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The Best Parts of Him (Vermont Trailblazers #1)
The Best Parts of Him (Vermont Trailblazers #1)
Amy Aislin | 2025 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
It's about discovering yourself, and what you are doing might not actually be the best step forward.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

If this review runs away with itself, I'm sorry, but I freaking LOVED this book!

It's sweet, and charming. It's cute and a little bit smexy. Very little angst apart from what happened to both Ryland and Dabbs as children (divorce and verbal parental abuse, talked about but not in detail)

It's a small town and major hockey leagues. It's building new found families and more established real families.

It's about discovering yourself, and what you are doing might not actually be the best step forward. What I loved was that BOTH men had a little bit of a revelation about themselves.

I was reading and I kept coming back to Jason and Bellamy, who are Ryland's brother and Dabbs' best friend (and Ryland's enemy) I kept thinking I've read these guys before and off I tootled and there it was: A Touch of Maple (Love In Maplewood #3) Now, on a personal note, I think you should read THAT book first. It will give you a better image of Ryland and Bellamy's previous animosity and just what Ryland does to let it all go. I loved being able to catch up with them.

There was a MAJOR hint at who might be next and I can't wait to read it!

5 full, and so very sweet, stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Divided Road (The Road to Rocktoberfest 2024)
Divided Road (The Road to Rocktoberfest 2024)
Anne Barwell | 2024 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I liked that I was able to get into their minds a good deal
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This book is part of the Road to Rockoberfest 2024, but can be read as a stand alone to the other books in the series.

Owen is the fiddler in Flightless, an up and coming rock band. Jared joins as a stand in when the keyboard player takes some family time. But time is short for Owen and Jared.

For the most part, I liked this book.

Both Jared and Owen have a say, and they say a great deal. I liked that I was able to get into their minds a good deal.

It's not overly explicit but there are smexy times. No real angst or drama, I didn't think.

I did like the way it all played out.

It's an easy read, a Nice book.

*insert sigh*

I just felt I was missing MUCH information. About both men, and their history. Case in point: these guys met before, The Beer Guy incident. I needed that explained. I don't fully get that and I wanted it. I also found it was a little . . . flat . . .on the romance. They meet, they kiss, and they are in love. I wanted more build up.

BUT like I said, I did enjoy it, I'm just saying what I wanted that I didn't get.

3.5 stars, but rounded UP for the blog.

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
False Start (Big Bend Bears #3)
False Start (Big Bend Bears #3)
Nicole Dykes | 2025 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
FALSE START is the third book in the Big Bend Bears series, although I haven't read the first two. This didn't impact my enjoyment of Vaughn and Austin's story in any way.

Austin and Vaughn have been best friends for years and years. Austin has been in love with Vaughn for nearly as long. Vaughn is happy with his girlfriend, Vanessa, though and now they are leaving high school and going to university, Austin decides to break free and go to a different school. Vaughn is hurt by this and doesn't understand why until Austin shouts it at him.

Austin is a non-stereotypical nerd and Vaughn is the jock who is willing to go toe-to-toe with anyone who threatens anyone who is 'his'. Austin is also the worrier in the relationship, whereas Vaughn is very much 'take me as I am!'

This story was fast-paced with some time-hops to keep the story moving. It is also low-angst which made for an easy read. I loved the relationship Vaughn and Austin had, with how easy it was for the most part, but still had its hard and hurting times.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and have no hesitation in recommending it. I would definitely read more in this series, especially if Calvin gets a story!

** 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
  
Worth the Wait (Worth It #1)
Worth the Wait (Worth It #1)
C.F. White | 2025 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
WORTH THE WAIT is the first book in the Worth It series, set in the seaside town of Worthbridge. Nathan and Freddie were joined at the hip from a young age, but life wasn't easy, and so their friendship came to an end. Nathan joined the army, and Freddie joined the police force. Skip forward fifteen years, and Nathan has returned to Worthbridge with his son.

If you are looking for a gritty contemporary story, then I can always recommend C.F. White! This one is no different. It is full of emotions and English slang. I can almost hear the accents! There is an ongoing story, but this one wraps up nicely. I am hoping we get to see Freddie, Nathan, and Alfie in future books, as this one pretty much ends just as they get together again.

There is also a great cast of supporting characters that I also hope to see and learn more about. Considering the story, this was fairly low angst between our two MCs, and there is steam when they get together, although it's not soft and tender steam, if you know what I mean.

A great read, a brilliant start to a new series, and one I'm really looking forward to continuing. 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!
Dec 17, 2025
  
A Gift-Wrapped Holiday
A Gift-Wrapped Holiday
Amy Aislin | 2022 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
"A Christmassy hug-in-a-book!"
A GIFT-WRAPPED HOLIDAY is a brilliant book for the Christmas season. It will give you the warm fuzzies, even though serious topics are covered.

Luca and Mal are the perfect pair even if they don't act on it immediately. I loved that about the book though. They don't play games and mess around but they also don't rush into a relationship where a child is involved without thought.

There is little-to-no angst in here but it didn't need it. The characters move the story along brilliantly by themselves. The pacing is wonderful and it shows the connection between Luca and Mal, giving it time to deepen before there is any steam. I loved the world of Lighthouse Bay and now I want to read the other books. I don't feel that it impacted me negatively at all that I hadn't read them before this one.

One thing I have to add is I LOVED all the research that went into Luca's shop. It was a brilliant idea that worked perfectly. I just wish there was a store like that near me!

This is the second book by this author I have read (the other being On The Ice) and both books have been 5-star reads. Absolutely brilliant 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!