Rellim Reads

Reckless Abandon

He could get used to spending time like this, of having dates and laughing, of coming back to one of their flats and kissing for as long as they wanted.
Fredrick Flynn
Reckless Abandon

I may earn money or credit when readers purchase items through links on my site. Visit my Affiliate FAQ for more information.

Format:
ebook

Direct from JMS Press

Publisher’s Synopsis:
With Valentine’s Day approaching, Oliver is determined to find a date so he won’t have to spend the holiday alone. The only problem is that, so far, he’s had zero luck. He’s also been pining over his Alpha neighbour for a long time, but he has seen him courting an Omega and knows there is no chance of them being together.

When the Alpha’s profile comes up in a dating website and they are matched, Oliver is determined to figure out why the Alpha is cheating on his Omega and makes a plan to expose his lies. After they agree on having a first date, Oliver is mortified to discover Sebastian is single and the Omega he was with is his brother.

Sebastian is not deterred by the misunderstanding and proposes they go on another date. Oliver, a romantic at heart, readily agrees, but is now completely terrified of making another mistake. He doesn’t want to ruin any chances they might have of working out before Valentine’s Day.

As they begin to learn more about each other and the holiday approaches, they must trust each other to navigate through their insecurities. Will they be able to sort themselves out in time for Valentine’s?

Point of view:
3rd person. Mostly from Oliver’s perspective, but there are a few sections from Sebastian’s.

Rellim’s Thoughts:
This is a cute omegaverse stand alone short story by Fredrick Flynn.

Poor Oliver has been unlucky in love, including crushing on his mated older neighbor Sebastian. I was worried at first, but I liked how Flynn handled Oliver thinking that Sebastian had an omega he was cheating on. Once these two get over their initial hurdles, it’s such a sweet relationship. For such a short we’re still treated to several dates and a satisfying HFN.

About the author:
From back of book: I am a transmasc author, member of the LGBTQIA community, currently based in Europe. I first started writing when I was fifteen, and I never tired of putting my characters on the page and seeing where they took me. I particularly enjoy romance novels, and have a soft spot for slow build ups. I love themed stories, particularly those set during the winter holidays. I studied literature and arts in the United Kingdom, then moved to mainland Europe to pursue my passion for writing. I currently live in Prague with my cat.

You can connect with Fredrick Flynn here:

My Favorite Quotes

“something about the idea of being with an older Alpha made him feel weak in the knees”

“He could get used to spending time like this, of having dates and laughing, of coming back to one of their flats and kissing for as long as they wanted.”

“He figured that it didn’t matter what he called it, not really, because the feeling was so strong and it grew with every moment they spent together.”

The Waiting Room

Enough time here and you begin to understand that a jail like this in a city like Chicago was never designed to spare those whose only offense is living next door.
Nicole Gonzalez Van Cleve
The Waiting Room

I may earn money or credit when readers purchase items through links on my site. Visit my Affiliate FAQ for more information.

Format:
audiobook – currently free & audio included for Amazon Prime members

Amazon

Publisher’s Synopsis:
It’s easy to get lost in Chicago’s Cook County Jail, the size of seventy-two football fields. For many released into the harsh elements beyond the walls, it can be impossible to find their way home.

This haunting and powerful narrative reveals the intentionally disorienting tactics of the system and how the punishments meted out to prisoners, their families, and even innocent victims extend beyond the cages. Nicole Gonzalez Van Cleve, the award-winning author of Crook Country, exposes the moral, spiritual, legal, and psychological wasteland – inside and out – of the nation’s largest jail.

Rellim’s Thoughts:
This is part of The Southside, a collection of shorts (around an hour in length) by The Marshall Project.

This highlights the various issues with the Cook County jail and how it actually exacerbates crime in the Chicago area. Inmates and their families are treated disrespectfully at best and often inhumanely. Quick, but necessary listen for anyone who isn’t familiar with how jails work.

Narration:
I enjoyed Almarie Guerra’s narration. She’s easy to listen to and brought emotion to the plight of the many subjects in the story.

About the author:
You can connect with Nicole Gonzalez Van Cleve here:

About the narrator:
You can connect with Almarie Guerra here:

My Favorite Quotes

“enough time here and you begin to understand that a jail like this in a city like Chicago was never designed to spare those whose only offense is living next door.”

Happy Birthday Omega

He is looking at her with reverence and something she suspects might be love.
Bridget Blake
Happy Birthday Omega

I may earn money or credit when readers purchase items through links on my site. Visit my Affiliate FAQ for more information.

Format:
ebook

Amazon

Publisher’s Synopsis:
Every birthday April Howard receives a card from a secret admirer.
When April presents as an Omega, everything changes. She builds a nest in her closet, starts at a new school, and yearns to lick the dimple on her brother’s best friend’s cheek.
But The Omega Academy makes it clear that can never happen. Her mate can only be selected from one of fourteen preselected Alphas. She’s confused and isolated at the strict school, with only one secret happiness. The sweet, unsigned cards she receives every year from a secret admirer.
As she steels her heart against a loveless future, she never expects that her fated Alpha will never let that happen. He’s been there all along, and fate is about to give her everything she longs for, and more.

Point of view:
3rd person. Entirely from April’s perspective.

Rellim’s Thoughts:
My first time reading Bridget Blake but won’t be my last.

Spanning multiple years of April’s birthdays this novella was the perfect mix of sweet & steamy. It’s a standalone short but as long as you’re familiar with the basics of omegaverse – Blake provides enough worldbuilding and a variety of emotions comparable to a full length book.

The first half is a mixture of heartbreak and anticipation as April struggles with her Omega designation and how it drastically changes her life. Annual birthday cards provide encouragement and hope.

Blake manages a terrific balance in the second half of a sexy claiming with the adorableness of young love. Absolutely loved it.

About the author:
You can connect with Bridget Blake here:

My Favorite Quotes

“She feels out of control and constricted all at the same time.”

“He is looking at her with reverence and something she suspects might be love.”

Amanda in the Summer

You are the opposite of everything I’ve become.
Brenda Whiteside
Amanda in the Summer

I may earn money or credit when readers purchase items through links on my site. Visit my Affiliate FAQ for more information.

Format:
ebook

Publisher’s Synopsis:
Three generations of women…and the secret that strengthens their love.

A line of women, all named Amanda, stretches back for generations. Each with her hopes, her joys, her pain—each pouring out her heart in correspondence with a dear family friend who shares their lives, understands their loves, and joins in their sorrows.

But within the correspondence lies a secret. And as the youngest of the Amandas retraces the journey through the years—beginning in post-war America and following through to modern day—the letters reveal, layer by layer, the Amandas who came before her. Soon, the truths and lies hidden in the letters lead her down a path of self-discovery that forges a bond between her past and future.

Point of view:
1st person in that the book is a collection of letters written to Tilly from 3 generations of Amandas.

Rellim’s Thoughts:
A stand alone novella featuring letters from generations of women in the same family named Amanda to their beloved friend and then “Aunt” Tilly.

Snapshots of history and insight into dear friendship between two women who are so different. Emotional read on so many levels.

Content Warning (spoilers):
letters allude to an affair between Tilly and the oldest Amanda’s husband.

About the author:
Brenda Whiteside is the author of suspenseful, action-adventure romance. Mostly. After living in six states and two countries–so far–she and her husband have decided they are gypsies at heart. They share their home with a rescue dog named Amigo while splitting their time between Northern Arizona and the RV life.

You can connect with Brenda Whiteside here:

My Favorite Quotes

“You are the opposite of everything I’ve become.”

“Wouldn’t this world be that much more beautiful with another Amanda. Our Amanda.”

Crime Partners

When Kenyatta plans something, he plans the shit out of it.
Donald Goines
Crime Partners

I may earn money or credit when readers purchase items through links on my site. Visit my Affiliate FAQ for more information.

Format:
audiobook

Publisher’s Synopsis:
Prison buddies Billy Good and Jackie Walker made time pulling small jobs here and there. Not a bad living if you liked scraping by. The thing to worry about was the next fix. Nothing else mattered. When Billy and Jackie fell in with Kenyatta, a ghetto lord ready to take back the streets, they thought they’d hit the big time. Dealing with drug pushers and crooked cops in the name of justice sure felt good, but in a world where “kindness was the sweetest con of all,” every bullet fired echoed with the sound of payback.

Point of view:
3rd person. Multiple perspectives.

Rellim’s Thoughts:
Thanks to Audio In Black for placing this author on their 2023 Audiobook Challenge!

This is the first book in the Kenyatta series by Donald Goines. Written and set in the mid-70’s it’s a look at the inner workings of a militant group styled after the Black Panther Party. Not only from Kenyatta’s perspective, but also that of the men and women in his group, the police, and tangential community members.

Goines pulls no punches with the realities of drugs, violence, and racism. While there are definitely some irredeemable characters – there’s also quite a bit of morally grey actions I could sympathize with. I found myself sad about most of the losses despite their contemptable behavior. At about 4 hours this manages to be a well developed and gripping story. Not exactly ending on a cliffhanger, but it’s obvious there’s more to come and I’m looking forward to book 2, Death List.

Narration:
This was my first time listening to Mirron Willis and I’m glad he’ll be at the helm for the next book too. I enjoyed his performance. He does a great job of differentiating the various characters and immersing me in the strong emotions of Goines’ writing.

About the author:
Donald Goines (at the time also using the pseudonym Al C. Clark) was an author of urban fiction. He was murdered in 1974.

About the narrator:
You can connect with Mirron Willis here:

My Favorite Quotes

“When Kenyatta plans something, he plans the shit out of it.”

“That man has the nerve of ten fools.”

Forever You

It’s a kiss that promises the beginning of forever.
Leah Busboom
Forever You

I may earn money or credit when readers purchase items through links on my site. Visit my Affiliate FAQ for more information.

Format:
ebook & audiobook

Publisher’s Synopsis:
Can love transcend the bounds of time?

Laci V’s star is bright. The up-and-coming singer just released her new single and it’s climbing the country music charts. Her concerts are filling stadiums, and she’s soon to be nominated for a Grammy award. Laci’s quickly becoming a big-time celebrity. But after a storm rolls through one of her outdoor concerts, Laci wakes up in 1855.

Matthew finds a woman from the future in a field near his homestead. He helps her and takes her home with him, and she fascinates him with stories of inventions that haven’t happened yet. Her determination and grit eventually capture his heart. But this rugged, handsome frontiersman isn’t quite sure what to do with this beautiful time traveler.

As Laci gets to know Matthew, she falls in love with his kind and gentle ways, his fierce love for the land, and his indomitable pioneer spirit. While Matthew may be her perfect man, he doesn’t live in the century she wants to live in. Laci longs for the modern conveniences of the time period she came from, for the friends and family she left behind, and for her blossoming career. Matthew realizes that to show his love for Laci, he must let her go back to the time that she came from. Even though it will break his heart.

Will one man’s love span generations? Can love transcend the limits of time, of past and present—turning what seems impossible into something extraordinary?

Point of view:
1st person. Alternating between Laci, Matthew, & Jeremy’s perspectives.

Rellim’s Thoughts:
This is book 12 in Leah Busboom’s Connor Brothers series. While there are a few minor cameos by characters from the series, this can be listened to on its own.

I liked Busboom’s take on a time travel romance. This closed door romance features Laci, a modern day country singer, transported back to the 1850s during a storm. She finds herself on Matthew Peterson’s farm first trying to convince him of her tale and then adventures in learning what it takes to live a life without modern conveniences. Matthew and Laci soon fall in love but also recognize that Laci needs to return to her own time.

The second half of the book is a contemporary romance centering on Laci’s burgeoning relationship with Preston, a descendent of Matthew’s. While I found the writing and dialogue to be repetitive at times and wish Busboom had given her characters more time developing their relationship, I did enjoy the twists and Laci discovering what would truly make her happy.

The epilogue was a lovely ending for Preston & Laci’s HEA.

Narration:
This is my first time listening to either Mary Beth Eversole or Heston Mosher. They each did a good job bringing these 20-somethings to life as well as all the various secondary characters. While I generally enjoy duet narration, Eversole’s delivery pace was significantly faster than Mosher’s. To the point of needing to adjust the playback speed depending on who was doing the bulk of the speaking for a particular chapter. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much I could do when the other narrator was speaking a duet part within. Individually, I’d like to hear more of either of their work.

While I borrowed the ebook from Kindle Unlimited, I received a copy of the audiobook from Home Cooked Books and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

About the author:
You can connect with Leah Busboom here:

About the narrator:
You can connect with Mary Beth Eversole here:

My Favorite Quotes

“Only two days into this pioneer thing and I’m ready to go back to 2021.”

“If she stays here long enough, I’ll get up the nerve to ask her to marry me.”

“It’s a kiss that promises the beginning of forever.”

Hidden by the Doctor

I may earn money or credit when readers purchase items through links on my site. Visit my Affiliate FAQ for more information.

Format:
ebook

Amazon

Publisher’s Synopsis:
Miller
Being a single father in witness protection isn’t ideal, but it’s the only option to keep the baby I technically stole safe. Staying hidden is simple until the night I beat down the door of the only doctor in town, demanding help, and I meet the woman who changes everything.
I’m danger and violence; she’s innocent and caring. I’ll corrupt her, and potentially bring the threat of the MC after me to her doorstep.
Too bad for Dr. Caradee Blacksmith, I’m too selfish to care.
Because I want her no matter the risk.

Caradee
I should be terrified of the massive stranger with tattoos covering every inch of skin and penetrating gray eyes that conjure dirty thoughts I have no right to think. But there’s a sick baby in his arms. He’s not what I expect, throwing my perfectly controlled life into a type of chaos I had no idea I needed. He’s everything I never knew I wanted, making me feel alive with every flaming touch.

But when men who look like him come to town wearing leather vests with hate and violence behind their eyes, I have to decide if this new way of living is one I’ll fight for or if I’ll turn my back on the man who showed me how amazing it is to be obsessively loved.

Point of view:
1st person. Alternating between Miller & Caradee’s perspectives.

Rellim’s Thoughts:
This is book 4 in Kennedy L Mitchell’s In Clear Sight series. These are best enjoyed in order, starting with Guarded by the Marshal.

DNF @ 25%.

I get that this is fiction… but I need a little bit more realism to be able to enjoy the story.

Potentially spoilerish reasons this isn’t working for me:

Miller finds 3mo old baby he’s never seen before and he’s completely unrelated to at crime scene and the US Marshal’s just let him keep her… because he wants to?

Miller has a new name & has been admonished not to have any ties with past life, but names the baby after his mother. A name his father, who is after him, would easily know.

Marshal’s are now placing 4th WITSEC in same small town and no one is very good at keeping a secret. Miller hates his WITSEC name so Marshal says, “We’ll use your real name in private”. Private apparently being every one he comes in contact with.

Miller is so worried about how sick Carlie (baby) is that he bangs on Doctor’s door in middle of the night demanding she be seen immediately and then proceeds to spend the entire “exam” internally monologuing about all the ways he’s going to have sex with Caradee.

Caradee is so worried about baby’s cough that she invites Miller to spend the night for observation and then immediately propositions him.

At this point I’m giving up.

Content Warnings (up to the point where I stopped, contains spoilers):
necrophilia by a secondary character, cheating against a MC by an ex, emotionally abusive family (both MCs), physically abusive family

About the author:
Kennedy lives in Dallas, TX with her husband, 8-year-old son, and two Goldendoodles. A bookworm at heart Kennedy loves to snuggle up in bed, or by the campfire, with an unputdownable book. Her novels are stuffed full of humorous banter, the edge of your seat suspense, and enough steam for a great facial. If you like your heroines strong yet vulnerable and sexy, tattooed heroes who can’t keep their hands off their leading ladies then this author is the one for you.

You can connect with Kennedy L. Mitchell here:

Omega Sanctuary

I may earn money or credit when readers purchase items through links on my site. Visit my Affiliate FAQ for more information.

Format:
ebook

Amazon

Publisher’s Synopsis:
The Omega Sanctuary had one job, find and protect omegas.

They failed.

I expected to spend my life as a simple baker and overlooked beta. After failing every test to see if I was a fabled alpha or omega, I embraced the quiet beta life.

Unfortunately, my body had other plans. Flung into a pre-heat state only omegas experience, my dreams go up in flames. Along with my sex drive.

Rushed off to the Omega Sanctuary, I have to bond an alpha before my first heat comes, and with it, uncontrollable magic. Except my scent is so subtle, the only men who will give me a second glance are forbidden.

A guardian oath-bound to the Order of the Silver Lion. A flirtatious omega, and his older and oh so much wiser alpha. A disdainful prince who is more worried about politics than pack.

With shadowy forces kidnapping omegas straight from their temples, it’s never been a more dangerous time to be an omega.

If I have any hope of protecting those I love, I’ll have to become the omega I never wanted to be to do the impossible.

Unite these men into a pack.

Omega Sanctuary is a fantasy non-shifter sweet omegaverse romance with magic. It’s the first of two novels.

Point of view:
1st person. Mostly from Zara’s perspective

Rellim’s Thoughts:
DNF @ 40%

While I really like the premise – there’s a serious lack of world building. I don’t feel I understand the magic or how exactly the various designations interact (other than vague A/B/O/D descriptions) very well and the individual characters are flat. Weirdly, Jaiyen was the most dynamic and well developed even if he was an asshole.

There’s some vague-ing that I guess is supposed to keep me interested, unfortunately it’s not that compelling. I want to really care about these characters and instead I have to keep reminding myself to pick this back up.

This isn’t terrible, it just isn’t holding my attention like I want a story to.

Safe Haven

I may earn money or credit when readers purchase items through links on my site. Visit my Affiliate FAQ for more information.

Format:
ebook

Amazon

Publisher’s Synopsis:
Who knew that two words could shatter every hope and dream Briar had for her future.

You’re pregnant.

Most omegas dream of this, but the only thing Briar can think about is that awful night. While she suffers alone, her attacker gets to flaunt his perfect life in her face.

Until his assistant finds out her secret.

Now she finds herself being exiled from not only her dream job, but her home and city. The betrayal cuts so much deeper when her family is the one to put the final nail in the coffin that was her life.

Her brother, and only ally left, calls on his best friend. She knows no pack will want her, she’s carrying another alpha’s baby, she’s damaged goods. To her relief, the pack agrees.

But when she tries to get them to drop her off at the omega shelter, they refuse. Instead they offer her a temporary place to stay while she decides what to do next. The problem is that with each passing day she spends with the pack, she gets more attached.

When she agrees to be their date to a charity event, she didn’t expect it to change their lives. Secrets are revealed and when her attacker crosses her path again, she quickly realizes that her happy ending may be ripped away for good.

Will her new pack claim her as their own, or will she be forced to live a life she never wanted?

Point of view:
1st Person. Alternating perspectives.

Rellim’s Thoughts:
DNF @ 60%

This was recommended when I was searching for Why Choose with MM & MMF included. It does have that and it started off good, but then quickly fell flat for me.

At first the MMCs are superficially distinct, but once James starts writing from their perspectives they’re nearly indistinguishable. I don’t really feel the attraction between Briar and each of the guys. The sex scenes seem to come out of nowhere.

Having finished more than half the book, I would have hoped to feel connected to the characters individually and have a better grasp of the Pack dynamic, but I just didn’t.

Content Warnings (possible spoilers & only up to the point where I DNF):
Briar is sexually assaulted by her boss and this results in a pregnancy. She’s then kicked out of her house & City by her parents after they receive hush money from the man.

Inspection

I just like being near you. I like how I feel when I’m with you, Beth.
Lainey Davis
Inspection

I may earn money or credit when readers purchase items through links on my site. Visit my Affiliate FAQ for more information.

Format:
Audiobook

At the time of this review Davis has a Kickstarter featuring the Brady Family series:

Kickstarter

Additional retailers:

Note: Books 1-3 have also been combined into a box set.

Publisher’s Synopsis:

I closed off my heart when I lost my wife. She is trying to start fresh. Can we rekindle an old flame?

I’m just fine, thank you. I run my family business. I cook family dinner and I take my vitamins. I even get plenty of exercise. So when my daughter suggests I need to “get back out there,” I brush off her comment and get back to work instead.

But then I see her.

Elizabeth Burns.

She and her son move in across the street from me after all these years. What are the chances she’d look twice at her old boyfriend?

The thing is, I’m a man now, but I come with man-size baggage. It’s better if I just get to know her as neighbors rather than try and start a new chapter. I know how this story ends. I can’t risk heartbreak anymore.

Not again.

But sometimes, I wish Elizabeth and I could just close our eyes and pretend there’s still a future for us…

Point of view:
1st person. Alternating chapters between Beth & Kellen’s perspective.

Rellim’s Thoughts:
This is book 3 in the Brady Family series by Lainey Davis. While you can enjoy this on its own, I think it’s best enjoyed after Foundation & Suspension.

I love, love, love that Davis is writing older characters falling in love. Both in their early 50s, Kellen and Beth were once high school sweethearts who reunite after 30 years. Kellen is widowed and Beth recently divorced. In addition Beth has a teen autistic son, Jake.

I could not have been more thrilled at how integral Jake was to the story and that the goal for (almost) everyone in his life is compassion, understanding, and supporting him. While Kellen does have to work to find ways to support Beth without overstepping and she works to let more people in, their relationship is fairly low angst. Most of the tension comes from Jake’s dad.

As always, the Brady Family is funny, loving, and encouraging. Kellen and Beth get a great second-chance romance and do a wonderful job of blending their families.

I’m looking forward to Cal’s story, Vibration.

Narration:
I know I keep gushing about them – but Carly Robins and Tom Taylorson are a fantastic match for each other and Davis’s writing. This one was even better because the main characters are older than those in the first two books … Robins and Taylorson are themselves yet sound a bit more mature, but without dropping into a cheesy elderly affect. It stays consistent throughout the whole audio. They are both terrific at the secondary characters as well. These are super easy to binge.

About the author:
Lainey Davis lives in Pittsburgh with her husband, her feral sons, and rescued rabbits. She writes steamy, contemporary love stories with grouchy heroes, strong heroines, and plenty of fiascos. She’s excited to find out how much coffee is too much.

You can connect with Lainey Davis here:

About the narrators:
You can connect with Carly Robins here:

Tom Taylorson is a veteran voice actor with decades of experience in commercials, video games, animation, and audiobooks. His clients range from Hyundai to McDonalds, from Blizzard to Warner Brothers Games, to Disney and LucasFilm Animation and beyond. He’s also an award winning audiobook narrator.

My Favorite Quotes

““I hate people,” I remind him. Mick sucked every extroverted gene out of our mom’s womb. I’m perfectly content with my work and my family in my life, even if those two circles overlap quite a bit.”

“Have you been mating with one of the Bradys?”

“I just like being near you. I like how I feel when I’m with you, Beth.”

“I love this about Kellen Brady. He’s not nice to us because he wants to get in my pants. He’s just nice to us. He’s nice. And that makes me want to let him in my pants.”

“I’m terrified and insatiable.”