Hello & good afternoon/evening (depends on where you are XD) my lovely readers, new followers. :3
I am happily presenting my review of Ann Grech’s latest book, Always Him.
I also have a few teaser picture for you in this release blitz post, in celebration of the book’s release day today. 🙂
Happy reading.
Always Him by Ann Grech
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
*~~*ARC kindly provided by the author to me in exchange for an honest review *~~*
I really liked this story and how the plot was displayed. Books with kind of a “taboo” topic, like in this case, being in love with the stepbrother, are hooking me whenever I read things like this in a blurb. Of course, because the guys are stepbrothers, there isn’t any incest and it’s good how it is. 😀
Still I loved how this was reaon for Declan to hide his love for Ollie – for years. The fact that he also hides his sexuality to the whole family didn’t make it easy to carry this secret too. It’s a huge burden and I can totally understand why he’s hesitant – and the author made this conflict clear and visible, also showed why he is hesitant and that Declan is thinking a lot of it. Still, as feelings & fears are, they aren’t rational. Being the observating reader, it’s easy to say: go, get Ollie, Declan.
Through the whole book, which only two chapter as exception, it’s from Declan’s POV, still with the two Ollie chapters we get the necessary insight from him, and let’s say without saying a huge spoiler: Declan isn’t alone with his feelings. This limited insight, the focus nearly on character makes the story more thrilling, ignites the curiosity in the reader’s mind and of course: we feel with Declan.
I loved how also the aspect with the costumes was included, that Declan can’t get his Batman out of his had. For a long time there isn’t clear who the mysterious Batman is, it’s good delivered and yes, although you see Declan “cheating” on Ollie (at least on the emotional basis if you wanna say it so), it’s not, and it’s totally understandable, why he is attracted to the mysterious guy. The fact they both have smokey hot sex makes the scene even hotter. :3
The whole anonymous meeting in the book gave the book its little thrill, although the reader has soon a assumption and gets enough clues, who’s behind the Batman mask. 😉
The chemistry between Declan and Ollie was there, I wasn’t suprised how the events were revealed and it was hot when they came together. Due to their family and being stepbrothers they of course know pretty much about each other but on the other hand they have to get to know each other again after all the years, and Ollie’s vacation and Declan not around at the family’s home for a long time makes it even more prominent and necessary. Both are adults, the childish shenanigans they made when they were younger aren’t valid anymore. But soon they reconnect and have a lot in common and have mutual tastes. It’s pleasant to see the guys interacting and harmonizing also on a daily level, and even when the chemistry is there, they don’t “attack” each other or lust over every second they share a room. It has a natural flow for me which I really liked.
A solid, nice read with a bit bumpy parts, because I had the feeling some parts it went a bit faster than I like and had the feeling I missed something. I also liked how the parent’s reaction was but maybe a few parts there were a bit too hasty which was why I was confused. I also have to mention the reference to daily politics and current events (the US elections & their results were mentioned, as well was a reference to the the Orlando night club shooting).
All in all a great, entertaining read, hot, sexy, with reasonable characters who acted mature and not annoying or anything. It was only natural how both guys came together and the end is sweet and adorable. I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars. 🙂
See this cute cover. *^*
RELEASE BLITZ
Title: Always Him
Author: Ann Grech
Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: December 8, 2017
Add to you bookshelf:
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PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon US | Amazon UK
ibooks
Nook
Kobo
Blurb
Forgetting them was near impossible, but choosing one was harder.
Declan had kept his secret for so long; its revelation could destroy his family. Being gay wasn’t it. The truth was far worse—he’d fallen for his stepbrother, Ollie.
Returning home for the holidays wasn’t something he did very often, but his mom insisted on it that year. His trip home didn’t turn out as he expected; Declan’s world was flipped on its head by a sexy stranger. On a night out, his hookup flipped Declan’s world on its head. Now he was torn, unable to get Batman out of his head and Ollie out of his heart.
Note: this story was originally published in the Tempting Scrooge anthology, but has been substantially revised, reedited and additional content added.
Author bio – Ann Grech
By day Ann Grech lives in the corporate world and can be found sitting behind a desk typing away at reports and papers or lecturing to a room full of students. With her quirky glasses and shiny leather briefcase, she has the librarian look nailed. All laced up tight in her pencil skirts and killer heels, her students can only fantasize about what she gets up to in her spare time. If only they could see those tattoos! Oh, and those notepads of story ideas tucked away in odd places that would be sure to have them fanning themselves!
By night she’s a wife and mum and a purveyor of saucy stories that are filled with lust, raunchy scenes and ultimately love. Ann’s an avid reader of anything sexy and firmly believes in the motto ‘leave mummy alone, she’s reading or writing.’ Because of that, she is pretty hopeless when it comes to getting dinner on the table on time or cleaning the house.
Author links / get in contact
Website
Ann’s Sexy Snippets
Facebook Group
Twitter
Instagram
Blogtour and release blitz hosted by LLEP Book Blog
Mikku-chan 
Thanks for the beautiful review ❤ So glad you liked it!
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Very welcome. ❤ It was a nice, pleasant read. So sweet. :3
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