennan’s relationship with Andre Makarov is… complicated. The casino magnate was a means to an end. Nothing more. At least that was what she tried to tell herself. Then she fell for him. Hard. But he kicked her out of his life when he discovered her lies.

Now she’s pregnant with his baby.

Andre understands why Alena wanted revenge. His father took everything from her, leaving her an orphan at a young age. But Andre still had to cut her out of his life. Now that his father is dead, she’s safe. He should just move on. But when he learns she’s carrying his child, all pretense is gone—he’ll protect Alena whether she likes it or not. She may kick up a fuss, but Andre knows the gorgeous model with a party-girl rep attracts attention…including the dangerous sort.

Length: novella

Author note: Alena and Andre were introduced in the book Retribution but this can be read as a stand-alone.

If you’re after a bit of a quickie then Tempting Danger hits the spot. And, whilst an accompanying novella to Retribution—the first in the series of the same name—it can be read on its own, although I have plans in place to rectify this situation and very soon. 

He’d completely fallen for this woman. This beautiful little liar. And now she was carrying his baby.” 

Whilst not the first book I’ve read by Katie Reus, it is the first novella and the lady can write one. Andre and Alena’s story was tight, and considering their history and what was involved, never once did I feel lost or confused. Far from it and I was invested in them from the get go. 

...that chemistry was never going to fade.” 

With strong endearing characters, sizzling sexy-time and plenty of tender moments, Tempting Danger makes it a hat-trick of Katie Reus reads for me and she’s firmly cemented herself onto my autoread list.

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4 STARS ✮ NINA CROFT ✮ THE BAD GIRL AND THE BABY

THE BAD GIRL AND THE BABY

Cutting Loose #3

by

Nina Croft

✮✮✮ 4 STARS ✮✮✮

Captain Matt Peterson prides himself on being able to handle anything...until he winds up as the guardian of his baby niece, Lulu. Two years and six nannies later, his well-ordered existence is in chaos. Still, he’s all Lulu has. Except, well...there is an aunt...

Darcy Butler has spent the last three years in prison for beating up her abusive brother-in-law. Her only regret is that she didn’t hurt him worse and stop him from killing her sister in a drunken car crash six months later. But now, Darcy just wants to rebuild her life. Starting with finding her sister’s child.

But Matt doesn't want an ex-con with a record for violence anywhere near Lulu. Unfortunately, he can’t seem to keep away from Darcy, himself. Despite their differences, their chemistry is combustible...and the sex is incredible! Still, it can’t possibly last. Can it?

The last in Nina Croft’s Cutting Loose series is the one I’ve been anticipating the most and, having spent time at her majesty’s pleasure thanks to her potential suitor’s brother, I was intrigued how Darcy’s path to a HEA would play out. 

You like the rules. I like breaking them.”

As I’ve come to expect when I pick up a book by Nina Croft, she’s somewhat turned stereotype on it’s head, bringing us a tattooed, kick-arse, MMA fighting heroine who should never have served time, and a straight-laced, law-abiding military captain who has found himself single parenting his toddler niece..who also happens to be Darcy’s niece. And whilst he isn’t overly happy at the fact she wants to be a part of her only surviving relatives life, there’s something about this feisty, stubborn woman that has him drawn like a moth to a flame. 

I want a bad girl. I want a bad girl who’s as desperate for me as I am for her. Who wants this as much as I do.”

Opposites attract, redemption and revelations all play their part in Darcy and Matt’s journey and whilst there’s some build up to the sexy-time, it’s worth it as in Croft-style it’s hot and heartfelt with a nice splash of humour. My only real grumble is that it didn’t feel particularly British which was a bit of a shame—I may be being picky being a Brit—but that aside Matt and Darcy ended the series on a high. 

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