Goodbyes Are Always the Hardest by Gaia_Bing

Goodbyes Are Always the Hardest by Gaia_Bing

When AI Nasir and android Agron are paired together for space-flight missions, they spend ten wonderful years together. Their friendship deepens and they learn to care very much for one another. However, when Agron retires, he is forced to let go of the one being in the galaxy that means the most.

This story is absolutely enchanting. Sometimes AI/android stories (in any genre) can come off sterile and cold, but this one is not like that at all! Your heart will melt and subsequently break as you watch these two beings develop feelings for each other and inevitably be forced to leave each other's sides. Please give this delightful story a try! It will warm your heart!

~ M

Cover Reveal & GIVEAWAY: Complexity by Harper Miller

Title: Complexity

Series: A Kinky Connect Chronicles Novella

Author: Harper Miller

Genre: M/M Erotica Novella

Release Date: July 8, 2016

Fairy tale endings weren’t made for people like me. Happy for now usually ain’t in the cards, either. The dents on my wall from where my headboard kept knockin’ against the same spot was the first clue that I needed to calm my ass down. At the rate I was racking up notches and plowing through hookups, I wasn’t ever gonna find nothing real. Guess I kinda jinxed myself. I created my circumstances. You can’t get what you want if you keep falling back into the same pattern of bad habits. But then things changed. I stumbled onto somethin’ I never in a million years expected to happen. You gotta understand, I’m never the guy who wins. It was supposed to be just sex, but that shifty rhyming and scheming bastard, Cupid, pulled a fast one. I may have changed some stuff to protect a couple of people. But before you go believing the tabloids, make sure you understand that you’re gettin’ the lowdown straight from the source. I needed to get this off my chest, and it’s only fair that you at least get my side of it all. At some point, I might regret telling you any of this, but for now, you need to know.

*Disclaimer* This is a novella. Not a short story, novelette, or novel. This tale features an M/M pairing. If gay erotica/erotic romance is not your cup of tea and you are offended by same-sex relationships or crass language, you should bypass this story. Content is intended for a mature audience, 18+. Complexity is the fourth installment in The Kinky Connect Chronicles. The Kinky Connect Chronicles are short erotic stories/novelettes all wrapped up in neat little bows. These stories are standalones. No cliffhangers in the lot!

 

Book Review: Nate and the New Yorker by Kevin Klehr

Cameron has it all. He’s rich, lives in Manhattan, and even has a cross-dressing butler. But then he meets Nate, an Australian who’s bitter about love. Cameron is determined to turn this realist into a dreamer by sharing his world of classy restaurants, Broadway shows and fabulous parties. And while Nate’s friends see the makings of a fantasy romance, it’s Nate who has to learn that in order to open his heart, he has to face a painful secret.

The premise of this book seemed interesting when I first read the synopsis. Seeing opposites work through and embrace their differences is a storyline I often enjoy. Unfortunately, the lack of chemistry between the main characters, the abundant exposition and the eventual twist at the end left me a little disappointed. 

I can definitely see what the author was trying to do in the portrayal of Cameron and Nate. Cameron comes from a life of luxury who has the ability and resources to be a dreamer. Nate, on the other hand, grew up modestly and works as a waiter in his friend's cafe, so he's much more realistic about life in general. However, both characters ended up being unlikable, Nate moreso than Camerson, in my eyes. While Cameron is a braggart, Nate acted as though nothing was good unless he had some control over it. When Cameron treats Nate to a trip to New York, Nate does nothing but complain the whole time because he feels he needs to pay his own way. Cameron makes it clear that it's his treat and he just wants to spoil the man he likes. That's still not good enough. Nate makes every excuse he can to make his point and it became tedious after a while.

Then there's Nate's ex. I don't want to give too much away concerning him, but while reading, I often wondered why he was so prominent in Nate's life and why in the world they broke up at all since they seemed so good together. You'll have to read the book to find out exactly why their relationship fell apart.

All in all, this was a good effort by the author, but it just did not work for me.

               The author provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Buy Links
Wilde City Press | Amazon

~ M

The Basics of Mermaid Classification by Utsukushin

The Basics of Mermaid Classification by Utsukushin

When Makoto and his father discover a small merman while on a fishing expedition, he develops a strong bond with the creature. He soon realizes that even though he's just a little boy, he will do anything he can to keep his Haru safe.

This is an adorable story! Seeing the friendship between Makoto and Haru grow is so sweet, and I can't wait to see what happens next! Give it a try! You won't be disappointed!

~ M

artwork credit: Ska&Hug

I ❤️ Yaoi: Seishun Hensachi by Takagi Ryou

Greetings yaoi lovers! This week's feature is Seishun Hensachi by Takagi Ryou!

Hiyori, named "the flower of high peak" because of his beauty, has lived a dull social life and has never been in a relationship. The only confession he ever received was five years ago in high school by an ikemen (good looking man)! Not knowing how to react, he ran away after giving an utterly ambiguous reply. Years later, and fed up of his social life, he prays to the god at the sanctuary to let him meet with his destined one...and just who might this destined one be? Surely not the ikemen from high school, right? Things get hot pretty fast. 

This is a cute read that made me chuckle quite a bit. The storyline is one that manga readers have seen before, but there is a slight twist that you won't be expecting. I absolutely adored the artwork! The way Uzuki is drawn will make you swoon! He is so handsome! Give this manga a try! It will definitely bring a smile to your face!

3.5 stars

~ M

Book Review: Beta Test (#gaymers 2) by Annabeth Albert

Tristan Jones is steadily moving up the ladder at a popular game development company. He is very organized and loves to create lists and task sheets. Even though he doesn't quite fit in with his other colleagues, he enjoys his work. However, his co-worker, Ravi Tandel, always seems to be a thorn in his side. Plus, he's everything Tristan isn't: outgoing, talkative and spontaneous. Ravi absolutely loves his job, but Tristan, while a good worker, is just too buttoned up and uptight for his tastes. When the two men are tasked with setting up an extremely important display at a tech convention, they learn more about each other than they ever thought possible.

I really enjoyed this book! All the characters are very likable and the opposites attract/enemies-to-lovers storyline is quite sweet. The relationship between Tristan and Ravi unfolded at a good pace, and while there isn't a lot of angst, there is just enough to keep the book interesting. This book is the second in the Gaymers series, but Beta Test can be read as a standalone. The two main characters from the first book, Status Update, make an appearance, so that was a nice treat.

If you're looking for a relatively easy read that's low on the angst scale, definitely give Beta Test a try!

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Buy Links
Carina Press | Amazon

~ M

Nightmares by Jojora

Nightmares by Jojora

Connor's nightmares seem to be getting more frequent and more intense. Oliver wishes so badly that he could help his boyfriend, but Connor is determined to keep everything inside and shoulder all the burden.

This is such an emotionally-charged one shot! Your heart will break as you watch Oliver feel helpless and defeated. Give this quick read a shot!

~ M