Category: Review

One look at the Canadian rugby star now playing on his local team turns Robin Isley into a super-fan. He’ll attend practices, cheer every game, and bleed with every tackle, but he won’t come close enough to get an autograph or say a few words.

Yves Dubois' team runs faster, passes better, and scrums harder when Robin watches: they’ve been winning steadily. Yves has a blinding smile for Robin after practices, but never stops to talk.

Robin needs to know if Yves’ grin is only joy in the game. Finding out will be Robin’s birthday milestone, but first he needs to give himself the gift of courage.

Scrum

I don't usually read sports romances, but this one caught my eye. I read it in one sitting. The characters were fun to read about, and there was a fun, unexpected twist at the end. I knew nothing about rugby when I started reading this book, and still don't know much, but I do have a healthy respect for the sport now. The story is told from one point of view, which is necessary considering the twist at the end. PD Singer did a great job of showing us a character who loves from afar, but who wants to get closer. What happens when he does makes for a wonderful love story.

This book is a fun read that dives into the world of rugby and the unexpected connections that form both on and off the field. Robin Isley has a huge crush on Yves Dubois, a local rugby star. The way Robin obsesses over Yves' games adds a humorous touch. You feel the thrill as Robin becomes his number one fan, attending practices and cheering with enthusiasm.

What's great here is the gradual development of Robin's character. He starts off shy and unsure but works to step out of his comfort zone. The chemistry between Robin and Yves simmers and I enjoyed the subtleties in their interactions. Yves' warm smiles towards Robin made the sexual tension between them believable.

The pacing kept me engaged, making it impossible to put the book down. Although the rugby backdrop is a big part of the story, the main story is the emotional exploration of Robin's courage. The writing has a relaxed vibe. If you're looking for a light romance with a sports vibe, pick up Scrum.

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Josh Gray has made bad decisions and regretted them all, but it's the rock 'n roll lifestyle, so no problem, right? However, karma is a bitch.

Mistake one…sleeping with the then boyfriend of the lead singer of one of the top bands, Social Sinners, which leads to Josh being fired as Ryder Hampton's backup guitarist.

Mistake two…signing on with Nicholas Shane Management, who promises a new band that's the perfect fit. It turns out Nick is dealing dirty, and his company collapses when he's sent to prison.

Josh's world is in ruins and starting over is next to impossible. Word gets around that he's screwed over rock 'n roll's poster children, and he can't get an audition. The future is now an endless stream of empty whiskey bottles, and a surly server that no matter how hard Josh tries, refuses to sleep with him.

If you've read the Social Sinners or Maiden Voyage series, you'll understand the tough road that lies ahead for Josh. Is redemption possible, or should he just throw in the towel and walk away once and for all?

This is book one in the Chaotic Abyss rockstar romance series featuring hurt/comfort, second chances, and a bartender who just wants to be left alone.

Strike a Chord

Josh Gray is far from perfect, but that's what makes him easy to connect with. He's made plenty of mistakes, and as I read, I hoped he'd find his way out of the latest mess. The rock and roll setting didn't sugar-coat the consequences of his past.

Even if you haven't checked out previous series like Social Sinners or Maiden Voyage, this story stands solid on its own. I enjoyed the dynamics with the bartender who kept shutting Josh down—it added humor and reality to the character interactions. The slow buildup of their relationship made the romantic payoff feel earned.

The writing is smooth, the characters relatable, and the romance believable. It's an enjoyable read that left me wanting more from the Chaotic Abyss series.

Available from Amazon and Kindle Unlimited

When the notoriously buttoned-up Duke of Southbury is forced to attend a matchmaking festival, he knows it will end in solitude—just like every soiree and ball. The duke doesn't want a bride. He wants his charming French valet, Vachon. An untenable situation the duke refuses to admit, even to Vachon. The only way to avoid scandal—and the pull of temptation—is to dismiss his handsome valet before Southbury says or does something that cannot be taken back.

But Vachon has pined for his taciturn employer since the moment they met. When the duke announces his impending dismissal, Vachon has only a fortnight to change his mind… and convince the ton's model of propriety that love is worth breaking all the rules.

Undressing the Duke

This is not the first Erica Ridley book I've read, but it is certainly one of my favorites. I was scrolling down her list of books and suddenly stopped and scrolled back up. One cover had two men dressed in period clothing and it caught my eye immediately. Undressing the Duke? As in a valet? I took a second look. When I realized it was MM Romance by one of my favorite historical authors, I couldn't click the buy button fast enough. Her new cover has flowers on a solid background. If that had been the one I saw, I never would have taken that second look. It says nothing about the period, the characters, or the setting. It's a shame so many authors are going for "discreet" covers. It's taken away that immediate sense of genre and flavor.

Despite the bland cover, this is a beautiful love story with a happy ending that will leave you smiling. Written with all the style you'd expect from an Erica Ridley romance. The story is easy-going and sweet, focusing on two likable, relatable characters caught in a tough situation. The duke, usually reserved and proper, is secretly longing for his valet, Vachon, who feels exactly the same way. Ridley does a great job building their chemistry at a natural pace, and the interactions between the duke and Vachon had me smiling more than once. I enjoyed how Ridley explored issues of status and expectation without making it heavy. The matchmaking festival added a nice bit of humor and fun, complementing the main romance. The ending left me satisfied and happy for both men. It's a solid pick if you're into gay romance in historical settings.

Personally, I write MM Science Fiction, but I love reading MM Historical (especially Regency). So finding this book was an enormous treat. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Available everywhere

Burke Williams wasn't planning on a vacation, but when his well-meaning sister lures him to the airport and hands him a plane ticket and a packed suitcase the day after he finishes a high-pressure programming project, he decides to hop on the plane and go.

Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine a place like Cockatoo, a clothing-optional gay beach resort. For a guy more at home with a hard drive than happy hour, he feels like a fish out of water on the Caribbean island.

Only one other guy at the place seems to be enjoying it less than Burke: a handsome guy more interested in looking through his binoculars at the woods surrounding the resort than at the array of available Speedo-clad men laid out in rows of beach chairs, a veritable Smorgasbord of willing partners.

Stafford Nelson didn't come to Cocaktoo to find a temporary bedmate, but he finds geeky Burke sweet and charming, and they hit it off immediately. But when Burke discovers what Staff is really after, it might shipwreck their blossoming connection.

Sands of Thyme

A wonderful book with a charming tale of unexpected romance set against the backdrop of a clothing-optional resort. Burke Williams, a reserved programmer, finds himself transported to a vibrant Caribbean island by his sister's well-meaning intervention. The contrast between his structured life and the carefree atmosphere of Cockatoo is both amusing and endearing.

The interaction between Burke and Stafford Nelson, another guest who seems equally out of place, forms the heart of the story. Their initial connection is both sweet and genuine, drawing readers into their evolving relationship. Stafford's withdrawn conduct and Burke's awkwardness create an enjoyable and relatable dynamic.

As the two navigate their feelings in this odd setting, Sands of Thyme reveals an unfolding story of discovering love where it's least expected. The lighthearted search for identity and connection, set in a lively resort, adds a layer of warmth to the plot. Lynley's writing invites readers to celebrate the joy of new experiences and the power of connection.

Sands of Thyme offers a refreshing take on love at first sight in a unique and engaging environment, making it a delightful read for those who love playful romances.

Available Amazon and Barnes and Noble