beatha_82's reviews
153 reviews

Anson's Awakening: An M/M Christmas Daddy Romance by Anna Sparrows

hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This book was absolutely adorable, so sweet and festive and just pure sunshine. I love Christmas books where the characters are snowed in, it makes everything more fun and cozy. I also like it when two characters that have known each other for a while and have secret crushes finally admit their feelings. And I really really love reading about people discovering new things about themselves. This book had so many things I enjoy and the author wrote everything so beautifully.  I had a blast. I loved Anson's personality, I connected with him right away, and Drake was so cuddly and caring. I adored them together and their chemistry was chef's kiss. Their story gave me joy and put a smile on my face. I can see myself rereading this book every Christmas.
 

Gambler's Conceit by R. Phoenix, Adara Wolf

dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

5.0

This book had me hooked from chapter one. I couldn't stop reading it and I finished it in a day. It helped me escape and I really really needed it. I cared deeply for Seven and I connected immediately with him. I wanted to learn about his past and I wanted him to be safe and happy. Havoc was another favorite character, really well written and complex and he had redeeming qualities. It took me a while to warm up to Caleb and Vortex but I still found them interesting and I liked being in their pov. The four of them had an intriguing dynamic and I can't wait to see them explore it more in the next books. I really wish I had book two right now. I'm very invested in the story and I want more of these characters. It's a very dark book so please check the warnings before reading. I personally had an absolutely amazing time reading it, it was exactly the kind of book I needed right now.

 

Knox by Silvana Falcon

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

I really liked the premise of the book. Great idea and very well written. I can imagine reacting exactly like Adrian if my favorite fictional characters came to life. I liked how the author combined the fantasy elements with suspense and romance. Adrian was a very likeable protagonist, I felt for him and connected with him. It made me so happy that he found his happily ever after. The chemistry between Adrian and Knox was fantastic.
I hope we'll get more books in the series soon, all the side characters were very interesting and I'd love to read their stories and be back in this world.
The narrator was brilliant and really brought the story to life. Each voice was unique and perfect for the character. Very expressive and beautiful storytelling and great audio quality. 

Theirs by Mandy Muse

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I absolutely adored this book!! The dynamic and the chemistry between Genevieve, Luke and Camila was delicious. I just loved all of them so very much. First of all, I love reading about couples that work on the their relationship. Luke and Camila went to therapy together, were honest and tried to improve the communication between them and this made me root for them from chapter one. They loved each other so much that they were open to try new things and explore their desires. And that's how they met Genevieve. In the beginning she was their teacher and even though there was attraction and chemistry they took things slowly and were cautious.
It was easier for Luke and Camila to accept their feelings for Genevive but it wasn't so simple for her and it made sense and it was realistic. I felt for Genevieve, she was such a complex and beautiful character. I loved her and I wanted to hug her and reassure her. Her character growth was brilliant and I really really liked the moments she gave control to Camila. I just adored everything about this book. I want to read more from the author. I highly highly recommend it.

 

Pebble by Louisa Masters

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

What an amazing way to end this great series! I loved the ending. It was optimistic and inspiring, the perfect conclusion to the story.
George and Clay are my favorite couple. I love reading stories about friends that fall in love. I enjoy all the pining. Clay was so incredibly sweet, I wanted to hug him. I adored him and George together, they warmed my heart and put a smile on my face.
I had a blast reading all the books. The characters were wonderful and the plotline unique. I highly recommend the series. 

Winning the Dad by Nora Phoenix

hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

4.5

This was such a sweet book. I love reading stories about people in their forties and fifties finding love, it warms my heart. Jack and Sawyer had absolutely explosive chemistry and I loved how well they communicated. No secrets, no hiding and no games. This book made me happy. It was so hopeful and beautifully written and both main characters were wonderful people. I finished it in one sitting.
If you are in the mood for a heartwarming contemporary novella I highly recommend "winning the dad".

Just Like Christmas: A New Adult M/M Holiday Romance by Annabel den Dekker

hopeful

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

"Just like Christmas" is a new adult LGBTQ holilday romance. It's set in a small town and we follow Niall and Sam. The two of them used to be inseparable, best friends, but when they were 15 Niall started pushing Sam away with no explanation. Now, they are both college students and when they get trapped in a cabin right before Christmas they grow closer again.
This book deals a lot with grief and I found myself really connecting with Niall. I felt for him. I didn't agree with some of his actions but I understood him and I really really loved his character growth. The scenes where he finally talked with his mother and his brother were very emotional.
Sam was so patient and kind, full of sunshine. I loved that he never really gave up on Niall.
They were very sweet together, I was rooting for them. Their happy ending warmed my heart.
A wonderful romance with deep characters and beautiful writing. 

Zephyr by Louisa Masters

funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Another great addition to the series. I liked that a significant amount of time has passed since the previous book and we get to see some of the results of their efforts to save the planet. I really like the message of the book.
Zephyr and Storm were very sweet together. I would have liked a little bit more build up before they started dating. It was in character for Zephyr, but I personally enjoy the tension.
I'm so so excited for Goerge's book! 

Wrecked For The Holidays by Kerry Kilpatrick

funny hopeful relaxing fast-paced

4.0

"Wrecked for the holidays" is a sweet and festive contemporary romance. We follow Jakob who is a scientist and a genius and Reed who is an ER doctor. The two of them have a very unique meet cute when their cars crash. At the hospital, Reed discovers Jakob has never celebrated Christmas and decides to help him have a magical holiday. 

I had a great time reading this book, it was angst free, super sweet and fun. It put me in the mood for Christmas and just made me very very happy. 

I loved Jakob, he had a brilliant mind and at the same time was very innocent because of the way he grew up. Reed was wonderful, very patient and loving. The two of them were a perfect match and I loved seeing them explore their desires and their dynamic. They had amazing chemistry.

I finished it in a day, it was great and I would definitely recommend it. 

The Shade and His Thief by R. Phoenix, Adara Wolf

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

5.0

This is the third book in the series but it can be read as a standalone, all the important things you need to know from the first books are explained. In this book we follow Myth, a thief and Callan, a shade.
I loved Myth, he was a great protagonist and very relatable, I felt for him and I connected with him right away. Callan was a very unique character, I found him intriguing and I wanted to know more about him since book 2. I liked learning about his past and how he became a shade.
The chemistry between Callan and Myth was incredible and their dynamic was chef's kiss.
The pacing of the book was great and I really enjoyed the action scenes and the twists. I was hooked and found the ending very satisfying.
The world building was also really well done and I loved learning more about the magic system.
I listened the book and at the same time read the paperback and it's my favorite way to read. I had an absolutely amazing time, the narrator brought the story to life and I enjoyed every minute. It was really incredible.