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
    • 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
    • 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

  • June 2025 (39)
  • 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)
  • manga,  Uncategorized

    MANGA: Kimi To Date

    July 28, 2020 / No Comments

    Kimi To Date – Suzuki Tsuta

    Tsuge Kazuma is arguably having the worst moment of his life. A chance meeting with the ever timid Nagano leads Tsuge to rely on a his kindness.

    The older uke is adorbs. The younger seme was a spoiled pushy brat. The opening really grabbed my attention then the story kind of fizzled out. Too bad.

    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    MUSIC MONDAY: Into The Groovey by Ciccone Youth

    May 4, 2020

    FLICKer: Lost Angel (2013)

    January 13, 2022

    COVER REVEAL: The Fall That Saved Us by Tamara Jeree

    July 24, 2023
  • book,  Uncategorized

    SERIES REVIEW: The Marchesi Family by Silvia Violet

    July 28, 2020 / 4 Comments

    I wrote off Silvia Violet because of His True Nature, a novella that had the personality of an oatmeal. That was way back 2017. Since then, I never bothered with her works.

    Then Angelo caught my attention. I was in the mood for some dark mafia-themed romance and the blurb intrigued me. So heck, why not.

    The thing with this series is that, for the most part, I really didn’t care for the romance. BDSM is not my thing.

    But the Marchesi family charmed me with their unconditional love for each other and willingness to die for their loved ones. No one could question their loyalty to each other.

    They are portrayed as a typical close-knit Italian family who always have good food at their table. They take breakfast seriously. I almost wish I am a morning person so I could eat the smorgasbord of delights their housekeeper always prepare every morning.

    The books are classified as erotica and there are a lot of sex scenes. You can just skip those if you want (makes the reading go faster too). The plot is substantial enough. There are probably some nuances to the couple dynamics I might have missed but I don’t really care.

    There’s also the mafia politics, something I always loved reading about. This part worked well with romance especially how it brought the couples together. I liked how the various plotlines were integrated.

    Each book features a different member of the notorious Marchesi family and the men they brought into their world of crime and cannoli.

    The overarching arc is the threat to overthrow the Marchesi family by rival mafia families. The Marchesi have their allies, among which, Vinnie, who was a son of another mob boss and who was featured in a short story.

    We’ll start with Lucien…


    52870042. sy475

    The Marchesi Family: Lucien – Silvia Violet

    I never imagined the protector I longed for would be a mob boss who demanded complete control.
    I shouldn’t have gone to Lucien’s office.
    Once I looked into his eyes, I couldn’t leave.
    He commanded me to kneel.
    Beg.
    Obey.
    I couldn’t help myself.
    One taste, and I craved more.
    Lucien vowed to protect me from his enemies…
    But who’s going to protect my heart from him
    ?


    Lucien is the illustrious head of the family. He’s bossy and scary AF. He’s always perfectly put together. He has a sweet tooth. He can drink until he passes out but wakes up the next morning sparkly and fresh. He is, according to Peter, ‘magical‘.

    Peter is a sweet young man struggling to find a job. He was tricked by his cousin to fill in a position as a receptionist at some posh company. Little did he know, the company was own by the Marchesi.

    So at Peter’s first day of work, in walks Lucien, saw the angelic new receptionist and decided, then and there, he was his. It was that insta.

    Stripped of the BDSM elements, this is a whirlwind romantic fairy tale of sorts where the damsel was swept away by the prince to his castle. But instead of the prince, you get a crime lord.

    Lucien is Lucien but Peter was a little to submissive for my liking. Still, you couldn’t really hate on somebody pure like him. He’s not entirely helpless and has quick wits about him. He even helped save Lucien. He was exactly what the mob boss needed in his life.

    Rating:
    3 Stars – not exactly setting my world on fire but I liked it

    Soundtrack: You Belong To me
    Artist: The Boxer Rebellion
    Album: Promises


    53317870. sy475

    The Marchesi Family: Mob Boss – Silvia Violet

    I let Vinnie seduce me.
    I was an easy mark.
    I would have granted him anything, but I didn’t know who he was. I didn’t know I was setting a man up for death.
    But even now I still want him, and he has no intention of letting me go.


    This is pretty much a condensed version of Lucien and Peter’s story. The difference is that Tom witnessed a crime and Vinnie had to protect him. This is 40 pages of alternate sex scenes and whatever plot there is so there’s really not much of an exploration of their characters and relationship.

    This would have been better as a novella than a short story. All in all, it was kinda okay.

    Rating:
    2.5 Stars – far from hate but not quite a like

    Soundtrack: Safe & Sound
    Artist: Tonight Alive
    Album: What Are You So Scared Of?


    53497472. sy475

    The Marchesi Family: Angelo – Silvia Violet

    Cameron didn’t realize how much he loved his grandparents’ bakery until Angelo Marchesi, a man he’s hated since high school, threatened to take it away.
    But Cameron owes Angelo a debt.
    A debt he can’t pay…
    Unless he accepts Angelo’s indecent proposal and risks finding out how thin the line between love and hate really is.


    Angelo is more similar to his cousin, Devil than his autocratic brother, Lucien. The cousins are Lucien’s enforcers.

    Angelo and Devil were inseparable since they were toddlers. They were both reckless and bisexual. They cover for each other, especially when one or the other is in trouble with Lucien or the police.

    Angelo and Cameron had mutual crushes on each other from high school but with Angelo’s reputation being what it is, he scared Cameron away.

    Cam came back to his hometown after burning himself out in the corporate world. He inherited his family’s bakery and was determined to make it work. His deadbeat dad had almost run it to the ground. Then he learned the bastard owed the Marchesis money. One day, Angelo came to collect.

    Angelo and Cam’s interactions were antagonistic from the start. Angelo thinks Cam looks down on him for having the kind of family he has. Cam wants nothing to do with the mafia but he was secretly envious the kind of loving family Angelo had.

    I’m not a fan of the dubcon scenes but unlike Peter who was 100% submissive, Cameron has more fire in him. It also took him longer to accept the mafia part of Angelo’s life but when he finally did, he fit right in.

    Rating:
    3.5 Stars – that place between like and love

    Soundtrack: Thinking Of You
    Artist: A Perfect Circle
    Album: Mer De Noms


    53497493. sy475

    The Marchesi Family: Devil – Silvia Violet

    Devil is a mobster with a dangerous secret…
    There’s a cop who hates him.
    A cop he caught and released.
    A cop he can’t get out of his mind after the one forbidden night they shared.


    This is my favorite book and Devil is my favorite character in the series. Whereas Angelo was a health buff, Devil relishes a good cigar. Devil goes above and beyond to protect his family but he’s not above keeping his affair with a cop secret.

    I liked the cop/criminal dynamic between Joe and Devil. Joe is actually a forgettable character in any other book, but being paired with somebody as unpredictable as Devil added another dimension to his personality. Plus, the fact that he was attracted to a dangerous man shows he’s not exactly vanilla. He also brought out Devil’s endearing mother-henning side which was fun to see.

    I also liked that both men were dominant so the power dynamics were balanced. It made the tension between the two so much enticing because you’ll never know who’ll come out on top.

    This book wraps the series up. The threat to the family was put to an end for good. Characters for a new series weres introduced. They piqued my interest so I’m looking forward to that.

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

    Soundtrack: Me and The Devil
    Artist: Soap & Skin
    Album: Sugarbread


    I guess I was too hasty with this author. She made me care about the Marchesis so much that I read all the books in quick succession. The series is dark but has a lot of heart. Certainly no oatmeals this time.

    If the new spin-off series is as good as this, I’ll probably end up binge reading it too. Moral of the story: Don’t judge an author by one bad story. Sometimes, they could surprise you.

    P.S.

    These Marchesis are a tight bunch so while the books could be read as standalones, it’s best read in sequence.

    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    COVER & EXCERPT REVEAL: The Revenge Agenda by Saxon James (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    February 1, 2024

    RELEASE TOUR: Drive To Feel Alive by C.D. Rachel (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    March 27, 2023

    REVIEW TOUR: Home for Christmas by R.J. Scott (Giveaway)

    November 22, 2019
  • song,  Uncategorized

    SOUNDTRACK: You Belong To Me by The Boxer Rebellion, Safe&Sound by Tonight Alive, Thinking Of You by A Perfect Circle & Me and the Devil by Soap&Skin

    July 28, 2020 / 2 Comments

    Soundtrack to The Marchesi Family: Lucien by Silvia Violet

    Soundtrack to The Marchesi Family: Mob Boss by Silvia Violet

    Soundtrack to The Marchesi Family: Angelo by Silvia Violet

    Soundtrack to The Marchesi Family: Devil by Silvia Violet

    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    BLOG TOUR: Godspeed, Lovers by T.Q. Sims (Excerpt)

    April 18, 2024

    RELEASE BLITZ: The Amazing Alpha Tau Reunion Project by Lisa Henry & Sarah Honey (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    September 1, 2024

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: The New Town Librarian by Kathy Anderson (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    February 1, 2023
  • Uncategorized
    July 28, 2020 / No Comments

    Lying all alone and restless
    unable to lose this image
    sleepless, unable to focus on
    anything but your surrender

    Tugging a rhythm to the vision that’s in my head
    Tugging a beat to the sight of you lying
    So delighted with a new understanding
    Something about a little evil that makes that
    Unmistakable noise I was hearing
    Unmistakable sound that I know so well
    Spent and sighing with a look in your eye
    Spent and sighing with a look on your face like

    Sweet revelation sweet surrender
    sweet, sweet surrender
    Surrender…

    Tugging a rhythm to the vision that’s in my head
    Tugging a beat to the sight of you lying
    So delighted with a new understanding
    Something about a little evil that makes that
    Unmistakable noise I was hearing
    Unmistakable sound that I know so well
    Spent and sighing with a look in your eye
    Spent and sighing with a look on your face like

    Sweet revelation sweet surrendering
    Sweet revelation sweet

    Thinking of you, thinking
    Thinking of you, Thinking of you, Thinking of you, thinking…

    Sweet revelation sweet surrendering
    Sweet revelation

    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: The Bathhouse by Gale Stanley (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    July 5, 2023

    RELEASE BLITZ: Wrapped In Screams by Amy Tasukada (Excerpt)

    November 6, 2021

    RELEASE BLITZ: Long Past Dawn by J.K. Jones (Excerpt)

    April 5, 2022
  • manga,  trailer,  Uncategorized

    MOVIE FEATURE: Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan

    July 28, 2020 / No Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    MUSIC MONDAY: No Problems by Ginger Root

    June 17, 2024

    MUSIC MONDAY: Get Off My Wave by Fidlar

    July 1, 2024

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Jack Long and the Demon’s Deal by L.J. Hamlin (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    September 20, 2024
  • Uncategorized

    COVER REVEAL: Il Padrone by Leigh Kenzie (Giveaway)

    July 28, 2020 / 1 Comment
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    BOOK TOUR: Willow’s Way by Cheryl Headford (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    October 31, 2020

    RELEASE BLITZ: My Name Is Jimmy by Garrick Jones (Excerpt)

    May 29, 2022

    FLICKer FADE SUNDAY: Anochecer (Nightfall)

    June 28, 2020
  • Uncategorized

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Supernova Soul by Matthew J. Metzger (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    July 28, 2020 / No Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    MUSIC MONDAY: A Thousand Lives & Only Good Things by The Murder Capital

    October 31, 2022

    BLOG TOUR: Redesigning Max by Pat Henshaw (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    August 29, 2020

    BLOG TOUR: The Asylum Fight Club by Tibby Armstrong & Bianca Sommerland (Giveaway)

    December 9, 2022

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

July 2020
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
« Jun   Aug »

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!

Never Hollowed By The Stare Follow

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

neverhollowed
neverhollowed Never Hollowed By The Stare @neverhollowed ·
10 Jun

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲—𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬.

COVER REVEAL: Shaken and Stirred by Lilly Atlas



https://neverhollowed.com/2025/06/10/cover-reveal-shaken-and-stirred-by-lilly-atlas/

Reply on Twitter 1932501164781605184 Retweet on Twitter 1932501164781605184 Like on Twitter 1932501164781605184 Twitter 1932501164781605184
neverhollowed Never Hollowed By The Stare @neverhollowed ·
10 Jun

NEW RELEASE BLITZ: The Spy by Mell Eight (Excerpt & #Giveaway)


https://books2read.com/the-spy

https://neverhollowed.com/2025/06/10/new-release-blitz-the-spy-by-mell-eight-excerpt-giveaway/

Reply on Twitter 1932500571094986813 Retweet on Twitter 1932500571094986813 Like on Twitter 1932500571094986813 Twitter 1932500571094986813
neverhollowed Never Hollowed By The Stare @neverhollowed ·
9 Jun

Unrequited love can make you blind.

COVER REVEAL: Doink by Crea Reitan



https://neverhollowed.com/2025/06/09/cover-reveal-doink-by-crea-reitan/

Reply on Twitter 1932149586279162358 Retweet on Twitter 1932149586279162358 Like on Twitter 1932149586279162358 Twitter 1932149586279162358
neverhollowed Never Hollowed By The Stare @neverhollowed ·
9 Jun

Sometimes growing up means growing apart in this queer take on As You Like It featuring first loves and friend breakups, from award-winning author Julia Drake.

BOOK TOUR: Lovesick Falls by Julia Drake



https://neverhollowed.com/2025/06/09/book-tour-lovesick-falls-by-julia-drake/

Reply on Twitter 1932149225539932351 Retweet on Twitter 1932149225539932351 Like on Twitter 1932149225539932351 Twitter 1932149225539932351
Load More
Rakuten Kobo UK
SEARCH NOW:
by title
by author
2025©Never Hollowed By The Stare