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Review of Better Be True by Anyta Sunday and Andy Gallo

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Blurb:

Two friends. One bed. A big Italian Wedding.

Nico Amato is in trouble.

He’s in love with his roommate. Who’s hung up on his ex. This so isn’t part of his summer plans. Luke’s an all-American jock, a jeans and t-shirt kind of guy. The kind of guy who thinks Nico is too much.

That doesn’t stop Nico from pretending to be Luke’s boyfriend, once, twice, thrice . . . A friend does what a friend does to make an ex jealous.

Just . . . How many favors before Luke gives up on his ex?

Lucas DeRosa has a problem.

His roommate pushes every one of his buttons. Every. Damn. One. This so isn’t part of the script. Nico is flamboyant, a tight jeans/purple blazer kind of guy. The kind of guy who thinks Lucas is boring.

That doesn’t stop Luke from pretending to be Nico’s boyfriend again, and again, and again . . . A friend does what a friend does to repay a favor.

Just . . . How many favors before he wins Nico’s heart?

Review:

This book pressed all the right buttons for me.  Slow burn?  Check.  Roommates to lovers?  Check.  Fake boyfriends?  Check!  

Better Be True was such a fun, sweet and endearing book, and the principal characters, Nico and Luke, were totally lovable.  Both men have just gone through a horrible breakup:  Luke’s boyfriend broke up with him (via text!) because Luke was to “boring,” whereas Nico’s boyfriend broke up with him because he’s too “colorful” and “dramatic.”

Luke, who was planning on moving in with his boyfriend, is now saddled with a one-bedroom apartment that he can’t afford.  The solution?  Find a roommate.  Nico, who needs to remain in Philadelphia because he’s planning his sister’s large Italian wedding and needs a place to say, answers Luke’s ad.  But there’s one teeny, tiny problem:  there’s ONLY ONE BED.  But the guys can work around that, right?

Things become even more interesting when both guys need a “fake boyfriend” for several events, so they each agree to play the role.  And we can guess what happens from there….

I thought the authors did a phenomenal job with character development here, and I found our two protagonists to be vivid, dynamic, and brilliantly rendered.  These irresistible and wonderfully complex characters came to life for me and felt that they both thrived in their depth and complexity.  Both characters come with past heartache, self-esteem issues, and baggage, all of which added an extra intriguing element to the storytelling.

But what really worked for me was the slow burn romance between Luke and Nico, as we move from strangers, to roommates, to fake boyfriends and finally to lovers. And though we had to wait until the last quarter of the book for them to hook up, when the guys finally did get together, it was HOT!

All in all, I loved this book, through and through.  I found it impossible not to fall in love with the world and characters that the authors created here.  It’s a delightful heart-tugger of a love story.  Snappy dialog, stellar world-building, a lovable Italian family, and a slow-burn romance make this novel standout. 

This is the second book in a series, and though they can stand alone, I believe there is some crossover with the characters.  This one definitely makes me want to read the rest of the books in the series.  I’ve read many other Anyta Sunday books, and they’ve never disappointed, but this is my first experience with Andy Gallo.  I hope to read a lot more from this duo. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Review of Shortbread and Shadows by Amy Lane

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Blurb:

When a coven of hedge witches casts a spell for their hearts’ desires, the world turns upside down.

Bartholomew Baker is afraid to hope for his heart’s true desire—the gregarious woodworker who sells his wares next to Bartholomew at the local craft fairs—so he writes the spell for his baking business to thrive and allow him to quit his office job. He’d rather pour his energy into emotionally gratifying pastry! But the magic won’t allow him to lie, even to himself, and the spellcasting has unexpected consequences.

For two years Lachlan has been flirting with Bartholomew, but the shy baker with the beautiful gray eyes runs away whenever their conversation turns personal. He’s about to give up hope… and then Bartholomew rushes into a convention in the midst of a spellcasting disaster of epic proportions.

Suddenly everybody wants a taste of Bartholomew’s baked goods—and Bartholomew himself. Lachlan gladly jumps on for the ride, enduring rioting crowds and supernatural birds for a chance with Bartholomew. Can Bartholomew overcome the shyness that has kept him from giving his heart to Lachlan?

Review:

What an unexpected gem! This was such a surprising read that took me to places I very much didn’t expect.  The story differs greatly from Amy Lane’s typical angsty romances that I’ve read in the past.  This book follows a group of modern-day witches whose most recent spell has gone terribly, terribly awry. What’s fun about this is that some of the fallout of the spell has to do with Bartholomew’s crush on Lachlan, the sexy woodworker whose booth is often next Bartholomew’s at local fairs and conventions where they both sell their wares.

Bartholomew is one of the witches who cast the runaway spell. It’s worth mentioning that he’s so shy that he’s never been able to bring himself to confess his feelings for Lachlan.  As for the runaway spell, the witches all had to write down and then state their heart’s desire aloud.  The kicker is that for one reason for another, they ALL were lying (some to themselves) about what they really, truly wanted, and “magic” didn’t seem too happy about that fact. Hence, it ripped out the “real” truth from all of them during the climax of the spell — and all manner of chaotic hijinks ensued.  In fact, the beginning of this book read like a freight train running off the rails!

I loved the pining between Bartholomew and Lachlan.  The sexual tension and energy between these two vibrates the pages.  They also are real, complicated, and relatable human characters, which isn’t surprising as Any Lane is a master of building characters that feel relatable.

I also enjoyed the structure of the magical world in this series. Although the witches are like everyday folks, feeling confused and unsure of themselves like the rest of us, they also have a great deal of power and ability, though they may not all realize it. It was this fact that especially endeared these characters to me.  Lane deftly builds a world where magic feels both plausible and inevitable, and inserts this magical world seamlessly into our own.

This cosmic comedy of errors/romance had it all: a gripping plot, tender and funny moments, and some very steamy scenes. Shortbread and Shadows is a fun and light start to a new series, and this delightful, quirky, heartwarming romance will make you believe in love again.  I found this to be an imaginative modern-day romance that’s infused with the whimsy of magical realism.  

I was not only submerged in the sweet and tender relationship – but page after page, I fell deeper into the richly imagined world.  And though the story revolves around the witches and their unfortunate spell, at its core, this story is about love.  So what we get then, is a sweet, achingly romantic, lighthearted, and gentle story as these two men slowly reveal their genuine feelings for the other. And did I mention steamy?? Oh my!

I loved this new quirky, heartwarming romance, and I cannot wait for the next installment. I look forward to seeing where this series is going to go next.  If I could magically make it appear on my Kindle right now, I would!

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Review of Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

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I love the fake dating trope and felt that this one was exceptionally well done. The story follows a young man named Luc, who is the son of famous rock star parents, meaning his life is under the constant microscope of the paparazzi. Because of this, a few “unflattering” photos of him have made it into the newspapers, and his reputation is in dire need of fixing.

So when his boss tells him in no uncertain terms that he needs to clean up his image…or else, Luc decides to find a nice normal boyfriend and sets his sights on Oliver, a rather stuffy and uptight vegetarian barrister who is in need of a date for an important family event. After a disastrous first date, the two men decide quickly that they don’t like each other, but they do agree to be each other’s fake boyfriend for the next several months, after which each man can go his separate way. Of course, our guys have to keep in mind the first rule of fake dating: don’t fall in love.

What I enjoyed about this story is that it was also an endearing romantic comedy of opposites attracting, as these two men couldn’t be more different. It was so much fun watching the ups and downs of their budding relationship as they slowly begin to develop real romantic feelings for each other once the lines of their “fake” relationship begin to blur. I also loved witnessing Luc’s journey as he went from a place of super-low self-esteem and low self-worth to being a confident and self-assured young man.

While the fake dating/romance theme does take front and center, the book delves into some serious topics as well, including abandonment issues, toxic family dynamics, homophobia, trust/mistrust, mental health, parental estrangement, and self-acceptance. In this way, the book is much more than a light, fluffy romance; it has quite a bit of depth.

It was refreshing that our main characters did not jump into bed right away just because they are fake dating, which we often see with this trope. And when the sex does finally occur, it’s mostly off-screen and fade to black, so if you’re looking for a sexy, steamy and explicit romance, this isn’t it. But what you will get is an emotional, gripping story with plenty of heart. It was so easy to fall in love with these characters as they’re amusing, somewhat angsty, super sweet, determined, flawed, and real.

I thought this book was hysterically funny, and the banter made me cackle out loud on several occasions. It’s also heartwarming and touching, with wry descriptions and excellent pacing — it’s the sort of book you’ll clasp to your chest with a happy sigh after you finish it. If you like witty banter and shenanigans, this is the book for you.

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Review of Hideaway Inn by Philip William Stover

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The Hideaway Inn is a character-driven LGBT romance that follows Vince Amato.  We learn that as a child, Vince was bullied quite severely because of his sexuality.  The moment he graduated, he blew town, and during his years away, completely reinvented himself from the skinny, frightened kid he used to be to a domineering muscular power alpha.  

Now he’s back, but only because he recently purchased an inn called The Hideaway Inn.  He plans to renovate the inn, flip it, make a gigantic profit, and then return to his life in the city.  But what he didn’t count on was his childhood crush, Tack, a charming farm boy who broke Vince’s heart in high school.  We also learn that Tack stood by and did nothing during Vince’s bullying.  

But Tack has changed, and he’s determined to win Vince’s heart.  But Tack unaware of Vince’s plans to sell the inn.  So the question is:  can Tack win Vince’s heart and cause him to change his mind?

This was a sweet, tender, and endearing novel about redemption and second chances. I really enjoyed getting to know these two characters and enjoyed how they both grew throughout the pages of the book.  Character development was certainly among The Hideaway Inn’s list of shining accomplishments, and the author really brings them to life here, letting all of them thrive in their complexity, both haunted by the ghosts of their past. I loved the tension and chemistry between our two main characters, and they both tried to figure out how they fit into the other’s life.  

I really, really cared about these two guys making it to a happy ending and thought the journey that takes them there is an utterly remarkable read. This is the kind of book that makes you laugh, makes you sad, and even makes you pine for lost love and lost opportunities. I thought that this is a beautifully rendered contemporary story of love and friendship, with all of its exhilaration, disappointments, and mistakes, and if you’re in the mood for a sweet and cozy read, then The Hideaway Inn is surely worth checking out.

A huge thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a review copy of this book.

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Review of Conventionally Yours by Annabeth Albert

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Conventionally Yours is a new adult romance follows our two main characters Conrad and Alden, both expert players of a fictional game called Odyssey.  This book contained three of my favorite tropes:  enemies-to-lovers, opposites attract, and a road trip (complete with a hotel room with only…one…bed).  I wasn’t sure about the gaming aspect of it, though, as I’m not a gamer, but I needn’t had worried as the tensions between our two characters along with their hidden pasts rendered this an utterly compelling story for me. This was the first book I’ve read about gamers and gaming conventions, and though I’m not personally a gamer, I found this aspect of the story a lot of fun.  

What made this story especially intriguing was both of our characters’ backstories. There’s Alden, who may or may not be on the autism spectrum but who is suffering from crippling anxiety as well as the need to fulfill his moms’ expectations; and Conrad, who has suffered enormous setbacks over the past year and is on the verge of being homeless.  

What’s fun is that each character sees the other in a completely different way than the person’s actual reality.  And of course, there’s the “I hate you, I hate you….yet I find you strangely attractive” aspect of it, which I always love. So in this way, both of our characters are quite complex and leading complicated lives.  

So our two enemies, each who is at a significant crossroads in his life, are forced to travel to a gaming convention together alone and in the same car.  And as their trip progresses, they each find themselves developing more than a casual interest in the other, complete with unwelcome romantic thoughts.

I was nearly giddy as I saw them moving toward an inevitable romance, and it was so much fun watching these two fighting their attraction to the other and, ultimately, giving in to it.  There was also the extra added intrigue of the uber-important Odyssey Con competition — where both of the men feel that they must win… NO MATTER WHAT.

Overall, Conventionally Yours is a sweet, fun, heartfelt, nerdy romance  – an excellent, well-crafted story that was a perfect blend of romance and gaming — a rare find.  It’s a heartwarming story of two boys finding their way to each other, and I ended up loving the quirky plot and the endearing secondary characters.  A rivalry between two master gamers turns into a whirlwind romance in this charming story about true love and doing what’s right.

A huge thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with an ARC of this story.

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Silent Sin by EJ Russell

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Book Blurb:

When tailor Marvin Gottschalk abandoned New York City for the brash boomtown of silent-film-era Hollywood, he never imagined he’d end up on screen as Martin Brentwood, one of the fledgling film industry’s most popular actors. Five years later a cynical Martin despairs of finding anything genuine in a town where truth is defined by studio politics and publicity. Then he meets Robbie Goodman.

Robbie fled Idaho after a run-in with the law. A chance encounter leads him to the film studio where he lands a job as a chauffeur. But one look at Martin and he’s convinced he’s likely to run afoul of those same laws—laws that brand his desires indecent, deviant… sinful.

Martin and Robbie embark on a cautious relationship, cocooned in Hollywood’s clandestine gay fraternity, careful to hide from the studio boss, a rival actor, and reporters on the lookout for a juicy story. But when tragedy and scandal rock the town, igniting a morality-based witch hunt fueled by a remorseless press, the studio brass will sacrifice even the greatest careers to defend their endangered empire. Robbie and Martin stand no chance against the firestorm—unless they stand together.

Book Review:

I thought that this well-researched story about the silent movie era Hollywood was utterly fascinating. It’s 1921, and we’re immediately introduced to a young, naive Idaho farmboy named Robinson (AKA “Robbie”) Crusoe Goodman, who escaped to Hollywood. From what exactly he is running away is a mystery, one that is slowly revealed as the plot unfolds.

Robbie manages to land a job as a chauffeur for actor Martin Brentwood. The story then alternates between Martin’s and Robbie’s POV, and we learn that both men are extremely attracted to each other but give the era, they have to be careful to hide their feelings as it could not only ruin their careers but land them in prison.

It’s important to remember that this was a time when being gay had life-threatening consequences. It’s a time when morality-based censorship and witch hunts occupied first spots in the newspapers, morality clauses played a prominent part in Hollywood contracts, and queer people were beaten and even killed by the police. But despite the dangers, Robby and Martin embark on a cautious clandestine relationship, which becomes even more complicated when Robby is thrust into the limelight of Hollywood, and his place in the motion picture world becomes more prominent.

It’s interesting that during this time period, there still wasn’t a word for being queer, and instead, someone who had gay tendencies was referred to as “being in the life.” You still hear this term occasionally, though in recent years, it’s fallen out of favor. It reminded me of the period of my own coming-of-age during which being gay was often called “being a friend of Dorothy.”

It was so much fun going behind the scenes of the golden age of silent film and learning firsthand about the rich history of this period and the machinations of the movie industry. Though our two main characters are fictional, many of the elements, including the scandals and tragedies, are based on actual events that affected real people, all of which the author explains in the novel’s addendum. For instance, the author includes circumstances surrounding the murder of William Desmond Taylor as well as Fatty Arbuckle’s famous trials for rape and manslaughter. These tidbits added a riveting extra layer and dimension to the story, which I especially enjoyed.

In Silent Sin, we got to experience the “real” Hollywood — the Hollywood behind the flashy movie stars and all the glamor. In this way, I thought the world-building was phenomenal. It was so much fun experiencing the movie era that was still in its infancy and was just beginning to take off, still, as of yet, on unsure footing. The author really brought this story to life for me, and I continue to ruminate over it several days later.

I also thought that the author exhibits an uncanny insight into the human condition, and parts of the novel were a pretty honest and raw commentary on humanity. I was amazed at the way Russell was able to weave together historically accurate renderings of the times with a series of unlikely events and coincidences in a way that felt absolutely authentic.

Silent Sin hits at such a visceral level that it’s hard to describe with words, and parts of the book were so emotive and moving that they left me gutted. It’s a rich story that deals with very loaded issues like grief, homophobia, fear, hatred, regrets, the oftentimes difficult journey of personal growth and loss; but also with courage and the opportunity to start anew. It’s eye-opening — and heartbreaking — to witness how the systemic prejudice and homophobia our characters deal with every day has affected their lives in both small and big ways. I was also surprised by the profound impact the story had on me.

Note that though there is a romance between our two main characters, the romance takes a backseat to the historical aspect of the narrative. This is a low-heat story with all the lovemaking taking place off-screen. So if you’re looking for a steamy romance, you won’t find that there. What you will find, however, is a sweet and tender romance between two gentle and charming souls living in a time period where being their authentic selves could prove deadly.

All in all, I found Silent Sin to be an exceptionally unique, surprisingly profound, and beautifully written story that is unlike anything I’ve ever read before. It’s a well-written and smoothly plotted novel of many layers with fully realized and endearing characters and will undoubtedly appeal to historical fiction lovers. I also felt that the ending is perfect, and there were definitely tears of happiness and a wonderful grin plastered across my face during those last final pages.

This is the second book that I’ve read and loved by this author, and I definitely plan on reading more of their books. This one is a gem!

Heat Level: 1

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