Title: What Remains

Author: Garrett Leight

Publisher/GR Link: Riptide, GR

Genre: MM Contemporary

Vice: Amnesia, Angst

Rating: 5 Stars

Lock this book up: 3 Keys. The focus of this book is romance, but the sex is hot and supports their love.

Length: Novel

Satisfaction: HEA/HFN

Cover Impressions: Love it!

Best Line: “The old Jodi was gone, and Rupert would mourn him forever, but this Jodi…Rupert loved him more than he would have ever believed possible…”

Synopsis: Web designer Jodi Peters is a solitary creature. Lunch twice a week with his ex-girlfriend-turned-BFF and the occasional messy venture to a dodgy gay bar is all the company he needs, right?

Then one night he stumbles across newly divorced firefighter Rupert O’Neil. Rupert is lost and lonely, but just about the sweetest bloke Jodi has ever known. Add in the heady current between them, and Jodi can’t help falling hard in love. He offers Rupert a home within the walls of his cosy Tottenham flat—a sanctuary to nurture their own brand of family—and for four blissful years, life is never sweeter.

Until a cruel twist of fate snatches it all away. A moment of distraction leaves Jodi fighting for a life he can’t remember and shatters Rupert’s heart. Jodi doesn’t know him—or want to. With little left of the man he adores, Rupert must cling to what remains of his shaky faith and pray that Jodi can learn to love him again.

Impressions:  Garrett Leigh is becoming one of my go-to authors, and it is books like this that make me love her work.  This book was amazing, and gave me the ability to get lost with her characters and their lives.

This was a great book.  It was hard to read about the loss that Rupert and Jodi experienced.  I really connected with both of them, and I loved the way that their backstory was woven into their modern tale. 

When their relationship took such a turn, it was heartbreaking.  Though it was difficult at times, I really appreciate how Leigh wrote about the ups and downs in a realistic and moving way.  There was no magical cure or Prince Charming kiss, but rather a love that connected and drew two men back to each other and to the love that supported them since the first time they met.

I strongly recommend this read.  I started it and finished it in one day because I couldn’t put it down.

5 Star Review: Beta Test, by Annabeth Albert

Title: Beta Test, Gaymers #2

Author: Annabeth Albert

Publisher/GR Link: Carina Press, GR

Genre: MM Contemporary

Vice: Opposites attract, nerds, coming out

Rating: 5 stars

Lock this book up: 4 keys.  This is a hot novel and the sex supports the romance.

Length: Novel

Satisfaction: HEA

Cover Impressions: I like the way it blends in with book 1

Synopsis: Brilliant graphic designer Ravi Tandel is ahead of the game—he's just been asked to present a top secret project at a huge conference in Seattle. All systems are go…until he learns his buttoned-up office nemesis is coming along for the ride.

Tristan Jones isn't really the gamer type, but he knows the back end of the video game business inside out. Together, he and Ravi will give an awesome presentation. If they survive the cross-country trip first.

Tossed together in close quarters, Ravi's shocked to see Tristan's sexy, softer side emerge from such a conservative shell. He's less shocked to learn his handsome colleague's prominent family would never support an out-and-proud son. But Ravi didn't struggle through his own coming out to hide who he is now. To be together, Tristan will have to push past his fear and ultimately decide: Does he want a future with Ravi? Or is it game over before they've even begun?

Impressions:  I love this book, and it was a great follow up to book 1.  I could not put this down and the two MC’s really swept me into their story.  I love a good friends-to-lovers story, and combined with the opposites-attract element, this was a complete delight.

Ravi was very likable and I loved seeing the contrast between his brash exterior and his sensitive interior.  Tristan probably captured my heart the most.  I loved his yearning to be accepted at the same time he wasn’t sure how to best go about it.

There is a great cast of characters in this read, and the plot moves along at a great pace.  There is just enough angst and tension to keep me up late, clicking away on my kindle.

Definitely recommended!

Book Review: On Higher Ground

Title: On Higher Ground

Author: Melissa Collins

GR Link: GR

Genre: MM Contemporary

Vice: PTSD, Children, Tattoos, Sequel

Rating: 5 Stars

Lock this book up: 4 keys…this is a sexy, romantic read.

Length: Novel

Satisfaction: HEA

Cover Impressions: I love it.  Fits perfectly with the first.

Best Line: Love is love, and family is family.

Synopsis: When there’s no peace after war…

When there’s no solace after death…

When there’s only pain and suffering…

Anxiety and loss…

All you can hope to find is something more…

Something that makes you whole and complete

Something that puts you

On Higher Ground

Impressions: I loved book 1, and I was eagerly awaiting this sequel.  It was great to catch up with Dax, Beck, Violet and the rest of their extended family.  In this sequel, we see Dax still struggling with his PTSD, but also making huge strides in his work.  Beck is developing as a father for Violet, and together with Dax, they form a family. 

It was wonderful to see these men grow and to observe their love deepening and growing.  You will definitely get the most out of this novel after reading the first book.  The secondary characters in book 1 continue their support and love of these guys and their new family.

Beck is struggling to deal with the reemergence of his father, and he is juggling his worry for Dax, is care for Violet, and his expanding business.  This is a book about growth, love and family, and I loved every second of it.

All I can say as a final thought is I hope we get more Micah!