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 (55)
  • 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

    12 TOUR DAYS OF CHRISTMAS: The Map Home by Elle Keaton

    December 21, 2024 / No Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    BLOG TOUR: The Duality of Swans by Lilly Atlas (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    July 28, 2024

    BOOK TOUR: The Black Queen by Jumata Emill

    January 30, 2023

    BLOG TOUR: You Can Save Me by R.L. Merrill (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    August 21, 2024
  • Uncategorized

    RELEASE BLITZ: Red Flagged by Elle Keaton (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    December 1, 2023 / No Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    BOOK BLITZ: The Sceptre of Fire by Alex Stargazer (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    January 28, 2024

    RELEASE BLITZ: Ambiguous by Leslie McAdam (Excerpt)

    April 13, 2022

    PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE (Dec 25, 2019)

    December 25, 2019
  • book,  Uncategorized

    REVIEW: The Real Thing by Elle Keaton

    August 25, 2023 / 1 Comment

    West Coast Forensics: The Real Thing – Elle Keaton

    An oblivious prince wishes for his knight in shining armor. His knight has been under his nose all along, will he claim him before it’s too late for them both?

    As deeply as he craves his own fairy tale happily-ever-after, resort owner Cody Prescott doesn’t have time for a relationship. That doesn’t stop him from crushing on most men on Piedras. Luckily for him, they’re emotionally unavailable or already taken, so he doesn’t have to worry about getting attached.

    Wade Buckner, the island’s handiest handyman, is tired of waiting for Cody to wake up and realize Wade is the man for the job. He’s ready and willing to rescue Cody from just about anything, even questionable hotel guests.

    The Harvest Feast is the kick-off for the resort’s one hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary and they have a full house. But something sinister is afoot at the resort, something that even his knight might not be able to rescue Cody from.

    Are they trying to kill him, put him out of business, or both?

    #grumpy-sunshine #FamilyHistory #OnlyOneBed

    The Real Thing, book five in the West Coast Forensics series, is dual POV and follows Cody and Wade all the way to their happy ending. Can be read as a standalone but might be better enjoyed if you start with Real Trouble, first in the WCF series.


    West Coast Forensics started as a spin-off featuring members of the WCS, a PI agency. It has expanded to stories of Piedras Island’s notable LGBTQIA+ citizens.

    The Real Thing is the fifth installment, staring Cody Prescott, owner of the island’s landmark hotel, Brooch Resort. This is a historical establishment owned by the not-so-upstanding but wealthy Prescott family. As the last living descendant, Cody is determined not to have the old hotel fail under his watch.

    Wade Buckner is the hotel’s most reliable handyman, who almost single-handedly keeps the resort from breaking down. He’s a grumpy bastard, an ex-military who keeps saying he’s going to leave the island but can’t seem to stay away whenever his boss a.k.a. secret crush, Cody asks for help. Wade is a great guy, but his characterization needs to be more than just “growly” which was repeatedly mentioned several times.

    Wade describes Cody as a geek with sunshine personality. He thinks the younger man has this Cody glow that charms people and make everything shine, even when they were kids. And perhaps Cody’s glow worked its magic in the book itself because despite the murder and the family drama, the storytelling has a fun and joyful energy that made this a one-sitter for me.

    The overall vibe was light and humorous. There’s some angst regarding Wade and his father, but later on, Cody won the old man over with hardly any effort. Cody has been notorious throughout the series for falling for the wrong guys and being a disaster-magnet, so I’m glad our boy finally found his knight in coveralls. Also, Wade’s family drama gave the handyman’s character more dimension.

    Wade and Cody’s romance was a mutual pining between a grump and sunshine with a childhood connection angle, one of my fave tropes. The two are polar opposites but fit together seamlessly in a yin-yang of personality quirks and work skills. I loved how they navigate their relationship and uber-hectic work life, while solving a murder mystery in a middle of a storm.

    As a huge fan of the series, appearances from old friends never fail to make me smile. We have cameos from our favorite taciturn Viking, Niall Hamarsson and his husband, Sheriff Dempsey, Deputies Birdy and Soren, even Shae Delacombe and his formidable Great Aunt.

    The supporting cast was memorable too because we have Chef Danny Petras, star of Book 1, Real Trouble, and Dutch Schumacher and his daughter Hazel, stars of Book 4, Real Hazard, and Ben, assistant manager and an awesome friend to Cody.

    The mystery was twisty-turny and well-crafted, with lots of suspicious individuals, a.k.a. guests of the resort. The best part for me was how it wove hotel business with the mystery solving. The book did a great job portraying how crazy busy running a hotel can be, especially with Cody seeming to be everywhere, greeting guests, organizing events, putting out fires, and even tailing suspects. It made me want to watch The Bear.

    Also, the writer who won the contest and the island mortician piqued my interest. I need their book.

    One niggle is that there are at least three characters with similar names. Rey, Wade’s father, Ralph, pronounced “rafe”, the writer, and Raffy, the young kid working in the hotel. I’m audiobooking this, and sometimes, the names confused me.

    The Real Thing is another entertaining installment of West Coast Forensics. There’s danger and suspense, the frenetic energy of non-stop hustle, and the sweet, heartwarming moments of a hard-earned HEA. All in all, Brooch Resort is well-worth the stay.

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

    Soundtrack: The Real Thing
    Artist: Three Legged Fox
    Album: The Real Thing

    P.S.

    The Real Thing can be read as a standalone but a visit to Piedras Island is not complete unless you meet the rest of the gang:

    Real Trouble
    Real Risk
    Real Hazard


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

    THE REAL THING: 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

    RELEASE BLITZ: French Kiss by C.F. White (Excerpt)

    May 30, 2022

    RELEASE BLITZ: Nightway Chant by M.J. Calabrese (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    September 1, 2020

    BLOG TOUR: Confessions: Ethan by Ella Frank (Giveaway)

    February 28, 2023
  • Uncategorized

    BLOG TOUR: Adverse Conditions by Elle Keaton (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    April 14, 2023 / No Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Cursed by J.P. Jackson (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    May 26, 2022

    Re-Release Blitz: The Play of His Life by Amy Aislin (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    April 21, 2020

    RELEASE BLITZ: For Your Forever by Crea Reitan

    January 25, 2024
  • Uncategorized

    RELEASE BLITZ: Adverse Conditions by Elle Keaton (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    April 1, 2023 / No Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    New Release Blitz: Hometown Christmas by Garrett Leigh (Giveaway)

    November 21, 2019

    BOOK TOUR: Kings by Mandy Greenwood (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    April 7, 2020

    AUDIO TOUR: Something Borrowed by Lily Morton (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    August 18, 2024
  • Uncategorized

    BLOG TOUR: The Real Thing by Elle Keaton (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    December 13, 2022 / No Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    THE BOOKISH ADVENTURE TAG: Camorr (The Lies Of Locke Lamora)

    September 26, 2019

    COVER REVEAL: Farm to Fabre by Dahlia Donovan

    September 30, 2022

    FLICKer FADE SUNDAY: Violin (2012)

    October 27, 2019
  • Uncategorized

    RELEASE BLITZ: The Real Thing by Elle Keaton (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    December 4, 2022 / No Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    COVER REVEAL: StrangeLove by T.L. Bradford

    February 4, 2022

    BLOG TOUR: Infernal Hope by Sionnach Wintergreen (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    May 9, 2021

    NEW RELEASE: Scales & Stone by Jessamyn Kingley (Excerpt)

    November 9, 2023
  • Uncategorized

    LAST YEAR I WAS READING…(November 23, 2022)

    November 23, 2022 / No Comments

    Here are the rules:

    Take your current read and compare it to what you reading this exact time last year. Which one do you like better? What is different about the books? Any special facts/things you want to make note of or bring attention to?

    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Homecoming by Rick R. Rick (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    October 5, 2020

    BLOG TOUR: The Southern Magicks by Ashton K. Rose (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    January 17, 2023

    LAST YEAR I WAS READING…(March 9, 2022)

    March 9, 2022
  • book,  Uncategorized

    REVIEW: Real Hazard by Elle Keaton

    November 18, 2022 / 3 Comments

    West Coast Forensics: Real Hazard by Elle Keaton

    They’re not looking for love, but it catches them anyway. Can two very different men find common ground and claim a future… together?

    Foster

    Things I love

    ✓ my kid sister

    ✓ the no-hope dogs I rehabilitate

    ✓ my job as an EMT

    ✓ and maybe my new friend Dutch.

    But Dutch isn’t gay and physical attraction isn’t something I feel often. Are these feelings real, or am I just tired of being alone?

    Dutch

    This is all Hazel’s fault. Hazel the Hazard.

    ✓ Hazel made me come to first grade safety day.

    ✓ Hazel blurted out—loudly—about the beautiful fireman.

    ✓ Hazel invited the beautiful fireman over for a party.

    I swear I’m not gay, but Foster Jennings is the most beautiful man I’ve ever met, outside and in.

    Dutch Schumach is the single dad of a precocious daughter. He moved to Piedras wanting a better life for Hazel and himself. Things are shaping up, he’s landed a permanent job at Brooch Resort and Hazel has quit having nightmares that someone is going to steal her away.

    Then everything goes sideways, Dutch’s past threatens his future and he doesn’t know where to turn.

    Something is wrong, Dutch is pushing him away and won’t tell Foster why.

    When Hazel goes missing Dutch can’t hide anymore, he needs his… Foster to help him get Hazel back.

    #Demisexual #BiAwakening #SingleDad #FindingFamily

    Book four in the West Coast Forensics series, can be read as a standalone but may be more fully enjoyed if you start with Real Trouble.


    Real Hazard is Piedras Island at its most charming and my favorite West Coast Forensics installment so far.

    I’ve been a fan of WCF and its related series, so at this point, everyone feels like old friends. Foster Jennings was introduced in earlier books. The EMT/firefighter/dog trainer is fondly referred to as an angel, a beautiful man inside and out. He not only saves humans but helps dogs too. Foster’s world revolves around his younger sister whom he raised, the uber-confident Becca, determined to spread her wings, protective brothers and wheelchairs notwithstanding.

    Dutch Schumach is the cook assisting his friend, the chef, Danylo Peters, at the island’s landmark hotel. He’s a single dad to a precocious 8-year-old, Hazel, who has her dad wrapped around her little pinkie. Dutch has a dark past he’s running away from to keep his daughter safe.

    Hazel the Hazard keeps her lonely dad’s life exciting through clever antics. The latest of which is befriending the beautiful fireman and feeding him pie. Afterall, her teacher said, the best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.

    The story celebrates the joys and the challenges of solo parents. Fatherhood is the theme, and this extends to Dutch’s parentage at the latter part. Hazel both amused me and reminded me why I want nothing to do with kids.

    The plot differs from the previous books, which were mystery-centric and heavily involved the WCF people. This time, it was more of a contemporary romance with the requisite meet-cute, lots of fluffy moments, minor external conflict to shake things up a little, and then the sweet HEA. There weren’t any big surprises, but I don’t think it was meant to be a roller-coaster. And hardly any private detectives showed up.

    This was a more laidback slice-of-life chronicles of two friends who became lovers, a single dad’s refreshingly angst-free bisexual awakening, a parent coming to terms with their child leaving the nest, and hardworking men trying to catch a break. The vibe was cozy, comfortable, and domestic, with lots of heartwarming found family goodness. Add to that the adorable antics from canine friends, and it was cuteness overload!

    Piedras Island might be an old haunt, it still has plenty of surprises. I loved where Elle Keaton took us this time. I missed the mystery, but Real Hazard certainly more than made up for it with its lovable characters, cozy domesticity, and lots and lots of feel-good magic!

    Rating:
    4.5 Stars – perfection is only half a step away

    Soundtrack: Bound 2 Be Together
    Artist: Gamblers
    Album: When We Exit

    P.S.

    Check out the rest of West Coast Forensics and its related series , and fall in love with Piedras Island!

    Real Trouble
    Real Risk

    Veiled Intentions:
    Conspiracy Theory
    Long Shadow
    Black Moon


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

    Real Hazard: US | UK

    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

    NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Deep Waters by Thom Collins (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    December 31, 2022

    RELEASE BLITZ: Orange September by Jasmine Farrell

    September 12, 2023

    RELEASE BLITZ: All That Remains by R.J. Scott (Giveaway)

    June 24, 2020
  • Uncategorized

    SERIES TOUR: The Road To Rocktoberfest 2022

    November 16, 2022 / No Comments
    Read More
    neverhollowed

    You May Also Like

    RELEASE BLITZ: Forever Again by Skylar M. Cates (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    March 17, 2022

    NEW RELEASE: Where You Are by Felice Stevens

    August 22, 2022

    RELEASE BLITZ: The Sceptic by Lily Morton (Excerpt & Giveaway)

    May 30, 2022
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

June 2025
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30  
« May    

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 ·
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/

Reply on Twitter 1935418872984740004 Retweet on Twitter 1935418872984740004 Like on Twitter 1935418872984740004 1 Twitter 1935418872984740004
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

Reply on Twitter 1935418475695972696 Retweet on Twitter 1935418475695972696 Like on Twitter 1935418475695972696 Twitter 1935418475695972696
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/

Reply on Twitter 1935418129053561070 Retweet on Twitter 1935418129053561070 Like on Twitter 1935418129053561070 1 Twitter 1935418129053561070
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/

Reply on Twitter 1935417593986244689 Retweet on Twitter 1935417593986244689 Like on Twitter 1935417593986244689 1 Twitter 1935417593986244689
Load More
Rakuten Kobo UK
SEARCH NOW:
by title
by author
2025©Never Hollowed By The Stare