• manga,  Uncategorized

    MANGA: Contradict

    Contradict – Oshima Kamome

    A cocky and confident Yajima harbors dislike for Torikai, a cool and talented fellow trainee in the Rescue Team. The two constantly quarrel, but one day they cross the line while squabbling and end up sleeping together. Yajima regrets it, but at the same time he cannot get Torikai’s pleading expression out of his head. However, because they have been rivals until now, he just can’t bring himself to be honest with Torikai.

    Ooh, finally got a good one!

    Contradict is a bitter rivalry between two overachieving firefighters training to be in the elite squad. It reminded me a lot like the Top Gun homage MM romance, The Elite.

    Yajima is cocky and loud, has little tact and is super annoyed at how his rival gets under his skin all the time. Torikai plays his cards close to his chest but could be surprisingly careless about personal details. Both men are well-liked among their peers even though their uber competitiveness tends to land them and the rest of their team penalties whenever things get out of hand.

    However, one drunken night shook Yajima’s world, and now the rivalry might just end his dream.

    Things were set in motion through coincidences where the MCs often found themselves in the same training class or liking the same things. It happened so frequently as to be ridiculous, and every time it happened, Yajima gets a jolt and even pondered, “what has fate in store for us?” It was so funny!

    All in all, the plot is well-executed, the humor actually amusing, and the chemistry between characters has that extra zing that great enemies to lovers stories always have. Also, both MCs are likable, handsy but with consent. Because it turns out, someone has been secretly pining. The romance wasn’t the grand gesture type but the more swoony little things, big squees moments, which I always find more precious.


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  • book,  Uncategorized

    REVIEW: Dangerous by Charlie Cochet & Macy Blake

    Shifter Scoundrels: Dangerous – Charlie Cochet & Macy Blake

    New Paranormal Romance from Bestselling MM Authors Charlie Cochet and Macy Blake.

    A grumpy lion shifter duke with secrets, a sassy human who knows nothing of the shifter world, and a fiery arrangement neither of them expected.

    Cormac Donegan, Duke of Everard, is all too familiar with the perils of his shifter world, especially as a Dahlia, one of the dragon king’s elite spies. After a mission nearly costs him his life, Cormac is sidelined, healing and grieving his heavy losses. Then a different kind of trouble shows up on his doorstep, a human claiming to be his fiancé.

    When Jason Reaves is nearly killed in a house fire, it becomes clear that someone is trying to murder him. With his already fragile health deteriorating, Jason’s only hope is to call in the debt a stranger owes his father– a favor that promises safety, protection… and marriage.

    Jason’s escape leads him and his service dog, Mouse, to an impressive country estate. He’s expecting the older man who’d made the promise, not his ruggedly handsome son–who happens to be a Duke, as in rich and royal.

    Will this Cinderfella find his happily ever after in the arms of a dashing–if somewhat irritable–duke? Or will Cormac’s secrets prove to be more dangerous than the shifters hunting him?


    Dangerous is the second installment of Charlie Cochet and Macy Blake‘s highly entertaining paranormal series, Shifter Scoundrels. After shocking the ton by bringing a human to the ball in Book 1, Notorious, the Duke of Everard, Cormac Donegan, and his fiance, Jason Reaves, set expectations high.

    And they delivered!

    The plot is an arranged marriage trope between the shifter duke and a human after a pledge by the old duke to Jason’s father years before. I have yet to experience the charms of Jane Austen’s Mr. Darcy, but if comparisons between him and Cormac made Jason blush, well, I have to meet the guy ASAP.

    Duke Everard is a black lion shifter whose bite is deadlier than his growl, and boy, does he love to growl. He’s secretly working as a spy, a member of the Dahlias, the king’s eyes, ears, and claws in the kingdom. He’s an honorable man and a stickler to duty. So much so that when a complete stranger showed up his doorstep claiming to be his fiance, with the old duke’s letter in hand promising protection, he was immediately determined to see it through.

    Sad to say, Jason was my least favorite thing here. The man has to learn to shut up. His brand of sunshine and babble failed to charm me. His service dog Mouse, on the other hand, was adorable! Jason has Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and throughout the story, when his illness manifests, he requires Mouse’s aid as well as the duke’s and his staff.

    But our boy is no damsel in distress. A very admirable thing about Jason is that he’s very good at keeping his head even under extreme pressure. He might hyperventilate and be hypertensive, but our boy can still strategize, helping Cormac in the key parts of his mission. And he won the hearts of the two deadliest Dahlias, Lady Alia and Lady Marmont(?), as well as the rest of society.

    The book delves deeper into shifter world, looking at it through human eyes via the Cinder-fella trope. Cormac is the type who would spoil his beloved Jason rotten, so I wished the authors laid on the luxury and opulence thick. Also, the leap from friends to lovers happened too quickly. We are just told they spent some time together before taking the leap. I wished we were shown these scenes more.

    My gripes aside, Dangerous is another one-sitter. The romance was sweet and heartwarming enough, but like Notorious, it’s the rest of the story and the cast that really made my day. And with storytelling that kept me glued to the book, this sequel is a worthy addition to the magical alt-Regency paranormal world.

    The series over-arching thread overlaps with some events from Book 1. This is a very intriguing mystery of who is behind the murder of the prince. The crimes keep coming, but we barely have clues. I have sworn to see this through the end.

    The supporting cast was a riot, and I loved seeing familiar faces helped saved the day. The plot had most of the action at the last part, and this was full on mayhem and chaos! Thrilling car chases, explosions, and Cormac with the swag of Colin Firth in suit and umbrella.

    Overall, this story of dangerous dukes, sassy humans, and royal shenanigans is well-written, fast-paced, snarky, and super fun! Definitely the talk of the town!

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

    Soundtrack: Danger
    Artist: Olivia Dean
    Album: Messy

    P.S.

    Beau’s book is next!

    Shifter Scoundrels should be read in order. Know who’s who in society starting with Notorious.


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

    DANGEROUSKindle | Audiobook

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  • song,  Uncategorized

    SOUNDTRACK: Danger by Olivia Dean

    Soundtrack to Shifter Scoundrels: Dangerous by Charlie Cochet & Macy Blake

    Danger by Olivia Dean for a book about a royal spy and a sassy human unexpectedly finding love in an arranged marriage.

    Why suddenly would I rather be with you than anyone?
    Why do I feel like the world is ending too?

    It looks like I’m in danger
    Whenever I look in your eyes
    It’s strange, but I don’t see us saying goodbye
    So I’ll let you move in closer
    I want you too, I know there’s danger
    But I want your love to be mine

  • quote,  Uncategorized

    Danger with your love
    I’m in danger with your love
    Let me lay here in your love
    Let me lay here in your love

    Oh, no
    Looks like we’re in this thing together
    Oh, no
    Looks like it keeps on getting better

    Why suddenly would I rather be with you than anyone?
    Why do I feel like the world is ending too?

    It looks like I’m in danger
    Whenever I look in your eyes
    It’s strange, but I don’t see us saying goodbye
    So I’ll let you move in closer
    I want you too, I know there’s danger
    But I want your love to be mine

    I’m in danger with your love
    I’m in danger with your love
    Let me lay here in your love
    Let me lay here in your love

    You make me feel like I got new emotions
    I wanna bathe you in you, babe
    And swim into your ocean

    Why suddenly would I rather be with you than anyone?
    Why do I feel like the world is ending too?

    It looks like I’m in danger
    Whenever I look in your eyes
    It’s strange, but I don’t see us saying goodbye
    So I’ll let you move in closer
    I want you too, I know it’s danger
    But I want your love to be mine

    I’m in danger with your love
    I’m in danger with your love
    Let me lay here in your love
    Let me lay here in your love (And I know, know, know)

    There’s nothing I can do
    You really make go against my nature
    Loving you is too easy, oh, it’s looks like I’m danger
    Nothing I can do
    You really make go against my nature
    Loving you is too easy, oh, it’s looks like I’m danger

    Oh, it’s looks like I’m danger
    Whenever I look in your eyes
    It’s strange, but I don’t see us saying goodbye
    So I’ll let you move in closer
    I want you too, I know it’s danger
    But I want your love to be mine

    Danger with your love
    I’m in danger with your love
    Let me lay here in your love
    Let me lay here in your love