Dog-Eared Daydreams

Note: An advance reader copy (ARC) was provided by the author via Gay Romance Reviews. Sympathy for the Blues is the first book in the Dusty Brooms series from S.S. Genesee, who is a new-to-me author. Set in the 70s, this series starter introduces readers to Ray Roderick and Gene Hillard, best friends in their early twenties who happen to have formed a band called The Dusty Brooms. They're making a name for themselves while making beautiful music together along with the third member of the group in their hometown of Michigan. Ray and Gene share a bond that can never be broken...but soon, that bond comes under threat from feelings that neither of them can act on. Not if they want The Dusty Brooms to continue to succeed. Not if they want to keep their friendship intact, especially considering neither one has any idea that those "feelings" are actually rather mutual. I love a slow burn read, and this book was slooooow buuuuurn to the max. For the record, Ray and Gene...

Take This Heart (Windy Harbor #1) by Willow Aster Release Date: October 9, 2025 About Take This Heart A sizzling, small town, enemies to lovers, workplace romance by USA Today bestselling author Willow Aster After an annoying, albeit sexy, encounter with Milo Lombardi, he’s the last person I want to see in Windy Harbor, Minnesota. Being in my favorite small town near Lake Superior with my family is my idea of heaven, and after clashing with Milo at an art event, and then kissing his face off right after – I’d be fine if I never saw the man again. Even though he is sinfully gorgeous, and knows how to use those unforgettable lips. But my dad has other ideas, and because he’s been dealt a blow that threatens to turn our family’s world upside down, I want to do what's best and keep the peace. Which means, I’m stuck working on a project with Milo, all day, every day. And if I thought we didn’t get along in the beginning, it’s nothing compared to dealing with him on a d...

Beyond the Darkness (Basic Instincts #3) by Thom Collins Date Released: October 7, 2025 Pride Publishing About Beyond the Darkness A starring role in a new show could give Hudson the career boost he needs… if he lives that long. American actor Hudson Rhodes enjoys working in the UK. After a successful career in film and TV in his twenties, he’s established himself as a bankable star in the theatre world. A month long run in a new play at Blyham’s Empire Theatre has the potential to lead to a West End run and Hudson is ready for it. The only thing threatening to spoil it is a series of sinister letters that point to a role he would rather forget. Rehearsals for the show are going smoothly until a local journalist, Luke Kamal, arrives to write a piece about the production. Luke is handsome and smart and highly regarded in his field, but Hudson hates reporters. He’d learned the hard way that the press can not be trusted. When a member of the cast is murdered, the show is thr...

Sweet Vengeance (Sins of the Father #2) by Riley Hart Release Date: October 8, 2025 About Sweet Vengeance Cillian I can’t figure out why I’m so intrigued by Ollie Gibson. He’s nothing like me—soft where my world is hard, sweet and kind while I’ve grown up around violence. But there’s a fire to him that sparks the one inside me, loyalty that calls to me, and bravery I respect even if it gets him in trouble. When Ollie’s hurt and we don’t know if the men who attacked him will come back for more, I can’t stop myself from claiming him. There’s nothing I won’t do to protect him, even go behind his back for vengeance. I crave him—both the sweetness and the fire, the innocence and the dirty boy he turns into under my touch. I’ll kill for him, turn my world upside down for him, share my pain and secrets with him. Ollie helps me deal with it all—even the drama with my father. It’s supposed to be temporary. I’m not supposed to want more, but I’m determined to keep him, and fo...

The Substitute (New York Gods #4) by J.R. Gray & Andi Jaxon Release Date: October 8, 2025 About The Substitute Competing with my step-brother for my roommates' attention makes me hate him so much more than I already do. I saved his life the same night I burned mine to the ground and now the guy who’s haunted my dreams for months is my new roommate. This should be great except I met him on the worst night of his life and all he sees is that I’m a hockey player. Only made worse when my cocky, confident, infuriating step-brother, Savage, decides to flirt with Tobi to get under my skin. Jealousy eats at me when I see life coming back into Tobi’s eyes when he smiles at his phone. Savage knows it too, pushing me into competing for Tobi until my head is so twisted I don’t know what or who I want anymore. Now I have to see his pretty face at my door and on the ice. I can’t have my dream and both of them. The media will eat me alive. Right? Add The Substitute  on...

Ugly Duckling (Content Advisory #6) by Lani Lynn Vale Release Date: October 7, 2025 About Ugly Duckling It wasn’t easy being considered the ugly friend. She’s known since she was young that life wouldn’t be easy, and that she would have to work hard for everything she got. Life was tough when you had a face that only a mother could love. For years, Sutton Sway goes through life knowing that she’s never going to have a happily ever after that she’s always dreamed of. So she settles. She marries not for love, but for companionship, choosing a man that she never should’ve looked twice at, all so she could have a family of her own. That family never happens, and within a year, she’s divorced and right back where she started. Just when she’s at her all-time low, thinking life couldn’t get much worse, in walks Gunner Penn. Gunner Penn, her protector. The man that saved her from all her high school bullies and proved to her that there were good men in this world. He was the...