Review: I’m Your Guy (Sarin Bowen)

I’m Your Guy
Series: Hockey Guys, #2
Author: Sarina Bowen

Publication Date: October 10, 2023
Publisher: Tuxbury Publishing LLC
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance, LGBTQ+
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

TOMMASO

The furniture district is my personal hell. I don’t know my ass from an ottoman. But when a hot designer comes to my rescue, I realize my problems are bigger than the house I’m trying to furnish.

A scorching kiss over fabric samples makes me question all my choices. But is it too late to change my entire life to get more of them?

CARTER

I need this gig, but my cocky new client leaves out a couple crucial details:

He doesn’t mention that he’s a famous hockey player. And he doesn’t own up to the way he’s always trying to undress me with his dark, broody eyes.

The man throws out more mixed signals than a broken traffic light. I’ve never been more sexually frustrated in my entire life. I need to back away before I do something stupid, like lose my heart.

Oops. Too late.


I’m Your Guy brought a smile to my face the entire time I was reading it. It was sweet, funny, a little emotional, and tender. All of the things Sarina Bowen excels at writing and all of the same wonderful things the first book in the Hockey Guys series gave. Bowen did a great job continuing the same vibe of The New Guy while giving us new characters to fall in love with and different situations to explore. I loved this book just as much as I loved that first one.

Tommaso is a hockey player who was traded to Colorado after a messy fight on ice fight with his teammate/cousin. He’s bought a condo and is having trouble trying to decorate it quickly so his mom can come visit for the holidays. Luck is literally in store when he meets interior designer Carter at a stuffy furniture store. Carter is confident in himself but is down on his luck. Getting to work for Tommaso is an answer to his prayers. It’s also an eye-opening experience for Tommaso to make the changes in his life he’s needed.

Tommaso and Carter’s romance was something special. The attraction between them and their reactions to it were really fun. I loved how they shared things that mattered between them and built a strong emotional foundation. Things weren’t always easy or perfect, but I loved the little moments that brought them closer together. Their romance was one that warmed my heart and made me happy.

It was also fun to see Newgate and Gavin as well as some other Colorado teammates again. There were some great things involving the team that I loved getting to experience. I also enjoyed Carter’s friends. Oh! And Tommaso’s mom. I absolutely loved her and her love for her son.

Overall, this was another fantastic LGBTQ+ romance from Bowen. Tommaso and Carter’s relationship was a great addition to this newer series. I loved everything about it. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. I’m hoping I get to know new to the team goalie Hale more. I feel a story there.

Review: The New Guy (Sarina Bowen)

The New Guy
Series: Brooklyn, #8; Brooklyn Bruisers, #11
Author: Sarina Bowen

Publication Date: February 28, 2023
Publisher: Tuxbury Publishing LLC
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance, LGBTQ+
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

My name is Hudson Newgate, but my teammates call me New Guy.

That was my nickname in Chicago, too. And Vancouver. That’s what happens when you keep getting traded. Brooklyn is my last chance, especially after my poor performance last season.

But I can make this work. The new guy knows to keep his head down and shoot the puck. The new guy puts the game first.

What he doesn’t do is hook up with the other new guy—a hot athletic trainer who lives in my building. Gavin needs this job with my team. He’s a single dad with responsibilities.

We can’t be a couple. My arrogant agent–who’s also my father–will lose his mind if I’m dating a dude. And my team needs me to score goals, not whip up a media circus.

Too bad Gavin and I are terrible at resisting each other…


Sweet. Tender. Those are the words that come to mind when I think of The New Guy. They encompass this book perfectly.

Hudson has been traded more times in his hockey career than he would have liked. He’s tired of being the new guy. Gavin is excited to be the new guy, embarking on new journey with a new job in a new town with his daughter. He’s finally ready to move on after the death of his husband. When trainer Gavin meets hockey player Hudson, sparks fly, and they find something with each other they have both been missing: family and home. There are ups and downs in any relationship, but Hudson’s secrecy and their jobs make things difficult to navigate.

I loved every minute of Gavin and Hudson’s romance. All the time they spent getting to know each other made them feel like a real-life couple. It was precious. There were so many sweet moments between them and also with Gavin’s daughter. This entire romance made my heart happy. I loved the tenderness with which Sarina Bowen wrote this story. It was an excellent addition to the Brooklyn series. I’m hoping she’s going to give us a spin-off for some of the Colorado players I met in this book. There are some stories I need there! Not that I’m ready for the Brooklyn series to end. I’m really not. Every new book is a gift.

Review: The Tragedy of Felix and Jake (J. Daniels)

The Tragedy of Felix and Jake
Author: J. Daniels

Publication Date: February 2, 2023
Publisher: JD Publishing, LLC
Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult, LGBTQ+

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

From New York Times bestselling author, J. Daniels, comes an all-new standalone forbidden romance.
They say the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else.
They say the best way to stay sober is to love yourself.

I’m great at making bad decisions.
Addict? Check. Poor impulse control? Check. Obsessed with the guy I’m sponsoring? Check Check Check.
There is no one worse for me to want in my bed than Jake Tully. He’s hot and grumpy and literally a terrible idea. Terrible. Worse, no one has ever made me feel the way he does — valued. But here I am – thinking about him again.

Falling for my sponsor is not my worst idea yet, but it’s damn close.
Felix Fields is everything good. He’s thoughtful and kind. I can’t help but think about every bad thing we could do between these sheets.
But we can’t be together. I’m not willing to risk my recovery for anyone – even if he might be perfect for me.

Finding a love like this is nothing short of a tragedy.


Welcome back, J. Daniels. I’ve missed your books.

The Tragedy of Felix and Jake is one of those books where I feel like I should have so much to say for so many reasons, yet my mind is a little blank, so excuse me if this starts to feel like a big ramble. This was one of those books I felt deep in my soul. I’ve never been an addict, but I felt Jake and Felix’s pain as they worked on their sobriety. They had so many different struggles – together and on their own. Even when things were good, they somehow hurt. I had wishes and hopes for Jake and Felix right along with them.

Jake Tully was pretty much what I expected. He was a mess. I expected to love this guy having loved his brother’s character in What I Need. Jake’s story was completely different, but I still saw pieces of CJ in Jake. He had a fierce need to protect the ones he loved and tried to do right by them. I loved him even when he was making choices that made me mad.

Felix… Well, Felix was a delightful surprise. There was something so sweet and almost innocent about him even though he had seen and been through a lot in his 23 years. His texts, thoughts, and interactions with Jake made me smile a lot. He was also a mess, but maybe less messy than Jake in some ways. Felix had his own demons to deal with. I adored him, even when he frustrated me.

Jake and Felix together were this thing I knew was going to be great but was worried was going to be disastrous. I’m not going into that statement further because to do so might give too much away. What I will say is that they had each other’s backs and, at the end of the day, that’s what mattered the most. Well, other than how much they loved and cared for each other.

This book is a standalone, but it’s closely related to the Alabama Summers series. It was fun to be back in Ruxton, but it was a little weird and even uncomfortable at times to see some favorite characters through Jake and Felix’s eyes. Jake and CJ’s relationship was as sweet as it was hard to read. There were moments between these characters that pushed my limits, mostly because my heart broke for them.

I’m so happy J. Daniels has returned to the writing world. If The Tragedy of Felix and Jake is the example of what’s to come, I can’t wait for her next release.

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten LGBTQ+ Book Recs

Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday!

Top Ten Tuesday is an original weekly feature created by The Broke and the Bookish and is now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s topic is Books On My Summer 2022 To-Read List.

I was looking ahead and we’re doing an end of 2022 to-read list in a couple of weeks. These two posts would have some of the same books, so I’m going rogue and copying Dini’s post from last week. She had a great list and I tried to add to it with different books. Here are 10 LGBTQ+ book recs to finish off Pride Month. 

LGBTQ+ Book Recs
1. Everything for You by Chloe Liese
2. Him by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy
3. Someday, Someday by Emma Scott
4. Orientation by Kate Canterbary
5. Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli
6. Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune
7. Sing Anyway by Anita Kelly
8. Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
9. Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
10. More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

Mini Reviews: Authors I’m Just Getting To (Part 2)

I did a Top Ten Tuesday post a while ago titled Authors I Haven’t Read but Want To. That post inspired me to request a bunch of those authors’ audiobooks from my local library and borrow a couple from KU. I posted mini reviews for the first half of them and now I’m back with the rest.

Out of the Blue
Series: A Perfect Fit, #4
Author: Cara Bastone
Narrators: Alison Bliss

Publication Date: February 1, 2022
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Women’s Fiction

Rating: DNF @ 25%

My thoughts:

I’m sad to be quitting this book. I actually liked how Adam saw Presley and her curves at the beginning. I also thought it was kind of cute how they met at his gym. I didn’t mind that Presley wanted to lose weight to counteract her prediabetes. I could even look past how she felt about herself because that was easy to relate to.

Where this book lost me was a very specific scene about 25% in where Adam, as Presley’s personal trainer, went through her pantry and fridge to get rid of all the “bad” foods. He threw out food that was opened and then put stuff that wasn’t aside to donate. He told her not to eat sweets and to watch her carbs. This messaging bugs me for a couple of reasons. One, there are no “bad” foods. It’s about moderation. He’s a personal trainer. Did I miss his dietetics or nutrition degree? Maybe he has one and that’s pointed out later. I’m sure he’s looked in the science of losing weight, etc. but I would have rather he taught her about healthy choices and how she could work the foods she loved in while also losing weight. Throwing 2/3 of her cupboards out and then showing her how to make a protein shake felt yucky. It just disappointed me, and I didn’t think I wanted to listen to what the message was going to be about Presley and her weight.

Boyfriend Material
Series: Boyfriend Material, #1
Author: Alexis Hall
Narrators: Joe Jameson

Publication Date: July 7, 2020
Publisher: Dreamscape Media, LLC
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQ+

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

Why did I wait so long to read this??? It was ADORABLE. I loved this fake boyfriend turned real romance. Luc was a mess, but Oliver was delightful with his buttoned-up ways. They were so cute together! There were some great side characters, too. Alex KILLED me. Oh, and the James Royce Royces made me smile every time I heard their names. I had such a great time listening to this book. I’m excited for the sequel.

The Rebel and the Rake
Series: League of Scoundrels, #2
Author: Emily Sullivan
Publication Date: December 28, 2021
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Historical Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

I’m not much of a historical romance reader, but in the sea of illustrated covers in the past couple of years this cover stood out. I loved it, read a great review by a few trusted bloggers, and decided to give it a go. I’m glad I did. I found the writing to be excellent. It felt light and whatever the opposite of stuffy is. I was intrigued by the characters and the plot. I loved how I felt Sylvia and Rafe’s attraction and connection. His pursuit of Sylvia was very swoon worthy. This was a really fun historical romance read. I would read another of Sullivan’s books in a heartbeat.

What Are the Odds?
Author: R.M. Virtues
Publication Date: May 14, 2021
Publisher: Strange Hungers Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotica

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

I wanted to try Virtues’ writing because a couple of my book friends have been loving on his books. I picked What Are the Odds? because it is part of the KU program. This is a friends to lovers story with the slightly taboo twist of Cai being Elena’s sister’s ex-husband. Her sister was responsible for the demise of the marriage and is easy to dislike, so it worked. I liked both of the characters and they were sweet and passionate together. This book is not for fans of closed-door romances. The doors are wide open with this one.

Review: Everything for You (Chloe Liese)

Everything for You
Series: Bergman Brothers, #5
Author: Chloe Liese

Publication Date: May 10, 2022
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQ+, Fiction
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis: 

Gear up for an all-the-feels, steamy slow-burn in this enemies-to-lovers sports romance about fighting for love when life’s taught you it’s a losing game.

Gavin

We’ve been teammates for two years, but it feels like a lifetime that Oliver Bergman’s been on my last nerve. A demanding captain and veteran player, I’m feared and friendless, while he’s the beloved rising star, all sunshine smiles and upbeat team spirit. To make matters worse, he’s obscenely attractive. In short: he’s genetically designed to get under my skin.

Avoiding Oliver has been my survival tactic on and off the field. But when Coach drops the bomb that we’re now co-captains, avoiding him becomes impossible, and keeping the truth from him–let alone my distance–is harder than ever.

Oliver

Life was great until soccer legend Gavin Hayes joined the team and proved he’s nothing like the guy I grew up idolizing. Instead, he’s a giant–albeit gorgeous–grump who lives to rain on my parade. I’ve sworn off pranks since entering the public eye, so rather than settle our differences the Bergman way, I’ve had to settle for killing Gavin with kindness. There’s just one problem: killing him with kindness is killing me.

To make matters worse, Coach gives us an ultimatum: put an end to our enmity or say goodbye to being captains. I’m prepared to be miserable while we meet her demands and make nice, but the last thing I expect is to discover an explosive attraction we can’t help but act on, and worse yet, to realize the man hiding beneath Gavin’s gruff exterior is all I’ve ever wanted.

​Everything for You is a grumpy-sunshine, enemies-to-lovers, age gap sports romance about an upbeat rising soccer star with anxiety and his curmudgeonly veteran teammate who lives with chronic pain. Complete with nosy senior citizens, nosier siblings, and a meddling coach, this standalone slow burn is the fifth in a series of novels about a Swedish-American family of five brothers, two sisters, and their wild adventures as they each find happily ever after.


Chloe Liese keeps knocking it out of the park with her Bergman Brothers series. Everything for You is my new favorite. This book was SO MUCH FUN with the enemies thing Ollie and Gavin had going on in the beginning. Gavin’s grump to Ollie’s sunshine was, well, everything.

Ollie was this center of positivity on his professional soccer team. His happy disposition and bright clothing made him bigger than life at times. Ollie wasn’t always that way, though. He struggled with anxiety and had a desire for his one-time idol to like him. I loved this Bergman brother as much or more than I expected to.

Gavin on the other hand was a big grouch. He was demanding on and off the pitch. His situation and mental anguish over it hit me in the feels. The reason he couldn’t stand Ollie was relatable and understandable. I wanted to hate him for how he acted, but all I felt was sympathy. I ended up adoring the gruff man.

Ollie and Gavin had many intense moments throughout this book. Some were angry, some were frustrating, some were tender, some were adorable and sweet. The pressure for them to get along on (and off) the turf was big and their attraction didn’t necessarily help all of the time. I loved the way they both warred with their feelings. It made their chemistry and resulting relationship even better. It didn’t matter what they were going through either together or against each other. I loved every interaction.

This book wouldn’t have been what it was without the help of the Bergman family. It would be hard not to love the Bergman brothers, sisters, parents, significant others, and new additions. Oliver and Viggo’s relationship was fun to see through Oliver’s eyes. There was also a great moment with his younger sister. My new favorite was Linnea. She was a gem in this story. There wasn’t a Bergman I didn’t love seeing. If I’m talking side characters, I can’t leave out Gavin’s friend Mitch and his 70-something posse. Those guys were a hoot!

Obviously, I adored Everything for You. It was a beautiful story. My favorite thing about it was probably the care and concern Oliver and Gavin gave each other and how it strengthened them as a couple. They were everything together. Everything for You was a shut out.

Review: The Best Men (Sarina Bowen & Lauren Blakely)

The Best Men
Authors: Sarina Bowen & Lauren Blakey

Publication Date: January 18, 2022
Publisher: Troliver Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQ+
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

Bestselling authors Sarina Bowen and Lauren Blakely team up for the first time in an enemies-to-lovers, opposites-attract, irresistibly sexy standalone romance between the best man and the other best man!

In my defense, I was left alone with a bottle of single-malt and a life-long penchant for protecting my baby sister. Still, that’s no excuse to send ten drunk-texts on why her hasty marriage would be a mistake.

If only I had just texted my sister. But nope. I accidentally sent the message to her, her groom, and his super hot wingman.

I also used the phrase “super hot wingman,” so I’d like to die now.

Instead, I have to plan a wedding with the aforementioned hottie and share a too-small guesthouse in steamy Miami.

Three days in the sun with the cocky, charming former athlete who likes to push my buttons? Fine, two can play at that let’s-infuriate-each-other game.

Until Asher ups the stakes with one wildly sexy suggestion. A no-strings fling, then I go back to my single dad life in New York, and he returns to his star-studded one.

Sign me up.

But the more nights I spend with the other best man, the more I want days too, and that just can’t happen. Especially when I find out the real reason why…


What could be better than two best men who don’t like each other setting out together to help plan their sister’s/best friend’s wedding in Miami? Not much. The Best Men was a great time full of fun(ny) moments.

I have to admit that I wasn’t a big fan of Asher St. James at first. I’m not sure why. Maybe he’s just not the type of person I would hang out with in real life. I don’t know. Asher was cocky and suave, but also had a good heart. He grew on me pretty quickly. I loved the way he teased Mark, while appreciating the things he was teasing Mark about.

Mark Banks was described as this hot nerd with bad fashion sense. He was a single father who put himself after his daughter. Despite his mistakes, I liked him instantly. I could tell he was a good guy with a heart of gold. I liked his backstory best. Plus, spreadsheets.

Asher and Mark’s relationship was full of ups and downs. They started off as enemies of sorts and quickly moved into the attraction and passion phase. I loved seeing how real they were each other and how their friendship grew. Mark and Asher were pretty adorable together — even when they weren’t so fond of each other.

I have to give a shout out to the setting and plot of this book. It was so much fun! Most of it was set in Miami preparing for Mark’s sister’s and Asher’s best friend’s wedding. There were so many awkward, entertaining, and fun moments there. The wedding dynamics with the best men, the engaged couple, and the parents couldn’t have been better. Oh, and Mark’s daughter Rosie. She was adorable.

This first co-written romance by Bowen and Blakely was a hit for me. It was just such a good time. I would definitely recommend.

BONUS MINI REVIEW!

Super Hot Wingman
Series: The Best Men, #0.5
Authors: Sarina Bowen, Lauren Blakely
Publication Date: January 3, 2022
Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQ+

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

If you’re curious about The Best Men, Bowen & Blakely have released a free (for now) prequel novella called Super Hot Wingman. It’s a fun read that sets up the full-length novel.  I loved getting to read about what lead up to the texts Mark sent. It’s also worth a read if you already read The Best Men. 

Review: Under the Whispering Door (T.J. Klune)

Under the Whispering Door
Author: T.J. Klune
Narrator: Kirt Graves

Publication Date: September 21, 2021
Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Genre: Fiction, Paranormal, Fantasy, LBGTQ+ Romance

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Synopsis:

When a reaper comes to collect Wallace Price from his own funeral, Wallace suspects he really might be dead.

Instead of leading him directly to the afterlife, the reaper takes him to a small village. On the outskirts, off the path through the woods, tucked between mountains, is a particular tea shop, run by a man named Hugo. Hugo is the tea shop’s owner to locals and the ferryman to souls who need to cross over.

But Wallace isn’t ready to abandon the life he barely lived. With Hugo’s help he finally starts to learn about all the things he missed in life.

When the Manager, a curious and powerful being, arrives at the tea shop and gives Wallace one week to cross over, Wallace sets about living a lifetime in seven days.

By turns heartwarming and heartbreaking, this absorbing tale of grief and hope is told with TJ Klune’s signature warmth, humor, and extraordinary empathy.


Under the Whispering Door was exactly what the last sentence of the blurb says: heartwarming and heartbreaking. It made smile and also brought tears to my eyes. It was a beautiful story about death, grief, regrets, family, and love. It touched my heart in ways I wasn’t expecting. It started off slowly for me with Wallace’s death and reactions to his new situation, but that made what he learned and the book’s final impact all the more meaningful. I came to love the family of misfits who found themselves in Hugo’s teashop. I didn’t want to leave them when the story ended. Under the Whispering Door snuck up on me in the best way possible. 

Also, since I listened to the audiobook, I feel the need to give a shout out to Kirk Graves and his wonderful narration. It brought even more life to T.J. Klune’s outstanding storytelling. 

Series Review: Vino & Veritas Book #’s 1-3 (Albert, Leigh, Finley)

Last month I shared with you reviews for the first couple of series in Sarina Bowen’s World of True North. Today, I have reviews for the first few books in yet another series from this world. Vino & Veritas is a series of LGBTQ+ romances. Here are my thoughts on each book so far. All books reviewed here release soon.

Featherbed
Series: Vino and Veritas, #1
Author: Annabeth Albert
Publication Date: March 15, 2021
Publisher: Heart Eyes Press
Genre: LGBTQ+, Contemporary Romance
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ½

My thoughts: 

I liked Featherbed, but I didn’t fall in love with it as much as I wanted to. I’m not sure how to explain why. It was something about the beginning of the book. I guess I didn’t feel the Finn and Harrison’s chemistry right away. There was all this very flirty, seductive talk and it felt forced to me. It wasn’t until the characters moved past that and got to know each other that I connected to them, and their attraction felt real. Once that happened, I liked them together. They had a sweet relationship. There wasn’t a whole bunch of drama to make it as emotional as it could have been, but I didn’t mind that. Overall, it was a good, sweet romance.

Heartscape
Series: Vino and Veritas, #2
Author: Garrett Leigh
Publication Date: March 22, 2021
Publisher: Heart Eyes Press
Genre: LGBTQ+, Contemporary Romance
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

My thoughts: 

When I read a book set in one of Sarina Bowen’s World of True North series, I’m expecting a couple of things. First, that it does the Vermont setting Bowen has crafted for us justice. Second, that it feels like a book Sarina Bowen could have written herself. That second one is a little weird because every writer has their own style, but guess I just want them to have a similar vibe.

Anyways. What I’m trying to get at is that Heartscape had all the elements I would expect a book in Vino and Veritas to have. It was slightly angsty, a little moody, focused on some big issues (depression, suicide, PTSD, etc.), and was more on the emotional side. Jax and Tanner were two strong people who had tough things in their pasts. They found love in each other at the perfect time. I loved how their relationship played out and the closeness they shared. I felt their chemistry and, more important, their love and respect for each other. This was my first Garrett Leigh book, and I was very impressed.

Headstrong
Series: Vino and Veritas, #3
Author: Eden Finley
Publication Date: March 22, 2021
Publisher: Heart Eyes Press
Genre: LGBTQ+, Contemporary Romance
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts: 

Headstrong was my favorite book in the Vino and Veritas series so far. That’s because of Whit. I fell in love with Whit’s character from the very beginning. He reminded me of a cute puppy you want to take home with you. He was so sweet, slightly immature, and completely lovable. His happy attitude made me smile so much. So did his crush on Rainn. Rainn was grumpy and avoiding life. There’s not really any other way to describe Rainn. Rainn’s feeling for Whit came unexpectedly and I loved the way they both navigated that. Rainn was so open minded to the new things he was experiencing and feeling. The entire thing was so sweet, funny, and enjoyable. Headstrong was a 5 star romance I would read again.

My thoughts on the Vino and Veritas series so far:

With each book better than the last, I’m excited to find out what’s next in the series.

Review: The House in the Cerulean Sea (T.J. Klune)

The House in the Cerulean Sea
Author: T.J. Klune
Narrator: Daniel Henning
Publication Date: March 1, 2020
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, LGBTQ+

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Synopsis:

A magical island. A dangerous task. A burning secret.

Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages.

When Linus is unexpectedly summoned by Extremely Upper Management he’s given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Linus must set aside his fears and determine whether or not they’re likely to bring about the end of days.

But the children aren’t the only secret the island keeps. Their caretaker is the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, who will do anything to keep his wards safe. As Arthur and Linus grow closer, long-held secrets are exposed, and Linus must make a choice: destroy a home or watch the world burn.

An enchanting story, masterfully told, The House in the Cerulean Sea is about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place—and realizing that family is yours.


Let me confirm all the hype The House in the Cerulean Sea is getting for you. This book is worth every ounce of praise it’s been given. It was absolutely fabulous — and that’s coming from someone who isn’t a big fantasy or magical creature fan.

There was so much depth to The House in the Cerulean SeaThe writing was gorgeous. It immediately captured my attention and kept it the entire time. The characters, and there were many, had individual voices that somehow all managed to stand out. I especially loved the children of the house’s voices. They each had their own struggles and what they brought to the story was so valuable. (If I had to pick a favorite character, it would have to be Lucy. He cracked me up every time he spoke with his inappropriate comments.) All of the characters fit into the story so well. The story was so entertaining! The author somehow managed to seamlessly wave magical creature elements with valuable social and moral points. Add in a touch of romance, and it was the perfect read. It was simply heartwarming.

Not only was the book itself perfect, but so was the narration. It was fabulous. If you’re looking for an audiobook to listen to, I highly recommend this one. Daniel Henning brought each and every character to life. I would have enjoyed reading this book, but listening to it made it all the better.

So, yes. The hype is real for The House in the Cerulean Sea.