ARC Review: My Fair Dork by Daisy Harris

My Fair Dork

by Daisy Harris

(Men of Holsum College # 8)

You know... I could sit here and talk about how this is a story about one misunderstood kid going into college.  A little shy, a little timid, a little inhibited about his preferences and his body.  What he perceived as limitations.  And it's the story about that same gangly kid getting with the man of his fantasies, the jock and handsome kid in his dorm.  Yeah, I could go on about that type of relationship for a while because who doesn't want to see the geeky geek get with the jocky stud?

But what I really need to tell you about is the star of the show...  Let met see if I can pick a quote to describe what I'm talking about:

"Owen opened his lips wide and tried to fit them over Harold's head.  It didn't really fit.  Owen could get the head in his mouth but not with enough room to do anything fun with it."

Ahhhh yes, the star of the show and of this book was Harold's monster cock.  There I said it. Damn!  That thing was hanging around and laying heavy and alert throughout this whole book.  It really did play a major role and I give both kuddos to Owen for taking it and Harold for learning to love it.  ;)

OK so back to the story.  Other than the magic monster penis on the gangly dorky kid, this story was very sweet at its core.  Harold already knew who he was but Owen, even, though he had some m/m experiences in his past, was not aware he was "gay".  But their attraction is immediate.  And they don't fight it.  Well except for Harold fighting nature and trying to charm that snake between his legs into submission at times.

This book was fun....

"Maybe his dick took up all the energy he ate., like a rogue parasite in a science fiction movie.  It absorbed all the calories he took in and was slowly starving him to death."

"Maybe his cock has joined forces with his tongue, and the two of them were plotting to take over Harold's body.  Growing larger and larger, until one could touch the other."

But it was also very sweet and by the end of this short story I could feel the connection between the two.  Probably one of the best couples in the MOHC series by Ms Harris.  Can't wait to keep reading!

*ARC provided by author

ARC Review: Genius and the Jock by Daisy Harris

Genius and the Jock

by Daisy Harris

(Men of Holsum College # 7)

This book mixes two characters that we've previously seen in the series.  And what a match mad ein "I didn't think that could happen" heaven.

Raj is Calvin's best friend and lab partner in BOSSY AND THE BRAT.  Sexy, indian descent, smart beyond any limitations.  Kind of in the closet.  What we didn't know back then was that he had a crush on football player Griffin.  They had a quick BJ moment years ago but haven't talked to each other since.

Raj has always been gay but never wanted to talk about it.  His friends don't know, his family doesn't know.  He's known for a while and the one object of his lust was Griffin until he started working with Calvin.  But now Calvin has a boyfriend.

Griffin just happens to get hired to work security at their lab building which gives him the perfect opportunity to pursue Raj.  And truly, I felt like Griffin was having one of those old time courtships.  It was so cute, him offering rides, running when he needed help.  Adorable.

Then there's the sexual aspect.  They are both virgins.  The only m/m experience they've had was actually with each other so they fumble along until they get it right, but boy do they get it right.  I guess there's something to be said for enthusiasm.

Their romance was just charming.  This book had everything I've come to love in Daisy Harris's writing.  She's got her groove back!

*ARC provided by author

ARC Review: Pride and Politics by Daisy Harris

Pride and Politics

by Daisy Harris

(Men of Holsum College # 6)

I'll admit I started this book not so excited.  I first read about Hunter in THE PLAYER AND THE PRUDE and he was a complete a-hole.  Even though he was the reason those two guys got together, he was also the reason why they almost broke apart.  Then in BOSSY AND THE BRAT he was the guy using Tyler for sex and dissing him the rest of the time as if he didn't even know him.  So I had no love for Hunter going into this book.

Daisy Harris did an amazing job at turning me around and thinking of him as just another tortured, broken soul.  I felt bad for what Hunter has had to live through.  I didn't think poor little rich boy anymore.

In this book, Hunter has to go on tour for his uncle's campaign for president.  He's assigned an image consultant to be with him 24/7 to ensure that Hunter looks presentable, not extremely gay, and that he doesn't get into any trouble...ie no drinking and partying or sex with strangers that could lead to ruining his uncle's image during the election.

That's where you enter Steve Camden.  Coming from a tough upbringing having to take care of his deaf sister, he's always been serious and he can't wrap his brain around the behavior and lifestyle of someone like Hunter.  But the more time they spend together, the more he gets to chip at Hunter's exterior mask and starts getting down to the real man in there.

They both opened up as they traveled together and I thought they were one of the few couples that I could see them loving each other by the end of their time together.  And of course, it helped that Hunter was a very needy and sexual man.  :)

*ARC provided by author.

Review: Bossy and the Brat by Daisy Harris

Bossy and the Brat

by Daisy Harris

(Men of Holsum College # 5)

There is always one story in a series that you connect less with than the others and that is BOSSY AND THE BRAT for me.  Although it was a sweet story once I put aside what I thought of the main characters, I didn't connect.

First there's Tyler.  The poor kid, and yes he's young, always gets used by others.  First it was Hunter who just wanted him as a booty call and would ignore him or blow him off anytime.  Then there's Cal, who supposedly has been in love with him for a while, but he didn't know he was gay.  I felt bad for Tyler but at the same time he's very immature, which goes with his age, and definitely what the title says, a brat.   Maybe just not my cuppa.

Then Cal, he's the one I had the biggest issue with.  He has a fiance whom he just easily breaks up.  Then he finally admits that he's been pining for Tyler.  But his thoughts about going from straight man breaking up his engagement to a gay man in love with a guy who dances ballet didn't have the emotional charge or even struggle that I would imagine someone would go through.  He just woke up one day and said I finally want him to suck me.

OK so once I suspended that train of thought I guess I can say that Cal gave Tyler the love and attention that no other guy had ever given him.  The recognition with his friends and not being embarrassed to be seen with him and call him his boyfriend.  The protection from others that wanted to hurt him.  Cal, being a bit more dominant, was pretty hot and Tyler fit into that perfectly being so submissive.

Can't wait to see who's next in the series!

*Review copy provided by author

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Player and the Prude by Daisy Harris

Player and the Prude

by Daisy Harris

(Men of Holsum College # 4)

Having come into this series right in the middle with book #3 I will say that this is my favorite of the series, but I'm not sure if that counts for much.  PLAYER AND THE PRUDE is about Matt and Brooks.  We (at least I) met them in book 3.  Matt is Gabe's roommate, Gabe went on a couple of dates with Brooks.

So Brooks is the player because he's a bit of a manwhore, what with his rugged good looks, always dressed in the latest fashion and coming from a rich family.  Matt is the complete opposite.  He's geeky, really tall, maybe without the fashion sense gene.  Brooks "best friend" challenges him to get with Matt and Brooks never backs down from a challenge.

I think what I loved the most about the connection between these two was the fact that Brooks was able to put down that mask he had to wear with others around him.  He was just himself, enjoying what he enjoyed and not feeling bad about it.  It was a process of discovery for both and not the "oh I'm gay" variety.  Brooks realized that the life he was leading was probably not the one that would make him happy.  Matt learned that after the oppression mentality that was ingrained in him and how he grew up, he had to let things go and enjoy life for what it was.  Taking pleasure and also accepting the pain that goes along with it.  They both had a great attitude to the changes that had to be made.

And of course I can't leave out that it was hot, right?  Matt is a virgin but he has what he considers bad thoughts about Brooks.  He wants to spank him, slap him, choke him, tie him down, rough him up.  And after his internal battles he manages to do all that.  The rough sex scene after he throws Brooks against the wall......'nuff said.

As usual, I guess my complain is the I love yous, and in this case the lets get married way too soon in a relationship.  Although at least this book did seem to span a longer period of time than the previous book so I guess the relationship building was behind the pages, but I would've liked to see more of it to make the ending fit with the story for me.

*Review copy provided by author

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Townie and the Twink by Daisy Harris

Townie and the Twink

by Daisy Harris

(Men of Holsum College # 3)

First things first...there is no way I will go any further into this review without acknowledging the elephant in the room.  Or in this case, the terrible cover.  I really almost did pass up on reading this because it was hurting my eyes. Gahhhh!  But the blurb was catching and I really did want to see what these college boys were all about.  I am actually really glad I did!  So if this is holding you back, please get past that!

This was my first read by Daisy Harris and obviously I'm coming into this series in the middle.  I worked great as a standalone and it worked pretty good being that it's a short story.  Yes, as with other short stories there are things in a relationship that do feel rushed and I had some issues with.  But I have come to expect that a lot of times there will be an I love you that I feel shouldn't be there.

Nick, the townie, is the local boy still living at home and going to college.  Doesn't have a lot of money.  And thinks he's straight.  Gabe is the openly gay guy at school.  Their relationship is actually kind of cute.  Gabe right away knows he has a chance with Nick and he eases him into pushing his boundaries.  I thought, for someone who thought he was straight, Nick was too easily persuaded to do a lot.  But for the length of this book it worked.

There was a little bit of humor and some hot smexy times (especially the smoking hot one where Nick bangs on the door and comes in all rough and ready, oh my!) and, along with liking both Nick and Gabe, I also enjoyed the secondary characters in this story.  I can't wait to go forward and read about Brooks and Matt.  

*Review copy provided by author

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