Tag Archives: Alexa Land

Book Review: Pretenders by Alexa Land

Posted on June 30, 2021 | Leave a comment

Okay, so let me tell you first that I love me some fake boyfriend trope, and if there’s one author who could deliver it for me, it’s going to be Alexa Land. Her Tinder Chronicles is probably one of the best in the genre, and her First and Forever series is such a comfort read for me. Pretenders is no different. This is classic Alexa Land.

Wes needed someone to go to the wedding of his ex-boyfriend who’s marrying his big brother *gasp* I know! I’m like –why would you do that to yourself? Anyway, so he decided to hire an escort to play the part. Then comes Ash, who’s not an escort but is the escort’s friend who decided to offer the job to him instead.

I just loved this couple. From their very first meeting, there’s already that spark between them, and the way they’re the opposite of each other made their ‘pretend relationship’ even sweeter in the face of Wes’ nasty family. ‘Loved that Ash played the part well and is always on Wes’ defense. I was just a bit annoyed by how passive Wes’ was towards his family, but yeah, that’s just me.

This was an easy read. It will not spoil anything, but you’d love how Wes and Ash’s relationship didn’t get too complicated throughout their agreement because they acted like the adult they are. It’s just fun, it’s funny, and it was so good seeing Nana and her crew too! I thought I was long over her whole gay shenanigans, but apparently, I still find the gang extremely adorable! If you’re looking for a quick and entertaining read, then this book should do the job.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Kindle Edition, 222 pages
Published May 29th 2021

About The Author
I write and independently publish M/M love stories. My best-selling Firsts and Forever series includes: Way Off Plan, All In, In Pieces, Gathering Storm, Salvation, Skye Blue, Against the Wall and Belonging etc…

I’ve also published Feral, a paranormal M/M romance, and The Tinder Chronicles, a paranormal trilogy.

For more information, please visit my blog at:http://alexalandwrites.blogspot.com/ Follow me on Twitter @AlexaLandWrites or find me on Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?…

Please also note that this blog is reader-supported. When you buy through links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission.

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Book Review: Take a Chance on Me (Firsts and Forever, #15) – Alexa Land

Posted on November 8, 2017 | Leave a comment

Date of Publication: October 29, 2017
Themes & Genres: Romance, LGBTQI, Contemporary, Comedy
Kindle Edition, 369 pages
Published October 29th 2017
ASIN B076ZB6BRW
Characters: Duke Blumenthal, Quinn Takahashi

Blurb:
Free-spirited ballet dancer Quinn is sure he made a terrible mistake by agreeing to be Duke’s roommate. The big cop is the most uptight person Quinn’s ever met, and both men begin driving each other crazy from day one.

Before long though, an undeniable spark of attraction ignites between them. But do opposites really attract? Or will their differences prove to be more than either of them can handle?

This gay romance is the fifteenth book in Alexa Land’s best-selling Firsts and Forever Series, but each novel is written to stand alone, so jump in anywhere. Note: contains adult language and graphic sex and is only intended for adults.

I so loved this couple! I think I missed a couple of intallments from this series but rest assured that this could be read as a standalone.

Quinn is such a character. He is quirky, has no filter and just full of life but deep inside, there’s an insecure little boy who doesn’t realize his worthy.

Then there’s Duke. All his life, he’s got to live in his dead brother’s shadow.

They both have heartbreaking backstory so, them getting together is destiny itself. It’s like they’re so opposite that they’re so perfect together. Odd but true.

My only criticism is the characters overload in the story. There’s just so many names in it and updates about the previous couples in the book. I mean, I loved reconnecting with them but it feels like there’s not enough space for Duke and Quinn here.

Overall though, it is still a wonderful addition to the series and Duke and Quinn are very easy to fall in love with.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

About The Author
I write and independently publish M/M love stories. My best-selling Firsts and Forever series includes: Way Off Plan, All In, In Pieces, Gathering Storm, Salvation, Skye Blue, Against the Wall and Belonging etc…

I’ve also published Feral, a paranormal M/M romance, and The Tinder Chronicles, a paranormal trilogy.

For more information, please visit my blog at:http://alexalandwrites.blogspot.com/ Follow me on Twitter @AlexaLandWrites or find me on Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?…

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Book Review: The Distance (Firsts and Forever Series, #11) – Alexa Land

Posted on May 5, 2016 | Leave a comment

Date of Publication: April 8, 2016
Genre and Themes: LGBTQ New Adult, Family, Comedy
Format: 250 pages, ebook
Publisher: Self-Published.
ISBN: 9781311268150
Characters: Jessie James, Malakai “Kai” Kahale

I’ve been waiting for Jessie’s story for a while now and all I can say after reading “The Distance” is that it was so worth the wait! I absolutely loved this story and I absolutely adore Jessie and Kai! I didn’t exactly pictured Jessie as a twink and one who’s into drag racing for that matter but I liked how the author incorporated this aspect into his character. Although, I’ve to say that I’m still a bit clueless how he found himself so into racing and cars in general. He just mentioned that he started with go-cart and it was a bit vague from there and we were told he came out of the closet at 17 with his family disowning and kicking him out. It’s not a very important detail but it’s just so unlikely with his upbringing I think but at the end of the day, I’m still okay with that vagueness. Sort of.

Malakai “Kai” Kahale aka Trigger is a reminiscent of Dare’s character from “Sky Blue.” This is the 12th couple in total so there are 22 guys in the series but for some reason, Kai’s personality reminded me so much of Dare – laidback, silent and determined. He’s got an amazing chemistry with Jessie and although I’m not a big fan of kids in my MM books, I’d say that I am loving how Alexa Land characterized Joshie and Izzy. ( Joshie’s the adopted son of Trevor and Vincent.)

This series is one of those series you’d just have to enjoy and not over-analyzed (hahaha! I know, I just overanalyzed that detail about racing but yeah – you get the drift). The story doesn’t have much of a conflict and is still over the top like the rest of the series but again, it’s very much enjoyable! It’s pretty long for such a plot but of course, we need to get updates every now and then with the other / previous ‘gay homosexuals’ in the series and you simply have to watch out for Nana’s wedding!!!

If you have not read anything from the series, this one is pretty much a  stand-alone read and let me tell you that Alexa Land’s writing is the kind of writing I go to whenever I feel shitty or on the verge of experiencing a book slump. And this book is an example of that kind of writing.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

About The Author
I write and independently publish M/M love stories. My best-selling Firsts and Forever series includes: Way Off Plan, All In, In Pieces, Gathering Storm, Salvation, Skye Blue, Against the Wall and Belonging. Coming Home will be released in later summer, 2015.

I’ve also published Feral, a paranormal M/M romance, and The Tinder Chronicles, a paranormal trilogy.

For more information, please visit my blog at:http://alexalandwrites.blogspot.com/ Follow me on Twitter @AlexaLandWrites or find me on Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?…

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Book Review: Coming Home (Firsts and Forever Series #9) – Alexa Land

Posted on July 29, 2015 | Leave a comment

Coming HomeFucking A! As expected, Alexa Land delivers yet another fantastic story to add to the ever so growing family of the Firsts and Forever series with its ever-increasing Gay Homosexual cast! I read Coming Home smiling giddily all throughout because I just feel so happy for Chance and his quest to find his father, reconnect with his family back in Wyoming and fall in love for the first time! Just everything about this book is perfect! Even the cover!!!

Chance is one of my favorite characters amongst the number of hunky, adorable and lovely men in the series (probably next to Dmitri and Jamie from the first book) and Finn is just the guy that Chance’s needed to finally quit his profession and believe in his talent!

It was a tad predictable but in a good way and I just loved the angle about Chance’s father! Hah! I keep on expecting someone from his past will come to stir some shit up and I’m so glad that that didn’t materialized!

Of course, I am also excited with the growing number of secondary characters! Since we’ll be getting Nico’s story late this year (where you Miss Land totally spoiled btw regarding his love interest– ugh – but I’m sure I’m gonna love it nonetheless *giggles*), I’m hoping that we’ll get Zachary’s story next (please tell us he’ll actually end up with the adorable Jessie!!!).

Lastly, I would like to congratulate the author for Coming Home reaching the Top 100 on Amazon across all genres. This is indeed not just a victory for Miss Land but also for the MM genre as a whole! Now, if this honor isn’t enough to entice you to get the book, I dunno what else because the author totally killed it with this one!!! Congratulations!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Published July 17th 2015 by Self-Published (first published 2015)

About The Author
I write and independently publish M/M love stories. My best-selling Firsts and Forever series includes: Way Off Plan, All In, In Pieces, Gathering Storm, Salvation, Skye Blue, Against the Wall and Belonging. Coming Home will be released in later summer, 2015.

I’ve also published Feral, a paranormal M/M romance, and The Tinder Chronicles, a paranormal trilogy.

For more information, please visit my blog at: http://alexalandwrites.blogspot.com/ Follow me on Twitter @AlexaLandWrites or find me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?…

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Book Review: Belonging (First & Forever Series #8) – Alexa Land

Posted on April 25, 2015 | Leave a comment

BelongingBlurb: Can two damaged men build a future together from the shattered pieces of their lives?

Gianni Dombruso’s life was altered forever at the age of four, when his parents were murdered and he and his brothers went to live with their grandmother, the irrepressible Nana Dombruso. Now almost thirty, Gianni has spent his life bouncing from relationship to relationship, seeking but never finding the security and stability he so desperately craves.

Alexzander Tillane was one of the biggest pop stars in the world when he walked away from it all in the middle of a concert in 2002. Almost destroyed by the pressure of fame, Zan retreated to a life of quiet solitude in an effort to heal. But the cure backfired, leaving him with more issues than answers.

Zan knows he can’t give Gianni the stability he’s looking for, not with all his problems. He can’t even imagine why the beautiful younger man would want to get involved with someone so damaged, but the heat between them can’t be ignored. Giving in to it could be a huge mistake. Or maybe both men might end up right where they belong.

My wish came true when this eight installment of the First & Forever series happened to be Gianni Dambruso and Zan Tillane’s story. Yay! Back book 7 featuring Zan’s son Christian, there was already a brewing story bound to feature Gianni and I was hoping then that he would be paired with Zan! Lo and behold, we’ve got Belonging!

By continuously reading this series, I knew I was signing up for something outrageous and totally over the top. This book has it all from the crazy-ass Dambruso family with Nana as their ring leader to the ever-growing extended family! It almost felt like incest! LOL

The story has no angst whatsoever. Gianni’s confession of his insecurities was a pleasant surprise – seeing that he’s actually capable of such sensitivities. His low self-esteem was rather charming being vulnerable and shit – I know it shouldn’t be charming but with him – being all perfect and having that was just swoon-worthy in writing.

I would’ve given this a higher rating but the last three chapters totally destroyed it for me. The last scenes were predictable and way too forced for me. But like what I’ve said, outrageous and over-the-top right?

Published April 15th 2015

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

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Book Review: Against the Wall (Firsts and Forever #7) – Alexa Land

Posted on March 9, 2015 | Leave a comment

A homosexual couple, closeup of a bodyBLURB: Don’t start something you can’t finish.

It’s a cliché, but 22-year-old graffiti artist Christian lives by those words. He’s going away when he graduates from art school in just six short months. With so little time left, getting involved with gorgeous Shea Nolan has to be a mistake. If only he could make himself stay away from the sweet, sexy police officer.

Christian has a decision to make. Are a few months of happiness worth the inevitable heartbreak when it’s time to walk away?

***

This was a bit heartbreaking and probably the most dramatic out of the series. We’ve met Christian in the previous book as Skye’s best friend and have always wondered about his personal life. Where’s he’s getting the money and why he’s so mysterious. It turns out that he’s carrying a lot of baggage in his shoulder. He’s got to be somewhere after graduation in just six short months so he doesn’t want to get involved – especially not with the sexy and shy police officer Shea Nolan. He just couldn’t afford to get invested into a relationship and hurt them in the process.

But will it be more painful to give love a chance then walk away or not love at all?

This was the most subdued story in the series and I loved every bit of it. I was getting all sort of idea midway of the book thinking why Christian has to leave after graduation and when I finally found out about it – I was rather awestruck! I really didn’t expect that one. Somehow, I know that things will turn out fine despite the improbability of the premise but hey’ that’s why it’s called fiction yeah? Suspend-belief and all. I really do love the chemistry between Shea and Christian and the way the story developed until the end was nothing short of awesome!

Now, I really wonder if it’s possible for Gianni and Christian’s dad to be together or was that too yucky an idea?? LOL I seriously cannot wait for the next book!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Published January 12th 2015 (first published January 11th 2015)

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Book Review: Skye Blue (Firsts and Forever #6) – Alexa Land

Posted on March 8, 2015 | Leave a comment

Skye BlueBLURB: Sometimes, the road to happily ever after takes you where you least expect it.

Skye was only interested in finally losing his virginity, but he might have found much more than that. Two guys both feel so right to the twenty-one-year old art student, but maybe that means they cancel each other out. After all, if either was the one, Skye wouldn’t have feelings for both of them. Would he?

But what if he really did just meet the love of his life?

***

I super loved Skye’s story! This is the first story off the series that the MC isn’t anywhere involved with a police or in the mafia or something in between – it was very subdued and the humor was spot on! I loved Skye and Dare although I think they’re a bit too young. If you think about it, most of the characters [the twink ones if I may say] are all under 25! And they’re all like getting married or getting engaged!!?! But yeah, gotta loved this series – I loved that everyone’s gay and happy and getting all their HEA. Yay! and gotta loved Nana!!!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Published August 1st 2014

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Book Review: Salvation (Firsts and Forever #5) – Alexa Land

Posted on March 8, 2015 | Leave a comment

SalvationBLURB: Can two men from wildly different worlds prove to be each other’s salvation?

Trevor isn’t surprised that he’s a twenty-year-old virgin. He sees himself as skinny, clumsy, and shy, and is sure no one could possibly want him. Vincent Dombruso is about to prove him wrong.

 Mysterious and troubled, Vincent masks a lot of secrets behind his handsome exterior. As the spark between them ignites, both men are surprised to find a kindred spirit in such an unexpected place. But Vincent’s Mafia ties and whatever he’s not telling Trevor could destroy their chances of a happily ever after.

 ***

This has got to be my favorite book in the series next to Way Off Plan. I loved both Trevor and Vincent. This time, Trevor isn’t selling any of his body parts *wink* *wink* – he’s just a shy, skinny and clumsy kid from nowhere who arrived in San Francisco with his cousin looking for his long lost father.

Then there’s the ever stoic Vincent Dombruso, who apparently is still doing something within the mafia. Troubled by his pasts and secrets, he needs to keep everything by himself in order to protect his family and the man he loves.

 I loved Trevor’s character. He’s very likable and who didn’t feel bad for him when he was first introduced in Gathering Storm? Tell me who?!!! The boy was just all kinds of adorable. What he has with Vincent was nothing short of magic because he’s really got the key to Vincent’s heart. I actually feel so bad about Vincen’t past and just wanna give him a big hug!!! I’m also heartbroken when his ungrateful cousin didn’t fulfilled her promise to Trevor. That bitch! Anyhoo, I’m over it since they’ve got the smartass Joshie now. Oops!

 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Published April 20th 2014

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Book Review: Gathering Storm (Firsts and Forever #4) – Alexa Land

Posted on March 7, 2015 | Leave a comment

Gathering StormBLURB: Working as a gay porn star has brought twenty-two-year-old Hunter Storm fame and fortune, but it’s cost him a lot, too. He’s learned to think of his body as little more than a commodity, and he copes with his loneliness by giving himself to whoever will have him. The job has also put him in the crosshairs of a stalker, a man so deeply disturbed that Hunter and everyone around him is in danger.

Fortunately, Hunter has allies, including his best friend Christopher and Nana, a feisty senior who’s decided he’s family. And then there’s Brian Nolan.

When Hunter first meets the angry, wheelchair-bound former Marine, it’s hate at first sight. But despite his shattered body and tattered psyche, Brian might turn out to be the best ally of all.

***

This is one of my favorites amongst the seven stories in the series so far. I love Hunter and Brian together and thought that their past balanced each other out.

Here, we see Hunter’s search for love and yearning for someone to feel the gap in his life. His job in porn has made a stalker out of someone and now everyone around him seems to be in danger. When he meets double amputee marine Brian Nolan, it was hate at first sight. Despite their constant warring, they found something together that may just be what they needed the most.

I thought it’s an incredible story of redemption. The tenderness and protection they offered each other was so beautiful to read. I loved that Hunter does not treat Brian differently because of the latter’s disability. It was nice how they were like cats and dogs at first and finally fell for each other with a wee bit distraction of that crazy stalker. It’s a beautiful story that also introduces us to new characters which I’m already excited to read about!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Published January 6th 2014

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Book Review: In Pieces (Firsts and Forever #3) – Alexa Land

Posted on March 7, 2015 | Leave a comment

In PiecesBLURB: Twenty-year-old Christopher Robin Andrews lives his life in pieces. He’s a student. An artist. A loyal friend. And he’s had to make a living as a prostitute. He’s barely holding it all together, surviving day by day.

But then an unexpected encounter with a gorgeous man at a Christmas party shakes up his world. The last thing Christopher’s looking for is love. But sometimes, even if you’re not looking for it, love finds you anyway. Ready or not.

***

More than Austin / Christopher Robin himself – I am happier to read about his involvement with Kieran Nolan than this struggles as an escort. I’m honestly puzzled by his choices and find it a bit weird that he did the nasty with his best friend’s now fiancé. It was a bit unnerving.

I loved that he’s finally find something to boost his confidence and I loved how Kieran makes him feel special all the time. It’s a shame that a lot of horrible things happened to him in the past and I’m so glad that he’s getting it all together and start a new life with Kieran. It’s a great story and meeting Hunter Storm was also a good teaser for the next book. This series is becoming a favorite!

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Published July 2nd 2013

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