Title: Hard Candy
Series: Bend or Break, #7
Author: Amy Jo Cousins
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 133 pages
Publisher: Samhain Publishing (March 22nd 2016)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Blurb: How to get over someone? Get under someone else—as soon as possible.

Vincent Lim always assumed his best friend (and occasional hookup) Austin would be waiting for him—that eventually they’d end up together. But now that Austin’s in love with another man, Vinnie is at a loss.

After the world’s most awkward one-night stand with a dance major, Vinnie knows the drill. Minimize the embarrassment by pretending they’ve never met. Yet Bryan’s vibrant spirit and calm center lure Vinnie like a shelter from an emotional storm.

But Vinnie’s thrown off his game by the rest of Bryan’s total package. Vinnie’s a rowing jock with a single-minded focus on living up to his parents’ academic and social expectations. Bryan might as well be outfitted with glittery butterfly wings—with plenty of pride to match. Vinnie’s haphazard attention to a lover won’t cut it this time.

Physically, they can match each other stroke for booty pop. But for the lovers to meet on common ground, they’ll have to find a way to get moving in the same direction.

Warning: Contains one uptight rower, a dancer who can rock a skirt like nobody’s business, yoga lessons, and the benefits of being very bendy.

ISBN: 9781619234468

Product Link: https://www.samhainpublishing.com/book/5749/hard-candy

Reviewer: Aerin

Review: I’m not sure whether to be happy or sad that this series is over, I have somewhat mixed feelings. I kind of want to celebrate its over because it was time to end this and I think this book is a nice strong end to this series.

I though Vinnie and Austin will get their happy ending together, but it wasn’t meant to be. I wasn’t very disappointed and I’m not sure that’s a good thing or not, but I’d like to think I just rolled with the punches. If Vinnie and Austin didn’t want to be together, who am I to force them?

Vinnie is this serious guy, all intense and focused in his studies to the point of obsession. He’s very proper, all slacks and khakis and button down shirts. Vinnie isn’t a very sexual being; in fact, the only times he has sex with Austin is when he’s had a lot to drink. Vinnie made me very sad, for him and in general, although I can’t figure out the exact reason why. What Vinnie needs is someone who’s the exact opposite of him, someone who can shake up his very monotonous life.

The person Vinnie needs is none other than flamboyant, effeminate Bryan, a dancer and yoga advocate. Bryan knows he stands out but doesn’t give a shit what people think about him. He doesn’t like to tone it down, even though Vinnie would very much like him to. He wears hot pink shirts and high-heeled boots, and if Vinnie is ashamed of him, then he can go to hell. Bryan doesn’t like to let other get close to him, because he’s been hurt and abandoned by the very people who were supposed to love him unconditionally.

Vinnie and Bryan’s relationship is more about enjoying each other’s company and genuinely liking to spend time together. They do yoga together, study together, make out and sensually explore each other’s bodies.

Neither Vinnie nor Bryan are too crazy about penetrative sex, but that works for them and makes them even more perfect for each other. Their sexual relationship is more sensual and intimate rather than steamy and dirty. I prefer a mixture of both, but in this case I though the lack of steam was fitting.

Their relationship isn’t perfect, because they have to deal with a homophobic parent and some homophobic douche bags who are students at the same campus. Problems arise, some more dramatic than others, but as long as Vinnie and Bryan focus on what’s important and don’t lose faith in one another they should be fine.

It’s been nice hanging out with these guys and their significant others, I wish them the best! And I’m certainly looking forward to Amy’s future stories, so let’s hope we won’t have to wait too long.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Title: Love Me Like a Rock
Series: Bend or Break, #6
Author: Amy Jo Cousins
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 154 pages
Publisher: Samhain Publishing (March 22nd 2016)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Blurb: In art and in love, it’s the rough edges that make things interesting.

Having grown up with artistic implements always in hand, there’s almost nothing Austin can’t make real. Except for one thing—an official relationship with his best friend, rowing teammate and occasional hookup, Vinnie.

The combination of emotional and sexual frustration fuels a spark between Austin and the nude model in his drawing class. Austin isn’t used to having trouble focusing; models are merely challenging subjects to be rendered on paper. But the geology TA’s direct blue gaze is powerful enough to drag Austin’s focus away from his physique.

After a quick and very dirty post-class encounter, all the reasons that Austin has been waiting for his best friend go fuzzy in his mind. Sean is nothing like Vinnie. Sean is persistent, pays attention, and makes it clear he wants to be together.

But if Austin can’t get his head and his heart on the same page, he could lose his friend, or his lover. Or both.

Warning: Contains rock geeks, tent sex, a dictatorial cox whose idea of a good time is drawing naked dudes, plus one naked dude who wants to be more than a good time.

ISBN:9781619234451

Product Link: https://www.samhainpublishing.com/book/5748/love-me-like-a-rock

Reviewer: Aerin

Review: I feel like jumping with joy and doing cartwheels and all that crazy stuff that shows I’m happy with this book! After the disaster that Rafi’s book was (Real World wasn’t that great either) I was cautiously optimistic that Austin’s story would be a lot better. I wanted the same quality writing I got used to getting from Amy and not even the fact that Austin and Vinnie weren’t going to be happy together didn’t deter me from giving this book a try.

The first thing that convinced me this was a turn in the right direction was the use of a ginger character. I just LOVE gingers! Apparently, Austin does as well. Because even though he’s still hoping for a relationship with his long-time friend Vinnie, he doesn’t lose the opportunity to ogle Sean. The model in his art class. Or rather, he doesn’t exactly ogle Sean per se, because Austin can’t take his eyes off of Sean’s dick.

This book was humorous, and I liked the vibe and chemistry I got from Austin and Sean. Those two couldn’t keep their hands off each other and had sex pretty much whenever the need struck them.

There isn’t much angst. But the difference between the expectations those two had when it came to their relationship created enough intensity to keep things interesting. Sean wants something serious from Austin, and he doesn’t fail to let Austin know.

Even though Austin is still hung up on Vinnie, he can’t help but start to see how much better Sean is. How much more alike they are. Austin isn’t used to being wanted, but has always dreamed about it. So little by little, he starts to see Sean for who he really is… a devoted, dedicated man. One who always makes Austin feel wanted and feel certain he’s got Sean’s attention at all times.

I would’ve really liked to have Sean’s POV as well (the story is told in Austin POV only). But, I appreciate how well written and powerful Sean’s character is. He is easy to understand and connect with, and his personality comes through loud and clear. The dialog was so well written, at times I felt like I was seeing things through Sean’s POV, especially during their first camping trip.

You see, Austin NEEDS that first cup of coffee at the beginning of each day, only coffee makes him poop. Austin knows nothing about pooping in nature, so when told he needs to dig his own hole, he’s horrified. For Austin, digging his own poop hole is akin to digging his own grave, at least that’s what I got from the whole thing. That’s some seriously hilarious shit (no pun intended) you don’t want to skip on.

This was awesome, and I almost wanted to give if 5 stars, but it wasn’t quite there. I wanted it to be longer and maybe see some resolution between Vinnie and Austin. I know we’ll probably get that in the next book, but I’m not good at waiting.

Great book!

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *