notguilty's reviews
1857 reviews

Heath by R.M. Neill

4.5

This may be my favourite of the series. Heath is absolutely precious and you can totally see why everyone on the ranch adores him, and his open acceptance of people makes him the perfect partner for Marko.

Marko is struggling with the choices of his father, as well as his own, and he needs someone who can see him for himself and who he’s become. But Heath does more than just see him. He takes care of him.

It’s such a sweet story full of adorable dates and so much love.

I definitely won’t look at a peacock the same again!

 

Deck the Palms by Annabeth Albert

4.0

I love stories that have a character discovering a new path or dream. 

Nolan comes to Hawaii out of obligation to his family, putting his dreams of stardom and accolades on hold. What he discovers is a place where he belongs, makes a difference and falls in love.

Despite Hawaii not being his first choice, you have to give him credit, he put his whole self into his new role. Granted he also had a particularly grumpy and sweet Merry by his side.

And two especially wild but fantastic twins to keep them both on their toes.

Such a heartfelt romance, and I really loved the setting, especially at Christmas, it was great to hear about different traditions and food, even if it did make me extremely hungry!!

 

Good Pucking Luck by Riley Hart

5.0

This was fun and playful even though it touched on some serious feelings of hurt and inadequacy. The chemistry between Hayes and Rylan was fantastic and made them a joy to read.

Poor Hayes deserves to be adored and seen for himself, and though you’d never expect it to come from a hockey star, they are perfect together.  Rylan is vibrant, warm and so much fun. And his support and care for Hayes was superb.

And the Jilted Exes Club is a great premise for a series. The jerk at least had good taste in partners. 

 

Fake It For Christmas by Raleigh Ruebins

4.0

A cute and fun holiday romance about Shane who desperately wants to win a competition to be on Fixer Brothers. 

Enter Rowen who offers to fake a relationship. Rowen is laying low and licking his wounds after things go awry in New York.

I enjoyed their getting to know each other and falling in love while faking a relationship. It’s a classic trope for a reason, and the Fixer adjacent aspect is cute. 

 

No Business Like Snow Business by J.A. Rock, Lisa Henry

5.0

Obsessed. Like I would totally read a serial series of Harvey and Sterling sleuthing out mysteries.  My younger Nancy Drew-loving self had so much fun. It perfectly suited them both and was such a terrific way to bring them together.

And trust me, no one was fooled as to why Sterling was really looking for his long (literally) lost Uncle. 

Harvey is super adorable, especially when he rambles on about Christmas facts. And watching super posh Sterling fall in love with Christmas Falls was spectacular.  They really are a perfect couple.

I also really enjoyed how the sleuthing brought us around our Christmas-obsessed town, and we got to meet lots a great personalities.

Now seriously, I would love for them to have more stories!!

 

Ice & Sweet by Charlie Novak

4.5

So cute and swoony.

Andre and Luke share something similar.  They’ve both reinvented themselves after celebrity status. Older and wiser, and still crushing on each other years later.

They reconnect when Andre swoops in to save Luke from a flat tire in a snowstorm on the way to their friend's wedding. Swoon. Anyone else have a competency kink?

What transpires is a really sweet reunion where they can finally explore their feelings freely. And boy do they!! *fans self* 

Complete with snowball fights, mulled wine and lots of cake, you have a masterful holiday romance that will melt the snow.

 

Say Their Names: A World AIDS Day Charity Anthology by Evie McGlynn, Breanna Rae, A.M. Arthur, Courtney W. Dixon, Shane K. Morton, AE Lister, Ana Ashley, Aries France, L.C. Chase, Marie Sinclair, J.L. Gribble, Essie Sloane

4.0

The Kiss by Courtney W. Dixon

The day he finds out he is HIV+ thanks to his cheating ex is not the day to find someone new. The kiss the he and Dallas shared though has stayed with them both. Years later it still stars in their daydreams.

It’s a really good story about love and living after life-altering news. And some fate make sure they get a chance at true happiness.

I often struggle reading stories about HIV/AIDS because I was actively involved in the AIDS pandemic in the 80s and 90s and I can be dragged under by history and deaths, but I enjoy reading modern stories, where science and medicine means people can live long and beautiful lives. This story reminds me to be hopeful and happy.

 

Dangerous Attraction by Oliver Takely

3.5

I always enjoy a tight group of friends who see each other as family and this series follows each of these ‘brothers’.

Langdon has a troubled past that he keeps to himself and he works at a bar. Which is where he meets his boss's brother Eric.

There’s a lot of drama in this story. From Eric’s public breakup at the alter, his ex’s family, Langdon’s past and brothers. Not to mention the co-workers and some mystery/suspense.

I do enjoy the friend dynamic and I like Eric and Langdon together when they get there. It does at times feel like the story/series is trying to be too many things at once.

 

Christmas Beau by Amy Aislin

5.0

Christmas Beau is a fantastic holiday romance. Two really wonderful men who, though, are different, not so much that they are opposites.  Four dogs who are completely spoiled and adored, and one 12-year-old who makes you smile at every turn.

Hank and Scott are both on new paths in their lives, unsure of their feelings about dating anyone, but open enough to realize a good thing when they see it.

Scott is an adorable mess when Henk is around, and I love that frequently his son is around to point it out! (love that kid) His life is in chaos and I really enjoyed that he was open about it. He didn’t find shame in admitting that he was out of work and figuring things out.

Hank is the baby of four and with 3 uber-successful brothers, it’s not been easy feeling successful in his own life. He needs someone to see him for who he is, not who he could or ‘should’ have been.

With lots of doggy playdates, sweet moments, and Christmas cheer, Amy and Christmas Falls deliver a great holiday romance.

 

A Fatal Autumnal Stew by Dahlia Donovan

4.5

I’m completely in love with Dahalia’s cozy style of romance, and this paranormal mystery series is super adorable.

Set in a small town that acts as a kind of haven for rejected or ostracized people/supernatural. 

Hyde and Teresa are pretty cute, especially now that they're dating, but they can’t seem to keep out of a mystery. Whether they like it or not, they keep getting pulled in.  

It’s a great cast of characters, a variety of vampires, witches, druids and more, with small-town personalities. Where everyone knows everything that’s happened moments later, but will also have your back.  Especially Hyde, the townfolk love them.

Can’t wait to see what else this cute couple gets embroiled in.