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jamieb_19's Reviews (277)
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Caleb and Graham meet when they're trapped together in an elevator in a Vegas hotel. Caleb, an NHL goalie, is amused that Graham doesn't recognize him but he recognizes Graham from his online cooking show. Caleb is closeted because of his career but being trapped in a small, dark space with his online crush seems like a good a time as any to indulge in the things he never allows himself. But what'll happen when they're finally rescued?
I loved this short story! It was only 6 chapters but it was packed with loads of romance goodness - a fun meet cute, heartfelt confessions, and steamy encounters. Caleb and Graham were unsure of each other at first but they really hit it off after a few shared confessions in the dark.
It was a bit of an open ending but I hope that the authors end up revisiting these guys to expand on their story! I'd love to see Caleb finally pursue the life he wants. But even if this is all we get, this is still a really great short story!
I loved this short story! It was only 6 chapters but it was packed with loads of romance goodness - a fun meet cute, heartfelt confessions, and steamy encounters. Caleb and Graham were unsure of each other at first but they really hit it off after a few shared confessions in the dark.
It was a bit of an open ending but I hope that the authors end up revisiting these guys to expand on their story! I'd love to see Caleb finally pursue the life he wants. But even if this is all we get, this is still a really great short story!
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Avery and Jack are friends but when Avery starts noticing things about Jack that go beyond friendship, he takes a chance and makes a move on him. Avery can safely confirm that he's not straight after that night and they spend the next 6 months hooking up. It was meant to be casual but they both ended up catching feels. Now they just have to work up the nerve to let each other know. Perhaps being together in Vegas for the weekend is the perfect opportunity.
This was adorable! Short, sweet, and spicy. Jack and Avery were so cute together and I enjoyed seeing them finally getting on the same page. And Jack's meddling dads were the cutest!
This was adorable! Short, sweet, and spicy. Jack and Avery were so cute together and I enjoyed seeing them finally getting on the same page. And Jack's meddling dads were the cutest!
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
He’s a real adult. Put together, stable, handsome, with a grown-up career and no demons in his closet.
But he’s also seen me at my worst, and here he is, choosing to spend time with me anyway.
Because Derek is my real-life Prince Charming.
Now, if only he’d do that part where he sweeps me off my feet.
This may have been my most anticipated book coming out in 2025. The Bertha Boys are one of my favorite found families ever, I’ve loved every single book and seeing this wonderful group of guys finding their people. And now it’s finally time for sweet Xander to have his own happily ever after. If you’re familiar with the series at all, you know that Xander has been a fan favorite from the beginning. I had high expectations for this book and it surpassed every single one. I could not have asked for a more perfect story for Xander and Derek. It wasn’t an easy road but it was exactly what needed to happen to get these men to their HEA. And it was a great send-off for this series, a series that I’m going to miss a lot!
There aren’t a lot of people who make me feel safe, but Derek is one of them, and if it was up to me, I’d get to have him always. As mine. All mine.
Xander had a rough start in life and he’s still dealing with the aftermath of the neglect and trauma. Throughout the series, we’ve seen Xander’s trauma manifest through his health anxiety episodes. The only thing that seems to help is the calm, caring presence of Nurse Derek at the local pharmacy clinic. Derek has put the rest of his life on hold so he’s always available whenever he gets the call that Xander is being brought in. He feels stuck but he can’t bring himself to abandon Xander.
When they find themselves both volunteering at the same retirement home, Derek sees a whole new side of Xander, and the feelings he’s had to bury due to their nurse/patient relationship get harder and harder to fight. Even after he stops treating him, if Derek wants to keep his job he needs to put space and time between him and Xander as nurse/patient and him and Xander as friends. But the more Xander opens up to him, the more difficult he becomes to resist.
With every little inch he gives me, I’ll go after two more. I’m greedy when it comes to what I want, and I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want Derek.
I loved how Xander’s mental illness and his journey to addressing his mental health were handled. The way his anxieties were written, seeing all the big and small ways his brain played tricks on him, was so realistic. It wasn’t easy to read at times because Xander is the type of character you want to wrap up and protect at all costs. That’s kind of what the other Bertha Boys did for him. For better or for worse, they did their best to shield him and take care of him when things got bad. Derek, as an outsider, had a different perspective and pushed hard to get Xander the professional help he needed. This was quite the push and pull but I loved how it all played out. It was exactly what needed to happen, there was no quick fix and these guys had to make the tough decisions and put in the hard work if they had any hope of creating a healthy relationship.
For obvious reasons, this book was a slow burn and it was perfect. I was giddy as Derek and Xander’s friendship grew. They were so adorable with their flirting and pining. I love in books when both characters are pining away but all parties are aware of it. That’s exactly what happened here. Both of them wanted each other so badly but couldn’t be together in the way they wanted, for a variety of reasons. It created a delicious tension that you couldn’t wait to see snap (and it was so worth it when it finally did!).
“I’ve been waiting my whole life for you. Just you. I’m not going anywhere.”
Another aspect of this story that I loved so much was Xander’s relationship with Seven and Molly and how Derek now fits into that picture. Again, it was another bumpy road but there were a lot of great scenes and conversations between these characters and I loved where the four of them ended up. As sad as I am to have to say goodbye to the Bertha Boys, I’m happy to know that they’re all happy and living their best lives. I can’t ask for much more than that!
“I’m yours. I’ve always been yours. I can’t believe you finally caught up.”
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It’s like I’m finally seeing him. The blindfold is off, and he’s there, clear as day, and I don’t really know what to do with it all.
Zach and Carter met as children and have been inseparable ever since. As they were about to set out on their respective careers as pro athletes they made a pact that no matter what they’d always be the other’s priority and would always spend their off-seasons together. And for years they had no trouble upholding the pact. But for Zach, who had been in love with Carter since they were kids, every year gets harder and harder. Especially standing by while Carter starts to fall for someone else. Zach is forced to step away to save his heart and their friendship but in the process leaves Carter confused and heartbroken. As Carter works to set things right between them again, he begins to realize his feelings toward Zach extend well beyond friendship.
I would do anything for Zach Reid, but I haven’t realized why until recently.
I’ve been in love with him all this time. I just wasn’t ready to acknowledge it.
I took a slight detour having to read a few other books but I was glad to finally return to the Chicago Thunder Hockey universe. I’d been curious about what was up with Zach and Carter from the little bits we got in the first two books. I love a good friends-to-lovers story and I thought this one was done well! The codependency was real with these two but they were soulmates for sure and I’m glad they finally figured things out. The early parts of this book were quite sad. My heart broke for Zach who was convinced his love for Carter was unrequited and having Carter be so oblivious to how Zach felt. I don’t blame Zach for pulling away as he did, at a certain point self-preservation needs to kick in. But it was still sad.
Things didn’t stay sad for too long, I loved that once Carter finally realized his true feelings, he was all in. The way he showed up for Zach when he needed him most and the way he cared for Zach was just perfect. I loved the hurt/comfort aspect of this one. I thought it was handled very well and felt realistic. And it gave them a bit of time to explore the new romantic aspect of their relationship. For all the angst and heartache at the start of the book, the later parts of the book more than make up for it.
“He’s my entire world. My soulmate, in every way. It’s like for my entire life, I’ve been building this LEGO set, and I’ve always been missing one piece, but it’s always been there, right in front of me. I just wasn’t ready to see it.”
I also loved seeing all the other guys from the series. The way they supported and rooted for Zach and Carter was heartwarming. These guys are a great found family and the queer normative world Jodi Oliver has created is a refreshing break from reality. I loved all the Elliot moments, he’s by far my favorite (I’m a simp for a quirky goalie) and I love him more and more with each book. And I’m intrigued by the setup for Jackson and Hayden’s book. I’m already looking forward to returning to this universe in a few short months!
I’ve loved Zach Reid since we were six years old, and it might have taken me twenty-three years to catch up, but I’m so glad I get to love him now.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this story! Oz and Reeve meet on a hookup app and have a one-night stand. They both enjoyed their night together but never expected to see one another again. So Oz is surprised when Reeve turns up a few weeks later as the newest employee at Vino & Veritas.
I loved the friendship they formed once they were reunited. They were so sweet together and meshed so well. Even before the fake dating aspect came into play, they were well on their way to building a special connection. Pretending to be boyfriends for Oz's sister's wedding only amplified that. Their chemistry together was excellent.
Both men were dealing with the weight of familial expectations but it was interesting to me how both of them were handling the pressure quite differently. But it gave them a common thread to bond over because even though their situations were different, they understood what the other was going through in a way that not everyone can.
There's a little bit of angst toward the end but overall this will go easy on your heart and the ending was very sweet. I read this one via audiobook and I thought Cooper North and Tim Paige, two of my fav narrators, did excellent jobs bringing these guys to life!
I loved the friendship they formed once they were reunited. They were so sweet together and meshed so well. Even before the fake dating aspect came into play, they were well on their way to building a special connection. Pretending to be boyfriends for Oz's sister's wedding only amplified that. Their chemistry together was excellent.
Both men were dealing with the weight of familial expectations but it was interesting to me how both of them were handling the pressure quite differently. But it gave them a common thread to bond over because even though their situations were different, they understood what the other was going through in a way that not everyone can.
There's a little bit of angst toward the end but overall this will go easy on your heart and the ending was very sweet. I read this one via audiobook and I thought Cooper North and Tim Paige, two of my fav narrators, did excellent jobs bringing these guys to life!
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
He was a siren to me.
His body called to me in ways I’d never known.
This was a super fast read. I read it in two sittings. Everything moves quickly from when Nolan and Benji meet after an unfortunate incident in which Nolan hits Benji with his car. Nolan takes Benji in while he recuperates (which doesn't take long, it wasn't a bad accident). This works out well for Benji because he's got some people after him.
From here, it's basically a lot of Nolan playing hooky from work so he can stay home and have sex with Benji—until the last 25% or so when the mystery of who is after Benji finally comes out. I'm wondering if any of that will carry over into the other books because it felt like it wrapped up very quickly at the end.
The relationship between Benji and Nolan was very quick and instalove but I did like how good Nolan was to Benji. The power dynamic between them heavily leaned toward Nolan but he never treated Benji as less than and didn't do anything that Benji didn't enthusiastically agree to.
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
And while I can totally see why people think Liam’s an asshole… there’s some weird kind of charm to him.
I think I kind of like him.
Homicide detective Liam Paige tends to take matters into his own hands when the justice system fails. When his partner, Gabriel Hyde, catches Liam standing over the body of the last guy they were trying to catch, he’s horrified but is willing to look the other way if Liam agrees to leave homicide and promises to never kill again. Liam reluctantly agrees and has been good for a year until he learns that a serial killer is on the loose and is targeting law enforcement and has kidnapped Gabriel. Now, Liam has to save Gabriel and take down this serial killer and he doesn’t care what lengths he may have to go to for that to happen. Because when it comes to protecting Gabriel, there is nothing Liam wouldn’t do.
I swear this man was plopped down from the heavens so I don’t fuck up and murder someone in front of others.
Considering this book deals with a serial killer and a morally gray homicide detective, I had a lot of fun with it. Liam was quite the character. He was a smart ass who hated everything and everyone except Gabriel. He was sarcastic and had a very skewed moral compass but he was also a genius and was very good at his job. Gabriel was kind of a saint for putting up with Liam’s antics.
I’m not really sure why Liam became obsessed with Gabriel, I thought we might get to see more of the start of their partnership when we had those flashback chapters but we never really got that. It was simply a fact that Liam loved Gabriel and would do literally anything to have him and keep him safe. I would have liked to have seen more of a development there but I still enjoyed what we did get. And Liam’s rivalry with Gabriel’s cat was very entertaining.
It’s like I’m obsessed with him because he makes me feel human. He makes me believe that I’m worth saving.
I also had fun trying to figure out who the serial killer was. I sort of figured it out but was only half right. It really was something seeing Liam do his thing and pick up on tiny details that no one else would. Was it realistic? No, probably not. But it was still impressive! Things wrapped up pretty nicely at the end of this one but I look forward to seeing what’s next for Liam and Gabriel - somehow I think meeting Gabriel’s family and trying to win over the cat will be harder for Liam than bringing down that serial killer!
“I’ll protect you.”
“What if you get hurt?”
“I would have to be dead to not protect you, Gabriel."
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was a mixed bag for me. It never truly sucked me in and as a result it took me 5 days to finish, which is considerably longer than it usually takes to finish a book of similar length.
I liked the concept and I liked Joe’s story. Parts of that aspect hit me in the feels a little. I loved the Joe/Remy plot. And the way Logan and Rosemary cared for Joe and helped him fulfill his dying wishes was lovely. There was no doubt that they loved Joe very much. And it’s nice to think that a teacher made such a profound impact on their lives.
I wasn’t feeling the romance between Logan and Rosemary though. Even when they finally stopped fighting each other, I never felt that spark between them. They felt more like friends rekindling their childhood friendship more than anything. And quite frankly, Logan spent most of the book being completely unlikable so it was hard for me to care when she finally did start to change things up.
So yeah, there were ups and downs for me when it came to this book.
I liked the concept and I liked Joe’s story. Parts of that aspect hit me in the feels a little. I loved the Joe/Remy plot. And the way Logan and Rosemary cared for Joe and helped him fulfill his dying wishes was lovely. There was no doubt that they loved Joe very much. And it’s nice to think that a teacher made such a profound impact on their lives.
I wasn’t feeling the romance between Logan and Rosemary though. Even when they finally stopped fighting each other, I never felt that spark between them. They felt more like friends rekindling their childhood friendship more than anything. And quite frankly, Logan spent most of the book being completely unlikable so it was hard for me to care when she finally did start to change things up.
So yeah, there were ups and downs for me when it came to this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, Grief, Abandonment
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
He’s so gorgeous and guarded, and somehow, he makes more sense to me than anyone ever has.
The Seattle Vipers have been Robbie McGuire’s favorite team since he was a kid, they were the reason he wanted to become a hockey player. Being traded to them should be a dream come true then. And it largely is, except that he now has to share the ice with NHL’s bad boy and Robbie’s arch nemesis, Ant Decker. They’ve been rivals for years and the animosity comes to blows when they’re finally on the same team. But Ant provokes Robbie in different ways when they’re off the ice, ways that Robbie’s body responds to in surprising ways. He should hate it but to his surprise, it’s very much the opposite. Now he just has to get Ant on the same page.
"It’s you and me, baby, from now till the end. It has to be ’cause I’ll never feel like this about anyone else.”
I wasn’t sure what to make of all the aggression and animosity between Ant and Robbie during the early parts of this book, it was a little more volatile than I usually go for. But I am so glad I stuck with it because once the tides shifted, I fell head over heels in love with these two!! I don’t know how it was possible but they were the filthiest yet sweetest characters I can remember reading. This book was very hot once they stopped punching each other and started using that heat between them for different purposes.
As soon as they had their first encounter, it was like a switch was flipped for Robbie and he was all in on his pursuit of Ant. His unbridled enthusiasm and lack of filter were the best! Ant sure had his hands full with that guy. I loved Ant’s fruitless attempts at resisting, his inner dialogue (Robbie’s too) was highly entertaining. This book will have you sweating one moment and swooning the next. I was also laughing giddily time and time again. Their dynamic worked so well, Robbie truly was Babygirl. I love that he owned it too. I’m getting giddy again just thinking about these two. They were beyond adorable.
This was such a fun read, it’s super low-angst once you get through that first 20%, and I look forward to what’s coming next in this new series!
“I love you too, Princess. I tried not to fall for you. I really did. But I couldn’t help it.”