Audit This! by Anne Kane

May 15, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Audit This! by Anne Kane
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Erotic Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

No matter how you add the numbers, Nick is one hunk of an auditor!

When government tax auditor Nick finds himself obsessed with the work of romance author Khloe Matters, there’s only one thing to do. Audit her! But getting a closer look at the author in her own home just makes him switch his obsession from the writing to the writer.

When he accompanies her to a writers’ festival, things heat up in a hurry. Neither of them is being entirely honest, and as the weekend progresses so does the hilariously tangled webs of deceit as each of them seeks to further their own agenda.

Anything is possible in a hotel room.

This was an excellent example of how to explore the enemies to lovers trope between two characters who are instantly attracted to each other. Despite the disagreements between them, I genuinely bought the idea that Nick and Khloe could be a great match due to how carefully these scenes were written and how hot the chemistry was between them. Kudos to Ms. Kane for putting so much effort into those early scenes that established why these two had such a mixture of feelings about each other.

I would have liked to see a little more time spent exploring the conflicts between Khloe and Nick. The solutions to them made sense, but I was slightly surprised by how the characters reacted to what could have been bigger issues depending on how one thought about them. Had another scene or two of discussion been included, this would have been a five-star read for me.

A great sense of humor is something I love discovering in the erotic romance genre, and there were plenty of laughs to be found here. Trying to attend a professional work conference while also entertaining a new love interest leaves a lot of room for good-humored conversations along the way, especially when said love interest also happens to be one’s auditor. The playful dialogue was a great addition, and I would have happily read an entire novel’s worth of conversations between these two.

Audit This! was a funny and sexy tale.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

The Snob by Megan Slayer

April 14, 2026 By Leave a Comment


The Snob by Megan Slayer
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Dacre will risk everything to keep Carley safe, but he expects a high price — her heart.

Carley Mathers isn’t just the “party girl” daughter of a congressman. She’s more. But these days, in a world of fake friends, she’s determined to keep only true ones close. Because she puts them at arm’s length, her classmates at college refer to her as “The Snob.” But she comes from wealth and means — she shouldn’t be able to mix with her bodyguard, right?

Dacre Jennings has been given the job of protecting Carley while she’s off at college. The same classmates who make light of her silence also make fun of him, too. He doesn’t care that they think she lives with the old man. He’d rather she lived with him than alone. He sees the real woman, and he’s been in love with her for as long as he’s worked for the family.

With threats on her life, Dacre refuses to let Carley be used or abused. He’ll put his life on the line for her, as long as he knows he’s got her heart as well.

With social media and fake friends nowadays, Carley is determined to only keep her true friends close. When her classmates call her “The Snob” she mostly shrugs it off. Dacre is her bodyguard, keeping Carley safe while she’s off at college. He couldn’t care less that those same classmates make fun of him – finding humor in Carley living with an old man – but he’s the one who sees Carley for who she truly is, and loves her deeply. Can Carley and Dacre find their way together?

While the trope of bodyguard falls in love with his client is not new, this is a refreshing, modern and interesting story. Carley’s father is a super rich businessman and influencer who begins to orbit the president’s social and government circle. When Carley finds herself being used as her father’s pawn she and Dacre decide to rock the boat and help Carley assert her independence. This was fresh enough it not only kept me interested but felt like a different take on a well worn plotline.

At first it was hard to connect with the blossoming romance between Carley and Dacre – mainly because they were shifting and changing their roles and relationship to each other. It’s not a bad thing that took some time, and the author definitely wrote this aspect well. I was definitely pleased that Carley and Dacre’s relationship was firmly established before the secondary plot of a stalker/killer really moved into action.

Normally I really enjoy a book that has a solid plot along with a good spicy relationship, but in a way it seemed like this book changed mid way through. It was somewhat jarring for the plotline to shift from “my father is trying to use me and set me up” and into “I have a killer stalker”. Perhaps the story would have felt stronger and more stable had it just been one plotline or the other and not a shift from one to the next.

Despite this, I really did enjoy this story – particularly the slow burn and steamy chemistry between Carley and Dacre. Readers who enjoy a seriously spicy, bodyguard style of story should absolutely find this one hits the right spot. I did enjoy the thorough plotting and will happily read more by this author. Enjoyable.

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Devil’s Gambit by Jade Rowe

April 9, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Devil’s Gambit by Jade Rowe
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Fern

My abusive husband lost me in a poker game.
Now I belong to the most dangerous man in New York.
And he only has one condition:

Give him two weeks.

Two weeks under the constant watch of his whisky-colored eyes.
Two weeks next to his perfect, tattoo-covered body. In his billion-dollar bed.

Two weeks to be treated like a queen. And dominated like his toy.

Two weeks. That’s all Dante Caruso demands. Then I can make my decision.
Leave this dark life behind and never look back. Or become his forever.

But there’s one secret he doesn’t mention. Something I could never have predicted.

He’d burn the world down to make me stay.
And I’ll yearn to melt in the fire.

Bella’s life is a series of being constantly on edge. When her abusive husband – whom her father sold her to in order to settle his debts – then puts her up as a last stake in a poker game, she finds herself sold on to another unknown, tattoo-covered mafia man. Dante demands very little, and insists at the end of the two week period Bella can make her own decision. Leave this dark life behind, or become his forever.

I have to admit this is my first foray into the dark mafia romance genre and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. While there are certainly dark themes in this book, and some of the action, fighting and bloodshed in certain key scenes is descriptive – I have to say this story wasn’t as dark as I was expecting. Yes, there is shooting and fights, mafia style scenes and posturing. There is also some violence against Bella in a few scenes – but there is nothing titillating or over-indulged to my mind. The violence is there and not shied away from, but it’s also not drawn out or dwelled on. So I feel this was a good balance between what I was expecting and not hiding it away, either.

This is also a fairly spicy book. I don’t feel this is as explicit (or as sex-heavy) as many erotica stories I have read. That said, it’s not a mafia story with a little romance. I definitely feel it rates a spicy level and not “mainstream romance” sort of heat level, but neither would I slot it in with the erotica genre or more sex-based-plot sort of books either.

I was particularly pleased that the plotline – the mafia fighting and posturing – was absolutely front and center though much of this story. Dante and Bella’s romance is equally prominent, but I feel the plot had about equal amounts of time and this gave the book a better foundation to my mind that had the author primarily focused on the romance between the two main characters. There was also a good number of strong secondary characters and I absolutely felt the next book was set up towards the end of this one – likely featuring Marco, Dante’s older brother and Grace. I’d absolutely be keen to follow on with that book.

Readers should also be aware that while I did find Dante’s character to be fairly straightforward, Bella’s character is quite complicated and might not be to everyone’s tastes. I found she really grew on me but Bella was not what I would think of as a traditional heroine. She is complicated and layered – and what I found brilliant (and slightly difficult) is that in many ways she’s just as morally grey as Dante. Bella is a survivor. She is intelligent and strong. These are brilliant things, but in the difficult mafia world she finds herself embedded in – that means making difficult decisions and not necessarily walking a pure and white path. I’m not sure this will appeal to more traditional romance readers and is likely why it comes more under the dark mafia genre heading – even though I, personally, didn’t find it as dark as I was expecting it to be. Readers who enjoy complicated plotlines and character journeys and growth should likely find this as engrossing as I did.

With a good balance between plot and spice, I found this to be an interesting story and a good “first try” of the dark mafia genre that seems to be everywhere lately. I enjoyed this book and will absolutely be looking at others this author has written. Recommended.

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Jake by Olivia Sinclair

April 2, 2026 By Leave a Comment



Jake by Olivia Sinclair
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday, Erotic Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

A military secret crush / fake fiancé holiday romance

Jake

Nobody but me gets to be her fiancé, fake or otherwise. I’ve been waiting for years to finally show her how I feel, tell her that I know how her eyes always find me in the background. Looks like it’s finally time to claim my spot by her side.

Valentina

I need a fake fiancé for Thanksgiving to finally escape the kids’ table in the garage. So I hired one. Not the silver-eyed hunk I’ve been crushing on for the last ten years. That guy is standing in front of me saying he plans to make my deception all very real. Very, very real. I seem to be having trouble remembering why I should say no…

For years Jake has quietly sat back and waited while his army buddy, Scott’s, younger sister finished her education. Now in her mid-twenties and finished with school, Valentina is determined to fake a fiancé for her Nonna’s Thanksgiving dinner table and move up from the kids table to the grown-ups. When Jake hears about this, he’s determined Valentina has no one except him in her sights – even if it might be fake.

I stumbled on this fun and sexy short story totally by accident. Curiously hooked by the blurb I eagerly dove in and found the story sassy and fun, with just a nice amount of spicy romance. I thought the chemistry between Valentina and Jake was both believable and a steady build and Jake’s determination was a lovely thing to read.

Readers looking for a twisty or convoluted plot should be aware that this is a quite short story, so everything is fairly straightforward. While Jake and Valentina didn’t jump immediately into bed, again with the short length there wasn’t a huge build up and the spice was delightful once we reached it.

I’ve never read anything previously by this author – but was already purchasing some of her other works before I got halfway through this book. I was really pleased with this new-to-me author, and I thoroughly enjoyed this quick read. Sexy and fun, lighthearted and festive I enjoyed it a lot. Recommended.

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Cat Came Back by Anne Kane

March 20, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Cat Came Back by Anne Kane
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Erotic Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Paranormal, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Cat’s come back to town. Jacob plans to keep her here.

When Catherine’s aunt dies in a suspicious accident, she comes back to her hometown to settle the estate. She expects it to be an easy job, but she doesn’t count on being chased by a pack of wild wolves, and an unknown enemy who sprays graffiti on the house and throws bricks through her windows. When the local police force proves less than helpful, it’s up to Cat to find out what’s going on with the help of her all too human lover, Jacob.

Known as the Mad Trapper, Jacob has been in love with Cat since high school. Now that she’s back in town he intends to show her that a human-shifter relationship can be just what a were-cat needs to keep her out of trouble.

Who says you can never go home again?

The chemistry between Cat and Jacob was smoking hot. Things escalated between them quickly in the beginning, so it was useful for me as a reader to know they had a previous history together and therefore knew they could trust one another. Given everything else that was going on in that scene, it made sense that she would seek out someone who had previously helped her when shifting into her feline form had lead to unexpected consequences.

It would have been helpful to have more plot development in general. This was something that I found most noticeable when it came to the mystery storyline that never quite had as much time to grow as I would have preferred to see. There was so much more that could have been done with these scenes and the crime they explored, and I would have happily gone with a higher rating if they’d been given more attention.

I was intrigued by the shifter world building in this book as well, especially when it came to the history of romantic relationships between shifters and humans and why so many folks were hesitant to date across that social barrier. These are details that are best left for other readers to discover for themselves but just know there were good reasons for these two characters to be a little wary of getting involved with each other despite their chemistry and previous interactions.

Cat Came Back was a wild ride.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Armored Hearts by Angela Knight

March 19, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Armored Hearts by Angela Knight
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Captivity makes the heart grow kinkier…

When interstellar mercenary Captain Nick Rand rescues a beautiful enemy from his own men, he thinks she’s the answer to his vampire prayers. On the verge of starvation thanks to the destruction of his hemosynther, he’s in desperate need of a female blood donor.

Lieutenant Zara Tahir needs Nick Rand as badly as he needs her. Without Nick’s blood, Zara’s overactive immune system will kill her.

But Zara has no intention of embracing captivity. While she’s willing to exchange blood for blood, maybe even play a kinky game or two with the handsome vampire dominant, he’s still the enemy. She can’t allow herself to see him as anything more.

Then Rand’s enemies make things a lot more complicated…

Interstellar mercenary Captain Nick Rand rescues a woman from his own crew, and he thinks this might be the answer to his vampire prayers – broken equipment meaning he’s quite literally starving to death. The tasty female blood donor could make all the difference. Only Lieutenant Zara Tahir has a few secrets of her own, and she’s not likely to admit she needs Rand as much as he needs her. Can these two enemies find some common ground when they each need what the other can provide?

I have enjoyed a number of Angela Knight’s previous books – though I do admit it’s been a while since I’ve caught up with anything from this author. I enjoyed this story, finding it reminded me of why I have previously enjoyed this authors work. Smoking hot with a good amount of kink, I found this to be an interesting and hot read.

White the growing emotional and sexual relationship between Rand and Zara is absolutely front and center in this erotic romance story, I was pleased that this wasn’t the only plot in the story. Readers who enjoy some light sci-fi should find this an enjoyable read. I’m not a big sci-fi reader and personally I was pleased that this side of the story while present didn’t overshadow the relationship and BDSM bedroom games between our two protagonists. But I did greatly appreciate that the sex wasn’t the only aspect to the book and this helped the whole story feel a lot better rounded to me.

Readers looking for a hot and heavy book with elements of space should find this a strong and good read. I’d definitely keep a cool drink on hand and give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the shenanigans.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Impulse Caught by Emily Carrington

March 2, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Impulse Caught by Emily Carrington
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Riku takes charge in bed, but will he have any control over the day-to-day decisions of a marriage?

Money and status differences challenge Riku and Theo to find a middle ground. Their passion is white-hot, but their ideas of living comfortably are at odds. As their wedding nears, driven forward by Theo’s parents’ sense of guilt, Riku feels the old urge to run.

Riku refuses to give into this impulse at first, but as the comparison between his emotional scars and the mountains of Theo’s familial expectations grow, Riku fears running will be the only less-than-honorable course left to him.

Theo isn’t blind to Riku’s struggles but he doesn’t understand what’s wrong. Each time he reaches out, Riku reaches back, yet they never quite connect. Will their need for each other overcome their differences, or will their passion be subsumed by a wave of conflicting desires?

Riku and Theo are passionately in love, planning their wedding. But money and status differences continue to challenge them both. While their love is strong, they still struggle to trust and connect with each other. Can they work through these conflicts and find each other again?

I found this to be an interesting and emotional love story. Riku and Theo both have a number of challenges – physical and emotional – and it was deeply interesting to see them try to navigate everything between them. While it was clear they loved each other, this didn’t immediately help them fix all the problems that came between them. I found this both realistic and interesting to read.

I admit I haven’t read any of the previous books in this series, so I did have to play a bit of catch-up on the history between the two men. While I found this fairly easy, I have to admit this might irritate some readers. I also didn’t enjoy the characters Theo’s parents too much. I found them a bit too controlling and overbearing and while I expect this was the point, a part of me doesn’t really understand why Theo didn’t limit his interaction with them more or be a bit firmer in setting boundaries. That irked me a bit with this book.

Overall, I found this a deeply interesting and refreshingly different story. While there is some very steamy sex between the men there is a huge amount of plot and conflict and that really helped carry the book to my mind. I’ll definitely be looking into other books by this author.

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Box Of Chocolates by Sean Michael

February 26, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Box Of Chocolates by Sean Michael
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Holiday, LGBTQ
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

As a single guy, Dorian isn’t a fan of Valentine’s Day, but he loves chocolates and when someone brings in a box for the office to share, he falls in love with the heart-shaped truffles he tastes and decides to get himself a box or two at the new-to-him chocolatery before treating himself to a supper out.

Smoke owns Smoke’s Chocolates and Valentine’s Day is his busiest time of year, between making the chocolates and helping to sell them at the front counter, he’s putting in long hours. When the last minute rush slows down, though, Smoke goes out for dinner only to encounter the also flying solo Dorian. The two men get to talking and sharing appetizers and discover a mutual attraction.

Can they both come to love Valentine’s Day for a reason that has nothing to do with chocolate?

Dorian is buying some chocolates for himself as a treat for Valentine’s day and while his eye is caught by chocolatier Smoke, their interaction is brief and the shop is slammed. When they bump into each other later that evening at a bar, they’re able to sit and talk for a while, and both men realize there is attraction sizzling between them. Can they each have a very special Valentine’s day?

I enjoyed this fun and sexy short story. I liked that while Dorian and Smoke weren’t shy with each other, they didn’t jump immediately into bed. The author did a good job of balancing the sexy shenanigans with some semblance of “getting to know you” and reality. Readers should be aware this is an erotic short story – so there is not a complicated, in depth plot outside of the growing relationship between the two men. For a short, erotic story, it is a delightful and enticing quick read.

With two interesting and believable characters and a whole lot of sizzle, this is a fun and engaging read by an author I really enjoy. Recommended.

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Kuro by Ana Raine

February 13, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Kuro by Ana Raine
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Holiday, LGBTQ, Paranormal
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

When Preston saves a black cat everything he knows about life and demons is going to be questioned.

While shopping for candy for his friend’s Halloween party, Preston saves a strange black cat from a group of teenage boys. Overcome with a desire entirely new to him, Preston takes the black cat home and discovers things are not always what they seem, especially on Halloween.

The cat, a demon named Caleb, has been searching for his mate for months and can’t help but be fascinated with sweet Preston. He’s determined to drag Preston down to his home in the underwater demon world.

Now Preston must choose between his mortal life, or one full of demons — and love.

Preston rescues a black cat from a group of teenage boys. Despite never wanting a cat, Preston decides to take the stray home – only to discover things are not always what they seem.

I found this to be a fun and sexy short story. Caleb and Preston certainly set the pages on fire between them, but I liked that even though Caleb was a demon he didn’t really use powers or magic to lure Preston or fake things between them.

Readers looking for an extended or slow drop into love should be aware that this simply isn’t possible with such a short page count. I thought the author did a good job showing the attraction and chemistry between Preston and Caleb give the quickness of the story and while I do feel readers will need to disconnect their brain a little I did find this a fun and enjoyable Halloween themed story.

With smoking heat between the two men and some sizzling scenes I enjoyed this short and erotic quick read.

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Reaper And Ruin by Elle Thorpe

February 12, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Reaper And Ruin by Elle Thorpe
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ, Action/Adventure, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

An explosion shatters the night. The three men I love are thrown from the bluff into the raging sea below.

And one of them can’t swim.

But the fall isn’t the only thing trying to kill us.

Every step we take, danger stalks closer.
Every breath we steal, the killer waits in the shadows.

When he rips someone I love away from me, the fragile family I’ve fought to build begins to unravel.

The killer has to be unmasked.
The ruin has to end.

Because this time, losing means more than death.

It means giving up the only people I can’t live without.

Violet and her three lovers are determined to find out who the killer tormenting them is. With all their lives in danger – as well as those around them who they each love – these killers are determined to go back to what they know. To being the predator and not the prey.

Readers should be aware that this book continues on immediately from the explosive ending of book 2. I would strongly recommend these three books are read in order (X’s and O’s – book 1 and then Whips and Chains – book 2). This is a complete trilogy and I don’t feel they can be easily read out of order. This book picks up exactly where the previous one ended on a cliff hanger and for that I was grateful.

I believe that this trilogy stands by itself quite well. There are absolutely hooks/links and characters that I’ve since learned are from Elle Thorpe’s other trilogy’s. This is the first (and currently only) set of her books that I’ve read and I’ve enjoyed them. I do feel that you don’t need to have read any other of the books set in this world because while a number of the characters cross over I don’t feel the other trilogy’s/group stories are necessary to thoroughly enjoy this set.

Readers should be aware of that one of the strong secondary characters in this book has absolutely been set up as a lure/hook into what I feel is likely the next trilogy. The final chapter of this book absolutely is a lure into the next series I feel. Readers who dislike final chapters/epilogues that lead into the next series might want to be cautious before reading the final chapter here.

I was very pleased with the way this series wrapped up. I feel it’s completed enough that most romance readers should be satisfied. The main mystery plot that arcs through all three of these books was very well wrapped up and I was quite happy with the mystery/killer aspect to the plotline. I thought there was also a very good balance between the spicy plotline of the foursome’s relationship and the mystery plotline. I thought the author did a good job with both these sides of the series and this book in particular.

I do also have a strong suspicion that (like with the throwbacks to other groups in this book) Violet, Levi, Whip and X might very well likely have some input in the next and other series so readers can get a glimpse of how things are progressing. For the most part I feel like their story, however, is quite well rounded out and left in a good place. I don’t feel there’s much to complain about here in that respect.

Readers should be aware there is a fair bit of spice in this book. I didn’t feel this book was very dark at all – certainly it didn’t feel as dark to me as the first book did and to a lesser extend the second book. This book felt a bit more like a very spicy mystery/romance and not so much a dark romance. This absolutely isn’t for the faint of heart nor the non-spicy reader, but I did feel some of the darker themes in the first book wasn’t as heavy or pronounced in this book. I absolutely think this is a good trilogy for readers who are new to dark romances and darker themes to dip a toe in and see if this genre is really for them or not.

With some seriously spicy sex and a good dose of darker mystery plot this was a trilogy I enjoyed. As my first foray into “Dark Romance” I found it was a good read for me and the new-to-me genre is a bit of a hit.

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