ARC Review: Hooking the Captain by Kimberly Knight & Rachel Lyn Adams

Hooking the Captain is the first book in the Off the Bench Duet by Kimberly Knight and Rachel Lyn Adams. If you read After Hours Lectures, you’ll recognize the characters here, but if you didn’t read it, you’ll have no problem understanding anything here. It does give you the backstory for these characters a bit, but Kimberly and Rachel do a great job of giving you everything you need here so you don’t feel like you are missing anything. Since I had previously read After Hours Lectures, I was anxious to get Coop’s story, while also being a bit unsure of how I would feel towards Ford. I shouldn’t have worried at all though, this book hooked me right away and I need more of these characters.

Ford and Coop meet when they are both out of town, proving that it is a small world when they realize that they both live in the same place. They immediately hit it off, and things between them quickly turn to more as Coop begins to explore a side to himself that he has kept hidden due to his high profile career in the NHL. Coop isn’t the only one that has secrets though, and as Ford struggles with his past, the knowledge that he must come clean threatens to destroy everything that he and Coop are building. 

I really felt for Ford here upon learning more about his past and what he had been through. While it doesn’t excuse his actions, it does explain them and I found myself liking him more than I originally expected. I loved him and Coop together! They had chemistry and were building a strong connection and I enjoyed seeing them both happy. I will admit that I knew things were heading in a certain direction though with all the secrets, and it broke my heart right along with these two as it happened. I hated seeing both of them struggle and just have to hope that things work out as they should in the end. Beware, Hooking the Captain does end with a doozy of a cliffhanger! I cannot wait to get the conclusion to their story in Retaking the Shot! These two both deserve to be happy and I know that the journey will be worth it in the end.

**ARC Provided by Give Me Books**

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ARC Review: Mafia Target by Mila Finelli

 

Mafia Target is the fourth book in the Kings of Italy series by Mila Finelli. This is the first book I’ve read from Mila, and it can easily be read as a standalone. After reading this one though, I can’t wait to read more from her, especially the previous books in this series!

Mafia Target is the story of assassin Alessio and the target he has been hired to take out, mafia prince Giulio. I loved seeing these two go from enemies to being forced to work together. They had every reason to avoid one another, yet the connection between them was undeniable. The chemistry was there right from the start and these two were beyond hot together! I couldn’t get enough of them and never wanted to put this one down. 

This was such a great book from start to finish, and I can’t recommend it enough. There was steam and action and it was everything I was looking for and more. I can’t believe this was the first book I've ever read from Mila, but it definitely won’t be my last! This was one of the best books I’ve read this year, and if you are a fan of the series or MM books, this is definitely one not to miss!

**ARC Provided by Valentine PR**

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ARC Review: Dibs by Kimberly Knight & Rachel Lyn Adams

I have been waiting for Dibs since I finished reading the Off the Field Duet! Dibs is a great standalone follow-up to that series, but don’t worry about being able to understand anything here in case you haven’t read Traded or Outed. I highly recommend them though as they are great and you get to see more of Chase!

Chase and Gage’s second-chance story was everything I hoped it would be! It was so good from start to finish that I didn’t want to put it down and I ended up finishing it in one day! These two were just so great, and I never wanted to leave their world! They were sexy and sweet, and I loved that their relationship was just so natural and genuine. These two were meant to be and it was so obvious that they just fit together perfectly. 

Chase and Gage’s story has everything you could want in a great romance, especially for sports fans. This one is sweet and sexy, and entertaining from the very first page. I loved seeing Chase and Gage and their families build a life together as they got to know the adults they had become. Things weren’t always easy for them, but I loved how great they were together and how each struggle just made them stronger. I highly recommend this one, and I am so glad I took a chance on these two authors in 2022 as they were both new to me! I am now a huge fan and can’t wait to see what they have in store for us in 2023!

**ARC Provided by IndieSage PR**

Purchase: | Kindle |

 

Review: Don't You Dare by CE Ricci

 

I have become a huge fan of CE Ricci's since reading her River of Rain duet. Having devoured every book she has out since, I honestly couldn't wait for Don't You Dare. This book is different from what she has released previously, but it was every bit as good! I cannot even begin to put into words how much I love her books, but if you are a fan of M/M romance, she is a must read. 

While she normally does enemies to lovers stories, Don't You Dare centers around best friends Aspen and Keene. These two are the friendship that everyone hopes to have in their life, the kind that would go to the ends of the earth and back for one another. I loved their bond and the fact that it had been so strong since childhood just made this one that much sweeter. Of course everything changed with a single dare when they kiss and from there I couldn't get enough of them. Seeing how they each struggled with their feelings and everything they thought they knew about themselves made me want to hug each of them. But it was clear that these two were meant for so much more than just friendship with one another. They were sexy and steamy, and I could not put this one down as they explored everything that was growing and changing between them.

I'm so glad that CE Ricci took a chance on writing something different because it absolutely paid off here. Keene and Aspen's story was perfect, emotional and sexy and captivating from start to finish. I am new to her books, but I have become such a huge fan and honestly can't wait to read everything from her that she writes in the future. If you are a fan of M/M books, she is a must read author and this one was fantastic. 

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ARC Review: If I Could by B. Celeste

I love B. Celeste’s books and I could wait to read If I Could after first hearing about it. This is a standalone M/M story featuring two great characters that you might be familiar with if you have read some of her previous books. While it was nice going in knowing these characters a bit, you don’t need to have read either of the books these characters were in before in order to enjoy this story!

Ren and Reece were great! I was hooked from the first page and couldn’t get enough of them. Each of them had vulnerabilities that made them the men they were and without everything they had been through, they might not have been as perfect for one another as they were. But I loved seeing those sides to them, and also how each of them made the other better and loved the other because of everything that they had overcome. They had a great connection right from the start, genuine and undeniable. Their chemistry was off the charts and I couldn’t get enough of them. 

I really enjoyed this story. It was one of those books that just pulls you in and is easy to get lost in. I read it in pretty much one sitting because I didn’t want to put it down. While it does deal with some heavier subjects, it felt light and effortless to me. If you are a M/M reader, I highly recommend this story. I think contemporary fans will really enjoy this one and I know whatever B. Celeste writes next I’ll be reading!

**ARC Provided by Author**

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ARC Review: Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

I was excited to read this book, often times seeing it compared to Red, White, and Royal Blue (which I really enjoyed and definitely recommend!) Unfortunately, Boyfriend Material just didn't live up to that at all and I have to say that this one wasn't what I had been expecting or hoping for at all. 

Everyone in this story was immature and silly at times, and honestly none of them acted their ages. It drove me nuts most of the time, there were times that I found things funny though. This one was just so over the top at times though that I struggled. That coupled with the fact that the main characters were unlikable for good portions of this book just didn't work for me. I really wanted to love them and see them get on the right track, but it was just setback after setback. I also wasn't totally feeling the romance. They had chemistry and a connection, but they also doubted each other as often as they doubted themselves. While I don't need a book to be super steamy, we saw them be affectionate but everything else was closed door and I really would have liked to see them getting to know one another better both in and out of the bedroom. 

By the time I reached the ending, I was just hoping that we would get a satisfying ending and I felt this one was rushed. I have heard that Alexis Hall has great books, but this was my first read and I'm not sure if i'd give any others a shot or not. I have seen a lot of really positive reviews for this one though, so it might be for you if you like OTT rom-coms and don't mind some immaturity. 

 **ARC Provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Order by Kindle Alexander

Order is the second book in the Tattoos & Ties duet by Kindle Alexander. While you could probably read this one as a standalone, I recommend reading Havoc first as this is the continuing story of Alec and Keyes. 

Order picks up where Havoc left off, with Keyes and Alec trying to figure out a future for themselves despite the obstacles they face. Keyes has club business and Alec has his Assistant DA job that threaten everything they hope to have for their relationship. Despite everything, they both know that they have never felt this way about anyone else and are determined to find a way to make their relationship work. 

As much as I liked Alec and Keyes together, this book was just okay for me. I did believe in them and felt like they were made for one another, but there were some things that frustrated me here. I felt like Alec was super clingy and Keyes was so quick to walk away. I felt like we should have been over most of that by this point and I found myself skimming this one to get to the end. I was glad that things worked out in the end and I liked that they were able to overcome everything. But this one was just super sweet to the point of a toothache and wasn’t my favorite from Kindle Alexander. Fans of Alec and Keyes will enjoy seeing the conclusion to their story and if you like super sweet M/M stories I recommend giving this one a shot.

**ARC Provided by Enticing Journey Book Promotions**

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ARC Review: Havoc by Kindle Alexander

I couldn’t wait to read Havoc by Kindle Alexander. Not only have I loved several of their previous books, but this being an MC story was something that really got my attention. While I was excited to read it and did enjoy it, this wasn’t exactly what I was expecting and I think that somewhat changed how I felt overall despite this being a good book. I thought that this book was a standalone story, and while it wasn’t a huge cliffhanger, it didn’t end with an HEA or and HFN and things were definitely left open. 

Keyes Dixon has a hard enough life being a gay man in his MC, with his father constantly degrading him, so when he meets the sexy Assistant DA Alec, he knows he can’t go there. Not only does he not believe in love or commitment, but Alec’s career and family are a whole different world than what Keyes comes from. Can they find some common ground and turn the attraction between them into more, or are they just too different with too many obstacles between them? 

These two were super hot together! I felt the chemistry and attraction between them right away. The connection between them was one that was believable despite their differences. Keyes and Alec worked well together and what they were building felt genuine. They were one of those instances were it shouldn’t work yet it just does. I found them interesting and I was invested in them right away. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I liked the characters a lot. I wish that I would have known that it wasn’t really a standalone though, as I think I would have viewed it a lot differently. It is definitely worth the read though, and I am anxious for the next book to see what happens for these two. If you like sexy MM books, this is one worth checking out.

**ARC Provided by Enticing Journey Book Promotions**

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ARC Review: Wheels Up by Annabeth Albert

Wheels Up is the first book that I have ever read from Annabeth Albert, yet it is the fourth book in the Out of Uniform Series. This series is one that has been on my TBR for awhile, and I am so glad that I made the time to read this book. I really enjoyed it and immediately wanted to read the rest of the books in the series. 

Lieutenant Dustin Strauss is no longer the playboy he used to be, settling into his leadership role on the way to more in his career. But he also keeps his private life a secret, preferring for his bisexuality and time spent on the hookup app Joe4Joe to remain his private business. But when his chat buddy pushes for an in person meeting, neither of them expect that they will soon be on the same SEAL team and forbidden to even be friends, let alone more. But as Wes and Dustin continue to grow closer through their chats and in person, neither can fight the attraction between them and the fact that they both want more despite all the reasons they can't be together. Can they figure out a way to be with one another? 

I really liked these two. It was obvious right away that they were good together and for one another. Their connection was strong and the chemistry between them smoking hot. Wes and Dustin's relationship was one that couldn't happen for so many reasons, and yet the entire time I was reading I just knew that there had to be a way because they belonged together. Each of them were easy to like and genuinely good guys. I loved their loyalty and the way that they were with those they cared about, especially Wes. His love for his family and sister was impossible not to fall for. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more in this series. This cast of characters was great, and I wanted to see how they all wound up where they were here. This is a complete standalone, but the characters are interconnected to the previous books. I think readers will enjoy this sexy and sweet M/M story as much as I did, and I am looking forward to reading more from Annabeth Albert.

**ARC Provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: At Attention by Annabeth Albert

I actually have read this series completely out of order, but after reading Wheels Up by Annabeth Albert, I couldn't wait to read Dustin's brother Dylan's story. Each of the books in the Out of Uniform series is a standalone though, so you can read they in any order though they are interconnected. I enjoyed At Attention as much as I did Wheels Up and I am already anxious to read more in this series. 

Lieutenant Apollo Flores thought that he could handle it all, but after losing his husband and being left alone to raise his twin daughters, he knows he needs help. His best friend's younger brother is back in town and is looking for a place to stay, but Dylan is no longer his friend's kid brother he remembers having a crush on him. With both of them seeing each other in a new light and being around one another more, the attraction between them is more than they can fight. But Apollo will have to let go of his past if he hopes to have any kind of future with Dylan. 

I really liked these two. Seeing them in Wheels Up, I couldn't wait to see how they had got to the point they were. Their story definitely didn't disappoint, and I enjoyed seeing them figure out the attraction between them. I loved that they had some history, and I felt for both of them. Dylan had had a crush on Apollo when he was young, but the feelings only intensified as he got older and seeing him as a man with kids only made Dylan want him more. I felt for him though because Apollo had been married to someone else and had kids and a life with him, and that was hard at times for Dylan to get past. It would make anyone insecure at times and my heart went out to him. Same went for Apollo, having lost a man he loved and the future he thought was his. They each had things to figure out and move past, but I knew that these two were good for one another. Their connection and chemistry were strong, and I knew that they had to make it work because they belonged together. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. The characters were great, easy to like and relate to, with several layers to them. I really felt connected to them and invested in their story. I loved Apollo's girls and the way that Dylan was with them. They immediately took to each other, and their relationship was just as special as Dylan's was with Apollo. This series is one that I am really enjoying, and I can't wait to continue. If you like steamy, sweet and emotional M/M romance stories these are definitely books worth checking out, especially if you like sexy military heroes!

**ARC Provided by Publisher**

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