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Come from Behind: An Age Gap Gay Romance (Suite Dreams)
6.0
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Is it possible that Tavish’s fender-bender on a snowy day will lead to him getting romantically...
Merissa (12911 KP) rated Micah's Bride (All The King's Men #9) in Books
Feb 10, 2018 (Updated Jun 7, 2023)
Micah's Bride (All The King's Men #9) by Donya Lynne
Are you sure that Micah's Bride is a novella?! I mean, sure, it's not a long book - but the sheer amount that Donya Lynne has managed to pack into those few pages is simply astounding! You get an update on Micah and how he is feeling about not being alone anymore. Bain and Cara. Sev and Ari (and I really, REALLY, can't wait to read more about them again!), Cordray and Trace, Sam, her parents - it's all here!!!
OK, so it's the ninth book in the series, so the characters are all well-known, but still - you get to see them more vulnerable than you've seen them before. I defy anyone to read sections of this without their allergies playing up. 😉 There is angst, and there is laughter here too. I loved the Twilight references, and how wonderful Micah was with Aiden. The ring-bear about did me in though. Trust me, read it for yourself and it will all become clear.
I could gush about various parts of this novella for another few pages, but instead, let me get technical. There were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. The pacing was smooth, and the scenes flowed from one to the next. This novella picks up the story and moves it forward, it is not just a filler. It is a necessary addition to the series, and definitely not one to be missed. It's not very often that I give novellas 5-stars, but there is absolutely no justification for not doing so in this case. Sheer perfection, and absolutely recommended by me.
* Verified Purchase ~ December 2017 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 10, 2018
OK, so it's the ninth book in the series, so the characters are all well-known, but still - you get to see them more vulnerable than you've seen them before. I defy anyone to read sections of this without their allergies playing up. 😉 There is angst, and there is laughter here too. I loved the Twilight references, and how wonderful Micah was with Aiden. The ring-bear about did me in though. Trust me, read it for yourself and it will all become clear.
I could gush about various parts of this novella for another few pages, but instead, let me get technical. There were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. The pacing was smooth, and the scenes flowed from one to the next. This novella picks up the story and moves it forward, it is not just a filler. It is a necessary addition to the series, and definitely not one to be missed. It's not very often that I give novellas 5-stars, but there is absolutely no justification for not doing so in this case. Sheer perfection, and absolutely recommended by me.
* Verified Purchase ~ December 2017 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 10, 2018
Sleigh Bells and Second Chances (Love in Mission City #3)
10.0
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Ryan The moment I landed in that war zone, I knew I'd made a big mistake. I wasn't a soldier, and...
Seasonal Contemporary MM Romance Small Town Romance Hurt/Comfort
Thicker Than Water (Redwater Demons #1)
10.0
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“Hate is learned, hunter. And I see you were a very good student.” “Thanks. I try.” ...
Merissa (12911 KP) rated End Game (Brooklyn Kings #2) in Books
May 5, 2025
END GAME is the second book in the Brooklyn Kings series. This time, we meet with Dev and Brody, quarterback and tight end, who have been together since college, and in love for nearly as long. Unfortunately for them, they can't share their love openly and have to keep it secret.
Dev and Brody have a strong relationship, but there is a bit of telling, not showing, with them, as well as time jumps. This detracted from their story for me because I wanted to see them fall in love, see the hardships and trials the separation of being drafted caused them. Instead, I was told about it, and then we hopped, skipped, and jumped to another timeframe.
Brody has a solid relationship with his mom, but doesn't get on too well with his stepfather, Theo. This is simply because he doesn't want to forget his father, but it doesn't really add anything to the story. There is no real angst between Theo and Brody - it just sort of fizzles out. As for Dev's parents, well, the less said about them the better. I thought they were bad when we first met them, but they got even worse, especially when Dev was injured and in hospital.
Even with these niggles, I still enjoyed this book, albeit not as much as book one. The team is a solid group of characters I look forward to seeing more from, although maybe not Zeke. He was a piece of work, for sure.
A good addition to the series and 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!
Apr 30, 2025
Dev and Brody have a strong relationship, but there is a bit of telling, not showing, with them, as well as time jumps. This detracted from their story for me because I wanted to see them fall in love, see the hardships and trials the separation of being drafted caused them. Instead, I was told about it, and then we hopped, skipped, and jumped to another timeframe.
Brody has a solid relationship with his mom, but doesn't get on too well with his stepfather, Theo. This is simply because he doesn't want to forget his father, but it doesn't really add anything to the story. There is no real angst between Theo and Brody - it just sort of fizzles out. As for Dev's parents, well, the less said about them the better. I thought they were bad when we first met them, but they got even worse, especially when Dev was injured and in hospital.
Even with these niggles, I still enjoyed this book, albeit not as much as book one. The team is a solid group of characters I look forward to seeing more from, although maybe not Zeke. He was a piece of work, for sure.
A good addition to the series and 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!
Apr 30, 2025
The Way Alex Sees Me (Aphrodite in Disguise #2)
Book
High school senior Rusty Finch is in a pickle. His grades are plummeting even though everyone...
Dark MM Contemporary Historical Paranormal Romance
Merissa (12911 KP) rated Textual Confusion in Books
Oct 31, 2024
TEXTUAL CONFUSION is a standalone story about two men whose story starts with a text message. When Asher receives a text in the middle of the night, he knows he should ignore it, but can't resist answering. This leads to more than he ever thought possible.
Asher and Markus were great characters. I do love it when one of them is an a$$hole to everyone apart from the one he loves, even if I don't like it in real life. But, hey, that's why we read, right? I also loved that everyone else could see how deep Markus was in, apart from Asher, who had his own reasons for not believing.
Sasha and Danny are the best supporting characters, especially Sasha, who made me LOL a few times! And speaking of other characters, in this book, you get not one but two protagonists (if you don't count Asher himself!) You've got his psycho ex who didn't want Asher but doesn't want anyone else to have him either. You've also got his mother - a term I use very loosely!
There is a third-act breakup which may be triggering to some people, just so you know. There were a couple of things that happened that I personally don't like (spit-swapping, for one) that knocked off half a star, but nothing too bad.
On the whole, I thoroughly enjoyed this high-angst, hot and steamy book and read it in one sitting. 4.5 stars, rounded up, and definitely recommended.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
23 Oct, 2024
Asher and Markus were great characters. I do love it when one of them is an a$$hole to everyone apart from the one he loves, even if I don't like it in real life. But, hey, that's why we read, right? I also loved that everyone else could see how deep Markus was in, apart from Asher, who had his own reasons for not believing.
Sasha and Danny are the best supporting characters, especially Sasha, who made me LOL a few times! And speaking of other characters, in this book, you get not one but two protagonists (if you don't count Asher himself!) You've got his psycho ex who didn't want Asher but doesn't want anyone else to have him either. You've also got his mother - a term I use very loosely!
There is a third-act breakup which may be triggering to some people, just so you know. There were a couple of things that happened that I personally don't like (spit-swapping, for one) that knocked off half a star, but nothing too bad.
On the whole, I thoroughly enjoyed this high-angst, hot and steamy book and read it in one sitting. 4.5 stars, rounded up, and definitely recommended.
** 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!
23 Oct, 2024
Debbiereadsbook (1444 KP) rated Protecting What's Mine (Men Of Maddox Security #1) in Books
Mar 6, 2025
fast intense read!
Independent reviewer for BookSirens, I was gifted my copy of this book.
What this book is, right, is one of those books you can just fall into and READ, you know?? It's not complicated, or twisted. You don't have to pay too much attention (which for me, is perfect right now!) It's got steam and smexy times, a bit of drama, but no real angst and I really needed this book at this point in my reading list!
Ranger is part of Maddox Security and he is tasked with keeping Tory safe while her scientist father talks at a summit. But some folk take offense at what he is talking about, and threats have been made.
What I especially LOVED about this book, was there was no preamble: it's intense right from the start and both Tory and Ranger both feel it from that very first minute. They just jump straight in, and I really loved that.
All the guys from Maddox Security will get a book, and each book starts with the same meeting, so I assume there will be overlapping timelines. I liked that I knew what was coming.
So why four stars and not five? First person, present tense, mulit point of view. It really is a personal choice, and sometimes I can over see it; sometimes I will dump a book written so. But I can't quite stretch to the 5 stars for this reason only.
I would love to be able to read Dean's story (the big boss man at Maddox) at some point and I really REALLY want to continue with these guys. I feel they are all gonna fall hard and fast, just like Ranger does!
4 very VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
What this book is, right, is one of those books you can just fall into and READ, you know?? It's not complicated, or twisted. You don't have to pay too much attention (which for me, is perfect right now!) It's got steam and smexy times, a bit of drama, but no real angst and I really needed this book at this point in my reading list!
Ranger is part of Maddox Security and he is tasked with keeping Tory safe while her scientist father talks at a summit. But some folk take offense at what he is talking about, and threats have been made.
What I especially LOVED about this book, was there was no preamble: it's intense right from the start and both Tory and Ranger both feel it from that very first minute. They just jump straight in, and I really loved that.
All the guys from Maddox Security will get a book, and each book starts with the same meeting, so I assume there will be overlapping timelines. I liked that I knew what was coming.
So why four stars and not five? First person, present tense, mulit point of view. It really is a personal choice, and sometimes I can over see it; sometimes I will dump a book written so. But I can't quite stretch to the 5 stars for this reason only.
I would love to be able to read Dean's story (the big boss man at Maddox) at some point and I really REALLY want to continue with these guys. I feel they are all gonna fall hard and fast, just like Ranger does!
4 very VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Merissa (12911 KP) rated The Bargain (Executive Suite Secrets #1) in Books
Apr 16, 2025
THE BARGAIN is the first book in the Executive Suite Secrets series, and we begin with Sebastian and Byron. Sebastian is the golden retriever in the relationship and, although his heart is in the right place, is too used to throwing money at a problem to make it go away. Byron is the black cat and is too used to standing on his own two feet without anyone by his side. Both of them have liked each other since they started working together, but the company policy clearly states no fraternising. You can see where this is going, can't you!
Mostly low angst, this was a great read with some hilarious moments. It wasn't all fun and games, though, as the difficulties Byron faced are real to far too many others. When the sh!t hit the fan, both Sebastian and Byron reacted in the ways I thought they would, but I still enjoyed reading about it.
One thing I will say is that although the counterpoint to the billionaire trope is usually someone who isn't well off, I liked how it was handled here. Byron had a well-paid job and would certainly have lived within his means if he hadn't had the responsibility of his brother and mother. It made for a good read to see someone who had a well-paid job but still couldn't afford everything and the reasons why, rather than just someone who was 'poor'.
I'm hoping Declan gets a story, but I'm guessing that Pierce and Simon may be next. Whoever it is, I'm here to read it. 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!
Apr 16, 2025
Mostly low angst, this was a great read with some hilarious moments. It wasn't all fun and games, though, as the difficulties Byron faced are real to far too many others. When the sh!t hit the fan, both Sebastian and Byron reacted in the ways I thought they would, but I still enjoyed reading about it.
One thing I will say is that although the counterpoint to the billionaire trope is usually someone who isn't well off, I liked how it was handled here. Byron had a well-paid job and would certainly have lived within his means if he hadn't had the responsibility of his brother and mother. It made for a good read to see someone who had a well-paid job but still couldn't afford everything and the reasons why, rather than just someone who was 'poor'.
I'm hoping Declan gets a story, but I'm guessing that Pierce and Simon may be next. Whoever it is, I'm here to read it. 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!
Apr 16, 2025
Debbiereadsbook (1444 KP) rated Perilous Cuties (Bucket List Buddies #1) in Books
Jul 5, 2025 - 3:02 PM
Hector and Morty are perfect for each other!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is the first in a new series by this pair of authors, and it's a too-stinkin-cute, warm-and-fuzzies, fairly-low-angst AND hangover-read all rolled into one and I thoroughly giggled my head off at it!
Morty is a meerkat, a clumsy one at that. Hector is a warthog. Neither thinks he is a catch but both want *someone* for them, to love and cherish. Meeting at a dance class was a stroke of luck and after that? It's just a matter of dealing with Hector's mother, who is, in my opinion, an overbearing witch!
I have to admit, when I read the blurb, I had immediate thoughts of another meerkat and warthog from a certain animated movie, I'm sure you know the one. And then, one of Hector's friends is a lion, and I kept expecting them to all burst into song! They don't and I think I was a bit disappointed by that!
I loved Hector and Morty, together and apart. They really are perfect for each other, and push each other's buttons beautifully! I loved how Hector's dad finally, FINALLY stood up to Hector's mum and that she actually shuts up, and listens to both dad and Hector.
Some drama, with the witch mum, but other than that, a fun read, that filled far less time than I thought it should! Sweet and smexy, cute and cuddly, I really enjoyed it!
One of those fun reads that you can just lose yourself in.
4 very VERY good stars.
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is the first in a new series by this pair of authors, and it's a too-stinkin-cute, warm-and-fuzzies, fairly-low-angst AND hangover-read all rolled into one and I thoroughly giggled my head off at it!
Morty is a meerkat, a clumsy one at that. Hector is a warthog. Neither thinks he is a catch but both want *someone* for them, to love and cherish. Meeting at a dance class was a stroke of luck and after that? It's just a matter of dealing with Hector's mother, who is, in my opinion, an overbearing witch!
I have to admit, when I read the blurb, I had immediate thoughts of another meerkat and warthog from a certain animated movie, I'm sure you know the one. And then, one of Hector's friends is a lion, and I kept expecting them to all burst into song! They don't and I think I was a bit disappointed by that!
I loved Hector and Morty, together and apart. They really are perfect for each other, and push each other's buttons beautifully! I loved how Hector's dad finally, FINALLY stood up to Hector's mum and that she actually shuts up, and listens to both dad and Hector.
Some drama, with the witch mum, but other than that, a fun read, that filled far less time than I thought it should! Sweet and smexy, cute and cuddly, I really enjoyed it!
One of those fun reads that you can just lose yourself in.
4 very VERY good stars.
*same worded review will appear elsewhere