Romance Wrap Up July 16-31

Free Hand - E.M. Lindsey

This MM romance is the first in the Irons and Works series and follows Derek and Basil.  Derek is a tattoo artist at Irons and Works and he has a set routine for his days - a routine that doesn't include romantic partners for various reasons including but not limited to Derek's PTSD from his abusive childhood. That changes when he has a panic attack in front of Basil - a Deaf florist. Basil is similarly uninterested in romance after an ableist ex boyfriend. But Basil is also intrigued by the tattooed stranger he helps breath through a panic attack.  I really enjoyed this read and will certainly continue on in the series.  I found Derek and Basil to be very interesting and complex characters that are surrounded by a great cast of side characters.  I was a bit overwhelmed at first with all the characters, but we get enough one-on-one scenes to give me a good sense of all the characters. The romance was a bit of a friends to lovers arc as Derek and Basil, both convinced a relationship with the other wouldn't work out, can't seem to be able to stay away from the other.  Once the romance got going at about the halfway point, I wanted a bit more of some cute romance scenes before we got to the heavier scenes.  I really loved the amount of understanding Derek and Basil have for each other and their personal struggles. 

TW/CW: child abuse/neglect, PTSD, ableism, homophobia, death of a parent, death of a partner (in past

Something Wild and Wonderful - Anita Kelly

This MM romance follows Alexei and Ben as they meet while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.  Each have their own reasons for spending months hiking the trail, but they agree to travel together for a while.  As they spend miles together, getting to know the other and sharing bits and pieces of their past, both grow very fond of the other.  And when that fondness grows into more, the two are elated to find someone they seem to fit so well with.  But when they leave the trail and their outside lives start creeping in, they will both need to figure out if their romance can go the distance.  Oof, this one really found a place in my heart.  This was such an emotional yet quiet romance.  Kelly is phenomenal at capturing those little moments in a relationship that really get to the core of the connection between the two.  Seeing Alexei and Ben so in sync and comfortable with each other, even before their friendship turned romantic, was something I don't find in many romances.  I loved how we get pieces of their backstories as the main story progresses so there isn't one big info-dump session.  Alexei and Ben are both such complex and complete characters that this was one of those rare romances where it really felt like the two of them were meant to be together. These two have crawled into my heart and I don't think I'll stop thinking about them anytime soon. 

TW/CW: parental disownment, homophobia 

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC.  Publication date was March 7, 2023

Kink Camp: Hunted - A. Anders

This is the first book in the Camp Haven series and follows Grace and Liev.  This is Grace's first time to Kink Camp - attending with her best friend Max who finally convinced Grace to come along to experience her fantasy.  Liev is the owner of the camp and after the death of his wife 3 years ago, he's just starting to come back from the brink.  When Grace picks up his post on the bulletin board - a hunter looking for prey, one night, no names - she instantly knows this is exactly what she came here for.  Except one night isn't going to be enough for either of them.  This had more heat and more emotional depth than I was expecting and I absolutely loved it.  Anders does a fantastic job of introducing the reader to this camp setting and all the various characters in attendance.  I loved the wide variety of kink types we get to see - all presented in such an open and joyous manner.  The connection between Grace and Liev is phenomenal and super hot.  I loved how that feeling of instant connection played out on page with them both being drawn to the other even though they didn't use names or really even see the other in the dark of their encounter.  I do wish we had gotten some more of their actual relationship once they finally knew who the other was. We already know they have off the charts chemistry as play partners, I just wanted a better sense that they were actually compatible as a romantic couple doing day to day stuff.  We do get an epilogue of almost 1 year later and that scene does give us a glimpse into their every day lives.  I can't wait to continue on in this series and see all of these great characters find their HEAs.

TW/CW: death of a parent, death of a spouse, CNC, BDSM