Tag: mm romance (Page 3 of 14)

REVIEW: Let’s Connect by Kelly Jensen

September 8, 2020 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I received a review copy via the author. The published version has an epilogue but the main story was first released as a free serial for newsletter subscribers (of which I am one).

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) year after his divorce, Daniel Stroman has decided that he’s too young to die—or fuse permanently with his couch. But when he downloads the dating app “Let’s Connect” and starts dating, his success/fail ratio isn’t encouraging until he gets a connection request from Robin.

Everything about Robin’s profile is different, from the bright little bird he’s using as an avatar to the long and thoughtful answers he’s written for the standard questions. He’s witty, funny, and easy to talk to. Robin could be his perfect match. But Robin is holding something back.

Then again, so is Dan—beginning with the seven-year crush he’s carried for his best friend, Trevor. Sadly, except for one brief moment, they’ve never been single at the same time.

Or have they?

What worked for me (and what didn’t): Let’s Connect is structured as a serial with each chapter being one “date”. Chapter one is therefore “First Date” and so on until the end of the novella. It’s intentionally episodic and works well that way.

My theory about what was going on was not quite right and it turns out that was a very good thing but I won’t go into more here because spoilers. Continue reading

Review at Dear Author

August 26, 2020 / Kaetrin

I’m over at Dear Author with a review of Better than People by Roan Parrish. Charming and sexy and sweet. Plus, dogs.

Review at AudioGals

January 29, 2020 / Kaetrin

I’m over at AudioGals with a review of Dine With Me by Layla Reyne, narrated by Cooper North. Two men at crossroads in their lives go on a foodie adventure and fall in love along the way.

Review at AudioGals

December 19, 2019 / Kaetrin

I’m over at AudioGals with a review of American Love Story by Adriana Herrera, narrated by Sean Crisden. Patrice and Easton finally get their HEA.

American Fairytale by Adriana Herrera, narrated by Sean Crisden

November 22, 2019 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: This is one from my TBL.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) Fairy-tale endings don’t just happen; they have to be fought for.

New York City social worker Camilo Santiago Briggs grew up surrounded by survivors who taught him to never rely on anything you didn’t earn yourself. He’s always dreamed of his own happily-ever-after, but he lives in the real world. Men who seem too good to be true usually are. And Milo never ever mixes business with pleasure until the mysterious man he had an unforgettable hookup with turns out to be the wealthy donor behind his agency’s new, next-level funding.

Thomas Hughes built a billion-dollar business from nothing: he knows what he wants and isn’t shy about going after it. When the enthralling stranger who blew his mind at a black-tie gala reappears, Tom’s more than ready to be his Prince Charming. Showering Milo with the very best of everything is how Tom shows his affection.

Trouble is, Milo’s not interested in any of it. The only thing Milo wants is Tom.

Fairy-tale endings take work as well as love. For Milo, that means learning to let someone take care of him, for a change. And for Tom, it’s figuring out that real love is the one thing you can’t buy.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): I haven’t yet listened to American Dreamer, the first book in the series (though I have it on my TBL now), however, American Fairytale, the second book in the series, stands alone well. Each book, features one of a group of four close friends, most of whom are gay/queer and living in New York. None are white.

There is a vibrancy to the writing, which illustrates the diversity in New York. There is a marked difference to American Fairytale as compared to the all-white (or almost-all-white) New York-set contemporary romance which is commonly available and it was both authentic and so much more interesting to me. It felt more like the real world and less like a construct and the characters showcased different experiences and points of view than my own white experience. I loved it. Continue reading

Review at Dear Author

November 16, 2019 / Kaetrin

I’m over at Dear Author with Sirius, reviewing Graveyard Shift by Jenn Burke. A bittersweet end to the series. I’m really hoping Ms. Burke writes more in this universe.