Caffeinated Crystal's book reviews

I'm so excited about this book!!! I've been loving the Accidental Love series and every new one is highly anticipated!! Here's the blurb! Madden My best friend is uptight, gorgeous, the greatest person I know … and I might be a smidge in love with him. Just a small amount. Barely worth the mention. Which is a stupid choice on my part when the guy is straight. Starting a landscaping company with him was the perfect mix of doing what I love and an excuse to spend time with him, only it hasn’t completely taken off yet and now he’s telling me he’s lonely. Apparently having one friend in your life isn’t enough. So I’m determined to help him find love. With someone other than me. Maybe if I can pull that off, it’ll mean my heart will finally get the message and move on. Or finish breaking into a hundred pieces. Same thing, right? Penn Being besties with an overenthusiastic, gold-hearted, nudist of a man is a challenge sometimes. Madden makes everything sunshine when he’s a...

I just finished The Nøkk & The Jock and OMG. What a weird and wonderful book! For real!  Set in a world where monsters and humans coexist, our two mcs meet at Creelin U. Brandon is our human. He's the sunshine-iest sunshine character ever. He's sweet and thoughtful and kind. He wants to befriend his new roommate and studies Nøkk greetings and gifts. This sets the stage.  The Nøkk, who can't share his real name, is our emo Norwegian shape-shifting water spirit. If Brandon is the sunshine, Nøkk is a storm cloud. But in like a super melancholy way.  These two are so into each other. From the get-go. They're adorable and clueless. The Nøkk has his reasons to be weary, but Brandon keeps at it, and then finally, our two guys get their HEA.  This story was original and fun. All the characters were great: our two MCs and Clay, the best friend. There was a sasquatch and a loch ness. A harpy and goblins. There were zombie office workers, and I bet there were even ghouls, t...

Lark Taylor, once again, making me sob uncontrollably from the prologue. Conflicted is everything you'd expect from a demon/angel romance, with the Lark twist that leaves you with a happily ever after and a bucket of tears. Having read all the previous books, I couldn't really imagine loving Micah and his story, and I'm telling you now, I STAND CORRECTED. I've never met a character with more self-loathing than Micah. I wanted to hug him so much, bless his heart. And the way he thought of himself. About no one ever choosing him. God, it was absolutely brutal.  Micah is the leader of the Seraphim. The angels. He's absolutely brokenhearted [from redacted] and knows that no one will ever choose him. He decides to dedicate his existence to the Seraphim. He will never love again. Micah sees his mate, a demon, in hell when he goes *from book 4* to help rescue Lucky for Dmitri. Not only is he seeing his mate for the first time - he looks exactly like the man he was in unreq...

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S FLING was a shortie little novella that was available for the prolific works summer freebie giveaway. I scooped this one up so fast because you know Kelly Fox is an autobuy author for me.  First off, the idea for this story is epic. There are two conventions in the same hotel, and they very obviously do not go together. CHEF'S KISS. We were lucky to be blessed with the gym bros and the literature nerds.  All hail the impeccable jock/nerd trope. It's such a wonderful & classic choice. Always hits the spot like a diet coke on a summer day.  And Kelly Fox did not miss. There was a lot of story packed into 93 pages.  Gavin, our Shakespeare nerd, has an intense insta-lusty-eye contact vibe with Kai, the bulky & well-off gym bro-ey guy he ends up sharing an elevator with. And oh, their rooms are right next to each other. And oh! Let's go get tacos, and you can ride in my Maserati... sigh. It's what romance novellas are made of.  So, the che...

It's rare for me to go all in on a taboo story. Mainly because I need a little plot to enjoy a story and most taboo is just porny erotica. Which, to each their own, we don't yuck anyone's yum here - but I need some plot. My little corner of booksta was popping OFF about the latest taboo story, a collab of dark romance writers Brea Alepou & Skyler Snow. I've enjoyed their work in the past, and was told by a trusted booksta friend that Grandaddy's Law did in fact have a plot in addition to the porny goodness that had everyone OMG-ing the day away. I'll tell you this too, I love a well written taboo and forbidden story. I'm not in any way a prude. Y'all.  When I tell you how much I LOVED this novella - I was shocked by how much I enjoyed it. Ezekiel is a BRAT. A live wire. He is coasting through college selling & using drugs and riding any d*ck he can find. After his latest arrest, Ezekiel is expelled from school and sent to live with his unknown pa...

 Oh my god, y'all.  This book.  Downfall was absolutely incredible. If you're looking for a fast-paced read, this isn't it. Downfall was a SPRAWLING romance. It has emotions and emotional damage packed to the gills.  Aiden and Seth were attached at the hip for a long time. But when something BIG happens, and Seth pushes Aiden away- our two mcs are separated by time and stubbornness.  When they reconnect, by fate, things begin to heat up in the story, and the plot starts plotting HARD.  Downfall isn't full of spice - it's an EPIC ROMANCE. I loved both of these characters. The situation is heartbreaking, and the way they both handled things was bad. But god, they love each other. That scene, in the truck, at the festival - whew. But even then, Seth was so in tune with Aiden. I was an absolute mess for the last 20% of this book. Longer, if I'm being honest. I understand why things had to happen the way they did - but the feelings!!!!!  When Aiden starts r...

I finished PRETENDERS OF COPPER COUNTY, and I have to say, I think it's one of my favorite books of the year.  It reminds me of the movie Overnight Delivery or any other movie like Planes Trains and Automobiles or Tommy Boy: where there's a road trip and adventure around every corner. Just add ✨️romance✨️. And what a romance it was. Chris is achingly sweet. Reed is not at all what I expected. These characters were just SO GOOD. No one writes a small town like May Archer.  When a pick-up date turns into a kidnapping, but not really? and our two MCs are put in close proximity - chef's kiss. Their chemistry was amazing. The scenarios were stomach-achingly high-key hilarious. The rambles. The Charcuterie Specialist and Charcuterie related conversations? Perfection. John Ruffian references? Incredible.  It's SO HARD to write a review without giving the plot away because I don't want to spoil it.  Needless to say: Chris was one of the hecking best characters I've read...

The Stargazers of Copper County is a shorty little novella set to prime the pump of May Archer's newest series. For real: I needed WAY MORE of both of these characters. Bennett is what we call a snowbird. He spends time at his observatory/family vacation home but lives and works in the city. But over the years, and since the summer began, he's noticing his landscaper Theo more and more. Through every window. Hiding behind his curtains. It's all awkward as hell and hilarious. Bennett is like Mr Darcy, awkward and adorable and noble. He thinks he's too old to be messing around with Theo, so he... observes. Theo is a Coppertain. He knows not to mess with the Copperplates who are only around seasonally. But he's been noticing Bennett for WAY TOO LONG ✨️years✨️ but now... he's noticing Bennett noticing him. Around town. Through the windows. And after watching 👀 Bennett take himself in hand... well, they needed a catalyst to start their "something" and that...

Grumpy/sunshine 💙 city boy/country boy 💙 secret cinnamon roll 💙 found family 💙 size difference 💙 single dad I LOVED LOVED LOVED this book. EMERY is a very rich man, burnt out by his finance bro job. Inspired by his favorite poet to move to the Texas hill country, EMERY is determined to fix up his place and move his daughter in. WOODY is recovering from a broken heart. Deciding to protect said heart, he's built up walls of steel covered in barbed wire. All he wants is to run his sanctuary and write. Now, he has a reckless city mouse idiot move in next door and is busy keeping him alive and competing to be the snark king of the hill country. Emery and Woody neither one knew how to love or be loved - but it was a joy to watch them tumble and stumble into it. The absolute dummies. Stevie, Emery's daughter, adds a whole other layer of learning to love and be loved - Woody and his cousin Rowdy have never really had a great family, and Stevie is such a sweet girl and loves them b...

Looking for another dark romance with unhinged alphaholes? 👀 Syn Blackrose brings more Kozlov madness & a hint of forbidden with Our Blood Our Pain. It comes out tomorrow, so jot that down. Kai is struggling where he is. He's in with a bad crowd and is constantly being arrested and getting in trouble. He ends up being taken by his ✨️step-uncle✨️ Jules to a different city & a job in "security". Jules works for the Kozlov brothers doing mafia adjacent shit. It's obvious from the get-go that Kai isn't made for a job like this, but he and Jules' chemistry is seconds away from igniting a forest fire. There's a lot of steamy looks, backsassing, bratting, flirting, choking ... it goes on and on. They finally give in, and it's punches and biting and lots of dirty talking. There's side-plots happening the entire time, but the draw is when Jules gives in and goes feral alpha. If you're looking for ✨️touch him and die✨️ and what amounts to gay-...

 Y'all... Jesus. THE STEP DON'T comes out 09/12, and oh my god. This is stepbrother/exhibitionist porn. I'm not mad about it, but I was not prepared.  Colin and Ash are besties and stepbros. But Ash is keeping a secret. When Colin finds out, these codependent oblivious dummies start a k!nky journey and fall in love. Spoiler:  Ash likes to jerk it on a cam site. He likes the attention, and feeling like an object. A desired object. When Colin finds out, he asks if he can watch. He wants to know why it makes Ash so happy, and during the scene he figures out that he would do ANYTHING to keep Ash that happy. Honestly, spicy exhibitionism aside, this book was funny as hell. Colin and Ash have been close for so long that their bestie-ship is riddled with ZERO BOUNDARIES and inside jokes. These two are codependent as hell, but they realize it. They'd do anything for each other which translates to smoking hot chemistry.  Spice is a huge part of this book. You have to be down ...

Mixed Motives was in the H2H anthology, and when I heard EX'S DAD, I ran to download. We know what we like, why lie? So Henry finds out his boyfriend is cheating on him by walking in on them! He decides he immediately must inact revenge. What better way than to pop on some booty shorts and go try to seduce his now ex-boyfriend's hot dad. Keane and Henry have always had a chemistry. But when Henry shows up, he forces himself to say no. The age gap is too weird for him, and he seems to drown himself in society's expectations. Both guys independently decide to download the H2H app and let Cupid choose their dates. I BET YOU CAN GUESS WHAT HAPPENS. These two were adorable and sweet. So into each other & perfect. I liked how into each other they were. I liked their love of their jobs. This was a CUTE, little, shorty novella. Henry and Keane were great together. Perfect if you're looking for a quick, not too spicy read. 

Sin Too is Angelo's love story *Vincent's cousin and head of security from book one* Angelo has one hell of a time getting his act together when it comes his love interest, Beth. Beth, who has a secret identity/past and a 16 year old ward/nephew. We get Angelo and Beth's romance. We get their spicy scenes... and how does that WORK? He is said to be 6'8 350 lbs, and all references to Beth say that she's curvy but tiny .... the math is... not mathing... but that did not detract from the story. It just had me giggling more if I'm being honest with you. So we get the spice. Their love story. Angelo being a giant. And we get Beth's AMAZING backstory. WHY she has a secret identity. How she and Noah came to be in the city. What they're running from. Again, it's a great plot. I really enjoyed this book, as I have all of Tilly's other books so far. If you're looking for a hetero love story with lots of feels, found family, actual family, a sassy fmc, ...

✨️From the TBR✨️ Just Friends is a 2020 Saxon James story. I haven't read all her backlog books yet, and I thought I'd give it a go. Childhood best friends Royce " Roo" and Tanner are separated when Roo has to go back to Australia after graduation for a quality of life-saving operation. Five years later, Roo returns to Sunbury to see his straight best friend and confess his love. He has never gotten over Tanner, and this trip is supposed to rip the bandaid off.  Tanner is like a puppy. He's so happy to have Roo back, that he's determined to do whatever it takes to keep him in Sunbury. He is a bit oblivious to his own feelings - he is DOWN BAD for Roo and was heartbroken when he left five years ago. That's why he is so determined to get Roo to stay.  I loved Tanner and Roo's trip to the gay bar. I loved how willing Tanner was to look into his own wants and desires even though it was scary for him. I loved the epilepsy rep. I loved Tanner's devotion ...

Just finished up The Retreat, and what a story! Owen and Colin take a while to get there, but they have an amazing love that's fostered by a fake marriage and a surprising friendship. Owen isn't as mean or abrasive as his twin Oliver. He is burdened with the feeling of being "the spare" coupled with his anxiety disorder and his other mental health issues. He & Oliver's relationship is sadly codependent, so when Owen and Colin move in together, it rocks the boat. It also makes the whole fake marriage hard to sell because Owen thinks he's straight. And  he doesn't like sex with others. Colin marries Owen to save his barely adult sister from an arranged marriage. They really have to sell their marriage too. And Colin is a bit of a brat. He pushes at all of Owen's buttons. Colin has been told forever that he's worthless and that no one loves him. That they'll only use him and leave him. So, if he pushes people away first it's them leavi...

My Alpha Tau rap up.  I'm so sad it's over. Honestly. I could have kept reading these books forever. These characters are a damned delight. Bro Jobs Alpha Tau prequel novella ✨️Scout and Trey✨️ I should have read this one first, but it's okay. You can read it any time without disrupting the events. Although... it might make book one make a little more sense. Scout and Trey are sort of grumpy/sunshine. They're absolutely clueless/calm. They are 100% cute. Scout and Trey are roommates. It's new, but things are going okay. Neither are dating because their schedules are full. So, sometimes things get overheard. At night. according to Scout, Trey is prolifically consistent at "beating his meat." Scout has thought a LOT about what he overhears. Finally, one night, Scout can't take it anymore and offers to help a bro out. He was getting a little excited about what he was overhearing. What follows is strictly bros being bros... right? Trey is so chill. I can a...

Pinch Hitter: Alpha Tau 4.5 Getting Nash's story was a real treat.  Nash is Tanner's friend from another frat, who's also on the baseball team. He's the pitcher.  He alluded to liking MATURE men in Romeo and Juliet Project.  But Nash was looking for a Daddy!!!!!! A grindr hookup gone wrong... turned right has Nash finding the hot suit daddy of his dreams in Paul, the ATF accountant. Real talk: my only issue is wanted another 160 pages of them. Lots of "good boy" and "pretty boy" and "yes sir" and DADDY. I'll take that every time. After Nash and Daddy Paul hook up, Paul shows up at one of Nash's games and the lock in exclusivity. We know from Romeo & Julier Project that Paul shows up to all the baseball games "sometimes in a suit and sometimes in casual wear." While the Alpha Tau guys think Paul is a baseball scout, he's really just there to ogle Nash in his baseball pants.