lost_windsock's reviews
494 reviews

Wrong Way Home by K.A. Merikan

4.0

Man, this book was a wild one. I had to check to make sure this one had a HEA because the relationship between these two was tumultuous pretty much the whole book. Colin very much ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time, but it wasn't just a big problem for him- it was a big problem for Taron, who definitely hadn't planned to have company. Ever. And especially not company he reluctantly convinced himself be had to keep captive. There were so many conflicting emotions in both of them and it was a rollercoaster watching them go from fear to hate to content to distrust to love...etc. I'm still not entirely certain I thought they -should- be together in the end, but I did enjoy reading this book. There were plenty of dramatic moments to keep it interesting and the spice was top notch. 

A Delicious Descent by Amanda Meuwissen

5.0

I absolutely adored this book. I have read the original Dracula several times, and seen the movie and all of the off-shoots of it, and this book does the original proud. Dracula but make it a celebration of queerness. The writing style matched the style of the original so well that it felt like I was reading the classic at times. I've read other books by this author that I really enjoyed, but they were all written in a more contemporary voice, so this book just really impressed me. I loved the twists this story took to alter the path from the original. It was such a delightful read and it totally had me nerding out!

5 Dinners and a Diner by Leighton Greene

5.0

This was just a quick, final epilogue for each couple in the series, and it was lovely. We get to see each couple truly content in their lives and it was a beautiful little send-off.

A Cold Hard Collection by K.L. Hiers

5.0

Well this was just a delightful collection of kink scenes between Rod and Jimmy, and it was perfect. We got to see a little more vulnerability from Rod, and so so much dirty, deliciously depraved sex. Wow.

Like I Pictured by Charlie Novak

5.0

I'm not really sure why I never read this one. I always really loved Bastian and Anders in the other Heather Bay books, but for whatever reason, I never read their book. But it was super sweet! I loved the way they met and I really enjoyed the email section. They got to know each other and we got to do a bit of a time skip without feeling like we missed out on relationship development. Anders and Bastian really just fit together as a couple so well and this book was really cute. I wish it could have been longer, because I would have definitely read more slice of life stuff with them in it. 

Hard Earned Cash by K.L. Hiers

5.0

Sometimes in these books, it feels like Jimmy's love is a little one-sided, because Cold comes across as so...cold... and controlling. But this book made it it's mission to fully prove how devoted Cold was to Jimmy. He didn't start on a great note, basically forcing Jimmy to plan a wedding he wanted nothing to do with, but as the details of their surprise marriage and Cold's murder charge came to light, Cold was dedicated to giving Jimmy the life he felt he deserved, and every move he made was to get them closer to that. It was totally understandable for Jimmy to lack trust along the way, and all of the stupid situations he ended up in definitely could have been avoided, but they all just gave Cold more chances to prove that he knew what he was doing. The rescue at the end of the book was such an epic show of power and ruthlessness which not only helped Jimmy finally see that Cold was all in and had everything under control, but it also had Cold's enemies playing right into his hands. I had a lot of fun reading through the different twists and turns in this book, and in keeping with the last book, the spice was absolutely fire 🔥 What more could any of us ask for? 

Cold Hard Cash by K.L. Hiers

5.0

Every time I read a book by K.L. Hiers, I struggle to put it down and this one followed that trend for sure! I ate this book up! I love how Hiers can write a book that basically takes place in the span of a few weeks and make you feel like it's been way longer. I also love how frequently and seamlessly they weave in the spice! This book felt like it was 40% spice, but it still told a full story and had really fun and interesting did characters. I think the relationship dynamic between Jimmy and Boss Cold was pretty formulaic, but I have never had a problem with reading books that aren't reinventing the wheel like that. If I enjoy the formula, what's not to love? Their relationship developed shakily as Jimmy tried to pry more and more from Cold, who just wasn't ready to let Jimmy in that fast; he had a truly awful past, and opening up enough to fall in love was extremely difficult for him. Once he was able to let some of his walls fall, he couldn't deny Jimmy much of anything and was a lot more comfortable accepting Jimmy's love. I absolutely adored Maury. He might have been my favorite part of this book? He had me laughing so much but also the way he cared about Jimmy was so sweet and made me tear up a few times. He really did everything he could to look out for him while not treating him like a child, and I just loved him so much. I'm for sure going to be reading the rest of this series, especially knowing I get Mickey's book at the end!

His Wicked Wants by Leighton Greene

4.75

Whew, Nero and Gabriel. I do so love a relationship that starts off with a petty animosity and then ignites into chemistry hotter than the sun. These two bickered like hell with each other, pushing each other's buttons and trying their best to make the other break-or bend, at least- to their will. And in the end, that's exactly what happened, except that no one man came out the victor. They both gave in to each other in different ways. Throughout the dramatic events of this book, they got closer to each other, began to understand each other more, and trust each other more than either of them felt the other had any right to. The Castellani Family drama finally coming to its final crescendo, and becoming hopelessly obsessed with Gabriel was just what Nero needed to finally sort out his loyalties. The action in this book was full of stress and peril, but it was exciting to read and I had trouble telling myself to put it down and go to bed! And the spice 🥵 A little degradation was just what the doctor ordered, turns out, because it fit perfectly into their dynamic. There was a pretty decent amount of spice in this book, and it was a really good mix of dirty/rough, and sweet/tender. It was very Nero and Gabriel. I'm so sad that this series is over now, but this was a really great finale!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail

Saving You by E.M. Lindsey

4.0

I was definitely not ready for how big of a sweetheart Ridge was! His back story of how he ended up adopting Ina was heartwrenching. Seeing the neglectful way he was raised made you really feel for him and it just made how perfectly patient and sweet he was so much better. Oz really needed a partner like Ridge, and stumbling into the relationship accidentally to avoid the devious, deranged actions of Oz's family was both a horrible and wonderful way for them to get together. I was really glad they didn't stay in fake dating land for too long, and that Ridge was able to coax Oz out of his shell little by little. The drama in this book was balanced really well with the progressing plot, and it kept me on my figurative toes waiting for Oz's ex, sister, and mom to come charging in. Luckily Ridge was always there to help Oz stand up for himself. I think the ending of the book was really perfect, and I loved seeing Oz get himself into therapy to process his trauma. 

Chasing You by E.M. Lindsey

4.25

Oh boy, this book was the very definition of two pining idiots in love 😆 Kash and Adele circled around their feelings for each other for the better part of 20 years and goddamn, it was about time they finally told each other how they felt. Kash's struggles with his health made their feelings and the timing even more complicated, but they got there after a lot of pining and a few moments of drama. I really love how these books weave the previous couples in, and also add in new ones so seamlessly. The side characters always fit perfectly into whatever situation and it really does build that sense of family.