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Book 836: Summer Kisses (Kiss Me #2) – Charlie Novak

When this review request came in it was a no brainer.* I adored Patrick and Connor from Strawberry Kisses and was super curious about Aaron and Josh’s story because they were  at each other’s throats so much in the first book!

This one couldn’t be any more opposite. Whereas Strawberry Kisses was full of sweetness and adorableness, Summer Kisses was full of fire and passion and swearing and bad decisions. It worked just as well, just from totally different perspectives and attitudes.

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Book 835: Legendborn (Legendborn Cycle #1) – Tracy Deonn

I was on hold at the library for months to get this one! I vaguely remember it being released, but didn’t realize it’s connection to UNC Chapel Hill (my undergrad) until I saw the cover and Deonn in one of the alumni newsletters and then of course immediately had to read it, but was stifled by the long hold times :’-(

I wasn’t only drawn to it because of the UNC connection, but also because of the modern retelling of Arthurian legends. I knew this was going to be a fascinating take on them with a Black protagonist, southern history, secret societies, and the first public university in the country, how couldn’t it be!

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Book 834: Blackout – Marco Carocari

In general, I don’t read a lot of mysteries or thrillers, even though I really should (see next paragraph). However, when the publicist reached out about this one with a gay protagonist I thought sure why not give it ago.*

Although there were definitely some issues with this book, pretty sure the authors native language isn’t English, for the most part I enjoyed it. And if my reaction to the two big reveals in the novel are anything to go by I really should read mysteries/thrillers more often. The first WTF moment happened and I had to take a few minutes to collect myself. I mean it was obvious it was coming looking back, but I got caught up in the story and didn’t pay attention to the clues or hints. And then the second one, I was just pissed about.

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Book 833: You’re My Home – Katie Moore

Looking back at the review request for this, I’m not sure what drew me to it. Maybe it was the best friends, the religious homophobia, the slow-burn or the hurt/comfort friends to lovers draw.* Whatever it was, I’m glad I said yes because even though I was emotionally exhausted by the end of the novel it was 100% worth the 460-page slog!

You’re My Home is the story of Zach, an underdeveloped young man who survives an abusive religious family, and Brady, the wealthy outgoing football jock with a heart of gold. They meet when they’re young and the story spans five or six years and you feel every one of those years on the page.

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Book 832: Jay’s Gay Agenda – Jason June

This book was 100% written to be adapted into a movie or tv show. It even had locations and some stage direction already included. Maybe it’s from June’s background, I’m not sure, but as I was reading it definitely felt like a teen RomCom from the early 2000s.

I grabbed this from the library after seeing it on someone’s Insta (sorry don’t remember who, but might’ve actually been June doing a takeover somewhere) and thinking what a great name for a book without knowing anything other than the name and basic premise.

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