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vrstal's reviews
554 reviews
Accidental Mafia Witness by Aria Grace
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
2/5. Highlights may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.
Content Warnings for book: Pregnancy, murder
Kink: Knotting
I felt for Trey, man. Not that I’ve been so embarrassed around a man to be clumsy or whatever, but just that I’ve been Generally Put of Place in my life. For me it’s the autistic “weirdness” of feeling so off in social spaces and poor spatial awareness. Maybe he is too? I don’t think that was authorial intention as it was only little things but, yeah.
I was a little confused at first until I put the pieces together of how Trey had known about Walt for so long, though, as I hadn’t expected the large time jump from the end of book one.
Then we get the inciting event. That and fated mates shenanigans. It is interesting to me how Trey seems to shake off all the usual shyness when he gets inspiration, and I’m not sure if it’s truly believable. I don’t know, his character seemed inconsistent?
This book was just weird. Walt didn’t really feel that exciting of a character to read either. I think I’m just gonna let this series lie.
Content Warnings for book: Pregnancy, murder
Kink: Knotting
I felt for Trey, man. Not that I’ve been so embarrassed around a man to be clumsy or whatever, but just that I’ve been Generally Put of Place in my life. For me it’s the autistic “weirdness” of feeling so off in social spaces and poor spatial awareness. Maybe he is too? I don’t think that was authorial intention as it was only little things but, yeah.
I was a little confused at first until I put the pieces together of how Trey had known about Walt for so long, though, as I hadn’t expected the large time jump from the end of book one.
Then we get the inciting event. That and fated mates shenanigans. It is interesting to me how Trey seems to shake off all the usual shyness when he gets inspiration, and I’m not sure if it’s truly believable. I don’t know, his character seemed inconsistent?
This book was just weird. Walt didn’t really feel that exciting of a character to read either. I think I’m just gonna let this series lie.
Legend by Ki Brightly, M.D. Gregory
dark
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
5/5.
Content Warnings for book: Gun violence, ableism, murder, torture
Kink: Size queen, praise kink, light breeding kink, D/s dynamics, spanking, lace and lingerie
This was so good!! I needed a nice, sweet romance with mafia shenanigans. Legend was a great daddy (lower case d, no kink involved) with Finn, who is pretty and badass. I really want to read more of the Sweeneys, I am invested in various hints of pairings. Especially that detective 👀 I wanna know more!!
The female side characters are well written which I always appreciate. I loved Deidre.
As usual this pair’s writing is really enjoyable and this had so many of my fave tropes. 10/10. Highly recommend :)
Content Warnings for book: Gun violence, ableism, murder, torture
Kink: Size queen, praise kink, light breeding kink, D/s dynamics, spanking, lace and lingerie
This was so good!! I needed a nice, sweet romance with mafia shenanigans. Legend was a great daddy (lower case d, no kink involved) with Finn, who is pretty and badass. I really want to read more of the Sweeneys, I am invested in various hints of pairings. Especially that detective 👀 I wanna know more!!
The female side characters are well written which I always appreciate. I loved Deidre.
As usual this pair’s writing is really enjoyable and this had so many of my fave tropes. 10/10. Highly recommend :)
Sexy Possessed Roommate: A Dark M/M Romance Novella by X. Everett
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
5/5.
Content Warnings for book: Homophobia, death, f slur, body horror, gore, demonic possession
Kink: Bondage, slapping, degradation
This was super enjoyable! We’ve got an interracial couple, demon possession, hot pentagram sex and a frat that tries its best to support their twink bro. Add in the smooth writing, humor, clear indications of a person who is part of queer community — well, it’s just nice. X. Everett is a good writer, and I don’t say that all the time even with books I love. It’s just that great :)
I also appreciate when authors manage the bare minimum of not describing skin colors with food. While Stacio’s blackness isn’t a focal point of the narrative, nothing stood out to me as offensive.
I really thought Crispin and Stacio were a cute couple and I’d love if after the series and demon finishes their business we could get some domestic snippets of these couples. I mean I just wanna see more movie cuddles… that shit was cute. Ugh.
The narrative was a little disorienting at times, maybe that’s on purpose to enable the horror aspect however it impeded my enjoyment personally. I wish it had been made more clear what were “dream sequences” and what wasn’t.
Can’t wait for the next story — I am assuming that is Bridget and Riley. Love a twink and frat boy combo, apparently.
If you want a short horror romance story, look no further than this!
Bound to the Mafia Guard by Jena Wade
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
3/5.
Content Warnings for book: Off-page references to torture and kidnapping, pregnancy, pseudo-incest (cousins by marriage)
Kink: Knotting
Probably the weakest so far but that’s late series syndrome imo. Didn’t have as much fun in the burst of drama that appears in these, such as in Connor and Joey’s book. Here’s hope Cord’s book will because I love a title like “broken omega”.
I think part of it is I wanted there to be more digging into what happened to Rowan — I understand avoiding it for the sake of keeping it a lighter tone, but it was missing depth.
Anyway, good popcorn. Waiting for the next!
Qozy Queerotica: A Wholesome and Horny Monster Lover Anthology by Rori Thornton
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
3.5/5.
Content Warnings for book: Trans man MC using cunt/clit/etc for genitalia, PIV sex
Kink: Heat sex, diphallia, oviposition, tail play, orgies, group sex, sex magic
The drawings were very well done and interesting! I loved seeing the different monsters for each story.
However, I struggled with this as an erotica. By that I mean that it just isn’t so erotic. It’s sweet, wholesome, and some stories leave intrigue to wonder what happens next for that pairing in a romantic sense. It makes you want to learn more! It just doesn’t have the spark for me? It doesn’t have what makes erotica a fulfilling experience but I can’t point to what exactly that is. It might be the language, as it feels stilted at times. I think too that the author maybe wanted to write more, and probably even more *romance*, but then forgot halfway and reeled it back in with more sex.
Points of the creativity on monsters, really different from what you typically see!
Regardless though, Thornton’s work isn’t bad. Maybe folks who prefer their erotica on the sweeter side will really enjoy this one, because it certainly fits! Consent is in each story and enthusiastic!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Content Warnings for book: Trans man MC using cunt/clit/etc for genitalia, PIV sex
Kink: Heat sex, diphallia, oviposition, tail play, orgies, group sex, sex magic
The drawings were very well done and interesting! I loved seeing the different monsters for each story.
However, I struggled with this as an erotica. By that I mean that it just isn’t so erotic. It’s sweet, wholesome, and some stories leave intrigue to wonder what happens next for that pairing in a romantic sense. It makes you want to learn more! It just doesn’t have the spark for me? It doesn’t have what makes erotica a fulfilling experience but I can’t point to what exactly that is. It might be the language, as it feels stilted at times. I think too that the author maybe wanted to write more, and probably even more *romance*, but then forgot halfway and reeled it back in with more sex.
Points of the creativity on monsters, really different from what you typically see!
Regardless though, Thornton’s work isn’t bad. Maybe folks who prefer their erotica on the sweeter side will really enjoy this one, because it certainly fits! Consent is in each story and enthusiastic!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Priest and the Adders by E.N. Laurier
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4/5.
Content Warnings for book: Christianity, religious guilt, body horror, erotic horror, blood, gore, r slur, ableism, child abuse, internalized homophobia, sex with others on page
Kink: D/s themes, public sex, voice kink, tentacles, monster genitalia, praise kink, JOI, humiliation
Peter, Malachi, Cane. The Priest and the Adders is an interesting MMM horror-romance novel focusing on themes of Catholicism, corruption arcs, and falling in love with fallen angels.
I think I expected more going into this than I got — more horror, more eroticism, more something. The writing was enjoyable though, and I found the flashbacks valuable to understanding Peter’s psyche. I really loved Malachi. Sometime the connection between Malachi and Cane - and Cane and Peter - felt a bitch stretched. On poke band supernatural beings aren’t tied to our concepts of love, but on the other I wish we got more emotional moments between Peter and Cane.
There are certainly events of corruption and deception, but anything truly horrific happens off-page. I understand though, as those sorts of gory details not every author wants to focus on. So if you’re worried about gore, don’t be alarmed. Feel free to read this book.
I really enjoyed the imagery at the end when they all fuck, it was descriptive and l fascinating.
Overall, for those wanting a religious horror-ish romance featuring angels and devilish decisions, check this book out!
One thing to note for readers whom it matters: there are more detailed sex scenes with others and masturbation scenes than between the main throuple.
Thank you to the author for the ARC opportunity.
Content Warnings for book: Christianity, religious guilt, body horror, erotic horror, blood, gore, r slur, ableism, child abuse, internalized homophobia, sex with others on page
Kink: D/s themes, public sex, voice kink, tentacles, monster genitalia, praise kink, JOI, humiliation
Peter, Malachi, Cane. The Priest and the Adders is an interesting MMM horror-romance novel focusing on themes of Catholicism, corruption arcs, and falling in love with fallen angels.
I think I expected more going into this than I got — more horror, more eroticism, more something. The writing was enjoyable though, and I found the flashbacks valuable to understanding Peter’s psyche. I really loved Malachi. Sometime the connection between Malachi and Cane - and Cane and Peter - felt a bitch stretched. On poke band supernatural beings aren’t tied to our concepts of love, but on the other I wish we got more emotional moments between Peter and Cane.
There are certainly events of corruption and deception, but anything truly horrific happens off-page. I understand though, as those sorts of gory details not every author wants to focus on. So if you’re worried about gore, don’t be alarmed. Feel free to read this book.
I really enjoyed the imagery at the end when they all fuck, it was descriptive and l fascinating.
Overall, for those wanting a religious horror-ish romance featuring angels and devilish decisions, check this book out!
One thing to note for readers whom it matters: there are more detailed sex scenes with others and masturbation scenes than between the main throuple.
Thank you to the author for the ARC opportunity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Reckless Impulse by Ryder O'Malley
Did not finish book. Stopped at 46%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 46%.
Can’t tell if it’s me or the book. Just wasn’t working.
Light Me Up: A M/M Lamp Romance by Sabrina Cross
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
4/5. <i>Highlights may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.</i>
<b>Content Warnings for book:</b> Unsafe substance use
<b>Kink:</b> Electricity play
I mean. It is what it says. This was really funny and I could do with small shots of humor for days like these.
The Projector by Larkin Bryne
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content warning: Gore
I can’t even say that I get it but what an interesting approach to prose, to a building dread, and to the idea of meeting the self.
I can’t even say that I get it but what an interesting approach to prose, to a building dread, and to the idea of meeting the self.
Currency in Flesh: a dark paranormal romance by Heather Nix
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
DNF on 1/22/2025.
Not the book, it's me. I think the dynamics plus the humiliation kink when the MC has gone through such tremendous abuse is a framing (?) that doesn't work for me.
Not the book, it's me. I think the dynamics plus the humiliation kink when the MC has gone through such tremendous abuse is a framing (?) that doesn't work for me.