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Merissa (14182 KP) rated Color You In (EMS Station 1 #2) in Books

Feb 25, 2025 (Updated Feb 25, 2025)  
Color You In (EMS Station 1 #2)
Color You In (EMS Station 1 #2)
K. Evan Coles | 2025 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
COLOUR YOU IN is the second book in the EMS Station 1 series and it can be read as a standalone. This one features Gus and Madoc. Gus is an amputee with a prosthetic, working hard and studying to better himself and become a paramedic. Madoc is a single dad who has experience as an EMT but is also a 'rookie' under Gus' supervision.

Gus was such a brilliant character and I loved him. That simple. Madoc? Well, he was harder to love. He has good qualities, don't get me wrong, but he is also rather selfish. In the first instance, he sees things in a very black-and-white manner, usually with his mouth opening before he's taken the time to think it through. Their relationship moves quickly from co-workers, to friends, to FWB, and I didn't feel as though Madoc appreciated any of it in the way he should have.

It was good to see Connor and Judah again, even if they were only mentioned briefly. Tarek, nah, I'm good. I didn't feel for him AT ALL and, honestly, wanted to skip over the parts he was in. I'm sure his redemption will be in a future book, but I disliked him so much, I don't know if I could bring myself to read it!

One thing I would have liked to see was a description of the different codes used. I did a search just to confirm what I thought Code 4 actually meant.

Well-written and nicely paced, this was a good addition to the series. If you want a bi-awakening with angst, then this just might be the one for you.

** 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 25, 2025
  
Resolute (Kinsmen Billionaires #3)
Resolute (Kinsmen Billionaires #3)
Liss Montoya | 2025 | Contemporary, Romance
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
RESOLUTE is the third book in the Kinsmen Billionaires series but can be read as a standalone.

Vicente is the oldest brother, the one who will take over the family vineyard in Chile, and the only one still single. So his parents add a proviso to him taking over - he must be married too. Vicente's executive assistant has just retired although she has found a replacement in Camila. How they know each other becomes clear as you read on.

Now, the three characters - Vicente, Camila, and Ava - are all brilliant and I enjoyed each of them in my own way. Vicente was the grumpy-pants big-time CEO who just needed someone to be his partner in every sense of the word. Camila was the sunshine who needed someone to stand by her when things got tough. And Ava was just a cutie who sometimes spoke more wisely than any five-year-old I've ever heard. BUT...

I was only 18% in, and the term 'Let's Boogie' was annoying me so much. I know this is a romance between Camila and her boss, but it is so unprofessional, it's crazy. Also, two other things bothered me as I read. The first one was Owen. That massive turnaround and for what? I'm sorry but, for me, that just didn't work. And the second involved Ava. There is a big scene where she isn't sure if Vicente likes her and gives her reasons. He apologises and asks to call her a special name which is then NEVER mentioned again. I will also admit to being baffled by the term 'Wife' being used all the time!

A story of growth, of families, and of choices, this was a quick, short read that I did enjoy and would recommend. 3.5 rounded up.

** 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!
Mar 8, 2025
  
Emil (Almstead Island: Newcomer's Club #3)
Emil (Almstead Island: Newcomer's Club #3)
Kerry Kilpatrick | 2026 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
EMIL is the third book in the Almstead Island: Newcomer's Club and was a fantastic read from beginning to end. If you're looking for a 'normal' Daddy/boy book, then this probably isn't for you.

Anders is a mixture of service sub and boy. The story begins with him in a bad relationship with John, who takes advantage of Anders need to serve, and basically is just plain nasty, to the point that Anders ends up in hospital. Luckily for Anders, Emil has just taken over John's family's business and is on hand to take care of him. John and his family are all cut from the same cloth, and delight in making things difficult for Anders, including framing him for stealing money from the company. Emil doesn't believe it and takes Anders under his wing as everything is investigated. This gives them both time to learn more about each other.

At the beginning, this story is described as a glacier-burn. It made me smile, but now I fully understand! It may be incredibly slow, but it's what Anders needs, and Emil is ALL about doing what Anders needs.

You do get to see the other Daddies in this series, plus some of the Littles and their Daddies from a different series (Just a Little), so although you can read this as a standalone, you will see characters you may or may not know.

This is not a traditional Daddy/boy story, and I loved it for that! I am so happy Anders got his HEA, and I hope they both appear in future books and crossovers. HIGHLY 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!
Jan 28, 2026
  
The Boy in the Attic (Wartime Holland Book 3)
The Boy in the Attic (Wartime Holland Book 3)
Imogen Matthews | 2022 | History & Politics, Mystery
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Firstly, I must point out that the description I was provided with (above) was not accurate to how the book played out - I'm not sure what happened there but regardless, it's still a really good story and although part of a series, it can most definitely be read as a standalone.

The Boy in the Attic is a story told from 2 timelines, 2 perspectives and 2 countries.

Ilse's story takes place in Holland during World War II. The Nazi's have put a halt to her studies to become a doctor and she is living with her parents. Food is scarce and it's a daily battle to find enough to keep them from starving to death. Ilse then receives a request to help out at a hospital and she moves to live with her friend and her parents but what she discovers and the choices she makes, puts all their lives in jeopardy.

Anna's story is based in the UK in the early 2000's. Her father has just past away and whilst sorting through his affairs, discovers he was adopted and his origins are in Holland. Anna sets out to find out more.

I found the dual timelines worked really well although I admit to being more emotionally attached to Ilse's story. Both characters are well developed and I found myself completely immersed in both their stories and desperate to find out how Ilse and Anna were connected.

I found Ilse's story captivating, Anna's not as much but they worked well together and I did feel connected and invested in both their stories to the end.

This is a story of heartbreak and tragedy but also one of discovery and survival and one I would recommend to those who enjoy historical fiction stories that are set in this period. This one uses the author's own family history to give a believable feel to this story.

Thanks go to Bookouture and NetGalley for enabling me to read The Boy in the Attic and share my views.
  
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Merissa (14182 KP) rated Sexted by Santa (Thrust Into Love #4) in Books

Nov 18, 2021 (Updated Jul 10, 2023)  
Sexted by Santa (Thrust Into Love #4)
Sexted by Santa (Thrust Into Love #4)
D.J. Jamison | 2021 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
SEXTED BY SANTA is the fourth book in the Thrust Into Love series and could easily be read as a standalone as the connection is the college, not the people.

Oh, man. Where to start? Maybe with the Found Family, which is something I always love? Or maybe with the grumpy, grinch-like main character who also warms up? Or maybe I go with the amazing amount of research done into Type 1 Diabetes? I don't know. All of the above.

Having my own Found Family; this is a trope I love. It has been proven to me over and over that they can step up when your biological family won't. It doesn't always mean it's straightforward though, as Hugh so brilliantly demonstrates.

As for the main characters, Christian never had it easy, from the time he was named! And Jaxson, bless his heart. He became a single parent at a young age, determined to do the right thing. And, for the most part, he succeeds admirably. Yes, he's over-protective, but so would I be! I adored how these two were together, so capable and supportive of each other, yet so hot my Kindle was steaming.

And yes, that research definitely deserves a mention! I honestly had no idea it was so involved. Absolutely heartbreaking that you can do all the right things and some outside force can make it go wrong! Luckily for me, this author believes in happy endings so all was well in the end. I was worried!!!

Put all of this together and you get a stonking book that is so much more than 'just' a Christmas story. It's about love, hope, and learning to live again. Absolutely fantastic and highly 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 18, 2021