Cristina T.

I know this pic has been used for Griff before. Sorry, I'm not sorry. It's perfect!

Here's the thing... It took me a month to listen to this audiobook. Granted, I only listened while walking to work, and that wasn't every morning. But it also took me that long because I didn't want it to end. I still can't seem to let Griffin and Dante go even now, a few days after finishing the book.

There are countless reviews for this wonderful book, so for once, I'm going to take the easy way out and just tell you what I personally loved abut it...

#1: Griffin Muir aka Griff aka Monster. This guy is sexy, a little neurotic, and very protective of his family. What's not to love?

#2: Dante Anastagio. Duh! Italian? Check. Hot? Double-check. Possessive? You can bet on it! This man was something else, especially when he was all tender with Griff.

#3: The Anastagios. The way these people took Griff under their wing and their whole outlook on family and love was fantastic.

#4: Alek and Tommy. They were like lonely, lost souls with so much to offer. Hope they end up together.

#5: Damon Suede's writing.

* * * * *

Narrator: Charlie David aka the BEST narrator EVER

I am smitten with Charlie David because of his narration of this book! His voice is liquid honey, his narrating skills amazing, and he gave life to Griff and Dante. Also, the sex scenes were incredible–and by that I mean some of the wildest and most sexy scenes I've ever read–on their own, but him reading them made them even hotter!!! Griff and Dante's first kiss and that Hot Head BJ scene were just... Wow!!!

BR with Kayl – Sunday, July 26 :)

Have you ever read a book which had such powerful and vivid writing, that you found yourself shivering and getting goose bumps every time the MCs touched their fingertips? Because I have. From the moment I opened Dark Space and started reading, I was a helpless puppet, and Lisa Henry was the master puppeteer, enveloping me in beautiful words and feelings.

For a couple of days, I lived inside a space station. I had to share a small room with two amazing young men, and it felt claustrophobic and astonishing all at once. I got to watch them literally function as one being, one heartbeat, shared thoughts, feelings and memories. One of them unable to live on his own, and the other being his battery. Together, they were complete, and they reveled in the freedom their connection gave them.

Cam lifted his free hand. He ran his fingertips along my jaw. The intensity of his gaze shocked me.
"You're my heartbeat, Brady."

Cameron Rushton has been held captive by the Faceless for four agonizing years. No one expected him to come back, but he did. He was sent back on a pod, and when the space station doctors got him out, Brady became his battery, his lifeline. Everyone thinks Cam is a traitor, and even Brady has trouble trusting him, despite being able to read his mind, because Cam is hiding something.

Brady Garrett was recruited by the space military at sixteen, merely a kid, and he was supposed to serve for ten years. Having three years behind him, Brady knows there's no way out, but in a body bag. He has a sick father at home, and a little sister he misses terribly. Considering his circumstances and what he's been through, it's no wonder that Brady has become angry and resentful.

These two together... I have no words to properly describe how incredible they are, how well they fit together, and how much I adored them and their beautiful story. My heart broke for them, I found myself wanting to scream at times, and I was smiling or laughing like an idiot throughout a lot of scenes. And then there also was the heat level, of course. Their connection made for some steamy scenes.

But I didn't love every aspect of this book...
Trigger warning: The rape scenes for both Cam and Brady really did a number on me, as rape is my hardest limit. They were pretty graphic at times, especially Brady almost getting raped by Kai-Ren at the end. That one just made me physically sick to my stomach. On top of that, there's also a violent scene where Brady gets beaten up really bad at the end.
Besides, I hated Kai-Ren and the Faceless with their insect-like pods and ship, and obviously Wade, Branski & Co. were the worst possible people ever!

I have to say I was disappointed by Cam and Brady losing their connection at the end. But that's more of a personal complaint and wish, rather than a criticism for the story's progression. I just hope it will somehow be fixed in the sequel, and that we get more answers to the other questions left unanswered.

All in all, I loved this book to pieces, and I will never forget the guys who could make each other ignite from a simple brush of their fingers. Amazing!!!

His hand caught mine: electricity, dizziness, and expectation.
"Close your eyes, Brady," Cam said [...]

"You're like starlight," Cam whispered, and his teeth scraped up my jaw. I shivered. "I could lose myself in you."

I'm not a kid person at all, so the reason I even gave this book a chance was because, truth be told, I wasn't ready to let Cole and Jon go after having read Strawberries for Dessert. I needn't have worried. I loved this.

"There is no hope unmingled with fear, and no fear unmingled with hope." ~Baruch Spinoza

Part One – This was painful to read, because Cole is depressed and not quite being himself. His wish for a child and the adoption process is wearing him down.

I have so much to give, Jared. Not only money or things, but love. I have so much love in my heart, and not enough people to share it with.

The way Jon handles him and the patience he has is amazing, though. Then there was the whole debacle of having Cole's bitch of a mom over. Fail of epic proportions.

Part Two – This was... erm... uncomfortable to read. It's written from George's–Jon's father–POV, and he gets it on with Cole's mother, Grace. So, ew.

Part Three – This one's heavy on the hope and fear theme. Lovely, really. Especially the 69, if you know what I mean... ;-) And that heart-warming moment when George tells Cole he's going to be an incredible father...

"You'll be fine, son. Don't you worry. You don't need to redo the nursery. You don't need another goddamn toy. And you don't need the wipe-warmer. You have everything you need right here."

I couldn't have cared less about Grace reconciling with her son after being such a bitch, but at least she apologized, I guess. And the whole baby delivery scene at the end made me gag. But then Cole's happiness made it worth it.

The way he gazed at her took my breath away.

And last, but not least, this book made me crave bread pudding. *drool*

This was my first Marie Sexton book and also the first book I've read in the Coda Books series. It was as delicious as fresh strawberries with chocolate.



Cole is a young man who treasures his freedom. His wealth gives him the possibility to travel all over the world, from New York to Hawaii and everything in-between. The places which are closest to his heart are Phoenix and Paris. Everywhere Cole goes, he has friends with benefits, but a real relationship is of no interest to him.

Jon is a workaholic whose life revolves around his job, and who focuses on climbing the corporate ladder until there's no going up anymore. He travels a lot because of his work, but his home is in Phoenix. Jon doesn't have the time for a personal life.

Their mutual friend, Jared, sets them up on a blind date, which ends up being an utter disaster. Cole is flamboyant and Jon thinks that's not his type of man. All throughout dinner, Jon acts like a jerk and keeps answering his phone. But Cole gives Jon his number before he leaves anyway.

They make an arrangement. Their deal is to hook up when they're both in Phoenix, with no strings attached. No relationship bullshit, just sex. Cole tells Jon about his other arrangements, but neither one of them wants more. Until they do.

I pulled him tight against me and kissed him. I had kissed him many times, but never like this. Never with my heart in my throat and my hands shaking. Never with the need that I felt now. I wanted to taste every part of him. I wanted somehow to touch him the way he had touched me.

I thought Jon was very annoying at first, because he was uptight, self-absorbed, and he kept messing things up with Cole. But then I felt for him as he tried to break down Cole's walls one at a time. As for Cole, I loved him right from the start. He might be high-maintenance, he might even be arrogant at times, but he's so much more than that. What I loved most about him was his sarcasm, his constant use of pet names–especially love–and his passion for cooking.

The story is written in Jon's POV mainly, but there are e-mails from Cole to Jared at the beginning of every chapter. I really liked those, as they gave a little more insight to Cole and his way of thinking. Some of those lines also made my heart ache for him.

I understand addiction now. I never did before, you know. How could a man (or a woman) do something so self-destructive, knowing that they're hurting not only themselves, but the people they love?
[...]
Tomorrow I will quit lying to myself, and to him.
Tomorrow.
What about today, you ask? Today it's already too late. He'll be home soon, and I have dinner on the stove, and wine chilling in the fridge. And he will smile at me when he comes through the door, and I will pretend like this fragile, dangerous thing we have created between us can last forever.
Just one last time, Sweets. Just one last fix. That's all I need.

But in the end... In the end everything worked out beautifully, and they got their HEA.

"I haven't missed you at all," I managed to say in a hoarse whisper.
"I haven't missed you either," he said quietly. "Certainly not every single minute of every single day."
His arms were tight around me and mine around him. His skin was soft and warm, and his hair smelled like strawberries like it always did. And everything about it felt right.

Plan B is about two guys in college, who have dreams with no common ground. They're as different as night and day, actually.

Danny is flamboyant, loves Broadway, make-up, fashion and dancing. He doesn't make excuses for who he is, and more importantly, he doesn't change for anyone. Whether he wears a shirt and jeans or styles his hair, wears eyeshadow and puts on a trendy outfit, Danny undoubtedly shines. Needless to say, I adored him and his smart-ass mouth!

Lance is a jock who's supposedly straight. I found myself wanting to smack him for the way he behaved many times, so it took me a while to warm up to him. But eventually, I felt for him and wanted to see him shed his fear and come to terms with his sexuality.

They meet at a party, and the attraction is instant and mutual, so they become JOBs (jerk-off buddies). Danny is thrilled with the prospect of being a straight guy's first, and their encounters build up slowly, because Danny doesn't want to freak Lance out. They're having a lot of fun behind closed doors, but they both know–especially Danny–that their relationship can't change.

Warning: slight spoiler → There's a time jump of three years. It was a bit unexpected, albeit understandable... Things end between the MCs, they each follow their dreams and they meet at Bo's wedding three years later. I thought it was a good outcome for them, or else they probably would have ended up killing each other. Okay, I'm being dramatic. Haha. You know what I mean.

Having dreams, desires and plans is what life is all about. When it comes to love and relationships, we have to make decisions, which may affect the course of our lives. I, for one, think that it's unfair to give up one's dreams for another person. The person in question could mean the world to us at a certain time in our lives, but when you give up your life-plan for someone, regrets can appear, as well as blame and guilt. Sometimes the timing is just not right and you have to follow your own path while leaving someone behind. Like all decisions, this one could be wrong or right. Life is not always simple. It's not black-and-white. And people change. What matters is that each one of us can ultimately live with ourselves and bear the consequences of our life choices.

But then again...

Sometimes Plan B is the real dream come true.

College roommates, double GFY, friends to lovers. All wrapped up with a beautiful cover and a perfect title. What more could you wish for?

It all starts when Jez and Mac find themselves making a pact to stay in instead of going out to have drinks every night. They both have their reasons. One thing leads to another, and they find themselves watching porn together. And wanking off, while watching each other rather than whatever video is playing at the time.

They're just two straight mates blowing off some steam, right? Right. Except Jez might be bisexual, and Mac's eyes wander quite a lot. Slowly, their jerk off sessions start being more hands-on, and they awkwardly start to experiment and explore their sexualities.



Jez and Mac keep their relationship a secret from their other roommates and their friends. Jez is more easy-going than Mac in that regard, and Mac is confused and uncomfortable with his feelings. But in the end, they both decide to say 'fuck it' and go after what they really want. Something more.

Instead he asked, "What do you want, Mac?"
"You." Mac let out the word in a long sigh.

Jez shrugged. "Let them think what they like. Gay, bi, gay for each other, I don't care. Fuck labels. I'm into you and you're into me, and that's what matters."

Something else I really liked was what Josh said about labels...

"Labels can be restrictive. Sometimes you need to stop thinking about gender and sexuality and focus on the person. If you care about them, if you feel good when you're with them, if you're hot for them... then what does any of the rest of it matter?"

That being said, I really wish Josh had his story, because I liked the guy quite a lot, and he intrigued me... *makes puppy dog eyes at Jay Northcote*

I cannot recommend this enough!

His Roommate's Pleasure is PWP with feelings. Delightful!!!

On the surface, Adam and Josh have nothing in common. They're roommates at college, and they've hardly exchanged a few words. Josh is a jock, and Adam is the kind of guy who keeps to himself and works at a bookstore.

One day, Adam needs to send in a paper, for which he uses Josh's computer, because his is broken. He accidentally clicks on something and stumbles and falls right into Josh's porn folder, which turns out to be gay porn. And BDSM at that.

Josh walks in on him. Needless to say, Adam is all flustered and embarrassed, and he flees. But then they get to talking, and they discover their mutual interest in the D/s dynamics of BDSM sex.

Neither one of the MCs has had much of any sexual experience, so they begin to experiment and reenact the photos on Josh's computer. Adam submits and Josh enters Dom territory.

Well, at first, their relationship is all about giving each other what they've been craving, but soon enough, things shift, and feelings get involved.

Josh bit his lip, and held his hand out. "You think if I kiss you, it's going to ruing things?"

I loved their kinkiness, the tenderness and sweetness, as well as the dirty talk and obviously the sex. Oh, did I mention there was biting? Yep. Biting is my favorite. Seriously freaking awesome!

I was a little bit disappointed by Knickers in a Twist, to be quite honest... It was okay, but I expected more.

What I loved: the MANTIES! Duh. Red hipster panties. Lace boxer briefs. Pink bikini briefs. And...



Yes. That's right. A leather jockstrap!

What I didn't like: There was too much crammed into a few pages and a lot of things left unresolved. Also, the sex scenes were over way too soon. I actually had to go back and read the last sentence of every scene, to confirm to myself that yeah, it was over. And the story could have benefited from a few more pages, because the ending was really abrupt.

Bummer. But still, yay for all the panties!!!

First things first... That cover. OHMYGOOOD!!! Utter perfection! Now, as for the book... It was amazing!

While the previous four books of the series were filled with porny goodness–which I loved, of course–to me they felt like the calm before the storm. Well, Bringing It Home definitely delivered the storm, since it is all about the feelings. It's about Tad's insecurities, and about Scott being tired of waiting.

Needless to say, the first half of the book frustrated me endlessly. But then... Then Tad came to his senses. And the second part of the book consisted of hot make-up sex and a lot of emotions, tenderness, and possessiveness. So, so good!!!

"Mine," he breathed, thumb stroking Tad's pulse. "Finally, you're fucking mine."

Is it September yet?! 'Cause I need my next Tad & Scott fix ASAP! Oh, and I really, really wish Max & Sean and Breck & Kai got their story, too. Pretty please, Kora? Whatever I can offer you as bribery, consider it done! ;-)

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

This installment was all kinds of awesome!!!



Phone sex. Kickboxing. Wrestling. Jockstraps.

Scott as a prize. Tad topping and taking charge.

Tad coming to accept his attraction for Scott.

Just the thought of being Scott's first in ages anything made his whole being thrum. But it also made those fluttery things burn heavily in his gut. A strange feeling of possessiveness rose up in his chest. Scratch that. He didn't want to be Scott's anything. He wanted to be his everything. Didn't even want the guy to think about anyone else.

The long-awaited kiss, better than I could've imagined.

Wet, firm heat slid inside his mouth and started to sensually roam. Tad clutched Scott's sides tighter. Oh God, he tasted so fucking sweet. In the way that only a man could. Scott groaned softly, gliding his tongue over top of Tad's, then below with a slow easy sweep. Tad's whole body thrummed, each tender brush, each languid stroke methodically unraveling his soul.

And Kora's fantastic writing skills.

Because those tongues of ecstasy lapping at his balls, and licking up his spine? Yeah, those feisty bastards were in his thighs, too, making it a bitch to function.

What's not to like?! I might have even highlighted half the book.

"The most important thing is to be able to sacrifice what you are for what you will become." –Jordan Burroughs

Highly recommended!

Let's see what we have here...

Kinkiness galore? ✔
Voyeurism? ✔
Insane sexual tension? ✔
Tenderness? ✔
GREAT writing? ✔ ✔ ✔

Scott & Tad have amazing chemistry, and I swear the sexual tension was palpable in that goddamn room! They're trying to take their relationship past the physical. Well, Scott is trying, Tad is still coming to terms with everything and refusing to cooperate... much. Because his body, and I dare say his heart, have a whole other agenda than his mind.

The touching was hot and tender, the whispering shudder-inducing, and there's also an ounce of possessiveness flaring up. As for the sex? Well, it's just as scorching as ever. Duh! Kora Knight sure knows how to write! Here's what I mean...

He shoved his index into Tad's mouth. "But no more small talk." His finger salaciously stroked Tad's tongue. "Suck me while I'm fucking you. Pretend it's my dick. Wanna feel how you'd try to make me come."

And then there's...

Again, his hand curled around Tad's throat. But just like before, it wasn't one of those dark-kinky, asphyxiating kind of grips. Instead it felt more like a gesture of claim.

There's a lot more where that came from. You just read the book and find out for yourself. ;-)

One more thing. I so wanted to slap Max for interrupting their almost-kiss!!! Jesus fucking Christ!!!

I. Want. Need. More. And when I say more, what I mean is...

Wow. This was even better than the first installment of the series, and I devoured it like someone was about to take it away from me at any second.

What's more, I feel like Kora Knight specifically sought out all of my kinks, and added them to these novellas. There was ass play again–hello vibrating butt plug!–holding off an orgasm, butt sex, dirty talk, and the list goes on. The cherry on top of this delicious cake, though, was the fucking massage which led up to all of that. And Adam Levine's voice in the background. Oh. My. God. Heavenly!



I adore Scott and his playfulness, his habit of calling Tad 'babe' and 'shy boy', his magic hands and self-control, his hot fucking body and dashing smile. Just UNF!!!

As for Tad, who's discovering how a sexual experience can make him lose his sanity, at the hands of a man, nonetheless... Well, I really like him, and how responsive he is when he lets go and loses himself to pleasure.

Teeny tiny complaint, though... Well, more of a personal wish, rather than a complaint... The snuggling was really sweet, but it would have been nice if there was snogging, too. Yaknowwhatimean?! Next book, maybe hopefully??? *fingers crossed*

I can easily see myself getting addicted to this series. Ah, who am I kidding? I already am, and I can't get enough!!! Phew.

Not sure if GR will have a problem with this GIF, so spoiler tags it is...

Can someone please tell me why it took me an eternity to read this book?! Yeah, I have no idea, but it was a big mistake. One I am glad to have corrected...

Loser Takes All is basically one long BDSM sex scene. And, wonder of all wonders, it is exactly my kind of BDSM!!! The hardcore stuff I don't like, and by hardcore I mean humiliation and degradation. But I loved this! Edging is the best, combined with power play. Man, oh man... The flogging, blindfold, bondage, orgasm denial, anal stimulation, and biting (!!!)–it all made for a mind-blowing sexual encounter. And the detail in which the reactions and sensations were described–Holy Fuck! Moreover, there was also tenderness and intimacy...

"Oh, but just so you know: I love the bite of my name on your tongue. How you belt it like a curse." Tad could sense him grinning. Wickedly. "Gimme lots of that and I'll make you come fast."

Final verdict? HOT, HOT, HOT!!!

Okay, so this one was over before it began. It was sexy, and I enjoyed the sexual tension, but I wanted more. One more chapter would have satisfied me. More dildo play would have been nice, and more importantly, Rob getting fucked it return.

But hey, British guys in college getting it on? Hell yeah!

Pardon my French, but Holy Mother of Fuck!!!

Cheeky Hipsters & Jocks is about a PR guy with a secret, who wears a man-bun, and a hot school principal with secret desires. They play hockey together.

And it's about MANTIES! There's a drawer containing piles of brightly colored panties, including hot pink ones, lacy hipsters, there's royal blue Brazilian cut lace, a fantastic pair of orange bikinis with green ribbons (!), and best of all, that fucking thong... Oh Lord, have mercy!



5 stars! Because of obvious reasons.

It has now been a little over three weeks since I finished Who We Are, and I still don't know how to express what this book means to me. I've been sitting in front of my laptop for about an hour. Typing. Deleting. Typing. Deleting. Because nothing I have to say about this mesmerizing book feels right. My words feel worthless and empty. Not enough.

I could tell you how much Bear has grown, how he is the strong one, how he's still struggling with expressing himself, and how he's very funny when he gets verbal diarrhea and ends up sharing unnecessary details about Otter and him at the family dinner.

I could emphasize how utterly smitten I am with Otter, how perfect this man is, how he stands by Bear's side through thick and thin, and how T.J. Klune broke me because he made Otter go through hell.

I could start blabbering about the Kid, about his intelligence and epic poems filled with subtlety, about his amazing ability to be more than just a little guy and keep his brother sane.

I could even talk about the secondary characters, who all complete the story and bring home the meaning of family, and tell you about that time when they go to the custody hearing and loudly say the judge's eyebrows look evil.

But I won't. Because frankly, there are enough amazing reviews already, which will tell you everything you need to know.

Family is not defined by blood. It's not always who you're born to that you're stuck with. It's what you want it to be, what you make of it. It's the people around you who see you at your worst and are not afraid to pick up the pieces when you fall apart.

* * * * *

Narrator: Charlie David

And last, but not least, let me just say this... Holy Mother of Eargasms, Charlie David is the best narrator ever! I haven't listened to many audiobooks yet, but I'm absolutely sure that Charlie David is the best. 'Nuff said.