Tag: Books to Read

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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An MM romance story of survival, healing, and finding the courage to love.

Harper Reid has no money and nowhere to go, but he can't spend one more day under the same roof as his abusive boyfriend. Desperate to start fresh, he takes on a special case through a caregiver agency that contracts him. The client has fired everyone else, but this job includes lodging, so Harper will find a way to make it work until he's back on his feet.

High-flying, eccentric Riley Davenport has lost his sight, effectively clipping the vivacious man's wings. Learning to navigate in darkness is difficult enough without being treated like a house plant by his girlfriend, parents, and friends. The last thing he needs is another pushy caregiver hovering over him, curtailing the last of his freedom. But Harper Reid is different...very different.

Nervous, quiet, reserved. It's almost like Harper has secrets and is the one who needs to be taught how to live again. And why does he smell like sugar cookies? Men aren't supposed to smell delicious.

Trigger warnings: off-page domestic abuse, adult language, explicit consensual sexual content.

Until I Saw You

Harper and Riley are both likable characters, with a relationship that built slowly. They're each dealing with stuff, and the way they help each other feels natural. Roman does a marvellous job keeping the story flowing without relying on overly dramatic moments.

Harper's shy sweetness and the cookie references were a tender touch, and made his character real and warm.

I found the romance believable and genuine and I liked their chemistry right away. Their interactions had humor and warmth, making this story comforting and easy to read. I recommend to anyone who appreciates a slow-building, emotional romance that stays low key and feels authentic from beginning to end.

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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.

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