lillyreads_08's reviews
28 reviews

The Science of Attraction: A Mackenzie Country Story by Jay Hogan

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted

5.0

 “To be completely honest, he had me in knots long before we ever kissed.”

The Science of Attraction the first book from Jay Hogan I've read and I need to ask myself  "What did it take so long?" because this was such a delightful story!

I loved how the romance between Jules and Liam felt so genuine and authentic. Jules is bisexual but has never explored his attraction to men, and living with a homophobic father who shunned his own gay son, you can understand why he may never wanted to. However, Liam and seeing his brother living his authentic self finally pushed him to be true to himself. 

The easy banter and friendship that grew between them were wonderful to read. Liam was gentle and understanding, never pushing Jules, allowing him to come to his sexuality at his own pace. He was supportive and just loving creating a safe space for him. The writing really showed how their feelings morphed and deepened.

There was so much sensuality in the writing. Jay made the attraction, lust and love between these two so sensual. It just wasn't sex between these two, even when they didn't know if their relationship had a future. Jules also allowed Liam to overcome his fears of commitment and finally let himself be loved. 

 I was reminded that this was all new for him. Brand fucking new. The fact he’d shown up at all was pretty damn brave, considering what had happened to his brother. And yet here he was.

Thirty-five years old and feeling cared for and safe and protected and like I was someone’s priority was a brand-new, head-fucking experience. Walking into Liam’s cottage at the end of the day felt like coming home in a way I’d never experienced before. 

I loved how Jay captured Mackenzie Country. I don’t think I have ever read a story that took place in New Zealand, but they really showcased the beauty of this region. 

I absolutely despised the father and his homophobic friend. I could not stand how hateful they were. I didn’t read Zach’s story but you could see the pain he still carries from being rejected. I also wasn’t crazy about how his mother stood by him; he’s an awful human, and she should have taken a stand earlier. How can you watch your husband shun your child and just treat them so awful and allow it? I’m glad she eventually did, but how could you stay with such a person and be a good person? I did question that. 

On the other hand, I loved seeing Jules stand up for himself and not hide his relationship once everything came to light. He was ready to walk away from all he had known and out of his father’s shadow and stand up for himself, Liam and Zach. 

 “I am thirty-five years old, and I have given everything to this station. Everything. I will not be treated like a child who doesn’t know their own mind and who can’t choose to love whomever I want. I’ve spent my entire life living by your rules. We both have.” 

“I always look after what belongs to me, baby. That’s what I do. It’s in my genes. I’m a shepherd. Nothing gets past me to harm you. Ever. No wolves. No homophobic arsehole fathers. Nothing. You might like to take charge and boss me around in bed, but I have your back everywhere else. You’re always safe with me. Always. I need you to know that.”

Overall I really enjoyed The Science of Attraction and I look forward to reading the other books in the series. 
Mark's Chosen by J.T. Fader

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medium-paced

5.0

I think Mark's Chosen is my favourite of the series. 

The series' first three books focus on the shifters of Creekside, but in the fourth we see Mark, the Alpha leader of the neighbouring town Riverton, find his happy ever after. 

Mark has been the leader for 25 years, he's in his 50s but has yet to find an omega mate to have pups with. His pack is getting worried as he needs an heir in order to ensure their security. The Creekside pack has seen an expulsion in pups, increasing worry among his pack. However, Mark is not interested in the few remaining omegas in his pack. 

We have Reese, a member of the Creekside Pack who has just lost his fated mate. He's pregnant, grief-ridden and badly injured - he lost an arm. A blizzard brings Mark and Reese together; their connection is intense, and the chemistry is there, but they take it slow. 

I enjoyed Mark’s Chosen! I liked how, while Mark and Reese recognized and acknowledged their connection, they took their time. Mark is such a sweet and understanding Alpha, ready to put his omega’s needs before him. He was constantly checking in with Reese and his emotional well-being. He lost his fated mate and feels useless due to his missing arm - even if he feels a pull towards Mark, his grief and loss are still raw. He was patient and always there to support Reese in those moments. He was 100% devoted to his omega and loved that he was ready to give up his title as Alpha Leader to be with him. 

 "I was honestly terrified. I've never felt this way about anyone before. You've made my heart take on all sorts of new shapes. Waking up together this morning and sharing what we did slid so many puzzle pieces in place for me. You've made me examine my life from a different angle. I feel like you were sent to me to complete me."

“We were destined to be together. We might not be fated, but we had found each other. And now there was no parting us. We'd claimed each other. For now, that was enough.”

“He was beautiful, Reese. The way he cared for Peter sometimes nearly stopped my heart. The way he doted on him would often bring me to tears. Reese had an incredible capacity to love. And he loved me.”

I also loved how chestfeeding/lactation was central to the story! Having an omegaverse/mpreg story that does this is very rare. Pregnancy and childbirth usually are towards the end of the story or in the epilogue, and if we’re lucky, we may get a brief breastfeeding scene or two. So thank you JT Fader! 

I’ve been enjoying the world that the author has crafted, but this novella gets extra love from me, and I can’t wait for the next book!
Big Brother Knows Best by Becca Vale

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fast-paced

5.0

Big Brother Knows Best is another delightful smutty taboo story! I love needy younger brothers who need their caring and stern older brothers to take charge and make everything right.

I loved it and thank you, Becca, for the age gap and felching scene!
The Nerd & the Ex-Con by Sage Abbott

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emotional funny fast-paced

5.0

The Nerd & the Ex-Con was such a smutty and sweet read. I love stories with ex-cons, but add best friend’s dad trope to the mix? Hell yeah. 

Scottie and Griff had an amazing and intense chemistry between them. I loved how they were total opposites but meshed well and perfectly completed one another. I was also a big fan of the size difference and the large age.  

I also loved how shy and reserved Scottie was, but in private he allowed himself to be very sexual. Griff created a safe space for him to be open about his sexuality and preferences, never judging him for them. Scottie’s ex did a number on him physically and mentally and that played a role in the shame he carried regarding sex. 

Griff was always ready to put Scottie’s needs first and even as a rough and aggressive person he knew when to back off and listen to Scottie. I loved the softness, protectiveness and obsession he had towards Scott. 

The fact that we did not get a break up when things came to light was a plus! I was so glad. I loved how they stood firm and wanted to be together no matter what life threw at them.  

 “You’re more than that to me, Griff. I like you a lot. I probably shouldn’t, but I do. You’re warm and protective. You let me be me, and it’s not awkward being with you at all. Most times.”

Griff’s been in prison for almost 18 years for manslaughter, and because he went to prison for so long, he lost contact with his son. He never got to see him grow. In prison, he attempted to keep in contact with him via letters, but his son wanted nothing to do with him. He felt like his father left him behind which led to resentment and anger so I was glad they were able to mend their relationship. 

Also the sex! I enjoyed all the steam this story brought and it was a lot. 

Overall I enjoyed The Nerd & the Ex-Con, I am so curious about Griff’s boss, hoping he will get his own story.
Scandalous Park Avenue Prince by Brooke Blaine, Ella Frank

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medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? No

2.0

Ranty and Spoilery Review ahead. Not hiding it under a tag because the authors forgot to include an important CW. 

Going into Scandalous Park Avenue Prince, I hoped for a forbidden <i> Scandalous </i> romance between Preston and Archer. It’s girlfriend’s dad! But nope, it really wasn’t. 

So I read one Ella Frank series years ago, and I have not read anything by Brooke Blaine before, but these authors are super popular and this series looked good (also the covers - they're gorgeous). 

The first 50% was good, however it was really tame and healthy for a story with Scandalous as a title. While there’s chemistry and attraction between Archer and Preston, their relationship was lacking in the romance area but nothing too bad. I was enjoying seeing Preston and Archer’s relationship grow. 

We learn the girlfriend isn’t really a girlfriend, Serena is Preston’s beard. They do have pressure coming from Preston’s political family to settle down and have children, but other than that they do their own things while keeping a front in the public eye. So it's not really forbidden? 

It’s all too healthy and by chapter nine Serena knows that Preston and her father are together. I’m glad that a female character is not painted as a villain so I give points to that. Their friends are so understanding and not even phased that they discover Preston’s not straight and in a fake relationship. 

Due to all this, it did not feel forbidden at all. Honestly, the authors could have removed the girlfriend part, and the story would have still worked. The issues will stem from how the public will view these two high-profile men and the reaction of Preston’s family. 

Now, this is where the story took a downhill turn for me; at 60%, there's a scene when Preston and Archer are getting a massage from two men, and there's a "sharing scene" with hand jobs, but still. It literally came out of nowhere and I wish <i> I wish </i> the authors had put a CW for it. I would have not read it. 

His eyes narrowed, and I felt that bit of jealousy all the way to my cock. “How many others do I have to worry about?”

“Not many. Just a few here and there,” I said flippantly, and Archer’s hands stilled on my calf. “Which translates to how many, exactly?” “You really want to talk numbers? What about yours?”

“Tonight was different. It was with you.” I lifted a shoulder, like I wasn’t as affected as I really was. “If that’s what you want, I can give you that too. As long as it goes both ways.”

There's possessiveness and jealousy between them so it didn't make sense to me and it killed the romance for me. How can you say something like "I don't want you to be with anyone else while you're with me."  after? Make it make sense! Preston's words and Archer's actions (and words) contradict everything. 

Overall the first half was stronger for me and it would have been an easy 4 stars but I could not bring myself to enjoy the book after that scene. Do I recommend it? Not really because there's other books that do this forbidden trope better but I think fans of these authors will like it.
Ex Match by MM Farmer

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emotional lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

Ex Match is the first book in the second season of the Perfect Match Agency series - ​​Perfect Match Springtime. This round, we have two new authors, Anna Wineheart and Amy Bellows, joining MM Farmer, Roe Horvat, and Wendy Rathbone. 

This is a second chance low angst, high heat omegaverse story. Michael was in a long-term relationship with John, but due to misunderstandings and lots of unresolved issues, they ended up separating. Michael has not been with anyone since, and with his heat coming soon, he wants to find someone to not only spend his heat with but also create a relationship and family with. 

The agency reaches back with a match - an 88.8% compatibility score - and it happens to be his ex, John! He goes into heat early and now with a child on the way, John must learn to stand up against family for mate and child. It’s a low angst quick read; if you’ve read the first season you know what to expect. 

I really liked how they both knew that they were at fault for why their relationship did not work the first time, and through trials and errors, they actively worked on being better, communicating, and trusting one another.

It’s a short read, so it’s fast-paced and very insta love, but they already have a past so it didn’t feel too rushed since there’s history between the two. 

Overall, I  enjoyed Ex Match and excited for the next books in the new series.
Alpha Kings by Roe Horvat

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adventurous emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

 “If I could choose between them, would I want one more than the other? But no. I want them both. Wolf might devour me, but Bear will keep me safe.” 

Alpha Kings is another wonderfully steamy and erotic omegaverse from Roe Horvat. I absolutely enjoyed Wolf, Bear, and Aiken's story. 

Aiken grew up in an oppressive society; as an omega - even as the son of a king - he is beneath Alphas; however, with Wolf and Bear, he finds himself in a culture where omegas are not only respected but celebrated. He's able unlearn harmful teachings, find himself and connect with his destined mates. 

Wolf and Bear, despite their fearsome appearance, allow Aiken to not be kept as a prisoner of war; he's allowed to live as a prince under their watch, and they are not forceful in any way. They give him space him to explore and grow, patiently watching over him. 

Roe writes his omegas with so much agency over their sexuality, they own it, yet at the same time they are more than their designation. 

I loved the relationship between Wolf and Bear just as much as I loved their relationship with Aiken. The two brothers greatly respect one another - they complement one another, and with Aiken, they are complete. 

The spice! It's perfection. With all the stuff I'm dealing with at school and the January blues getting to me, I needed the heat this book brought. This book is an erotic romance by Roe, so expect lots and lots of steamy, steamy sex! I also loved that we got heat sex and a chestfeeding scene! 

While this book does take place in the Hedonist world you can totally read it as a standalone. I have not read the other books in the Hedonist series (mainly because I'm not into sharing), but I was able to enjoy Alpha Kings and didn't feel lost. 

Overall, Alpha King was an absolutely delightful story! I love the world and lore Roe created and can't recommend it enough for fans of Roe and Omegaverse. 
Forced: Alien Clutch 1 by D. Dove

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challenging dark emotional medium-paced

5.0

Please heed all the warnings in this book. It's pretty much cover to cover non-con. The two aliens who do end up buying Lee really do care and love him, but they interpret his "No" as "Yes". 

This book is connected to Captured. Lee is an S-class Space Courier who is captured by pirates and later sold to The Dresht. We learn that they are an alien species that needs humans as hosts to complete their reproductive cycle. 

Lee is sold to Eral and Ronet, a mated pair. They do care for him greatly and treat him well. He's like a beloved pet to them. However, Lee wants his freedom. He's gagged, plugged and mitted and has almost no agency. Even when he voices his concerns, they are misinterpreted by the two Dresht. They view him in an almost childlike way, acting as if they know what is best for him. This is all due to information collected on humans, which they use as a manual - think of a  "How to Guide" for human pets. 

The irony is that they feel like they know him best, so even if he speaks for himself, they see him as a naive, innocent creature and willfully (or not) disregard his wants. He was also sexually assaulted before coming to them, so he has a lot of trauma and fear about what is to happen to him. 

Lee is being used as a vessel for their eggs; they need a third party, and humans seem to be the best hosts. They dote on him, shower him with care and love him, but it’s all pretty fucked up. 

Dove describes it as a “soft, loving non-con”, and I would agree; even Lee starts to accept the attention and affection he is showered upon slowly. He even questions his initial goals and motives for escape, doubting himself. So, there’s a heavy dose of Stockholm syndrome in this story. 

He may be their pet, but he was a precious one. One they seemed to care deeply about. Aside from giving him no choice in the matter, yesterday they’d been so gentle with him. They’d made him take so much, but then had pampered him, carried him around, stroked him and even taken the trappings off his hands–

 It had been just over a week, and despite the plan to comply for freedoms, Lee was beginning to get… worried about how vulnerable it made him. He wasn’t ignorant to the way his thoughts had started to drift toward the enjoyment of these pampered moments. How he’d stopped internally narrating his anger and protests to them fucking him. The routine made it all seem normal, it dampened down his ire. 

This story is told from Lee's POV, so we get a front-row seat to his experience. It can be hard to read since you're seeing his mental state, especially when the "season" happens, especially during the oviposition scenes - what Lee goes through mentally and physically is pretty rough. 

Overall I really enjoyed this book! I love dark stories like this - add Alien + eggpreg this book was just perfect for me. This story is not for everyone but if you enjoy reading noncon (once again no means yes to these aliens), humiliation and dark stories I recommend it. 

Forced does not have a happy ending and it ends in a cliffhanger but I'm looking forward to book two. 
Practice Makes Perfect by Becca Vale

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funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

Fun, smutty, hot, taboo story! I loved how Milo was gently manipulated by his twin. Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I think it's my favourite twincest story. I can't keep track anymore since I'm enjoying everything by Becca. These books are like crack, seriously.
Uncle by Jay L. North

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

I absolutely enjoyed Uncle! It was a sweet, taboo incest story between an Uncle and his nephew! 

Ben is a college student who desperately wants to lose his virginity. After coming home drunk from a failed attempt, a sight greets him which gets him heated. His word vomits his troubles to his Uncle, who promises to help him. 

I loved the relationship dynamic between Ben and Devon so much. I loved how needy Ben became with his Uncle once their relationship started forming. Devon is forceful (there are dubcon scenes that might make some readers uncomfortable), but he’s also so sweet with his nephew. He wants to ensure he gets the best experience, but nobody is good enough for his precious boy. I also loved the size and body type difference between the two.

I read incest stories for the taboo aspect, like I need both parties to be aware what is going on is not accepted but play into it as well. So those moments when Devon calls Ben “Son” or Ben refers to his Uncle as Uncle, the sneaking around and nearly being caught by the mother....loved it. 

The smut was top tier! Super hot and steamy and for a shorter story there’s enough emotional connection between Ben and Devon that their relationship felt genuine to me. It’s an erotica but has a good dose of romance. 

Overall I really enjoyed it, I’m greedy so I just want more, like what if Ben’s mother (Devon’s sister) finds out! If you want a short taboo incest read with dubcon elements I recommend Uncle!