Bat Boy (Easton U Pirates #1) [Brady & Kellan] by Christina Lee

In one word this book was ADORABLE. Kellan and Brady have been circling around each other and wanting each other for a few months before we get into the story. They are both unsure about anything possible between them for more than one reason. Seeing them becoming friends and progressing into lovers was such a heartfelt journey. Their innocence was refreshing. I don't remember when was my previous New Adult and I liked that though their had their sexy times together it wasn't at all focused about that but about finding  something special in each other, in their companionship. 

Brady Donovan is the captain of the Easton U Pirates Baseball team. Things are going pretty great for him on his first year of college working hard on his studies and having fun on the field with his new team. He is living with two of his teammates - his best friend from childhood Trent Hollister and Maclain (who has his issues for sure) and is working his way to building some sort of friendship with the team's "Bat Boy" - the coach's son - Kellan. While they have fun teasing each other, Kellan always keeps a distance which frustrates Brady but he is persistent! There is something MORE about Kellan. Something he has never felt before.  Makes him question what he assumed about himself.. 

The Lost Ship of the Tucker Rebellion by Marie Sexton & Cari Z.

I tried, I really did but I just couldn't continue on with this book. I'll admit I'm not a fan of Sci-Fi novels but I've read a few by Cari and LOVED them so it was a given I'm going to give this one a go. So I delved in hoping for something different and exciting and finding myself ANNOYED and mostly, truth being said - bored. I didn't connect or even like any of our 3 MCs, their constant banter was tiring and it led to almost nothing happening in the first quarter of the book. I think I actually got to the point things started to happen but I can't commit to it. I'm sorry. 

I won't say a lot about the plot firstly because VERY little actually happened besides Denver Clayborne (our sole POV up until 22% where I stopped) finding a "pod" coming from at least a century ago and in it a promise of something extraordinary. His sick twin brother Laramie is skeptical and moreover he doesn't want Denver to put his life at risk for his sake (hoping for a cure) and their third member - Marit - isn't able of doing anything but complaining. There's a lot of not really world building but references to the past and how everyone came to be living in space (and Earth becoming uninhabitable). I didn't care about any of it because it was all done in their usual banter which threw me off this book in the first place. 

Restored (Enlightenment #5) [Henry & Kit] by Joanna Chambers

This book was EVERYTHING. I didn't want it to end and yet I did. I fell in love with both Henry and Kit in a SECOND. They lived their lives with the cards they were dealt with and it wasn't easy. When they first met and the time they shared together was the most naive and innocent for both of them but it all changed one night and nothing was the same ever again. 

While this book can be read as a TOTAL standalone we did actually met Kit Redford before, he is the owner of "Redford" a discreet club for gentlemen of a certain persuasion where characters from previous installments have visited. Kit, or rather, Christopher, started his life as a son of a whore and was raised to become one himself. He didn't resent his life, it was what it was, and while he was with Henry he was happy. They spent less than a year together and while he knew in his heart this couldn't be real he still cared deeply for Henry. He also hoped he could make something for himself once the year they had together is over and he is paid fully but one night Henry disappeared breaking their contract and leaving him with basically nothing. Bringing Kit into dark times. He might have came out of it a successful businessman who lacks for nothing but the prices he had to pay hardened him. He thought he left the past behind but when 18 years later Henry appears, "His duke" as his friend refers to him, it brings everything back. The love, the loss, the betrayal, the pain of fists he had to endure.

Muses & Melodies (Hush Note #3) [Nixon & Zoe] by Rebecca Yarros

This book was everything I wanted it to be! I knew there is a reason I couldn't wait to get Nixon's story. There was just something about him, destructive for sure, but something more as he is genuinely a good friend to both his band mates Jonas and Quinn, wanting THEM to be happy even if he couldn't see any happiness in his own life. But things are about to change. He has made a decision to deal with his addictions but it doesn't mean he is ready to deal with its reasons which has it's prices. 

"Hush Note" has been Nixon Winters' life for the past 10 years. He is everything a true rockstar is - A good looking guitar player who (seems to) enjoy fame as it comes with money, women, alcohol and drugs. His band members are worried about him. They see this isn't about fame it's about not being "there" and not dealing with whatever it is that makes him so careless about his life especially during the summer months. When Nixon commits himself into a rehab center all they want to do is hope and pray this time it's for good which is why they take him home to his luxurious apartment and expect to stay as long as it takes.. But "Hush Note"'s manager has already made his own preparations for Nixon's return and they involve having his assistant Zoe Shannon as Nixon's personal "babysitter" making sure he doesn't get back to his vices and moreover starts WRITING. Janos and Quinn has already started some work on their next album but the one who writes the music has always been Nixon and so the brand - meaning Nixon - NEEDS to get on track.

Rifts & Refrains (Hush Note #2) [Quinn & Graham] by Devney Perry

Finishing the first book in this series I was intrigued about Quinn. I didn't like the way she behaved towards Kira but with one explanation I could totally see her POV. She was protecting someone she cares deeply about and she has already seen the women Jonas surrounded himself with and was NOT impressed. She needed to be sure this woman is right for him. That being said, for some reason I had a hard time connection with this story. I'm not sure exactly why. It was sad and heartfelt but I wasn't "there" with Quinn and her family as I would have liked to be (probably in tears half of the book). For some reason I felt like a bystander, a bit like she felt coming home after 9 years not knowing how or even if she can fit back into her family.

Quinn Montgomery is a rock star. She has worked hard to become one but it wasn't with anyone's blessing. Well, except for her grandmother "Nan". 9 years after she left everything and everyone behind she doesn't have a reason to return yet when her mother calls to tell her Nan has died in her sleep she knows it would be wrong to stay away. She needs to say her last goodbyes even if it's not going to be easy. She could handle a week and that's all she's planning to give this experience. 

Sometimes There's Stars by Suki Fleet

I need to be ready mentally before I start Suki's books. While they are always heartfelt on the romantic side, the life situation is almost always horrific. This one was no different, at least for Echo. The sorrow, helplessness and general despair killed me. But with someone as sunny as Peri on his side things started to look up for him, or at least made him hope and wish for a better present and maybe even future. It wasn't an easy journey I can tell you that!

Echo (Ezekiel Bashir) didn't have an easy life growing up with just his mother Marsha but they loved each other with all their hearts and mostly it was enough even if they were poor and struggling. After Marsha died Echo totally lost himself and not only because he became indebted to the local loan shark. When he wasn't able to pay his new "employer" paid it for him and thus he became his errand boy and considering One-Eyed Frank's business (you can guess) things weren't exactly getting better. Then one day on his way to meet another one of Frank's clients he meets Peri and though the whole situation is not exactly a bright one considering Peri gets hit by a car and later on Echo is attacked himself that's the exact mark things change for both Peri and Echo.

The Sex Coach (Skins) by Garrett Leigh

Such a beautiful and heart felt story. I think the name kinda gives the wrong impression though Cole DOES offer to be Toby's "Sex Coach" but he was only joking, well, sort of. For me the story was mostly about finding love and feeling you deserve it. Toby and Cole both had their insecurities but when they looked at one another they saw a person worth getting to know, someone to care for and appreciate. Someone they wished, yet didn't believe, they could have. 

Toby has worked on Whisper Farm for the past 10 years. It's his home now even if everyone treats him as a kid he isn't anymore. He lives a simple life and it suits him yet he does feel a bit overwhelmed by the (gay) couples around him. Wishing he could have what they have but too scared and unsure to look for someone on his own. Which has left him a virgin at 24.

Cole Maguire is a "City Boy" but when the mother of his child decides to move to her parents' town he accepts a job as a Pilates instructor on Whisper Farm through his friend Harry (whom he used to work with in London), allowing them to have shared custody on their baby girl Ella. Cole is struggling. His insecurities in himself, at being a parent, leaves him with insomnia and anxiety. When he sees strong and capable Toby he is intrigued but he isn't exactly the talkative guy, well, both of them aren't and as Toby is attracted to Cole he feels even more unsure about how to even BE around Cole.

Summer's Child (Titania's Court #2) (Dis & Marten #2) by Cari Z.

This novella starts right after the ending of the previous one - The Solstice Gift (the 4th installment in Oberon's Court). Dis is on his way to the Summer Fae's lands to bring Queen Titania the gift from her husband King Oberon. With his protective wolf Ciurlen by his side and a heavy heart for leaving his lover Marten behind he sets on his journey. 

The Summer Fae and their land couldn't be more different than the Winter land he has grown up in. It's warm and sunny. Filled with laughter and celebrations. Most of the Fae are friendly and charming and though they try to convince him he should stay he always denies them. He needs to come home to Marten even if his life there is far from perfect. Titania is nothing like what Dis expected she is honorable and welcoming. So very different than anything he has come to associate with the Fae world. Yet not everything is perfect..