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Blackmailer’s Delight
Blackmailer’s Delight
David Lawrence | 2024 | Humor & Comedy, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
steamy in places but lacking in romance
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

For the most part, I enjoyed this book. It's the first I've read of David Lawrence.

I liked Daniel and Luke, together and separately. I did think at points, Daniel was using his greater age over Luke to get what he wanted, but I don't think he was doing it deliberately, or maliciously.

It's steamy and smexy, plenty of that but I did find the romance element lacking. As a reader of romance, I do like a more in depth romantic element, to go along with the smexy stuff.

I did like the twist at the end! Clarence, Daniel's ex, was a thoroughly nasty piece of work, but he does come around to Daniel moving on, and does redeem himself somewhat.

Apart from the above mentioned, the story is well told and well written. I found the character development very good. It is a little long winded in the beginning, but it does pick up and then runs away with itself.

I saw no editing or spelling errors to spoil my reading.

I'd like to read something else by this author, he's on my radar now.

4 good stars
  
Phoenix Rising
Phoenix Rising
Valerie Ullmer | 2024 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
It's a bit different to the usual adding a third troupe, and I do like a difference.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

For the most part, I liked this book. It's a bit different to the usual adding a third troupe, and I do like a difference.

Luka and Burton live together, but at the beginning of this book, they are NOT a couple. Phoenix thinks they are. They both want Phoenix in their lives, but they also want each other.

Mostly, its three guys getting down and dirty, There is much, MUCH smexy times. I'm usually one to say I like my books on the smexy side, but I also like some story with my smex. And apart from these three getting together, the only real plot line is Phoenix' father and him getting his comeuppence. It was a bit too much smexy times, if I'm totally honest.

Some minor editing niggles: misplaced names was the biggest for me.

Did I love it? No. But I did enjoy it, and it's the first I've read of this author. I'd like to jump into their world.

4 good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Forbidden Lust (Sinful Knights)
Forbidden Lust (Sinful Knights)
Oliver Takely | 2025 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
too short but steamy!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is the first I've read of Mr Takely and I do think I might read some more. I liked this, a lot.

Written from both Josh (not Joshua!) and Daniel's point of view, it tells of falling in love with quite possibly the most forbidden person: the son of your best friend. Cos that's basically what happens. Josh meets Daniel, they have amazing chemistry. Then Josh finds out Daniel is best friends with his sperm donor, the man who wants nothing to do with Josh.

There was not too much emphasis on the age gap, 20 years. I liked that. Too often it is the whole focus of a book, but not here. I liked that Daniel falls hard and fast, regardless who Josh is.

I hated Josh's sperm donor, and what he does here. He does redeem himself, but only after being put in his place by Daniel and by his wife. Who was wonderful to Josh once she knows who he is!

I do like how it all played out though!

4 very good, but, far too short, stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere