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Motion to Quash
Motion to Quash
M.E. Parker | 2025 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
MOTION TO QUASH is a standalone story full of the warm fuzzies and just what I needed after reading a dark romance.

Okay, so maybe it doesn't start too well, what with a possible attempted r@pe (nothing happens), followed by a m*rder. But it does get better for Fin, I promise. He goes to his friend Kayse, who calls his friend Spencer, who calls his friend Jack. Jack says he'll help and immediately falls head over heels, determined to do everything to keep his Fin safe.

This is one of those books that gives you a break from reality, even with a contemporary setting. The thought of someone with money to burn, who wants nothing more than a relationship with you that fits perfectly, and sorts out all of your problems too, is just amazing! Saying that, I did so love Fin's moments when he commented on money, or the amount of things needed, or when he put Jack in his place.

This was a smoothly written, medium-paced story, with plenty of action, but it doesn't go too deep. Jack has a caretaking kink, so prepare yourself for someone who wants to help. I would say the main themes are hopeful and lighthearted, with Marcus providing the light entertainment.

I would love to see more from these characters, especially Kayse and Spencer, and Marcus. If you're looking for the warm fuzzies, then I can definitely recommend this one.

** 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!
Sep 17, 2025
  
Untouchable (Creekside Valley #1)
Untouchable (Creekside Valley #1)
JT Fader | 2025 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
UNTOUCHABLE is the first book in the Creekside Valley series, and the first book by this author I have read. Please take note of the trigger warnings!

We start with a trio of friends moving from Metro City to Creekside Valley, trying to find peace in a world where they have all been mistreated and abused to varying degrees. Rory is the main character here, and was abused in horrible ways by his father and uncle from the age of eight. He hates being touched in any way, suffers from horrendous nightmares, and can't sleep unless he has a lock on the door (understandably!) On his first night in the new place, he meets Denver at the local food shop, which sparks a connection neither of them was looking for or ready for.

This is a fast-paced story where I will admit some things didn't make much sense to me. I get how Rory is able to have Denver touch him (because of the dreams), but for it to be so quickly, with no outside (therapy) help? And to work in a crowded restaurant? How the hell is he supposed to do his job without someone accidentally bumping into him? Maybe I'm nitpicking, but this stood out to me.

This is a dark story with plenty of flashbacks, so please look after yourself first. If you are reading a book about a bear shifter omegaverse, then your reality is already suspended, which works well for this story! I did enjoy this story and look forward to reading more in this series. 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!
Oct 17, 2025
  
Festive Fugitive (Murder and Mistletoe #3)
Festive Fugitive (Murder and Mistletoe #3)
K.A. Merikan | 2025 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
FESTIVE FUGITIVE is the third book in the Murder and Mistletoe series, but you can read it as a standalone, as I have. It is listed as a dark romance, so please take note of that if you have any triggers.

The story begins with Cesar asking his 'boss' for a final tattoo - that sounds okay, right? Well, it turns out, he gets a tattoo to celebrate the best job of the year, and his boss has been delaying it for two years. Oh, and I guess I should mention that his boss is also his sort-of adopted father, who has trained and tortured him to become a sociopathic assassin! When said boss is killed by someone pushed to their very limits, Cesar decides that the skinny, surely-soon-to-be-captured killer is his new boss, and helps him out every way he can. Let the fun begin.

This was a quick and easy read, surprisingly cute and fluffy in amidst all the murder and violence, with s3x on pretty much every page once Cesar and Eli get together. They become each other's safe space in a world where they haven't had that in far too long. Now, if I'm talking reality (which I'm not!), then their relationship is probably toxic as hell, but they are so happy in their little murder bubble, so why not!

My first festive book of the year, and I thoroughly enjoyed 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!
Oct 31, 2025
  
40x40

ClareR (6225 KP) rated Seascraper in Books

Apr 18, 2026  
Seascraper
Seascraper
Benjamin Wood | 2025 | Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I absolutely loved this book, and I still can’t understand why it didn’t make the shortlist of the Booker Prize (2025).

Thomas Flett is a shanker: he takes a horse and cart to the beach at low tide and scrapes across the shore for shrimp that he sells to a local merchant for cash. It’s a hard life, and the quality of the shrimp deteriorates as the pollution affects them.

Thomas is the result of his mothers relationship at just 15 with a school teacher. He never knows this man, as he joined up and was then killed in the war to escape the disgrace of what he’d done. He lives with her in his dead grandfathers house, and his mother suffers for having kept him. She remains unmarried still, and has had few opportunities in her life - much like Thomas. Life as a shanker is hard, repetitive and dangerous. So when a Hollywood film maker turns up on their doorstep offering a lot of money for Thomas’ knowledge of the seashore and tides, Thomas is more than happy to help him.

Seascraper covers themes of identity, social class, illusion vs reality and mental health - so much in just 176 pages. It’s no wonder that Thomas is interested by the offer of the film maker: he wants to sing at his local pubs folk nights, but he has to hide his guitar and his talent from his mother. She sees spending any money or time on anything other than work a waste of money. His life is relentlessly dull and hard.

Seascraper has stayed with me long after I read it, and I will be looking for the authors other books to read.