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Merissa (12404 KP) rated Greeking Out (Destination Daddies) in Books

Aug 19, 2021 (Updated Jul 17, 2023)  
Greeking Out (Destination Daddies)
Greeking Out (Destination Daddies)
Colette Davison | 2021 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
GREEKING OUT is part of the Destination Daddies series, and now I have a new series to read!

Troy and Apollo meet online through the Cuffd app and strike up a friendship. Troy is a boy who has been badly hurt, and Apollo is a porn star who wants more. With Troy's honesty and Myth of the Day, they become integrated into each other's lives, even though they have an ocean between them. When Troy bravely overcomes his fear of flying and goes to Greece, a very nice surprise awaits him.

I loved this story! From the slow, online friendship, to the meeting, to the constant love and assurance they both show each other. I loved how we were shown how Sean slipped out of Troy's mind under the loving care of Apollo. Told from dual perspectives, you really got a feel for these guys.

This is a sweet and steamy summer story that I thoroughly enjoyed with fantastic descriptions of Greece, enough to make me want to go there immediately. I really hope Collette (or someone else in the Destination Daddies series) gives Jared his HEA.

A low angst, friends-to-lovers story that you really need to read. Loved it.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 19, 2021
  
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Merissa (12404 KP) rated Mr. Uptight in Books

Feb 16, 2021 (Updated Aug 3, 2023)  
Mr. Uptight
Mr. Uptight
Felice Stevens | 2021 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
MR. UPTIGHT is a standalone novel that is about opposites (in some ways) attracting, and how you can know of someone for years without actually knowing them. This is what happens between Mason and Jude. Both of them have ideas of what the other is like, without actually finding out if it is correct or not.

Mason is the 'younger brother', the one always partying and getting into trouble... or so Jude thinks. And Jude is the one who always takes the hard line, without any compassion or empathy... or so Mason thinks. Both of them are proven wrong when they start working together, and the sparks fly.

I love the writing style of Felice Stevens. It flows from scene to scene, taking the reader along with it. Some issues are real and cause problems, others are talked out, which always makes a pleasant change. There is a great supporting cast who provide backup and help the story move along where necessary.

A warm, feel-good story, with low angst and high emotion. It's a book to be kept and re-read whenever you want a hug from a book. Highly recommended by me.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 16, 2021
  
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Merissa (12404 KP) rated The Red Zone (Big Play, #2) in Books

Jan 17, 2019 (Updated Jun 7, 2023)  
The Red Zone (Big Play, #2)
The Red Zone (Big Play, #2)
Jordan Ford | 2016 | Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Red Zone (Big Play #2) by Jordan Ford
The second book in the series focuses on Mack and Kaija, although Colt and Tori still have integral roles to play to my unashamed pleasure! Mack is the Quarterback, the one every girl wants and every guy wants to be. He knows the 'rules' of the school, although he has his doubts when he sees how happy Tori and Colt are. It comes to a head when he sees Kaija for the first time and is instantly struck by her. Kaija feels the same way but has her own reasons for trying to stay away from him and keep under the radar.

Once again, this story is a smash!!! With believable characters that will have you laughing out loud at their prank war, and yet wiping your eyes at a different part, and a compelling and emotional storyline, this book is a fantastic addition to the Big Play series.

Exceedingly well written, smoothly paced, with enough angst to keep everyone happy, and no editing or grammatical errors that I found, I have no hesitation in highly recommending this to all fans of Young Adult, Contemporary, and Romance.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 23, 2016
  
Bella's Countryside Christmas
Bella's Countryside Christmas
Claire Huston | 2024 | Contemporary, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
BELLA'S COUNTRYSIDE CHRISTMAS is set in Haileybrook. To escape a boring conference, she fakes illness and goes to the church where she should have been married, if she hadn't called it off. While there, she saves a nativity scene from guaranteed disaster, as well as helping a cute man by pretending to be his date. After a better-than-expected day/evening and a moment of connection complete with a kiss, she disappears to help her younger sister, leaving Jack all alone. Fast forward a year (give or take) and Bella is returning to Haileybrook, this time to live and work.

This was such a great story! It is gentle, with no unnecessary angst or drama, with a healthy dose of mystery. Character-led with cameos from characters out of other books, this was a story I didn't want to end. The people here were funny and likeable, especially the ones from the home!

The flow of the story was smooth and left me wanting to continue reading, even when I got to the chapter breaks. It has Christmassy vibes but doesn't rule the whole story. A fantastic read and definitely recommended by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 25, 2024
  
Cruising Right into Love
Cruising Right into Love
JP Sayle | 2024 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
CRUISING RIGHT INTO LOVE is part of the Pride Cruise 2024 collection. It features Victor and Denton as the MCs, ably supported by a brilliant cast of colourful characters.

Denton saw Victor at his lowest and has tried to give him time to heal. Only, in doing that, he has created more distance. Victor has crushed on Denton for three years now, always from a distance. So when they have the opportunity to get up close and personal, will they take it?

This is a great summer read and the heat in these pages isn't only from the sun! I will admit, I love what happened with Mr Polished! If anyone deserved that, it was him. I really REALLY want Ollie and Beckett's story though, and my next job is going through this author's backlist to see if I have already read it or not!

This is low angst for the main part, with just a little bit with Nese and Victor. You have to remember, these two have had unrequited love for YEARS, so if you think things are moving fast, just think on that.

Brilliantly written, as always, and I look forward to more in the Pride Cruise 2024 collection.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 19, 2024
  
Sexless in Seattle
Sexless in Seattle
D.J. Jamison | 2024 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
SEXLESS IN SEATTLE is the first book in a new series and is loosely based upon Sleepless in Seattle (no surprise there!)

Zach and Eric lost their parents two years ago, and Zach gave up everything to look after his brother, who was only ten at the time. Zach was only twenty and missed out on a lot of things. Luckily for him, he still has his friend group who try to make things better. Tristan is a little older than Zach and is looking for love. He's had enough of hookups. Through Eric's machinations, these two start texting and then the story moves along.

Low angst and super sweet - that's what you'll get if you pick this book up, and I loved every word! Zach and Tristan were great characters who weren't too good to be true. They both had doubts and fears but also communicated and thought about each other. I loved how they both changed in the bedroom! It was hot and steamy between them when they finally reached that stage, but I loved that Tristan took it slowly for Zach.

A great story and loads of other characters I now want stories for! Plus Skylar's!!! Absolutely recommended by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 6, 2024
  
SWAT for Dummies (Deputy Gemma Stone #2)
SWAT for Dummies (Deputy Gemma Stone #2)
Gail Koger | 2023 | Humor & Comedy, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
some very funny moments
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 2 in the Deputy Gemma Stone series. I have not read book one, but I picked this one up quick enough. So I'd say it can be read as a stand alone.

And for the most part, I did enjoy this short read, some 130 pages, I really did.

I just found the fact that Gemma got into so many scrapes and bumps, accidents and getting shot at, it all became a bit too much. FOR ME! I need to stress that, for me, I found it a bit too much in the short space of time it took me to read this book.

There is some kooky going on inthe Sheriff's department, and Gemma, along with her new boyfriend, need to figure it out, especially as it might have some relation to Dante's parent's deaths. And they do, eventually.

Some very funny moments, that really were laugh out loud bits and I think these are what made me give it 4 stars and not 3. It's full of drama, but not real angst. Low on the steam scale too. But I didn't mind that here.

I'm not usually one for comedy in my romance books, but I did enjoy this one. Whether I read more, will remain to be seen, though.

An enjoyable, 4 star read

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Bad Idea (Brooklyn Kings #1)
Bad Idea (Brooklyn Kings #1)
Felice Stevens | 2025 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
BAD IDEA is the first book in the Brooklyn Kings series and we're off to an amazing start!

Hayden is the best of the best when it comes to being a PA. No false modesty here, folks. When he unexpectedly needs a new job, he is sent to the Brooklyn Kings where he reunites with Armi, a hot one-night stand they had recently had. What follows is simply fantastic.

I can honestly say that this book had me in its grip from the start, but I was really REALLY on tenterhooks just waiting for Russell to slip up. Oh man, but how I hated that character, truly! And then he sank even lower. 😡

There is no unnecessary angst, just honest-to-God worries about past mistakes, concerns about the present, and hope for the future. This book had it all. The best bit for me was seeing Armand grow in his confidence, to the benefit of the Brooklyn Kings as well as him personally. BUT the relationship and support worked both ways, it wasn't just Hayden supporting Armi.

What a brilliant beginning to what I am sure will be an amazing series. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book and can't wait for the next.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 20, 2025
  
RM
Read Me Like a Book
8
7.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Ashleigh Walker's life is crumbling around her. Her parents are fighting constantly, she's not doing well in school, and her boyfriend, Dylan, doesn't exactly make her heart sing. Suddenly, the one bright spot in Ash's life becomes her new English teacher, Miss Murray. Young and hip, Miss Murray engages Ash in a way she's never felt before. She's even joined the debate club, for pete's sake, and started working hard on her English submissions. But there's more to it than that. Miss Murray makes Ash feel something else. If she really admits it, Miss Murray makes Ash feel what Dylan (and other boys) should. Is something wrong with Ash? And more importantly, Ash starts to think... does Miss Murray feel the same way?

This is a lovely gem of a book. It's the perfect blend of heartbreaking and funny. Kessler, who, as I mentioned, has previously written a series of books for young teens, expertly captures the older teen voice in this novel (which was actually her first book, finally published and updated for the more modern, digital era). She creates a picture as she writes, allowing you to vividly imagine her multi-faceted and complicated characters. Ash is no one-dimensional teen: she's intricate and her own person. As she deals with the agony of her parents' own issues, plus her own inner angst about her love life, your heart goes out to the girl.

Kessler easily paints the angst one feels when in love with a teacher, especially if LGBT - coupled with the delusion that comes with youth, no matter your sexual orientation. Ash's feelings are so real, so strong, and she seems so alone. It's an excellent portrayal of what young teens go through as they wrestle with their sexuality (believe me, I know; it took me back to some tough times in high school).

If anything, some of the resolution is a little too easy, a bit quick and forced at times, but it really doesn't diminish from the force of the book. Watching Ash grow up before our eyes is rather magical. There are some excellent comedic portions from the novel to balance out the heaviness, coupled with a great supporting cast of characters, including Ash's best friend, Cat, and some other youth she meets via school, family, and friends. The novel is perfect for teens struggling with their own sexuality, or needing to see someone "like them" in print, and those looking to support a LGBT best friend, but should also be given to parents of those teens -- as Ash's parents play a role in the story as well.

Overall, I found myself completely wrapped in Ash's coming of age (and coming out) tale. Books with a true to life, multi-dimensional lesbian heroine are still sadly hard to come by, it seems, but Kessler's novel certainly tries to change that.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review - thank you!

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