Reviews by Tammy and Kim

Bruiser
Elite 8 Studios Book 7
Emmy Sanders

Amazon
April 30, 2026

𝘽𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙀𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙚 8 𝙎𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙞𝙤𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙏𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄𝙨𝙖𝙖𝙘.

𝗧𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗿

My college plans are simple: study, graduate, and get my business off the ground. Until one chance encounter in the library has my sights shifting.

Isaac is as fiery as the hair atop his head. With his ire directed at me, I should steer clear. But I can’t step away from the English major I suspect is harboring some hurt.

With a mutual love for poetry and undeniable chemistry sparking between us, it’s not long before Isaac starts letting me in.

But will Isaac’s affection fizzle when he learns about the videos I make in my spare time?

Or will the discovery of a shared passion only be our beginning?

𝘉𝘳𝘶𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘴-𝘢𝘵-𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵-𝘨𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯 𝘶𝘱-𝘢𝘯𝘥-𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘷𝘰𝘺𝘦𝘶𝘳. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺, 𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴, 𝘱𝘰𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘴 𝘧𝘭𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘏𝘌𝘈. 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘴𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘦 8 𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦.

This is the origin story for Trevor and Isaac, the owners of Elite 8. And it was fun to dip back into their 20-year-old past to see their first meeting and how they came to be a couple.

Isaac is a fiery, guarded, freckled redhead who loves literature, words, and his routines. Trevor is a tatted, bruiser of a man. He could be imposing and intense, but he can also quote and write poetry. He intimidates a lot of people, but for some reason, Isaac is not one of them.

It wasn’t such a meet-cute, at least in Isaac‘s mind, but Trevor has this calm patience about him along with a sense of humor and sarcasm. And he challenges and piques Isaac's interest. And somehow they just start to enjoy their tit-for-tat library meetings that lead to sweet and hot dates. Trevor is a big, burly teddy bear who is totally enamored of his firecracker. Isaac can be a bit of a possessive brat, and Trevor knows just how to handle him. They have such great chemistry. I loved how they saw through each other's tough facades and appreciated each other.

But Trevor has a secret, and he’s just not sure how Isaac will take it. But Isaac is also a guy who has multitudes that he does not let everyone see.

This is a story about safety, trust, shared kinks, home, and found family. It was fun jumping back into this world and seeing how it all started. I loved Isaac's friends Todd and Lumi. It's a sweet and spicy, but unconventional love story.

Dix

(Elite 8 Studios #1)
Add to Goodreads
Buy Amazon or KU
Kim's 4 star review

Do you believe in hate at first sight?

Dixon

If I had to choose one word to describe my new cocky costar, it’d be exasperating. Nikolas Adamos may look like a Greek god—and he certainly struts around like he knows it—but unlike everyone else, I refuse to fall prey to his charms.

Unfortunately for me, Niko and I get paired to do a series of lovey-dovey boyfriend videos for our employers at Elite 8 Studios. And when you film the sort of scenes we do, up close and personal takes on a whole new meaning.

I may have to play nice while the cameras are rolling, but off set, it’s another matter entirely. So what if our chemistry is off the charts? That doesn’t mean a thing. Nor does the tender look in Niko’s eye when we’re together under the lights.

Because I know the truth. Nikolas Adamos revels in riling me up. And even though my pesky friends think I need fireworks after a string of fizzled relationships, I have no doubt if I allow myself to get any closer to my new fake boyfriend, I’ll only end up burned.

Dix is a grumpy/sunshine, one-sided enemies-to-lovers romance with hate at first sight, forced proximity for two costars who work between the sheets, banter and snark galore, plenty of industrial-sized lube, and one very HEA. It’s book 1 in the Elite 8 Studios series, featuring characters that were introduced in Virgin Hearts (Plum Valley Cowboys Book 2), but can be read as a standalone.

Malibu

(Elite 8 Studios #2)
Amazon
Goodreads
Kim's 4.5/5 star review

Falling for his client was never part of the plan.

Mal

Adult entertainer. Escort. Camboy. Surfer-bro. Malibu.

I’ve been called many names, yet no one knows the real me. Filming at Elite 8 Studios gave me the fresh start I was looking for, but now, my past is calling, and even working three jobs isn’t enough to keep me afloat. With my anxiety and panic attacks getting worse and my debts on the rise, something needs to change.

When I’m offered an outrageous sum for a new escorting gig, I can’t pass it up. The catch? I’ll be living in the client’s penthouse for the next six months. And I’ll be his—exclusively.

I’ve been warned Henrik is difficult, but all I see is a man who’s protective, caring, and lonely underneath that hard shell of his. He’s also blind. And yet, somehow, he sees me for exactly who I am.

Turning to this man I barely know for comfort is a bad idea—and falling for a client is even worse—but I can’t seem to stop. With only a few months left on our contract, can I convince Henrik to give us a real shot?

Or will I lose the only man who sees the real me?

Malibu is an age gap romance between older client and younger escort, with hurt/comfort, mental health struggles, plenty of sugar daddy jokes, fiercely loyal friends, and one very HEA. It’s book 2 in the Elite 8 Studios series but can be read as a standalone.

Tink

(Elite 8 Studios #3)

Amazon

Goodreads
Kim's 4 star review

Have you heard the tale of Goldie and the Two Bears?

Alex

Working in the adult entertainment industry has its challenges. Mainly, scoring a date that lasts longer than a night. I’d started to wonder if my own happily-ever-after wasn’t in the cards.

But then a hookup turned meet-cute lands me right on top of Rowan, the shy, submissive bear of my dreams with a serious weak spot for sweetly spoken words. He doesn’t see Tink, the performer. He sees me.

Yet before I can lick my territory, Rowan’s neighbor Finn walks in. Quite literally. And the tatted, pierced, ginger-haired papa bear has his sights set on my new crush. Even worse, Rowan returns his interest. I assume that’s game over, so imagine my shock when Finn suggests a less-than-traditional arrangement in which we all win.

They say you should never run from bears. So really, what’s a boy to do when faced with his ultimate fantasy?

After all, maybe happily-ever-after is meant for more than two.

Tink is a poly MMM romance between one golden-haired troublemaker and two very delicious bears of the human variety. There’s praise, furry chests and unexpected piercings, an extensive collection of orchids, tight white pants, coworkers who are like family, and one very HEA. It’s book 3 in the Elite 8 Studios series but can be read as a standalone.

Himbo

(Elite 8 Studios Book 4)
Goodreads

Amazon

Kim's 5 star Review

𝗖𝗮𝘀

No one ever told me I might meet the love of my life on my knees in a coffee shop.

I’m not one of those people who has everything figured out. I work at my dad’s company because it’s expected, not because I enjoy it. And I may film adult videos at Elite 8 Studios in my free time, but when it comes to my love life, I’m tired of being treated like a plaything.

Jason is different. The blushing barista is demisexual, and unlike most people, he doesn’t care about what’s on the outside. He’s sweet and shy and surprisingly fierce when it comes to me, and for the first time ever, I feel seen.

But Jason has battles of his own beyond graduating nursing school. His health is in question, and suddenly, we have bigger issues than navigating a new relationship.

I never denied being a Himbo, but there’s one thing I know for certain. I’ll go to bat for Jason and me. Because love is worth fighting for.

𝘏𝘪𝘮𝘣𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘪 𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵-𝘤𝘶𝘵𝘦, 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘨𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘸𝘳𝘺, 𝘢 𝘥𝘢𝘴𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘰𝘳, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘏𝘌𝘈. 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘦 8 𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦.

Teddy

Elite 8 Studios Book 5
Goodreads
Amazon

Kim's 4.5 star review

Waking up married is bad enough. Having feelings for my husband? Pure disaster.

Teddy

I wasn’t looking for attachments. I certainly wasn’t looking to get drunkenly hitched to my coworker’s best friend, the very man I’ve been denying an attraction to for over a year.

The thing is Kipp is gorgeous and kind and a self-proclaimed mess, and now that we’re married—and living together—all I want is to take care of him.

But Kipp is only just learning about his submissive side. It doesn’t matter how good he is for me. It doesn’t even matter that he turns to putty every time I call him doll.

He’s not mine to keep. Our husbands-with-benefits relationship is temporary, and once we get divorced, everything will go back to the way it was. Kipp and I may have shared our I dos, but let’s face it…

Falling for the man who wears my ring would only end in heartbreak.

Teddy is a wake-up-married romance between a teddy bear adult entertainer and the hot mess he shacks up with. There’s caretaker-Dom elements and a gentle exploration of kink, spanking (but not as punishment), only one bed, plenty of lighthearted mayhem, and one very HEA. It’s book five in the Elite 8 Studios series but can be read as a standalone.

Felix
Elite 8 Studios Book 6
Goodreads
Amazon
Kim's 4.5 star review

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙝𝙞𝙗𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙖 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙫𝙤𝙮𝙚𝙪𝙧 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙭𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙤𝙧?

𝗘𝗺𝗶𝗹

I like being watched. I’m not ashamed of it, nor my job at Elite 8 Studios where fans know me as Felix. But when my newest costar turns out to be the very same neighbor I’ve been giving private shows to through the window, I’m thrown for a loop.

Christian is gorgeous—a toppy femboy with a love of skirts and belly chains. He’s every bit the Vixen his moniker would suggest. Yet, for whatever reason, he seems enamored with me. We’re quickly thrown together to pilot a series of live stream videos, and our chemistry is off the charts.

But when Christian starts coming over, cuddling with me on the couch and bringing food for my hermit crab, I know I’m in trouble.

Christian may be my coworker, but before that, he was my voyeur. And my friend. He knows me in a way so few others do, but intimacy for me is complicated.

Can I trust Christian with my heart? Or is mixing business, pleasure, and 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 bound to blow up in my face?

𝘍𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘹 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘯𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘴-𝘵𝘰-𝘤𝘰𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘳𝘴-𝘵𝘰-𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘥𝘺, 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘩𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘷𝘰𝘺𝘦𝘶𝘳. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘶𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘴, 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘺 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘴, 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘶𝘱 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘏𝘌𝘈. 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘴𝘪𝘹 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘦 8 𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦.

Emmy Sanders

Website | Facebook | Reader Group | Instagram | Newsletter

MM romance author Emmy Sanders would describe herself as a lover of love. She's obsessed with both reading and writing romance and believes everyone deserves their happy ending. Queer herself, Emmy has a soft spot for LGBTQ+ fiction, but MM is where her heart lies.

Emmy's books combine sweet, steam, humor, and the occasional kink. And, as always, will leave you with one very happily ever after.

No comments

Around and Around We Go
Series: Vermont Trailblazers 2
Amy Aislin

Release date – wide: April 28
Buy links: https://geni.us/AroundWeGo
Or buy direct to get it a week early (on April 21) and with the bonus scene included: https://payhip.com/AmyAislinStore/collection/vermont-trailblazers

Genre: contemporary m/m hockey romance

Tropes: second chance romance, forced proximity, found family

When you’re facing The End, it’s time to rewind to the beginning.

At thirty-eight years old, Sandro Zanetti is quickly aging out of hockey. But the Trailblazers are chasing a history-making third consecutive championship this season, so until his knees fail him, he plans on giving his all to the sport.

What he doesn’t need is the documentary film crew following the team’s every move. Because the director? Is Bennett Jackson.

Former college sweetheart.

Breaker of hearts.

Still unbearably handsome.

But their relationship is also history and has been for fifteen years.

Bennett Jackson is one project away from the credits rolling on his career after his last film flopped. This behind-the-scenes look at the hottest team in the league is his last chance at redemption…and possibly his last chance at redeeming himself with the one man who’s always held his heart.

Neither of them planned for old jokes to resurface or on the inconvenient fact that their chemistry is very much alive.

But as the action heats up on and off the ice—and on and off camera—their reunion looks less like a rerun of heartbreak and more like a revival of that first chemistry.

And Sandro and Bennett may discover that some stories deserve a sequel.

I’m a sucker for a second-chance story, and these guys had so many unresolved feelings. Sandro is now a 38-year-old hockey player heading towards the end of his career, but he’s not sure what he’s going to do next. He's tired and in pain most of the time, and he is starting to be more of a mentor. He does not do relationships and never really got over his first and only love, who left him broken-hearted.

Fifteen years later, that man is now making a film about his hockey team. Back then, Bennett was a college hockey player as well, but he disappeared from hockey and Sandro’s life without explanation. He had his reasons, but they were a mystery to Sandro.

And now they are back in close proximity with a whole bunch of misunderstandings and mixed-up emotions. And it took a long time for them to actually talk about it. At first, Sandro is just trying to avoid anything, and then when they do start to get on a better footing, it’s like they both try to avoid it so as not to mess anything up.

But I really liked them together. They had good chemistry. I liked that they still had an understanding and appreciation of each other based on their shared past. But they also understood that years had gone by, and that they had changed, and they were interested in seeing how.

But they both have a lot of fear about being hurt again and ending up in the same place where they become important to each other again, and then lose it. And now they’re both older and know what it’s like to live with that loss. And both have pressures and uncertainties about their careers and futures that they are dealing with. Bennett had a tendency to take on things alone and shuts down. Sandro shows up for others, but does not always look out for himself or accept help.

It's a sweet, second-chance romance with shared painful past, hurt/comfort, forced proximity, and found family vibes. This is my first book by this author, and I found her style easy to get into, and it kept my interest enough that I read it in one sitting. There are obvious cameos from other stories, but it was still easy to read as a standalone, and it made me interested in the first book in this series and the next book. I really liked the team culture of the Trailblazers and the way they were using mentoring and support to create a better team.

Vermont Trailblazers Trilogy

The Best Parts of Him

Sometimes the sweetest victories happen off the ice.

Ryland Zervudachi lives for the game of hockey—and for the chance to build the kind of team unity that will carry the Columbus Pilots all the way back to the playoffs after last season’s crushing defeat. Off the ice, though, there’s one goal he hasn’t managed to score—the heart of Kyle Dabbs, the Vermont Trailblazers’ team captain and his long-time crush.

Kyle Dabbs has built a life centered on quiet strength. After a childhood scarred by his father’s verbal abuse, Dabbs pours his energy into his career on the ice and the book series he’s written to help kids like the boy he once was. He doesn’t need someone flashy, loud, and spotlight-loving like Ryland turning his world upside down.

But when an untimely appendectomy leaves Dabbs stuck at home, Ryland—recovering from an injury—shows up to help. Between late-night Scrabble competitions, pumpkin-carving mishaps, and long talks that peel back layers they’ve both kept hidden, Dabbs begins to see past Ryland’s bold exterior.

With chemistry sparking and walls crumbling, both men must decide if they’re ready to risk their hearts for something even better than a championship: love.

From A to Us

Eli is trying to hold it together—his spot on the Vermont Trailblazers hockey team, the expectations off the ice, and a life that keeps demanding more than he can give. The last complication he needs is Nolan: his sister’s ex, his coach’s son, and the man he definitely shouldn’t be crushing on.

Nolan came to Vermont to breathe again, not to get pulled into unfinished history—or into Eli, who makes staying distant feel increasingly impossible. But when a set of unsent letters drags them into a mystery neither can walk away from, what starts as reluctant proximity begins to blur every line they were never supposed to cross.

Full blurb to come.

Amy Aislin

Website | Instagram | Twitter

Amy's lived with her head in the clouds since she first picked up a book as a child, and being fluent in two languages means she's read a lot of books! She first picked up a pen on a rainy day in fourth grade when her class had to stay inside for recess. Tales of treasure hunts with her classmates eventually morphed into love stories between men, and she's been writing ever since. She writes evenings and weekends—or whenever she isn't at her full-time day job saving the planet at Canada's largest environmental non-profit.

An unapologetic introvert, Amy reads too much and socializes too little, with no regrets. She loves connecting with readers. Join her Facebook Group to stay up-to-date on upcoming releases and for access to early teasers, find her on Instagram and Twitter, or sign up for her infrequent newsletter.

No comments

𝑪𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒅𝒔

Carrie Ann Ryan

Ashford Creek #2

Add to Goodreads

Purchase Links

When Kiera West needs a place to hide from the media and her ex, she never thought Bodhi Ashford—the man the small town of Ashford Creek once thought a murderer—would be her salvation.

The reclusive, bearded, mountain man has secrets of his own and with one growl, she knew she’d be safe. Sure, he might only talk to her to ask who hurt her, but at least the quiet will let her heal.

When the elusive drummer from one of the biggest rock bands in the world shows up on Bodhi’s doorstep, he needs her to leave yesterday. As soon as he sees the bruises, he knows she needs to stay.

A fire took everything from him once, and the town he thought he could trust turned on him before he could grieve. Falling for a woman in the spotlight is the last thing he needs.

Yet it might be the one thing that could save them both when the darkness of their pasts finally catches up with them.

**Crossroads is a rock star, widower, second chance, small town contemporary suspense in the Ashford Creek series featuring Bodhi and Kiera. Each one can be read as a complete standalone. A HEA is guaranteed!**

Bodhi Ashford lost everything once. He keeps to himself, reluctant to spend much time in town or around more than his close family. When he finds Kiera in one of his cabins his initial reaction to turn her away is set aside when he hears her story.

Kiera West needs time and distance from her ex and the media. While her band is on an extended break, she takes her bandmate up on the offer of his family’s cabin in Ashford Creek.

These two were both struggling in their own ways. His past has him keeping everyone at arms length. Her past has her hiding from danger. I loved watching the vulnerability between them. They have both felt so much loss that their climb back up is so heartwarming to watch.

The pacing felt perfect for these two. There is so much emotional and grief that has to be unpacked and dealt with before anything real can form between them. There is a depth to this story that goes beyon da simple romance. The setting plays into the healing journey for both - for Bodhi to face the suspicions of his neighbors, and for Kiera to heal from the damage of her ex.

The title is absolutely fitting for this book. Both characters stand at crossroads, and even the town and some of the side characters are at their own. I love all the ties this town has and can’t wait to read more from this family and town.

Carrie Ann Ryan's Website

Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, paranormal, and young adult romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Wilder Brothers, Promise Me, and Elements of Five series, which have sold millions of books worldwide. She’s the winner of a RT Book of the Year and a Prism Award in her genres. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over one hundred novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not losing herself in her emotional and action-packed worlds, she’s reading as much as she can while wrangling her clowder of cats who have more followers than she does.

No comments

CHARMING PUCKBOY

Puckboys - Book Ten
by Eden Finley & Saxon James Goodreads Amazon Release Date: April 16, 2026

Genre: M/M Hockey Romance Standalone
Tropes: Childhood crush, just for the summer, collective mayhem, Disney Princess puckboy, interfering kikishkins, zombie squirrels, “fuck it”

LACHIE

It doesn’t matter that I was the number one draft pick in the NHL or that I’m projected to be the next great generational player, because none of it is enough to impress my childhood crush back in my hometown.

Sam used to mock me for being like a Disney Princess with my uncanny knack for finding animals in need. And being home in Colorado for the summer, I’m bound to run into him now that he runs the animal shelter where I used to volunteer. Where I used to try to get his attention every chance I had.

He never noticed me then, at least not in the way I wanted.

But if there’s one thing my time in the NHL has taught me, it’s how to fight for what I want.

SAM

It’s been a few years since I saw the Disney Princess volunteer, but when he brings in a stray cat, I almost can’t believe it’s the same guy.

Damn, has he changed.

Gone is the gangly, pimple-faced teen, and in his place is a man who’s grown up and bulked out. He used to follow me around, asking endless questions about animal care.

Now he’s back, but instead of asking about animals, he’s asking about me. About my life.

Flirting with me. And he’s good at it, too.

There’s something about Lachie that’s undeniably irresistible. I’m willing to give in to his charms, even knowing all he can offer is a summer fling.

Turns out, my Disney Princess grew up to be a real Prince Charming.

From Author's Facebook

Lachie, "Little Kiki" is just adorable, and I loved him. He’s flirty, charming, bold, and just has this sunshine personality. He’s the youngest of the Kiki Brothers hockey dynasty, and he’s home for the summer. He also has an affinity with animals that just respond to him, and it brings him back to the shelter that he used to volunteer at when he was younger.

And it also brings him back to the shelter manager, Sam Travers, who was Lachie‘s first big crush. Sam is not sure about all Lachie’s heavy flirting, so he plays a little hard to get, and he’s going to make Lachie work for it. Sam is content managing the shelter and taking care of animals, and he has no clue about hockey or who all these hockey players that are descending on their town are. But the Queer Collective is definitely in town and bringing their regular shenanigans. And Lachie uses that to his advantage to get Sam’s attention and use them to help him convince Sam to say yes to a date.

I really liked these two together and their witty rapport, and how they played off each other. And they both convinced themselves that it was going to be safe because it could only be a summer fling. But it’s obvious that these two guys also kind of wear their hearts on their sleeves, and that eventually things might get messy. Lachie has a career and life in another city, and Sam is deeply rooted in their hometown.

These two just had my heart. Their connection just kept building even when they tried to avoid it and deny it, and realized how impossible a future could be. But they were just so good together. And I think I felt it even more strongly because Sam had been Lachie’s teen crush, so it’s like the Disney Princess finding his dream man Prince Charming the Prince Charming doesn’t think he’s good enough. I loved how they bonded and cared for animals, and it just showed how big their hearts were. And Lachie’s just so energetic, go-with-the-flow, and fun, but he’s also got this deep side where he really cares about the people he loves and all creatures great and small. And Sam is just this every guy who is thrust into the situation with a celebrity athlete and his crazy friends, and it’s like a whole new world for him. He didn’t see it coming, but once it got there, it’s hard to let it go. And the way Lachie ached just to be home with Sam and his brothers just really touched my heart. I really felt bad for these characters as they struggled to come to terms with their feelings and their situation.

This is an age gap, hockey player and animal shelter worker, summer fling, long distance MM romance with all the sweetness, spice, and feels. I loved this installment of the Puckboys, and it made me happy, but it also made me sad because it’s the ending of one of my favorite series. I loved spending more time with all of these high-energy, chaotic couples and all their shenanigans. I did also like Sam’s bodybuilder roommate, Ethan, and Lachie's hockey player roommate, Hawke. Spin-offs are welcome.

EGOTISTICAL PUCKBOY

Puckboys - Book One

Add to Goodreads

Amazon Kim's review
EZRA

Partying, dudes, and hockey. What more could a gay NHL player want?

If it weren't for Anton Hayes, my life would be perfect.

Not that he affects my life in any way. At all. That would imply I care what the winger from Philly thinks of me.

Which I don't.

Not even a one-night stand with him can thaw his misplaced animosity toward me.

He says I'm the one with the ego, but he can talk. He rivals me for most egotistical puck boy in the league.

I hate him as much as he hates me. Even if I crave a repeat.

ANTON

When it comes to hockey, I'm all about the game.

I've worked for years to be one of the best in the league, and l've done it without splashing my orientation all over the tabloids.

My hockey image is one I've carefully cultivated, and after one night with Ezra Palaszczuk, I risk it all.

He's cocky, obnoxious, and has an ego bigger than Massachusetts. And okay, maybe he's the sexiest man I've ever known.

We'll never get along. Not when we sleep together. Not even when my possessive streak awakens.

That doesn't stop us from falling into bed together over and over again.

IRRESPONSIBLE PUCKBOY

Puckboys - Book Two

Add to Goodreads

Amazon

Kim's review

TRIPP

The worst part of being in love with my straight best friend is the fact he’s too oblivious to see it.

Years of pining have left me exhausted, and I need a break from Dex. I need space to get over my feelings. But when his relationship falls apart and he turns to me for comfort, I cave immediately.

If there’s one thing I hate more than being hurt, it’s seeing Dex struggle. I can’t leave him in a time of need, even if my friends say it’s my biggest downfall.

They say Dexter Mitchale is my weakness, but if that’s true, I don’t want to be strong.

DEX

I’ve always been the dumb one. It’s what I’m known for, and usually I don’t let it get to me.

I have hockey, and I have my best friend, Tripp. What more do I need?

To settle down? No thank you. Marriage? Hard pass.

According to ex-girlfriends, that makes me “irresponsible.”

But the solution I come up with to get over my fear of commitment might be my dumbest idea yet. Not only does it have team management breathing down my neck, but it puts a strain on my friendship with Tripp.

This PR nightmare could lose me the only person I’ve ever loved.

Losing girlfriends is nothing. Losing Tripp? It’s not an option.

I’ll do whatever it takes to keep him.

SHAMELESS PUCKBOY

Puckboys - Book Three

Amazon Universal

Goodreads

Kim's review

OSKAR

After a little mishap in an alleyway with CCTV, my public image needs fixing. Oops?

It might have been a stunt to get the attention of Lane Pierce, San Jose’s new PR manager, but I didn’t realize what the consequences would be when I did it. I’ve got Lane’s sole focus now in all the wrong ways.

He has designated himself as my babysitter, and while it’s fun messing with him, being bound by curfews and rules has never worked for me.

The more I push back, the more I realize what’s really on the line. My career, my future, and maybe even my heart.

LANE

Being appointed head of San Jose’s PR department was a dream come true … until I met Oskar Voyjik.

He may be San Jose royalty, but with the stunts Oskar’s been pulling, the team owner is down to his last thread of patience. Which puts me in the firing line. If I can’t turn Oskar’s entitled party boy image around, we’ll both be shown the door.

I have free rein to do whatever it takes, and it turns out whatever it takes is Oskar.

Only, the more entangled our lives become, the more I see the Oskar he’s buried deep down. The one who hurts, the one who’s sensitive and kind, the one … the one I think I’m falling for.

I can’t have him and my career, and if rumors of the professional lines I’ve crossed get out, it’s not only my dream job I can kiss goodbye; I’ll be disgraced from professional sports completely.

FOOLISH PUCKBOY

Puckboys - Book Four

Add to Goodreads

Amazon

Kim's review

ALEKS

After my divorce, I’m ready to have fun, date around, and not get into anything serious. Then I meet Gabe Crosby, superhero firefighter and a disgrace to the Crosby name. He doesn’t even like hockey!

Yet, there’s a draw to him I can’t deny—something I haven’t felt since my teens. But that’s the problem. I have no idea what dating is like, let alone how to do it with another man. He makes me flakey and nervous, and I’ve never been that guy.

Gabe turns me inside out and upside down in the best possible ways. I only recently became single, but if I continue to chase after him, I might not stay that way for long.

GABE

When I meet Aleksander Emerson during an emergency call-out, there are three things that catch my attention: his sexy tattoos, his kind eyes, and his drunken offer to have my babies.

He’s new to Seattle and recently divorced, so I take him under my wing–and under my sheets. I’m showing him what the world of hookups is like, only those hookups turn into sleepovers and dates and public displays of jealousy.

Aleks is in his casual era, and I’m working my way toward settling down and starting a family. What the two of us have is fun, but not a good idea permanently.

Too bad Aleks has already set my life on fire.

CLUELESS PUCKBOY

Puckboys - Book Five

GOODREADS

Amazon
Kim's review

Genre: M/M Sports Romance
Trope: Workplace romance, player/trainer, close proximity, hockey

QUINN

Straining my groin is bad enough. It puts my hockey career, my future, but even worse, my dignity on the line.

Having to get massages in that area from Vance Landon, one of the team trainers, is mortifying.

It’s impossible to hide my feelings toward him. If my constant blushing and bumbling doesn’t give it away, my body does.

It’s getting to the point where I wonder if hockey is even worth the embarrassment.

Trying to avoid him only makes him seek me out more. He’s determined to rehab my injury, but all I want is for him to leave me alone.

Or fall for me.

One or the other.

VANCE

Ayri Quinn isn’t your typical jock … except for the fact he refuses to admit when he’s injured.

I’ve seen more than enough professional sportsmen lose the career they love due to injury, and I’m not having it happen again.

Especially not when the guy in question happens to be the sweetest, most awkward, innocent jock I’ve ever met.
When a night out leads to Quinn reinjuring himself, I create a care plan that keeps me hands on, literally. Unfortunately, working with him in close proximity brings all those feelings I’ve been trying to ignore to the surface.

I just need to get him better so he can be back on the ice and out of my bed.
Ah, my massage bed.

Because if this goes on any longer, I might mean my actual bed.

Ayri Quinn is impossible to resist.

BROMANTIC PUCKBOY

Puckboys - Book Six GOODREADS LINK
Amazon Universal Kim's 4.5 star review

Genre: M/M Sports Romance Standalone

Trope: Double bi-awakening, idiots to lovers, eccentric hockey players, anti-wingman, PR headache, secret relationship

Bilson

The idea of moving away from Seattle was a joke at first.

I have too many failed relationships here. Too much baggage.

So when I find myself signing with Nashville and leaving everything behind, I’m hopeful a new start will cure me of my attachment problems.

I fall fast and hard, and I’m quickly realizing it’s not so easy to escape my emotional damage. That follows no matter where I go.

When my new teammate, rookie goalie Miles Olsen, attaches himself to my side, the media are excited to exploit our bromance. Little do they know, he’s doing me a favor by keeping me away from making mistakes with women.

That’s the deal we made at the beginning of the season, but as time goes on, and we’re both going through a dry spell, Miles suggests a different arrangement. One I’ve never contemplated. One I shouldn’t consider.

One I can’t stop thinking about.

Miles

My first day as starting goalie for Tennessee is made mildly more terrifying by coming face to face with NHL veteran Cody Bilson. Hero worship? Me? Never!

He reminds me of my old frat buddies; loyal, kind, easy to trade banter with. But my dude is lost and trying to find himself again--without getting married this time.

I want to help him, and while my suggestion might not be conventional, it sure as hell is effective. The only way to make sure he doesn't marry a woman again? Blow off steam with a man instead.

We're both straight, we're both single, and we're both down for a good time.

After all, what are teammates for?

FORBIDDEN PUCKBOY
Puckboys - Book Seven
Goodreads
Amazon
Kim's 4 star review

Genre: M/M Sports Romance Standalone

Trope: Brother's best friend, forbidden relationship, ref/hockey player, conflict of interest, sibling drama, collective palooza

Easton

You know what’s the worst feeling in the world? Being in love with someone since you were twelve years old, knowing they only see you as a little brother type.

Not even becoming an NHL star has made him realize I’m all grown up now.

All of that changes when I ask my brother’s best friend to ref a charity match and we spend an entire week in each other’s pocket.

Being close to him is torture, but for the first time since my adolescent crush started, I begin to feel hope. I swear Knox looks at me the same way I look at him. Or so I think. When I throw myself at him and get utterly rejected, I never want to see him again.

Yet, shaking him is impossible, because he and Connor are always around, and my older brother is suffocatingly protective. Every time I look at Knox, I’m reminded of how he turned me down.

Can’t I just die of embarrassment in peace?

Knox

The Kiki brothers are legendary in the NHL world. Thick as thieves, unstoppable on the ice, and the kind of family nothing can come between. Or so I thought.

For the last ten years, I’ve successfully hidden my feelings for the middle Kiki brother. Easton is snarky, determined, and the prettiest guy I’ve met. Ever since we stumbled across each other on a gay dating app and shared our secrets, I’ve felt a connection to him that I haven’t had with anything else.

But Connor is my best friend and when it comes to his little brothers, “protective” doesn’t cover it. I’m determined to take my feelings for Easton to the grave, but after a week in close proximity to him, my willpower is ready to break.

All it takes is one charity hockey match, a drunken night out, and a forbidden kiss for me to know that Easton Kikishkin is it for me.

And unless I want to lose Connor, Easton will never be mine.

Possessive Puckboy
Puckboys #8
Goodreads
Amazon

Kim's 5 star review

Connor

Finding out those closest to me don’t see me as the great guy I think I am not only kicks me in the gut, it makes me question everything.

Until that happened, I didn’t think I had many regrets in my life. Now, I have nothing but regrets. And when my NHL team is bought out, and the new owner makes his presence known, my existential crisis kicks up a notch. Because he might be my biggest regret of all.

Parker Duchene.

I made his life a living hell in high school, and now he’s inserting himself into my career to repay the favor.

With everything in my personal life already on the line, I can’t risk hockey too. I need to figure out a way to play nice with the new owner.

Parker

I bought Colorado’s NHL team to honor my late father. I did. Only reason.

Emotionally playing with one of my many high school tormentors is a nice bonus though.

Connor Kikishkin may be the one who made me the target for years of name-calling, but I’ve always wondered if my hatred for him bordered too much on the obsessive side to truly be classified as hate.

Infatuation is probably the right word for it.

Now his whole life is in my hands, and I can’t wait to see him beg for my mercy. Seeing Mr. Popular find his humility will definitely ease the grief from losing my dad … right? Because right now, that’s all I have, and I need to hold on to it so I don’t crumble.

Stubborn Puckboy
Puckboys #9

GOODREADS LINK
Amazon

Kim's 4.5+ star review

Genre: M/M Sports Romance Standalone

Trope: Friends to enemies to lovers, Coach x Player, secret relationship, collective shenanigans

Colby

Once upon a time, playing for the NHL was my dream. Then Radimir Novicov skated circles around me and made it clear I’d never be good enough. He was smart, talented, and worst of all–sexy. Every closeted guy knows that you don’t hit on your teammate, even if his gaze lingers longer than it should.

All it took was one drunken close call before our friendship was in tatters, he was called up to the NHL, and I was sent for further conditioning.

Playing in the NHL was off the table, so coaching became my new dream.

And seventeen years later, I’m finally heading to the big time.

Video coach. Pro level. The only downside?

It’s for Novi’s team.

Novi

Radimir Novicov is not scared of anything. I am one of the best. Future Hall of Famer. There are two years left on my contract and I will end my career on the highest high anyone did see.

Then I will slink into the shadows where no one will hear of me again.

Because while I’m playing professionally, I cannot come out and be myself. Not with my family still in Russia.

The plan has been set since I first moved to America, and I only have two years left to wait. It should be easy to focus on hockey.

Then Colby Kessinger walks back into my life. The teammate with the lopsided smiles and cocky attitude–the one who made my heart want things it can’t have.

Now two years feels like a lifetime.

Eden Finley

Eden Finley is an Amazon bestselling author who writes steamy contemporary romances that are full of snark and light-hearted fluff.

She doesn't take anything too seriously and lives to create an escape from real life for her readers. The ideas always begin with a wackadoodle premise, and she does her best to turn them into romances with heart.

With a short attention span that rivals her son's, she writes multiple different pairings: MM, MMF, and MF.

She's also an Australian girl and apologises for her Australianisms that sometimes don't make sense to anyone else.

Saxon James

Saxon James unapologetically writes happy endings for LGBT+ characters.

While not writing, SM is a readaholic and Netflix addict who regularly lives on a sustainable diet of chocolate and coffee.

Member of SCBWI.