Monthly Round-Up: July 2021

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Read the thing (7):

Maybe read the thing (1):

Added to TBR List:

The Bookmobile Baby (Nerds Who Knot #2) – Amy Bellows

Contemporary – Omegaverse – Self-published – First Person POV – Age Gap – 18+ – Explicit – BDSM – Kink – Knotting – Mpreg

Read the thing. I loved this. There was so much here and I loved every second of it. Simon is an omega who is content with his lot in life, but not happy. He’s a workaholic, though he does genuinely enjoy providing books to underprivileged communities in the county bookmobile (even if those communities aren’t officially on his route). What he really wants, though, is an alpha and child. But Simon suffers with infertility, which for him results in no alphas wanting him for more than a quick fuck, leaving his arms and heart empty. Art is an older alpha who’s already loved and lost, and he isn’t expecting to fall for Simon, but he does anyway. They fall pretty quickly, but the connection they form is intense and true and it was all beautiful. Their relationship isn’t without bumps, though. Simon discovers that there’s a sudden, small chance that he might finally be able to conceive, but maybe the timing is all wrong? Or maybe it’s exactly right. Art and Simon were adorable, and I was 100% rooting for them, even if they did only really know each other for two weeks before they decided to make a baby together. Simon has been so used to shitty alphas thus far, and he really flourishes under Art’s care because Art is a genuinely good guy. I just loved them both. And you don’t often read infertility stories in omegaverse (or, at least, I haven’t), so that’s another interesting twist here. I think it was done well and I really felt for Simon with everything he was going through, and I loved that he eventually got his happy ending. I liked Art’s happy ending as well. He’s been mainly existing for the past five years after the death of his first mate (who was a trans omega, so there’s another interesting aspect of this particular omegaverse), and being with Simon makes him want to finally start moving on and live. It’s not one of the main focuses of the story, but I liked the little scenes of Art finally letting go and moving on. It was a nice little exploration of his grief, and what it means for both Art and Simon to find love after a loss. I was happy to see that Simon’s love of the bookmobile and his passion for children’s literacy weren’t lost within the romance or baby storylines, and that he managed to turn these passions into something concrete in the end. There is so much in this story that I absolutely love, and the writing was great. I loved the characters, I loved the themes, and I loved the story. A complete winner all around. (And for fans of this author’s Alaskan Pebble Gifters series, there aren’t any shifters or egg-laying or cute little penguin chicks, but there is still some nesting fun and instinct-fueled sexytimes and daddy kink.)

The Bookmobile Brat (Nerds Who Knot #2.5) – Amy Bellows

Contemporary – Omegaverse – Self-published – Novella – First Person POV – Raising Children – BDSM – Kink – Age Gap – Established Relationship – 18+ – Explicit – Knotting

Read the thing. This should be read only after The Bookmobile Baby or it won’t make sense. This is just a short follow-up to Simon and Art’s story. Kind of an extended epilogue. Nine months after the birth of their son, Simon and Art are still together and very much in love, and now they’re embarking on their journey of fostering. Since it’s likely that their son will be their only biological child, Simon is determined to fill his home with as many foster children as he can get away with. Their first foster is a teenage girl who presents a fairly unique challenge. While all that is going on, Simon and Art continue to evolve within their relationship and their Daddy/boy dynamic. This is all very sweet and I still love Simon and Art. Along with Isaac, who is the protagonist of the first book in the series (which I haven’t read yet), but I did enjoy him in Book 2 and was happy to see him again. Simon’s bookmobile is still up and running, providing free books to underprivileged areas, and I was glad to see that still part of his life. This is basically just a sweet, sexy extended epilogue and it was a lot of fun.

Orion’s Circle (Sirius Wolves #1) – Victoria Sue

Paranormal – Poly MMMM – Self-published – Ebook Only – Werewolves – Trigger Warnings Apply – Mates – Hurt/Comfort – POC Lead – Age Gap – 18+ – Explicit – Virgin Lead – Urban Fantasy – Military – Mpreg – Action – Thriller

Read the thing. This one was a lot more dark and action-packed than I’m used to from this author, but damn if I didn’t still like it. Though, a fair warning, this is pretty dark. Plenty of hurt/comfort resulting from that, but, yeah. Trigger warnings. Aden is an omega (though not in the traditional Omegaverse sense) living in an isolated werewolf pack led by a cruel, sadistic alpha. Aden has suffered untold amounts of horrific abuse at the hands of the alpha, and it’s on the night he’s sure he’s finally going to die that Aden meets three men who will change his life forever. Blaze, Conner, and Darric are three werewolves blessed by the goddess Sirius and destined to help unite the humans and werewolves. Together with Aden they form the Orion Circle and plan to commit themselves to saving humanity. Of course, nothing’s ever that easy. I was actually surprised at how much I enjoyed this since I’m not usually a fan of large, actiony-type storylines, especially in my romances. I liked this, though. I feel like maybe Aden, Blaze, Conner, and Darric didn’t really have enough downtime together to really explore and cement their new dynamic, because everything kept happening all the time, but that didn’t stop them from having plenty of sexytimes. Also there was a lot of hurt/comfort scenes since Aden gets put through the fucking wringer in this book, the poor bastard. So the men were all pretty fun, the worldbuilding was a bit confusing but still fairly interesting, and the main conflict is pretty bananas. The main conflict also doesn’t get wrapped up in this book, because there’s just too much going on, so it looks like the next book will pick up where this one leaves off to continue the story of not only the four main characters’ romance, but also their mission to, basically, help save the world. (Trigger warning for abuse, torture, violence, homophobia, bigotry)

Baby and the Wolf (Shifter Rescue #1) – Victoria Sue

Contemporary – Self-published – Shifters – 18+ – Explicit – Virgin Lead – Omegaverse – Mpreg – Age Gap – Trigger Warnings Apply – Mates – Knotting – Action – Suspense – Raising Children

Read the thing. I loved this. … THAT CLIFFHANGER THOUGH WAT!!!?!?! Ryker is an alpha wolf shifter who heads up the shifter arm of a rescue organization that helps people out of dangerous, detrimental, and abusive situations. Emmett is an omega panther shifter who is in need of rescue. Thing is, Emmett doesn’t know he’s a shifter, and Ryker doesn’t pick up on it either. So that reveal comes as a bit of a shock to both of them. As does Emmett’s subsequent pregnancy from their first time together on the night they met. Not something most people have to deal with at the start of a new relationship. Though, having said that, Ryker and Emmett’s romantic relationship goes fairly smoothly, for the most part. They’re sort of this universe’s version of fated mates so that’s to be expected. They’re both really sweet together, though, and any miscommunication (not that there’s a whole lot) is resolved pretty quickly. I really loved them and their dynamic. But the romance is really only a part of the story, because there is so much more going on. It was surprisingly a lot of fun. There were also plenty of side-characters and it wasn’t hard to get invested in them and their stories (hopefully they’ll be featured in future books because I need to see them get their happy endings). So Ryker helps run a rescue, and that features heavily in this story as there is always someone in need of some sort of help, plus the area where he lives also doubles as a refuge. We also get a lot of worldbuilding concerning shifter laws and customs, which plays into everything and we get to know, along with Emmett, why things work the way they do. Ryker and Emmett and their packmates help show the brighter side of the shifter world, and how loyal and loving shifters can be. But there are also some much darker aspects that appear in the book that show how necessary Ryker’s organization is. Like… there’s a lot going on here. And while Emmett and Ryker certainly get their happy ending (bonus child and all), the grander story of them and their pack isn’t over yet. So, yeah, cliffhanger, but not for the main couple. I need the next book. Like, now. (Trigger warning for mentions of abuse, child abuse, violence, human trafficking, mentions of rape)

Cowboy Seeks Husband – Leta Blake & Indra Vaughn

Contemporary – Self-published – Audiobook Available – Western – Cowboys – Age Gap – 18+ – Explicit – Hurt/Comfort

Read the thing. I’m not sure if this counts as a western if it takes place in Louisiana, but it’s got a cowboy and a ranch so I’m calling it. Walker is in need of very much money to keep his family ranch afloat. Recent hurricanes have damaged the property and the repairs weren’t cheap. For some fast(ish) cash, and a second motivation of finding Walker a lover, one of Walker’s ranch hands signs him up for the first season of a new Bachelor-type reality show featuring queer contestants. The show picks Walker to be their first bachelor and Walker accepts and tries not to regret everything too much. Although he finds that he can’t really regret the show too much once it brings Roan into his life. Roan is a grad-school drop out looking to get on the show for the cash payout so that he can afford an experimental treatment for his mother, who has cancer. Though the attraction between the two of them is pretty immediate, how much can they trust their feelings in this environment of manufactured drama and tension? This whole situation was actually pretty fun and I soon found myself having a good time reading. Probably a better time than Walker, Roan, and the other contestants were having, honestly. The behind-the-scenes environment of a show of this nature isn’t all that conducive to developing proper relationship, which provides the main element of ‘will they, won’t they’ between Walker and Roan because neither of them can be sure of the other’s feelings when they don’t know what’s real and what’s being manufactured for the cameras. Hell, they can barely trust their own feelings half the time because all the forced proximity and intimacy just makes everything so confusing. And for Roan, throw in the fact that his mother is really sick, and he particularly has a lot to be worrying about. But confusing emotions aside, Roan and Walker still do manage to build something together in between following the producers’ orders, which really pulls at the heartstrings later on in the story when tragedy strikes. I really loved this read. The writing was beautiful, the characters were fun and interesting (fuck Molly, though, seriously), and the emotions were plentiful. Also: horses. Also also: sexytimes on horseback (which somehow did not result in injury). All around a good time.

Stepbrother in Heat (Meadow Street Brothers) – Anna Wineheart

Contemporary – Self-published – Novella – Ebook Only – Omegaverse – Trigger Warnings Apply – 18+ – Explicit – Knotting – Mpreg

Read the thing. For those who are worried, I don’t think Corey and Atlas ever really saw themselves as actual siblings, and I really don’t think they ever bonded as such. For those who are into that kinda thing, though, they do bring it up a lot and are properly anguished about it (Corey more so than Atlas). Anyway. I went into this thinking that it was just going to be a sexy little preview into a new series by this author, and it is that, but only in the latter half because first you have to be punched in the face by The Feels. Corey and Atlas have been separated for seven years at this point, and Corey is now only seeking Atlas out because their stepfather (it’s a bit confusing, but what I think happened is that Corey’s parent married Atlas’ parent, and then one of them either died or left, and then the remaining parent remarried this new dude, who was an asshole) needs his help. Corey, still in love with his stepbrother even after all this time and desperately wanting not to be, hopes that this encounter will be a short one so that he won’t have to spend too much time around his forbidden crush. That’s not what happens, of course. It turns out that seven years apart wasn’t enough to dull the feelings on either side, and with Corey’s heat coming on and Atlas still trying his best to take care of Corey, it’s too much for both of them and they give in to what they’ve always wanted. This is actually quite sweet and emotional, and reads less like a sexy taboo romp and more like the huge sigh of relief of two people in love who should’ve been together all along (plus wet and messy against the wall baby-making sex). Definitely would recommend. (Trigger warning for mentions of past child abuse)

My Husband’s Boyfriend – J.S. Gray

Contemporary – Self-published – Established Relationship – Raising Children – 18+ – England – Explicit – Threesome – Angst

Maybe read the thing. I really wanted to like this more than I did. The characters were likeable, the conflict was compelling, and the writing was good (barring a few typos and weird perspectives). But the whole thing was very wrapped up in sex and I just couldn’t get into it as much as I’d wanted to. Kieran and Rich have been married for almost 13 years and have a four-year-old son together. They are very much in love, but the spark seems to have gone out of their marriage. Rich seems to want sex more often than Kieran, seems to be the issue, and they’re both a bit unsure about how to fix it. And it needs to be fixed because the whole situation is making them varying levels of miserable. The solution they eventually come to is to try for a threesome, hoping that that will reignite the spark between them and get their sex lives back on track. This is where Gus comes in. Gus is a friend of a friend that both men have met briefly and deemed attractive enough for them. Their first night with Gus is amazing, and Rich especially is delighted with this turn of events. But it soon becomes clear that inviting Gus into their bedroom might have caused more problems than it solved. This book is actually a pretty decent look into a relationship that is going through a rough patch, and how everyone manages to come out okay on the other side, but I still had to force myself to finish it. And I’m pretty sure it’s a totally personal problem with me. The root of the problem was sex, about how one partner wants it more than the other, and it made me a bit uncomfortable due to my own personal relationship with sex and sexual attraction. All that to say someone else would probably enjoy this more. I wish the story could’ve been focused more on the emotional side of things, but that wasn’t the issue in the relationship, the sex and miscommunication was (and the sex scenes themselves read a bit mechanically, which didn’t help). I’m sure this would make a good read for somebody, just not for me.

Real (Lost Red Wolves #2) – Amy Bellows

Contemporary – Fantasy – Self-published – Ebook Only – Shifters – Omegaverse – First Person POV – Angst – Trigger Warnings Apply – 18+ – Explicit – Hurt/Comfort – Knotting – Mpreg – Instalove – Age Gap

Read the thing. This is totally instalove but oh my fuck I don’t even care it’s just so compelling! Seriously, Buddy and H just broke my heart and put it back together I’m cry. There was so much in this and I loved it all. This is a sequel to Expensive, though it stands alone, which means that it takes place in the same universe as the Alaskan Pebble Gifters books, so fans of that will be in for a treat. Still loving that worldbuilding. And in this book we finally meet the often-mentioned Illusors, which was pretty fun. But the real stars of this show were Buddy and H. Buddy is a sex doll brought to life by a warlock on the request of a rich alpha. Unfortunately, that particular alpha is a terrible human being and Buddy was horribly mistreated in his… “care”. With help from his only friend, Buddy escapes the alpha’s house and is put into the orbit of H, a red wolf shifter who was rescued from a human trafficking outfit years before and who now works to help rescue other red wolf shifter human trafficking victims. Neither of them expects to fall in love, both thinking that they aren’t really worthy or capable of it, but it happens. Not that their path to happily ever after is a smooth one. After all, Buddy is a literal doll, so legally he’s not sure that he can be considered an actual person though he has thoughts and feelings and is clearly sentient. H, after going through what he went through in the breeding pits, plus his low self-esteem because of his weight, doesn’t really consider himself a proper alpha. And because he’s unable to form a proper mating bond, he isn’t convinced that he can be what Buddy truly needs and wants. Though all Buddy really wants is a warm, loving relationship after being alone and neglected for so long. Buddy and H are both absolute sweethearts, and they deserve all the good things. Even after obstacles keep being thrown in their path, they’ll both work as hard as they can to make sure the other gets the happiness they want. This book seriously had so much. Buddy and H as characters were so precious and tragic in equal turns, having both been through horrible abuse but still turning out soft on the other side of it. They both had so much love to give and, even though they only knew each other a short time, it was clear that they developed a deep connection. It was brilliant and well-written and well-paced and totally convincing. And the body praise and validation and just the cuddling, just top-notch. And the themes of what constitutes humanity and personhood was an interesting dilemma, along with the question of what standards should things be measured by. Also Buddy’s relationship with Candlewick was so good, and Candlewick was an unexpected delight of a character and I am so looking forward to his story. Also the Illusors, I was so happy to finally be seeing them in action, and I wasn’t disappointed with them (the worldbuilding in this book was amazing, as always). I just loved this. Totally would recommend. (Trigger warning for mentions of abuse, mentions of human trafficking)

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