This was an absolutely amazing book. LA Witt proves once again that she is damned good at putting two broken men together in a beautiful way, like craThis was an absolutely amazing book. LA Witt proves once again that she is damned good at putting two broken men together in a beautiful way, like cracked porcelain. Not only that but I absolutely LOVED how she once again addressed an issue most romance writers (and society) ignores: domestic abuse against men. In this book a very muscly, manly man was stuck in an abusive relationship that included physiological manipulation as well as broken bones. Our poor Asher is too embarrassed to confide his terrible situation to anyone, until a cop admits to him that he too suffered from an abusive relationship despite being a man. The men find solace and understanding in each other. And while they are on the road to recovery the lingering scars of their previous relationships still haunt them and mess with their self confidence. It just rang so true. Unfortunately LA Witt decided to keep this relatively low angst. I would've loved to delve more into this sort of drama. Maybe have the ex not conveniently jailed and for at least one of Asher's teammates be a dickhead who teases him for his situation. But no, everyone was wonderfully supportive, which was a touch unrealistic but I think LA Witt was just trying to wrap up to the HEA at that point. Gosh, I keep wanting more. What I really need is a trilogy. A series where book 1 doesn't end in HEA so we can continue to explore those real issues so often ignored in real life. Also kudos for not defining sex with intercourse! I love a couple that doesn't need to stick what society deems 'typical' to enjoy their sex life. ...more
Slow start, very hot sex and feathery light drama. Completely outshined by Kiss and Cry, I found the plot a bit boring. Despite Misha and Dev being coSlow start, very hot sex and feathery light drama. Completely outshined by Kiss and Cry, I found the plot a bit boring. Despite Misha and Dev being competitors this completely lacked the fiery tension I expect from a enemies to lovers romance....more
Gold. Absolute gold. A slow burn between two ice skaters aiming for Olympic gold. Such character depth. The sunny, scatterbrained Theo. And the seriouGold. Absolute gold. A slow burn between two ice skaters aiming for Olympic gold. Such character depth. The sunny, scatterbrained Theo. And the serious, rigidly diligent Henry. I'm absolutely a 'Henry' type and I completely sympathized with how frustrating it was for him to watch his rival effortlessly master the ice and then be all happy and joking about it later. But it's not all donuts and partying for Theo either. There's a lot of hidden pain behind that smile as Henry soon learns. The pair grows closer and closer now that they're training at the same rink. I loved how smitten Theo becomes over Henry. Totally makes up for some jerk-like moments in the beginning. He was hearts in his eyes in love with our baby Henry, who deserved everything and more. On top of this love fest, their forbidden dirty happenings were HOT. I mean the UTS level was already at dangerous levels, so when they threw caution to the wind- OH MY! Somebody get me a fan! So hot! The competitions were also seriously thrilling. I was legit biting my nails and cheering them on. Flinching when one of them took a fall or made a mistake. I wasn't that on edge when I watched Yuri On Ice. It was so exhilarating! It just felt like this had everything! Thrills, the deep feels, the warm love, SEXY times, and tears. So many tears. Like, I knew my boys were going to have some kind of man pain/troubled past but I didn't think I'd be crying for an entire third of the book! So many feels! ...more
This book is absolute perfection. No other book will ever compare. I might very well be ruined for other books. We return to the Heated RivaAMAZING!!!
This book is absolute perfection. No other book will ever compare. I might very well be ruined for other books. We return to the Heated Rivalry couple of serious Shane Hollander and dickish Ilya Rozanov. And they are amazing. Even as an established couple of years they still have a heat and competitiveness to their relationship that is EVEN MORE delectable when combined with familiarity and domestic bliss. In this novel we explore more of Ilya's character. While he has always been my favorite asshole to hate/love, we now get a new insight to his thoughts and feelings that give his character new depth and absolutely pulled at my heartstrings. From his longing to be open with Shane to his nightmares and battle with depression- it was such an amazing journey to go through Ilya's highs and lows. I also want to make a note of what a wonderful job Rachel Reid did depicting depression. I think a lot of people assume there has to be a core reason to be depressed. Some justifiable point of misery that explains why a person is sad. But it's not always like that. Life can be normal- maybe even great and yet a person can be overcome with melancholy with no way to fight against it. Ilya battles against this melancholy all while suffering under the pressure of hiding his love for Shane. I straight up ugly cried 50% in. But not just sad tears. Shane and Ilya shared so many beautiful, heart-achingly sweet moments together. Cooking together, babysitting together, exchanging plastic heart rings while Hayden's son played the Moana song at their 'wedding'. The cuteness of it all was seriously perfection. I don't know how any other book will compare. How any other book can reach the depth of love Shane and Ilya hold for each other. Anyone who has ever read Heated Rivalry will be completely swept away by this amazing sequel. [image]...more
4.5 stars. A great slow burn romance with lots of feels, humor, and tears. Also a decent amount of sex. Good hard sex too- my favorite kind! The hocke4.5 stars. A great slow burn romance with lots of feels, humor, and tears. Also a decent amount of sex. Good hard sex too- my favorite kind! The hockey scenes were even exciting as I cheered for the Centaurs to win. The Ottawa Centaurs of which Ilya is captain of!!! Every book is better when Ilya Rozanov is involved. His scenes were not only fun, but also leaves me just titillating with excitement for book 6!!!
My biggest critique is that it was a little dry in some of the earlier parts. I hate small talk in real life so reading it is worse for me....more
A good short story with some drama sprinkled on top. College hockey guy dates a guy for the first time. A guy he's kinda had a major crush on since frA good short story with some drama sprinkled on top. College hockey guy dates a guy for the first time. A guy he's kinda had a major crush on since freshmen year. Cute, passionate, hot. Would love a longer story with even more drama....more
I'm going to be real this was my least favorite book in the series. So this book focuses on Scott's teammate Eric who is freshly divorced and bi. He mI'm going to be real this was my least favorite book in the series. So this book focuses on Scott's teammate Eric who is freshly divorced and bi. He meets Kip's friend Kyle and is immediately smitten. Unfortunately they don't get together for...REASONS. I blame Kyle. Don't get me wrong, Kyle had a strong background story and was a charming, flirtatious fellow. But by drama gods!! The man kept turning Eric down at every turn and then he turns around and mops like a cursed disney princess about how he'll never win Eric's heart. It was kind of a bitch move. Like I'm all for a little drama or misunderstanding to keep lovers apart and build up tension. But Kyle had no excuse. It was like all the consequences of drama without the delicious scandal of it. Gave the book this whole aromantic vibe I was so not into.
The best highlights were Ilya Rozanov cameos. I cannot wait for the Long Game, where he and Shane make their grand return to the series. ...more
I very generously received an advanced copy for reviewing this book. So here is my promised review. A good book to pick up for some light reading. The I very generously received an advanced copy for reviewing this book. So here is my promised review. A good book to pick up for some light reading. The beginning was slow. Things don't really pick up until about halfway through the book. But eventually Sam's silliness and Heath's hard headed-ness charmed me. My only caution is that this book is more sweet than fiery. So if your looking for an enemies-to-lovers type of thing, you best look elsewhere. This is more resisting forbidden fruit: 2 goofballs not macking on each other when all they want to do is mack on each other....more
Neil is running away from a dangerous past, involving mafia, guns, and fatherly abuse. Surviving is all the teenager has ever known and the best way tNeil is running away from a dangerous past, involving mafia, guns, and fatherly abuse. Surviving is all the teenager has ever known and the best way to survive is to keep a low profile. Yet he gets an very public offer for a sports scholarship with the Foxes he CAN'T say 'no' to. I spent the first third of the book getting to know Niel and wishing I could just hold him in my arms like the precious love-starved baby that he is!!! I spent the next third of the book in absolute shock and panic as I bore witness to poor Niel surviving the psychopathic, drug-addicted, violent-for-the-fuck-of-it bucket of madness that makes up the Fox Exy team. And I spent the last third of the book in even more shock as Niel actually considers trusting said bucket of madness. All in all this book was very interesting and action packed but also tense as hell. The happiest points were the moments of gladness as Niel survived another obstacle. As such I don't know if I can say I "enjoyed"this read, but I must admit it was very captivating nonetheless. I'm curious about Niel's story but I'm sure the next book will be filled with even more fuckass-ery craziness and I don't know if I want to go there or not. FYI Exy is a totally fictitious sport Sakavic made up, so no worries if you never heard of it before....more
Neil is running away from a dangerous past, involving mafia, guns, and fatherly abuse. Surviving is all the teenager has ever known and the best way tNeil is running away from a dangerous past, involving mafia, guns, and fatherly abuse. Surviving is all the teenager has ever known and the best way to survive is to keep a low profile. Yet he gets an very public offer for a sports scholarship with the Foxes he CAN'T say 'no' to. I spent the first third of the book getting to know Niel and wishing I could just hold him in my arms like the precious love-starved baby that he is!!! I spent the next third of the book in absolute shock and panic as I bore witness to poor Niel surviving the psychopathic, drug-addicted, violent-for-the-fuck-of-it bucket of madness that makes up the Fox Exy team. And I spent the last third of the book in even more shock as Niel actually considers trusting said bucket of madness. All in all this book was very interesting and action packed but also tense as hell. The happiest points were the moments of gladness as Niel survived another obstacle. As such I don't know if I can say I "enjoyed"this read, but I must admit it was very captivating nonetheless. I'm curious about Niel's story but I'm sure the next book will be filled with even more fuckass-ery craziness and I don't know if I want to go there or not. ...more
RR introduces us to a very different side of Hockey in this third installment. Ryan, a defenseman, is the polar opposite of our devilishly charming IlRR introduces us to a very different side of Hockey in this third installment. Ryan, a defenseman, is the polar opposite of our devilishly charming Illya. He is an adorable teddy bear in the body of a hulking, Vicking heartthrob. Ryan doesn't enjoy the limelight of the NHL. All the coaches want is his intimidating size and the rest of him falls away. People's expectations and wants have trapped him in a corner. The conflict of this NHL fighter role with his sensitive, warm heart gives him crazy anxiety. Then enters Fabian, a twinkish violinist who hates hockey and its demands of 'manly' behavior aka assholery. His parents used to host young, upcoming players and all of them were douches. Well...all save one. A chance reunion between jock and fiery twink leads to a fairytale romance. If fairytales had dildos and mindblowing BJs. I love the slow romance that builds between Ryan and Fabian and how 'meant-to-be' everything felt. Fabian was everything Ryan needed and Ryan was everything Fabain deserved. I related so hard to Ryan and his shyness/anxiety issues. RR did such a good job getting us into his headspace. The second book will forever be my favorite, but I have a different kind of love for this book. I'm only upset the epilogue wasn't longer, but fingers crossed RR will release some kind of short story epilogue in the near future....more
3.5 stars. It was nice to see EF's characters again as they deal with issues and lovingly jab each other with quips. But if you read the previous book3.5 stars. It was nice to see EF's characters again as they deal with issues and lovingly jab each other with quips. But if you read the previous book then nothing in here is new. We already know their HEA stories so it's kind of boring in that regard. Especially Damon and Maddox's story. But there was a pretty fun wedding story, so still worth a read....more
3.5 stars. It was a journey. One full of laughter, sex and tears. The reason I'm rating it so low despite all that is because the ending really sucked3.5 stars. It was a journey. One full of laughter, sex and tears. The reason I'm rating it so low despite all that is because the ending really sucked. The last third of the book was just really sad and awkward for Matty. I was almost rooting for him and Rob NOT to get together. Or at least make it more of a chase. I would rather it end in cliffhanger and LB takes a whole other book for a proper chase and romantic conclusion. I'm definitely adding the sequel to my to-read list but it's going on the back burner for now....more
This book was a great read. Heart felt, just a touch of angst, and a whole bunch of sexy sweaty wresting action. Yay!
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We follow Jordy and Owen This book was a great read. Heart felt, just a touch of angst, and a whole bunch of sexy sweaty wresting action. Yay!
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We follow Jordy and Owen from the tender age of 8 into young adulthood. Owen is a wresting god from a long line of wrestling champions. And Jordy is an artistic geek with a pretty face and a tendency for fun antics. They became instant best friends joined at the hip.
"From that day on, Owen was my best friend—jelly to my peanut butter, fellow pea in my pod, Sam to my Frodo. And I was his."
Jordy notices rather early that watching Owen wrestle makes his pants do interesting things. Accepting his sexuality, he struggles to deal with his one-sided crush on his best friend throughout highschool.
"Holy Greek gods, Batman. Owen... looked like a figure from a naughty version of Mt. Olympus standing there, with his broad shoulders and carved pecs, rounded thighs..."
Owen is the picture perfect example of a good boy. Good grades, great girlfriend, and successful wrestling career. He is living up to his everyone's expectations and he doesn't mind that his best friend is gay, but he wished he would stop settling for losers. Jordy is so beautiful and perfect and he deserves so much more. When senior year arrives and its time to think about college. Both boys must now consider what paths to take and who they want on the end of the path....more
3.5 stars. Short, low angst mm romance with a healthy dose of heated, sexual tension. Featuring boxing champion/Adonis Asher and a young troubled man w3.5 stars. Short, low angst mm romance with a healthy dose of heated, sexual tension. Featuring boxing champion/Adonis Asher and a young troubled man with pale blue eyes Asher can't seem to look away from. With a lithe body and mop of curly blond hair, Drew starts working at his uncle's gym. After crossing paths both of them try to ignore the feelings that threaten to bubble over and consume them. The tension and build up were smouldering. The HFN ending was a tad bit dull, but on the whole it was an enjoyable story. ...more
DNF 42%. It just wasn't doing it for me. It was a good start, but I think Eden Finely has me spoiled. I didn't like how openly gay/bi practically everDNF 42%. It just wasn't doing it for me. It was a good start, but I think Eden Finely has me spoiled. I didn't like how openly gay/bi practically everyone was. I love the thrill of self discovery and then fear of outing for what it would do to a sports career. This book totally by-passed that. I also thought the relationship between Torin and Rush didn't hold the right kind of tension. They both openly loved each other and physically craved each other. AND they lived together. Not only does it seem impossible for 2 people to not fuck under such circumstances but it takes away from the sexual tension. I need my athletes to secretly lust for each other. Otherwise there's no thrill of 'do I love him?' 'does he love me'? 'do I push him away? what are we doing?' 'how can I make this work?' Bottom line this was a gay sports romance without any of the signature things I LIKE about gay sports romance. I'm sure it evolves into a decently cutesy romance but it just wasn't what I was hoping for. ...more
3.5 stars. I read book 2 and 3 first. I was kinda avoiding this cause it sounded more...vanilla than its successors. Indeed it was. While I still see 3.5 stars. I read book 2 and 3 first. I was kinda avoiding this cause it sounded more...vanilla than its successors. Indeed it was. While I still see Reid's humor and heart in this book it definitely pales in comparison to Heated Rivalry. But my spoiled self was still able to enjoy this book and the modern world of hockey Reid gives us....more
I loved this!! Shane and Ilya had such a heated and toxic relationship and I loved every minute of it!! The smack talk in and out of the ice rink had I loved this!! Shane and Ilya had such a heated and toxic relationship and I loved every minute of it!! The smack talk in and out of the ice rink had my head reeling. The sweet undertones had me grinning like a loon. I think what impressed me the most was how RR made Ilya's character such an ass hat, but like a lovable ass. Now I'm sad that the journey is over because I was enjoying so much. Please please keep writing RR!!...more
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