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    SERIES REVIEW: Frat Wars by Saxon James

    *** you can scroll to the bottom for the tl;dr version ***

    Greek life shenanigans ship frat boy to frat boy in this riot of a series by contemporary MM romance author Saxon James.

    Frat Wars is about two fraternities, Sigma Beta Psi and Rho Kappa Tau, and their bitter rivalry to out prank each other. The Sigmas are the popular jocks, given a lot of leeway with their antics because of all the accolades they earn for the university. The Kappas are sorta nerdy but typically wealthy, whose parents make hefty donations to the school. Frat boys can pretty much wreck havoc as long they don’t break the golden rule: don’t get the dean’s attention.

    The series is crazy fun! The Sigmas, in particular, love practical jokes. It’s not just the Kappas they love to annoy, they even do it to their brothers. There are a lot of hilariously dumb dialogues that had me cracking up.

    The author picked the perfect narrators in Alexander Cendese and Iggy Toma. I rarely like dual narration, but these two synced so seamlessly. Their voices are perfect as frat boys and their delivery of the rapid-fire snark for snark banters is ridiculously on point.

    There are three books in the series, featuring the four brothers who hold the top executive positions in the Sigma House.


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    Frat Wars: King Of Thieves – Saxon James

    Weโ€™re basically Romeo and Juliet. But dudes. And without all the dying.

    Chad

    Being VP of Sigma Beta Psi is wild. I get all the benefits of being in charge with hardly any of the responsibility.

    Parties, pranks, and frat politicsโ€”college life has never been sweeter.

    Until I meet Bailey Prince.

    He has the face of a goddamn angel. I donโ€™t know where he came from or why Iโ€™m so obsessed.

    But I do know heโ€™s a Kappa.

    And our houses have a rivalry thatโ€™s written into legend.

    Bailey

    At Rho Kappa Tau, Iโ€™m a legacy.

    Itโ€™s a lot of pressure, but Iโ€™ve always been responsible, never had that rebellious need to rock the boat, and I like it that way.

    But after a party at Sigmaโ€”the jock fratโ€”I meet Chad Doomsen, and for the first time in my life I want to step outside my square.

    Our houses have always had a rivalry, but some of the guys seem to hate Chad specifically, and I donโ€™t know why.

    Heโ€™s surprisingly sweet and kind. At least to me.

    I need to stay away. A relationship with Chad would be betraying the very legacy that brought me here.

    But I canโ€™t help myself. And it seems, neither can he.


    Chad Doomsen is the VP of Sigma and the mastermind of the best pranks they pulled. He met Bailey Prince at a party, found him cute, and decided to pursue him, not knowing he’s a new Kappa member. They hooked up several times on the down-low. Bailey takes the opportunity to steal some of Chad’s stuff as part of the King of Thieves game. This is a stealth steal game where each item they take will earn their House points.

    The Romeo and Juliet angle was cute, but I was more into the game and the brotherhood than the romance. The games and pranks in this series are brilliant! I dunno if real-life fraternities do the King of Thieves game, but this sounds so fun. On the other hand, I don’t want anybody creeping into my room and grabbing my stuff.

    The book sets off a series of events that connects the entire series. The books are not standalone and should be read in order.

    Rating:
    4 Stars โ€“ minor quibbles but I loved it to bits

    Soundtrack: You Stole My Heart
    Artist: My Sun and Stars
    Album: You Stole My Heart


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    Frat Wars: Master of Mayhem – Saxon James

    Bro big or bro home.

    Robbie

    As social chair of Sigma Beta Psi, Iโ€™m the life of the party. Itโ€™s what Iโ€™m known for, and if itโ€™s not fun, Iโ€™m not interested, simple as that.

    Iโ€™m not someone who overthinks.

    So when one of my brothers hooks up with a dude from another frat house, it catches me off guard when I canโ€™t stop thinking about them โ€ฆ together.

    Thereโ€™s only one way for me to get this obsession out of my head and thatโ€™s by jumping in with both feet and putting it into practice.

    The problem is, the one guy whoโ€™s up for the ride, is the last one Iโ€™d expect.

    Brandon

    Being risk manager of a frat house is nobodyโ€™s idea of a good time. My brothers get annoyed when I put a damper on their plans, and wrangling drunken frat brothers isnโ€™t how I pictured my Saturday nights of senior year.

    Iโ€™m bored.

    In a rut.

    Study, frat duties, planning for the future.

    When is it my turn to let loose for a moment?

    So when my dumb-as-bricks frat bro is scoping out the house for a little experimenting fun, I throw out the offer like it isnโ€™t the most nerve-wracking thing Iโ€™ve ever considered.

    I never imagined Iโ€™d actually enjoy it.


    Master of Mayhem stars Robbie (forgot last name), the Sigma social manager, and Brandon (forgot last name too), the risk manager, in their bicurious frenemies romance.

    It all started when Robbie point blank asked his best friend, Chad, if he could touch his dick. The big guy had questions about his sexuality and had no hesitations whatsoever asking, because who else can help a guy out but his frat brothers? Chad was all hell no! Then at a party, Brandon was urged by his soon-to-be ex-girlfriend to try kissing the persistently curious Robbie. The two frat brothers were gob smacked by how much they liked it!

    Robbie completely won me over for being comfortable in his own skin. He’s the first to admit he’s not a brainiac, but far from being insecure about it, he embraces his impulsive, fun-loving nature shamelessly and has a childlike candor that’s very endearing. Also, he’s the reason why Sigmas have the best parties.

    Brandon is his foil. This guy’s a born risk manager, always planning steps ahead.

    This was a whole level of crazy! The boys up the ante with Chad and Robbie vying for the title of Master of Mayhem, a contest of who can come up with the best prank. The romance was hella cheesy and sweet with the kind of chemistry that reduces one to goo. And leave it to Robbie to pull off the cheesiest, most bombastic grand gesture to end all grand gestures!

    Rating:
    4.5 Stars โ€“ perfection is only half a step away

    Soundtrack: Curious
    Artist: Franz Ferdinand
    Album: Hits to the Head


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    Frat Wars: Presidential Chaos – Saxon James

    Two houses. Two Presidents. One hell of a happy ending.

    Zeke

    Being President of a frat house means everything is on my shoulders.
    Idiot brothers, epic pranks, a list of organizational duties long enough to make my eyes bleed.
    None of it fazes me.
    But senior year is almost over, and Iโ€™m ready to take a step back.
    Until the hazing rumors start.
    I might not know where theyโ€™re coming from, but I know theyโ€™re total BS.
    Now, instead of dialing back the stress, weโ€™ve broken the number one rule on the row: Donโ€™t get the deanโ€™s attention.
    I need to find out whoโ€™s driving the lies.
    And all evidence points to one person.

    Charles

    I never wanted to become Kappa President.
    The appointment was made easier, though, when none other than Zeke Ariston took over Sigma house. Iโ€™ve always been โ€ฆ drawn to him.
    Fascinated.
    And maybe a little attracted too.
    Pity Iโ€™ve never been more than an afterthought to him.
    But when rumors start to circulate about hazing, and the sources lead back to my house, it puts me square on Zekeโ€™s radar.
    I want to help him get to the bottom of it all.
    And with his attention finally on me, I want to tell him how I feel.

    The guys on Greek Row meet their chaotic conclusion with this rivals-to-lovers romance full of pranks, shared hoodies, and secret meetings made in the dark.


    Squeed when I saw the cover because that is exactly how Zeke looks!

    There are some books that you just instantly know will be awesome even before reading. I had a good feeling about Presidential Chaos beforehand. And, I was right, it totally swept me off my feet!

    Zeke Ariston is the super cool, super chill Sigma president. While his brothers ran amuck, Zeke is above it all, calm, always in control, and secretly anal retentive. He’s hyper-focused on his goal to win Olympic gold in swimming. My favorite character in the entire series.

    In contrast, Charles Levine is the passionate, easily flustered, but confident Kappa president. He’s usually red-faced with annoyance confronting the Sigma president over yet another prank by the Sigmas. Charles has a legacy to uphold and a law degree he has no desire to pursue. He’s also secretly crushing on Zeke.

    I spent most the book feeling sorry for Charles because boy, did he pine! I rooted hard for the patient, selfless Kappa president. But as soon as Zeke realized he had feelings for the Charles, it was so worth the wait! I didn’t know Zeke had it in him, but he uttered some of the most romantic lines in the series. The Sigma president fell HARD! He literally fell to his knees when he realized that his Charlie was perfect for him.

    Zeke and Charles are the kind of power couple that can conquer the world. The way they support each other are goals! I loved how they helped each other find the freedom to pursue their goals. They’re just fit so perfectly!

    This is a fabulous presidential finale and one of the swooniest, most delicious, squee-tastic execution of he fell first, he fell harder!!!

    Rating:
    5 Stars โ€“ absolutely perfect

    Soundtrack: Sweet Chaos
    Artist: Day6
    Album: The Best of Day6


    Frat Wars is a story of rivalry, brotherhood, youthful shenanigans, secret hook-ups, sexual awakening, and freedom. It’s one of the year’s most entertaining series. It’s the best kind of chaos, mayhem, lifelong friendships, and everything we love about Greek life.


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    KING OF THIEVES | MASTER OF MAYHEM | PRESIDENTIAL CHAOS

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    REVIEW: Egotistical Puckboy by Eden Finley & Saxon James

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    Puckboys: Egotistical Puckboy – Eden Finley & Saxon James

    EZRA

    Partying, dudes, and hockey. What more could a gay NHL player want?

    If it weren’t for Anton Hayes, my life would be perfect.

    Not that he affects my life in any way. At all. That would imply I care what the winger from Philly thinks of me.

    Which I don’t.

    Not even a one-night stand with him can thaw his misplaced animosity toward me.

    He says I’m the one with the ego, but he can talk. He rivals me for most egotistical puck boy in the league.

    I hate him as much as he hates me. Even if I crave a repeat.

    ANTON

    When it comes to hockey, I’m all about the game.

    I’ve worked for years to be one of the best in the league, and l’ve done it without splashing my orientation all over the tabloids.

    My hockey image is one I’ve carefully cultivated, and after one night with Ezra Palaszczuk, I risk it all.

    He’s cocky, obnoxious, and has an ego bigger than Massachusetts. And okay, maybe he’s the sexiest man I’ve ever known.

    We’ll never get along. Not when we sleep together. Not even when my possessive streak awakens.

    That doesn’t stop us from falling into bed together over and over again.


    Hockey romance is my most-read MM sports romance. I don’t know what it is about these hockey players that makes them so shippable. Being gorgeous specimens of humanity, I guess. I barely know anything about the sport. Mind you, I hate sports, but the way these hockey romances play out, I’m almost tempted to watch some games.

    Egotistical Puckboy by author duo, Eden Finley & Saxon James, is the opener of the new hockey series, Puckboys. It’s a spin-off of the authors’ CU Hockey series.

    Our egotistical puckboy is hockey royalty, Ezra Palaszczuk. He’s an openly gay troublemaking manwhore who never shuts up. Or so it seems. A closer look reveals a man who wants affection but fears rejection. As unlikely as it seems, he’s also an inspiration to aspiring queer athletes. Spend time with him, you’ll notice how he subtly goes out of his way to make people happy.

    Ez’s rival in the ice and in ego is top athlete Anton Hayes. Anton has a good boy image. He’s grateful for his privileged upbringing and he’s committed to giving back. Anton’s is so serious about it, he even has secret volunteer gigs nobody, not even his team, knows about.

    The man also likes control and has a possessive streak. He doesn’t like to share. He’s still partly in the closet, with only family and teammates knowing he’s gay. He doesn’t want his orientation made public because he doesn’t want to be defined by his sexuality.

    By all accounts, the two hated each other. Then one very drunk evening, Ezra was rescued by Anton from being beaten by angry fans. Feeling responsible, he takes Ezra into his apartment to sleep it off. The idiot took it upon himself to provoke his rescuer. The two ended with a hatefuck, and then continued hooking up, right until Anton was traded into Ezra’s team. And that’s when they start catching certain inescapable feelings.

    I like my enemies-to-lovers story to be intense. This one has the right level of intensity that makes this trope so delicious. I live for the snark and banter! The romance was executed brilliantly, the transition very organic and so very satisfying.

    Ezra, holy heck, the mouth on the guy! There were times when he was almost too much. Even during sex, he wouldn’t shut up. At some particularly exasperating statement, I even thought, man, that is such a boner killer.

    Anton has no problems matching Ez snark per snark. I enjoyed how he challenges the other man and keeps him on his toes. He saw through the ego and the bluster and recognized Ez’s vulnerability and innate goodness. And I loved how he accepts Ezra for who he is all the way.

    Ezra is mine.

    I groan at the thought.

    At doing what no one else has ever done.

    The thing is, I donโ€™t want to rein him in. I donโ€™t want to change him. Heโ€™s light. Heโ€™s attention. People are drawn to him and his larger-than-life personality. I want to wind him up and watch him fly, then be the safe place where he can land. The one he always comes back to.

    My favorite thing about these two is that they may trade in one-upmanship and sarcasm but when real issues come up, they take time to communicate properly. They talked about everything from the get-go, from how their hook-ups should go down, to going exclusive, to Ez’s family issues, to Anton’s coming out. Ez inspired Anton to embrace his truth. Attaboy!

    I struggled with a few other books but when I picked this up, I was riveted for hours. I was immediately drawn to the characters, even the supporting ones. I loved the Queer Collective! They’re a group of queer NHL players who banded together. Most of these guys are from the CU Hockey series.

    Rivals/enemies-to-lovers hockey romances always bring to mind that famously steamy rivalry between the cocky Russian and the polite Canadian. Happily, after a couple of chapters, comparisons to that other book faded. Egotistical Puckboy is sufficiently different to set itself apart. It’s fun, sweet, low-angst, and very swoony! It made me laugh and smile.

    Let these puckboys show you a good time too!

    Ratings:
    4.5 Stars โ€“ perfection is only half a step away

    Soundtrack: Catching Feelings
    Artist: Mathew V
    Album


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    US | UK

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    US | UK

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