caffeinatedcrystal's reviews
94 reviews

Wild at Heart by Riley Hart, Christina Lee

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emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

WILD AT HEART is Porter & Sully's love affair. When casual starts having feelings, missed communication  happens, and then eleven years go by... you're left with an angsty mess of first love and the right place/wrong time. 

Porter is mad at everything in the entire world. Honestly, even though he is a mad sad boy, he spends a majority of the  book being a complete d*ck. His one true love is horses, and Bishop Sullivan. 

Sully knows his future. It's taking over the family ranch when he needs to. He and Porter are a secret, and then suddenly Porter disappears and doesn't come back for 11 years. 

When he does, the plot starts plotting, and the steam starts steaming. Not only do we get Porter and Sully's  love story, we also get the adventures of the ranch and the other ranch hands. 

This was a great story, and I loved how soulmatey the two mcs were. They loved each other SO much, and I loved them so much. 

Great story, absolutely recommend!!!!
 
Tempest by Kiki Clark

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

πŸ’œπŸ§‘ I enjoyed being sucked back into the parahuman world & the Kincaid Pack Universe. 

Tempest takes place in Silver Oak, with the feline shifter pack there. Y'all, I adored this story. So many big feelings, and I just wanted so badly for  the two mcs to be happy! 

Cash is a proud Enforcer for the Silver Oak Pack. He loves them all so much and just wants to protect. He has tons of issues, but he's so endearingly sweet. Sent out to the boarder to check for a breach he finds an exhausted eagle shifter. 

Since this is a fated mates story, you know what happens. And it DID. And it was GLORIOUS. 

Ore crash lands into the Silver Oak Pack, unknowingly setting off a series of events and unlocking a mystery. All while finding his fated. *squeals!* 

I loved Cash and Ore together. I loved their miserable pining. I loved their angst. 

I also loved how the author writes an underlying plot that takes place throughout every book. The Kincaid Pack series had the [redacted] storyline, and the Silver Oak Pack has their own mystery too, that kickstarted in THE MOBSTER'S MATE. You don't wanna miss that one. 

TEMPEST will be perfect for you if you're looking to get lost in a shifter romance with: found family, pack & pack dynamics, size difference, amnesia trope lite, well written characters, and a book you just don't to put down. Not to mention pretty fire steamy scenes. 

I loved Tempest.
 I loved Cash and Ore.
 Loved the side characters.
 Loved seeing *redacted*!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Bad Habits by Brea AlepoΓΊ, Skyler Snow

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adventurous dark emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Finally, the unhinged mafia mc I've been waiting for.

Bad Habits was a WILD, ridiculous, and entertaining story filled with lots of obliviousness and passion.

Tony works for the Vitale brothers as a sort of bodyguard/second in command. He is super good at mafia stuff.

Caleb is the president of a group of deranged Robin Hood-esque bikers and thieves. They're committed to stealing from the rich/bad and distributing the cash to those in need.

On a job gone bad, Caleb gets wrapped up with Tony and the Vitale brothers. He is basically kidnapped and initiated into the mafia. Come to find out, after t*rture,  the mafia dudes learn that Caleb is a cousin of theirs - so now he is "one of them."

In a forced proximity/kidnapping kind of way, Caleb and Tony start a pretty serious enemies/frenimies/captor to lovers type situation. It would probably also help to know that Tony is bad at feelings and emotions and that Caleb is an oblivious dummy. Their HEA takes a while, but it gets there - their own version of HEA, anyway.

While the sex scenes are absolute πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯, Tony is an absolute maniac. He takes possessiveness to the maxxxxx and that is exactly what mafia mcs are supposed to do. It was epic.

This story is nothing but 🚩🚩🚩🚩, so you know I'm here for it. Obsession, toxicity, all of it. I'm here for it. Throw in the casual use of "daddy," and some pretty serious behind the scenes mafia stuff - this book is a certified banger.

There is also a book 2 , and the Vitale brothers have their own books as well, meaning you could really lose yourself in this universe if you were so inclined.

I already downloaded the next book LOL.
Great story. I absolutely recommend!


Teddy by Emmy Sanders

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emotional funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

TEDDY, the latest book in the Elite 8 Studios series was the perfect blend of sweet syrupy goodness and super hot with a little daddy thrown in. 

So you already know, I LOVED IT.

What starts as an accidental drunken Vegas wedding ends with the sweetest happily ever after.

Teddy and Kipp have known each other for a year. While Kipp is super here for it and flirty, Teddy keeps his distance. At a party thrown by the ever ridiculous and enigmatic Alex (Tink!), Teddy and Kipp are thrown into each other's orbit by chemistry, booze, a dildo crown, a drunken Vegas wedding, and then we get their story.

Teddy and Kipp both have baggage in their closet, and they've both been hurt before. I won't spoil that because it's a great part of the story. Needless to say, the plot is plotting in this one.

What I enjoyed most was the fact that these two are both SO INTO EACH OTHER, but they are both so terrified. To love, to communicate, to be open to heartache.

And yes, I loved the daddy aspect. It's done in such a beautiful way. It's not just a kink thrown in to draw readers in. Teddy is such a caretaker, and it just fits his personality so well.

If you're looking for a sweet and spicy romance with p*rnstars, daddy kink *no ageplay*, found family, impact play, bad communication until it's AMAZING communication, dildo crowns and drunken Vegas weddings - look no further! And don't worry, this story is 100% banana free.

I also very much recommend this entire series. Who doesn't love sex workers falling in love and finding their ones? This series is so good, and Teddy (& Kipp) is a brilliant edition to the series.
The Steady by Kelly Fox

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emotional funny inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

My god, I am a weepy mess. This was a masterpiece.

Romantic? YES.
Devastating? YES.
Perfect? YES.

This series has been absolutely lovely. I've cried buckets in every story, but I knew this one would gut me. And it DID. It was perfect.

There was so much humor *thanks, Mr. Paige* and navigating grief and guilt. How do you move on? How do you love again?

Ren and Major were EVERYTHING. 

Ren, the widower, finds comfort in & with Major after his beloved husband's death. Major, the caretaker and teddy bear of a human, just wants to help. Yes, there's attraction, but they've set good boundaries. It's all good.

Well, feelings happen.

This story takes place over more than a year. And there's time jumps too. We see the full scope of grieving a tremendous loss and new budding love. It's as angsty and steamy as you think it will be.

Favorite moments include:
❀️ the cardinal
❀️ the scene with Ren at the therapist office
❀️ jam notes
❀️ Hikaru! He stole the show with jiji
❀️ the scene at the H Mart & H E B 😭😭😭

There was one particular scene when Ren went to sleep on Robert's side of the bed... I won't go into details to avoid spoilers, but I absolutely lost it. Like, nasty ugly crying. It was so real.

I loved this series so much. Seguin and the Lost Boys really stole my heart. As much as I loved all their stories - Ren and Major were everything.

Kelly Fox, thanks for making me sob buckets on a Wednesday night. Ren and Major were everything I wanted them to be and more. ❀️❀️❀️

Don't sleep on this amazing series. It's great!
Forgiveness by Aja Foxx

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

So this is a shifter and an mc story,  but not really. The main focus is Bug and his relationship with Bear.

Bug is one of those rare characters that captured my immediate attention. I knew he'd be interesting and that he'd have one hell of a backstory. I wasn't wrong.

Bug is homeless and lives on the street. He has for years after surviving [redacted]. Bug rescues Bear, a bear shifter, from a pipe weiding bad man. Dismissing Bug entirely as crazy, Bug is determined to protect Bear.

What follows is a lot of violence and bad men running around causing mayhem. When Bear realizes Bug is his mate, things move even faster.

I wish this story was longer. I loved Bug.

This was a super original story with a well written mc. The plot really grows as the stories go on. This book is Bug and Bear's story, but the other shifters will get their mates, too, in follow-up books.

I love this story and have reread it many times. 
Painful Love by T. Ashleigh, Addison Beck

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adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Let me tell you again, don't sleep on this series!! Book one sat in my Kindle for AWHILE, and I regret not reading it sooner.

PAINFUL LOVE is Bunky and Whaley's story, and woowee is it a doozy. It's everything I love in a mafia story, but instead of mafia, it's a gang.

Whaley is the leader of the Kings of Aces. He has a "demon" inside of him, which is really a LOT of unresolved trauma. Throw in a lot of self criticizing and pressure, and he tries everything to keep Bunky at arms length. He knows that once he gives in to Bunky, there will be nothing else.

 Bunky is introduced in book one as one of Silas' friends. He's happy-go-lucky, in the unhinged way. His own past trauma lets him be the stabby kind of crazy. He has episodes, and he is OBSESSED with Whaley.

These two are toxic and codependent.
They both need a lot of therapy.
They are unhinged in the best of ways.
I love it.

This book is not light, nor is it lighthearted. There are seriously dark themes, and two men who are trying to find a little happiness together.

Red flags galore. There's also some pretty serious gore, too. If you're looking for a notsweet, unhinged romance with blo*dplay and pain kink, look no further.

With as dark as it was, Bunky and Whaley were made for each other. I loved the scenes with them together. I loved getting their back stories. I'm looking forward to Raid's book too.

These two had me laughing and crying. All I will say is thank goodness Donna was there too. She is an awesome side character.
Hateful Love by T. Ashleigh, Addison Beck

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dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Wow. What an AMAZING story πŸ’™πŸ’™πŸ’™πŸ’™

HATEFUL LOVE is a bad boy/jock story. It's an enemies to lovers story. It's love from the other side of the tracks. It's "Whatever souls are made of, his and mine are the same." It's a story about loyalty and family. It's overcoming obstacles and rising from your circumstances. It's a brilliant love story.

Silas and Blaine were electric.

The authors knocked it out of the park. Silas and Blaine had so much chemistry. The fine line between love and hate blurred like crazy until one would do ANYTHING for the other.

This was over 400 pages of feelings.

The authors do a great job of painting the picture of  exactly what kind of lives the two mcs are supposed to be living. Both are set on specific courses, but circumstances change, and seeing these two navigate what that looks like is EVERYTHING.

Silas is set on becoming an Ace when he graduates. His father and brother were both Aces, and Whaley, the leader, is like a second father to him. Silas may dream of something more, but he knows his duty and will do what he needs to for his family.

Blaine is the perfect jock bro/son/community leader. Drowning under his father's expectations and the idea that he has to be everything for everyone, Blaine starts having panic attacks and dreams of getting out and going to Yale.

When these two collide, it is a hate-fuck-buddy situation. Sooner than they realize, feelings start happening.

The necklaces.
The rings.
The Sheriff.
Whaley!
Their spot.
The roleplay.
"My boyfriend is a sex maniac."
The obsession.
The possessiveness.
The sacrifice.
The jail cell.
The talk at the shop.

It's everything.

One of my favorite scenes is when Blaine shows up at the shop, crying, and Silas REACTS. And what Whaley says. And the whole scene. It's perfection.

Their entire worlds revolve around the other.

These two are absolutely beautiful. I loved this story.

The next story is BUCKY AND WHALEY.
Are you serious?! I'm starting this immediately.

Don't let this story idle on your tbr.
It's amazing.

If you're looking for a book with vibes similar to STUPID DIRTY or GARRON PARK - this is it. Absolutely recommend.

Midnight by April Jade

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dark emotional funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

I just finished MIDNIGHT, and it was amazing!

Absolutely unhinged and over the top.
Everything I love in a mafia romance.
Instalove/lust with stalking.

🚩🚩🚩 wave those red flags, buddy! Love it.

Midnight is the hacker alias for SILAS. Silas works for Ben (from book one) in his mafia capacity. Silas has been stalking his daddy Elijah for 2 years. Elijah has no idea.

Elijah is an assassin who works for Ben. On assignment, he meets Silas, and the instalove/lust begins.

I'm seriously here for it.

These two were uber possessive and unhinged in the best ways. Silas has anxiety (for reasons!) and has some form of psychopathy. His daddy, Elijah, is the only one who can really get through to him.

If you're looking for an over the top mafia romance filled with daddy *no ageplay*, stalking, blo*dplay, some serious unaliving, plotty plot, and some pretty πŸ”₯ sexy scenes - look no further.

I loved this book!

I enjoyed MAD LOVE and WILD HEART a lot, but MIDNIGHT has been my favorite. I'm telling you, I love them the more unhinged they are.
Wild Heart by April Jade

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dark emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Book 2 in the Dangerous Daddies series is Marcos and Ivan. Marcos was Toby's friend in dance class (from book one), and Ivan was Toby's bodyguard.

When Toby was [redacted] in book one, Ivan was injured, and Marcos went feral. This kicked off their romance.

Again, we are hit with instalust/love. I am always okay with this trope in a mafia story.

Marcos has a gut-wrenching backstory. Bless his heart. Ivan is completely enraptured by "his sun" - these two are violently possessive of each other and bloodthirsty to boot.

THIS is what I was talking about when I demand UNHINGED mafia bros. Terrifying obsession and violent possession. 

I'm HERE FOR IT.

WILD HEART gives us a new baddie to worry about. So, the plot is constantly plotting. The steamy scenes were πŸ”₯ and again, the obsession was perfection.

Absolutely recommend if you're in the mood for a Daddy story with no ageplay, violence, plotty backstories, and unhinged mafia love. ❀️❀️❀️

I have already downloaded MIDNIGHT the hacker story.