Dog-Eared Daydreams

Note: An advance reader copy (ARC) was provided by the author via Gay Romance Reviews. Reading and listening to a book at the same time is one of those things that I've always gotten an immense amount of enjoyment from. Another combination that I can never get enough of? The dynamic storytelling duo of Lily Morton (her writing) and Joel Leslie (his narration)! Their latest offering is The Player , a previously published novella that now includes a new epilogue, and it's a friends-to-lovers romance with a bit of a twist. Frankie Bishop (27) is widower who lost his husband months after their whirlwind romance and wedding. Three years on, light is beginning to seep back into his grayish life, but he finds himself needing to accept two things: one, his feelings for his best friend and business partner, Conrad (aka Con, who I think is in his 30s because he was Frankie's late husband's best friend, but I could be wrong), are beyond platonic; and two, it may be too late for hi

Deck the Hulls (Silver Shoals #1) by Kat Cassidy Release Date: November 20, 2024 About Deck the Hulls Fresh from a life tangled with the Greek mob in LA, Adam Sgouros is starting over in witness protection—but he feels unmoored in his new small-town existence. When a sudden need to dispose of a body without drawing attention arises (Not his fault! He can explain!), Adam realizes his first Christmas in the sleepy, wintery little town of Silver Shoals is shaping up to be anything but merry. Elijah Jensen has always been an optimist, but this year, even he’s struggling to keep his head above water. A head-cold from hell and a boat that’s falling apart at the seams seem determined to sink his holiday spirit, and all he wants is to get through the season without any more complications. Complications like a musclebound ex-gangster hijacking his boat (Accidentally! He can explain!)—and taking him along for the ride. Stranded on the water by a snowstorm, this unlikely pair must navi

Merry Kissmas by Piper Rayne Release Date: November 19, 2024 About Merry Kissmas Six years ago, he was her one-night stand, and now they’re sharing a villa for the holidays. I thought I was over him. That his good looks and British accent couldn’t affect me anymore. But the minute our eyes lock across the elevator, all those feelings come roaring back to life. Then I find out we’re competing for the same job. Next comes the realization that we have to spend a week together on a ski vacation because of some six-degree-of-separation nonsense. The real kicker is when I find out the two of us have to share a villa. A very small, very cozy villa. Needless to say, this Christmas getaway is starting off rockier than the mountains we’ll be skiing down. I’ve stayed away for years, what’s one week? But I forgot how much easier it is to ignore him with an ocean separating us—especially when he’s determined to win me back. Read my four-starred review of Merry Kissmas . Add M

Note: An advance reader copy (ARC) was provided by the authors via Valentine PR. The bestselling romantic comedy-writing duo of Piper Rayne have another novel guaranteed to tickle our funny bone and warm our heart! Merry Kissmas is a second-chance romance between Brynn Russell and Pierce Wainwright, and while it's loosely tied to the authors' two previous holiday romances, Single and Ready to Jingle  (Andrew Wainwright is Pierce's cousin) and Claus and Effect (Tre Russell is Brynn's older brother), this new book, alongside the two previous titles, can be read independently of each other. But hey, if you're like me and you like getting all your proverbial ducks in a row, then I can happily recommend that you check out and read the books in order (or not, whatever floats your boat) to meet recurring characters. Merry Kissmas  is about the one that got away. It's been six years since it all went down, and while twenty-five-year-old Brynn Russell won't admit it

The Rivals of Copper County (Copper County #2) by May Archer Release Date: November 19, 2024 About The Rivals of Copper County My childhood friend. My biggest rival. The only man I’ve ever wanted.   If there were a prize for the most contented man in Copper County, I’d win it every time. I’ve got my business. My son. My family. My friends… and no romantic prospects, sure, but only because I don’t need any. My life’s great as it is. Seriously. Could not be better. I’m practically bleeding serenity over here. At least until Jasper Wrigley shows up in Copper County after twenty years–as my son’s temporary hockey coach, no less, though the man could barely lace up his skates back in the day–and throws my carefully ordered life into chaos. Once upon a time, magnetic, confident Jasper was my best friend and greatest rival, and his summer visits to town were the best part of my year. Our competitions were fierce. Our dares were thrilling. We talked about everything under the sun,

The Mr. Right Checklist by Melissa Foster Release Date: November 19, 2024 Montlake About The Mr. Right Checklist A free-spirited proposal planner and a grumpy professor form a hilarious and unexpected situationship that just might lead to more in this steamy romantic comedy by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster. Dog groomer and budding marriage-proposal planner Destiny Amor believes in true love and happily ever afters. Though it’s not in the stars for her yet—honestly, who can live up to the criteria on her Mr. Right Checklist?—she wants it for others. When Destiny’s first misguided attempt at romance concierge ends in disaster, she’s ready to call it quits, until the supposed groom-to-be steps in with a proposal of his own. Ryan “Fletch” Fletcher, a divorced-and-never-going-there-again professor, needs to get his matchmaking family off his back, and the disorganized, too-in-love-with-love proposal planner is the perfect solution. He offers to help Destiny ge

Grouch-ish (Holiday HOTTIES #3) by L.B. Dunbar Release Date: November 18, 2024 About Grouch-ish Let’s start here. The twelve days of Christmas are actually after the holiday. And my dad, being the great guy he is, and the fire department's battalion chief, signs up one of his rebellious firefighters for a retreat because of his bad behavior. The guy is a total grouch. But when the grumpy silver fox misses the bus for the adult redemption camp, Dad sticks him with me for twelve days. Alone. So, on the dozen days some mysterious true love—which I have yet to experience—should be bringing me gifts, like French hens and golden rings, I’m in charge of this firebird on our pear farm. Being the city man he is, he doesn’t have a clue how to can fruit, mend fences, or milk cows. But he knows how to kiss . . . Not that we should be doing such a thing. Only his silver beard is sexy, and his crooked smile kind of sweet. He has this alpha energy vibrating around his well-