noa_ashley_'s reviews
510 reviews

Burn Like An Angel by J. Rose

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5.0

"We've all survived sh!t beyond most people's worst nightmares. We can survive this too." - Raine 

"It isn't a weakness to be loved. Those connections are actually what makes us strong." - Ripley

"Perhaps we're meant to be a f*cking family." - Xander

"Hatred has kept me safe. Protected. Immune. " - Lennox 

I gave the first book in this serie (Sin Like A Devil) 5 stars, so it wasn't a surprise that this book is also a 5 star book for me. A lot has happened in the first book: Ripley and Raine got really close, both Xander and Lennox had a lot of hate towards Ripley (enemies to lovers). They all had to work together to stay alive and that continues in this book.

J. Rose is one my favorite author in general and my favorite dark romance author, a lot of her series are why choose. She has the right balance between character development, mental health and plot. Her writing is unique, poetic and just beautiful. Her books are very plot driven and deal with a lot of heavy topics. Make sure to check the trigger warnings and the reading order for her universe. 

About Raine

I absolutely love Raine, he understands Ripley so well. Raine is THE golden retriever, he can talk about his feelings, isn't scared to be vulnerable with Ripley and that really helps her to process her feelings, they have a special relationship. Raine is blind and Ripley and the guys help him navigate in life as a family. Both Ripley and Raine have a special place in my heart. 

About Ripley

Now she knows what it feels to be loved, and she deserves that, they all do! She has been let down by a lot of people, it hasn't been easy for her and especially how things are connection with her own family. She is so strong, speaking up about what happened in Harrowdean Manor, allowing herself to fall in love, and she fits in this found family. 

About Xander

A lot of his trauma has to do with childhood trauma and his character development was so good. He really made big steps in this book. Feelings are hard and new for him and Ripley helped him heal a part of himself, being loved, having a self chooses family helped them all heal, in their own way. 

About Lennox

There was also a lot going on in his head, he will do everything for his family and that showed. Lennox has felt a lot of hatred towards himself and other people, that is how he has always protected himself. It was a lot to process that he didn't hate Ripley as much as he used to in the first book. He saw Ripley and Raine together, and he saw how happy Raine, his best friend was with her. They are all so different with Ripley, but they are so good together. 

The Characters from 1-4 (book 2)

1. Raine
2. Ripley
3. Xander 
4. Lennox 

I read this book as an ARC. Thank so much for the opportunity
My Pucking Crush by Tori Chase

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4.0

"You like your space. I respect that." - Luca

"I like you in my space more." - Max

Luca is obsessed with Max since the start of the book and even before that. OBSESSED. Luca is Max his bodyguard, he has his own past which is connected throughout parts that are important to the story, he is honest about a lot of his past to Max. Max also tells him a lot about his past, he is still in the closet. Luca took his time with Max in spicy time, he made him feel safe. I understand that Luca wants to show people who he is dating, but you can't make someone feel safe and then judge someone for not speaking up, some people are just not ready, everyone does things in their own time. It felt like he was pushing him and I understand his side of it too but he is his bodyguard, he is there to protect him and stay professional, that is what the people around them should think. It's Max his life and he should feel safe with someone and if that is too much to ask, just leave. Eventually they talked about it. They had a few realizations, that may have taking longer if things were different. Make sure to check the trigger warnings, this is a Dark Ice Hockey, Mafia Romance. 

Then something happened what I really didn't like in Chapter 63 & 64. The things that happened in those chapters just don't make sense. If you are protecting someone, why would you basically have them walking around as a target but be overprotected and worried in other places. Luca had a lot of irritations and make a decision that wasn't smart. 

I definitely want to read more from this author because I really loved that the characters could have valuable conversation with difficult topics, that they really listened and helped each other. 

I received an ARC copy of this book.
Worlds Collide by Hinsel Meyer

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4.5

"When I’m with CJ I feel...well, good. And I don’t feel that way about anything these days. " - Wolf

"This man is the most stubborn, infuriating, broken, and fucking annoying person on the planet." - CJ

Wolf is an addict, and it is important to read Know Me See Me, fan service book 4 BEFORE this book, because it's about Hawk (Wolf's brother) & Derek. Hawk and Wolf have a codependent relationship, and they are trying to find a healthier way of communicating with each other, that takes a lot of time, and it is important that you know both their stories and thought process, they talked about their unhealthy behavior in therapy, Hawk also goes to a therapist in his own book. There was also a big thing that happened with Wolf what was talked a lot about in this book. Check the trigger warnings.

“You are not allowed to think our parents did what they did just because you acted like a normal child.” - Hawk

I really loved this book and the story about CJ and Wolf, it was a different, complicated and frustrating but also beautiful way that they ended up with each other. They both been through a lot, but they made it work, and they are good for each other. They just have to keep talking and asking for help when they need it.

I'm so proud of Hinsel for writing it in this way, very respectful. I received an ARC copy of this book.

*
4.5 ⭐
Ride With Me: A MM Charity Anthology by Rebecca Louise, Katy Manz, Jem Wendel, Ashley Rayne, R.S. McKenzie, Anna Kensing, Lee McCormick, Hinsel Meyer, Rikki Leighton

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4.0

I only read When You Come Back by Hinsel Meyer, it a novella in the Fan Service Serie book 4.5 - I gave this novella 4 stars and I'm going to read the other Novellas later. An Anthology is a great way to get to know new authors or to read a short story in between other books. 

Ollie is someone from Hawk his past, they lived close to each other and Hawk decide to help him. Hugh is someone that works for Derek. This was short and fun, Ollie has epilepsy and it is time to take charge of his own life and then he meets Hugh.
Know Me See Me by Hinsel Meyer

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4.0

"You don’t give up on the people who matter, Derek Johnson, and I won’t give up on you." - Hawk 

"I want to give you the world, and I’m scared that at some point, I’ll forget, like so many people seem to forget down the road." - Derek

Derek has a crush on Hawk for a long time. From the start of their friendship they felt safe with each other. Hawk kissed Derek and that was a wake up moment for him. Derek couldn't really believe Hawk liked him more than only being friends and though that it would go wrong, he worked on his feeling in his head and eventually talked about it with Hawk. The explanation to his behavior that he gave was very respectful and honest. Hawk is always thinking about his brother Wolf and Derek also spends a lot of time with them. Because they were friends before, they just feel safe with each other and they know what the other one needs. I love friends to lovers so much!!! Wolf is an addict so make sure to read the trigger warning because this book deals with different topics. Wolf is a big part of Hawk & Derek their lives and the story. 

It's important to read this book BEFORE you read Wolf his book (World Collide, Fan Service, 6), other than that, you can read this serie as standalone. And PLEASE read book 5 in the serie (The Definition of Love, Fan Service, 5), that is my favorite by this author!!!
Snowed In: An MM Romance Charity Anthology by Kelly Fox, Dianna Roman, Nora Phoenix, Kiki Clark, Cora Rose, Nicole Dykes, A.M. Johnson, Lark Taylor, Crea Reitan, E.M. Lindsey

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4.0

This Anthology is perfect for a fast and easy winter read or as a palate cleanser. 

Winter Blues by Nicole Dykes

"Screw logic, this makes sense in it's own way."
 
Simon and Hunter are snowed in, and Simon is not happy about having to spend time with Hunter alone. Simon has a brother (Zane), and Hunter is Zane's best friend. It was short, but it still didn't feel rushed! 


Mistle Foe by Cora Rose

"Guys like him don't ever like guys like me." 

There is only one bed, and it's very cold, so they start cuddling and talking and more! Christian grew up religious, so he is inexperienced, and Wren helps him with that. 

I only read the short stories from Nicole Dykes and Cora Rose for now. I want to read the other stories later in between other books. But I give the whole book 4 stars because this is a great way to get to know new authors or to read the short stories as palette cleaners, like I'm planning to do. 

All proceeds will be donated to Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE). I received an arc copy of this book, thank you for the opportunity.
The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden

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3.0

I enjoyed this book, there is a present time line from Sydney and a pastime line from Tom (from his teenage years). I listened to the audiobook version in 24 hours, both time lines have something to do with each other and it's all revealed in the end. It is a good story but sometimes it felt like it was dragging a bit. I would have loved more little hints trough out of the book or a few POV's from Daisy in the end, after the big reveal. A lot of characters where creepy. Message is really trust nobody and everyone isn't who you think they are. And it's sad that the other characters where in the middle of it all.
It's Complicated by Willow Dixon

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4.5

"Being with Isaac felt good. But more than that, it felt right." - Jamie

"I think you're incredible, Jamie. You're the most important person in my life. I hope you know that." - Isaac

Jamie and Isaac are best friends and have been living together for 3 years. This book starts the morning after they had a trio, so you get every detail that you need to understand that they are just really confused about what happened the night before and their feelings. I really love friends to lovers because they already feel safe with each other. I especially loved the conversations Isaac had with Asa and Zander. Jamie & Isaac their friendship/relationship is very comforting to read about, when one was stressed about work or parents, the other one knew what to do and how to help. I'm excited for the next book in this serie. The work place from the Serie is just really fun and the people really care about each other. There is always so much understanding and room for important conversations about concept and sexuality, in Willow Dixon her books and I really appreciate that, I always feel safe and seen, while reading her books. 

I received an ARC copy of this book, thank you so much for the opportunity!

4.5 star
The Backup Plan by Eden Finley

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4.0

"I would do anything to escape the hundreds of little thoughts that are constantly running through my head." - Kelly

"I’m your safe place. Somewhere you can be yourself and take what you need. So, what do you need?" - Thad

At first it looked like they were so different but when they got to know each other, they had more in common than they thought. Thad was judgmental at first and that wasn't without a reason, he had to work though his feelings to become good at his job. But when Kelly and Thad really talked, Thad saw Kelly and created a safe place where he could be himself. Thad helped him with his anxiety and mental health struggles in his own way. They made it work, they did it! It's a beautiful book that wasn't focused on a relationship or dating but this was their story and it was easy to read, I felt seen and I'm excited to see that will happen in the next book. This was also my first book by this author and I'm definitely going to read more by Eden Finley in the future! 

I received an ARC copy of this book. Thank you so much for the opportunity!
Well Written by Elle Sprinkle

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4.0

"He is nothing like me, and yet, he can so clearly see the thoughts buried in my mind. Better yet, he can comprehend them." - Kane 

"I don't date, because I had love, and I ran from it." - Marcus

Kane is divorced and a co-owner of a bookstore with his ex wife, he has a good relationship with her and her husband. This is a second chance novella between Kane and Marcus. Marcus is a writer who hurt Kane a long time ago but it was really just a horrible situation where they both got hurt and didn't have answers. Kane has depression, this is handled with a lot of care by Elle Sprinkle. It was realistic and it's really hopeful to read that there are better days and better times for Kane.

I received an ARC copy of this book by the author. Thank you so much! Elle, you make people feel seen! 

What to expect from Well Written by Elle Sprinkle:

- Second Chance MM Romance
- Mistaken Identity
- Author x Bookstore Owner
- Depression Rep
- A Cute Frenchie
- Open-door Spice
- Small Coastal Town