ARC Review: As I Am by Melissa Collins

I have become a fan of Melissa Collins over the last few years and I was really excited when I found out she had a new book coming out. I love her character driven stories, and As I Am was everything I have come to know and love from her. This contemporary M/M romance was sweet and sexy, and I really enjoyed it. 

Chase’s life didn’t go as planned, instead of graduating college and pursuing a career in business, he found himself a dropout tasked with raising his 17 year old brother. Needing to find a way to support them, he became a stripper. The last thing on his mind was love, until a bachelorette party came in and he met Noah. Noah had been betrayed and wasn’t looking for love either, but the minute they locked eyes they knew something between them was different. 

I liked these two a lot. They each had a lot they were dealing with, and I felt for both of them. They were great for one another and I really felt like their connection was genuine. I loved how Noah clicked with Chase’s little brother as well, it was really great to see them forming their own family. 

Overall, this was a quick and enjoyable read and had everything I have come to know and love from Melissa Collins. I liked the characters and the story, and I think readers will enjoy this one as much as I did. If you are looking for a solid M/M contemporary romance, this is one you will want to check out!

**ARC Provided by Author**

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ARC Review: Unsteady by Melissa Collins

Unsteady is the third standalone novel in the On Solid Ground series by Melissa Collins. You do not need to have read the previous books to understand Unsteady, however fans of the previous book will recognize Micah here. I was really looking forward to reading this book, and Melissa Collins didn't disappoint. Micah and Jude's story was really good and I enjoyed seeing these two figure things out. 

Micah and Jude met in school when they both had anything but perfect lives. Micah was the new kid and Jude was constantly bullied. But their friendship quickly developed into a tight bond that soon was more than just friendship. Just as things started to become more though, everything changed leaving them both alone once again. When Micah suddenly reaches out to Jude ten years later, his life is to the point that he is struggling with the will to live. But can he and Jude find a way back to one another after everything that has happened and all the time that has passed? 

I liked these two a lot. I felt their connection right away, and I loved that they were exactly what the other needed. I felt so badly for Jude and how he was picked on and I was so glad that he had Micah to stand up for him and who cared about him with no stipulations. I felt like Jude was just as good for Micah, especially after their ten years apart and all that Micah had experienced. Both of these two had so much that they had each gone through at different times in their lives, and yet it was clear that nothing had changed the bond that they shared. I will say that one of the big things that kept this one from being a five star for me though was the communication between them. I really wanted Micah to open up to Jude and tell him about his life and his family, yet it took a really long time and it just sort of left a bad taste in my mouth. I understood why he didn't open up right away, but as time went on it just got worse and I really wanted him to let Jude in. 

Overall, this was still a really good book and one I would definitely recommend. If you are a M/M fan, I think you will enjoy this one. I do have a bit of an issue when it comes to really poor communication in stories, so that problem could just be a personal thing and I recommend giving this one a shot if it sounds like one you might like. Melissa Collins is an author that I have come to really enjoy reading books from, and I am looking forward to seeing what she will write next.

**ARC Provided by Author**

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Review: Before the Wreckage by Melissa Collins

Before the Wreckage is a short prequel that introduces the characters in the new book From The Wreckage from Melissa Collins. This was originally part of the One collection of short stories. This short story is merely meant to give readers a first taste of the characters, and as such ends with the story continuing in From the Wreckage. I absolutely can't wait to get more of these characters and Melissa Collins set the next book up perfectly! 

David Andrews and Grace McCann haven't seen each other in eighteen years. Though they both often think of each other and the night he saved her, their lives have both taken different paths. Now eighteen years later, they both wind up at the same bar on the same night. What will happen next for these two, and what have the years apart been like? 

I really enjoyed this prequel and it left me hungry for more! I already know I am going to like these two, and it was clear right away that they were never able to forget one another. Despite not having seen each other in so long, they were never far from each other's mind and that told me so much about them. I can already tell that this is going to be a great story, and Melissa Collins is a great writer. I have never been disappointed yet, and I would highly recommend checking this one out to get a taste of what is to come with From the Wreckage. David is a sexy firefighter, and I know I can't wait to get to know him better!

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ARC Review: From The Wreckage by Melissa Collins

I am a huge fan of Melissa Collins, and I really love her books. She always delivers such a beautiful and heartfelt story that I can't help but feel emotionally invested in. From the Wreckage was no different, and I was immediately drawn into it. I actually read her short prequel Before the Wreckage before starting, so I already had a little bit of an introduction to the characters here. It isn't necessary to read this book, but I do think that it adds to the experience. 

When David and Grace were kids, David saved Grace's life after her home caught on fire. But after the fire her family moved away and her and David didn't see or talk to each other for eighteen years. When a night out at a bar with friends brings them together again, they know that they want to get to know one another again. The more time that Grace and David spend together the more their feelings grow. But when a tragedy changes everything for them, Grace and David realize that love sometimes isn't enough. Can they overcome the obstacles place in their way, or will there be too many things standing between them and forever? 

I really liked Grace and David. These two didn't always have it easy, and they had so much that I felt like was thrown at them. The connection and love they shared was clear though, and I really felt like they were meant to be together. David reacted badly to some things that happened and I wasn't overly happy about it, but Grace did as well. The great thing about these two though was the fact that they were able to move forward fairly quickly. They both realized that they were jumping to conclusions and that they needed to trust each other. I was glad to see that they were able to learn how to trust and forgive each other, and find the strength they needed in the connection they shared. 

I will say that there was a twist here that I didn't see coming at all. David and Grace had already found each other against all odds, and to see them have yet another thing to come back from was heartbreaking. I felt so badly for both of them, and it was hard to watch them each struggling. While I was glad that these two were able to see that the love between them would never die, I have to admit that I wasn't fully satisfied with the ending. I can't really say much as it would spoil a lot, but I felt like the ending was more bittersweet than I would have liked for these two. As much as I tried to accept it, I just didn't feel like it was enough for these two. Some of what I had loved so much about their relationship throughout this story felt lost and diminished because of how things played out. I still love Melissa Collins and her writing style, but I really wanted more from the ending here. I think that this book is a very emotional read though, and it is beautifully written. This book really was about true love always finding a way no matter what is thrown at it, and I was really glad that I got to read David and Grace's story.

**ARC Provided by Author**

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ARC Review: Repaired by Melissa Collins

Repaired was another really great read from Melissa Collins! She is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, especially when it comes to M/M books. Repaired was well written and emotional, and I really enjoyed this story. These characters were so easy to like, and I felt invested in their story right away. 

At 17 Liam Davis ran away from home, with a goal of starting over. His plan included getting away from his terrible past, and never letting anyone find out who he really was or what had happened to him. Ten years later things have worked out for Liam, and he has a satisfying life as a mechanic with a family he has made and friends who care about him, though none of them know the whole truth about him. When he meets Parker Ryan things begin to change for him, and he finds himself in danger of falling for someone. Parker is different from him in almost every way, being a successful lawyer with more money than Liam has ever dreamed of. But Liam and Parker quickly realize that opposites do in fact attract, and soon they are agreeing to see what is between them. But Liam's past suddenly returns and changes everything, leaving Liam and Parker to learn how to trust and support one another.

Liam and Parker were both really great characters, and I loved how different they were. Liam had a tough childhood, and had given up what little he had in order to escape his past. He was used to having nothing, and had been willing to risk everything for a chance at a better life. He was willing to do whatever it took, and he was a hard worker. I loved the friendships he had made, and I was glad that he was able to find people that were good and cared about him for who he was. Parker had grown up with money and a lot of expectations, and at first glance he had it all. But he also had a father who was never happy with anything he did, and his father hated the fact that Parker was gay. I felt bad for Parker, because it was clear that he wanted his father to care about him and nothing he did would ever be good enough for him. I was glad that he had found Liam and was able to surround himself with people that didn't care who he loved, but that loved him for being the good guy he was. He had a big heart, and he wanted to use his power and money to help others. Liam and Parker had chemistry from the start, and there was never a shortage of steam between them. I loved seeing them get to know one another and let each other in though, and I thought that they were a great source of love and support for each other. 

Overall, I really loved Liam and Parker together. They were sweet and sexy, and they fit together perfectly. I also really liked the secondary characters in this book, and I thought that each of them added so much to this story. This book was emotional and dealt with some tough subjects, but I thought that Melissa Collins did a great job tackling those and giving them the respect that they deserved. This book was a great example that even when horrible things happen, there is always hope for a better life. I would definitely recommend this to fans of the M/M genre, and I think it is a great contemporary romance. I know I will read more from Melissa Collins in the future, and I look forward to seeing what she writes next!

**ARC Provided by TRSOR Promotions**

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Review: Let Love Stay by Melissa Collins

Let Love Stay is the second book in the Love series by Melissa Collins, and is the continuing story of Maddy and Reid. This book is not a standalone, and should only be read after Let Love In. I was really anxious to start this book after finishing the first and being left with that cliffhanger of an ending. I just knew that Maddy and Reid had a ways to go, and I am really glad that Melissa Collins didn't leave things hanging for long.

Let Love Stay picks up right after Let Love In, with both Maddy and Reid reeling from their argument. They both said and did things that they regret, but know that they have things that they need to work on before they can truly be together. As Maddy and Reid both struggle with their pasts, they must also face what their new circumstances mean for their future.

I was really upset at the end of Let Love In when Maddy and Reid walked away from one another. It broke my heart seeing that sometimes love just isn't enough to make a relationship work. But over the course of Let Love Stay, I realized just how much Maddy and Reid actually needed some space between them at the time. They both had things to deal with, and I think the space and time apart gave them the clarity that they desperately needed. They were able to grow and heal, and deal with things that they had both refused to before. Maddy and Reid of course found their way back to one another, but even then they still had plenty to deal with. Their connection and the chemistry between them was unwavering though, and it was more clear than ever that these two belonged together. I will say that they were a bit more sexual in this book, and some of it was pretty hot. They definitely spiced things up with Reid becoming more dominant in this one, and I really enjoyed seeing them get more comfortable with each other and their desires.

While I did like this book a lot, I will also say that I had a few issues with this one. I felt like much of this story was Reid confronting his past and the issues with his mother. While it needed to be done, I felt like it was a much larger part of the story than I had expected. I couldn't wait to get back to Reid and Maddy and found myself wanting to skim some of it. I also felt that while I was glad that Maddy and Reid loved each other that it got really old hearing them saying it. I don't mind some of that, I mean this is a romance story. But it does become a bit too much when it is literally every page that they are saying it, and sometimes more than once on the same page. Enough already, we get it. I wasn't sure why the author felt it necessary to keep reminding us of their love for one another when it was clear in their actions. I did love getting to meet Dylan and seeing his growing friendship with Maddy and how he and Reid reconnected. I can't wait to see more of him. I also am really interested to get the next book in the series to see what is going on with Melanie and Bryan. These two clearly have a lot going on that we are unaware of, and I am excited to see what it is. Overall, I did enjoy this book and it was great to see how things turned out with Maddy and Reid. I am looking forward to reading more in this series.

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ARC Review: On Solid Ground by Melissa Collins

I was really excited to read On Solid Ground by Melissa Collins after having read a few of her previous books. She always writes such emotional and heartfelt stories and I couldn't wait to get to know these characters better after reading the blurb. This book was everything that I was hoping for, and I really enjoyed reading about Beckett and Dax.

Having just returned from war, Jacob "Dax" Daxton is struggling with what comes next. He doesn't know what he wants to do or where he belongs, so when his best friend Chloe offers for him to move in with her he takes her up on it. Shortly after moving, Dax goes to get a tattoo and meets the sexy bearded tattoo artist Beckett Ridge, and they both feel an instant pull to one another. Both Dax and Beck are both dealing with new circumstances to their lives and know that a relationship is a bad idea with everything going on, yet they find themselves unable to stay away from one another. As they both deal with their pasts as well as their present obstacles, can they find a way to let each other in and have a chance at a future together?

I loved Dax and Beck. Beck was sexy and loyal, and I loved how absolutely caring and sweet he was. He took care of his family first and always made sure that he did what he could to provide for them and give them everything possible. He was so loving with his sister and niece, and he immediately took to Dax the same way. He was supportive and encouraging, and the only one who could calm Dax when he was having an attack. Dax was struggling with so much, and yet he was so open to possibility and the chance at a future that he never predicted. I loved seeing him let not only Beck in, but also Beck's niece Violet. Dax and Violet had such a great connection, and they were beyond adorable. I also really loved his love and connection with his service dog Tonka. He wasn't afraid to take help when needed, and I was so glad that he could lean on those around him. Dax and Beck had great chemistry, and I could see the attraction between them. But what was so great about these two to me was the fact that they were healing each other and building more than just a relationship. They were building a family and a support system that is so rare. These two brought so many people together and were proof that family goes beyond blood.

Overall, I really loved these two and their story is one that will stick with me. I did get a little frustrated that Beck tried to push Dax away several times, but luckily Dax wasn't having it! He never let Beck walk away, and was always there to show him what they had together. I will say that I have come to know and expect that a Melissa Collins book will run me through an emotional wringer. On Solid Ground was no exception, and this one had me experiencing all the feels. But that is exactly why I love Melissa's books so much, and why they always stick with me. I was instantly invested in Dax and Beck's story, and I loved every minute of their journey even if it was making me laugh or making me cry. If you are a fan of Melissa Collins or Male/Male books, then I definitely recommend reading On Solid Ground. If you are new to the author or genre, I think this is a great book to give a shot. I look forward to seeing what else Melissa Collins comes up with in the future.

**ARC Provided by Author**

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Audiobook Review: Let Love In by Melissa Collins, Narrated by Shirl Rae and Sean Crisden

Let Love In is the first book in the Love series by Melissa Collins. This is the first book of hers that I have ever read, and it is also the first audiobook that I have ever listened to from narrators Shirl Rae and Sean Crisden. While I did like the story, I did have a few problems with the narrators of this story.

Maddy lost her parents at a young age and was forced to leave everything she knew to go and live with her aunt. When she lost her aunt, she moved in with her best friend Melanie and her mom. They were the family that she hadn't had for years, and yet Maddy still felt alone. When Maddy and Melanie head to college, Maddy decided to change her life and start taking things a day at a time. She vowed to protect her heart and not let things get to her anymore. But she never planned on meeting Reid. Although Maddy and Reid were instantly attracted to one another and had a connection, things don't get off on the right foot for these two. But after Reid rescues Maddy one night, things change between them and soon they are embracing the connection between them. But with Maddy and Reid both having painful pasts with things that neither of them have confronted, can their love survive?

I liked both Reid and Maddy, but they both had some serious issues. They had both experienced pain and loss, and both of them did their best to run and avoid actually dealing with it. While they might have opened up to one another about things, they still didn't actually make peace with it. Because of that, the love and connection they shared was bound to have some ups and downs. I thought that Maddy acted pretty immaturely at times, as did Reid. Reid was also a jerk at first for no good reason. I felt like these two needed to grow up a bit, and they did have moments where they did seem to make some progress. They had a lot of chemistry and I felt like they were good for one another. But their relationship developed extremely fast, and was bit too insta-love for me. I wanted to see it develop a bit more before they just jumped in after everything that had happened. I thought that it was a little unbelievable considering the fact that Reid had never had any real relationships and was such a player before. It just didn't feel real with how quick everything happened. Not that I didn't believe in Maddy and Reid as a couple, I just didn't buy how fast everything got so serious and how rapidly Reid changed his ways.

Overall, I did like this story. While the story was a bit cheesy at times and a lot sweet, I did find it enjoyable. I liked Reid and Maddy together despite how they got together, and I felt like these two were a good couple. I am definitely interested to see where their story goes from here. The ending was a cliffhanger, and the story does continue in the next book which I can't wait to get my hands on. I will say that the real problems I had with this one though wasn't the actual story, but the narrators telling it. The story is told in dual POV which I love because you get to see what both the hero and heroine are going through. But I had problems with each of the narrators. I thought that Shirl Rae was overly dramatic at times, and it made the sweeter moments of this story come off as extremely cheesy. As much as I didn't care for Shirl Rae, I didn't like Sean Crisden even more. His voice came off as robotic much of the time, and when it wasn't robotic he was even more over the top and dramatic than Shirl Rae was. His voice felt too old for the character, and it sounded like a middle aged man reading the part of a college student. It just didn't work for me, and came off a bit creepy at times. I did not like his parts at all and found myself hoping to get back to Maddy's POV faster so that I wouldn't have to listen to his voice. While I liked getting Reid's POV, I wish it had been told by someone else as the narrator. I will definitely read the next book in the series as I have to know what happens next for these two after the way things were left in this one and I look forward to more from Melissa Collins in the future. But I honestly don't know if I would be able to listen to more from either of these narrators.

**Audiobook Provided by Tantor Audio**

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