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 (34)
  • 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

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: The Endless Sea Between Us by Lucy Mason (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    October 31, 2023 / No Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    COVER REVEAL: Treading Water by Alex Winters (Excerpt)

    September 17, 2023

    BLOG TOUR: First Born Sons by Vincent Traughber Meis (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    September 17, 2022

    ABC BOOK CHALLENGE – I

    April 29, 2019
  • Uncategorized

    RELEASE BLITZ: Next Season by Lane Hayes (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    October 31, 2023 / No Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    RELEASE BLITZ: Now Or Never by Helena Stone (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    August 23, 2020

    RELEASE BLITZ: His Ranch Hand by Deanna Wadsworth (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    August 17, 2020

    RELEASE BLITZ: Mother Parker by Rhys Everly (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    August 3, 2022
  • Uncategorized

    MUSIC MONDAY: Heart In The Hole by The Murder Capital

    October 30, 2023 / 1 Comment

    Pick a song that you really like and share it on Monday.

    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Howl Down The Moon by Layla Dorine (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    March 5, 2022

    RELEASE BLITZ: Disowned Royal by Elouise East (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    June 4, 2022

    SERIES TOUR: Codename: Winger by Jeff Adams (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    August 17, 2021
  • Uncategorized

    NEW RELEASE: The Hotshot vs. The Reporter by Nicole Dykes

    October 30, 2023 / No Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    RELEASE BLITZ: Surviving the Break by C.P. Harris (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    October 8, 2020

    PRE-ORDER BLITZ: Finley Embraces Heart And Home By Anyta Sunday (Teaser & Giveaway)

    August 31, 2021

    RELEASE BLITZ: Pain & Promises by Meadow Jones

    May 16, 2024
  • Uncategorized

    COVER REVEAL: Enter The Multi-Vers by C. Rochelle

    October 30, 2023 / No Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    RELEASE BLITZ: Talons of Love by Debbie McQueen (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    April 11, 2021

    BLOG TOUR: Twilight Heist by Katherine McIntyre (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    February 5, 2023

    FIRST LINES FRIDAY 56: Shallow Grave

    October 22, 2020
  • Uncategorized

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Fugitive by Gigi Degraham (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    October 30, 2023 / No Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    COVER REVEAL: Honey Moon Murder by Dahlia Donovan

    December 8, 2023

    BOOK BLITZ: CINDER31LA by Freida Kilmari (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    August 31, 2024

    MUSIC MONDAY: Jump Out by Ezra Furman

    May 12, 2025
  • Uncategorized

    RELEASE BLITZ: Twisted Tome by Vanora Lawless (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    October 29, 2023 / No Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    COVER REVEAL: Like You Hate Me by Bethany Winters (Giveaway)

    August 1, 2023

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

    May 29, 2022

    BLOG TOUR: Garden of Eden by Hellie Heat (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    October 15, 2020
  • Uncategorized

    NEW RELEASE: The Score by Beth Bolden (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    October 28, 2023 / No Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    BOOK BLAST: Fagin’s Boy by Jackie North (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    April 19, 2022

    MUSIC MONDAY: Industrial Love Song by These New Puritans feat Caroline Polachek

    May 19, 2025

    RELEASE TOUR: When Lightning Strikes by Darragha Foster (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    August 28, 2020
  • manga,  Uncategorized

    MANGA: Majo to Neko

    October 27, 2023 / 1 Comment

    Majo to Neko – Kuroi Yodaka

    Outwardly, Sudo is a delivery man, but at night he is a “courier” for the underworld. By chance, he gets together with his neighbor Uno, whom he has been interested in, over a potluck. The next day, he sleeps with Uno, who is drunk, and the next day, Uno becomes very distant from him. While he is worried that he might be onto his ulterior motives, he sees Uno being tangled up with some unscrupulous men on the street, and he reflexively takes Uno by the hand and runs away. The dying Sudo, under attack from the enemy, is saved by a contract with Uno, a descendant of witches. Sudo learns that Uno has been living in hiding from the world because he is a witch. To escape his pursuers, Sudo returns to his home to retrieve money for his escape, only to find his pursuers waiting for him…?

    Witch and Cat is a gritty paranormal romance that is as violent as it is steamy as it is heart-wrenching as it is so freakin’ good!

    This is a world where witches are the most sought-after commodity, able to heal and give extra lives to people they contracted with, known as familiars. These witches are so valuable that even their body parts are sold for exorbitant prices.

    A witch can contract multiple familiars, but it would drain their life energy in the long run. The contract had to be done with mutual consent with both parties present and with exchange of mana through physical contact. A kiss can give a short burst of mana, but we all know there are more fun ways to exchange body fluids.

    The witch is Uno, a scowl-y guy who rarely smiles and keeps to himself. He frequently bumps into his neighbor Sudo, a smiley, friendly guy who always seem to sport an injury. Right off the bat, it’s obvious that he is that kind of character who smiles even as everything falls apart.

    Sudo is strongly attracted to Uno and was determined to see the guy smile. Their lives is such that they cross paths with a yakuza who turned out to be a witch hunter, hellbent on capturing Uno.

    As you might guess, Sudo becomes Uno’s familiar and protector. While on the run, they realized their feelings towards each other were more than just witch and familiar. As Uno’ familiar, Sudo has cat qualities since Uno is affliated with cats. Ironic that he has a doting dog personality as a seme.

    Sudo frequently suffers horrendous injuries while protecting Uno, even lost several lives (he has 9), that Uno helped heal later. One thing that was puzzling to me was why Sudo was already healing so fast even before he became Uno’s familiar.

    The main antagonists are Natsume, a dog familiar and his witch, Keigo, son of the yakuza boss. These two are as compelling as Sudo and Uno, and I want their story so bad!

    There are plenty of uber violent fight scenes and a lot of blood shed. I’d love to see this as an anime. Not just because of the fight scenes but because the story is poignant and angsty. Also, their world is ripe for more stories about the complicated relationships between witches and their familiars, and the rest of the humanity.

    One of my top manga of the year!


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

    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    COVER REVEAL: Beautiful Dark Temptation by Roxas Winters

    August 22, 2024

    RELEASE BLITZ: Finding Our Love by Amy Tasukada (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    September 1, 2020

    SERIES TOUR: The Félidés Clan by Jae Greyn (Giveaway)

    January 18, 2024
  • book,  Uncategorized

    REVIEW: Take Me Apart by Brea Alepou & Skyler Snow

    October 27, 2023 / 4 Comments

    Vitale Brothers: Take Me Apart – Brea Alepou & Skylar Snow

    I have only one goal in life: Become a detective. It’s there, just out of reach, so close I can taste it. When I find out the Vitale family is about to be investigated again, I do what I do best.

    Jump in head first.

    There’s just one problem; Enzo Vitale. The man is red hot danger, every word a dare from his lips. And I never was one to turn away from a challenge…

    But when things get rough, lies reign and deceit is around every corner. I find myself drawn to the one man I should be running from. The criminal whose hands are bathed in blood.

    Am I falling for the enemy?


    Take Me Apart is a siren song of dark, delicious things, and I’m here for it!

    This is the opener for Vitale Brothers, a mafia romance series by Brea Alepou and Skyler Snow. I’ve known Brea Alepou for her poly romances, and this is my first Skyler Snow. They immediately got me hooked on the series.

    The premise is similar to my last weeks’ read, Pretty Policeman. Here we have another cop falling for a mafioso in a forbidden love that might just destroy them both. Rookie cop Tex Castor, desperate to become a detective, took it upon himself to investigate the Vitale Family as the short cut to his dreams.

    While in a club owned by the mob, Enzo Vitale took one look at Tex, knew he was a cop, but latched on to him anyway. Enzo didn’t tell Tex he knew, and launched into a single minded pursuit of the man. This despite a previous fatally disastrous affair with a guy eerily similar to Tex.

    Early on, it’s apparent that Enzo is neurodivergent. It’s never explicitly mentioned, but there were lots of hints, such as his tendency to dissociate or hyper-fixate, as well as his inability to process emotions.

    Enzo is described as a non-threatening looking guy with eye glasses and lean build who loves reading, doing projects, and most of all, cleaning. In my head, I pictured him looking like a university professor. He could have been had he not been born a Vitale. Being the younger Vitale and exceptionally adept at torture, he the enforcer and interrogator of the family. This is a neat freak who likes blood and gore.

    Tex isn’t TSTL, just a cop with poor impulse control and a reformed drug addict dangerously close to slipping. Torn between his dream of becoming a detective and his growing feelings for the mafioso, Tex is a hot mess with nowhere to go but run, the dork!

    Admittedly, the first few chapters were not as riveting as I hoped. Only the enticing performance of Declan Winters kept me going. He’s one of those gifted narrators who could read a grocery list, and I’ll be listening. I highly recommend audiobooking this. He’s the same guy who brought C.S. Poe‘s Magic & Steam series to life.

    Things picked up a third way in. Enzo got his claws out and firmly sank them into Tex. I loved his voice!, The narrator gave him this calm, emotionless voice that gets growly when he’s being extra emotional. No wonder Tex can’t keep away!

    Enzo is everything here! Dominant, possessive and obsessive, he’s a psychopath, confident in himself and his abilities. He knows what he wants and has no qualms handcuffing the object of his desire to keep it there. The fluffy parts come when he shows his soft side because he’s crazy in love with Tex and would do anything to make him happy.

    Meanwhile, Tex needs to make up his mind because he can’t play both sides. I wasn’t impress with our boy stringing Enzo along. I liked him better after he made up his mind. Also, his cat Penelope is a star.

    I can’t say the pace is fast, but after moving past the opening chapters, the plot moved in a steady, engaging manner. The authors kept the tension tight and intense most parts of the story. The dysfunctional romance was both frustrating and compelling, cute at certain moments but mostly as deliciously dark as promised.

    “From now on, I’m the only one allowed to hurt you or make you cry. Every inch of you belongs to me.” I bit his lip. “Even your life.”

    Tex groaned. “Yeah. Where do I sign, Satan?”

    The rest of the story gives us violence, graphic torture, domestic abuse, childhood trauma, and betrayal. It’s not pitch black, just dark grey, but reader discretion is advised. The vibe of Vitale Brothers reminded me of my favorite Criminal Delights books. If you like that series, the Vitales will do it for you.

    I don’t have a favorite Vitale yet. Each brother is pretty memorable. While Enzo is usually preternaturally calm and expressionless, Giancarlo, a.k.a. Gin, wears his emotions on his sleeve. He’s the easy going playboy who goes beast mode on a hair trigger. Benito is the oldest and the deadliest, and I’m so excited for his book. He’s forced to marry a yakuza boss’s son! What a merger!

    Take Me Apart is about a cop following his dream and stumbles into a seductive nightmare he’s helpless to resist. Gritty, violent, wild and all the raw intensity of a monster growling, “MINE!“

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

    Soundtrack: Pieces
    Artist: Andrew Belle
    Album: Black Bear


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

    TAKE ME APART: Kindle | Audiobook

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

    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    FLICKer: Don’t Frighten The Horses

    June 13, 2024

    BOOK TOUR: Allmother Rising by Elexis Bell (Excerpt & Giveaway + Guest Post)

    May 22, 2021

    COVER REVEAL: Heart2Heart Anthology Vol. 5

    December 1, 2021
Load More

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

October 2023
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031  
« Sep   Nov »

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