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

    MANGA: Otoshimono

    November 20, 2020 / No Comments
    The Yaoi Report: Otoshimono (Lost Property) by Miyamoto Kano

    Otoshimono – Miyamoto Kano

    An odd encounter between two strangers results in tales of violence of questionable validity and of course sex. But is this just a one night stand?

    An offbeat story about a do-gooding part-timer, Hashimoto, who helped out a stranger standing in the cold. He offers him a place to stay for the night. After sharing a few beers, the stranger tells his story of being abused by his partner. After jokingly offering to sleep with Hashimoto then actually doing it, the story reveals a twist that left us questioning some truths.

    This gay-for-you one-shot takes you for a ride and leaves you wanting more. It’s one those stories that feel like a prequel to a very promising volume. I was one with Hashimoto in his sympathies and was as shocked when the stranger dropped his bombshell. Not sure about a relationship built on such dubious grounds but heck, if the mangaka wants us to root for these two, she definitely succeeded.

    Read More
    neverhollowed

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  • book,  Uncategorized

    REVIEW: Hardwood by K.M. Neuhold

    November 20, 2020 / 3 Comments
    54025139. sy475

    Four Bears Construction: Hardwood – K.M. Neuhold

    I’ve spent forty-four years of my life telling the world I’m a carpet man. Is it too late to admit to myself and everyone else that deep down I’m really all about the Hardwood?

    It took me over thirty-five years to admit to myself that I’m gay, another seven to find the courage to say it out loud to anyone else, and exactly thirty seconds to develop a massive crush on my daughter’s music teacher. It’s really not my fault, have you even seen those cute bowties he wears?

    After everything it’s taken to get here, am I going to work up the nerve to come out to my ex-wife and my best friends? Am I ready to shake up my comfortable, simple life and take a chance on Watson? Or am I going to throw a wrench in my own chance for happily ever after?

    ***Hardwood is a steamy, seriously so much delicious tension, single-dad, gay awakening, low angst story, which happens to be the third in the Four Bears Construction Series. It CAN be read as a stand alone. There are NO shifters in this series, only the OTHER kind of bears.***


    I’m super eager to get to poor Ollie’s story but first, Ev gets his happily ever after.

    Everett is known as the only straight guy among the Four Bears. He’s a divorced single dad who adores his daughter, Livi. Unknown to all his friends and family, Everett has been struggling to come out for years but couldn’t find the courage to do so. He has long resigned himself to a life of solo Thanksgiving dinners. It took one fabulous and cuddly music teacher with a penchant for cute bow ties to make him realize, he could have so much more. If only he could embrace his true self.

    I’m not particularly fond of in-the-closet stories because they usually involved a lot of lies and cover ups. Everett had to constantly do it to his friends and ex-wife, Val. As a result, it felt a lot like he was cheating. And him dragging his ass dragged the story down too, especially at the middle part.

    The group banter was missing for most of the story, which I think was another reason why it felt kind of meh. Also, I know they were meant to be funny but the awkward situations Ev got himself into in his alone time were more cringey than amusing.

    These sad vibes aside, I think the coming out part was handled pretty well. I keep expecting the caught-in the act plot twist but yay! we were spared such cliches. And sure, it took a looong time for Everett to do it and it hurt his boyfriend to be treated like a dirty secret but I appreciated how the story emphasized that coming out should be on one’s own time. It was also important that Ev and Wats were honest with each other from the start.

    I expected the Bears’s and Val’s reactions to be anti-climactic, like they would say, they already know. I enjoyed how the plot surprised me on this point too. Most especially, I loved how supportive and understanding Watson was, hurts and all. He was the best character here!

    Four Bears Construction is notable for featuring mature MCs. Ev is 44. He could have easily become a Daddy for a much younger love interest so I’m happy that Wats is 40. All too often, characters above 40 end up in age-gap romance. Good job to the author for taking a different route.

    The story picked up after there were more interactions with the other Bears. Ev was spurred into action and roped the guys in to help him bust a move. Damn right, because after what he had been through, Wats deserved some major wooing.

    Hardwood was mix of highs and lows but ended on a strong note. The book certainly held true to its promise of delicious tension. The chemistry between Everett and Watson was fantastic from the get go! Their journey together was not easy but it was worth the fight. Wats went from flirty friend to first boyfriend, all the while holding Ev’s hand as he went through his awakening. Ev gifted him with his many firsts, something Wats will always treasure. He gets the forevers too.

    P.S.

    Four Bears Constructions is a series full of winning characters you couldn’t help but root for. While the books can be read as standalones, I recommend meeting all the Bears properly by reading the books in order. Read reviews of the other books here.

    Rating:
    3.5 Stars – that place between like and love

    Soundtrack: Truth
    Artist: Bloc Party
    Album: Four


    If you like my content, please consider using my Amazon affiliate links below to get your copy of Four Bears Construction. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying Amazon purchases at no additional cost to you.

    You can also use my Bookshop affiliate links to buy paperback copies and help support independent bookstores.

    Caulky | Nailed | Hardwood | Screwed

    Read More
    neverhollowed

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  • song,  Uncategorized

    SOUNDTRACK: Truth by Bloc Party

    November 20, 2020 / 1 Comment

    Soundtrack to Four Bears Construction: Hardwood by K.M. Neuhold

    Read More
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  • quote,  Uncategorized
    November 20, 2020 / No Comments

    It was the truth
    That fell from these lips
    It blinded us
    And then the darkness left

    So I am yours now
    Respectfully
    I am yours now
    Truthfully

    It burnt the stain
    Left on my mind
    Our hearts, our hearts, they beat
    A quarter tone apart

    Cause I am yours now
    Respectfully
    Why can’t I do it?
    You complete me

    Our kind is hard to find
    And if it will be
    It will be with you

    I am yours now
    Respectfully
    I am yours now
    Truthfully

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    neverhollowed

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  • trailer,  Uncategorized

    MOVIE FEATURE: Dashing In December

    November 20, 2020 / No Comments
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    Read More
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    Read More
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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.

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