Readers will find themselves entertained by this love song-inspired anthology that will put a sentimental smile on your face along with a blush or two. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of the Mixtape anthology, along with my impressions of it, then add it to your bookshelf!
What’s more romantic than a love song? A mixtape full of them.
Twelve bestselling and award-winning authors have curated an anthology of brand-new, standalone stories inspired by love songs, featuring a foreword written by NYT bestselling author Laurelin Paige. Press PLAY on this limited-edition collection that’s guaranteed to make you swoon.
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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
Like other anthologies this collection offers a wide variety of themes, couplings, and steaminess. There’s definitely something for everyone here, from sentimental stories that charmed me to erotically-charged tales that made me blush. It’s ultimately a blast from the past as music and romance are blended together in these twelve tales that kept me entertained for hours.
While I found something satisfying in each entry in this collection, there were a few that were particularly entertaining. The first story (Guys My Age by Saffron Kent) features an older man/younger woman romance that started when she was young and has been slowly burning ever since. Fallon’s always struggled with depression but being around the older Dean gave her childhood a sense of security and acceptance that has turned into a woman’s love. Dean however has felt only guilt for the intense feelings she’s always engendered in him in a battle he’s finally tired of fighting. Theirs was a sweet and sexy connection, one that spanned years in a bittersweet build-up. Issues of mental illness were briefly touched on as well as concerns over their age difference to add deeper layers to this couple in a satisfying story.
The next story to capture my attention was Toothpaste Kisses by Xio Axelrod, a m/m romance set in the art world that brings together a struggling artist and a rich lawyer starting over after being dumped by his business and personal partner. It’s an atmospheric tale that uses art to amp up the eroticism. While it’s not a definitive HEA it’s a scorching slice of life that hypnotized me. Malcolm’s a bit bitter at the start of the story, but finds a savior and a reason to start over when he discovers the colorful artwork of Pellam. Theirs is a crackling connection, one full of sexual tension, that had them crashing together in a steamy encounter that promises to be just the beginning.
In a story of unrequited love between two men who’ve been friends since they were young, emotions become even more conflicted as Shane makes a surprising marriage proposal to their mutual friend out of fear of admitting his true desires and disappointing his family. Think I’m In Love by Leslie McAdam is a fully fleshed-out tale full of heartbreak as Randy’s feelings for his best friend Shane pulls at reader’s heartstrings. Friendship and love war with the truth and obligation as their true feelings flare to life repeatedly with Shane continually fighting his feelings in this scorching story that frustrated me often but kept me glued to the pages too. Their battle is hard fought, one that punches the gut, but once the smoke clears it’s an ending that had me cheering and ready for the fallout to arrive.
On a whole this was a satisfying collection of stories that gave me hours of afternoon delights. Scorching stories and remembrances of classic love songs wove a web of sweet and sexy moments featuring appealing characters. Readers will find much to like in this collection that will be a decadently delightful addition to your bookshelf!
My rating for this is a B+
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
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