2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: To Hold A Hidden Pearl (Rossingley #1)

To Hold A Hidden Pearl (Rossingley #1) by Fearne Hill

This is an enemies-to-lovers story. Jay is about to get married to a woman when he has an erotic encounter with Lucien at the back of a gay bar. End of engagement and the start of a new job: Jay is a doctor--and so is Lucien. In the same hospital where they are, in fact, coworkers. Which they didn't know beforehand. Overall, way better than average, if a bit rambling at times. There's plenty of sex scenes, red-hawt and sweet too. Jay especially being a man, asking for softer, cuddlier shmexy times is cute as hell. That was a nice change of pace when it comes to how masculinity is portrayed in (gay) romances. Recommended read.

https://amzn.to/3EWLLDT

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: When I First Saw Red (The Soldiers and Mercenaries)

When I First Saw Red (The Soldiers and Mercenaries) by Kasia Bacon

When I First Saw Red is a perfect gift of a story. With just enough spice, world building, humour, and surprising depth of character, this deceptively simple narrative is a delightful read. I devoured it in one sitting, and enjoyed every well-crafted word!

https://amzn.to/3qkrKDb

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Not Another Boy Band

Not Another Boy Band by Z. Allora

I read this twice and enjoyed it even more the second time around. The author does a fantastic job in creating the setting and exploring the culture of the world the characters inhabit. This was a fun, engaging read.

https://amzn.to/3H5p2HB

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Dead Sea (Mia Kerick Story Ballads #2)

Dead Sea (Story Ballads #2) by Mia Kerick

This story of coming of age is fantastic. The way the growth of the two main character is a real struggle that the reader has to follow till the end. You want to be sure the boys will be fine. Two teenagers, a bully and his victim, two different backgrounds, two different ways of coping with their secrets. At the end they are not so different at all and the find they have so much in common and they are exactly what the other needs. Love the way the protagonists talk to the reader heart, the author did a wonderful job to describe the boys and their struggle to survive high school and find their path in their lives.

https://amzn.to/3wswMyF

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Chemistry Lessons

Chemistry Lessons by Jae

Nicely written friends to lovers romance. Easy read with likable characters.

https://amzn.to/3EVqDhu