2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Keeping Promises

Keeping Promises by Jodi Payne & BA Tortuga

I wholeheartedly Loved reading this second chance story. Sweet, profound, emotionally charged, and all around beautiful. Well written and oh, so satisfying. The kids in the story tied it all together and were simply adorable. I also enjoyed the banter amongst all the cowboys when they got together in a couple of scenes. At times it was comical with good times all around.

https://amzn.to/32Eab7k

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The Dancer's Dilemma (Campus Connections #3)

The Dancer's Dilemma (Campus Connections #3) by CJane Elliott

Sweet, and at times heartwrenching second chance romance. The idea of knowing that the man who gave you a do-over is leaving the country to pursue a dancing career is heartbreaking for Nat. Luckily, dancer Tyrone is told that choreographer Arnaud is not only proposing romance exclusively for him but has done so with other dancers allowing Tyrone to drop the idea of leaving for France. I enjoyed reading this story.

https://amzn.to/3Daw6Qf

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Following the Rules (The Script Club #1)

Following the Rules (The Script Club #1) by Lane Hayes

What can two complete opposites do when they meet? But of course, be attracted to each other. Hard decisions had to be made when the jock Simon realized that the sport he loves is not his number one priority and that eventually, it could bring him a hard blow to his life. He's suffered several concussions, and one more could be the end of him. He meets Topher, who is in desperate need of money. Topher agrees to help Simon academically and a relationship develops. In the end, Simon comes to the conclusion that being with Topher is a better decision than risking his life. Sweet college romance with a wonderful ending.

https://amzn.to/31jFuDH

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Starting From The Top

Starting From The Top by Lane Hayes

This was a truly sweet romance between two completely opposite men. One, a young aspiring musician, the other, an older businessman with two kids. Wholeheartedly enjoyable. The characters are likable. I especially liked the kids 😉 They were just too cute. A happy all-around story. Highly recommended.

https://amzn.to/3rqKyBA

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Out on the Ice (Out in College #5)

Out on the Ice (Out in College #5) by Lane Hayes

This is book 5 of the series. I haven't read the previous ones. As I understand from other reviews, one of the MCs, Sky, was an unlikable mess in previous books and seems to have redeemed himself in this volume. Two completely different characters who are in two different sports. One is a hockey player, the other is into baseball. They shared a class in college where Sky is a troublemaker. Hockey player Colby is asked by his stepdad, who owns a firm, to train the new recruit who happens to be Sky. While Colby is reluctant to take on the task, they eventually formed a bond, an attraction, and finally found love. This was a sweet enemy to lovers story. Quite enjoyable and satisfying.

https://amzn.to/31hNQMe

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Stick to the Script (Ace's Wild #13)

Stick to the Script (Ace's Wild #13) by Lane Hayes

Wonderful low angst story. A strong storm, work partners that get stuck in an airport and can't join one of the MCs who is there to video document a BDSM photoshoot at a Bed & Breakfast. The son of the owners who is hosting the event. Now they are stuck in the house and, well, the show must go on. So, these two men get to know each other, do the shoot themselves, and start to have the 'feels' for each other. Win-Win situation. For a short story, it was quite enjoyable.

https://amzn.to/3DfPGKJ

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Starting From Scratch

Starting From Scratch by Lane Hayes

Slow burn, great chemistry, opposite (attracts) MCs, great characters, low angst. I really enjoyed reading how these two guys came to realize they didn't want to be without each other. I'm quite enjoying Hayes' writing style.

https://amzn.to/3G18QGa

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Love Match volume 3 (2013-2015)

Love Match volume 3 (2013-2015) by Kyell Gold

New to me author. Really well written. Characters well rounded and fleshed out.

https://amzn.to/3DdiFii

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The Beginning of Everything

The Beginning of Everything by Cara Malone

This story was absolutely beautiful in its depiction of wlw love from the 60s through the tumultuous years to the present day. It's amazing to delve into the mindsets and culture of these different decades as the tender relationship between the MCs progresses. They've got great chemistry, and their longing for one another is palpable all through the slow burn buildup. Absolutely a winner.

https://amzn.to/3rqBaNZ

2020-2021 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Stitches and Sepsis (A Vivian Chastain Novel #2)

Stitches and Sepsis (A Vivian Chastain Novel #2) by Liz Faraim

This is part 2 of a series but can be read on its own. This certainly is not your run of the mill lesbian story, but rather an exploration into the state and development of the main character. Vivian is a veteran with issues from the army and with issues going way back to her childhood. I really was impressed by her inner dialogues. The outward “plot” is pretty obvious, but what marks this story as special is how the outer world is reflected in the inner world of the main character and vice versa. The development of the mc is gripping and believable. The story is gritty and the character is fiercely independent.

https://amzn.to/3EdnIRo