Never Hollowed By The Stare

boys love manga | MM romance | indie music | giveaways and more

Never Hollowed By The Stare
  • Home
  • REVIEWS+RECS
    • MANGA
    • BOOK REVIEW
    • SOUNDTRACK
    • QUOTE
    • TRAILER
    • FAVORITE BOOK COVERS
    • DESERT ISLAND CASTAWAYS
    • BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
    • Reviews A-Z
    • MINI MOVIE REVIEWS
  • MEMES+TAGS
    • MUSIC MONDAY
    • LAST YEAR I WAS READING
    • FLICKer FADE SUNDAY
    • TAGS
    • MISC POSTS
    • PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
    • FIRST LINES FRIDAY 56
  • TOURS & BLITZES
    • COVER REVEAL
    • GIVEAWAYS
  • About + Ratings
    • ABOUT + RATINGS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
  • Policy + Contact
  • Home
  • REVIEWS+RECS
    • MANGA
    • BOOK REVIEW
    • SOUNDTRACK
    • QUOTE
    • TRAILER
    • FAVORITE BOOK COVERS
    • DESERT ISLAND CASTAWAYS
    • BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
    • Reviews A-Z
    • MINI MOVIE REVIEWS
  • MEMES+TAGS
    • MUSIC MONDAY
    • LAST YEAR I WAS READING
    • FLICKer FADE SUNDAY
    • TAGS
    • MISC POSTS
    • PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
    • FIRST LINES FRIDAY 56
  • TOURS & BLITZES
    • COVER REVEAL
    • GIVEAWAYS
  • About + Ratings
    • ABOUT + RATINGS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
  • Policy + Contact

Archives

  • April 2026 (35)
  • March 2026 (83)
  • February 2026 (71)
  • January 2026 (65)
  • December 2025 (81)
  • November 2025 (76)
  • October 2025 (72)
  • September 2025 (83)
  • August 2025 (49)
  • July 2025 (73)
  • June 2025 (82)
  • May 2025 (84)
  • April 2025 (71)
  • March 2025 (83)
  • February 2025 (72)
  • January 2025 (75)
  • December 2024 (90)
  • November 2024 (82)
  • October 2024 (96)
  • September 2024 (71)
  • August 2024 (99)
  • July 2024 (96)
  • June 2024 (94)
  • May 2024 (94)
  • April 2024 (93)
  • March 2024 (100)
  • February 2024 (94)
  • January 2024 (85)
  • December 2023 (85)
  • November 2023 (84)
  • October 2023 (97)
  • September 2023 (93)
  • August 2023 (100)
  • July 2023 (100)
  • June 2023 (97)
  • May 2023 (100)
  • April 2023 (76)
  • March 2023 (106)
  • February 2023 (104)
  • January 2023 (109)
  • December 2022 (118)
  • November 2022 (128)
  • October 2022 (122)
  • September 2022 (107)
  • August 2022 (118)
  • July 2022 (104)
  • June 2022 (112)
  • May 2022 (114)
  • April 2022 (61)
  • March 2022 (115)
  • February 2022 (88)
  • January 2022 (92)
  • December 2021 (90)
  • November 2021 (114)
  • October 2021 (118)
  • September 2021 (127)
  • August 2021 (84)
  • July 2021 (114)
  • June 2021 (113)
  • May 2021 (119)
  • April 2021 (112)
  • March 2021 (122)
  • February 2021 (101)
  • January 2021 (90)
  • December 2020 (121)
  • November 2020 (127)
  • October 2020 (129)
  • September 2020 (120)
  • August 2020 (131)
  • July 2020 (131)
  • June 2020 (138)
  • May 2020 (118)
  • April 2020 (109)
  • March 2020 (105)
  • February 2020 (99)
  • January 2020 (111)
  • December 2019 (112)
  • November 2019 (94)
  • October 2019 (74)
  • September 2019 (54)
  • August 2019 (51)
  • July 2019 (54)
  • June 2019 (47)
  • May 2019 (43)
  • April 2019 (53)
  • March 2019 (41)
  • February 2019 (41)
  • January 2019 (47)
  • December 2018 (52)
  • November 2018 (51)
  • October 2018 (56)
  • September 2018 (61)
  • August 2018 (55)
  • July 2018 (59)
  • June 2018 (90)
  • May 2018 (60)
  • April 2018 (60)
  • March 2018 (57)
  • February 2018 (51)
  • January 2018 (50)
  • December 2017 (45)
  • November 2017 (50)
  • October 2017 (52)
  • September 2017 (35)
  • August 2017 (50)
  • July 2017 (12)
  • June 2017 (12)
  • May 2017 (21)
  • April 2017 (87)
  • March 2017 (16)
  • January 2017 (5)
  • December 2016 (4)
  • November 2016 (25)
  • October 2014 (67)
  • September 2014 (109)
  • July 2011 (7)
  • June 2011 (14)
  • May 2011 (77)
  • April 2011 (25)
  • March 2011 (5)
  • Uncategorized
    August 12, 2017 / No Comments


    [spotify id=”spotify%3Atrack%3A0jeJR3LdrC2QJNviq7wjzp&view=coverart” width=”540″ height=”620″ /]

    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    RELEASE BLITZ: Sunshine for Sale by Cora Rose & Nicole Dykes

    February 16, 2024

    BLOG TOUR: Resurrecting My Magic by Timoteo Tong (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    January 7, 2025

    MUSIC MONDAY: For Ezra by Steve Buscemi’s Dreamy Eyes

    March 16, 2020
  • manga,  Uncategorized
    August 12, 2017 / No Comments

    World’s End no Niwa – Motteke

    Mutou, a university student, just started to live alone for the first time. In his new place, he met his next door neighbor, Uematsu, a translator living in a really old house haunted by the past. In a time where flowers are in full bloom in spring, Mutou begin to feel happiness and attraction from spending time together with Uematsu on his porch.
    However, Mutou came to hear that Uematsu had someone important that he can’t forget…

    Will Uematsu be able to open up to Mutou at the end?
    A slow brewing sweet romance begins now!

    Got bored and skimmed. Plus there’s the huge age gap. The only thing I like is the title.

    (source: http://mangakakalot.com)

    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    12 TOUR DAYS OF CHRISTMAS: Deck The Hulls by Kat Cassidy

    December 23, 2024

    COVER REVEAL: Saint by Jodie Harper

    November 12, 2025

    RELEASE TOUR: Full Service by Cora Rose (Giveaway)

    July 9, 2024
  • Uncategorized
    August 11, 2017 / No Comments

    How To Be A Normal Person – TJ Klune

    Gustavo Tiberius is not normal. He knows this. Everyone in his small town of Abby, Oregon, knows this. He reads encyclopedias every night before bed. He has a pet ferret called Harry S. Truman. He owns a video rental store that no one goes to. His closest friends are a lady named Lottie with drag queen hair and a trio of elderly Vespa riders known as the We Three Queens.

    Gus is not normal. And he’s fine with that. All he wants is to be left alone.

    Until Casey, an asexual stoner hipster and the newest employee at Lottie’s Lattes, enters his life. For some reason, Casey thinks Gus is the greatest thing ever. And maybe Gus is starting to think the same thing about Casey, even if Casey is obsessive about Instagramming his food.

    But Gus isn’t normal and Casey deserves someone who can be. Suddenly wanting to be that someone, Gus steps out of his comfort zone and plans to become the most normal person ever.

    After all, what could possibly go wrong?

    Gus or Grumpy Gus is a lovable but very socially awkward video store owner who struggles with very unsettling feelings towards a certain asexual hipster named Casey. Gus happens to like things the way they are and hates sudden changes or uncertain things. To help him deal with his feelings he consulted his trusty encyclopedias (he reads them alphabetically). When his trusty encyclopedias failed him, he asked the internet. There he goes through through steps on how to be a normal person and follows them verbatim with hilarious results.

    Casey is Don Atari from Zoolander. I swear. I hear his voice every time Casey speaks. That doesn’t mean he’s not adorable. I mean, he and Gus are just so perfect for each other. One of the things that got me reading this is that Casey is asexual. Rarely do we get MCs who are asexual and in a love story no less

    The rest of the characters are also fascinating and quirky like the We Three Queens who could be sisters or lovers no one knows and Lottie who likes alliterations. Casey’s friends are as hipster as they could get but they mean well.

    The moment I started reading this, I knew it was just 5 stars all the way. This is one of the funniest books I have ever read. Read the chapter where Gus was asking Casey for a date and tell me if that didn’t make you laugh out loud. And yes there is an actual wiki guide on how to be normal (I checked). The only quibbles here are the pot smoking and that I don’t find stoner and stoner talk attractive so overall a 4 for me.

    Rating:
    4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits

    (source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25548442-how-to-be-a-normal-person)

    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    MUSIC MONDAY: Temper Temper by Black Pistol Fire

    October 19, 2020

    MUSIC MONDAY: Modern Girl by Bleachers

    October 9, 2023

    MUSIC MONDAY: C.E.O & When I’m Rich by The Happy Children

    September 6, 2021
  • Uncategorized
    August 11, 2017 / No Comments

    So I’ll be bold, as well as strong, and use my head alongside my heart.

    Mumford & Sons
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    BLOG TOUR: Jackals Wild by Abby Kaitz (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    April 18, 2022

    SMALL JOYS TAG

    November 12, 2020

    RELEASE BLITZ: Emerett Has Never Been In Love by Anyta Sunday (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    March 15, 2021
  • Uncategorized
    August 11, 2017 / No Comments


    [spotify id=”spotify%3Atrack%3A4mVntYjO9vDJfSK2k7uvIi&view=coverart” width=”540″ height=”620″ /]

    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: We Cry The Sea by Glenn Quigley (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    March 15, 2021

    BLOG TOUR: Devil’s Mark by Lark Taylor (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    August 3, 2022

    BLOG TOUR: Thinking It Over by Becca Seymour (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    June 13, 2020
  • manga,  Uncategorized
    August 11, 2017 / No Comments

    Yamada to Shounen – Mita Ori

    On his way back from work on Christmas Eve, Yamada (26) discovers a drunk and crying high school boy and takes him home. That boy was mulling over being in love with someone of the same sex.

    A straight adult and a gay high schooler.

    It is a piece that sets gender aside as their hearts grow ever closer. This is Mita Ori’s long-awaited series. 

    Yamada looks like shit, is only 26 but act likes an old man. The boy is sweet and is good at cooking. The story was underwhelming but is thankfully kept short.  

    (source: http://mangafox.me)

    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    RELEASE BLITZ: Gravity: The Complete Series by Kindle Alexander

    July 16, 2025

    BOOK BLITZ: Hunter by A.M. Salinger (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    June 26, 2020

    RELEASE BLITZ: The Humbug Holiday by Lane Hayes (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    December 14, 2022
  • Uncategorized
    August 6, 2017 / No Comments

    Wanted, A Gentleman – K.J. Charles

    WANTED, A GENTLEMAN
    Or, Virtue Over-Rated

    the grand romance of

    Mr. Martin St. Vincent … a Merchant with a Mission, also a Problem
    Mr. Theodore Swann … a humble Scribbler and Advertiser for Love

    Act the First:

    the offices of the Matrimonial Advertiser, London
    where Lonely Hearts may seek one another for the cost of a shilling

    Act the Second:

    a Pursuit to Gretna Green (or thereabouts)

    featuring

    a speedy Carriage
    sundry rustic Inns
    a private Bed-chamber

    ***

    In the course of which are presented

    Romance, Revenge, and Redemption
    Deceptions, Discoveries, and Desires

    the particulars of which are too numerous to impart.

    Eloping couples, damsels in distress, bland heroes, dastardly villains, wild goose chases. Your average penny romance novel tropes except that things are not always what they seem. 

    Swann runs a business publishing ads from people looking for husbands or wives and moonlights as a writer. He has a scheming mind and I love it that he looks average. St. Vincent is a black merchant with a lot of baggage from the past. He was tasked to pursue his former master’s daughter who ran away with a man a.k.a Troilus. The story itself was not all about the Swann and St. Vincent. It was discovering who was the mystery man who swept away the underage heiress and stopping them before they reach Gretna Green and exchange vows. Swann and St. Vincent’s relationship gradually developed over the course of the chase. In order to bring back the errant damsel to the bosom of her family, they realized they needed a villain more than a hero.

    Is it a fun read? Yes! K.J. Charles never lets me down. But I didn’t feel that much invested in the couple. I felt the friendship more than the romance between them. If they didn’t end up together romantically and settled as friends, it would have been entirely OK with me.  

    Rating:
    3.5 Stars – that place between like and love

    (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31225405-wanted-a-gentleman)

    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Heart First by S.B. Barnes (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    December 9, 2023

    SPECIAL COVER REVEAL: Scorpio Hates Virgo by Anyta Sunday (Giveaway)

    July 18, 2023

    BLOG TOUR: Dead Serious Case 2: Mrs. Delores Abernathy by Vawn Cassidy (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    November 16, 2022
  • Uncategorized
    August 6, 2017 / No Comments

    Loneliness has followed me my whole life. Everywhere. In bars, in cars, sidewalks, stores, everywhere. There’s no escape. I’m God’s lonely man.

    Travis Bickle
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    COVER REVEAL: Molly Boys by Vawn Cassidy (Giveaway)

    February 23, 2023

    MUSIC MONDAY: Video Game by Sufjan Stevens

    November 9, 2020

    RELEASE TOUR: The Moon Over the Oak by C.J. Ravenna (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    October 16, 2023
  • Uncategorized
    August 6, 2017 / No Comments


    [spotify id=”spotify%3Atrack%3A6B7gZ3sTiFctTL6GQBdklk&view=coverart” width=”540″ height=”620″ /]

    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    RELEASE BLITZ: Life is Right Here by Magdalena Di Sotru & Sophia Soames (Excerpt)

    December 2, 2022

    RELEASE TOUR: How To Forgive by Susan Hawke (Excerpt)

    September 16, 2020

    AUDIO BLITZ: Total Assist by Crea Reitan

    February 24, 2026
  • manga,  Uncategorized
    August 6, 2017 / No Comments

    Natura-turaly – Ichikawa Kei

    A collection of stories, Includes:
    1) Natura-turaly from Joshi BL
    My twin brother and I, we like and dislike the same things. Whatever we do, we do together. I thought we’d always be together—it seemed obvious. But a man appeared who says he loves my brother. Is the world I thought would go on forever starting to collapse?!
    2) Veranda Nite (On the Veranda)
    3) Count 3632
    4) Step One
    Suichi does not like to socialize with people. Why does Hana keep finding excuses to talk to him?
    5) Last Play from Itai Ero
    A couple’s relaxed routine is disrupted when the one partner proposes a new kind of play. To his surprise, his significant other discovers a higher affinity to his role than expected.
    6) Michidzure from Gesu BL
    A boy who is easily roped into things & a cool beauty who is a natural asshole.

    Extra: Prologue & Afterword

    Had mixed emotions about the first story. I wanted the twins to be together but I also wanted the two boys to be together. Argh, such dilemna! Second story ended on a hopeful note, third one was so-so, fourth was already posted here previously and the last two were NSFW.

    (source: http://www.mangago.me)

    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Music From Stone by Brenda Murphy (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    July 6, 2022

    RELEASE BLITZ: Virgin Shifters: Shifting for the First Time by Various Authors (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    October 18, 2020

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Little Match Girl by Dianne Hartsock (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    December 21, 2020

You can never have too much MM romance or indie music. Welcome and enjoy your stay!

FOLLOW NEVER HOLLOWED BY THE STARE

Follow Never Hollowed By The Stare on WordPress.com

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow Me

August 2017
M T W T F S S
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031  
« Jul   Sep »

If you like my content, please consider using my Amazon affiliate links to get a copy of your favorite MM romance & yaoi manga. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying Amazon purchases at no additional cost to you.

As a more ethical alternative, you can also use Bookshop.org to buy paperbacks and MP3 CD audiobooks and help support independent bookstores.

Rakuten Kobo UK
Alibris: Books, Music, & Movies

DISCLAIMER

Book images and promotional materials are from Goodreads or media kits provided for blog tours, cover reveals and release blitzes. Manga covers and other images are sourced through Google image search. The two dorks in the header image is from a manga by TogaQ & Kikuchi Neko. The cat logo is my own design. Reviews and other writings found in the blog are mine unless otherwise stated. All Buy Links to Amazon and Bookshop in my posts contain affiliate links.

Support This Site

If you like my content, please consider supporting me on Ko-fi. Your donations will help keep this website going. Thank you so much!

Rakuten Kobo UK
SEARCH NOW:
by title
by author
2026©Never Hollowed By The Stare