Spice by Lilah Suzanne Review

4.5 stars
I wish I could have given this more, but the writing style was just not for me. 

Synopsis:
"As writer of the popular “Ask Eros” advice column, Simon Beck has an answer to every relationship question his readers can throw at him. When it comes to his own life, the answers are a little more elusive—until computer troubles introduce him to the newest and cutest member of his company’s IT support team. Simon may be charmed by Benji’s sweet and unassuming manner, but will he find the answer to the one relationship question he has never been able to solve: how to know when he’s met Mr. Right?"

Like I stated above I kept getting distracted by how awkward it was and would have to reread what I had just read; and this didn't happen just once, but multiple times. 

But other than that I absolutely adored this book! It was a great mix of sweet and sexy. Simon and Benji's immediate connection was so believable and real; it never felt like "insta" anything. Even when the were in that period of being only friends because Simon was a dumb fuck at one point. But he quickly redeemed himself. It all felt sincere and I think that's what I loved most about this book. 

The fact that these guys felt real and had insecurities and had real relationship worries and arguments, just like everybody else. There were no "perfect" characters that annoyed the shit out of you. There was no over the top plot line, nor was there any random action scene shoot out thrown in. 
It was just a real couple having a real relationship, and I loved being able to see the after of the happily ever after. And seeing that the after was not chapters of them living a perfect life with no fighting and constant orgasms was really a huge plus for me. 

It was an honest relationship that had so much love. They were thinking and talking about buying cat food, scrubbing grout, and other real life things after sex or in the shower together, and even when try were trying to sext (so hilarious!) It was just a really honest representation of living your life with the person you love. 

I loved that the chapters opened with parts of the advice column I thought that was a really fun idea. I was obsessed with the text messages! Oh god they were things of beauty and made me laugh so hard.

Final Thought:
It was just a really fun and sweet book that will definitely be a reread for me. 

The Devil's Ride by K.A. Merikan Review

4.5 stars out of 5
Wow this was such a (pardon the pun) ride. I really just had a great time reading this story, and there were very few things that I didn't like.

Synopsis:
"You don’t fuck with the club president's son. 
Tooth. Vice President of the Coffin Nails Motorcycle Club. On a never ending quest for vengeance. The last thing he needs is becoming a permanent babysitter for a male hooker.

Lucifer. Fallen. Lost. Alone.
After a childhood filled with neglect and abuse, followed by his mother’s suicide, Lucifer set out into the world alone. There was nothing for him out there other than taking it one day at a time. As the bastard son of the Coffin Nails club president, Lucifer never got much fatherly love. So when the Nails show up at the strip joint Lucifer works in, the last thing he expects is to be put in the custody of Tooth, the Nails Vice President famous for his gruesome interrogation techniques. The man proves to be the sexiest beast Lucifer has ever met. He’s also older, straight, and an itch Luci can’t ever scratch.

Tooth’s life came to a halt twelve years ago. His lover got brutally murdered, police never found the perpetrators, and all leads were dead ends. To find peace and his own justice, Tooth joined the Coffin Nails, but years on, he’s gotten nowhere with the case, yet still lives on with the burning fire for revenge.

Babysitting a deeply scarred teenager with a talent for disappearing is the last thing on his bucket list. He promised himself to never get attached to someone like him again. To make sure the openly gay boy is safe in the clubhouse, Tooth is stuck keeping an eye on him. The big, blue, attention seeking gaze is drawing Tooth in, but fucking the president’s son is a complete no-go, even when both their feelings go beyond lust.
What Tooth doesn’t know is that Lucifer might hold the key to the closure Tooth so desperately needs."

This was a pretty gritty read, but it wasn't to the point where I felt uncomfortable or unable to read. I just really loved all of the complex aspects of every character, not just Tooth or Luci but also the other club members. This book felt so thought out and organized.

The book was a story about growing, strength, love, and valuing your worth. It also touched on allowing people to help you and being able to rely on their strength and love, without letting them become your sole source of strength.

I really loved Luci. He was such a great character and watching him grow into a person who valued and recognized his worth was so awesome. I loved how he was growing on his own, but also had Tooth there to help support him. They had such a great relationship even before it turned into a physical one; their friendship was something that I loved reading, and I felt myself smiling a lot throughout the story.

There were obviously some parts of the story that made me, not uncomfortable but wary. For example, the first time that Tooth *SPOILER*spanked Luci*END SPOILER* I didn't understand how a person could do that without knowing the other person. don't get me wrong I love reading about spanking, but it just felt odd that Tooth would do this the first time he had ever met Luci. I understand that that is how Tooth is, that he doesn't give a fuck and does what he feels is best. And I also was not too keen on how caricature-ized Priest's, the president of the club and Luci's father, wife was like she just felt really fake and the drama she caused felt so unreal and annoying. I was shocked that Priest never did anything to her after her last stunt that she pulled, and considering how gritty this club was and how "bad ass" Priest was.

I loved that Luci was written as androgynous and beautiful, but wasn't written as the cliched (and really offensive) stereotype of a "weak" gay man who acted flamboyantly. Yes he was gay and had a submissive streak, but he was never seen as anything but a man. I also enjoyed the fact that Luci wanted to be a barber. That is a profession I am not too familiar with and one that I never see written about. 

I loved this so much. I loved that Luci took care of Tooth. That was something that I found to be so sweet and intimate, and something that happened even before they said their feelings for each other. Washing his beard and hair, and the scalp massages and hair masks were such sweet things that definitely showed the softer side of Tooth. I loved that they had their own little routine, and didn't care what others thought about their friendship (not that anyone cared).

I was/am obsessed with Tooth; plain and simple. I think that he is such a fabulous character; he had such a sense of right and wrong, and he never let slide discriminatory comments. His understanding and compassion really shone through and I think that he was exactly who Luci needed. His dominance was really a hot spot for me, and his "punishments" for Luci were odd but also hot. The way he handled Milk after doing the awful thing that he did was amazing, especially the way Tooth explained the reasons why what Milk did was wrong. Tooth was just a good man. Yes he was skilled in torturing and other illegal criminal activities, but that didn't change how caring and compassionate he was to those he loved.

Final thoughts:
Yeah man this book was just hitting all of my kinks, and the men were just such great complex and really attractive people. God, this was just so well written and executed. I highly recommend to anyone who loves well written biker stories. There are a few graphic parts, but nothing, in my opinion was overly disturbing.

This can be read as a standalone (that's what I did). This is definitely one of my comfort rereads. I would definitely love to read more about these characters. Even a short story or extended epilogue or something.

Stories Beneath Our Skin by Veronica Sloane Review

5 stars out of 5

Wow... I was not expecting to love this story as much as I do.

I can't even describe just how fantastic this was, everything I could have wanted was there. 

Synopsis:
"Tattooing might have once been Liam’s passion, but he left it all behind along with ugly memories when he went to college. When his uncle’s health fails, Liam must come home at last to say his goodbyes. His days are spent at the hospice, leaving his nights to rake over the past. To fill those empty hours, he takes a job at Great Sin Ink. The close knit friendship of the workers there both intrigues and shakes Liam, who has spent the last four years keeping everyone at arm’s length. Neither Deb, the no-nonsense piercer, nor Goose, a manic tattoo artist, will let Liam get away with his isolationist ways for long.

If it were just those two, Liam might have stood a chance -- but there’s also Ace, the owner of Great Sin. He hires Liam despite a thin resume, and that is a kindness Liam can’t forget. The two start up a tentative friendship, learning about each other as the summer days melt into each other. Slowly, Liam reveals a tender heart underneath the wall of quotes he uses to keep everyone out. Unfortunately, life doesn’t stand still, and both Liam and Ace have hard struggles before them that might break them up before they can even get together."

This was just such an amazing and genuine book. Like I said above I can't even describe how great this was to read. I was not expecting my reaction to this book at all. Just top notch writing and such great emotions. It was all so real, that it was difficult to remember that these were fake people. 

All of the reactions were exactly like how normal real life people reacted, there was no stupid miscommunication bullshit or anything. All of the characters were so honest and straightforward that I feel in love with each and everyone of them.

This was my first book by this author, and it will definitely not be my last. I just am in such awe of the characters, the plot, and the setting. I have such an obsession with anything to do with tattoo artists that I loved being able to get a look into their world. That was a really fun part of the book. I appreciated the love that these characters had for their jobs and customers.

I also really loved that there wasn't any real plot. Now that is usually a bad thing when it comes to novels, but in this case it wasn't at all. There was no annoying plot that got in the way of the characters or the character development. It was all about trying to move on with life after life shits on you. It was a story about every day people, and it felt like a random person was picked to be written about. I loved that Liam was just a regular guy trying to live his life. I loved that there was no hidden secret babies or action plot or any gun shoot out. It was just regular people trying to live.

Liam had some pretty shitty things happen to him in his past and they definitely shaped his present, but I loved his strength and perseverance and how he overcame those obstacles. I love reading about strong characters. I love reading about people who give a shit about themselves and want to fix what they see is a hinderance.

Damn can we just talk about how hot Ace is....wow. I loved that he was much shorter than both an average book "hero" and his love interest Liam. I am attracted to shorter guys being the more dominant pair in the relationship. I find that little details like that make me like a book much more. Plus he is tatted up and has a dreaded mohawk damnnn can I holla??

Final thoughts:
So if you are looking for a book that is very contemporary and low on the drama and unnecessary bullshit this is your book! I love it so much and have reread it an embarrassing amount of times :)

Amour Amour by Krista and Becca Review

4 out of 5 stars

Such a different and wonderful read. I honestly don't think I have read a book like this before.

Synopsis:
Love is a circus
"Every day,” he says lowly, “I hold a person’s life in my hands. The circus is based one-hundred percent off trust. I give it all to someone, and they give it all to me.”

The best aerial technique won’t land 21-year-old Thora James her dream role in Amour—a sexy new acrobatic show on the Vegas strip. Thora knows she’s out of her element the second she meets Amour’s leading performer. Confident, charming and devilishly captivating, 26-year-old Nikolai Kotova lives up to his nickname as the “God of Russia.”

When Thora unknowingly walks into the crosshairs of Nikolai’s after-show, her audition process begins way too soon. Unprofessional. That’s what Nik calls their “non-existent” relationship. It’s not like Thora can avoid him. For one, they may be partners in the future--acrobaticpartners, that is. But getting closer to Nik means diving deeper into sin city and into his dizzying world. 
Thora wants to perform with him, but when someone like Nikolai attracts the spotlight wherever he goes—Thora fears that she’s destined to be just background to his spellbinding show.
This sexy and exhilarating New Adult Romance can best be described as Cirque du Soleil meets the steamy, athletic romance of Center Stage. 

I really loved the message that that this book sent to readers; that your goals are much more important than a relationship. This was a common theme all throughout the novel, and it is one that I back 100%. 

I will say that this book is so awkward. Like it puts you, the reader, in awkward situations from the first chapter to the last. I loved the story and was cringing most of the time. I'm not sure if I am just an awkward person that I felt this way but it was still so much fun to read despite it being uncomfortable at times.

What I loved:
-Nik and Thora's endearments. I thought they were so different and totally unique to the couple :) Demon and Devil, they don't sound like the sweetest names but with this couple the names totally work.

- Thora's strength and belief in herself, despite other people's opinions. She was such a fierce and strong character that I felt so strongly for her. She knew that she wasn't the best and never let that fact bring her down, she just kept trying harder and training longer. Thora was such an inspiration and I'm not used to seeing this type of character in books often. This is a reason why I read anything I can written by these authors, they always write such strong female characters and it gives me hope that this will become a trend for other authors to follow. Thora is such a realistic character that it was hard to remember that she was fictional.

-Nik. I loved him, no matter how abrasive he could be I loved his strength and love for his family. I loved that he would let loose once a week at the club, he was a parent  to his siblings for so long that having that outlet was something that he needed. I really loved how dedicated he was to his job and art. His love for Thora was so beautiful. Nik wanted her to succeed and did all he could to help her. I also really loved that he refused to hold her back from her dreams, such a stand up character.

-Nik's siblings, the setting, the atmosphere, and the circus :) I am so obsessed with cirque du soleil and the performers in it that it was really cool to have a book be sort of inspired by it.

-The side romance we get :D I loved it!! I was swooning when that couple flirted in their own tense way. So tense and hot, and it was just as good when they got together.

I could honestly go on. I don't want to spoil any romance elements or plot lines, all I have to say is read this book you won't be sorry!

What I could have done without:
-Shane. He was the biggest piece of shit "friend" ever. I just couldn't stand any scene that he was in, and I caught myself skimming when I saw that he was in it or mentioned. He was just a terrible friend who wanted his friend to be as miserable as he was. And then to try out after all of the year long shit fest he gave Thora...what the actual fuck?? I was so annoyed and pissed.

-Thora lying to her family. This is getting close to spoiler territory so I won't go in-depth with it  but I jut think Thora should have been honest.

final thoughts:

This was just such a good book. I really loved it and it is definitely on my reread shelf. I feel like this is definitely worth checking out. I also really hope that the authors decide to make a series out of it, because it is too good to just be a standalone.

Perfect Collision by Lina Andersson Review

4 stars out of 5
I really loved this book, and enjoyed it much more than I thought I was going to.

Synopsis:
"There wasn't much Violet Warren considered easy in life. Even just talking to people was a challenge. On the other hand, she didn't like all that many people. Her dad was one of few people she loved, simply because he understood her. Or at least tried to understand her, as opposed to her mom. 
Then there was Mac... She couldn't really say she knew Mac, but he'd been around her entire life, since he was the son of the club’s President. She liked him. He was the one who suggested she could become a tattoo artist, an idea she loved, since drawing was one of few things she considered herself good at. Her dad helped her to get a spot as an apprentice at Wicked Ink. She wasn't sure how to thank him properly until he asked her to do a tattoo on him. It sort of went downhill from there.

Marcus 'Mac' Baxter couldn't really say he knew Vi. She was just the tiny, shy girl who'd always had a sketchbook in her lap. He knew she'd been crushing on him when she was a kid, but he'd never thought much about it. When he decided to become a Marauder, he left Greenville, Arizona, to join the Emporia, Kansas charter instead. He wanted to make a name for himself and not just be 'Brick's son.' A few years later he transferred back, and realized Vi had grown up while he was away.
But you didn’t take advantage of a girl who’d been crushing on you for years, a girl who was the daughter of a fellow member. You just didn’t.
And you definitely didn’t kiss her. That was insane… But that’s what he did. "

**Can we talk about how gorgeous that cover is???**

I honestly don't know what to say other than I enjoyed the fuck out of this book, and love to reread it. 
It is by no means a flawless book, but I really didn't care about that I just got sucked into the story and had a smile on my face and was rooting for Violet and Mac the whole time. I loved the biker aspect of the book, and I really liked the fact that these great and caring people in Violet's life were criminals. It didn't make them any less caring or loving but just added another complex layer to their characters. I absolutely loved the scene where Violet was just coming to realize this aspect of her family and boyfriend.

I also really liked the age gap, which was about six years, between Vi and Mac. I was obsessed with the fact that he refused to rush her with anything sexual. I loved that he had respect for her and actually cared about her as a person. And I loved that he struggled with wanting her to explore but at the same time not wanting to push her; the fact that he struggled and questioned showed what an amazing and caring person and boyfriend he was.

I did not care for the second class treatment that a lot of the male characters in the story gave the women. I understand that that is a cliche in biker life and stories, but it doesn't mean that I like or appreciate it. I do not like being referenced to as "pussy" or a "piece of ass", I felt like that cliche could have been not used. But whatever you can't have everything.

I really, really loved the fact that Vi was a tattoo artist, and that we got to see her training and maturation in that world throughout the novel. I have such a love for tattoo artist stories, not only in books but also documentaries.  I have a few tattoos and I have such an appreciation for tattoo artists and the love that they have for their craft.

The middle section of the book felt like it drug on a bit, but it wasn't that huge of a problem the story was still very enjoyable. I could have done without the overly caricature-ized "evil" mother. I really loved the relationship that Violet had with her dad Bear. I thought it was really sweet how close they were and had always been. 

I was also a really big fan of the time lapses that the story was told under. I thought that they added a cool dimension to it. I really like the idea of seeing the past and seeing how the characters interacted and evolved from there. It was cool how it would go from Violet's ages for example fourteen years old, 16, to 18.

Final thoughts:

I definitely recommend this, it was such a fun and enjoyable read. The sex was super hot and it never felt excessive or repetitive.
Oh you can totally read this as a standalone, I did because I really wasn't interested in the first one of the series and I wasn't lost whatsoever. 

Perfect Imperfections by Cardeno C. Review

4.5 stars out of 5

I am obsessed with this book and can't stop smiling!

Synopsis:

"Hollywood royalty Jeremy Jameson has lived a sheltered life with music as his sole focus and only friend. Before embarking on yet another international concert tour, he wanders into a bar in what he considers the middle of nowhere and meets a man who wins him over with his friendly smile and easy-going nature. Accountant slash bartender slash adventure-seeker Reg Moore has fun talking and drinking with The Jeremy Jameson and can’t say no when the supposedly straight rock star makes him a once in a lifetime offer: keep him company on his tour by playing the part of his boyfriend. 

Listening to music, traveling the world, and jumping off cliffs is fun. Falling in love is even better. But to stay with Jeremy after the stage lights dim, Reg will need to help him realize there’s nothing pretend about their relationship."

Wow.. I was not expecting how much I was going to fall in love with this book, the story, and Jeremy & Reg♥

This absolutely met and surpassed my expectations, and I was sad when it was over. This is definitely going to be one of my go-to comfort rereads :)
**Prepare for a long winded review filled with major gushing**

What I loved:

-Everything! The fact that there was no unnecessary angst, drama, miscommunication, etc. Reg and Jeremy were friends and just perfect for each other. There was that nice slow burn GFY attraction(on Jeremy's side of the relationship, because Reg has been out since he was a teen), and the sexual tension was perfect and just the right amount.

-Their communication. I loved that they actually talked to each other. This was not one of those insta-fuck turn insta-love books; this book was friendship, attraction, and realization (by my little sweet cranky Jeremy) of said attraction. I love that there was no "I can't be gay" freak out that leads to one character hurting the other with a cold shoulder brush off. There was just an acceptance and reciprocation of love, and a recognition that his friend is the only one that truly gets him and actually wants to understand him.

-Believable friendship and love! This is sometimes a hard thing to write, but the author did it beautifully! I truly believed and felt that these men were very close friends, I could just feel the love that they had for each other, and I loved watching that close bond morph into a romantic love. I loved that Jeremy could be a grumpy little shit and Reg was the only one who could deal with it. They were just so well paired and complementary to one another.

-The smooth sailing the couple had. There was no fight, no break up, no heartache, nothing and I loved that so much! I was always waiting for the other shoe to drop, but no I was worried for no reason and that made me beyond happy; I can't stand when the inevitable break up/separation happens and I found it so refreshing that the author didn't go that route.

-Their age gap. It was not that large of a gap about 5 years or so, but I loved that Reg(the younger man) was the one who was more dominant and in control of the situations with Jeremy's managers and all the PR people. I loved that Reg took care of Jeremy and was able to make him happy and more relaxed. It is usually the older man taking care of the younger and it was nice to see the opposite, again I found this refreshing. The author does these subtle strays from the romance norms and I really appreciate them.

-The men themselves. They were both just so likable that I wanted them to both have a HEA and it made it 20x better that it was to each other. Reg just was so sweet and caring and I just love him! He totally got Jeremy and just genuinely wanted to take care of his friend and make sure that he was happy and having a good time. Oh Jeremy my love, he was so cranky and innocent, and just so lovable! All he really needed was someone who loved him and a few snuggles and cuddles(me too man). Can I just say that I love when characters are self aware. I loved that Jeremy knew what his flaws were and he wasn't oblivious to being a pain in the ass at times, because there is nothing worse than a character(and person) who does not know what a little shit they can be. He was aware and addressed his concerns with Reg about never wanting to take him for granted. The communication in this book was just on point and made the characters feel so real. Sidenote: I really adored how territorial Jeremy was of Reg.

-I also was a fan that terms like "needy" and "grouchy" were not necessarily seen as negative. Because when I'm not in a good mood I can be grouchy & grumpy, and I am totally needy for cuddles and hugs when I am in a relationship. I mean who doesn't enjoy being wrapped up in your partner's arms or tangled with them on a couch or in bed.


What made me not give a 5 star:
-What led Reg to going on tour with Jeremy. I mean they were strangers, granted they did talk a lot that night, but still that was the first night that they had met. To just invite a stranger to pretend to be your boyfriend in order to not be lonely on tour was a bit unrealistic for me to fully believe.

-The whole situation with Frederic? Francis? I can't remember that dude's name but that was kind of unbelievable that he wasn't fired right after it was found out he was the one pulling all of the shenanigans.

-The unknown time lapses. It was kind of disorienting because time would go by and you wouldn't know until one of the characters thought about how many months on tour it had been. I mean it's really not that big of a deal and it didn't ruin my experience reading, but I could have done with out it.

Final thoughts

Recommend like crazy!! Go out and read this book. It is so good, and fun, and just smile inducing!