Sometimes you have to lose everything to find the one thing that matters most. The day begins like any other—canoodling with my live-in boyfriend, making weekend plans over breakfast, and arguing about the apartment renovation list. Then my best friend and business partner texts, begging me to ditch Thad so we can meet for a lunchtime quickie in our usual spot.
Small problem: I’m Thad. Oops.
By midday, I’ve lost one ratface boyfriend, my best mate, the company I built from scratch, and the courage to hire a hitman—although I’m not ruling that last one out just yet. The future I had neatly mapped out is now toast. In its place, a laundry list of awkward questions, rumours, and pitying looks.
And so, I do what I do best. I run—my crumbling life fading in the rearview mirror. No plan. No destination. Just a road. Through a forest. In a storm. To a dog. And a shed. And a towering man who smells of pine, rain, and, mercifully, bacon.
There’s dirt under my nails, something growing in my heart, and suddenly I’m breathing again. Breathing and smiling and lying, lying, lying. To the man I’m falling for. To the people I care about. To myself, most of all.
But for every lie, there’s a reckoning. And when the truth catches up, and the heart is truly at stake, there’s no running anymore.
Cat gives this book 5 Meows with a 3 purr heat index...
Oh my, this book is amazing. The first paragraph is catching. Lol. A text comes through and oops it's about Thad but Thad's phone.
It's almost as fate is intervening from the beginning and then he sees a dog in the storm that causes him to crash. I'm not telling you what he crashes into...but you really want to know.
And both guys have secrets.
The characters are amazing, the story is sweet, charming and funny. This is up on my favorite lists.
Heart, humour and keeping it real.
Jay is a 2020 Lambda Literary Award Finalist in Gay Romance and her book Off Balance was the 2021 New Zealand Romance Book of the Year.
She is a New Zealand author writing mm romance and romantic suspense, primarily set in New Zealand. She writes character driven romances with lots of humour, a good dose of reality and a splash of angst. She's travelled extensively, lived in many countries, and in a past life she was a critical care nurse, nurse educator and counsellor. Jay is owned by a huge Maine Coon cat and a gorgeous Cocker Spaniel
Find Jay in all the places:
https://www.jayhoganauthor.com/landingpage.
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Come hell or high water, Nate’s gonna be Ramsey’s perfect (fake) boyfriend . . .
The night Nate Bishop met Ramsey Andresen, he didn’t know who he was.
Didn’t know he was a hockey player. Didn’t know he’d be sticking around in Toronto. Most definitely didn’t know they’d hook up and Ramsey would walk right out of his life. Leaving him aching for more and hating that he can’t forget him.
They meet again at a Thunder team party and Nate’s not only shocked by Ramsey’s presence, but the way he acts like he belongs. He’s gorgeous and perfect and unobtainable, his existence rubbing Nate’s face into everything he can’t have.
He knows his teammates aren’t happy they don’t get along. But the last thing Nate expects is for Ramsey to suggest a plan to get them off their backs.
Not a fake friendship, but a fake situationship.
As they spend more time together—at first a necessity because of the charade, and then because they can’t stay away from each other—Nate starts to learn more about Ramsey’s secrets.
And each shadowy corner that Nate shines light into makes him like Ramsey even more. Until like slides easily into love, and fake becomes something real. Something precious. When they shatter the illusion, can they face the reality that they want each other, completely and forever after playing pretend for so long?
Cat gives this Book 5 meows with a 3 purr heat index...
I've been waiting for Ramseys story and in this we get 2 birds with one stone both Nate and Ramsey. And it couldn't be a better match.
I love Ramsey's sickness, but you can see something hidden beneath. And Nate I loved for almost the same reason, though he's not quite as cocky.
We get lots of other guys as well. As usual all the characters are intriguing. Another thing I like about this is the stories run more alongside each other and not back-to-back so it's not as important to read in order and you don't get spoilers of the other books. Though if you haven't read the Hockey series or the first of this series you won't quite get who Ramsey is.
If you like fake dating, opposites attract, kind of enemies to lovers and football or sports romance in general you will love this.
Audiobook Review...
So, on the narration at first it felt slow, so I sped up to 1.2 and was perfect.
I actually liked listening and I think this is one of my favorites in this series.
Once I sped it up the voices were good and emotion was good. And I just can't get enough of Nate and Ramsey. I myself loved the audios to this series and highly recommend but always listen to a sample to see what you think.
I myself love listening while doing chores and crafts.
A lifelong Pacific Northwester, Beth Bolden has just recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband. Beth still believes in Keeping Portland Weird, and intends to be just as weird in Raleigh.
Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She has published over forty novels and novellas.
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She was supposed to find her fated mate under the full moon.
Instead, she is ordered to bond with a stranger.
The full moon after Rhia’s twentieth birthday was meant to be the happiest night of her life. Among wolf shifters, it is the first full moon after turning twenty when a wolf might finally recognize the mate chosen by the Moon Goddess.
Rhia has always hoped that mate would be Caleb, the boy she has loved for years.
But when an entire neighboring pack is brutally wiped out, everything changes.
Fearing they could be next, the Red Moon Pack forms a desperate alliance with the powerful Silver Lake Pack. And alliances between alpha families require one thing above all else: a mating bond.
As the only unmated alpha daughter of Red Moon, Rhia’s future is decided for her. Instead of discovering her fated mate under the coming full moon, she is ordered to form a bond with Jalen, the future alpha of Silver Lake.
Leaving her home, her family, and the life she thought she would have.
Jalen never wanted a forced bond any more than Rhia did. But protecting their packs comes before everything. What neither of them expected was the instant pull between them, a connection that feels far too real to be political.
But if the Moon Goddess had a plan for their bond all along, it may be because the Dark Pack is not finished yet—and their own may be the next target.
Cat gives this book 5 meows with a 3 purr heat index...
This is a new to me author but, it won't stay that way. I loved, loved, loved this book.
The characters are interesting and relatable, the story and plots gripping and there were lots of action and suspense and twists and turns.
If you like paranormal especially Werewolves and pack bonds, arranged marriage (or mating) you will love this.
"Race you to the rocks?" Rhia points to the little collection of rocks well off the shoreline.
"They are further away than you think," I try to warn her from experience, but she has already taken off.
As I soon realize, she is not only an excellent fighter but also a very good swimmer. I love it. I am a decent swimmer myself, but it is not exactly my strongest form of movement. Plus, I am still a little slower than usual. At least that is what I am telling myself as I try hard to keep up with Rhia.
I am right behind her, but there is no hiding my labored breathing when we reach the rocks. On warm days, my friends and I love to climb onto the smooth stones and sunbathe. Unfortunately, it's not quite warm enough for that yet.
Unlike me, Rhia is not even a little winded, and I admire her strength. "You're an amazing athlete. I can't wait to see what you can do without the necklace," I grin at her.
'Oooh, well she's hot!' Hunter's voice comes through the mind link, and I let out a growl. Turning to the tree line behind me, I easily spot his wolf in the bushes.
'Leave now, or I will end you! This is your future luna!'
'Jealous, huh? Relax, man, I was just going for a quick hunt. I'll leave you two lovebirds to it.' His wolf actually gives me a wink before he turns around.
"Are you coming in?" As I turn back around, Rhia is already swimming away from the shore.
We head back at a slower pace, leisurely swimming next to each other.
"Do you think they would mind if we skipped the communal dinner tonight?" Rhia asks.
"Not in the mood for a crowd?"
"Not really. It's just all a little much," she shrugs, then adds quickly: "I'm sorry, I don't want you to get the wrong impression. I am looking forward to spending more time with your pack. Just not quite yet."
"You need some time to process everything, I get it."
She gives me a questioning look when I reach for her hand before I get up, pulling her with me. The contact sends tingles up my arm. "We need to head back and talk to our parents if we want to avoid dinner. They might whip us and throw us in the dungeon, and I don't think I could take that." I wink at her to make sure she knows I am joking about that last part.
She chuckles, gripping my hand a little tighter. We are silent on our way to the packhouse, and it feels good to be walking with her like this. Her smaller hand fits into mine just right.
When Ann D. Lang isn’t writing, she can be found with her family and her cats — who treat everyone in the house as their personal servants and are entirely unbothered by deadlines. A lifelong lover of paranormal romance in all its forms, from vampire courts and fae kingdoms to witch covens and wolf pack politics, she has spent years falling in love with other people’s worlds — and one day simply decided to open the doors to a world of her own.
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I plan happily-ever-afters, but I don't believe in them... That doesn't stop the Matchmaking Mamas from trying to find me a dream man. When they corner me at a wedding I'm working, I'm too busy to fight their meddling ways. I agree to one match so they'll back off. One date and I'll put the matchmaking nonsense behind me for good.
Then I meet Bryson. As if he stepped out of a movie, he sweeps me off my feet. He's gorgeous, sweet, romantic--and so very sexy. Despite my reservations, I agree to a second date and start to wonder if maybe I could have more with the right guy.
Until he shows up to a wedding consult the next day.
With his bride.
I'm horrified to be taken in so easily. How could I have doubted, for even a second, that love wasn't for me? I was the guy who got jilted at the altar. I didn't get fairytale endings.
Only... now I'm getting texts and calls telling me that Bryson has a twin.
An identical twin.
But if Bryson's not the groom, is he really the amazing guy he seemed to be when we met? For better or worse, it seems I'm about to find out.
If I'm going to risk my heart again, this man has some serious sweet-talking to do.
Cat gives this book 4 meows with a 3 purr heat index...
This is another fun, flirty romance that makes you feel good and smile.
The characters are fun and though you don't have to read in order you will get a better experience knowing Silas' friends' stories.
Silas is a wedding planner that doesn't do relationships, and in this book, we find out why he's so jaded on marriage.
He takes a match from Iola just to get her off his back, but these ladies must have magic with how good they match people.
Bryson likes Silas from the beginning and has his job cut out to sweet talk Silas into more than one date.
The story is sweet, spicy, fun with some laughs and cute cats.
I highly recommend this.
DJ Jamison writes romances about everyday life and extraordinary love featuring a variety of queer characters, from gay to bisexual to asexual. DJ grew up in the Midwest in a working-class family, and those influences can be found in her writing through characters coping with real-life problems: money troubles, workplace drama, family conflicts and, of course, falling in love. DJ spent more than a decade in the newspaper industry before chasing her first dream to write fiction. She spent a lifetime reading before that and continues to avidly devour her fellow authors’ books each night. She lives in Kansas with her husband, two sons, one snake, and a sadistic cat named Birdie.
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Rule #2 of Revenge Club: Don’t fall for your target’s brother. LEO I'm Leo Brennan. Tech consultant. Negotiator of billion-dollar deals. Master of the corporate death stare.
And I’m currently wearing a sparkly pink unicorn onesie with a light-up horn while screaming “I believe in magic!” at a roomful of sugar-crazed six-year-olds.
How did I get here? I tried to get revenge on my nemesis with a syrup-related “accident” at a restaurant. Except, I hit his lookalike brother instead. On his birthday. And broke his ankle.
Now I'm making amends by playing nursemaid to him and helping him out with his jobs, which include dog walking and becoming Sparkle McHornface, the sidekick to a children's entertainer called Captain Giggles.
The worst part? I'm starting to actually like the guy. And he has no idea the real reason why he’s on crutches.
ARCHIE Oh, I definitely know.
The handsome stranger who “accidentally” baptized me in maple syrup thinks he's so subtle. But I've figured out his connection to my estranged brother, and I also know something else.
Guilt is a powerful motivator.
And watching this grumpy tech millionaire wrestle with drooling dogs and declare himself a “pretty, pretty unicorn” to a room full of six-year-olds? That's entertainment I can't pass up.
But somewhere between his disastrous balloon animals and surprisingly tender moments, something else is going on. I'm falling for the real Leo behind the corporate armor.
Which is dangerous because I’m currently hiding my own secrets.
And the last thing I need is someone unraveling them.
The Revenge Mishap is what happens when revenge goes sideways, grumpy meets sunshine, and two men discover that sometimes the messiest mistakes lead to the sweetest love.
It is a book 2 in a series but stands alone fine. However, you'd understand some of the characters more if you've read the others and meet Leo in the last book.
I was so excited to get Leo's story and wasn't disappointed.
I loved all the characters and the storyline.
You get a secret identities romance but also fake boyfriend romance thrown in.
I absolutely laughed so much at the things Archie put Leo through.
If you're looking for a fun Romcom with a little spice and all the feels you've got to read this.
Jax's stories are all about light-hearted conversations and deeply-felt connections. She loves exploring exactly why two characters are the only ones who’ll make the other truly happy, and the journey they take to reach their happily-ever-after.
Jax lives in New Zealand and is a rabid sports fan, a hiking enthusiast and has a slightly unhealthy addiction to nature documentaries. As an extrovert who spends way too much time in her own head, she loves to connect with readers. Join her Facebook group Jax's Crew (www.facebook.com/groups/jaxcaldercrew) for bonus stories plus exclusive excerpts from her upcoming books.
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When you’re facing The End, it’s time to rewind to the beginning.
Blurb
At thirty-eight years old, Sandro Zanetti is quickly aging out of hockey. But the Trailblazers are chasing a history-making third consecutive championship this season, so until his knees fail him, he plans on giving his all to the sport.
What he doesn’t need is the documentary film crew following the team’s every move. Because the director? Is Bennett Jackson.
Former college sweetheart. Breaker of hearts. Still unbearably handsome.
But their relationship is also history and has been for fifteen years.
Bennett Jackson is one project away from the credits rolling on his career after his last film flopped. This behind-the-scenes look at the hottest team in the league is his last chance at redemption…and possibly his last chance at redeeming himself with the one man who’s always held his heart.
Neither of them planned for old jokes to resurface or on the inconvenient fact that their chemistry is very much alive.
But as the action heats up on and off the ice—and on and off camera—their reunion looks less like a rerun of heartbreak and more like a revival of that first chemistry.
And Sandro and Bennett may discover that some stories deserve a sequel.
Cat gives this book 4 meows with a 3 purr heat index...
This is Vermont Trailblazers book 2
It does standalone ok but if read in order you understand the characters better.
Sandro is approaching forty and only has a few playing years left. His team wants him to mentor one of the rookies and he's found out his ex is doing the documentary series about his team.
Bennett has a secret reason he chose the Trailblazers to do his Documentary. He wants to set things right with his ex... the one he let get away. The one he still cares about.
This is a very interesting sports romance. There is lots of emotion, some spice and some humor. Bonus is you get not only the Hockey, but a good romance and seeing behind the scenes and emotions as well. You have Sandro and Bennett's second chance romance plus a found family type story featuring the comradery between the players and Sandro and Eli's mentor relationship.
I absolutely lived Sandro. And there is a unique object that becomes almost like a character of its own... Who exactly is Mr. Wiggles?
I highly recommend this story if you like documentaries, hockey romance, small town romance, second chances and found family.
Excerpt
“Got an umbrella?” Sandro asked.
“No. And if I did, I wouldn’t give it to you. What if I need it?”
“Asshole,” Sandro replied, laughing. “Give me your jacket at least. Yours has a hood.”
Bennett stared at him for a long moment. “No.”
“Man. Chivalry is dead, I tell you.”
“Here. I’ll get a little closer to your front door.” He eased the car forward a few inches, then put it in park. He jerked a thumb at his own chest. “Chivalrous.”
Sandro snorted a laugh and took off his jacket, ready to use it as a stand-in umbrella. “See ya. Thanks for the lift home, even if you won’t walk a boy to his door.”
There was more he wanted to say, but he couldn’t figure out where to start.
Go back to LA?
Never leave again?
Why are you really here?
But he needed time to get his thoughts in order, so he splashed out into the downpour.
To his surprise, Bennett met him on the sidewalk and, using his own jacket, held it over the both of them as they jogged up to the covered porch.
“You didn’t . . .” The words got stuck in Sandro’s throat as Bennett shook the rain off his jacket. Strands of blond hair had escaped his bun and hung loose around his face, beginning to go frizzy from the moisture in the air. Sandro curled his hands into fists in the material of his jacket, hanging wetly in front of him, to stop himself from reaching out and tucking one behind Bennett’s ear. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Tell me again how chivalry is dead?”
A laugh escaped him again, and his gaze snagged on Bennett’s.
There’d been times those eyes had squinted in annoyance or flashed with anger or heated in desire. Right now, as Bennett slowly lost his smile, they were none of those things.
Just vulnerable in their desperation.
Sandro’s chest squeezed tight, and with a sudden clarity, he knew he didn’t want to hear whatever Bennett wanted to tell him.
“Sandy—”
“Don’t. I don’t want to hear it.”
“San—”
“No.” Heart pounding, Sandro took a step back. “It’s ancient history. It doesn’t matter anymore. We need to move forward, not back.”
That vulnerable desperation turned to naked hope that broke something in Sandro.
Bennett swallowed audibly and said, “As friends?”
Obviously not, Sandro meant to say. There’s too much history between us. But what came out was, “Maybe.”
“Maybe,” Bennett repeated with a nod. “I can live with maybe.” He shrugged his jacket back on and looked out across the yard to his car at the curb. “Got an umbrella?”
Amusement crawled up the back of Sandro’s throat. “Fuck no.”
He went inside and closed the door on Bennett’s booming laugh.
About the Author
Amy’s lived with her head in the clouds since she first picked up a book as a child, and being fluent in two languages means she’s read a lot of books! She first picked up a pen on a rainy day in fourth grade when her class had to stay inside for recess. Tales of treasure hunts with her classmates eventually morphed into love stories between men, and she’s been writing ever since. She writes evenings and weekends—or whenever she isn’t at her full-time day job saving the planet at Canada’s largest environmental non-profit.
An unapologetic introvert, Amy reads too much and socializes too little, with no regrets. She loves connecting with readers. Join her Facebook Group to stay up-to-date on upcoming releases and for access to early teasers, find her on Instagram, or sign up for her infrequent newsletter.
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The PROMISE OF TOGETHER is the third and final book in the Fisher and Church series.
I never dreamed I’d get a second chance at love. I scarcely believed in it the first time. Then Mads appeared from nowhere during one of the hardest times of my life, and everything I thought I knew about myself, about what I deserved, about who I wanted to become, was turned upside down.
Falling for Mads was the easy part. Learning to trust him took longer. Having faith in myself is a battle I’m still fighting, but finding the courage to confront and make peace with my past is the only way forward.
Mads sees me. The real me. Even the parts I’ve spent a lifetime pretending didn’t matter. The broken pieces of my childhood are coming back to haunt me. Another mystery. More personal this time, but no less deadly.
They say it’s never too late to change and I’m determined to try. I want a future with Mads at my side, and not getting myself killed beforehand would be an excellent start.
Author Note and Trigger Warnings: This book contains a prologue, flashbacks, and on-page discussion around domestic violence and stalking behaviour.
Cat gives this book 5 Meows with a 3 purr heat index...
This is a beautifully written Finale in this bittersweet romantic suspense. You do need to read all books in order to fully understand as this follows one couple as they meet, build and grow a relationship.
I absolutely love this book and don't say it much since how do you actually pick favorites or rate books in order of favorites when you're constantly reading... but it's safe to say this series is way, way up there on that list. I rarely reread books but occasionally listen to tge audios of some I've read after some time... again I listen to this one as soon as it comes on audio. It's that good.
What makes it so good?
The characters are older... like in mid-fifties... both of them.
They are opposites, very opposite.
One was married and recently lost his husband the other hasn't had many real relationships.
I love the setting... it's in New Zealand.
There is an ongoing mystery through the first two books.
There is a slight mystery in this one.
Fabulous side characters.
Speaking of which...I hope Lee, Gaza and Lee's brother even Luther that we just meet here get books. I'm all in.
Audio update. I think the audio makes this even better. Furlong's narration is smooth and relaxing, but he really brings out the deep emotions with tones and nuance. I highly recommend the book and the audiobook. It's a visual for your mind.
Heart, humour and keeping it real.
Jay is a 2020 Lambda Literary Award Finalist in Gay Romance and her book Off Balance was the 2021 New Zealand Romance Book of the Year.
She is a New Zealand author writing mm romance and romantic suspense, primarily set in New Zealand. She writes character driven romances with lots of humour, a good dose of reality and a splash of angst. She's travelled extensively, lived in many countries, and in a past life she was a critical care nurse, nurse educator and counsellor. Jay is owned by a huge Maine Coon cat and a gorgeous Cocker Spaniel
Find Jay in all the places:
https://www.jayhoganauthor.com/landingpage.
Follow TTC Books and more in Instagram, Facebook and X... and check out the Giveaways tab at the top of the page for any open and current giveaways to enter. (Note: TTC Books and more is a participant in the Amazon Associates program, a paid for click on links on this blog, in this post program)
Sometimes you have to lose everything to find the one thing that matters most. 
Heart, humour and keeping it real.
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