Man Candy by Samantha Cayto

Title: Man Candy
Author: Samantha Cayto
Genre: BDSM
Length: Novella (113 pages)
ISBN: #978-0-85715-674-7
Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing (April 16th, 2014)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ (4 Heart Rating)

Book Description

War photographer Brent faces the challenge of a lifetime when the younger Alex offers up his virginity and his submission.

As a war photographer, Brent is used to facing bullets, bombs, and bad guys. As an experienced Dom, he’s the master of the bedroom. Recovering from an injury, he plans a quiet summer on the coast of Maine. Those plans blow up when he spots the adorable stripper who captured his attention during a night of club hopping. The allure of the younger man scares him like nothing else.

Alex, a twenty-one-year-old college student and part-time stripper, is deep in the closet. He’s afraid to come out to his family yet is still dependent on them. Only one more summer to go working in the family candy shop and he’ll be free to live openly as a gay man. The sight of Brent sends him into a near panic—his two lives are about to collide. Despite his fear of being outed, he can’t deny the overwhelming attraction of the older, dominant man. But will he be able to let Brent take charge of his body and show him the ropes as he so desires?

Reading Grove Review:

** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through MM Good Book Reviews ** http://www.mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com

Man Candy is a great story about two people who are trying to find their way in life. Brent is a war photographer that almost got blown up at his last assignment and doesn’t know if he can return to his work. Alex is a college student and stripper/candy shop worker that still depends on his parents help and support so he is scared to tell them that he is gay. The two originally meet at the strip club where Alex works. Brent is immediately intrigued by the younger man, while Alex is drawn the dominate presence of Brent. The two share a moment together and then part ways never expecting to see each other again.

When Brent goes to Putnam on vacation to recover from his last assignment he sees Alex working in the candy shop. From that moment on the two are headed down a path that neither of them can escape. Both are equally drawn to each other and they develop a lover/friend relationship when Alex decides that he wants Brent to be the one to “pop his cherry.” Brent shows Alex how to be a sub to his Dom and how to take and give pleasure. Throughout this time, they also help take care of each other showing how much they truly feel about each other. Alex helped take care of Brent through his migraine and talk to him about his future as a war photographer. Brent helped Alex with his parents reaction to his being gay.

I liked this story because you really felt like the characters really cared about each other. What was to start out as a fling grew into something more. The trust that Alex immediately gave to Brent and how much Brent couldn’t stay away from Alex helped show their true feelings. They were constantly looking out for each other. Overall, it was a good quick read that kept you interested on what was going to happen between the pop his cherry.” Brent shows Alex how to be a sub to his Dom and how to take and give pleasure. Throughout this time, they also help take care of each other showing how much they truly feel about each other. Alex helped take care of Brent through his migraine and talk to him about his future as a war photographer. Brent helped Alex with his parents reaction to his being gay.

I liked this story because you really felt like the characters really cared about each other. What was to start out as a fling grew into something more. The trust that Alex immediately gave to Brent and how much Brent couldn’t stay away from Alex helped show their true feelings. They were constantly looking out for each other. Overall, it was a good quick read that kept you interested on what was going to happen between the two.

Purchase Links

https://www.totallybound.com/man-candy

Amazon.com: Man Candy eBook: Samantha Cayto: Kindle Store

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/man-candy-samantha-cayto/1119316887?ean=9780857156747

Begin Again (Beautiful #2) by Tamsyn Bester

Book Description

One year ago, Brody Scott made the biggest mistake of his life and has lived with his regret every day since then…

One year ago, Demetria ‘Demi’ Rosemead watched the love of her life turn his back on her, leaving her to face one of the hardest things she’s ever had to go through on her own.

So much has happened, and when Brody and Demi are forced to spend a week together after a year apart, they will be drawn back into the raw intensity of what they feel for each other. Only this time, Brody won’t walk away so easily…

But Demi is keeping something from him, and not only will she have to forgive him, but he will have to forgive her too…

Can they erase the time that has passed, and move forward? Or will Demi’s secret and Brody’s mistake keep them from their forever?

*This can be read as a standalone, but it is highly recommended that you read Beneath Your Beautiful to enhance your enjoyment of this book. Due to mature language and adult situations, this book is not recommended for readers under the age of 17.* 

Reading Grove Review

Begin Again is the second book in the Beautiful Series and was a great sequel to Beneath Your Beautiful. This book is about Demi and Brody, best friends of Huntley and Grayson, the main characters of the first book. This story will make you cry for the heartbreak that the characters went through and the love that is to come.

Demi and Brody used to be happily in love but it fell apart when Brody wanted to move for his dream job. Demi didn't want to move and wanted Brody to stay. Demi loved where they lived and wanted to stay there with Brody. Brody didn't want to give up his dreams and chose them over Demi. Even though Demi had a huge secret (not going to tell, you need to read the book) to tell Brody, she let him go even though it killed her to do so.

Demi and Brody's story is told around the back story of Huntley and Grayson getting married. Brody has been gone for about a year and is coming back for the wedding. He looks forward to, as much as he fears, seeing Demi again. He misses her terribly and is miserable with the life that he has chose. He brings a date, Sienna, the girl he's been sleeping with the fill the void that Demi left when he decided to leave. This causes problems for Demi, as Sienna is extremely jealous of her. Demi fears seeing Brody again because she never told him her secret that she kept and it nearly killed her.

Throughout the story Demi goes through a rollercoaster trying to figure out what Brody wants from her. She tries to be strong but is slowly falling apart. She is still completely in love with him and always will be, even though she wishes that she could just fall in love with Jeff, Grayson's brother, who has been there for her since Brody left.

I feel bad for Jeff in the story because he is caught in the middle as he is in love with Demi and she just can't love him the way that he deserves. Jeff has been her go to guy since she started falling apart after Brody moved. He is sweet, kind, and caring, but unfortunately he's not Brody.

Brody and Demi go back and forth throughout the story until the day of the wedding when Brody finds out Demi's secret. He is devastated and Demi is relapsing into herself as she sees his heart breaking before her eyes. She knows that she should never have kept the secret but didn't want him to stay for any reason other than it was what he wanted. Brody then realizes how much he has truely hurt Demi by leaving and vows to win her back and never hurt her again.

In the end they both apologized to each other for the pain they have caused and make up.

"I know we have a lot to work through, but it all comes down to one thing. I miss you. I miss waking up with you next to me. I miss seeing you walk around barefeet in the kitchen. I miss kissing you. I miss hearing you sing in the shower. I miss making love to you at all hours. I miss having angry sex with you. I miss having you in my life, Demetria, and I know I can live without you, but dammit, I don't want to." - Brody

Overall, this was an amazing story. I enjoyed seeing Huntley and Grayson again, along with their son, Hunter (my son's name by the way). I loved that even through the heartbreak Demi and Brody still found their way back to each other. And lastly, I really hope that Jeff eventually gets his happy ending.

Until You're Mine (Mine #2) by K. Langston

Book Description

Taking big risks had always been Archer Brook's way of life. It's what has to be done in order to get what you want, and he knew that better than anyone. Archer may have been born into a life of wealth and privilege, but he'd proven time and time again that his success was the result of his own true grit and determination. The savvy businessman was an experienced player in the game of life, always knowing when to ante up or when to cash out. 

It was time to do both. 

Burned out on the bright lights of Vegas, once the successful night club owner found the best of both worlds tucked away in a quiet Mississippi town, he never looked back. 

That was until she walked into his bar. 

Life has never been easy for Katy Vaughn. The preacher's daughter turned small town rebel has seen her fair share of heartbreak, and she's tired. Katy is done with men who have no idea what they want or how to treat a woman. She wants a real man. One who can give her everything she's ever dreamed of. One who will give her everything she needs. Lovers of the past may have broken her heart, but they could never break her spirit. 

There was only one man capable of that. 

You never know when love will come along and change...everything. 

Reading Grove Review

I received an ARC of Until You're Mine and I absolutely loved it. Archer and Katy could not be more perfectly matched. Both characters have been hurt before by past relationships and this story is about letting go and accepting that something great could still be in your future. 

Katy grew up with a strict religious background, is covered in tattoos, and cares about everyone. She is in love with Archer but doesn't want to give in to him unless he will give up his heart. 

Archer refuses to believe that he is capable of loving anyone again and doesn't want to risk it either way. He got severely burned in the past and never wants to go back there, even though he really wants Katy. 

Eventually Katy decides that the only way to get Archer to love her and give in is to show him how much he can be loved. They have a really dynamic relationship together and Archer is very possessive even if he won't commit. 

The best way to sum up the story is the song One and Only by Adele (as the author posted on Facebook and I completely agree)...

"I dare you to let me be your, your one and only

Promise I'm worthy to hold in your arms

So come on and give me a chance

To prove I am the one who can walk that mile

Until the end starts

I know it ain't easy giving up your heart"

I also liked that you got to see more of Holden and Maddie. The friendships that they have show how great these people really are. 

The only thing I would have liked was to see Katy's family's reaction to how things ended with Archer. Not only were her parents judgmental but her brother Alex, who was always on her side, seemed to turn against her. I wish that they could have just been happy for her but then again, that made her the person that she is. 

Overall I loved the book and couldn't put it down. I can't wait to see how it turns out for Tabitha and Barrett...