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Rock Crush and Roll
Rock Crush and Roll
Hunter Snow | 2023 | Contemporary, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
not overly explicit but very steamy in places!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

From what I can see, this is a debut author, and I enjoyed this!

Tyler has crushed on Cary for some time. And Cary has crushed on Tyler too, but they work together, sorta, and Tyler has a strict no musicians rule after being hurt badly by one. But with very little effort, they start to see the person behind the mask, and
 maybe, just maybe, Tyler can find her Happy Ever After.

This is cute, it really is. I liked that Tyler and Cary knew each other for a long time before they started a relationship. I liked that both of them fell fast and hard. I liked that Cary tried to spoil Tyler, but she managed to not let him get away with too
 much.

It’s not overly explicit, but it does get steamy in places. Just the right amount for these two, I think.

Both Cary and Tyler have a say in the third person, The change usually occurs as the chapter changes, but sometimes in the middle. Each change is clearly headed and I liked that.

Lots and LOTS of one liners from well-known songs (each with the artist named too) and some not so well known to me. Didn’t take anything away from the story, but I found myself trying to spot them all! And then to proceed to sing said song in my head til I
 came across the next one!

I struggled a bit with the workings of the music industry and found Tyler’s boss a slimeball, but he does get his comeuppence!

A great start from this author. When I come across a new (or new to me) author, my first question is always “Do I want to read more by this author?” and my answer here is a resounding “yes!”

So cute, and warm and fuzzies and a good solid 3 stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Ollie (A Little Christmas #3)
Ollie (A Little Christmas #3)
JP Sayle | 2024 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
far too stinking cute/wam and fuzzies/low angst! Loved it!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Sometimes, Ms Sayle writes dark and deadly, sometimes things are just plain weird (rhubarb!) and sometimes, they are so delightfully cute and warm and fuzzies that the world is a brighter place.

This book falls into the last category, and I bloody loved it!

Ollie and Beckett meet online, and their relationship blooms over time. But Ollie will not let Beckett see him properly. Ollie is scared that Beckett will catch one look at him and run far away. But Beckett is far deeper than Ollie thnks, and the boy just needs to give Beckett a chance to prove that. Leeson's wedding cruise is that time.

I loved that Ollie and Beck got to know each other over time, their feelings brewing for the better part of a year. It meant that when they did meet, it was more about getting Ollie to see just how much he meant to Beckett, and how much Beckett wanted to be Ollie's Daddy, if only he'd let him.

I loved that there was overlap with Denton and Vic's book, Cruising Right Into Love. This book takes place alongside that one, on the cruise.

I loved how the focus of this book was NOT about the physical side of their relationship, but more about the emotional one. There is smexy times, but I found them very much low key and fade to grey, rather than up-in-yer-face type scenes. Loved it, to be honest.

This is part of the 3rd A Little Christmas series, a multi author series. I haven't read the others, but it's not necessary to really enjoy this one.

So much love in this book, and it hits all the warm and fuzzies and too stinking cute and low angst spots and I bloody loved it!

5 full and shiny stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
A Little Christmas! Matty's Secret
A Little Christmas! Matty's Secret
JP Sayle | 2023 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Loved the way Wes fit Matty's foxes into his life.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This book is part of the 2nd season of A Little Christmas. You don't need to read the others, they all stand alone within the series. I would recommend you read Hanging With Daddy, by JP Sayle though before this one. We first met Matty there, he is Gaines' best friend. And since Gaines and his Daddy Austin play a large part here, it might help to have their story first. Not necessary, just a personal point.

Matty keeps picking the bad ones, and now questions everything. Weston comes across the cute little Pumpkin in the park and is smitten. But can Matty let Weston in??

What this is, is a wonderfully written, delightfully told tale of letting someone into your heart, even though you know it might get broken.

It's sweet and smexy, cute and cuddly, and all sorts of things that might take too long to type!

I loved catching up with Gaines and Austin, but also with Terrence and Warner, for the first Little Christmas series. Austin, Warner and Weston turn out to be very close friends, and I loved how they all slot into each other's lives here.

There is very little drama between Wes and Matty. The drama is called by Matty's ex, Putrid Peter. Have to say, that did make me laugh, calling him that but it fits perfectly!

Loved the way Wes fitted Matty's foxes into his life. The plates were a particularly cute touch. But Weston wants Matty happy, and he will do what Matty needs him to.

I did like being made to wait for the main event though! While there are smexy, steamy times, they don't go all the way til very near the end of the book, and I loved that!

I loved it, exercises and all! (But I'm with Matty on that front, walking is enough :-) )

5 full and shiny stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
The Red Dragon of Oxford (Wings over Albion #1)
The Red Dragon of Oxford (Wings over Albion #1)
Joy Lynn Fielding | 2024 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Cute and Sweet and fairly low on the angst scale.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Mark is in Oxford to get his doctorate. He never expected to find an injured DRAGON on his walk. But the dragon was real, he spoke to Mark. Then, it was gone and Mark couldn't find it. The library provides him with the solitude to do his research. It helps, though, that the librarian, Rufus, is so hawt. But Rufus has a secret, one that might destroy everything.

I have read a couple of Fielding's books, and I think this was my favourite. She writes very easy to read books, and sometimes, that's just what you need.

I enjoyed this, greatly. Lots of descriptions of Oxford, and the university. Having never been, I did like them.

I liked how the relationship between Mark and Rufus developed and once they went in, they went ALL in! Steamy in places and emotional in others. Mark is dealing with his feelings about not being intelligent enough to be in Oxford and Rufus about his being a red dragon. Cos in this world, red dragons are not good.

But then WHITE dragons appear and Rufus' red dragon has a skill he didn't see coming.

I didn't fully get the point of the white dragons appearing, and the problems they were causing til that was all explained. There is also the issue of the cyber attacks on the Mortimer finances that Nate, Rufus' brother, is off dealing with.

It's cute and sweet and fairly low on the angst scale. But steamy and smexy in places!

An easy read that landed in my queue right when I needed it. I'd like to read more of this series as they come out, cos Nate needs a story, given his current job chasing the cyber attacks.

4 good solid stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
The Magic of Vanaheim (The Nine Worlds #1)
The Magic of Vanaheim (The Nine Worlds #1)
Saga Nansen | 2024 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Loved the Norse and Viking references!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarain, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Usually, I rehash the blurb, not gonna here, cos I just wanna jump straight in!

I LOVED this book!

What I loved most was how patient Talvi was with Hakon (I'm sorry, my keyboard won't do the special characters!) Talvi loved Hakon since he was a child, and now he had the frost warrior in his bed, he wasn't letting him go. Talvi waited, and watched, as Hakon settled into his new life. Waited while he found his footing, and realised that all those things his father said to him, were a lie. Hakon wasn't useless, or a waste of space! He was to be King with Talvi, he just needed to see that fact himself, before Hakon could give himself fully to Talvi.

I could see that betrayal coming a long way off, and while it's good to be proven right, it's still mighty painful for Talvi to realise where the threat really was.

I did NOT see the death of Hakon's father coming from where that did! But I think it was right it came from that person, rather than Hakon.

I loved all the Viking and Norse references. Some were recognisable, some not so. But those not so ones, were what really made this book.

And now, I have questions! Where is Talvi's brother? And his mother's? Will Hakon's sister get a story? But the biggest question is just what is going on with Talvi's uncle and the thrall??

I hope these are answered in future books! I look forward to getting my hands on them!

Saga Nansen is relatively new to the scene, but they have jumped in and landed with a mighty splash in this genre, please keep them coming!

5 full and shiny stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
One Last Chance
One Last Chance
Kat Sinclair | 2025 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
took a path I didn't see coming!
Independent reviewer for BookSirens, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Dayton is an omega with a slightly sour smell. Very uncommon. It means his dating life is almost non-existant and his mothers keep setting him for blind dates. Rowland is an alpha with a condition that makes his smell overpowering to most omegas, and indeed, betas. The latest blind was the last one, he was adamant. But when Dayton and Rowland meet, sparks really do fly. But there are those who are against Rowland being happy.

What I liked about this, was it went a way I did not see coming, and I really enjoyed being kept on my toes.

AND! It wasn't until I was tagging it, that I realised something: first person, present tense and multi point of view. If you follow my reviews, you'll know this is not a fav of mine, and I WILL dump books written as such if they don't grab me. I won't apologise for that either. But this book grabbed me and didn't let go, so much so, I did not notice the way it was written!

Now, there is a bit in the beginning about the way this world works. I read it, I really did, but much went over my head about the intricate explanations about the venusverse and how it all works. I don't think I missed much by not comprehending it all, to be honest. Just needed to mention it!

I've not read anything by this author, and it says this book is set in the venusverse world she created. I can't find any, so I'm assuming this is the first, please correct me if I'm wrong though! I will read them, as and when. Kat Sinclair is now firmly in my crosshairs!

4 very VERY good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
A Touch of Maple (Love in Maplewood #3)
A Touch of Maple (Love in Maplewood #3)
Amy Aislin | 2025 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
For these two, I think it was a perfect balance of steam and emotion.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarain, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is part of the Love in Maplewood series, I have not read any others and I don't think you would need to, they all appear to be linked only by Maplewood and the low angst tag. I wouldn't say no to reading any more, though!

Jason lives in Maplewood and helps run the family maple syrup farm. Bellamy is traded to the local ice hockey team. He has been moved a lot, and it's beginning to get old. Meeting Jason and things seemed to be looking up, that is, until he finds out that Jason is the brother of Ryland, his arch enemy.

What I especially loved about this book is the low angst. I have some *stuff* going on right now, and it absolutely hit the spot I needed it to! Jason and Bellamy are aware they will upset Ryland , but still know that what they have is special. And, as Bellamy points out, Ryland is the real instigator in their "feud"

I found it steamy, but not especially smexy, and I really enjoyed that I could just fall into the book and watch these two men fall in love, without smexy stuff taking over. I love a smexy book, don't get me wrong, but for these two, I think it was a perfect balance of steam and emotion.

I loved that there was not a break up/make up thing and I loved that Ryland, while initially. . .not hurt, but more put out. . .by Jason being with Bellamy, he comes around in the best way!

Loved the epilogue and the bonus chapter.

Thank you, Ms Aislin, for really making my day with this book.

5 full and shiny stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Among Us (Dyson Bridge #2)
Among Us (Dyson Bridge #2)
V.G. Harrison | 2025 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
ANother Cliffhanger!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 2 in the Dyson Bridge series, and it cannot be read as a stand alone, you MUST read Abandon Station first.

I said in my review for that book, that I was annoyed at that book,because it left me on a cliffhanger I did not see coming. And guess what?? I'm annoyed at THIS book because I DID see the cliff hanger coming!

This is only short, some 120 pages, and I could not see an end for Merida and her people coming at me from about half way through. There just weren't enough pages left!

Merida has escaped the Feds, and is seeking help to get her people home. Not just for themselves, but for this New Earth. If the station continues in its decaying orbit path, it will spell disaster. She does find some help, though, and they are a step closer to getting home. I liked that she got a surprise when she switched her communication device on!

BUT they aren't there yet, and time is moving on and running out for Merida and her crew. The epilepsy they have been diagnosed with, isn't what it seems and is leading to a much more sinister path for them.

Only Merida has a say. I can't remember in book 1, if it was just Merida ( I didn't mention it in my review!) but it is here. I think she needs to be the voice for her people though. Ordinarily, I would say I wanted to hear from everyone but I don't think this would have worked if they did.

SO, now we wait. Again! last time I had to wait 18 months to get this book! I hope it isn't quite so long this time.

4 very good, fully invested in Merida and her people, stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Ghost of a Chance (Bucket List Buddies #2)
Ghost of a Chance (Bucket List Buddies #2)
JP Sayle, Lisa Oliver | 2025 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
these books are a lot of fun!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 2 in the Bucket List Buddies series, and I do think you should read book one, Perilous Cuite before this one. Morty and Hector play a part here, and Lionel is Hector's friend.

Lionel doesn't want to go ghost hunting, but his friend gave him tickets, and the other friend let him down. He'll just sneak in and out when no one is looking. But something happens, Lionel is shaken and Brad spots the gorgeous lion sneaking out and where the heck did he disappear to?? Friends come good, and Lionel and Brad officially meet and mate. But not everyone is happy, and a past comes back with a bang.

I thoroughly enjoyed book 1, and I thoroughly enjoyed this one too! I read it after a particularly . . . . difficult . . . read, and it really lifted my spirits as much as the ghosts they were hunting!

It's steamy, as fated mates books are. I found the drama a little heavier than book 1, but only because Brad made a stand for his mate, and that past did not like it!

In book 1, Hector's mother was best described as a witch. She was horrid to Hector and Morty. But Lionel's mum?? Oh she flew clear across the world to come meet Brad and congratulate them on their mating. She arrived just in time to give that past a right dressing down!

Loved that we caught up with Morty and Hector and their news. I loved the snippet at the end, hinting about Sven and Remy. No idea when or if they will get a book, but the epilogues are great and I'm rooting for them!

These books are a lot of fun, something silly in a messed up time. Thank you for writing them, please keep em coming!

4 wonderful stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Make Them Cry (Pretty Deadly Things #2)
Make Them Cry (Pretty Deadly Things #2)
Logan Chance | 2025 | Contemporary, Crime, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
really enjoying these books!
Independent reviewer for BookSirens, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 2 in the Pretty Deadly Things series, but it's not necessary to read Make Them Bleed, book 1, first. Recommended by me, but not necessary.

River works with Gage, but he gets under her skin, not in a good way. When the online harassment gets personal and much closer to her than before, she turns to the dark web for help. Enter Mask, who promises he can make them cry. But who is he really, and just who can River trust, when people are dying?

I am really REALLY enjoying these books, this author in general!

One point I will make: there is a lot, and I mean A LOT of technical stuff in this one. There is a little directory at the beginning, but I will be honest and kinda glazed over those bits. Far too complicated computer lingo for me to follow but I really don't think I missed anything by not fully understanding.

I liked that it took a bit of time for River to figure out it was Gage behind the mask. I liked that it took time for them to get together, hence the slow burn tag.

It took time for the person behind it all to be revealed, and I did like that I did not see that coming. I thought there might be *some* redemption for a certain character, but she made her bed, now needs to deal with the fall out.

I liked that the scene is set for book 3. Comments made here lay out who is next, so I can't wait to read that!

Loved catching up with Juno and Arrow, and the guys at Maddox Security along with the BRAVO team.

This author is fast becoming a firm favourite. Not easy reads, sometimes the subject matter is difficult, but they easy TO read, you know? I know what I mean :-)

4 very good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere