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MANGA: Love Hug Therapy
Love Hug Therapy – Taka
I’m finally living alone like I wanted! … But university student Akizuki has started sharing a room with his friend Hayase. As soon as he moves in, he is bewildered by Hayase, who says he can’t imagine life without hugs, and for some reason he ends up hugging him every day…? And if he forgets his duty or doesn’t hug him, he has to pay a fine and do whatever he tells him…? Akizuki is gradually getting used to the skinship with Hayase, but…?
Love Hug Therapy is a roommates-to-lovers romance between two idiots hugging it out.
Akizuki and Hayase are two roommates who hit it off spectacularly. They got along so well that Akizuki couldn’t be more content with his housing situation. One day, Hayase proposed that they give each other a hug if any of them needed it or else pay a fine. He was bewildered by Hayase’s frequent hugs, but liked it too.
Then Hayase hugged Akizuki in public, which left him flustered. Later, Akizuki realized he might be attracted to Hayase but feared the consequences of dating a man.
Meanwhile, Hayase has been secretly crushing on Akizuki for a long time. Oh, the pining! The longing! The poor man was sniffing pillows and reminiscing about the kind gestures of his emotional support human.
The execution might be a bit clunky, but this is still a funny and endearing gay awakening of a young college student who has to learn some sad realities about society’s view towards gay men. Akizuki agonized over what his friends and parents might think, a realistic portrayal of the anxiety over coming out.
The big talk, when it finally happened, was cute, awkward, and hella sweet! There’s minimal miscommunication; I loved that Hayase and Akizuke communicated openly. The manga not only focused on developing the romance but also highlighted Hayase and Akizuki’s friendship.
It’s silly and ridiculous, also earnest and deep. Overall, give a hug, win a heart.
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SERIES REVIEW: Isaac & Dallas (Light & Shadow Duet) by N.N. Britt
Light & Shadow: Isaac – N.N. Britt
In the heart of Sin City, two men on opposite sides of the law collide in a dangerous game of power, passion, and betrayal.
Isaac Thoreau, the son of a notorious crime boss, has spent nine years behind bars for his father’s murder. Driven, cunning, and unfeeling, he’s now back to claim what’s rightfully his. But when an enigmatic security guard named Hawk is hired to work at his nightclub, Isaac finds himself distracted… and inexplicably drawn to Hawk, despite his best efforts to resist.
Special Agent Dallas Bradley’s mission is infiltrate the Hellhounds and bring their leader, Isaac Thoreau, to justice. Posing as Hawk, Dallas is determined to uncover the secrets of the Thoreau criminal empire. But as he delves deeper into Isaac’s world, the lines between right and wrong blur, and soon an undeniable attraction grows between the two men, forcing Dallas to question everything.
Walking away before he’s compromised would be the smart choice, but Dallas can’t resist Isaac’s magnetic pull, even if it means risking his life.
As love and duty clash, only one question will Isaac and Dallas survive the fallout?
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Isaac is the first installment of the Light & Shadow Duet. It can not be read as standalone. This is a dark MM mafia romance that explores various sensitive subjects like violence, abuse, PTSD, etc.
Rating:
3.5 Stars – that place between like and loveSoundtrack: Another Life
Artist: Motionless in White
Album: Disguise
Light & Shadow: Dallas – N.N. Britt
Prepare for Betrayal and Redemption in Sin City.
As the leader of the Hellhounds and a valued member of the notorious Thoreau crime syndicate, Isaac has it all: power, money, fear. Falling for someone has never been on his radar. But for the first time in his life, Isaac thinks he’s found someone he can truly trust—the mysterious security guard who shattered through his icy defenses and became the one person Isaac could be himself with.
Until everything goes up in flames.
Dallas Bradley has been treading an unstable line of deceit between righteousness and criminality. Isaac Thoreau’s world is slowly turning him into Hawk, the man who doesn’t exist, the man who’s ready to do bad things to survive and remain close to Isaac. But when a dangerous deal goes south, in order to save Isaac’s life, Dallas is forced to reveal the devastating truth—he’s a Special Agent sent to infiltrate the Hellhounds and bring down Isaac.
Heartbroken and enraged, Isaac can’t stand the man who betrayed him so deeply. However, when it’s clear Isaac’s fate is prison, Dallas strikes a bargain with his boss: help save Isaac from life behind bars and keep Dallas undercover to clean up the mess.
Isaac hates Dallas more than ever, but to escape the crosshairs they must work together once more. As tempers and stakes flare in the streets of Sin City, Dallas will risk everything to redeem himself in Isaac’s eyes. But can their undeniable connection survive when trust has turned to ash?
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Dallas is the second installment of Light & Shadow Duet. It should be read after Isaac. This is a dark MM mafia romance that explores various sensitive subjects like violence, abuse, PTSD, etc. Length: 65,000 words. Alternating POV.
Rating:
3.5 Stars – that place between like and loveSoundtrack: Light
Artist: N3wport feat. Dianna
Album:
Light & Shadow Duet by N.N. Britt is the series opener of the dark mafia romance series of the same name.
The first part is Isaac, where we meet Special Agent Dallas Bradley as he starts his undercover job as Hawk, infiltrating the Thoreau crime syndicate led by Isaac Thoreau, the son of the notorious mob boss whom he killed. Isaac paid the price for murdering his abusive father, and his stint in prison further traumatized the young man.
Hawk had to get close to the leader, first by working as the night club bouncer and then climbing the ranks high enough to be included in Isaac’s inner circle. But Isaac was not what Hawk expected, and he soon found himself getting very personal with the boss,
The second part is Dallas, where, after an ATF bust where the gang was caught running guns, Dallas had to negotiate hard to save Isaac. Trust broken but left with no choice, Isaac had to go against everything he stood for and work with Dallas and the FBI.
Dallas and Isaac have that intense push-pull I always enjoy in well-delivered enemies-to-lovers romance. Both are solitary men who found a deep connection that put each of them in danger. The sexual tension is sizzling, the need for secrecy and the threat of being caught heightening the electric mood.
Isaac is a compelling combination of power and vulnerability, having survived sexual abuse as a child and more trauma in prison, then strengthening the criminal organization he inherited. He’s touch-averse and touch-starved, cold to most, but a well-liked leader of his gang, a Robin Hood who took care of his men and their families.
Dallas is a veteran at undercovers, but this job, a.k.a. Isaac, got under his skin and had him questioning his identity and loyalties. As Hawk, he became Isaac’s lover; as Dallas, he was Isaac’s only chance of avoiding prison. He won’t let Isaac go back, knowing it would cost Isaac his life with so many enemies inside.
While the plot was gripping, the writing was something of an acquired taste. It’s in the 1st-person present tense and a bit too flowery for my liking, with metaphors that could be considered poetic. They detract from the story because I found them unnecessary or better suited to a historical romance
However, there’s a great balance of romance and the rest of the plot, with the cliffhanger of Isaac ending the first book in such an explosive way. The second book continues with the tightly paced plot, still as intense, Isaac hurt and conflicted over the betrayal and Dallas’s Hail Mary rescue.
I say the second part is more suspenseful and more twisty turn-y with Dallas and Isaac jumping through hoops of fire. There were so many hurdles thrown their way, I was left wondering how this would end happily. Our only guarantee that this is an HEA is that this is romance. The author saved it till the very last, a bit bittersweet but still resolutely hard-won and satisfying.
Light & Shadow Duet is a stirring tale of forbidden passion between two men on opposite sides of the law. The prose takes getting used to but, overall, slow burn yet fiery, dark and angsty yet thrilling!
P.S.
Light & Shadow must be read in order.
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LIGHT & SHADOW: Amazon UK | Audiobook
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SOUNDTRACK: Another Life by Motionless in White & Light by N3wport feat. Dianna
Soundtrack to Light & Shadow: Isaac by N.N. Britt
Another Life by Motionless in White for a book about forbidden love between a mob boss and a federal agent.
If I can’t let you go, will darkness divide?
For the fiction of love is the truth of our lies
We were playing for keeps, but we both knew the cost
Now the only way out’s in your heart-shaped box (heart-shaped box)But I hate that it seemed you were never enough
We were broken and bleeding, but never gave up
And I hate that I made you the enemy
And I hate that your heart was the casualty
Now I hate that I need youSoundtrack to Light & Shadow: Dallas by N.N. Britt
Light by N3wport feat Dianna for a book about a fight for redemption, freedom and happiness.
Is this all you want? Satisfied with what’s left
Of a broken heart, fighting for every breath
I can give you more ’cause in this tomb I’ve laid
Fighting for your heart
Your debts have all been paid…
No more tears to cry, joy can take their place
And there’s freedom here, I have won your race
You’re perfect to me, ’cause when I look at you
I see myself and the triumphs you’ve been through -
If I can’t let you go, will darkness divide?
For the fiction of love is the truth of our lies
We were playing for keeps, but we both knew the cost
Now the only way out’s in your heart-shaped box (heart-shaped box)But I hate that it seemed you were never enough
We were broken and bleeding, but never gave up
And I hate that I made you the enemy
And I hate that your heart was the casualty
Now I hate that I need youAs we rest here alone like notes on a page
The finest to compose could not play our pain
With a candle through time, I could still see your ghost
But I can’t close my eyes, for it
For it is there where you haunt me most (haunt me most)
Where you haunt me mostI hate that it seemed you were never enough
We were broken and bleeding, but never gave up
And I hope that I stain through your memory
As we echo through time in the melody
Now I hate that I need youAnd I hear you now when you said it hurt
But it had to fall, fall apart to work
As I see you now in what’s left of me
Is it too late to plead insanity?(I won’t let go) ’cause I hate that it seemed you were never enough
Yeah, we’re broken and bleeding in the name of love
And I hope that we meet in another life
I hope that we meet in another life
I don’t hate that I need you (I don’t hate that I need you)
I don’t hate that I need you (I don’t hate that I need you)
I don’t hate that I need youIs this all you want? Satisfied with what’s left
Of a broken heart, fighting for every breath
I can give you more ’cause in this tomb I’ve laid
Fighting for your heart
Your debts have all been paidDark turns into light
Before your very eyes
No more darkness
Just lightJust light
No more tears to cry, joy can take their place
And there’s freedom here, I have won your race
You’re perfect to me, ’cause when I look at you
I see myself and the triumphs you’ve been throughDark turns into light
Before your very eyes
No more darkness
Just lightDark turns into light
Before your very eyes
No more darkness
Just lightJust light
Dark turns into light
Before your very eyes
No more darkness
Just light -
MOVIE FEATURE: She’s The He
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NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Keep Me Like A Secret by Ivy Hamilton (Excerpt)
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PROMO BLITZ: Under Gorse and Stone by Lily Morton
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NEW RELEASE: Rowan by Colette Davison (Excerpt)
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FLICKer: Sin Ruta (Without Direction)
Featuring LGBT short films I found around the interwebz a.k.a Youtube. Okay sucky intro, but yeah, that’s it.
Two fugitives, one unexpected destiny. A raw story of violence, migration, and human connection in LGBTQ+ Guatemala.
Teo, a gay Guatemalan musician, flees a brutal homophobic attack. Ray, an American doctor, escapes his past after a fatal mistake. When their paths cross, they discover that redemption can come from where they least expect it.
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COVER & EXCERPT REVEAL: Ziggy’s Voice by Saxon James (Excerpt & Giveaway)
