vicki_williams's reviews
2717 reviews

Beautifully Savage Butterfly by K.M. Neuhold

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

Mafia underboss Elio is a self-assured person whose bratty tendencies are unleashed when his persistence finally gets the attention of MMA fighter Orion. Orion really really doesn’t like Elio but circumstances have them spending more time together and soon enough Orion’s dominant nature have him and Elio igniting the sizzling chemistry between them. When both start peeling back the layers discovering what lies beneath their version of sweetness is added to the mix. 

The romance/mafia/familial elements of this enjoyable read are well balanced and kept me engaged from the very beginning. Elio and Orion had me cheering them on and their HEA made my heart happy. 

We are also gifted with a sneak peak re the next couple to get their story told and I can’t wait. 

The Haunted Hotel by Vawn Cassidy

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Loved it ❤️

Ellis is the biggest brightest ray of sunshine that ever sunshined (it’s a word) and I’m sure this adorably gorgeous man doesn’t even know the word pessimist. Circumstances bring the very grumpy and just as prickly silver fox Morgan to the very haunted/financially troubled Ashton-Drake Manor House Hotel. 

Their first encounter involves Ellis being his clumsy self, a Christmas tree, fairy lights and a ladder. So begins a delightful journey as these two wonderful men navigate their way to a HFN, with “assistance” from the meddling ghosts. I laughed out loud at the numerous antics of the Hotel residents and guests and felt their heartache when all appeared lost. I easily imagined myself in the various magnificent rooms of the Hotel and longed to explore all the hidden nooks and crannies. The connection between Ellis and Morgan and their budding romance was perfectly balanced with the financial problems element and I loved the addition of the Bureau of Domestic Hauntings storyline. This was a one sitting read for me and I can’t wait for adventures at the Ashton-Drake Manor House Hotel. 

Demon Hunter by Louisa Masters

relaxing medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

This is the second  instalment in The Collective series and features Matt and Dylan. These two very likeable characters find themselves investigating the person/s behind a vicious assault that leaves Matt hospitalised. Of course Ian, Marc, Uncle Norval, etc can’t not help and do whatever they can to assist in identifying those behind the attack. 

Matt and Dylan are just so perfect for each other. They had me laughing, giggling and sighing with happiness with every interaction between them. There is a bit of a miscommunication when it comes to the after effects of Matt’s recovery (talk about an unexpected twist in the tale!) but it’s nothing that can break the beautiful connection between them. I loved the sweet small moments of just being with a loved one as well as the steamy heated scenes which balanced perfectly with the investigative elements of the plot. I loved being back in this universe and the story telling ability of this talented and dependable author had me hooked from start to finish. There’s a couple of very interesting side characters introduced which leaves me eagerly waiting for more. 

Maybe You by Briar Prescott

emotional reflective medium-paced

5.0

Just perfect 😍 

Briar Prescott has once again gifted us readers with an amazing book filled with multidimensional characters, a complex romantic story line that flows along seamlessly and the perfect balance between these elements to make for an engaging and enjoyable read which I couldn’t put down. 

Circumstances bring Wren and Sutton into each other’s orbit and so begins an angsty journey between two wonderful characters overcoming their pasts to have a forever love together.  With plenty of feels and banter along the way, I was left with a warm heart and a happy smile as I finished this book and I know that Wren and Sutton will stay with me for a very long time. 

The Amazing Alpha Tau Reunion Project: The Collected Bonus Stories by Lisa Henry, Sarah Honey

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Absolutely loved this. A must read for Alpha Tau fans. I laughed out loud, giggled and happy sighed as the men of Alpha Tau find their places in the world. My heart is so happy. 

Bro Jobs - Sweet enjoyable prelude novella to the Alpha Tau series. Scout and Trey seamlessly go from roommates to bros to boyfriends. There’s no angst, just bros being bros. 

Romancing Dalton Beauregard - Marty has plans for an epic romantic gesture for Dalton. It’s Marty so it’s not just one gesture and things don’t always go to plan. I’ll just say a squirrel, a boombox and an Arthouse film are just the beginning! 

Make Up xxx - Casey and Briar have a romantic weekend away in which Casey embraces his princess persona. 

Pinch Hitter - Nash has a date but is stood up. That is until “Hot Suit Guy” (aka Paul) at the next table asks Nash to join him leading to a toe curling encounter with his soon to be boyfriend. 

Reunion  - 10 years have passed since graduation and the Alpha Tau brothers are together for a wedding. 

Briar is the stressed out planner of the wedding but Casey gives him a wonderful surprise in the parking lot of a fast food outlet to help ease his stress. 

Archer and Eli are hunting for the perfect house. Archer is the best man so is also planning the last minute bachelor party at the same time. Look at them being adults! 

Tanner just retired from playing professional baseball overseas. He and Charlie are returning to new jobs, a new place to live and a new chapter in their lives. 

Dalton and Marty had a change of plans resulting in fatherhood which led to a bucket load of “change of plans” in their life. 

Scout and Trey aka The Grooms. Fourteen months of stress planning the wedding with Briar all worthwhile when finally the wedding part is over and the marriage part begins. The identity of the ice sculpture culprit is finally revealed and that’s not the only surprise.

Arthur by Taylor Rylan

relaxing medium-paced

4.0

Many centuries ago Arthur and Patrick were members of the same coven and although very aware of each other but didn’t really know one another due to their large age gap. As a teenager Patrick and his parents left the coven and 10 years later circumstances have Arthur rescuing Patrick, his fated One. 

These two wonderful men are the perfect balance to each other. As coven master,  Arthur takes his role very seriously whilst the sweet kind nature of Patrick is just the grounding Arthur needs. Their romance spans centuries and is filled with love and family and the occasional well timed visit from a deity! This is an easy to read low angst romance between a fated couple who adore each other and take the time to assess their relationship and make adjustments as necessary.  After reading yet another new instalment in this wonderful series I’m once again left with a happy heart and eagerly anticipating more. 

Siren in the Rain by Chloe Archer

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

The MEOW Squad are absolutely amazing 😻 

Griffin is the most pure, adorably cute, full of sunshine, golden retriever himbo surfer dude Wolfkin and I couldn’t help but fall in love with him and his “SCSS” abilities. Not going to spoil the fun for you by telling you what it means!  Circumstances have the MEOW squad rescuing half siren Shae from a very dire situation and Griffin immediately recognises Shae as his mate. Shae is somewhat grumpy and full of sass and snark but together these two wonderful characters make the perfect pair, even if Shae initially is not convinced that fated mates are a thing. He is soon absorbed into the wonderful found family of misfits that make up MEOW as they embark on the serious task before them. 

My heartstrings were pulled taut as Shae and Griffin revealed how they been mistreated in the past but the story telling ability of this dependable author also had me laughing out loud, sighing at the swoon and just wanting to scratch Griffin’s bug fluffy ears. 

I loved this book from start to finish and was cheerleading all the way through as Shae and Griffin bumbled their way to a hard earned HEA. There’s also plenty of very interesting side characters that have me eager for their stories to be told and I can’t wait for more in the spin off series to come. 

Stronger Than Fate by Becca Seymour

emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Fantastic end to the series! 

What an amazing end to the Fangs and Felons series. There’s always something that keeps the pages turning. From wonderfully strong characters who own their flaws to plenty of action/drama and one completely surprising plot twist that made me sit back and go “Whoa”. 

Matt and Ethan are thrown together and when not riling each other up, they soon begin to recognise that there’s more than appears as barriers start to slowly crumble and complexities are revealed. With understanding and acceptance they manage to overcome all the obstacles put before them as they get their hard earned HEA. 

I was fully hooked from the very beginning as Matt and Ethan outrun and outsmart the villains of the piece whilst the exploring the burgeoning feeling’s between them. There’s a few surprises along the way, some tenderness mixed with some heat, a very satisfying conclusion to the overall story arc and an ending that left me smiling and my heart melting. Becca Seymour excels with this finale to the urban fantasy series with some extremely interesting side characters shouting out for a spin off series! 

The Convenient Groom by Ana Ashley

lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

4.0

A wonderful low angst sweet romance with very likeable characters, plenty of steam, an engaging and very entertaining plot which warmed my heart and left me smiling.

The Tighthead by Charlie Novak

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Wonderful start to a new series. 

This was such an enjoyable and engaging read. Mason is a rugby player with the personality of a Golden Retriever and his roommate Ryan is a nerdy drag queen/graphic designer with a love of bright colours and clashing patterns.  

Circumstances have these two wonderful characters having a no strings relationship as Ryan assists Mason with his journey of self discovery. A discovery that the sometimes sweetly oblivious Mason fully embraces without self doubt as he finds his authentic self. There’s plenty of steam as the “no strings” slowly morphs into more with unexpected feelings sneaking in for both Mason and Ryan. 

This very low angst heartwarming story had me cheering for these adorable men and their HEA left me with the biggest smile on my face. There’s also plenty of scope with the interesting side characters for more stories to be told and I’m looking forward to reading them.