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Searching For A Soul To Love (Manx Cat Guardians #4)
10.0
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Greg has lived an ordinary life until one fateful morning when all that changes. Greg has no clue...
The Buried: An Archaeology of the Egyptian Revolution
6.0
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From the acclaimed author of River Town and Oracle Bones, an intimate excavation of life in one of...
Merissa (13159 KP) rated Teach Me in Books
Apr 10, 2023
This book is about how a young man's life changes when he tells his parents that he is gay... and not in a good way. He ends up on the streets, not knowing which way to turn. Luckily for him, Bree and Casey are there and they show him the ropes. Casey lets Austin know that there is work for the weekend on a construction site so off they go. There David sees Austin for the first time and the story really kicks off.
David is 15 years older than Austin and, some of the time, this is really obvious. Other times, not so much. I found it hard at times to stick with Austin's character just because he did act so immature but then you have to remember the abuse that he lived with plus his age and it does become more understandable. David certainly deserves a medal for putting up with it though - although he does also have his own temper tantrums in the book. You don't actually learn that much more about David's past than what you read in the synopsis which I found a bit of a shame.
The supporting characters are brilliantly written and do just that... support the main leads. Chad is brilliant because he has concerns about David and Austin and isn't afraid to say so. However, he also is prepared to say that he was wrong and even to tell David when he's behaving like an idiot. Becky and Bree help the female side of the story and both are warm and caring towards Austin which helps him. Casey - I'd like to see a follow-up on him even though he's not the most likeable character in the book I just know there's more to him. I don't know if I want him to have a HEA with Bree though, I sort of feel he's put her through the mill enough!
Highly recommended for all fans of the M/M genre.
* 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. *
August 9, 2016
David is 15 years older than Austin and, some of the time, this is really obvious. Other times, not so much. I found it hard at times to stick with Austin's character just because he did act so immature but then you have to remember the abuse that he lived with plus his age and it does become more understandable. David certainly deserves a medal for putting up with it though - although he does also have his own temper tantrums in the book. You don't actually learn that much more about David's past than what you read in the synopsis which I found a bit of a shame.
The supporting characters are brilliantly written and do just that... support the main leads. Chad is brilliant because he has concerns about David and Austin and isn't afraid to say so. However, he also is prepared to say that he was wrong and even to tell David when he's behaving like an idiot. Becky and Bree help the female side of the story and both are warm and caring towards Austin which helps him. Casey - I'd like to see a follow-up on him even though he's not the most likeable character in the book I just know there's more to him. I don't know if I want him to have a HEA with Bree though, I sort of feel he's put her through the mill enough!
Highly recommended for all fans of the M/M genre.
* 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. *
August 9, 2016
Debbiereadsbook (1487 KP) rated Shouting Match (Amore Matchmaking #1) in Books
Apr 17, 2022
so much with the warm and fuzzies AND too stinking cute! Loved It!
Independent reviewer for Gay Romance Reviews, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Capone has been the head of the family since his father passed away. His youngest brother has decided to start a matchmaking scheme, and Capone is target one! But did it have to be Fuller, the hot cop who got him all hot and bovvered under the collar after a traffic stop?
This book, right? Is as pure a warm and fuzzies slash too stinking cute book as you're gonna get! Or at least, the purest I've had in such a long ass time, and I loved it!
Capone is a restauranteur, and Fuller the local cop, in a small town where everyone knows everything about everyone else. Brando, the youngest brother of 4, and his matchmaking scheme needs a poster couple and who better than Fuller and Capone, eh?
What follows is a delightfully easy read (a really REALLY good thing!) with lots of misunderstandings, no real break-up but wonderful make-ups after those misunderstandings!
Both men are scared: Fuller after his last relationship, and what happens here because of that. Capone because of Fuller's job and because he has to look after his brothers and his mum. Capone had a wonderful upbringing, but Fuller not so much. They love the small town they live in, just wishing everyone wasn't so in-yer-face about everything. But when something happens, that in-yer-face-ness is vital!
It's funny, it's sweet, some smexy times, but not too many, just the right amount for this book. Some nosy brothers, all with a secret they've been hanging on for so long.
Said brothers are fabulous, and mum is awesome! And that goat is hilarious and nasty to all the brothers except Fio, who feeds him!
Fio is next, I have Grudge Match on my list to read shortly.
First I've read of Pine, so guess what? Wish list just got longer!
5 full and shiny stars (but I did write 4 first!)
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Capone has been the head of the family since his father passed away. His youngest brother has decided to start a matchmaking scheme, and Capone is target one! But did it have to be Fuller, the hot cop who got him all hot and bovvered under the collar after a traffic stop?
This book, right? Is as pure a warm and fuzzies slash too stinking cute book as you're gonna get! Or at least, the purest I've had in such a long ass time, and I loved it!
Capone is a restauranteur, and Fuller the local cop, in a small town where everyone knows everything about everyone else. Brando, the youngest brother of 4, and his matchmaking scheme needs a poster couple and who better than Fuller and Capone, eh?
What follows is a delightfully easy read (a really REALLY good thing!) with lots of misunderstandings, no real break-up but wonderful make-ups after those misunderstandings!
Both men are scared: Fuller after his last relationship, and what happens here because of that. Capone because of Fuller's job and because he has to look after his brothers and his mum. Capone had a wonderful upbringing, but Fuller not so much. They love the small town they live in, just wishing everyone wasn't so in-yer-face about everything. But when something happens, that in-yer-face-ness is vital!
It's funny, it's sweet, some smexy times, but not too many, just the right amount for this book. Some nosy brothers, all with a secret they've been hanging on for so long.
Said brothers are fabulous, and mum is awesome! And that goat is hilarious and nasty to all the brothers except Fio, who feeds him!
Fio is next, I have Grudge Match on my list to read shortly.
First I've read of Pine, so guess what? Wish list just got longer!
5 full and shiny stars (but I did write 4 first!)
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Second Match (Perfect Match Agency #5)
6.0
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One failed attempt with the Perfect Match Agency leads to a second—will this omega be The One? ...
MM Omegaverse possible Mpreg Romance
Debbiereadsbook (1487 KP) rated Walking on Broken Paths in Books
Jul 24, 2025
This book has a lot. A lot of emotions, a lot of pain, of joy, of love and I absolutely loved it.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Jesse ran when his brother died, and hasn't returned since. He doesn't know if he is staying but bought a house to fix up over the summer. Coming face to face with his childhood best friend was a shock, but Jesse wants to keep Parker in his life, if only for the summer. Parks is dealing with his father's death and he doesn't know what he wants to do. Keeping Jesse in his life, however briefly, is top of his list.
This book has a lot. A lot of emotions, a lot of pain, of joy, of love and I absolutely bloody it.
Jesse's pain is long lived: 15 years since his brother passed away but Jesse still talks to him, Jesse just can't hear him. He carries a lot of the past on his shoulders, but things are getting better a little every day. Parker's pain is new: a few weeks have gone by since his dad lost his fight to cancer, and Parks is struggling with what to do with his dad's dinner cruise business. He knows it's not really going to work for him, but it was his dad's pride and joy.
These guys fall straight back into their friendship that very quickly morphs into more and both are asking themselves, but not yet each other, if they can make it work long distance.
I loved that there was no 3rd act break up/make up. Loved the steam level was low-ish and it was perfect for this book.
There were some other hockey players mentioned, as Parker wants to write a book about gay hockey players and their history and the names rang some bells. I had to go back through Aislin's backlist and find them! Loved that.
AN Absolutely wonderful book, that was just what I needed a the time.
5 full and shiny stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Jesse ran when his brother died, and hasn't returned since. He doesn't know if he is staying but bought a house to fix up over the summer. Coming face to face with his childhood best friend was a shock, but Jesse wants to keep Parker in his life, if only for the summer. Parks is dealing with his father's death and he doesn't know what he wants to do. Keeping Jesse in his life, however briefly, is top of his list.
This book has a lot. A lot of emotions, a lot of pain, of joy, of love and I absolutely bloody it.
Jesse's pain is long lived: 15 years since his brother passed away but Jesse still talks to him, Jesse just can't hear him. He carries a lot of the past on his shoulders, but things are getting better a little every day. Parker's pain is new: a few weeks have gone by since his dad lost his fight to cancer, and Parks is struggling with what to do with his dad's dinner cruise business. He knows it's not really going to work for him, but it was his dad's pride and joy.
These guys fall straight back into their friendship that very quickly morphs into more and both are asking themselves, but not yet each other, if they can make it work long distance.
I loved that there was no 3rd act break up/make up. Loved the steam level was low-ish and it was perfect for this book.
There were some other hockey players mentioned, as Parker wants to write a book about gay hockey players and their history and the names rang some bells. I had to go back through Aislin's backlist and find them! Loved that.
AN Absolutely wonderful book, that was just what I needed a the time.
5 full and shiny stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Debbiereadsbook (1487 KP) rated Velvet in Books
Aug 2, 2025
I cannot stress the point highly enough: I LOVED THIS BOOK!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Forgive me, if this review runs away with itself! I loved this book, and it might get said a time or three!!
AJ runs Velvet, a cocktail lounge. He meets Blake when he spills drinks all down him! A very amusing meet cute, I tell ya. And then?? They get together, and fall in love and THAT, peeps, is the most simplest blurb you ever did get!
But this book? It is not simple, no ma'am.
It's deep: both men carry some baggage, but AJ's is a little more emotional. Blake seems to have it all, but all he wants is someone to love him. The fact that he'd been dating women for so long meant he never put a man in that position, though. AJ's heart was broken, and he trusted slowly.
It's smexy: While AJ is openly gay, Blake is not. So Blake sets the pace of their relationship and once he gets a taste of AJ, he is smitten!
It's a lot of fun: I found this, while emotional in places, a lot of fun in others and it meant I was able to catch my breath from the deeper bits, and laugh and these two, and their group of friends.
I loved that there was no make-up/breakup/ These two really are perfect for each other and they fit into each other's lives and hearts perfectly!
The friends made me chuckle. They all knew something was going on, but since AJ and Blake were both quiet about it at first, neither knew exactly what. I also enjoyed catching up with the owners of The V Lounge, too!
Did I say?? I bloody loved this book!
No?? Maybe I should say it again for those at the back!
It really was a delightful read and I cannot stress the point highly enough: I LOVED THIS BOOK!
5 full and shiny stars! (if I didn't make myself clear enough!)
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Forgive me, if this review runs away with itself! I loved this book, and it might get said a time or three!!
AJ runs Velvet, a cocktail lounge. He meets Blake when he spills drinks all down him! A very amusing meet cute, I tell ya. And then?? They get together, and fall in love and THAT, peeps, is the most simplest blurb you ever did get!
But this book? It is not simple, no ma'am.
It's deep: both men carry some baggage, but AJ's is a little more emotional. Blake seems to have it all, but all he wants is someone to love him. The fact that he'd been dating women for so long meant he never put a man in that position, though. AJ's heart was broken, and he trusted slowly.
It's smexy: While AJ is openly gay, Blake is not. So Blake sets the pace of their relationship and once he gets a taste of AJ, he is smitten!
It's a lot of fun: I found this, while emotional in places, a lot of fun in others and it meant I was able to catch my breath from the deeper bits, and laugh and these two, and their group of friends.
I loved that there was no make-up/breakup/ These two really are perfect for each other and they fit into each other's lives and hearts perfectly!
The friends made me chuckle. They all knew something was going on, but since AJ and Blake were both quiet about it at first, neither knew exactly what. I also enjoyed catching up with the owners of The V Lounge, too!
Did I say?? I bloody loved this book!
No?? Maybe I should say it again for those at the back!
It really was a delightful read and I cannot stress the point highly enough: I LOVED THIS BOOK!
5 full and shiny stars! (if I didn't make myself clear enough!)
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Steven Sklansky (231 KP) rated Battle of the Sexes (2016) in Movies
Sep 26, 2017
Good storytelling (2 more)
Amazing Cast
Tennis shots were done very well
Sports with a hint of romance
This is another sports movie I had no knowledge of going in to and I watch a lot of sports. Tennis is one that I play more then I follow. Sometimes it is fun to watch a tennis match or 2 on tv but not all the time. This match though would have be amazing to see and live through. The story of Billy Jean King is like any other women making history by doing something great in the 70's. It has been told several times using different backgrounds. The big difference with this movie though is they did not overly portray her as the victim being driven down by the man. She always had her head held high and new she could win. You never really felt sad for her during the course of the movie. She had a goal set forth and took it head on.
This movie had a story to tell and like most Based on True Story movies they add way to much drama. This movie was the opposite. It told the story from her perspective and Bobby's perspective and really kept unnecessary drama out of it. The biggest drama points was Billy's female lover. Some of it felt way over the top and you just knew what was coming. I don't mind gay couples in movies, but what I don't like is if it feels forced on to screen just for the sake of adding it. This was part of her story, just put it in there, you don't have to tease the audience that it is going to happen.
The sports part of this movie was my favorite. The back at forth on the court felt real. Which is a good thing because you never want to see look fake. There were very few cuts during the action sequences which means they were really playing tennis, unless they were professionals dressed like them. I would not be disappointed if that was the case, but it would be great if it was the real actors doing it.
All in all this was a fantastic and think everyone, men (from the 70's and earlier) and women should go and see this movie. If you know the story already you may not like it as much but see it anyway.
This movie had a story to tell and like most Based on True Story movies they add way to much drama. This movie was the opposite. It told the story from her perspective and Bobby's perspective and really kept unnecessary drama out of it. The biggest drama points was Billy's female lover. Some of it felt way over the top and you just knew what was coming. I don't mind gay couples in movies, but what I don't like is if it feels forced on to screen just for the sake of adding it. This was part of her story, just put it in there, you don't have to tease the audience that it is going to happen.
The sports part of this movie was my favorite. The back at forth on the court felt real. Which is a good thing because you never want to see look fake. There were very few cuts during the action sequences which means they were really playing tennis, unless they were professionals dressed like them. I would not be disappointed if that was the case, but it would be great if it was the real actors doing it.
All in all this was a fantastic and think everyone, men (from the 70's and earlier) and women should go and see this movie. If you know the story already you may not like it as much but see it anyway.
Merissa (13159 KP) rated Squared Away (Out of Uniform #5) in Books
May 7, 2018
Squared Away (Out of Uniform #5) by Annabeth Albert
Squared Away is the fifth book in the Out of Uniform series, but can be read as a standalone, as I did. However, I must say that now I have found out what an exceptional writer Annabeth Albert is, it won't be the last book of hers I read!
Isaiah is a bit of a 'flirt', and at eighteen he decides he is going to lose his V-card to a SEAL at his brother's wedding. However Mark, the SEAL, isn't interested in just being 'someone' to sleep with, and so tells Isaiah he isn't gay or interested. He then manages to avoid Isaiah for the next five years, although he still hears about Isaiah's exploits. Trust me, he is no longer a card-carrying member! These two get thrown together by tragedy, and are both left in charge of three children. This story revolves around the decisions they make, and how they learn to love and live together, whilst loving three mini-humans who demand so much time.
Squared Away is a complex love story that goes so slow it is completely and utterly scintillating. I wondered how it would work with Isaiah's reputation, but it was simply amazing. Yes, his reputation bites him in the ass, but with Mark, he goes slow - and it is beautiful. There are reasons for this as Mark is demisexual. We find out exactly what this means for Mark, and the struggles he has, both with it and with being scared to want more with Isaiah. Oh man, this is so good. I mean, seriously! The chemistry between these two melted my kindle, and I loved every word. It is heart-breaking, it is beautiful.
With no editing or grammatical errors that I noticed, Squared Away is an exceptional story, told by a brilliant author. Her style of writing is realistic, with plenty of complex emotions and situations. Life doesn't always go smoothly, but it can be worth the effort you put in to a difficult situation. Absolutely amazing, and I am now putting more books by this author on my T-B-R list! You'd be a fool not to read this one.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Isaiah is a bit of a 'flirt', and at eighteen he decides he is going to lose his V-card to a SEAL at his brother's wedding. However Mark, the SEAL, isn't interested in just being 'someone' to sleep with, and so tells Isaiah he isn't gay or interested. He then manages to avoid Isaiah for the next five years, although he still hears about Isaiah's exploits. Trust me, he is no longer a card-carrying member! These two get thrown together by tragedy, and are both left in charge of three children. This story revolves around the decisions they make, and how they learn to love and live together, whilst loving three mini-humans who demand so much time.
Squared Away is a complex love story that goes so slow it is completely and utterly scintillating. I wondered how it would work with Isaiah's reputation, but it was simply amazing. Yes, his reputation bites him in the ass, but with Mark, he goes slow - and it is beautiful. There are reasons for this as Mark is demisexual. We find out exactly what this means for Mark, and the struggles he has, both with it and with being scared to want more with Isaiah. Oh man, this is so good. I mean, seriously! The chemistry between these two melted my kindle, and I loved every word. It is heart-breaking, it is beautiful.
With no editing or grammatical errors that I noticed, Squared Away is an exceptional story, told by a brilliant author. Her style of writing is realistic, with plenty of complex emotions and situations. Life doesn't always go smoothly, but it can be worth the effort you put in to a difficult situation. Absolutely amazing, and I am now putting more books by this author on my T-B-R list! You'd be a fool not to read this one.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Zach Smith (62 KP) rated Bumblebee (2018) in Movies
Mar 23, 2019
Finally another view on the Transformers Universe that isnt Michael Bay.
Contains spoilers, click to show
I will give you a big heads up, I was not crazy about the idea of this movie due to Hollywood casting another female lead that is horrible unrealistic that this female that is a 10 in looks department. Michael Bay at least cast a realistic man named Shia that lets face it is no Brad Pitt. It was something normal people can relate to. Now being a gay male I found that the costar a male looked realistic and was relatable in having the crush on the 'hot' girl. No saying that they managed to sexualize it abit by showing male eye candy in boxers and the costar ripping his shirt off so I gave thaat a big thumbs up for me being the pig I am. Now moving on from the human bullshit part. The opening sequence takes place on the cybertron we all grew up to love and know. No crazy shit like the Cube is mentioned, you get an epic war scene with the majority of the original decepticons that actually look like decepticons, including soundwave and the purple guy that has one eye. I dont recall seeing megatron however, but its been awhile since I last saw it.
Anywho the movie goes on for character development for the unreal female lead which of course didnt really interest me. However there is a fierce battle between bumblebee and another decepticon and the idea of Bumblebee having a damaged voice modulator is carried over from the Michael Bay Transformers universe. Skipping forward to the introduction of the hero lead human finding bumblebee she is working on the vw beetle and she lays under the car to work on it and it looks just like when look at an transformer toy, you can see bumblebees head in the undercarriage, again freaking awesome!. So this movie made money which I am glad because I gave up on the Michael Bay transformer universe after he started slaughtering the autobots just like the Transformers Cartoon movie. So it is said we will see more from this group of writers and directors as they sort of reboot the universe and start making money again. Go see it, buy it. Snore factor of 2/10 for the stupid human parts.
Anywho the movie goes on for character development for the unreal female lead which of course didnt really interest me. However there is a fierce battle between bumblebee and another decepticon and the idea of Bumblebee having a damaged voice modulator is carried over from the Michael Bay Transformers universe. Skipping forward to the introduction of the hero lead human finding bumblebee she is working on the vw beetle and she lays under the car to work on it and it looks just like when look at an transformer toy, you can see bumblebees head in the undercarriage, again freaking awesome!. So this movie made money which I am glad because I gave up on the Michael Bay transformer universe after he started slaughtering the autobots just like the Transformers Cartoon movie. So it is said we will see more from this group of writers and directors as they sort of reboot the universe and start making money again. Go see it, buy it. Snore factor of 2/10 for the stupid human parts.