Roger's Reads

Author & Book Reviewer

Welcome to Roger’s Reads!

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Roger Hyttinen avatarBeing a lover of books, I started this site as a companion to my BookTube Channel “Rogers Reads” and as a way to chronicle my reading journey and help spread the love for books that I enjoyed.  This site is a place for me to review books that range from Young Adult fiction to Fantasy to LGBT Romance.  I do have somewhat ecclectic reading tastes though Fantasy and YA Fantasy are my most read genres at the moment.

If you’d like to learn more about me, click the About Roger link on top of the page.  If you have a book you’d like me to review, please check my Review Policy link first on top of the page.

Thank you so much for stopping by.  Grab a cuppa, put up your feet and browse through some of the reviews.  Who knows?  You just might come across your next epic read.

Happy Reading!

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Review of First Time for Everything by Henry Fry

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First Time for Everything book coverBlurb

An unflinchingly honest, wickedly funny, and heartfelt debut about a down-on-his-luck gay man working out how he fits into the world, making up for lost time, and opening himself up to life’s possibilities

Danny Scudd is absolutely fine. He always dreamed of escaping the small-town life of his parents’ fish-and-chip shop, moving to London, and becoming a journalist. And, after five years in the city, his career isn’t exactly awful, and his relationship with pretentious Tobbs isn’t exactly unfulfilling. Certainly his limited-edition Dolly Parton vinyls and many (maybe too many) house plants are hitting the spot. But his world is flipped upside down when a visit to the local clinic reveals that Tobbs might not have been exactly faithful. In fact, Tobbs claims they were never operating under the “heteronormative paradigm” of monogamy to begin with. Oh, and Danny’s flatmates are unceremoniously evicting him because they want to start a family. It’s all going quite well.

Newly single and with nowhere to live, Danny is forced to move in with his best friend, Jacob, a flamboyant nonbinary artist whom he’s known since childhood, and their eccentric group of friends living in an East London “commune.” What follows is a colorful voyage of discovery through modern queer life, dating, work, and lots of therapy–all places Danny has always been too afraid to fully explore. Upon realizing just how little he knows about himself and his sexuality, he careens from one questionable decision (and man) to another, relying on his inscrutable new therapist and housemates to help him face the demons he’s spent his entire life trying to repress. Is he really fine, after all?

Review

At first, I thought this story was going to be a quirky book full of wild and zany characters. While there certainly was that aspect to it, it also ended up being a fascinating journey of self-discovery and healing for a young man named Danny Scudd. This book could have been easily titled “The unraveling of Danny Scudd” because that’s what has to happen before our main character can pull himself together: he must totally fall apart.

Through his unraveling, Danny has to deal with internalized homophobia and learn how to live his life without hiding in the background. Up until now, he seemed to prefer being “invisible” and wasn’t one to engage in any confrontation, letting others trample all over him in the process. So in this way, parts of the story were a tad cringey. But though Danny’s journey is undoubtedly bumpy and a bit dark in places, the author portrays it in a heartfelt and humorous way that makes Danny ultimately likable and relatable. Danny’s story is layered with complexities of identity, loss, mental illness, rage, and toxic relationships that were expertly articulated in the voice of our narrator.

Throughout the pages of the book, I enjoyed seeing Danny confront his issues and slowly come to accept his identity and accept his true self. Though he does have a tough time of it — and even transforms into a major jerk at one point — his friends stand by him and guide him back to himself. Speaking of friends, the secondary characters were phenomenal, with my favorite being the larger-than-life Jacob. The clever, witty banter between the characters caused me to cackle out loud on more than one occasion, and they all added an essential element to the narrative.

All in all, I loved this complete whirlwind of a novel. It was a strange, wonderfully weird, immersive book that explores some dark themes but in a unique and fun way. Thus, it’s messy and dark but without ever falling over the edge. First Time for Everything is a poignant portrait of a journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance that really resonated with me, and I’m glad this story caught my attention.

This book is scheduled to be released on May 10, 2022 but is available now for Preorder.

Review of Mark of Amulii by Aeron Dusk

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Mark of Amulii book coverBlurb:

Alexander Hunt holds onto two secrets: both could ruin his life, but one could end it.

The sudden move from Calgary, Alberta to the outskirts of Jasper during his senior year leaves Alex isolated in a cabin with bickering parents. He copes by taking daily hikes along the shores of Maligne Lake until he meets a young man named Amulii. He’s huge, unkempt, and speaks broken English, but there’s something else uncanny about him Alex can’t quite place.

What starts as a frightening first encounter escalates the moment Amulii gives Alex a strange gift and reveals there’s something much wilder about him than meets the eye. Unbeknownst to Alex, this sets off a series of devastating events that sends both of them fleeing from an aggressive, well-armed militia in the forest.

As Amulii and Alex escape into the mountains, their bond strengthens as they learn from one another, and what was once distrust evolves into something much deeper. Despite that, there are only two questions burning Alex’s waking thoughts as they traverse the harsh wilds of western Alberta, waiting for salvation: will he be caught and killed, or will he lose the rest of his humanity to Amulii’s mistake?

Content Warning:

This book is NOT erotica but is intended for those over the age of 17. It contains explicit sex and graphic violence. While those themes are not prominent in the story, they pop up from time to time. This is a gay-centric paranormal romance with real biped werewolves. This is NOT A/B/O

Review

I’m a huge fan of werewolf novels, and I really enjoyed this author’s take on the genre. I loved our two main characters, Alex and Amulii, and enjoyed seeing both of them transform (pun intended) and grow throughout the story. This novel was quite a refreshing take on the werewolf mythology, and I thought the world-building in this story was phenomenal, as was the character development. The author gives us a truly fascinating world populated by memorable, well-developed characters.

Perfectly paced, The Mark of Amulii is a fast-paced fantasy adventure, and the action never lets up. Once Alex and Amulii are on the run, the story shifts from a mild romance into an intense, sometimes brutal, no-holds-barred thriller dripping with adrenaline. I found myself swept away in its action-packed wake, almost gasping for breath as the tension tightens like a noose, right up to the thrilling — and utterly shocking — conclusion.

The story is twisty and powerful, as well as moving. Though action-packed, the heart of the story is the romance between Amulii and Alex, and the chemistry and passion between them are fantastic. I enjoyed seeing their barriers break down as they got to know each other and how perfectly they balanced each other out. In addition, the character interaction was top-notch.

All in all, The Mark of Amulii is a razor-sharp novel that combines queer themes with a paranormal element in a clever and twisty way, with plenty of manic action and heart-stopping suspense. Right from the initial scene-setting, the novel builds to a crescendo of thrills, chills, and surprises and does not disappoint. In addition, the author left an intriguing tidbit at the end of the story, opening the way for a possible sequel. I hope there is one because I would love to read more novels that take place in this world.

A huge thank you to the author for providing a review copy of this book.

Purchase The Mark of Amulii from Amazon

Review of Never Been Kissed by Timothy Janovsky

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Never Been Kissed CoverBlurb:

Dear (never-been-quite-over-you) Crush,

It’s been a few years since we were together, but I can’t stop thinking about the time we almost…

Wren Roland has never been kissed, but he wants that movie-perfect ending more than anything. Feeling nostalgic on the eve of his birthday, he sends emails to all the boys he (ahem) loved before he came out. Morning brings the inevitable Oh God What Did I Do?, but he brushes that panic aside. Why stress about it? None of his could-have-beens are actually going to read the emails, much less respond. Right?

Enter Derick Haverford, Wren’s #1 pre-coming-out-crush and his drive-in theater’s new social media intern. Everyone claims he’s coasting on cinematic good looks and his father’s connections, but Wren has always known there’s much more to Derick than meets the eye. Too bad he doesn’t feel the same way about the infamous almost-kiss that once rocked Wren’s world.

Whatever. Wren’s no longer a closeted teenager; he can survive this. But as their hazy summer becomes consumed with a special project that may just save the struggling drive-in for good, Wren and Derick are drawn ever-closer…and maybe, finally, Wren’s dream of a perfect-kiss-before-the-credits is within reach.

Review

I absolutely fell in love with this new adult queer summer romance. This rom-com was so much fun and had me laughing out loud many times! I especially appreciated the fact that the story revolves around a Drive-In (remember those?) where I used to spend a lot of time as a teenager. I also appreciated the demisexual representation in the story, something we don’t often see in romance novels. I loved watching Wren explore his sexuality and figure himself out, all the while waiting for that elusive first kiss.

This book totally entranced me, and I loved the story the author tells here. I always like the trope of the “childhood crush reentering the picture,” and it was exceptionally well done in this story. It warmed my heart to see how patient, compassionate and supportive Derick was toward Wren and thought the chemistry between them was perfect.

All in all, I loved this wonderful, heart-tugger of a love story. Half love story and half identity quest, Timothy Janovsky’s “Never Been Kissed” is 100 percent beautiful. It’s a big, beautiful novel with depth and a huge heart, and the story swept me up from the first page to the last. Derick and Wren are the couple everyone will fall in love with: funny, flawed, endearing, determined, a little bit angsty, and totally real. A sweet, comforting read with just the right amount of angst, and I give this one all the stars.

A huge thank you to Netgalley for providing a review copy of this book. Expected publication is May 3, 2022.

Purchase Never Been Kissed from Amazon

Review of The Charmed List by Julie Abe

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57365743Blurb

After spending most of high school as the quiet girl, Ellie Kobata is ready to take some risks and have a life-changing summer, starting with her Anti-Wallflower List—thirteen items she’s going to check off one by one. She’s looking forward to riding rollercoasters, making her art Instagram public (maybe), and going on an epic road-trip with her best friend Lia.

But when number four on Ellie’s list goes horribly wrong—revenge on Jack Yasuda—she’s certain her summer has gone from charmed to cursed. Instead of a road trip with Lia, Ellie finds herself stuck in a car with Jack driving to a magical convention. But as Ellie and Jack travel down the coast of California, number thirteen on her list—fall in love—may be happening without her realizing it.

In The Charmed List, Julie Abe sweeps readers away to a secret magical world, complete with cupcakes and tea with added sparks of joy, and an enchanted cottage where you can dance under the stars.

Review

What a delightful witchy book this was! It was just the kind of story I was looking for. The Charmed List follows our main character Ellie Kobata, a “magic-aware” shy high school student who is a bit of a wallflower and prefers to be “invisible.” She also used to be best friends with Jack Yasuda, but after Jack ghosted her and humiliated her at school, they’ve been enemies ever since.

Ellie is on the verge of leaving on a summer road trip with her best friend, Lia. Determined to no longer remain invisible and let life pass her by, Ellie has also created an ‘anti-wallflower list’ containing 13 items that she wants to complete over the summer, including dancing under the stars and kissing a boy, and getting revenge on Jack Yasuda. However, her vengeance scheme doesn’t go according to plan and instead lands her in plenty of hot water with both their parents. As punishment, Ellie’s and Lia’s trip is canceled, and instead, Ellie and Jack have to travel together to a Magical Convention where both their families will be selling their wares.

They reluctantly agree to bury the hatchet and attempt to get along during the trip. But as the journey progresses (including stops in a Magical Village and at a Magical Hotel), Ellie begins to realize how much she’s missed having Jack in her life. Moreover, her feelings for him may be shifted from enemy to…something more, something different than before.

I tend to enjoy road trip books (especially the forced proximity kind), and this one was super fun. I loved the witchy vibe to this story, rendering it a magical reading experience. The friends-to-lovers aspect was exceptionally well done, and I adored the lovely relationship that developed between Ellie and Jack, evolving into something more than the friendship they once had experienced. It’s also worth mentioning that some hidden secrets and non-evident family dynamics are revealed as we move through the pages.

The Charmed List ended up being such a heartfelt and whimsical story about feeling: feeling love, feeling friendship, feeling magical, leading to the inevitable conclusion that the one reason there are walls around us is that we put them there ourselves. That being said, I loved the characters of both Ellie and Jack and found them to be believable and relatable, and charming. In addition, I thought the world-building was exceptional and enjoyed the easy-to-understand magic system that the author created.

All in all, this book is a delightful friends-to-enemies-to-lover romp that I’m so glad came to my attention. The author’s lush writing gives way to a sweet and endearing tale of love and forgiveness ―all with just a hint of magic—and I loved this book through and through. A wonderful, heart-tugger of a love story for anyone who enjoys a sweet love story with a dash of magical realism thrown in.

A huge thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for providing a review copy of this novel. Expected publication date is July 5, 2022.

Preorder The Charmed List from Amazon

Review of The Magic Between by Stephanie Hoyt

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The Magic Between CoverBlurb:

In a world where everyone has magic coursing through them, legend says magic itself craves a mate. Legend says those with opposite magics have the greatest chance of forming the unbreakable Bond it desires.

A.B. Cerise is an obsessive compulsive pop star with the ability to turn invisible. He’s an out bisexual with absolutely no belief in Bonds. He has a love-bruised heart, thinks dating in the spotlight is a hassle at best and a nightmare at worst, and has no intention of going through it all over again.

Matthew Hellman-Levoie is the NHL’s number one goalie prospect, the youngest in a hockey dynasty, and one of the rare few who can see the unseeable. He’s a straight man who wears his heart on his sleeve, has grown up searching for a Bond, and dreams of finding the love of his life.

Legend never said anything about what to do when sparks fly between two people opposite in more ways than just magic.

Review

When I learned that there was a story about magic, hockey players, and an M/M relationship, I was so excited. It was as if this book was written for me!

However, I have to admit that I was a bit hesitant to dive in after reading the heavy information dump in the Prologue, which introduced all the different types and categories of magic and the different types of people who wield them. I feared that I would never manage to keep this confusing new magical universe straight in my head, but I needn’t have worried. Though magic was an undercurrent of the plot, the main story revolved around the relationship between our two main characters. It didn’t take long for the story to completely hook me and steal my heart — magical knowledge not required.

What I love about this story is how unique it is. Here we have a world where everyone has access to some sort of magic. Moreover, the author gives us a story centered around the relationship between an openly bisexual pop star (A.B. Cerise) and a (supposedly) straight professional hockey player (Matthew Hellman) who’s about to enter the NHL as a star goalie. Until meeting A.B., Matthew always had assumed he was straight, and it took him a while to realize that perhaps he wasn’t so straight after all, resulting in a delightful slow-burn romance.

In addition, the two men may or may not be their one true perfect magical mate (it’s called a “bondmate” in the story). I loved the speculation around the idea of “bondmates” and how most people in the novel considered it more of a myth than actual fact. It’s important to mention that from the moment they meet, Matthew is convinced that AB is his bondmate, whereas was AB doesn’t believe in them. I enjoyed the fact that not a lot is known about the bondmate idea or whether it even really exists— so it is basically uncharted territory for our characters to explore.

Given that both men were celebrities, the public meticulously observed their every move. So what was especially fun about the story were the fake Twitter threads, the fandom, and the articles of the paparazzi speculating about AB’s romantic life, a lot of which was hysterical and made me laugh out loud on several occasions.

This ended up being a truly heartwarming story with adorable main characters. I loved seeing how the two men managed to tear down the other’s self-imposed walls, allowing them to open their hearts to each other. Their love is engaging and passionate, and they’ve become one of my favorite couples. AB and Matthew both recognize there is too much complication in their lives for a relationship, but at the same time, they are both so intensely drawn to each other and get so much comfort from each other that they can’t stay away. The romance in this book is a tier above and what really made this work for me was the connection our two guys had, realizing that what they each wanted was always right in front of them. This is the type of book that will make even the most cynical of readers believe in love.

All that being said, I thought the world-building and character-building in the story were phenomenal. I loved this world that the author invented, populated with well-fleshed out and lifelike characters. The characters are so realistic and relatable that they jump off the page. Add to that magic, stardom, fandoms, social media drama/speculation, clinical anxiety, and homophobia in the hockey community, and we end up with a genuinely compelling story. Oh, and did I mention the book contains beautiful illustrations? This added an extra special element to the reading experience for me.

All in all, snappy dialog, stellar world-building, a nosey public, hidden magic, and a sweet, slow-burn romance make The Magic Between a standout for me, and it gets all the stars.

A huge thank you to Netgalley for providing a review copy of this book. This book is scheduled to be released on February 15, 2022.

Review of A Little Bit Country by Brian D. Kennedy

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A Little Bit Country coverBlurb:

Emmett Maguire wants to be country music’s biggest gay superstar – a far reach when you’re seventeen and living in Illinois. But for now, he’s happy to do the next best thing: Stay with his aunt in Jackson Hollow, Tennessee, for the summer and perform at the amusement park owned by his idol, country legend Wanda Jean Stubbs.

Luke Barnes hates country music. As the grandson of Verna Rose, the disgraced singer who had a famous falling out with Wanda Jean, Luke knows how much pain country music has brought his family. But when his mom’s medical bills start piling up, he takes a job at the last place he wants: a restaurant at Wanda World.

Neither boy is looking for romance, but sparks fly when they meet – and soon they’re inseparable. Until a long-lost secret about Verna and Wanda comes to light, threatening to unravel everything.

Will Emmett and Luke be able get past the truths they discover…or will their relationship go down in history as just another Sad Country Love Song?

Review:

Luke and Emmett couldn’t be more different. Emmett’s dream is to be the most popular gay country singer in the world, so he’s excited when he lands a gig at Wanda World for the summer as a member of their Jamboree stage. He hopes this may be a chance to get noticed by a record label. Luke, on the other hand, hates country music. Because of something that happened between his family and Wanda Jean many years ago (owner of Wanda World), Luke and his family want nothing to do with Wanda World or country music. However, Luke dreams of becoming a chef one day, so when he is offered a job at Wanda World, he reluctantly accepts though he keeps it a secret from his family. Luke is also gay but is deep in the closet, still trying to figure everything out. When the two teens meet, sparks fly between them, and both must make some heart-wrenching decisions.

Taking place during one summer, A Little Bit Country is a delightful coming-of-age story with two likable and relatable characters. Both boys were adorable, and their romance was super sweet, though they had several difficult hurdles to overcome. Luke and Emmett were each determined to live their dream, and I loved their innocence and enthusiasm.

The author seems to really understand the teenage soul—the rollercoaster of emotions, the longing, the self-awareness, the challenges, the occasional goofiness, and the confusion. Kennedy nails the teen boy voice perfectly in this story. Luke and Emmet are charming and flawed, but their strengths balance each other out, and we end up with a story about young men who, though at first glance appear quite different from the other, truly complement each other. The author also captures beautifully how simultaneously tender and daunting it can be to fall in love for the first time. It is at once an aching yet beautiful love story and a powerful exploration of self-awareness and self-discovery. I enjoyed witnessing the characters’ inner growth and insight, a difficult but lovely process.

This book also explores the aching loneliness of growing up and not finding your place, of feeling as if you’re a universe away from your friends and family, spinning aimlessly and waiting for life to begin. In this way, this book is about feeling — feeling love, feeling friendship, feeling like you finally belong, and in the process, learning to become brave enough to let others in.

All in all, I found A Little Bit Country to be a warm and embracing story of first love, family secrets, and following your dreams that I adored.

A huge thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for providing a review copy of this book. Expected publication date is May 31, 2022.

Pre-order A Little Bit Country on Amazon