Happy Tuesday folks. I hope you had a great weekend. I’m
taking part in another blog tour, this time for new author Lily Michaels. Lily’s
debut book, A Granted Wish, released in November and now she’s back with a new
series: Improbable Bonds.
I had the pleasure of reading the first two books, so let’s
get to the reviews.
Erik's adolescent crush becomes a very adult relationship at his high school reunion.
Seeing his former bullies starstruck is definitely on Erik Stevens' agenda for his high school reunion. Hooking up with someone is not. He has resolved to end the meaningless sex that has dotted his life, even though it fed his need to dominate. Now he is looking for a man—a submissive—for a relationship that will last forever.
But Erik hasn't counted on Kyle.
For ten years, Kyle Lincke has cursed his repressed sexuality that, in high school, kept him from acting on his crush...Erik. As soon as he receives Erik's RSVPed 'yes' to the reunion, Kyle begins working up the courage to finally act on his desires, difficult for him to do following a disastrous break-up.
But six weeks of exploration into BDSM and small steps toward a deeper relationship are thrown into jeopardy when Erik's fame threatens their bond—and Kyle's fragile psyche.
5 STARS
*****
Unlikely Reunion starts off with a bang-ing LOL I started
reading this book while at the orthodontist and I had to stop. It wasn’t
exactly the type of thing one should read in public. Kyle and Erik have an
intense connection from the start. They come face-to-face with each other at
their ten year high school reunion, and by face-to-face, I mean Kyle walks up
and plants one hell of a kiss on Erik the moment he lays eyes on him.
From there they embark on a whirlwind romance. Erik, the
skinny geeky theatre kid who was bullied for being who he was and Kyle the
popular student class president. Kids who moved in different clichés while in
high school, both harboring secret crushes on the other.
Ten years later, they still traveled in different circles
with Kyle being the quiet reserved type and Erik all into the glitz and glamour
of fame. While they may have been opposites in some regards, they had a lot
more in common than either realized until they started sharing their feelings.
The mutual respect and admiration each guy had for the other made you just love
them both.
The story is low angst, high heat, and explores the BDSM
lifestyle with care and respect. I also love the clear consent that was present
at every step of the way. If you want a sweet story with adorable characters
and satisfying HEA then you’ll enjoy Unlikely Reunion.
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Almost two decades of boxing couldn’t prepare Clayton for the biggest fight of his life—one that put love on the line.
Boxing had been Clayton James’ life for nearly twenty years, but the threat of a serious injury if he continued to fight forced him into retirement. Refusing to be down for the count, he carried his love of the sport into a new career as the owner of a gym. But low membership and a tightly stretched bank account mean he’s faced with closing his doors—or taking one more match to save his business.
The bullying that Tyler Kirk thought he’d left behind in high school not only managed to carry over into college but also seemed worse. Being older than the average student because of the years he’d taken off to rehabilitate his sister after the accident that robbed them of their parents didn’t lessen the attacks he faced. His chance to find peace was in the meaty hands of the finely chiseled and sexy-as-hell owner of the gym he hoped could give him self-defense training.
Neither man expected the adversarial start of their relationship to melt into something that quenched Clayton’s long-neglected need and one that Tyler wasn’t even aware he had. Nor could they prepare for the intense sexual chemistry that flowed between them to quickly morph their training schedule into a hot and heavy hookup routine.
But the risks of Clayton’s final match are amplified when it’s no longer simply his health and well-being on the line but also the love of a good man and the promise of family.
5 STARS
*****
Unlikely Match starts off a little tamer than the first book
of this series. Clayton and Tyler have some issues to overcome before the steam
starts. To say these two didn’t get along would be an understatement. Tyler
walked into Clayton’s gym with the biggest chip on his shoulder. I have to
admit it took me more time to warm up to him than it took Clayton. LOL
This story is an enemies(ish) to lovers tale. Tyler hasn’t
had the easiest life being bullied in high school and it carried over to
college. He shoulders a lot of responsibility by also being the caretaker for
his younger sister. I understood his struggle, but I still had issues with his
attitude. Clayton had issues of his own retiring from boxing and trying to keep
his gym afloat.
Once Tyler let go of that chip and Clayton got over his
reservations due to their age difference, the two found a way to click. Lily
has a way of flipping those stereotypical expectations during her character’s
exploration of BDSM. By that I mean, she takes the one a person might see as
more “alpha” but gives them the softer, more submissive side while letting the “geeky”
one flex their inner Dom muscles.
If you’re a fan of age gap, enemies-to-lovers romances with
low angst, and high steam and a precocious little girl that has a knack for
stating the obvious then you’ll enjoy Unlikely Match.
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A medical professional by day and writer by night, Lily is a huge believer in love being available for everyone. Her novels always include an over the top happily ever after for her characters.
$10 Amazon gift card
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
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