Packed My Bags And Packed You Too by Quite_Magical

Packed My Bags And Packed You Too by Quite_Magical

After being disowned when he came out to his parents, Alec has to find his own way in life and create his own family. When his uncle passes away, Alec is shocked to learn that he is the beneficiary of the will, but there's a catch. Alec must get married and live happily with his husband for a certain amount of time, otherwise the inheritance will go to his homophobic father. With no boyfriend (potential or established) on the horizon, Alec enlists the help of his good friend Magnus. They can pretend to be married, Alec will collect his inheritance and Magnus will receive a nice cut for himself. Seems simple, right? It is until feelings get involved.

I have been following this story since the beginning and I absolutely adore it. Not only are Alec and Magnus wonderful and adorable, but I also appreciate the great detail Quite_Magical puts into their traveling adventures. This is more than just a sweet Malec fanfic, it's also a great travel guide. I highly recommend giving this story a try! It will enchant you from the very first chapter. :)

~ M

We're on the Air by gaydemonium

We're on the Air by gaydemonium

Alec is a satellite radio host known for his blunt personality and arrogance. One day he encounters a head-strong barista who couldn't care less about his fame or his quasi-shock jock persona. The two men eventually strike up a tentative friendship with Magnus even becoming a temporary co-host. They soon discover that they click and work well as a team. Cue the inevitable sparks. 😃

This is a delightful story! I really enjoyed seeing Alec as a more exaggerated form of his canon self, but at the same time he wasn't completely out of character. Of course, the chemistry between Magnus and Alec is palpable and quite enjoyable to watch. Definitely give this story a try! I highly recommend it!

~ M

Book Review: Mended with Gold by Lee Welch

A photographer with post-traumatic stress disorder falls for a comics artist on a wild New Zealand beach, but can he find true love when he feels so wounded by life?

Everything changed when the bomb exploded. Forty-five- year old, Alex Cox worked as an international photographer until a deadly explosion left him with post-traumatic stress disorder. Emotionally wounded, and desperate for a sense of safety, he's run all the way to wild and remote Kahawai Bay, New Zealand.

Under the worst possible circumstances, Alex meets Joe, a shy young comics artist. Joe lets Alex into his playful, gentle world of comics, and soon Alex is falling for him, hard. Alex longs for more. Joe is reticent. But is it shyness? Or does Joe not want a much older lover with "issues"? Or is something else keeping them apart?

This is a tender and uplifting story about creativity, adversity, true love, and comics.

I found this to be a pleasant read overall. The writing is lovely and the author manages to create a tangible, yet realistic, world where the two main characters dwell and deal with the every day struggles of life. So often we were inside the characters' heads, so I often found myself wishing that I could have seen more interaction between the main characters to fully understand the depth of their feelings for one another. Mended with Gold is a beautifully written short story about two men finding their second chance at happiness.

I received a copy of this book from the author and voluntarily provided my honest review.

~ M

I ❤️ Yaoi: Ai ni Dekinai Koi wa iya by Hanakawa Chito

Hello, yaoi lovers! This week's feature is Ai ni Dekinai Koi wa iya by Hanakawa Chito!

It must have been fate that brought Okada Yuuma and Yokoyama Naoki together. After helping each other in their times of need, the two men develop a strong friendship; however, things unexpectedly move much faster than they anticipated and now they must decide if they should stay friends or see where their new relationship takes them.

I really enjoyed this manga! These story is sweet and the artwork is lovely. I liked that Yuuma and Naoki's relationship progressed realistically and that they were friends before anything else happened. Highly recommended!

Read Ai ni Dekinai Koi wa iya here.

~ M

This Memory of Mine by Farah_Rose

This Memory of Mine by Farah_Rose

Alec is the victim of a hit and run accident and loses all of his memories. One day he comes face to face with a man who acts like he's seen a ghost and claims to know him. How will Alec deal with his memory loss, meeting his family members again and the guilt he feels for not remembering a certain gorgeous man; a man who was the most important person in his life?

This is one of those stories that rips your heart to shreds, but in the most beautiful way possible. Farah_Rose wonderfully weaves angst, guilt, joy and love into a story that could easily fall victim to cliché and tropes. The emotions she describes are so palpable and powerful that your heart will ache for both Alec and Magnus. Definitely give this story a try! You won't be disappointed.

~ M

Book Review: Vampire Claus by Robert Winter

’Twas the night before Christmas, but what’s stirring is a little more dangerous than a mouse.

Taviano is nearly two hundred years old and never wakes in the same place twice. Weary and jaded, the vampire still indulges in memories of childhood Christmases in Naples. He lingers in shadow, spying on mortals as they enjoy the holiday. 

When Taviano spots a handsome young man in Boston loaded down with presents and about to be mugged, he can’t help but intervene. Soon he’s talking to joyous, naïve, strong-willed and funny Paul, a short-order cook who raised funds to buy Christmas presents for LGBTQ children. Before he knows what’s happened, Taviano is wrapped up in Paul’s arms and then in his scheme to get the presents delivered by Christmas morning. 

A vampire turned into a Christmas elf… What could go wrong?

This is a sweet story with sweet, yet flawed, characters set during the sweetness of Christmas. Taviano is a 200-year-old vampire who basically exists. He's aware of the demon inside of him and basically acts as a host for the creature. It isn't until he runs across a young man with a big heart, that he allows himself to feel again. I found that both of the main characters were very likable. Even though Taviano harbors a lot of self-loathing due to many sources, I found him to be quite endearing. Paul was also a nice character, but I found his use of slang extremely excessive. Even though I'm not that much older, I often felt like I was as old as Taviano, thinking to myself, "do people really talk like that in real life?" Beyond that, this is a cute Christmas love story that's perfect for curling up next to a fire.

3.5 stars

 I received a copy of this book from the author and voluntarily provided my honest review.

Buy Link
Amazon

~ M

Book Review: Rough by Hayden Hunt

Leaving was the hardest thing I ever did. That is, until I had to come back...

As soon as I turned 18, I left my old town behind. I wanted a new life, free from judgemental parents, free from the things I was not ready to accept about myself. Unfortunately, in the process of fleeing everything I hated, I also fled the one thing I cared about... My best friend, Aaron.

But now I have to come back and every piece of me is scared. I haven't gotten Aaron off my mind since I left and I both desperately wanted to see him and wanted to avoid him forever. I wish I could see him, but will he forgive me for what I've done? Is our relationship fixable after all these years?  

He makes me feel both amazing and terrible.

I've never been as close to anyone as I have been with Jesse. I had to admit, I missed that closeness. But with closeness comes vulnerability and he took advantage of that vulnerability to protect himself. This is something I'm not sure I can forgive, I never planned to.

But now he is back in my life and I don't know how to avoid him or if I even want to. I've never been so torn. Is he someone I should allow back into my life? 

This is your typical "second chance at love" story. The main characters are pretty likable, but, unfortunately, this book didn't really leave a lasting impression on me. I enjoyed seeing the slow progression of Jesse and Aaron's reconciliation, but it moved a little too fast for me at the end. If you're looking for a pleasant, quick read to pass the time on a rainy day, this is the book for you!

2.75 stars

I received a copy of this book from the author and voluntarily provided my honest review.

Buy Link
Amazon

~ M

Summer Nights by AlxSteele

Summer Nights by AlxSteele

Alec and Magnus meet while working as counselors at a children's summer camp and have a whirlwind romance that stays with them long after they leave. Both expect to never see each other again (it was just a summer fling, right?), but when Magnus shows up for the first day of school and runs into the guy he fell head over heels for, how will he cope and how will Alec react?

As you can probably tell from the title, this story is inspired by Grease. Your heart will flutter as you read about Magnus and Alec's wonderful and romantic summer, but you will also be on the edge of your seat wondering how they will fare now that they can see each other nearly every day. If you're in the mood for a little humor, angst and fluffy romance, Summer Nights is the story for you!

~ M