ARC Review: Aftermath by L.A. Witt

Title: Aftermath 
Series: Vinos and Veritas #5
Author: L.A. Witt
Publisher: Heart Eyes Press
Release Date: March 29, 2021

Brent Weyland was the life of the party until an injury ended his hockey career. Now he’s retreated alone to a lakefront house, trying to make sense of a life and body that don’t feel like his anymore.

Jon Norquist was happily married right up until he wasn’t. Now a single father in his forties, he’s trying to figure out what comes next. In the meantime, he pours his heartache and regret into the lyrics he sings for the wine bar crowd a couple of nights a week.

When a friend coaxes Brent out for a night of wine and music, he puts Brent and Jon on a collision course. Their chemistry is instantaneous. Jon gives Brent’s battered body a much-needed remedial lesson in pleasure. And Brent gives Jon a reason to smile again.

Multiple reasons, actually. Neither man wants anything serious, but love has a habit of showing up whether it’s welcome or not. No matter how hard they try, the two can’t help having feelings for each other, even as life continues to throw them curveballs.

But they’ve both got baggage to unpack and hurt to move past, and if they can’t leave their pasts in the past, they might just miss out on an amazing future.

L.A. Witt is one of those authors who I highly enjoy and Aftermath was no exception to the rule. There was so much that I loved about this installment in the V&V series, that we're just going to get into it.  

Jon and Brent for starters were such a great couple to watch be together. Brent going out for the first time in a while because of his accident brings us the first meeting between the two men and holy sparks fly. The chemistry that the two fo them have is unreal. It may seem like it will be nothing more than a friends with benefits type of deal but watching them fall in love is just beautiful. Jon being a single father didn't stop him from devoting time to both his son and Brent and Brent was more than happy to let the relationship between Jon and his son not affect him even if he wanted to spend more time with him. They brought out the best in each other and Jon was such a huge help to getting Brent to where he needed to be. 

Even during the climax when Murphy's Law goes into effect, they made it through it and came out even stronger than before. Even the cast of side characters had me charmed and that includes Jon's ex. Okay maybe Brent's father I could have done without but he played a key role in the story and I couldn't fault L.A. Witt for having wrote the character. 

I would love to see more about these two in the future however and that's why my rating:

4/5 Stars 

ARC Review: Undercover by Eliot Grayson

Title: Undercover 

Series: (Vinos and Veritas #4) 
Author: Eliot Grayson
Publisher: Heart Eyes Press 
Release Date: March 29, 2021

Gabe wants Alec between the sheets…too bad Alec’s undercover already…

Rich kid. Party boy. Gabe is tired of the labels. He’s a smart guy, but ever since he got kicked out of grad school, people are only interested in his no-limit credit card and his pierced ears…and other places.

Tall, dark and scowling Alec hates Vermont, with its artisanal-freaking-everything and its irritating people. To be fair, most people irritate Alec, including the FBI director who sent him here to investigate a smuggling scheme involving yoga mats.

When one of the cutest twinks Alec’s ever seen takes an interest, Alec knows there’s an ulterior motive. No one with multi-colored hair, piercings, and an ass like that would want boring, serious Alec. The kid must be up to no good. Either way, Alec can’t blow his cover. If only he could keep his hands off of Gabe long enough to find out what he’s up to…

Can they ignore their explosive chemistry long enough to foil a smuggling ring? Or will their budding relationship sink faster than a yacht full of contraband?

Review: 

Starting off with this one by saying while it was ok, I had a hard time getting into the story. While this is my first book by Eliot Grayson I was excited to dive in to a brand new to me author. However after the first few pages I knew this either wasn't the right time for this story or just not my style. 

I did really like the characters of Gabe and Alec though. Gabe just wanting to prove that he is more than just some rich kid and it was sweet to watch him go after Alec. As for broody Alec, he was the one of the main elements that made me want to see how the story would go. Seeing Alec falling for Gabe as we progressed had me hoping for more but that isn't to say I didn't have issues with them being together. 

The mystery elements tend to be hit or miss for me and with everything going on in Undercover, the mystery was a miss. I knew going into this it would have some elements of mystery with Alec being undercover and that meant not being able to tell Gabe the truth right away.  Given Gabe's issues with trusting people just kind of turned me off from it because of the inevitable fall out that would occur. Also with Gabe's issues I felt that they weren't taken as seriously as they should have been. Going from there once the fall out occurred it felt so rushed on fixing everything and making everything right again. 

I may try this one again in the future and see if it plays out better for me than the first time but as of right now, I find myself giving this a: 

3/5 stars

Waiting on Wednesday: Perfect Matcha by Erin McLellan

 

WoW is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine where we talk about upcoming books that we are excited for!

Its Wednesday again! That means time to showcase those books that we just can't wait to get our hands on. This week's title is 3rd in a BDSM MM romance series that has been amazing so far. 

Drumroll please...

Perfect Matcha by Erin McLellan

After years of focusing on his career, Theodore Punch is tired of being alone. But landing a good man isn’t easy. When Theo needs a date for an ex-boyfriend’s wedding, he knows just the solution—a matchmaker. And there’s no better matchmaker than his social butterfly best friend, Camden Ray.

There’s only one problem: Camden has been in love with Theo for half their lives but doesn’t have the guts to come clean. Camden will do anything to make Theo happy, even if it hurts, and he already has a match for Theo in mind—his boss, the handsome owner of the local adult novelty shop.

Now there’s another problem: Theo has zero experience with toys. Luckily, Camden is only a phone call away and more than happy to walk Theo through naughty gadget lessons. Spicy phone calls, a dash of role play, and a load of pesky emotions brew between them. It’s not the match either of them intended but could be the perfect solution to all their problems, if their friendship can survive the infusion of feelings.

I have read Cup of Joe by Annabeth Albert and Puppucino by Allison Temple so far and both have been fabulous titles. I was excited to discover that this series was happening and I have pre-ordered the entire series. Thankfully this one will be releasing tomorrow at the time of this post so I don't have to wait long and I will be able to binge it and hopefully review get my review up on the blog. 

Book Review: Cup of Joe by Annabeth Albert

 Title: Cup of Joe (Bold Brew #1)
Author: Annabeth Albert
Publisher: Kindle Publishing
Release Date: February 25, 2021
Format: E-book 

Synopsis:

Sometimes an ordinary Joe is all you need…

Newbie barista Levi Miles is having a bad day in the middle of a bad month. He’s trying to figure out post-graduation life, and a recent breakup hasn’t helped. The one bright spot? The charming blue-collar customer with the simple order and reassuring voice.

Electrician Joe Simmons can make anything light up—except his love life. As he gets older, he remains unsure about what he wants from a relationship. But an innocent flirtation with the fresh-faced barista is exactly what his ego needs.

Levi doesn’t need a boyfriend. Or a Daddy. But bantering with Joe feels so good, and when their tentative friendship takes a turn for the sexy, a summer fling seems fun. Exploring long-held desires brings them closer with each steamy night, and the idea of parting gets harder.

But Levi’s only in town temporarily, and the end of summer is approaching. Both are reluctant to disclose their feelings, but pushing past their fears may be the only way to keep this special thing going. Can they order up a happy ending before time runs out?

Review: 

The first in a brand new multi author MM romance series centering around Bold Brew coffee shop. Annabeth is one of my favorite authors and I was so excited that she was writing a kinky book. Knowing Annabeth's normal style of writing and how fluffy and and low kink her books usually are, I was super excited to dive in. 

I enjoyed how Levi and Joe connected to each and got to explore their kinks together and finding new ones that they didn't know they had. Levi being fresh out of a bad relationship and figuring out what to do with his life outside of graduation, is what made it seem like Joe needed to protect Levi and have a fun time together. Joe being older than Levi, has some reservations about hooking up with Levi at first but then as he gets to know him, they start to get along better. 

I did have one issue that was just my personal issue. No matter what reservations they each had with being together, they got together very quickly and nothing else mattered on how and what they thought in the beginning. Outside of that the kink scenes were nice and steamy and a nice mild dose of kink. Even during the normal breakup scene they actually talked everything out and managed to get back together. With talking things over which needs to happen a lot more in romance novels. 

Overall I'm giving Cup of Joe a 4.5/5 stars and I'm excited for the next installment. 

Cover Reveal: Busy Bean 4-6

 Hey everyone! I'm back with some new cover reveals for y'all! Today we have the next 3 titles in the Busy Bean series of Sarina Bowen's World of True North. I have to say I love these covers and my personal favorite from this set has to be Doubletalk by Teralyn Mitchell. 

So without further ado: 

These covers are just amazing and down below you'll find blurbs and pre-order links and a larger cover for each of the books.  First up is Busy Bean #4: Friendzoned by Rachel Blaufeld 

FRIENDZONED BY RACHEL BLAUFELD

Release Date: May 24, 2021

Purchase here:
Amazon: https://geni.us/FriendzonedAmazon
Apple: https://geni.us/FriendzonedApple
Kobo: https://geni.us/FriendzonedKobo
Nook: https://geni.us/FriendzonedNook

All the links in one spot: https://shor.by/busy-bean
Add to Goodreads here: http://bit.ly/3anB3ZJ
Series page: https://hearteyespress.com/wotn#/busy-bean/
Cover Design: Elle Maxwell Designs

Blurb:

When Murphy Landon, the New York socialite, runs off to Vermont with her bruised reputation and stylish wardrobe in the trunk of a used car, it’s the first time in her life she’s dared to turn her back on her high-society parents. 

Used to grabbing a gourmet coffee whenever the urge strikes, Murphy finds herself on the other side of the counter, fumbling strangers’ orders...until a sinfully handsome thirty-three year old version of Ben Rooney from high school walks in.

The pair met years ago at a prestigious boarding school and became friends, but only behind closed doors. She’d been a spoiled brat, and he was a football player on scholarship. Ben tried to hide his crush on her, and Murphy set firm boundaries. After a prom night gone wrong, they’d gone their separate ways.

Now their circumstances are reversed. Ben is a successful surgeon. He’s come a long way from his parents’ humble maple syrup business. And Murphy is pouring his coffee? Is this a joke?

His first thought is that she should drive her gorgeous self right back to New York, where she can’t possibly break his heart. His second one is deep concern. His third thought is he wants a do-over of prom night. A very adult one… 

With plenty of secrets between them, copious pure maple syrup, Ben and Murphy are in for a wild and sticky ride.

Next up is Studfinder by LB Dunbar and after her first installment in the series I can't wait to see what she has done with this one.

STUDFINDER BY L.B. DUNBAR

Release Date: August 2, 2021

Pre-Order Links: COMING SOON!

All the links in one spot: https://shor.by/busy-bean
Add to Goodreads → http://bit.ly/3cspRh3
Series page: https://hearteyespress.com/wotn#/busy-bean/
Cover Design: Elle Maxwell Designs

Who does that sexy silver fox think he is, sitting in her spot in the Busy Bean Cafe?

Over forty, with zero filter, Rita Kaplan loves her coffee, her hiking boots, and her law practice. Life hasn’t always been carefree, though, and Rita’s past holds the scars of poor decisions after deep loss. She survived, though, and no smirky silver fox is going to get in the way of her happiness. Even if he knows how to use his drill, screwdriver, and every other tool in his box to tempt her . . .

Former arson investigator Jake Drummond could add ex-con to his resume if he had one. Instead, he’s serving the final year of his sentence on probation. This involves mandatory AA meetings, hosted by a feisty local attorney, and working on a renovation project, supervised by the same annoyingly attractive whirlwind, who also believes she owns the exclusive rights to a comfy couch in his new favorite coffee shop. Soon she’s everywhere, including the few places she shouldn’t be--like in his bed and in his heart. 

Can opposites lower their walls and construct something everlasting . . . or will their connected past lead to demolition for two hearts in need of a rebuild

Finally our last one of the morning is going to be Doubletalk by Teralyn Mitchell

DOUBLETALK BY TERALYN MITCHELL

Release Date: September 13, 2021

Pre-Order Links: COMING SOON!

All the links in one spot: https://shor.by/busy-bean
Add to Goodreads → http://bit.ly/2MFT3pU
Series page: https://hearteyespress.com/wotn#/busy-bean/
Cover Design: Elle Maxwell Designs

Blurb

Basketball has always been his one love, until now . . .

Zeke Armstrong never imagined he’d be back in Vermont, but here he is, living in Colebury and trying to rehab an injury that could mean an early retirement from pro basketball. Running into his former classmate, Mallory Barrett, shouldn’t be a distraction. It shouldn’t mean anything, so why is he accidentally on purpose showing up at the coffee shop where the beautiful writer spends her time? 

Mallory Barrett has met a guy. Well, she hasn’t met him yet, except for on the dating app she almost refused to download. “Coby” sparks her interest and gets her jokes--and gives the romance-novel heroes she loves so much a full-court run for their money. When their first date doesn’t work out, she decides to give him another shot . . . just as a man she despises reenters her life. While her interest in the mystery man on the app grows, she clashes constantly with Zeke in real life. She can’t forgive him for humiliating her in high school, yet she can’t deny she’s drawn to him now. 

She’s somehow gone from confirmed bachelorette to the tie-breaker between two men.  Meanwhile, Zeke has a secret--one that will cost him the game if Mallory finds out . . .

ARC Review: Cowboy (Busy Bean #2) L.B. Dunbar

 Title: Cowboy (Busy Bean #2) 
Series: World of True North 
Author: L.B. Dunbar
Publisher: HeartEyes Press
Release Date: March 1,2021 

Pregnant at forty-two? Back the cow up...

Harland Bull Eaton has lost many things—his first wife, his beloved mother, those three women he proposed to . . . Oh, and there was that time he almost lost the family dairy farm due to a scandal. He’s losing faith in just about everything, especially love. 

But one night, his friends give him a dare. No commitments. No heartbreak. Just buy that gorgeous redhead a drink. The big-city bombshell he’s set his eyes on swirls him into a tailspin that lands them in bed for a one-night stand he’s pretty sure he’ll never forget. But this time, he swears, he won’t let his heart ride herd on his common sense. 

Recently separated and newly unemployed, Scarlett Russell is at a crossroads. With no other plan than visiting a friend in Vermont, the last thing she expects is a hunky, silver fox offering to buy her a drink. Even less expected is when she raises that offer to “take me to bed, cowboy.” She just wants one night to forget everything gone wrong.

Turns out once won’t be nearly enough. Won’t ever be enough, feeling the way she does. But secrets and an unexpected surprise are a lot to handle . . . unless these two can break a trail to an unexpected happily ever after.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

So this book, this book right here. From the very start I was laughing and enjoying this story. LB Dunbar drew me in from the very first sentence. Bull and Scarlett were a great couple. Seeing both of them being in their 40s and finding their love with each other and the trials that they both had to overcome. Also surprise baby was always worth the read. 

Both of them had so much heartache when they decided to have their one night stand at the very beginning of the book and having never expected to see each other again set everything in motion. Life throws curveballs as both of them quickly learn. Watching them be there for each other no matter what was happening. Both of them deciding that Bull will be part of the baby's life regardless of the situation, the love and respect for one another, was out of this world.

The spicy scenes were well written and the two of them had such great chemistry together both during those moments and the rest of the story in just their interactions with each other and other characters. 

Overall Rating: 4 Stars 

ARC Review: Sweetheart (Busy Bean #1) by Sarah Mayberry

Title: Sweetheart (Busy Bean #1) 

Author: Sarah Mayberry
Publisher: HeartEyes Press
Release Date: March 1, 2021

I just wanted to get my hands on his beans

Four years ago, I had a ridiculous crush on my sister's boyfriend. But when they moved away together, I put Beck out of my mind and my heart. But now he's back, and roasting the best coffee in Vermont. I need to convince him to supply the Busy Bean. And I need more of those kisses we accidentally shared outside the coffee shop. He still makes my heart race faster than a triple shot of espresso. 

She should be off limits, but instead she's pushing mine

Her sister burned my life to the ground, so Haley Elliot is the last woman I should bring into my bed. Although our business relationship is giving way to something more than a fine grind. Neither of us can help ourselves. And what’s worse, I think I’m falling for her.

But it’s a small town, and ours is a big secret. And when her sister blows back into town, suddenly the coffee isn’t the only thing brewing...

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC for one of the first titles in Sarina Bowen's World of True North. Sweetheart is the first title in the Busy Bean section of WOTN and this was my first book by this particular author and I wasn't disappointed with it at all.  

Haley and Beck were such an interesting couple to watch grow together. After having been Haley's boyfriend for over a year, Beck wanted nothing to do with Haley due to past history. Seeing Beck put that behind him and actually give Haley a chance to prove that she wasn't just like her sister, they discover just how much they really have in common. Seeing Beck stand up for and protect Haley when she needed it proved just how much he cares for her. On the flip side Haley became the person Beck needed to move on with his life and understood where he was coming from with her sister having been treated too much of the same treatment over the years. 

The supporting cast was also a great set of characters and being able to see some of the characters from Sarina's own True North series was great as a follow up to what was going on in the lives. The writing was good, the story was sweet and spicy at just the right moments. I'm hoping we get to see more of these characters as the rest of the series continues; even if it is just a glimpse to know how they are doing.

Overall Rating: 4 Stars