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caffeinatedcrystal's reviews
94 reviews
Mad Love by April Jade
I didn't realize I had already read this until a few pages in, but I'm so glad I reread it!
MAD LOVE is a Daddy *no age play* mafia adjacent story. Maybe not so adjacent. But the mafia aspect isn't the main focus of the story.
Toby is not loving his life. He is surviving, barely. Choosing to fall asleep in a gym locker room and waking up to a giant scary madman wasn't on his bingo card.
Ben is the mafia man/ceo/ eventual daddy. He feels an instant connection to Toby but has zero ability to express said emotions.
After basically kidnapping Toby, Ben realizes Toby NEEDS help. He has untreated lupus and is generally in a bad way.
Is this instalust / instalove?
Yes.
But who cares.
These two mcs have chemistry and plenty of backstory to spare between them.
I love a feral mafia king.
I love an UNHINGED *you're mine*
And honestly, there just aren't enough daddy stories without age play. It's a whole vibe.
Loved this one, and I absolutely recommend it. I'll be reading book 2, WILD HEART, tomorrow.
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I didn't realize I had already read this until a few pages in, but I'm so glad I reread it!
MAD LOVE is a Daddy *no age play* mafia adjacent story. Maybe not so adjacent. But the mafia aspect isn't the main focus of the story.
Toby is not loving his life. He is surviving, barely. Choosing to fall asleep in a gym locker room and waking up to a giant scary madman wasn't on his bingo card.
Ben is the mafia man/ceo/ eventual daddy. He feels an instant connection to Toby but has zero ability to express said emotions.
After basically kidnapping Toby, Ben realizes Toby NEEDS help. He has untreated lupus and is generally in a bad way.
Is this instalust / instalove?
Yes.
But who cares.
These two mcs have chemistry and plenty of backstory to spare between them.
I love a feral mafia king.
I love an UNHINGED *you're mine*
And honestly, there just aren't enough daddy stories without age play. It's a whole vibe.
Loved this one, and I absolutely recommend it. I'll be reading book 2, WILD HEART, tomorrow.
His Princess by M.D. Gregory, Ki Brightly
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
🫣💕🫠💕🫣💕🫠💕
I have passed away.
His Princess was EVERYTHING I WANTED. A bit dark, "my wife," feminization, d u bcon *light in the beginning due to coercion*, dirty talk, big feelings, "daddy," and SERIOUSLY sizzling times.
This one is not for the lighthearted romance reader. HIS PRINCESS was absolutely dark and ridiculously perfect. You can't read it on the 'zon, but it is worth the $4.99 on smashwords.
Honestly, I rarely blush while reading, but this one had me blushing like crazy!
Colt's wife leaves him, good riddance. But the son she left behind, college student Quin, would make a great replacement wife. What follows is WILD and ridiculously smutty.
What I left unsaid: Colt is a criminal. Quin is a brat in the beginning. Colt is a dirty man, super alpha. Big red flags if he were actually real. Quin is a lot more gender flexible than he realized at the beginning of the story.
These two mcs were made for each other, Quin just needed time to see it. Even at the start, Quin was reluctantly into the role play.
Bethany, the wife, was a real piece of work.
I'm so glad this was recommended to me. The world needs more good daddy stories.
Absolutely recommend this one. 10/10
Again, not for the light romance reader. Seriously NSFW.
I have passed away.
His Princess was EVERYTHING I WANTED. A bit dark, "my wife," feminization, d u bcon *light in the beginning due to coercion*, dirty talk, big feelings, "daddy," and SERIOUSLY sizzling times.
This one is not for the lighthearted romance reader. HIS PRINCESS was absolutely dark and ridiculously perfect. You can't read it on the 'zon, but it is worth the $4.99 on smashwords.
Honestly, I rarely blush while reading, but this one had me blushing like crazy!
Colt's wife leaves him, good riddance. But the son she left behind, college student Quin, would make a great replacement wife. What follows is WILD and ridiculously smutty.
What I left unsaid: Colt is a criminal. Quin is a brat in the beginning. Colt is a dirty man, super alpha. Big red flags if he were actually real. Quin is a lot more gender flexible than he realized at the beginning of the story.
These two mcs were made for each other, Quin just needed time to see it. Even at the start, Quin was reluctantly into the role play.
Bethany, the wife, was a real piece of work.
I'm so glad this was recommended to me. The world needs more good daddy stories.
Absolutely recommend this one. 10/10
Again, not for the light romance reader. Seriously NSFW.
Sleet Princess by S.J. Tilly
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I'm so sad the Sleet Series is over. I laughed so hard I almost died and then cried even harder the closer I got to the end.
SLEET PRINCESS was AMAZING.
Luke and Natalie were everything. Messy and fun. Chaotic and sweet. Steamy and super steamy.
After a lusty meet cute during a destination wedding, Luke and Natalie find what they're looking for in each other. What follows is romantic and comedy gold. That scene in the locker room - oh my god.
We also get:
🩷 WIFE!!!!!!!!
🩷 if you've ever been personally affected by Blizz the Yeti, please raise your hand.
🩷 the cameos from the SIN series!
🩷 big moments in conference rooms
🩷 group chat shenanigans.
🩷 a series epilouge that made me cry so hard
Luke is every bit the jock male mc I could have hoped for. Secretly a cinnamon roll, a horn dog, and a devout follower of his Princess. We LOVE a devoted king.
Natalie was the sweet corporate heiress business lady with attitude and charm. She was bad ass and as swept away by Luke as we all are. The scenes with the other female mcs from the series were so good.
If you're looking for size difference, a sharp dressing plus size fmc, a hot tatted hockey mc, ice rink hijinx, SHENANIGANS, an accidental wedding in Las Vegas, and some surprise 🔥🫣🫠spicy times, look no further.
I seriously can't recommend this series enough. SJTilly writes hetero romance to perfection, and if you love hockey dudes, this is IT.
Seriously, I love these books.
The Sleet series
The Sin series
The Alliance series
I've been saving the Darling duet for a rainy day, and I see it on the horizon soon!
SLEET PRINCESS was AMAZING.
Luke and Natalie were everything. Messy and fun. Chaotic and sweet. Steamy and super steamy.
After a lusty meet cute during a destination wedding, Luke and Natalie find what they're looking for in each other. What follows is romantic and comedy gold. That scene in the locker room - oh my god.
We also get:
🩷 WIFE!!!!!!!!
🩷 if you've ever been personally affected by Blizz the Yeti, please raise your hand.
🩷 the cameos from the SIN series!
🩷 big moments in conference rooms
🩷 group chat shenanigans.
🩷 a series epilouge that made me cry so hard
Luke is every bit the jock male mc I could have hoped for. Secretly a cinnamon roll, a horn dog, and a devout follower of his Princess. We LOVE a devoted king.
Natalie was the sweet corporate heiress business lady with attitude and charm. She was bad ass and as swept away by Luke as we all are. The scenes with the other female mcs from the series were so good.
If you're looking for size difference, a sharp dressing plus size fmc, a hot tatted hockey mc, ice rink hijinx, SHENANIGANS, an accidental wedding in Las Vegas, and some surprise 🔥🫣🫠spicy times, look no further.
I seriously can't recommend this series enough. SJTilly writes hetero romance to perfection, and if you love hockey dudes, this is IT.
Seriously, I love these books.
The Sleet series
The Sin series
The Alliance series
I've been saving the Darling duet for a rainy day, and I see it on the horizon soon!
Lights, Camera, Passion! by Isabel Lucero
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
LIGHTS CAMERA PASSION was a fantastic romance! Isabel Lucero knows how to write a story, and these characters drew me in immediately. 350 pages went by in a blink!
Jacoby Hart and Roman Black are cast in a popular queer book to movie adaptation. The pressure is on, and they are both desperate to do a good job. They both think the other hates them, and sometimes they do, but the chemistry is there too.
This was a feel-good story that left me cheering on Roman and Jacoby. Both scared of coming out because of their careers, their romance was full of missteps and miscommunication.
I really loved how ACTING was a big part of the story. Who they were behind closed doors, and on screen - especially their chemistry.
This book had a few sex scenes, but this story was mainly focused on Rome and Jacoby's romance. Which was a perfect way to tell their love story.
I loved the side characters. Jess reminded me of Anna Kendrick when she was in Twilight. She left me laughing quite a bit.
I DO feel like folks will think of RW&RB when reading this, and I hope that doesn't take away from the story. Jacoby and Roman aren't Alex and Henry.
I loved that this took place between two actors on a film set. We don't have enough romances between actors.
Again, I really enjoyed this story. Isabel did a wonderful job bringing these two characters to life. I hope they both won Oscars.
Jacoby Hart and Roman Black are cast in a popular queer book to movie adaptation. The pressure is on, and they are both desperate to do a good job. They both think the other hates them, and sometimes they do, but the chemistry is there too.
This was a feel-good story that left me cheering on Roman and Jacoby. Both scared of coming out because of their careers, their romance was full of missteps and miscommunication.
I really loved how ACTING was a big part of the story. Who they were behind closed doors, and on screen - especially their chemistry.
This book had a few sex scenes, but this story was mainly focused on Rome and Jacoby's romance. Which was a perfect way to tell their love story.
I loved the side characters. Jess reminded me of Anna Kendrick when she was in Twilight. She left me laughing quite a bit.
I DO feel like folks will think of RW&RB when reading this, and I hope that doesn't take away from the story. Jacoby and Roman aren't Alex and Henry.
I loved that this took place between two actors on a film set. We don't have enough romances between actors.
Again, I really enjoyed this story. Isabel did a wonderful job bringing these two characters to life. I hope they both won Oscars.
Red Flags & Tuesdays by Nordika Night
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Oh my god, this book was incredible. I'm not kidding. It was SO GOOD. Funny and weird, engaging, entertaining - the sex scenes were FIRE, and the heavy topics were handled to perfection.
Seriously. I adored both mcs. Reid and Atticus were amazingly written and well thought out characters. Their chemistry was off the charts. They shouldn't have worked, but they did!
I love seeing the cool guy fall first. I loved seeing Reid's intensity and devotion. His possessiveness was hot, and his persistence was exactly what Atticus needed.
Atticus was weird as hell. In all the ways someone is weird when they're being authentically themselves with no masking and unapologetic truth. He's a contradiction and a sweetheart with an adorable love of funerals and aversion to Tuesdays.
I don't want to give anything else away. There were so many epic moments and big scenes. There were moments where I was grinning like a lunatic, blushing like tomato, crying from the feels, and cheering one or both of the mcs on.
Reid and Atticus have their own baggage and issues that bring big plot to the story, I would have read this without their intense chemistry and sizzling heat.... but I'm seriously glad it was there. Their spicy scenes were top-tier. Trust me.
This book was wonderful.
I'll hear nothing but praise and raves about it.
Seriously. I adored both mcs. Reid and Atticus were amazingly written and well thought out characters. Their chemistry was off the charts. They shouldn't have worked, but they did!
I love seeing the cool guy fall first. I loved seeing Reid's intensity and devotion. His possessiveness was hot, and his persistence was exactly what Atticus needed.
Atticus was weird as hell. In all the ways someone is weird when they're being authentically themselves with no masking and unapologetic truth. He's a contradiction and a sweetheart with an adorable love of funerals and aversion to Tuesdays.
I don't want to give anything else away. There were so many epic moments and big scenes. There were moments where I was grinning like a lunatic, blushing like tomato, crying from the feels, and cheering one or both of the mcs on.
Reid and Atticus have their own baggage and issues that bring big plot to the story, I would have read this without their intense chemistry and sizzling heat.... but I'm seriously glad it was there. Their spicy scenes were top-tier. Trust me.
This book was wonderful.
I'll hear nothing but praise and raves about it.
The King's Boy by Aja Foxx
fast-paced
4.0
The Kings Boy was entertaining. Especially if you're looking for a mafianromance without the crazy mafia man. *I need them to be unhinged, and King was so golden retriever *
King has come from Ireland to take over O'DONNELL's operation as head of the Irish Mob in Queens. He has his hands full. Everything is a mess.
He meets Spencer during an interrogation. Spencer is the wild and free man from book one who helped Nicky. In this case, he was doing someone a favor and didn't realize he was doing the wrong thing.
Throw in insta-flirting, lots of looks, a couple steamy scenes, an assassin?, double crossing baddies - you get the story, oh! And we see more of Vinnie, the Italian mob boss in Manhattan.
Overall, this story was entertaining but didn't hit all the mafia spots it could have.
King has come from Ireland to take over O'DONNELL's operation as head of the Irish Mob in Queens. He has his hands full. Everything is a mess.
He meets Spencer during an interrogation. Spencer is the wild and free man from book one who helped Nicky. In this case, he was doing someone a favor and didn't realize he was doing the wrong thing.
Throw in insta-flirting, lots of looks, a couple steamy scenes, an assassin?, double crossing baddies - you get the story, oh! And we see more of Vinnie, the Italian mob boss in Manhattan.
Overall, this story was entertaining but didn't hit all the mafia spots it could have.
The Capo's Boy by Aja Foxx
medium-paced
4.0
I enjoyed this book a lot!
My only real beef was that Vinnie, the mafia guy, was too sane. I want my mafia guys to be unhinged. Uber possessive and borderline psychotic. *I realize this says a lot about me, but move past it*
Nicky, realizing his "business arrangement turned love" affair with Vinnie, would crash and burn because "you can't be gay in the mafia" decides to do a runner.
Vinnie is not going to marry the lady that Uncle Frankie is pushing on him. Vinnie is in love with Nicky. But Nicky is good at running away, and Vinnie is trying to find him.
While this is happening, Demitri and O'Donnell *two separate mafia bosses* are trying to mess up stuff with Vinnie, and Uncle Frankie is off the rails.
There's a lot happening in this story, and I really enjoyed it. Nicky is strong, determined, brave, and knows his worth. He really makes Vinnie work for it. I was super entertained.
Perfect if you like mafia light stories with not a lot of sexy times.
Again, while I enjoyed it, I would have LOVED it if Vinnie was absolutely unhinged and a bit more crazy. Is that too much to ask for? The hetero romance mafia readers get WAY more unhinged mcs. This is why I when I read M/F, 99.9% of the time, it's mafia romance.
My only real beef was that Vinnie, the mafia guy, was too sane. I want my mafia guys to be unhinged. Uber possessive and borderline psychotic. *I realize this says a lot about me, but move past it*
Nicky, realizing his "business arrangement turned love" affair with Vinnie, would crash and burn because "you can't be gay in the mafia" decides to do a runner.
Vinnie is not going to marry the lady that Uncle Frankie is pushing on him. Vinnie is in love with Nicky. But Nicky is good at running away, and Vinnie is trying to find him.
While this is happening, Demitri and O'Donnell *two separate mafia bosses* are trying to mess up stuff with Vinnie, and Uncle Frankie is off the rails.
There's a lot happening in this story, and I really enjoyed it. Nicky is strong, determined, brave, and knows his worth. He really makes Vinnie work for it. I was super entertained.
Perfect if you like mafia light stories with not a lot of sexy times.
Again, while I enjoyed it, I would have LOVED it if Vinnie was absolutely unhinged and a bit more crazy. Is that too much to ask for? The hetero romance mafia readers get WAY more unhinged mcs. This is why I when I read M/F, 99.9% of the time, it's mafia romance.
The Boss's Boy by Aja Foxx
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Coming in hot with another ridiculous mm mafia romance review!
Like The Capo's Boy, I needed Dmitri to be way more crazy... but with that being said, I LOVED this one!
Dmitri sees Eiji dancing at his club and is instantly enthralled. Before they can talk, Eiji disappears. After some investigating, calling and ... erm.... stalking, Dmitri finds out about Eiji's situation and is determined to get him out by any means necessary.
Eiji is basically being held captive by his evil stepmother, who is bleeding his inheritance dry. Throw in three even eviler step brothers, and Eiji is not loving his life. He is also mute, a product of ptsd from an event at 15.
Throw in a SOLD into marriage thing, that's less about the buying and more about the rescuing we get Dima and Eiji falling in love.
This is light on sex, and when there is - it's weird. Like, never when I'm expecting it, and it's almost thrown in as an afterthought.
The story is ridiculous and entertaining, and I PLOWED through this almost 400-page story. I needed to know what happened next.
Next up is the Irish mobster, King. I'll probably read it just to see Vinnie and Dima again. Recommended for mafia fans who like a wild plot, but not unhinged mafia men.
Like The Capo's Boy, I needed Dmitri to be way more crazy... but with that being said, I LOVED this one!
Dmitri sees Eiji dancing at his club and is instantly enthralled. Before they can talk, Eiji disappears. After some investigating, calling and ... erm.... stalking, Dmitri finds out about Eiji's situation and is determined to get him out by any means necessary.
Eiji is basically being held captive by his evil stepmother, who is bleeding his inheritance dry. Throw in three even eviler step brothers, and Eiji is not loving his life. He is also mute, a product of ptsd from an event at 15.
Throw in a SOLD into marriage thing, that's less about the buying and more about the rescuing we get Dima and Eiji falling in love.
This is light on sex, and when there is - it's weird. Like, never when I'm expecting it, and it's almost thrown in as an afterthought.
The story is ridiculous and entertaining, and I PLOWED through this almost 400-page story. I needed to know what happened next.
Next up is the Irish mobster, King. I'll probably read it just to see Vinnie and Dima again. Recommended for mafia fans who like a wild plot, but not unhinged mafia men.
Ruthless King by Sienna Cross
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
Looking for an M/F mafia romance? Look no further.
Stella has had it bad. Her father basically sells her to settle his gambling debts, and she's being taken to the boss' place.
Luca is the CEO of King Industries and the Don of the Kings, the "other" part of the business. When he gets news that a woman from his past has basically dropped in his lap... the plot begins to plot.
The two have a history, and they have chemistry that's uncontrollable. But the Red Dragons are stirring up things, and the contract/kidnapping only lasts for 30 days.
What happens when you fall for your captor? Will the mafia man open his guarded heart?
Lots of possessiveness.
Lots of YOU'RE MINE.
Lots of Itallian cursing.
Perfect if you love a darkish mafia story with lots of drama. Can't wait to read book 2!
Stella has had it bad. Her father basically sells her to settle his gambling debts, and she's being taken to the boss' place.
Luca is the CEO of King Industries and the Don of the Kings, the "other" part of the business. When he gets news that a woman from his past has basically dropped in his lap... the plot begins to plot.
The two have a history, and they have chemistry that's uncontrollable. But the Red Dragons are stirring up things, and the contract/kidnapping only lasts for 30 days.
What happens when you fall for your captor? Will the mafia man open his guarded heart?
Lots of possessiveness.
Lots of YOU'RE MINE.
Lots of Itallian cursing.
Perfect if you love a darkish mafia story with lots of drama. Can't wait to read book 2!
Fool Hearts by Emmy Sanders
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Emmy delivers the ultimate friends to lovers story with Fool Hearts while simultaneously giving me a favorite comfort read.
FOOL HEARTS is book one in the Plum Valley series. Wyatt and Easton are childhood best friends growing up in a conservative Texas town. Wyatt knows from an early age that he's gay and he also knows that he is head over heels in love with Easton.
While Wyatt loves Easton steadfastly and unrequitedly through the years, he leaves home when Easton marries Becca.
When [redacted] brings Wyatt back home, the two fall into a life that brings obstacles and lots of happiness and love. The hea just takes a while.
Easton is the quiet, thoughtful cowboy of my dreams. I love a slow talking character with deep emotions and feelings running fast beneath the surface.
It's never said outright, just questioned, but I read Easton as a demisexual king 💜 He loved Becca, and when he figures it out with Wyatt, it's pure perfection.
This is a perfect slow burn, PINING romance.
Give me all the talks of constellations, fireworks, and soul mates. Tales of "other Wyatts and Eastons" and loving until you're dead and buried.
Give me confessions in the rain, and then give me MORE confessions in the rain.
Wyatt and Easton's romance is EVERYTHING. It's one of the few books I won't hear anything bad about. I've read it many times and look forward to reading it MANY more times.
Forever in my cowboy romance era.
FOOL HEARTS is book one in the Plum Valley series. Wyatt and Easton are childhood best friends growing up in a conservative Texas town. Wyatt knows from an early age that he's gay and he also knows that he is head over heels in love with Easton.
While Wyatt loves Easton steadfastly and unrequitedly through the years, he leaves home when Easton marries Becca.
When [redacted] brings Wyatt back home, the two fall into a life that brings obstacles and lots of happiness and love. The hea just takes a while.
Easton is the quiet, thoughtful cowboy of my dreams. I love a slow talking character with deep emotions and feelings running fast beneath the surface.
It's never said outright, just questioned, but I read Easton as a demisexual king 💜 He loved Becca, and when he figures it out with Wyatt, it's pure perfection.
This is a perfect slow burn, PINING romance.
Give me all the talks of constellations, fireworks, and soul mates. Tales of "other Wyatts and Eastons" and loving until you're dead and buried.
Give me confessions in the rain, and then give me MORE confessions in the rain.
Wyatt and Easton's romance is EVERYTHING. It's one of the few books I won't hear anything bad about. I've read it many times and look forward to reading it MANY more times.
Forever in my cowboy romance era.