Waiting For Wentworth

Waiting On Wednesday (536) Thick as Thieves (Aster Valley #4) by Lucy Lennox

Thick As Thieves
(Aster Valley #4)
by Lucy Lennox

Expected publication: March 1, 2022

Genre: M/M, Romance

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings
that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.
(WoW was previously hosted by Breaking The Spine.)

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Julian:
I've been in love with my best friend since forever. Okay, fine. Like, kindergarten. It started out platonic, obviously, but then became... nope. Still platonic. The problem is that Parker Ellis has been straight since forever. And that makes it difficult to convince him the two of us are meant to be together.

And now there's no point. All is lost. He's gone and gotten engaged to his high-school sweetheart which means I have to grin and bear it while pretending to be the happy, supportive best man while he prepares to commit his life to a woman I can't even fault. She's great. We've all been friends forever. I know he'll be happy with Erin, just not... just not as happy as he could be with me.

Parker:
I'll admit. Sometimes I press the easy button. Like when Julian Thick had offered me half his sandwich back in grade school after noticing I didn't have any food. Or when I'd needed a date to homecoming in tenth grade and Erin told me she was it. Or when I'd used the one thing that came easy to me, skiing, to get my college tuition paid for. Or when Erin had showed back up in my life six months ago and told me it was time to marry and start a family...

But for the first time in my life, I'm facing something that's not at all easy. It's my wedding weekend and I've just been left at the altar. Not only that, but when my best friend whisks me away to drown my sorrows in a snowy cabin in Aster Valley, I accidentally discover Julian's been keeping secrets. Big secrets.

But after twenty-plus years of thinking of Jules as my friend without benefits, is it truly possible to change who we are to each other? There's no easy button this time, but I'm willing to do the work. I only wonder if Julian is ready to trust I really mean it.

I've been enjoying this series so far, so I hope I like this book, too. (And can I say that I love the cover???)
(I've also enjoyed reading some of this author's work with another author, but right now their new series together - which I haven't read yet - is getting roasted on Goodreads. The *honest* reviews are not good, but they equal the number of "amazing 5 star" arc reviews. Who to believe??? And do I want to bother reading that series? Hmmm...)

What are you waiting on this week?

Spirited Situation
(Ghostly Guardians #1)
by Louisa Masters

Expected publication: February 17th 2022

Genre: M/M, Romance, Paranormal

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

When you can talk to ghosts, things are bound to get spirited.

The ghosts have been there since before I can remember. When I was a kid, they doted on me, but as I got older, they got more demanding. I’ve spent my whole life seeing and talking to dead people and trying to pretend I’m not, because the living just don’t understand. Nobody wants to be around the freak who claims to see ghosts.

Until I go to Mannix Estate.

Once a private country home, then a posh hotel, it was closed after a suspicious incident but is now an immersive historic experience. It’s also haunted AF, and everyone knows it. Finally, I’ve found a place to work and live where I can be useful. Where I’m actually wanted.

There are only two problems: I spent a hot, sweaty, satisfying night with Ewan the blacksmith before I knew we’d have to work together. Everyone knows sex with colleagues is a bad idea, right? Even if he’s the world’s most ripped cinnamon roll.

Plus, the ghosts are keeping secrets. There’s something going on that’s not normal, even for a haunted estate. And I suspect that when the truth comes out, I’m the one who’ll have to deal with it… and it won’t be good.

For Halloween, my 24 year old daughter and I watched some of the old Disney Halloween shows - Twitches, That's So Raven, and Suite Life. This quote from Suite Life keeps repeating in my head whenever I see 'ghost' stories: "Ghostie... if I may call you that.... speak to us......."

This is a new author to me, and this book sounds awesome. However, the "5 amazing stars" reviews that I am seeing are highly questionable. None of my friends on Goodreads have read this yet, so I have no trusted opinions to depend on here. I need some ghosts in my life, so I hope I like this!

What are you waiting on this week?

Sink or Swim
(Shore Leave #2)
by Annabeth Albert

Expected publication: February 22nd 2022 by Carina Press

Genre: M/M, Romance

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Navy chief Calder Euler loves to win big. His latest score? A remote mountain cabin. Checking it out is supposed to be a quick trip, but Calder’s luck abruptly turns when a freak injury and a freakier snowstorm leave him stranded.

Oh, and the cabin isn’t empty. A silver fox caring for two young girls claims that the property is his, but Calder’s paperwork says otherwise.

Felix Sigurd is on a losing streak, and his ex-husband risking the cabin in a reckless bet is only the latest in a series of misfortunes. He’ll tolerate the handsome stranger for a couple nights--even care for his injuries—but that’s it.

Calder doesn’t know a damn thing about kids, but making pancakes for Felix’s girls is a surprising delight. Trapped in the cabin, the four of them slip easily into the rhythms of a family. But when the ice melts, they’ll have to decide if a future together is in the cards.

I don't usually read 'military' stories, but I enjoyed the first book in this series, so I'm ready to give this one a go. I hope I like it!

What are you waiting on this week?

Perfect Ten
(The Off Season #1)
by K.M. Neuhold

Expected publication: February 4th 2022 by K.M. Neuhold

Genre: M/M, Romance

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

I came to Palm Island two seasons ago, confused about my life and desperate for a change. The island drew me in, but I’m still not sure why.

Maybe it’s time I cut my losses and go back home, back to med school like I always planned.

But when the breathtaking, flirtatious, tattooed bartender I’ve been crushing on for ages offers to let me room with him this off-season, there’s no way I’m leaving now.

I can’t believe I’ve lived here this long without truly appreciating everything the island has to offer: the beauty of its untouched nature, how to catch a wave, the appeal of casual s… well, you know. But Ten seems determined to make sure I experience every last one, and then some.

Will this be the last off-season I spend here or could this thing between Ten and I be perfect?

Welcome to Palm Island: Come for the sweaty nights and beach parties, stay for the endless swoon and heart melting romance.

I've been reading and enjoying this author's books recently. So this book has been added to my tbr, of course! I hope I like it!

What are you waiting on this week?

In Step
(Painted Bay #3)
by Jay Hogan

Expected publication: February 10th 2022 by Southern Lights Publishing

Genre: M/M, Romance

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Karma. You reap what you sow, and Kand Martin isn’t looking for forgiveness. But the arrival of Abe Tyler in Painted Bay has Kane dreaming of the impossible. The sexy, silver fox choreographer is determined to pull Kane out from the shadows, but Kane’s life is in neat little boxes for a reason.

A past he isn’t proud of.

A family he’s walked away from.

A job he doesn’t deserve.

A secret he’s ashamed of.

But life’s dance can make for unexpected partners, and learning to trust and keep up with the footwork is the name of the game.

Two steps forward, one step back.

It takes two to Tango.

I read the 1st book in this series SO long ago that I had forgotten how much I enjoyed it. Just yesterday I finished reading the 2nd book in this series, On Board, and I loved it! So now I'm ready for this 3rd book, and I hope I love it just as much!!

What are you waiting on this week?

The Best Men
(The Best Men #1)
by Sarina Bowen and Lauren Blakely

Expected publication: January 18th 2022 by Troliver Books

Genre: M/M, Romance

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

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…

I want to read this book because... I want to read this book. However, what bothers me is all of the *amazing* 5 star reviews on Goodreads before the book is released. These would be "arc received from the author in exchange for an honest review." Well then, be honest and not give 5 amazing stars just because you received an arc and want to get into the good graces of an author. Does this behavior bother anyone else?

What are you waiting on this week?

The Missing Page
(Page & Sommers #2)
by Cat Sebastian

Expected publication: January 18th 2022

Genre: M/M, Historical, Romance

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

England, 1948: Semi-retired spy Leo Page and country doctor James Sommers team up to solve a decades-old mystery.

When James learns that an uncle he hasn’t heard from in ages has left him something in his will, he figures that the least he can do is head down to Cornwall for a weekend to honor the old man’s parting wishes. He finds the family home filled with half-remembered guests and unwanted memories, but more troubling is that his uncle has tasked his heirs with uncovering the truth behind a woman’s disappearance twenty years earlier.

Leo doesn’t like any of it. He’s just returned from one of his less pleasant missions and maybe he’s slightly paranoid about James’s safety, but he’s of the opinion that rich people aren’t to be trusted where wills are concerned. So he does what any sensible spy would do and infiltrates the house party.

Together they unravel a mystery that exposes long-standing family secrets and threatens to involve James more than either of them would like.

I read the first book, Hither, Page way back in June 2019. I'm pretty sure it was my favorite book that year. I immediately added book #2 to my tbr - so I've been waiting for this book for a long time!

What are you waiting on this week?

Mountain Topped
by K.M. Neuhold and Mia Monroe

Expected publication: January 7th 2022

Genre: M/M/M, Romance

This my favorite day of the week because I love sharing and discovering new books.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Is there a bigger gay cliché than falling in love with your straight best friend? Oh, I know; a random hookup with a dude from the gym.

I didn't think I'd ever manage to fall for anyone other than the unattainable Hawthorne, but the more time I spend with Aldis the more I… like him.

As for my straight best friend… do straight guys usually stare so much when you're wearing gray sweatpants?

I never thought the drunken admission of my deepest fantasy would lead to the three of us hooking up and Hawthorne looking at me like that. Now my best friend and my hookup-turned-more are bonding over their shared love of mountain climbing, the three of us are, ahem, exploring, and I'm hoping this is more than just a messy fling.

I'm kind of worried because this is outside my usual M/M romance that I enjoy. M/M/M can be weird sometimes - like someone gets emotionally left out and feelings get hurt, so - not a favorite of mine. However, I've been enjoying Neuhold's books recently, so that is why I added it to my tbr. I've never read the other author, so I hope I like it!

What are you waiting on this week?