#tidbitswithtoby

[phanfictioncatalogue]

Angst Drabbles (2) Masterlist

part one

A lifetime (ao3) - Tidbitswithtoby

Summary: They had built a life together. One of joy and love, but did it ever really matter.

best friends (ex-friends 'til the end) (ao3) - patron_saint

Summary: In which no decision seems like the right one, but in the end they choose.

Bravery (ao3) - Tarredion

Summary: Sometimes, even being in the land of the rising sun doesn't bring the fun.

Cherry Lip Stain (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: Dan's hurt from the past and burns the memories that remain.

dancing with your ghost (ao3) - jokersandkings

Summary: Every night, Dan plays the same record. The pain is still there and he doesn't know how to deal with it. It's still bad. Really bad. But he knows it will eventually get easier, even if his life will never be the same. Because his literal other half is missing.

Dear Phil (ao3) - phanspn

Summary: 'Tell me you love me, come back and haunt me.'

fire (ao3) - howelllesters

Summary: the elements series; fire. It’s 2012 and everything’s gone up in flames.

i need you to stay (ao3) - poemstomars

Summary: Dan wakes up to a panic attack in the middle of the night, and Phil is there to comfort him.

leave me alone (ao3) - leebasii

Summary: sometimes all you gotta do is apologise

Live On (ao3) - interruptedbyfjreworks

Summary: Phil's dying from cancer and there's nothing anyone can do.

Marshmallows (ao3) - philsdrill

Summary: Phil is a little upset after hearing some bad news and Dan comforts him.

My dearest, Phil (ao3) - dead_little_lamb19

Summary: Dan and Phil had a pretty disasterous, but happy life together for over 15 years. 2025 was the year they decided to finally get married after coming back from their yet another world tour and Dan honestly couldn't wait.

Unfortunately his yet-to-be husband Phil had the misfortune of attracting health scares upon himself. And maybe that one was one too much.

Phil's dead. Now Dan's writing him letters to cope.

Of harsh cacophony and soft melodies (ao3) - Toxic_Essence

Summary: In which Dan thinks too much, and Phil knows exactly how to comfort him.

Sick of Seeing You (ao3) - harleymoony

Summary: What happens when you meet that person who tore your heart apart again? Is it fate? Or a mere coincidence?

Slow Dancing In The Dark (ao3) - Analphancones

Summary: "Why do I get such mixed feelings when you look at me like that? On one hand, you look at me like I am the only thing on your mind. On the other hand, I am forced to be aware that look is for someone else. You’re looking at me as if I am her again.”

When she is out with friends, or has left town to visit family as she is tonight, you call me. We kiss, we fuck, you tell me I should go the second you’ve had your fill. I always listen too. Tonight, for whatever reason, is different. You seek companionship. After all, she has been gone for nearly two weeks. I am second best.

You play with my hair, since your ideal lover and your second choice look so much alike, I bet it’s real easy for you to pretend. Maybe that's why you chose me as your backup."

there. (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: Phil wished he had been there for him.

WE'RE ALL DOOMED! (ao3) - idkspookystuff

Summary: Dan dresses up for the occasion, obviously.

it's 2022, the sun is about to explode, and dan and phil go to the woods to reflect on the end

You died with him (ao3) - Lolik

Summary: He's everything you ever wanted, your inspiration, your lungs, your life. He could take your breath away in ways you couldn't imagine in the same way he could give you the oxygen.

Or: Dan is dead and it's all Phil's fault.

[tidbitswithtoby]

Quick Reviews - April 2022

All 5/5 reviews are definitely recommendations. Most of this list was made before I started my review page so most don't have written reviews, but if you're curious and would like me to write one, feel free to message or comment. The bottom half are all linked with their written reviews.

All books marked with a * are unreleased books.

Rhythm of love - Neve Wilder

Dedicated - 5/5

Resonance - Did not read

Necessary Evils - Onley James - 10 out of 5

Unhinged - 4/5

Psycho - 4/5

Moonstruck - 5/5

Headcase - 5/5

Mad Man - 5/5

Lunatic* - TBD

Sons of the Fallen - Jaclyn Osborn - 3/5

Galen - 3/5

Castor - 4/5

Daman - 5/5

Gray - 3/5

Bellamy* - April 30th

Raiden* - October 27th

Alastair* - unavailable

For him - A.M. Johnson 5/5

Love always, Wilder - 5/5

Not so sincerely, yours - 5/5

Dear Mr. Brody - 4/5

To Whom it may concern - 4/5

Forever, Con Amor - 5/5

Flesh and Bone - Joel Abernathy (trans author) - 4/5

Exhale - 4/5

Bleed - 4/5

Shift - 5/5

Monstrous - Lily Mayne - 10 out of 5 perfection

Soul Eater - 5/5

Edin - 4/5

The Rycke - 5/5

Wyn - 5/5 - ultimate favorite

Gloam - 3.5/5

Moth - 5/5

Seraph* - TBD - Fall 2022?

Temptation - Ella Frank - 4/5

Try 4/5

Take - 4/5

Trust - 5/5

Tease - 5/5

Tate - 5/5

True - 5/5

Folk Trilogy - Lily Mayne - 5/5

Mortal Skin - 5/5

Forgotten Vows* - June 10th

Tbd* - Tbd

Vampire Kings - Loki Renard - 1/5

Predators - 1/5

Royal Pains

Pack Master* - August 5th

Moonshadow Den - Claire Cullen - 3/5

Run to him - 3/5

Run for home - Have not read

Overall Favorite: Monstrous series - everything Lily Mayne. Necessary Evils was the top contender until I found Lily Mayne. For Him series was sweet, the best 'normal people' series. I also really enjoyed a lot of Onley James and Neve Wilder's books.

[numberonephanboy-blog]

Im 17 but I am still desperately in love with blanket capes

This has been: TIDBITS WITH TOBY

[phanfictioncatalogue]

Hello! What are your favorite getting-together/first kiss fics?

Honestly, this could go on for a while. So I’m going with first thing that comes to mind. There’s a lot of chaptered fics that include getting together/first kiss, but I’m just putting purely getting together/first kiss for brevity’s sakes. Other admins feel free to add!

A Dance With Death (ao3) - worriedpeach (skeletonflowers)

Summary: Dan is the God of Death, who helps people to the Underworld when they pass. One day, he randomly pops up at a masquerade ball for Prince Philip's coming of age ceremony. He doesn't know why he is there, but it's hard to focus on his job when the prince asks him to dance.

All Signs Point to Us (ao3) - RyRyCaptain

Summary: When the queen and king gives birth to Daniel, they soon learn that their son is deaf. In order to let Dan express his opinions to those who haven't learned sign language, they find him a translator who happens to be the son of the King’s advisor, Phil. Soon enough, Phil starts to realize thAt he fallen in love with the younger boy.

blanket of stars (ao3) - silentdescant

Summary: “That’s all for now, thank you.”

“I’ll be back to check on you in a bit.”

The whole script is so routine, Phil thinks his brain would short-circuit if either of them deviated from it. Dan walks away and Phil sinks lower in his seat, sighing into his blue drink.

“When are you gonna ask him out, man?” Martyn asks.

can't help the itch to touch- to kiss. (ao3) - thescienceofphan

Summary: Phil is Deaf and Dan sleeps around a lot. So when people see them together, they worry about Phil’s emotional well being and shame on Dan for preying on a deaf boy, but it’s not like that. Not at all.

(or an AU where deaf!phil and playboy!dan are best friends and people think they’re dating)

Graveyard (ao3) - Tidbitswithtoby

Summary: "You're bringing me lunch in a graveyard?"

"Sounded more romantic in my head."

Love Scenario (ao3) - worriedpeach (skeletonflowers)

Summary: When Phil first saw him in the spring, he thought he looked like bubblegum.

Neighbourly Nook (ao3) - wednesday_ukiru

Summary: The stranger had a dimple on his cheek that appeared when he laughed.

“I’m Dan,” he said, extending his hand. Phil reached for it with extreme eagerness, their knuckles knocking together in a particularly painful way, and they both winced, but Dan immediately broke into a smile. “I don’t know why I offered you a handshake, I never know how to do them.”

Soft and Scared (ao3) - Phandiction

Summary: Scared!Dan is guilted by a friend to enter a haunted house

Phil doesn't want to hurt anyone but is guilted by a friend to terrify people in a haunted house. He feels horrible when Dan's friends leave him there to cry on the floor after the scare and comfort ensues.

The World Going By My Window (ao3) - CaibrynM

Summary: Dan is a reluctant Crown Prince, always watching the world outside his window and wondering what else is out there. As he walks through the village outside the Castle walls one day, he meets a quirky villager with a passion for nature, an oddly constructed house, and a secretive past.

Things That No Longer Need Mention (ao3) - abriata

Summary: The kissing doesn’t stop.

Two weeks later, Dan has a hand in Phil’s hair and Phil’s hand on his spine and he basically can’t feel his mouth anymore, and they were supposed to have left for the BBC ten minutes ago.

Dan still has no idea why Phil is doing the kissing thing, but it’s definitely too late to ask now.

too loud in public (ao3) - dizzy, waveydnp

Summary: dan is too busy snogging a cute stranger named phil in a closet at a university party to realize the cops are about to break it up

VETSCO à gogo (ao3) - sierraadeux

Summary: The guy is just really hot, and maybe Dan’s also a bit concerned he’s going to fall with all the times he’s watched him wiggle and wobble on seemingly unsteady limbs. He never does, or at least he hasn’t yet, but Dan would like to think he’s got his back if he ever does.

or

the twitch streamer who just can't seem to get his roller skating neighbor out of his mind

we have more in common than i thought (ao3) - manicpixieidiot

Summary: bad boy!dan has a bit of a secret crush on nerd!phil, and when grouped with him in class he uses the opportunity to convince him to come to a party. (what happens next will shock you!!) (not really, no shocks don't worry)

featuring a latin class, a party, becky&jessica, flustered drunk boys. and more softness than intended.

Lmao this is the quick list

-Rae

[phanfictioncatalogue]

Married!Phan (4) Masterlist

Links last checked: June 6th, 2025

part one, part two, part three

Beautiful (ao3) - enthuzimuzzy

Summary: Dan takes a photo of the man he loves.

Decorating (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: Husbands Dan and Phil decorate for their first Christmas together in their new house.

Delivery Dan (ao3) - Spring_Haze

Summary: Dan puts forth maximum effort to surprise his husband with elaborate sexual role play on a cold, December night.

In and out of my mouth (ao3) - Tidbitswithtoby

Summary: Phil believes his husband has an oral fixation

It's Black and White (ao3) - Spring_Haze

Summary: Dan and Phil attend the Star Wars movie premiere in London and find it incredibly difficult to keep their hands to themselves, even in public, so they steal a moment for themselves.

kiss an angel good morning (ao3) - fallentales

Summary: Dan gets home early from a trip, and lets his inner fanboy come out as he appreciates his amazing husband.

AKA, in which Dan Howell is still Phil Trash #1

Leave A Light On (ao3) - iihappydaysii

Summary: Dan told people he cared about that he wanted to get better.

Mothers day (ao3) - Bow_of_Artemis

Summary: Kindergarten teacher! Phil is having his class make mothers day cards but one of his students comes up to him with a little problem

Mr. Lester's Husband (ao3) - nipsu

Summary: Phil Lester, a young teacher, takes his family to work and surprises his class of students.

On/Off (ao3) - crazed_peanut

Summary: Dan and Phil have a 2 1/2 year old and a stressful morning.

Patching the Holes (ao3) - philsmeatylegss

Summary: Dan is really close with his grandma. He spontaneously decides to come out to his very homophobic family on Christmas. Obviously doesn’t go well. Then stuff happens

Pretty Baby (ao3) - Spring_Haze

Summary: Dan, who previously fought his own, natural, femininity, explores the traditionally feminine to surprise his future husband and learns that there is much to love about these parts of himself.

Proud (ao3) - pasteldanhowells

Summary: Elisse Lester is seventeen, and she’s ready to come to her parents about her sexuality. She knows it’ll be fine. She has two dads for crying out loud. But, that won’t stop her from being nervous. Luckily, her girlfriend is there to assure her that everything will be fine.

Share A Bed, Share A Life (ao3) - JenCollins, WordsAblaze

Summary: Having a child is a stressful, time-consuming, argument-inducing process but, naturally, Dan and Phil ride the ups and downs together, ending up just fine.

Sick (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: Dan is sick one day, then passes it onto his husband Phil who isn't thrilled to say the least. Extremely short one-shot that I wrote in like 20 minutes

Something Special (ao3) - danblossom

Summary: The holidays always brings something special.

The Art Of Teaching (ao3) - pasteldanhowells

Summary: Dan used to be into art when he was in high school but stopped once he grew up but started again and now has a website where he sells his art for money. Phil is a principal at a high school, and nobody is aware that he has a husband, someone he’s been with since he was a teenager. Something happens to the art teacher so Phil offers Dan the job, and Dan takes it. Phil finally introduces Dan to the rest of the school as his husband.

(TW) Those Were the Days of Our Lives (ao3) - dansshibainu

Summary: Every day, Dan buys a cute card, a small bouquet of flowers, and a lion bar for his husband of thirty years. Trouble is, Phil can't remember him.

Two dads on mothers day (ao3) - phanhowlterstuff

Summary: Phil talking about his husband, Dan, to one of his students

We're All Doomed (ao3) - ellohello

Summary: Dan's been across the country performing his show, and Dan has just really been missing Phil. He won't see him for ages yet, but he can't wait for that day

wikihow to stop a divorce (ao3) - ivorycastle

Summary: Dan has finally shown that he's too difficult to love, and seldom to keep Phil inspired amidst the cold break that legally split the two flames apart. This house lease binds the two obnoxiously tight to each other like wild grapevines. Maybe this will grow over if the universe allows it to.

[tidbitswithtoby]

Quick Reviews - August 2022

Lost Boys - Jessie Walker

Where There's a Will - 5/5

If There's a Way - 5/5

Every Breath After - TBD

.

Noah and Cole Thriller - Tal Bauer

The Murder Between Us - 4/5

The Graves Between Us

.

Inevitable Destruction - Marie Ann - 2/5

.

River of Rain Duet - C.E. Ricci

Follow the River - 5/5

After Rain Falls - 5/5

.

Don't You Dare - C.E. Ricci - 5/5

.

Unforgettable Duet - Brooke Blaine

Forget Me Not - 5/5

Remember Me When - 5/5

.

Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees - Jennifer Cody

The Trouble With Trying to Date a Murderer - 0/5

.

CU Hockey - Eden Finley & Saxon James

Power Plays and Straight A's - 5/5

Faceoffs & Cheap Shots - 5/5

Goal Lines & First Times - 5/5

Line Mates and Study Dates - 5/5

Puck Drills and Quick Thrills - 5/5

.

Egoist - Nero Seal

Love of the Egoist - 4/5

Acceptance of the Egoist - 4/5

Obsession of the Egoist

Pursuing the Egoist

.

Fallocaust - Quil Carter

The Suicide King vol. 2 - 5/5

.

Steele Brothers - Eden Finley

Unwritten Law - 3/5

Unspoken Vow

.

Love Unexpected - R. Cayden

Filthy Sweet - 3/5

Filthy Bromance

Filthy Rock stars

.

Step Bully - Willow Dixon - 5/5

.

The Anonymous Hookup - Jex Caulder - 3/5

.

Shadows of London - Ariana Nash

Twisted Pretty Things - 5/5

Tide of Tricks - 5/5

Trial by Fire - 5/5

Truth or Dare - 5/5

Without a Trace - 5/5

.

Silent Ground - Quil Carter

Silent Ground pt. 1 - 4/5

Silent Ground pt. 2 - 4/5

.

Secrets Kept - Riley Hart

Off Limits - 5/5

Pushing the Limits - 4/5

.

Overall Favorites: Lost Boys, still thinking about this a full month later. CU Hockey - Goal Lines and First Times. I recommend all of C.E. Ricci's books. Shadows of London.

[tidbitswithtoby]

Malum Discordiae - Ashlyn Drewek - 5/5

What it's about: A beautiful enemies to lovers wrapped in a mystery with so many layers. Cassius and Graeme are witches from two feuding families.

From the moment I started this book I loved it. It pulled me in so fast and I read the first 40% in 4 solid hours straight and the only reason I took a break was because I couldn't keep my eyes open. Before this book I was in a slump and I wasn't enjoying anything and this book gave me back my excitement. It has so much life and passion, it's everything I want in a book. I don't even know how to describe it other than it felt right and it checked all the invisible subconscious boxes in my head. I recommend this to literally anyone and everyone who will listen.

This book does deal with some heavier things, but it doesn't weight down the story and through it's a bit of a stressful or sad world, it never put me in a funk or made me sad for too long and I was thankful that I could still enjoy it while reading deeper sadder issues.

The author is really good about telling you everything you need to know about their version of witchcraft. At first I was intimidated by all the new info, but I caught on pretty quickly and I didn't have any trouble understanding.

The ending was a little abrupt, but that's just how books are sometimes and it was still a good ending. I definitely recommend this one. It's a standalone, but it's over 400 pages and that was more than enough pages and time for me to truly get to know and love the characters.

[tidbitswithtoby]

Quick Reviews - May

All Male on Male books.

All 5/5 reviews are definitely recommendations. I had a busy month so unfortunately, there aren't as many here as last month.

TBD - I haven't read, but will add the review when I have.

Malum Discordiae - Ashlyn Drewek - 5/5

Confessions - Ella Frank - 5/5

Robbie - 5/5

Julien - 5/5

Priest - 4/5

Princess, Prick, Priest - 5/5

Henri - 5/5

Bailey - 4/5

Orc Prince Trilogy - Lionel Hart

Claimed by the Orc Prince - 4/5

Blood of the Orc Prince - TBD

Ascension of the arc Prince - TBD

Sunset Cove - Ella Frank - 4/5

Finley - 5/5

Devil's Kiss - 4/5

Preslocke - Ella Frank & Brooke Blaine - 3/5

Aced - 4/5

Locked - 3/5

Wedlocked - 3/5

Silk and Steel - Ariana Nash - 5/5

Silk and Steel - 5/5

Iron and Fire - 5/5

Blood and Ice - 5/5

The Black Prince - TBD

Overall Favorites: Malum Discordiae. I loved every part of Malum Discordiae and it's a big recommendation from me. I also loved The Silk and Steel Series like crazy, definitely give that one a try.

[tidbitswithtoby]

Monstrous - Lily Mayne - 5/5

Apocalypse Monster/Human series

This series is not finished 

The current available books:

Soul Eater

The Rycke

Wyn

Gloam

Moth

(5)

Seraph - Release Date TBD

Bonus: She has several short story continuations of all the characters on her website. 

https://lily-mayne.com/

Overall review: 

I loved every minute of it! (Almost) The entire world is so planned out and thorough. Lily seemed to plan every detail. One small mention in one book leads to its own entire book later on. It's all interconnected with itself and I had no problem creating the world in my head. I only disliked one book and the others make up for it tenfold.

She also leaves notes at the end that definitely show her own love for the characters and I appreciated getting her own thoughts. Plus there is a character and monster glossary for anyone who has trouble remembering every little mention that happened throughout the entire series.

The smut is wonderful. I can be picky about wording and 'finishing moments'. I never had an issue with any of the smut. It was fun and different and hot. 

Soul Eater: The book gives you a lot of information about the story, but it wasn't overwhelming. They spend a good chunk building up the relationship, it starts a little slow burn, but the build up is worth it and in the end you get at least 50% of the book with them as a couple. I like that she doesn't write filler chapters or filler paragraphs. She seems to know what the readers are after and doesn't write background nonsense. 

Edin: I was skeptical because Edin isn't the kind of guy I'd go for, but I was happily surprised with how much I really liked this book. The characters and dynamics are fun, it was definitely a change from Soul Eater, a little more light hearted, but still had that grit. 

The Rycke: Hands down one of the best in the series. This one had a younger feel. A little less mature, but still beautiful and fun. I really loved the ending and getting to see another side to the entire world we're in. 

Wyn: This is a continuation of the pairing from Soul Eater point of view. It was the perfect sequel that my heart needed. It is warm and cozy and I wish all authors did this. Since I already knew the pairing, I was able to settle in and just be taken away. 

Gloam: This was by far my least favorite. It felt slower and for some reason I felt my mind drifting off a lot and not paying attention. It had all the sweet, romantic, story building components that I loved from the others, but for some reason it wasn't my vibe. Maybe it was just my mood. I still had a good time and loved getting more from my favorite series.

Moth: After not falling as in love with Gloam, I had high expectations for this book and it met all of them. This one pulled me back in and reminded me why I love all of these characters and the author so much. After The Rycke and Gloam which are set in the same area, it was nice to venture off and do something different. It was gentle and sweet and let's just say that swords are badass.

If you've already read them please feel free to message me! I'd love to share our favorite moments and thoughts. I have a soft spot in my heart for Wyn. 

Also this is my first ever review so if you have some feedback on how to do it better feel free to let me know.

Updated: My review on Lily Mayne's other series Folk

[tidbitswithtoby]

Quick Reviews - July 2022

His Piratical Harem - Drake LaMarque

Cabin Boy - 3/5

First Mate's Pet

Merfolk's Mate

Captain's Treasure

.

Primal Sin - Ariana Nash

Primal Sin - 5/5

Eternal Sin - 4/5

Infernal Sin - 4/5

.

Tales from Verania - TJ Klune

The Lightning-Struck Heart - 3/5

Destiny of Dragons

The Consumption of Magic

A Wish Upon the Stars

The Damning Stone

.

Unexpected - Cora Rose

Whit - 4/5

Sem - 4/5

Emery - 5/5

.

Camassia Cove - Cara Dee

Book 9 - If We Could go Back - 5/5

.

Dirty Love - Bethany Winters - 5/5

.

Head Above Water - C.E. Ricci - 4/5

.

Reapers Series - Nero Seal

Iblis' Affliction - 4/5

Series TBD

.

Shiver - Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine - 3/5

.

Wrath - Ellis James - 4/5

.

Worthless boys - Bailey Nicole

Cruel and Careless - 4/5

High and Hopeless - 3/5

.

His Revelry - Bailey Nicole - 5/5

Overall Favorite: Emery from Unexpected. If We Could Go Back. Cruel and Careless

[tidbitswithtoby]

Blood and Ice - Ariana Nash 5/5

Silk and Steel Series - Book 3 of 4

I really didn't know what to expect when I first started this series, but I'm so glad I gave it a chance. Every word was worth it. This will forever be a top choice for me.

I was beginning to get annoyed at them being kidnapped all the time, but the reason in this book actually made sense and I'm not annoyed anymore. It was necessary for them to go through some changes and come back together more whole.

This one is probably my favorite. As good as book one and two are, they didn't explain a lot of the how and why or overall history and if you've made it this far, I'm so happy to tell you this book provided so many answers that we really needed.

I think my only complaint was that Lysander and Eroan didn't talk enough? They spoke about the war and had sex abd there was dialogue, but we spent most of the time in their heads reading about their love for each other and all the things they feel without them really talking though everything. But honestly that's just personal preference and I loved these books.

This was the last book from Lysander and Eroan points of view. The fourth book is about Lysander's brother Akiem and I'm curious to see where that's going.

Silk and Steel

Iron and Fire

Blood and Ice

The Black Prince

[tidbitswithtoby]

Silk and Steel - Ariana Nash - 5/5

Silk and Steel - Book 1 of 4

What it's about: Eroan is an Elf who was trained as an assassin to kill the Dragon queen. The queen's son Lysander is the one who stops him. There is a war between humans, dragons, and elves. The setting is kind of medieval, but it's set after the dragons reclaimed the normal world we live in. So there are cars and guns in the human camps and other leftover apocalypse type stuff.

Take the chance and read it.

I think this is one of my more important reviews because a lot of people may be put off with how heavy and triggering the first 30% or so of the book. I honestly don't know the majority opinion on this book, but I really enjoyed it.

This book is definitely dark. It is also graphic, but for me it just made the story more believable. I was apprehensive in the beginning and thought that this book was not for me, but after some time, I accepted its dark parts. I do suggest reading the content warning at the beginning of the book. There is non-consensual and some incest aspects, that is also non consensual (SPOILER: No actual incest sex, but a bit of inappropriate touching).

With how dark it is there were many times that I wondered if the darkness was worth it for the story underneath and by at least the middle my answer was yes.

The overall story is good and really put together. Some of the words and world were hard to understand but it may just be my lack of dragon and elf lore. I liked that she explained the reasoning behind most decisions and the characters weren't all knowing.

What was really nice was that they had sex with other people and it made them feel more real and human. Like they aren't only destined for each other. They have impulses and needs and also coping mechanisms.

The author doesn't suddenly make everything better after every time something goes wrong and the main characters actually spend a decent amount of time apart developing on their own and together.

Also they never let you forget there is a war that is currently being fought and I appreciated that so much because I got the love story and the major plot without it being pushed to the background as an afterthought.

Plus this is just the beginning and damn is it one hell of a build up. I'm dying to read book two and I'm so glad I took a chance on this book, it was worth it for that feeling alone.

If you loved The Captive Prince Trilogy by C.S. Pacat then you'll want to read this one. So much of it reminded me of Damen and Laurent without being the same story and it was so nice to remember that love story while reading another and get the same vibe. It's probably my love for that series that helped me push through the more harsh parts of this one.

Silk and Steel

Iron and Fire

Blood and Ice

The Black Prince

[tidbitswithtoby]

Wrath - Ellis James - 4/5

What it's about: Josh is a closeted gay living in a small town. His new stepbrother Ezra uses that against him to keep Josh from telling his own secrets.

This book made me think. Ezra is a character that I try to stay away from because he reminds me too much of myself. A lot of this book felt like reliving some of my sadder teenage years and because I connect with it on such a personal level it's difficult to put what I'm feeling into words. It's sad in a good way, there was a good blend of humor and light-hearted moments as well as some sadder, more horrific moments that gave so much more depth to the characters. This book has a lot of young but mature love that my heart ate up.

The sex scenes in this book are so well written and encompass that young and insatiable feeling. These were some of the best screens I've read. Intense and sexy and just fun.

There was a really good sweet spot from the 60% to the 80% mark where it felt like it was on track to be an absolute favorite and then I think it got a little iffy for a few chapters, but in the end it was a really good book and I liked the ending.

[tidbitswithtoby]

Shiver - Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine - 3/5

My first book for both of them that was written outside of the Chicagoverse Collection.

What it's about: Jesse's best friend brings him to a sex club for the first time and there he meets a dominant named Salvatore.

Something to take with this review: I do think I was heavy handed on the negatives. I did enjoy a lot of this book and my negatives have nothing to do with style. It's well written and the story is fully developed and easy to comprehend.

A delicate thing to write is a character's reputation, especially with characters that hold a lot of power. This book is a good example of that with Salvatore. To me it felt like a lot of unnecessary build up that took too much time to actually get to the good part, it makes it not worth it. To me if a character is a badass I need to be shown, not just told, of their reputation. It comes off as cheesy otherwise. They do show small glimpses of Salvatore 'being a badass' but he always says he's capable of worse and to just 'wait and see' but I spent about 60% of the book waiting and seeing what he was truly capable of. That being said, part of the fantasy of a book like this is the totally in control unstoppable force corrupting the innocent and naive one.

A big part of this book is the Sub/Dom relationship which can be tricky and hard not to come off as immature. I'd say this book is about a 4 out of 5. I think the authors took their time and made sure to research what a relationship like that looks like and I enjoyed reading it.

Honestly I think this book surprised me because I had no idea what to expect. I get the allure and passion between the two. I wonder if maybe I was in the wrong headspace while reading it because as good as it was I also just didn't care. I kept waiting to fall in love with it, for there to be that one moment that made me say 'This! This is what I've been looking for!' and unfortunately that moment never came. I always felt like something was missing.

[tidbitswithtoby]

Inside Affair - Ella Frank - 5/5

Chicagoverse Collection

Prime Time Series - Book 1 of 3

What it's about: Alexander receives a death threat and is in need of a bodyguard. He reaches out to his best friends brother, Sean, who is a detective.

Aside from Temptation, this might be my favorite Ella Frank series yet. I 100% recommend this one. I was hooked almost instantly and I loved both characters right away.

My last few Chicagoverse reads weren't really doing it for me. The author for me is definitely a comfort. I know the plots are never too complicated or messy and I know I like her style and typically has a mature vibe. But my main motivator for the last few was writing the reviews and I wasn't there for the actual story. I expected this one to be more of the same but I was so happy when it turned out to be the exact opposite.

The 'pretend relationship' trope is a delicate one and really hard to do in a genuine way that doesn't feel rushed or cheesy. I was so glad that it was done so well.

It was surprisingly fun and playful despite some of the serious situations they were in. I really loved this slow yet intense heat that built between them. I was dying for book two and three before I even finished book one.

Book two and three do not have written reviews.

Breaking News - 5/5

Headlines - 4/5

[tidbitswithtoby]

Fakers - Lucy Lennox & May Archer - 3/5

Lickin Thicket Series - Book 1 of 3

What it's about: Brooks returns home with a fake boyfriend to escape his family trying to make him get back together with his ex girlfriend. His ex girlfriend also brought home a fake boyfriend, Mal, who is also a gay guy.

I have no idea what made me stick with this book, but let’s just say it surprised me. The first chapter is very dramatic and the entire book is southern stereotypes galore, but that was kind of the point of a book like this. It’s your typical romance novel that always get labeled as cheesy.

It was a pretty easy read and the dramatics lightened up after the first few chapters. It felt a lot like a comedy show on ABC where it’s just this side of immature, but the story is captivating enough that you want to keep going.

It was a fairly neutral story for me, but the sex scenes were nice and the whole book was pretty cute. I did think the ending was drug out just a little, but I still a good read.