3 "mixed bag of ahem ahem nuts" stars !!!

Thank you to Netgalley, the authors and Evernight publishing. This collection of novellas was published June 2021 and I am providing an honest review.

Well well well...some nice surprises here as I was expecting little from this collection of gay erotic romances. I did not include the last novella in the average rating as it started off poorly and I did not wish to continue reading and also I thought this was an overall good collection and did not want to bring the rating down.

All the stories include respectful blackmailing or coercion as a device and it works just fine if you close one of your eyes. I will only say a little more of my three top stories.

Making it Real by Marie Medina...3 stars...a very sweet and sexi improbable romance between a boss and a younger man whose family business is being sold.....this was rather fun too !

Sins of the Father by Hannah Morse....3.5 stars...a lovely tale of finding everlasting passion....Hollywood meets the Louisiana bayou...revenge can turn turn into redemption with a side of mild bondage....

Best of the bunch--

October Surprise by LJ Longo...4 stars.... a semi literary lovely affirming gay erotic romance between a Black Southern Mayor and his much younger gender bending long term lover...funny and wonderful with really excellent prose

I challenge this author to writer a beautiful literary lipstick lesbian latinx romance...oh yes I do !

While I do love anthologies for the simple reason that it introduces you to different authors that you may not come a crossed otherwise. However my copy seemed to have some formatting issues in certain stories and it was at times jarring. While some stories I absolutely loved and wish they were longer or that maybe they lead to a sequel, some were an absolute struggle to get through.

As with all books, but especially erotica, mileage will vary. For me, this anthology felt less "reluctant" and more "dubious." And while not uncommon for writers in the genre, most of these stories are authored by straight women. Would not recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

It took me some time to get through the this anthology but the fact that it was different short stories made it easier to slip in to my packed scheduled.

With that said, some of the stories were good and others I wasn't too fond of. Theyre all 'spicy' as reviewers like to say these days and some are definitely more angsty than others but thats to be expected with the general idea behind them (forced marriage, marriages with no love, etc). Overall I think it was an interesting idea for an anthology and would be interested in future compilations like this one with additional queer representation.

I know I should have known what I was getting into, given the description, however I had high hopes the stories be written in such a way that what came across as a bit creepy wouldn't be. While that was the case with a couple, others I just really didn't like and couldn't get into. Turns out this sort of thing really isn't for me, and I know that for next time.

This is a very sexy anthology of shorts revolving around the trope of a forced marriage or marriage of convenience. Some of the stories have more angst than others, but they are all high heat. I did not love all of the stories, but I think this is worth the read if you enjoy the trope, and it helped me discover some new authors I will read more works from.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher.

Thank you to Netgalley and the authors and publishers for providing an ARC of Reluctant Groom.

I thoroughly enjoyed these stories. They were short and some of them I wish were longer - or made into full length novels. I love myself a good age-gap story and these fulfilled that need in spades. The "forced marriage" trope, or marriages of convenience, is one that I don't read often but sometimes I just have a hankering for a particular trope or character archetype. This anthology gave me a lot of different tropes and content that made a mood reader like me VERY happy.

I do think that there should be more prominent trigger warnings displayed. I've noticed this in other friend reviews as well. I, myself, don't have any triggers when reading, so none of this content was an issue for me. However, I would hate for other readers to pick it up only to find it brings up something traumatic for them, or it's something they can't stomach reading about. This anthology is not the darkest I've ever read - not by far - but some readers may think differently.

Overall, I think I discovered some great new to me authors in this anthology and I'll be eagerly waiting to see what they put out next.

A fun anthology that is a mixed bag. Some of the tales I definitely enjoyed- Sins of the Father, Protecting Chauncy and Making it Real. Some were not favs. Bear in mind they are novellas so I definitely wanted more form the stories I liked _in a good way. Quick fun reads about different reasons for reluctant grooms.

2.5/5. <i>I received a copy of this book from NetGalley, and this is my honest review.</i>

<i>Reluctant Groom</i> is an anthology featuring age gaps and reluctant grooms: from arranged marriages, blackmail, marriage of conveniences, and those struggling to make the next step of commitment.

As an overall note, there was more bad than good within this anthology unfortunately. While I knew there were sometimes be dark themes, consent issues, there is still a responsibility for the editor or authors to provide trigger warnings for each story. I believe this for any book, so I'm not just picking on this one. Instead, I'll do my best to provide them in my review. I will be rating these in the order I read them.

<b>October Surprise by LJ Longo</b>
<b>Content Warnings:</b> Racism, homophobia, past sexual trauma, blackmail
<b>Tropes:</b> Blackmail, forced marriage, age gap, opposites attract, femme MC
<b>Kink:</b> None
<b>Rating</b>: 2/5
3rd Person, Single POV

I did research on this author because I was curious, but Longo is a white author. The reason I wanted to figure this out is because there is a use of calling one of the black characters "feral" with "mysterious" dark skin. I do not understand the choice in doing this, even if both your characters are black. I could tell they put some research into cultural aspects as they're brought up - but I cannot speak to accuracy or sensitivity, besides what stood out to me as wrong.

Romance wise, this book was just sad. The sex scenes were "meh" at best, the writing is awkward, and so many times was Sunshine called a bitch. There is an implication of these two characters having a sexual relationship when Sunshine was underage, and there is clear trauma bonding when Sunshine was a young child that I think causes an uncomfortable dynamic. While this story does turn in the last bit or so, most of all it was these two harming and manipulating each other. Also, lots and lots on politics.

<b>Sins of the Father by Hannah Morse</b>
<b>Content Warnings:</b> Homophobia, unsafe BDSM, blackmail
<b>Tropes:</b> Blackmail, forced marriage, celebrity, age gap, revenge
<b>Kink:</b> Domination/submission, sensation play, bondage
<b>Rating</b>: 3/5
3rd Person, Dual POV

Sins of the Father features a forced marriage by blackmail, where Beau intends to take his revenge by marrying the son of his high school enemy (and crush), while there are benefits of money and opening the door of acting for the younger MC. I found the angst around Tucker, the younger MC's dad, interesting as it all came together and how it was solved. This had the aspects of "ignoring you" angst I enjoy in this type of forced marriage plot. I also liked the sex scenes, with the bit of BDSM and the discussion of what safe BDSM looks like.

The writing was non-offensive, and overall, I think this is a decent read in this anthology.

<b>Protecting Chauncey by Cooper McKenzie</b>
<b>Content Warnings:</b> Pedophilia
<b>Tropes:</b> Arranged marriage, age gap, dad's best friend
<b>Kink:</b> N/A
<b>Rating</b>: 1/5
3rd Person, Dual POV

So, the beginning of this plot as Marco wants Chauncey to be part of the "business" (whatever that means, vaguely criminal?), and apparently wants to get with him including marriage. We don't learn his true reasons until the end, and it honestly still doesn't make sense. Anyway, his mother's solution to this problem is to marry Chauncey off to the other MC, who is a family friend he grew up around. We learn that this family friend had sexual feelings for Chauncey as soon as he hit puberty (so, maybe around 13 or so?), and that is why he bought a ranch and moved to Texas when Chauncey was 16 so he didn't act on his feelings. Chauncey knew he was gay from a young age, and while he could see the family friend as attractive, he had not lusted over him as a child or anything.

Uhhh... what the fuck? What was the point of this dimension to their relationship besides how fucked it is? I am never into a story where a much older man lusted after a younger man since he was a child. No thank you. He even called him jailbait and how he had waited until it was legal. AND. He calls Chauncey "C-Man", a nickname he used for him when <i>he was a young child</i> in some affectionate way you'd use "sweetheart" or "baby". Gross and annoying.

The end drama with Marco still didn't make sense to me and while you get an HEA... just no.

<b>Making it Real by Marie Medina</b>
<b>Content Warnings:</b> Dubcon, blackmail
<b>Tropes:</b> Forced marriage, age gap, closeted MC, debt, blackmail, instalove
<b>Kink:</b> N/A
<b>Rating</b>: 1/5
3rd Person, Dual POV

This was another story I very much disliked. Marcus is extremely unhinged, never taking no for an answer. It starts in the beginning when these two apparently were a one-night stand after a good date, and then he took the other MC's phone and demanded all the reasons why they couldn't continue to date. After explanations *and* refusals, including that the other MC was the son of the man who Marcus was buying the company from, he still didn't let up. After he dubcons him into sex, he decides to out the MC to his father and threaten if he doesn't go along with the engagement he will walk away from the deal and leave his family in debt.

The sex isn't well written, for what it is worth, but we continue to have a very unhinged story as Marcus manipulates the other MC and never listens to his wants. When finally the other MC pushes for a breakup and says he will accept the consequences, Marcus says he will end the engagement.... by planning a wedding and essentially giving him no option but to marry him, along with another blackmail three-month deal. It was awful.

<b>Worth the Risk by Allyson Young</b>
<b>Content Warnings:</b> Blackmail, discussion of illness
<b>Tropes:</b> Forced marriage, blackmail, age gap, debt, boss/employee, mutual pining, reformed playboy
<b>Kink:</b> N/A
<b>Rating</b>: 1/5
3rd Person, Dual POV

Worth the Risk is an "alpha/alpha" romance where the older boss wants to marry his subordinate who he has wanted for a long time. His subordinate also has pined for his boss but has seen many men go through those doors and doesn't want to invest in something casual, and would prefer a long-term relationship. So, he hasn't wanted to pursue anything with him. Never fear! His boss decides instead he will just blackmail him into marriage by threatening his job if he doesn't marry him.

Of course, the subordinate MC has family depending on his money with severe health troubles and sisters he is trying to put through college, so it's basically asking him to cut off his own hand or marry his boss. He is resistant because he doesn't want his heart broken and, well, no one wants to be forced into anything. Still, having no other choice, he accepts the marriage proposal. There is back and forth between them, angry conversations, and more shifty stuff the boss does until he gets his HEA.

There were severe formatting and editing issues in the first half, with line breaks happening in almost every sentence. Needs to be fixed.

<b>Not So Sham Wedding by Megan Slayer</b>
<b>Content Warnings:</b> Homophobia
<b>Tropes:</b> Marriage of convenience, boss/employee, friends to lovers, mutual pining, rich/poor, Definitely Not Legal Will Stipulations
<b>Kink:</b> Public sex
<b>Rating</b>: 2.5/5
3rd Person, Dual POV

This has the usually funny "definitely not legal" stipulations for a will, such as marriage that must specifically last a year and whatever else the father had in his will with this one. The romance is between Hudson and Lucas -- Lucas is his younger PA and best friend, and Hudson is the boss and older man. Not wanting to marry a woman, Hudson asks Lucas to marry him who feels unworthy and awkward about the idea.

It is revealed they both pine for each other, but Lucas has a secret about a "bad past" (spoiler: it is not that bad) and associated trauma with talking about it. Hudson still gets mad though he wasn't told even though it happened so long ago anyway and the fact that the father's homophobia was the biggest issue. We learn how long these two have known each other, such as the fact Hudson had loved Lucas since he was an underage teen when they met (!), which I hate. Hudson would've been 33. What the fuck.

Anyway, there's an out of place second sex scene that I believe the author was just doing to make something up for word count, because it didn't match the character's personalities. This story was very "meh".

<b>Room With a View by James Cox</b>
<b>Content Warnings:</b> Discussion of family death, divorce
<b>Tropes:</b> Age gap, established relationship, BDSM club, rich/poor
<b>Kink:</b> D/s, impact play, Sadism/masochism, exhibitionism
<b>Rating</b>: 4/5
3rd Person, Dual POV

Finally, some good fucking food. With this, the "reluctant groom" aspect is how Paul has seen the more devastating effects of marriage within his family and while he likes Billy and has been with him for two years, he doesn't want to commit to marriage. Not to mention the insecurities he has around how different their class status is, with him struggling to make money and Billy being so wealthy (even if self-made).

Billy is also his Sir and Dominant. Billy has proposed to him multiple times but has only gotten a 'no', and wasn't given the reasons why. So, he sets out to woo Paul and find out the truth. Here we get cute dates, not filled with just sex but showing him pampering and romance. They have some hot sex scenes btw, and we see how these two communicate on the fields and sex and romance.

The writing in this was excellent, and I liked how this was an idea of taking a chance on love -- and that they were there for each other. I do recommend reading this story if you feel like reading something from this anthology.

I have no objection to pressured into marriage or age gap as tropes, even if they’re not my favorite, but these stories were really weak. The writing was lackluster and the relationships were either hard to believe or toxic or both. October Surprise and Sins of the Father were the best of the lot, but in this anthology that doesn’t feel like a big achievement.

In each of these seven stories, a younger and an older man find themselves in an unconventional situation and forced into marriage. Throughout, their feelings change- usually through sex- and they end up happy in their marriage. They are never neat, occasionally poignant but always smutty.

It seems necessary to note that these are written with the knowledge that the relationships are problematic. If you knew someone in any one of these scenarios, of course, you'd be concerned and would, at least, say something. However, these stories are also entertaining and should be read in that light.

1) October Surprise- L.J. Longo 3*
A city mayor aiming for governorship and his conniving, artistic waif
This has a stumbling start but then finds its feet with a nice plot, making some interesting points about gay relationships in the world of politics. But, it is a bit fade-to-black, which seems strange in this context.

2) Sins of the Father- Hannah Morse 5*
A grumpy actor needing a career boost uses the naïve son of his past friend
Beau and Owen are both less than perfect characters but so easy to care for. Their dynamic is consistently fun and the dual narrative makes their different perspectives relatable. For the well-conceived plot alone, this is great.

3) Protecting Chauncey- Cooper McKenzie 2*
A rugged farmer and a confused young graduate in a hair-brained scheme
So... decent smut, it does gloss over many of the instances, but what it has, it does pretty well. However, the writing is just weird; it's jarring with strange metaphors and odd references- many of them are laughable.

4) Making It Real- Marie Medina 3*
A decisive businessman and a hard-working student
This is a fast-falling romance through passionate nights and mornings. It also touches upon difficulties with being honest with family members about one's sexuality and how easy it is to fall into relationships.

5) Worth the Risk- Allyson Young 2*
An assertive boss yearning for the young, struggling employee
This is a decent story but it doesn't stand up as anything special within this anthology. The plot is fine, however, the writing style is inconsistent with some lines lacking sense.

6) Not So Sham Wedding- Megan Slayer 4*
A boss is forced to marry his assistant to meet the stipulation of a will
The premise is rushed at the start and some of the dialogue is contrived but it's undeniable that these two are lovely together, both physically and emotionally.

7) Room With a View- James Cox 5*
A success Dom wants more from his sub
Surprisingly, this had good humour as well as smut. Great conclusion to this collection.

I wouldn't say these had quite the 'scorching hot sex' scenes or 'sigh-worthy happy ever afters' that were stated in the book's synopsis. This is, in all honesty, the reason for reading this genre, so some of these stories were rather disappointing. But there are some good ones, all being easy reads and entertaining.

Some of the stories in this anthology I really liked while others I had so much trouble getting through. I enjoyed Sins of the Father and Not So Sham Wedding, but the other stories really weren't for me. All of them had spice and fit well into the premise of the anthology though, so maybe others will enjoy them more than I did.

This is a hit and miss premise for me depending on how it is handled.
I really liked the first the story (not perfect but has some really interesting ideas and take on the premise) - unfortunately I did not enjoy any of the other stories. I am glad to have picked this up as I am curious about what else L.J Longo has published but otherwise a miss for me.

“Reluctant Groom” is a sexy, sensual anthology featuring age-gap romance and forced marriage/arranged marriage. I really enjoyed each story, my favorite probably being Sins of the Father by Hannah Morse. The forced marriage trope is one of my favorites because we get to see characters who typically wouldn’t be together discover there’s so much more to the other and eventually fall in love. Delightful!

Thank you to NetGalley and Evernight Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.