Love Stories. Ah! Romance (Stories for Adults)

 The podcast for this was done just before Valentine's Day; but even though I'm a couple weeks behind on getting this followup blog up, there's always time for romance!  I separated the list into 2 parts, one for teens and one for adults.  At the library, we don't judge....if you're an adult who likes teen books, enjoy.  If you're a teen who likes adult books, between you and your parents; we just lend the books.  =)

I kept this list to a realistic base model, so no aliens or supernaturals (vampires, were-creatures, etc); although I did allow psychic gifts or superpowers, as they are still humans but slightly "extra".  It was harder than I anticipated (I read a LOT of supernatural/magical/alien stuff).

Here is the link to the podcast if you'd like to listen Alchemy of Genres podcast

Luc has famous parents (musicians/rock stars) which has made him a paparazzi target all his life (especially since his father is a famous addict with lots of compromising pictures).  When a picture of him is made out to make it seem like Luc is just like his father (a crazy addict) his job decides that it is too much.  He needs an image makeover, so he can fund raise not cause a furor that costs them donors.  It's so cliche, but Luc is desperate and agrees to date a "fine upstanding young man" so he will appear more acceptable to donors.  Enter Oliver; a barrister, a clean & healthy vegetarian who has never done anything scandalous, ever.  Oliver agrees, if Luc will attend a family function with him, he will appear in photos and attend the fundraiser affair with Luc.  They have nothing in common, but start chatting via text so at least they appear to be in each other's lives.....but then they start talking for real, and start asking questions and seeing each other outside of the public eye and somehow their differences seem....small.....how is it that fake dating can feel so....real?

Alexis Hall has built a really fun story on a cliche, and taken it in a direction the reader doesn't expect (well, aside from the happy ever after, because that is REQUIRED).  The main characters and even the supporting ones are fully realized and three dimensional.  The family relationships and dysfunction make sense and add to the tension.  All in all, a very fun romance, highly recommended.

North Chastain has a psychic ability that allows him to track people (especially psychic criminals).  When his father falls into a coma, North knows it is an artifact from a secret government project to blame.  He needs to find the object and the attacker but his powers are fading, so he finds Sierra who knows paranormal artifacts and shady dealers.  As they search, they find more than expected, from the criminals and each other.  Is this real or just a side effect of all the adrenaline?  Can they figure it out before one of them is next?

I have said it before and will say it again; I love this author.  Her books are fun and adventurous.  You should try one.

Caulky is book one of the Four Bears Construction series and it is a really fun series you can find on Kindle Unlimited.  

Story:  Ren just wanted a rebound fling, so he is definitely not getting attached to the hot contractor re-doing his bathroom; nor is he also having feelings for the guy he connected with on an app, whom he has never met but is so much fun to talk to and so understanding.  Really, it's nothing serious....

I really enjoyed the quick read and the fun, flirty relationship in this book.  It's a good series.

This title is available only on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.

Bradley is a widower and when his daughter has a health scare and is rushed to the hospital, he finds out that she isn't actually biologically his.  Frankly he is stunned, but also a bit relieved because his father died of a genetic disease that he may have inherited; so knowing that his daughter won't be at risk is a relief.  It is also a bit of a puzzle as to who might be the father.  He decides that he will find the father and offer him a chance to get to know his daughter; but he will not give up custody.  He just wants her to get to know her biological father, and he feels like it is the fair thing to do.  He reaches out to his first possibility, his wife's ex-boyfriend in college and asks if he wants to take a paternity test.  Shane is stunned, as Bradley's wife was the love of his life and broke his heart when she left him.  The idea that she was pregnant with his child is difficult.  But he agrees to check it out, because if she is his; he wants to get to know her.  So Shane moves to be closer, and ends up moving in with them to help out with child care and bills.  What neither of them expect is for there to be sparks between them, or for them to become best friends in spite of all their differences.  

This was such a sweet quiet story about friends and lovers, and moving on after grief.....I really loved it.

Evie has a headline spot on a hit morning show and is an amazing chef.  She is going places.  But after a terrible fall at a party, down several flights of stairs, she can't remember anything.  So her assistant reaches out to an old emergency contact in the hopes of giving her a place to recover physically and hopefully regain her memory.  Family friends who run a luxury dude ranch in CA.  Old friends and a relaxing place sound like the perfect place to hide for awhile.  

Zach hasn't seen Evie in years and has regretted allowing circumstances to tear them apart.  He feels like this is a second chance to win her love and fix what broke; and maybe this time the ending will be better.  

Weatherspoon is a master of fun, sexy and flirty stories.  I also love that they always include people of color, usually African Americans.  I am not usually a cowboy story person, but I gave it a try and it was everything I had hoped it would be.  You should check it out, and now there's another one......

Griffin moves to Coolum Beach (Australia) to start a new job.  On a hike he finds a bedraggled dog, who seems friendly; and upon looking sees a collar with a name and number on it.  So he takes the dog home and calls the owner.

Dane is stuck in a conference hours away from home when his mom tell him that his dog ran away and no one can find him.  He is distraught.  Then he gets Griffin's call and the relief is profound.  His baby is ok.  Griffin says that he will watch the dog until Dane finishes the conference and starts sending pictures of the activities they are doing while "daddy" is busy at work.  Both of them start chatting over the pictures and chats lead to calls which leads to meeting.....and then to dating.  This is an awesome "meet cute" story that just pulls at your heartstrings.  I love how non-angsty and adorable the guys are and how naturally the relationship develops.  

This title is available only on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.

Micah has PTSD and permanent injuries which cost him his football (soccer) career.  He gets a room with Sam, nerdy bartender and they become best friends.  After awhile, they both realize they want more but neither wants to ruin their friendship, and Micah is still struggling with his depression and other issues.  Can they make this work?

I liked this story because it really delved into depression, and mental as well as physical issues and how it all affects all aspects of life.  The author makes a point of therapy being a big part of recovery, and also side effects of medication play a part in the up and down parts of the relationship as it builds.  Leigh doesn't shy away from the hard parts of building a romantic relationship but keeps it based in reality; making a story that feels so real and satisfying.  Very well done.  This title is available only on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.

Shane's Fall is #2 in the Escorts Trilogy by Sloane Kennedy.  Shane loves money, sex and women; so a job as a professional escort is perfect.  Unfortunately, Shane has family issues he can't avoid for much longer, as well as addiction issues he refuses to see.

Savannah is reeling from a brutal assault from someone she trusted and is afraid she will never be normal again.  Her coping methods are dangerous and she is scared about everything.  Savannah hires Shane (he is her brother's best friend) to help her overcome he fear of intimacy.  She figures he will understand and help her because they know each other.  Unfortunately, knowing each other means it's hard to hide all the secrets (even the ones you're hiding from yourself) and sharing secrets is so much more intimate than sex......and being intimate leads to caring more than either of them should.

Kennedy writes really good stories featuring characters recovering from trauma and issues as they find love.  This title is available only on Amazon & Kindle Unlimited.

Not usually a cowboy story person, and yet.....here is another one....

*shrug*

Kaden has a very difficult time holding a job, as he is easily triggered and has a multitude of issues which lead him to anxiety episodes, sometimes severe enough to land in a hospital.  He knows he is a mess, and with all of his scars, he is also ugly.  His luck turns when he finds a job as a cook on a Montana ranch, and he gladly (though nervously) leaves NYC and heads West and hopes this time will be different.  

Logan is all the things Kaden is afraid of; a big man with a loud voice but he is also kind and patient and careful of Kaden's triggers as they are discovered.  Kaden begins to let his guard down and think maybe this job could be more than a temporary thing, maybe he could build a life?  Logan knows that Kaden has issues and is unsure about why he finds him attractive, but is figuring out things as he goes.  Maybe love, kindness and patience work for people as much as horses?  

This is a really sweet story and Logan is unbelievably good (like seriously....is there a human that nice.....with so few issues?) He even takes his new bisexuality in stride with minimal angst.  A great read on a day when you want to relax with a feel good story (with a few tears for all the trauma Kaden has been through).

This title is available only on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.

Jon's mysteries series is amazing.  I am obsessed, so, fair warning.

Jon is psychic.  He can read an aura like a map of your soul and he always knows if you are lying.  So he works for an agency that cooperates with police in investigations and he has a pretty good life.  Except that he has helped put away a lot of people, and they really don't like that.  And he also cannot be around anything electronic because he fries it instantly, which has also gotten him into hot water (electronics are everywhere).  Enter Donovan Havili.  He is hired as a partner & a sort of protector for Jon.  Remind people to stay away if they have electronics, help Jon if he over-exerts himself, and just keep him safe.  Of course they fall in love.  And they are perfect....well, ok, they are human, so no....not perfect; but they are good for each other and they help each other because Donovan has his own issues and so their partnership is so much more than just work.   

There are 4 books in the series thus far, and 2 parallel series featuring Donovan's brother who chases dangerous ghost as an FBI agent.   This series is available only through Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.

The Made Marion series is pretty long, and in each a family member finds their true love.  (It's a big family, lots of cousins....)

Borrowing Blue is the first of the series.  

Blue grabs a handsome stranger in a bar and they share some kisses as a middle finger to Blue's ex who just showed up at the bar....with a husband.  Turns out though, the handsome fellow is the brother of the man marrying his sister and owns the winery they are having the wedding at.  But, they are all stuck hanging around each other for the week leading up to the wedding, what harm is there is cutting loose and enjoying each other's company?  It's not serious.

I love this one because they just ....fall....there is no "oh god I'm gay/bi" moments, even though one of them had never been with a man before; just a "huh, that's different" and then...."I like you let's see where this goes".  It's such a sweet story and such a breezy read.  Love it.

Last but not least is Flash Me, from the Heathens Ink series.  This book was the first time I have ever read a book featuring a transgender lead character that felt close to reality (aside from the true love conquers all thing you get from all romances).  So many approach trans characters as if they are damaged or there is something wrong with them wanting to fall in love/have sex/have a family.  Neuhold just dives in and you can tell she took the time to include feedback from the community.

The story:  Liam was kicked out at 16 for being transgender male.  He got lucky though because he found his older brother and formed a new family who cared for him and supported him.  Now he is 21 with his own photography business that he is building and a pretty good life.  He is just wishing he could be with the guys he knows he is destined to be with and has loved for so long.  Yes, guys plural, because there are two; and they have both known him long enough that they haven't recognized him as an adult and he is determined to change that.   

Neuhold's books aren't afraid of sex scenes and she doesn't shy away from them here either, but she took the time to address some real issues discussed among the partners in a caring and loving way.  There is no "you are broken" or "you're not a real man"; just partners enjoying sexy times and making adjustments as needed.  

Definitely don't read this is polyamory bothers you, or sex scenes; but honestly, I just thought it was a fun, light romance done well.

This title is available only on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.