Never Hollowed By The Stare

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  • Home
  • REVIEWS+RECS
    • MANGA
    • BOOK REVIEW
    • SOUNDTRACK
    • QUOTE
    • TRAILER
    • DESERT ISLAND CASTAWAYS
    • BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
    • Reviews A-Z
    • MINI MOVIE REVIEWS
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    • FLICKer FADE SUNDAY
    • TAGS
    • MISC POSTS
    • PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
    • FIRST LINES FRIDAY 56
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  • manga,  Uncategorized

    MANGA: I Am The Big Brother

    June 30, 2020 / No Comments
    僕はお兄ちゃん。 (HertZ&CRAFT) | 金井桂 | ボーイズラブマンガ ...

    I Am The Big Brother – Kei Kanai

    Nao has taken care of his two younger twin brothers, Tetsuto and Asuma, for as long as he can remember. Thanks to his care and affection, they’ve grown up into two fine gentlemen who are now super popular at school. However, they’re both totally obsessed with their big brother! The two constantly vie for the innocent and oblivious Nao’s attention. Their competition goes into high gear during the school field day. With Nao as the prize, neither Tetsuto nor Asuma can afford to lose! Also included is the short story In the Soup, where the amazing cook Wataru realizes that he may not know as much about food as he thinks he does.

    I Am The Big Brother + Me & My Brother + Me & Sempai: A slightly taboo story of twins obsessing over their older brother that sadly didn’t go the threesome route. Glad to see Nao went with the twin I liked better. The other twin gets his own man too.

    In The Soup: A one-shot story about a high school boy winning a uni student’s heart with good food. Gentler and better! than the main story.

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  • book,  Uncategorized

    AUDIO REVIEW: Rented Heart by Garrett Leigh

    June 30, 2020 / 2 Comments
    29553199

    Rented Heart – Garrett Leigh

    Ex-surfer-turned-businessman Liam Mallaney moved back to Holkham, Norfolk, to mourn the loss of his husband. Grief and loneliness keep him a solitary figure, and he likes it that way. There’s no room in his broken heart for anything else.

    Rentboy Zac Payne left London and most of his demons behind, but he still only knows one way to make a living. When he spots Liam in a club one night, it seems he’s found his mark. But Liam proves nicer—and their connection far deeper—than he’d bargained for.

    Their arrangement quickly becomes too complicated for Zac, who has other things on his mind: namely his BFF and wayward flatmate, Jamie. Zac owes Jamie the world, and even as Jamie’s drug addiction destroys all they have, Zac won’t leave him behind.

    Besides, Liam knows nothing of Zac’s home life, too caught up in his own head to think much beyond the crazy heat he and Zac share. But when trouble comes to Zac’s door, putting his life in danger, Liam must set his grief and anger aside to pick up the pieces of Zac’s shattered heart and his own.


    I am the type of romance reader who would all but demand exclusivity between the intended couple the moment they started noticing each other. I have no patience for love triangles unless its heading towards poly which is the only acceptable conclusion for me.

    However, if your MC’s a rentboy, it could get pretty… tricky.

    Fortunately, Rented Heart made the process almost painless. I don’t know what sorcery Garrett Leigh did but I somehow didn’t mind Zac hustling and even sleeping with his friend, Jamie while already having feels for Liam. So yes, trigger warning here, Zac had sex with other people.

    This is a short book clocking in at around 5 hours plus. Dan Calley is the narrator as usual. I’m becoming a fan of how he’s bringing the author’s books to life. Realistic dialogues are one of the things I enjoyed the most about her books and Calley always delivered them in such a way that felt like you’re listening in on actual conversations.

    The story did a good depicting the grim realities of of Zac’s world without diminishing the blossoming romance between him and Liam. Their meetings were bright spots that stood in contrast with the struggle to keep roof over head and help a friend in dire need. Although, it did feel too insta given that they didn’t even spend that much time with each other in the first parts of the story.

    Still, it was quite an emotional rollercoaster. There’s fear that it would be over soon and the very real possibility of losing a best friend to addiction. There’s grief and hurt aplenty and comfort wholeheartedly given. There’s roadtrips, doggy cuddles and more cuddles.

    There is also, trouble you could see coming from a mile away the moment Jamie came in the apartment with his stash. Wished it went another way.

    Happily, Jamie redeemed himself. Zac and Liam acknowledged the rom-comness of their situation, shipped Jamie to California and lived the Pretty Woman dream.

    Vivian Ward would be proud.

    P.S.

    Thank you to Signal Boost Promotions and Audible UK for giving me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

    For angsty stories with lots of heart, Garrett Leigh is your girl. Read reviews of her books here.

    Rating:
    3.5 Stars – that place between like and love

    Soundtrack: Ghosts That We Knew
    Artist: Mumford & Sons
    Album: Babel

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    neverhollowed

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  • song,  Uncategorized

    SOUNDTRACK: Ghosts That We Knew by Mumford & Sons

    June 30, 2020 / 1 Comment

    Soundtrack to Rented Heart by Garrett Leigh

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  • Uncategorized
    June 30, 2020 / No Comments

    You saw my pain, washed out in the rain
    Broken glass, saw the blood run from my veins
    But you saw no fault no cracks in my heart
    And you knelt beside my hope torn apart
    But the ghosts that we knew will flicker from you
    And we’ll live a long life
    So give me hope in the darkness that I will see the light
    ‘Cause oh that gave me such a fright
    But I will hold as long as you like
    Just promise me we’ll be alright

    So lead me back
    Turn south from that place
    And close my eyes from my recent disgrace
    ‘Cause you know my call
    We’ll share my all
    Now children come and they will hear me roar
    So give me hope in the darkness that I will see the light
    ‘Cause oh that gave me such a fright
    But I will hold as long as you like
    Just promise me we’ll be alright

    But hold me still bury my heart on the cold
    And hold me still bury my heart on the cold

    So give me hope in the darkness that I will see the light
    ‘Cause oh that gave me such a fright
    But I will hold on as long as you like
    Just promise me that we’ll be alright

    But the ghosts that we knew made us blackened or blue
    But we’ll live a long life

    And the ghosts that we knew will flicker from view
    And we’ll live a long life

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  • trailer,  Uncategorized

    MOVIE FEATURE: Ete 85 (Summer of 85)

    June 30, 2020 / 2 Comments
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    BLOG TOUR: The Rosavia Royals: Up For Heir by Stella Starling (Giveaway + Q&A with the Author)

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    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Shoot The Moon by Jacqueline Grey (Excerpt & Giveaway)

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  • Uncategorized

    MUSIC MONDAY: Pride Month Playlist

    June 29, 2020 / 1 Comment

    I found this tag on Read Rant Rock & Roll. This meme was created by Drew @ The Tattooed Book Geek. You pick a song that you really like and share it on Monday.

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🌈boy's love manga | MM romance | music | giveaways and more 🐾

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neverhollowed Never Hollowed By The Stare @neverhollowed ·
18 Jun

PROMO BLITZ: To Defend a Damaged Duke by Fearne Hill



https://neverhollowed.com/2025/06/18/promo-blitz-to-defend-a-damaged-duke-by-fearne-hill/

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neverhollowed Never Hollowed By The Stare @neverhollowed ·
18 Jun

DESERT ISLAND CASTAWAYS: Oliver Takely

Our favorite  MM authors a.k.a. castaways are asked, what books, songs and luxury item would they take to a desert island?

#desertislandbooks

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neverhollowed Never Hollowed By The Stare @neverhollowed ·
18 Jun

After spending the year suffering as a reality TV villain IRL, Alec Braud will do anything to get his redemption arc.

BOOK TOUR: America’s Not-So-Sweetheart by Blair Hanson



https://neverhollowed.com/2025/06/17/book-tour-americas-not-so-sweetheart-by-blair-hanson/

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neverhollowed Never Hollowed By The Stare @neverhollowed ·
18 Jun

Falling for a royal guard with glowing eyes and a lethal energy punch? Definitely not on my Terrafeara survival bingo card. But here we are.

PROMO BLITZ: Kael by Becca Seymour



https://neverhollowed.com/2025/06/17/promo-blitz-kael-by-becca-seymour/

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