ARC Review: Booklover by J.E. Birk

Title: Booklover

Series: Vinos & Veritas #6

Author: J.E. Birk
Publisher: Heart Eyes Press
Release Date: March 29, 2021

Two guys meet over a stack of romance novels. Soon they're turning pages late into the night...

Jamie Morin’s college GPA drops every time a cow breaks through a fence, but he’s determined to get his degree and keep his parents’ Vermont dairy farm afloat. He’d rather be reading than milking, but he can’t let his family down…not the way his brother did. So the last thing he needs is distraction in the form of an irresistible bookseller with a mysterious backstory.

Briar Nord has a lifetime of experience proving that happily-ever-afters only happen in his favorite books. But his luck might be changing. He’s got a great job at a bookstore, and he lives in a city that puts maple syrup on everything. But Briar knows not to trust anything or anyone. And that includes a gorgeous farm boy with soulful eyes and too many obligations.

When Jamie joins Briar’s romance novel book club, they both feel an instant connection. Soon they’re turning pages long into the night. But Briar’s past was bound to catch up with him. Sometimes, though, it takes two heroes to write a new ending . . .

I'm going to try to remain as spoiler free as possible but there was so much epic stuff at work here. 2 men bonding over romance novels in a book club!? Sign me up.  

Jamie is super sweet and adorable, which made it easy to love him and how much he does for everybody. Briar on the other hand is adjusting to his new life, so when the two of them meet for the first time, the sparks fly. The growth between the two of them starts off kind of slow because Jamie's obligation to his family farm seems to get in the way. With both of them they agree they can't do more than be an occasional hookup between Briar and his trust issues and Jamie with the farm and college and work. Love always finds a way to sneak up on them. 

With that being said the issues that both of them brought us to the climax which I was actually upset over. Thankfully because of their love for each other and romance novels they worked everything out in the most adorable scene ever. The ending also made me squeal with how cute it was. The spicy scenes were just that. Spicy and somehow freaking adorable with what they pulled off. This was easily one of my favorites so far of the series and I will for sure read it again. 

5/5 Stars

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.