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vlcunning's reviews
51 reviews
False Start by Nicole Dykes
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is book three of the author’s Big Bend Bears series and features best friends, Austin and Vaughn.
The guys have been best friends since childhood but things are changing. Not that they’re not still best friends but Austin has been hiding a secret—a secret that could possibly ruin their friendship…he’s in love with Vaughn and Vaughn is…well, he’s straight.
These guys are so sweet, I love ‘em both! Although it’s book three in the series, it can be read as a standalone and it’s my favorite kind of book too—(other than best friends to lovers) it’s low angst!
If you haven’t already started reading this series, that’s ok, just jump right in here, you won’t regret it and you might just find yourself going back and reading the first two. Heck, I’ve already read ‘em and after reading this one it’s made me want to revisit them all again! 5 stars!!
I received a copy of this book for free from GRR but am voluntarily leaving a review.
The guys have been best friends since childhood but things are changing. Not that they’re not still best friends but Austin has been hiding a secret—a secret that could possibly ruin their friendship…he’s in love with Vaughn and Vaughn is…well, he’s straight.
These guys are so sweet, I love ‘em both! Although it’s book three in the series, it can be read as a standalone and it’s my favorite kind of book too—(other than best friends to lovers) it’s low angst!
If you haven’t already started reading this series, that’s ok, just jump right in here, you won’t regret it and you might just find yourself going back and reading the first two. Heck, I’ve already read ‘em and after reading this one it’s made me want to revisit them all again! 5 stars!!
I received a copy of this book for free from GRR but am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Gold Dragon Prince by MM Farmer
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This is book two in the author’s Omega Fairy Tales series and features Selle, one of the six omega princes of the evil King Freslik and Gildur, the golden dragon prince from the magical realm.
With a gifted access to the magical realm, the six princes escape the imprisonment of their room each day to dance and forget their troubles in the magical world. So far, two of the princes, Tovey (from book one) and Selle, have found their fated mates in magical dragons.
I have to stop here; I’ve already written and deleted two more paragraphs because they were getting too long winded and straying too close to spoilers but suffice it to say, I really enjoyed reading Selle and Gildur’s book. It followed the same basic storyline as book one, all of the facts remained the same, but I loved the way it took a whole new direction—it kept me interested without allowing me to get distracted or bored and waiting to see what would happen next.
For readers who enjoy a good PNR read about dragons and fated mates, you can’t go wrong with either book one or book two. Book three will be coming out soon and I already can’t wait to see what happens with Leo and Diamant, the diamond dragon prince. For Selle and Gildur though, 4.5 stars!
I received a copy of this book for free but am voluntarily leaving a review.
With a gifted access to the magical realm, the six princes escape the imprisonment of their room each day to dance and forget their troubles in the magical world. So far, two of the princes, Tovey (from book one) and Selle, have found their fated mates in magical dragons.
I have to stop here; I’ve already written and deleted two more paragraphs because they were getting too long winded and straying too close to spoilers but suffice it to say, I really enjoyed reading Selle and Gildur’s book. It followed the same basic storyline as book one, all of the facts remained the same, but I loved the way it took a whole new direction—it kept me interested without allowing me to get distracted or bored and waiting to see what would happen next.
For readers who enjoy a good PNR read about dragons and fated mates, you can’t go wrong with either book one or book two. Book three will be coming out soon and I already can’t wait to see what happens with Leo and Diamant, the diamond dragon prince. For Selle and Gildur though, 4.5 stars!
I received a copy of this book for free but am voluntarily leaving a review.
Hot Ice, Tennessee by Raleigh Ruebins
challenging
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is book two in the author’s Hard Spot Saloon series and features Mason, aka Hot Mess from book one, Best Friends, Tennessee.
Mason truly was a hot mess after his dad passed. He couldn’t sleep, partied too hard, pulled too many stupid stunts and would do anything with anyone not to have to be alone. When he first met the cute hockey player in the Hard Spot Saloon he decided his s3x free summer to learn to love himself had run its course and he was about to end his dry spell. Too bad the cute hockey player was his best friend’s little brother and his best friend would NOT appreciate him messing around with his little brother.
Jesse was hanging out at his brother’s bar, trying to forget his ex when the handsome cowboy started flirting with him, suddenly he was glad he’d came even though he’d intended to be off the market for a while. Until they each realized who the other was; that changed things significantly.
Even at 21 and a college student, Jesse was pretty mature for his age and a lot more dominant than Mason expected. For his part, Mason enjoyed being more submissive than he had previously realized in his 31 years and though they fought their attraction, it was impossible.
Unlike book one (or any of the other books I’ve read by this author) this one had hints of BDSM. Nothing hard or anything so I didn’t really have a problem with it but I kind of like to know about that beforehand as I’m not a huge fan. I absolutely loved the ending though…how the two finally recognized and admitted their own feelings…it was so sweet. Although I enjoyed this one, book one was my favorite but I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t been looking forward to Hot Mess’s book and finding out who would be the one to rein him in and help him settle down. Hockey romances are some of my favorite, for readers who feel the same way, check it out. 4 stars!
I received a copy of this book for free from GRR but am voluntarily leaving a review.
Mason truly was a hot mess after his dad passed. He couldn’t sleep, partied too hard, pulled too many stupid stunts and would do anything with anyone not to have to be alone. When he first met the cute hockey player in the Hard Spot Saloon he decided his s3x free summer to learn to love himself had run its course and he was about to end his dry spell. Too bad the cute hockey player was his best friend’s little brother and his best friend would NOT appreciate him messing around with his little brother.
Jesse was hanging out at his brother’s bar, trying to forget his ex when the handsome cowboy started flirting with him, suddenly he was glad he’d came even though he’d intended to be off the market for a while. Until they each realized who the other was; that changed things significantly.
Even at 21 and a college student, Jesse was pretty mature for his age and a lot more dominant than Mason expected. For his part, Mason enjoyed being more submissive than he had previously realized in his 31 years and though they fought their attraction, it was impossible.
Unlike book one (or any of the other books I’ve read by this author) this one had hints of BDSM. Nothing hard or anything so I didn’t really have a problem with it but I kind of like to know about that beforehand as I’m not a huge fan. I absolutely loved the ending though…how the two finally recognized and admitted their own feelings…it was so sweet. Although I enjoyed this one, book one was my favorite but I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t been looking forward to Hot Mess’s book and finding out who would be the one to rein him in and help him settle down. Hockey romances are some of my favorite, for readers who feel the same way, check it out. 4 stars!
I received a copy of this book for free from GRR but am voluntarily leaving a review.
On Thin Ice by Beth Bolden
emotional
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is book three of the author’s Portland Evergreens series and features Finn who we met in the previous book, a tightly wound goalie under extreme pressure from his retired, famous dad and Jacob, a famous goalie forced to retired due to an injury—and his dad’s biggest enemy—from whom Finn was asking for coaching assistance.
There was nothing about this book that I didn’t absolutely love—this whole series in fact, was amazing. I loved Finn so much! His struggles with self worth, made worse by his perfectionistic dad broke my heart and made me want to give him the biggest hug, he was just so dang sweet! And Jacob, he had struggles of his own but he had such a tender heart…I loved him too. Together, they were perfect. Heck, I even ended up loving Morgan, Finn’s dad, after not being able to stand him from the previous book!
This book CAN be read as a standalone but you’ll get so much more enjoyment if you read the previous books first. You’ll know exactly who Elliott and Mal (who appeared quite often) were (as well as all the other guys) and why the parts about them were so hot.
I honestly can’t recommend this book highly enough, the whole series really, and hope you’ll give it a chance. 5+ stars!
I received a copy of this book for free but am voluntarily leaving a review.
There was nothing about this book that I didn’t absolutely love—this whole series in fact, was amazing. I loved Finn so much! His struggles with self worth, made worse by his perfectionistic dad broke my heart and made me want to give him the biggest hug, he was just so dang sweet! And Jacob, he had struggles of his own but he had such a tender heart…I loved him too. Together, they were perfect. Heck, I even ended up loving Morgan, Finn’s dad, after not being able to stand him from the previous book!
This book CAN be read as a standalone but you’ll get so much more enjoyment if you read the previous books first. You’ll know exactly who Elliott and Mal (who appeared quite often) were (as well as all the other guys) and why the parts about them were so hot.
I honestly can’t recommend this book highly enough, the whole series really, and hope you’ll give it a chance. 5+ stars!
I received a copy of this book for free but am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lustful Nights by Ashley Rayne
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is book one of the author’s new Peaches series featuring a strip club by the same name where Lennox, along with his best friends, danced to offset his tuition costs.
When Jensen sees his best friend’s little brother, Lennox, dancing in a strip club while at a private party for his boss, the man who had always considered himself straight had his life turned upside down when he couldn’t get Lennox out of his head.
This was an incredibly sweet book with plenty of steam between a loving yet tenderly dominant Jensen and a sassy yet oddly insecure Lennox—considering his confidence when dancing. I thought it was pretty good, the only thing keeping it from being a 5 star read is that it was kinda slow causing me to skim over large sections at a time to get to the next scene. I saw some of the other reviews though so maybe I was just being too picky…don’t take my word for it, check it out for yourself!
I received a copy of this book for free GRR but am voluntarily leaving a review.
When Jensen sees his best friend’s little brother, Lennox, dancing in a strip club while at a private party for his boss, the man who had always considered himself straight had his life turned upside down when he couldn’t get Lennox out of his head.
This was an incredibly sweet book with plenty of steam between a loving yet tenderly dominant Jensen and a sassy yet oddly insecure Lennox—considering his confidence when dancing. I thought it was pretty good, the only thing keeping it from being a 5 star read is that it was kinda slow causing me to skim over large sections at a time to get to the next scene. I saw some of the other reviews though so maybe I was just being too picky…don’t take my word for it, check it out for yourself!
I received a copy of this book for free GRR but am voluntarily leaving a review.
My Mountain Man Boss by Sadie King
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is book eight in the author’s Wild Heart Mountain: Mountain Heroes series and features Landon, the local Fire Chief and his daughter’s best friend, Amy in this age gap, best friend’s dad, taboo romance.
Landon had had a happy marriage and was devastated when he lost his wife when their daughter was in her teens so he never expected to find love again until he sees Amy again after several years. For her part, Amy never wanted to fall in love, much less marry after witnessing her parent’s messy divorce…and besides, what would her best friend think? Landon doesn’t care what anyone else thinks—Amy belongs to him and he’s willing to wait for her to resolve her fears regarding love and marriage, no matter what it takes.
Although it was a short read, there was no shortage of steam though it’s not exactly high heat; it struck just the right balance with the pining, the emotional connection and the steam so that I didn’t feel like anything at all was missing. Like age gap and best friend’s dad? Then this a must read, it’s fairly short but more than worth the time it takes to read. 5 stars!!
I received a copy of this book for free from Instalove Influencers but am voluntarily leaving a review.
Landon had had a happy marriage and was devastated when he lost his wife when their daughter was in her teens so he never expected to find love again until he sees Amy again after several years. For her part, Amy never wanted to fall in love, much less marry after witnessing her parent’s messy divorce…and besides, what would her best friend think? Landon doesn’t care what anyone else thinks—Amy belongs to him and he’s willing to wait for her to resolve her fears regarding love and marriage, no matter what it takes.
Although it was a short read, there was no shortage of steam though it’s not exactly high heat; it struck just the right balance with the pining, the emotional connection and the steam so that I didn’t feel like anything at all was missing. Like age gap and best friend’s dad? Then this a must read, it’s fairly short but more than worth the time it takes to read. 5 stars!!
I received a copy of this book for free from Instalove Influencers but am voluntarily leaving a review.
Pucking Fake by Nichole Rose
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is book two of the author’s Pucked Up Love series and features Logan, the Carver’s goalie and his reluctant assistant, Peyton.
This book is HOT! Logan is a shameless flirt with a filthy mouth on him but he’ll do whatever it takes to make Peyton his…of course lying is what caused the big misunderstanding that almost made him lose her in the first place. Yes, he screwed up—bad—and he knew it but he was having a hard time regretting it if it won him the woman he already couldn’t stand the thought of losing.
Peyton already had trust issues a mile wide from a lifetime spent being denied by her father so when she stumbled on Logan’s big secret, even though she’d just had the night of her life with him, she ran, never expecting to see him a few days later as her new employer.
Oh my gosh, I LOVED this book!! Logan was sweet and smexy and Peyton was full of snark, doing her best to keep him at arm’s length, but anytime they got within touching distance, she struggled to resist him yet unable to give in completely… This is a must read for anyone who loves hockey romance and the heat that comes standard with every one of Nichole Rose’s books. PERFECTION!!!
I received a copy of this book for free from Instalove Influencers but am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book is HOT! Logan is a shameless flirt with a filthy mouth on him but he’ll do whatever it takes to make Peyton his…of course lying is what caused the big misunderstanding that almost made him lose her in the first place. Yes, he screwed up—bad—and he knew it but he was having a hard time regretting it if it won him the woman he already couldn’t stand the thought of losing.
Peyton already had trust issues a mile wide from a lifetime spent being denied by her father so when she stumbled on Logan’s big secret, even though she’d just had the night of her life with him, she ran, never expecting to see him a few days later as her new employer.
Oh my gosh, I LOVED this book!! Logan was sweet and smexy and Peyton was full of snark, doing her best to keep him at arm’s length, but anytime they got within touching distance, she struggled to resist him yet unable to give in completely… This is a must read for anyone who loves hockey romance and the heat that comes standard with every one of Nichole Rose’s books. PERFECTION!!!
I received a copy of this book for free from Instalove Influencers but am voluntarily leaving a review.
Road Trip by Lisa Henry, Sarah Honey
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
It’s Jacob and Matt’s last summer together before starting college; Jacob at ODU an hour away and Matt, stuck in the town he’s desperate to escape, going to the local Community College. The two best friends take off across the country on a road trip, one last hurrah, from Virginia to California so Matt can visit his estranged dad and to spend the time together before they wind up growing apart.
Matt had been in love with Jacob for years but knew it could never go anywhere since Jacob was straight so he really wanted to store up all the memories he could—what could be better than being all up in each other’s space in a car on an over 2,000 mile road trip?
Sure, Jacob could’ve been a better boyfriend but it wasn’t like he didn’t care about his girlfriend…It’s just, Matt was his ride or die and had been since they were kids but…maybe it should’ve been a tipoff when he found himself protecting Matt’s feelings more important than Layla’s?
This was a really sweet read—more realistic than most of the author’s previous books—but it was a super slow burn and extremely low heat, ideal for those who prefer less explicit intimate scenes but personally, I prefer at least a little more heat and was a little disappointed. That’s just a personal preference though, not an issue with the book, it’s a good book.
I received a copy of this book for free but am voluntarily leaving a review.
Matt had been in love with Jacob for years but knew it could never go anywhere since Jacob was straight so he really wanted to store up all the memories he could—what could be better than being all up in each other’s space in a car on an over 2,000 mile road trip?
Sure, Jacob could’ve been a better boyfriend but it wasn’t like he didn’t care about his girlfriend…It’s just, Matt was his ride or die and had been since they were kids but…maybe it should’ve been a tipoff when he found himself protecting Matt’s feelings more important than Layla’s?
This was a really sweet read—more realistic than most of the author’s previous books—but it was a super slow burn and extremely low heat, ideal for those who prefer less explicit intimate scenes but personally, I prefer at least a little more heat and was a little disappointed. That’s just a personal preference though, not an issue with the book, it’s a good book.
I received a copy of this book for free but am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sold to the Titan by Cassi Hart
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This is book one of the author’s High Rollers Club and features Cillian, a titan in the tech industry with extremely questionable morals, in a search for the man who was responsible for his sister’s passing. His search led him to an old chapel where women were being auctioned off to the highest bidder. He couldn’t save them all but he WOULD save the terrified young beauty who looked like she was lost.
Aria had no idea how she wound up in an auction—being sold to the highest bidder with her virginity making her the most highly sought after “commodity.” Her only hope, the man she almost ran into, somehow giving her a fleeting sense of being safe with him…until he leaves and she’s forced onstage.
This was a short yet super steamy book with an assumed fairly large age gap (he was familiar with the FMCs mother’s career and it was also implied), a morally gray MMC, forced public s3x (not by either of the MCs) and attempted human trafficking. Without minimizing the seriousness of human trafficking at all, this was still a really good book. My favorite part is the lengths Cillian was willing to go to to protect Aria and keep her safe. Oh my gosh, and how gentle he was with her…he was a pure dream!! Considering the things I mentioned, if none of that is triggering to you, I recommend this book 100%! 4.5 stars!
I received a copy of this book for free but am voluntarily leaving a review.
Aria had no idea how she wound up in an auction—being sold to the highest bidder with her virginity making her the most highly sought after “commodity.” Her only hope, the man she almost ran into, somehow giving her a fleeting sense of being safe with him…until he leaves and she’s forced onstage.
This was a short yet super steamy book with an assumed fairly large age gap (he was familiar with the FMCs mother’s career and it was also implied), a morally gray MMC, forced public s3x (not by either of the MCs) and attempted human trafficking. Without minimizing the seriousness of human trafficking at all, this was still a really good book. My favorite part is the lengths Cillian was willing to go to to protect Aria and keep her safe. Oh my gosh, and how gentle he was with her…he was a pure dream!! Considering the things I mentioned, if none of that is triggering to you, I recommend this book 100%! 4.5 stars!
I received a copy of this book for free but am voluntarily leaving a review.
Rhett by Riley Hart
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is the final book in the author’s Swift Brothers series and focuses on giving Rhett, the oldest Swift sibling, his long awaited HEA. This was my first book in the Swift Brothers series and I don’t have a clue how I missed the first two!
This was an amazing read, full of hope and sweetness and strength. It was a bit of a slow burn—not my preference but totally understandable when you look at all Rhett had been through—but the feelings expressed by Rhett and Tripp made me not even care, together they were perfection!!
There’s not much I can add that wasn’t covered in the blurb since it was clear and concise with an excellent summarization but I CAN say, you don’t want to miss this book. I’ve got to go back now and read Morgan and Easton’s books, I STILL don’t know how I missed them! For Rhett (and Tripp) though, 5 stars!
I received a copy of this book for free from Literally Yours but am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was an amazing read, full of hope and sweetness and strength. It was a bit of a slow burn—not my preference but totally understandable when you look at all Rhett had been through—but the feelings expressed by Rhett and Tripp made me not even care, together they were perfection!!
There’s not much I can add that wasn’t covered in the blurb since it was clear and concise with an excellent summarization but I CAN say, you don’t want to miss this book. I’ve got to go back now and read Morgan and Easton’s books, I STILL don’t know how I missed them! For Rhett (and Tripp) though, 5 stars!
I received a copy of this book for free from Literally Yours but am voluntarily leaving a review.