![]() Pity Play
-- EXCERPT After climbing the stairs, I open the door to my room, and I’m immediately filled with the comforting familiarity of my early years. I’ve thought about redecorating now that I’m an adult but being that I spend as much time living in my parents’ room—when they’re in Florida—as I do here, I haven’t quite pulled the trigger. Also, I’m twenty-eight, and even though I tell Noah there’s nothing wrong with me still living at home, I have started to wonder how much longer I’ll be here. Once again, I let my feather duster take flight and when it gets to the posters, I perform a ritual from my teenage years. I swipe it across Mel B’s face and sing, “I tell you what I want, Luke Phillips. I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna go out on a date with you!” I’m so busy jamming around my room that I jump when the doorbell rings. It can’t even be eight o’clock so I have no idea who it is. I know it’s not Luke because he won’t be here until ten. That leaves old Mrs. Bing from next door. My bluish-haired neighbor isn’t generally a bother, but ever since her husband went into the nursing home, she regularly stops by when she needs a jar opened or a spider killed. One time she told me that our weeds were growing out of control and kindly offered to send her gardener over. I let her do that once but then she hit me with a bill for a hundred and fifty dollars. Now we all just live with the weeds. I run down the stairs with the Spice Girls still ringing in my head, and apparently out of my mouth because as I swing open the door, I practically shout, “If you wannabe my lover …” And that’s when I realize Mrs. Bing isn’t my guest. All six-foot two inches of Luke Phillips is standing in front of me, and man, does he look good. It’s March in Wisconsin so he’s dressed for winter in a bomber jacket and wool scarf. Nicely fitted jeans showcase every gorgeous inch of his long legs. I know I should say something to him, but my mouth pools with so much saliva that if I don’t swallow it soon, I’m liable to drool on the man. Swallow your spit, girl. Once I manage that monumental, and embarrassingly audible, task, I blurt out, “Hey … Hello … Hi there!” Oh yeah, I’m a real orator. “Hi.” Luke’s beanie-covered head tips to the side. His gorgeous brown eyes narrow like he’s inspecting a moldy piece of cheese. “I’m looking for Lorelai Riley.” This is my chance to tell him she’s not here and that he should come back at ten when he was supposed to arrive, but my synapses aren’t firing. That must be why I throw my arms into the air and practically shout at him, “I’m Lorelai!” Luke takes a step backward like he’s going to make a run for it. Instead of fleeing, he moves his gaze from the top of my purple bandana all the way to my bare feet. This of course means he’s aware I’m wearing a pink flowered flannel nightgown from Lanz of Salsburg. A favorite with grannies everywhere. “Hi,” he repeats. Yet he makes no move toward the door. In fact, there’s no movement at all. It’s like he’s turned into a marble statue. He even stays put after I step back and gesture for him to come in. Well, this is awkward. I start stammering, “I didn’t expect you until ten. I mean, that’s when Noah said you were coming so that’s why I’m not dressed.” He looks borderline terrified, so I hurry to add, “I was cleaning. Getting ready for you.” He lifts his foot like he’s going to take a step forward, but the action is so slow it’s like he’s trying to push his way through a wall of frozen molasses. “I can find a hotel or something …” “What? No! Come on in! You’re staying here!” The image of Kathy Bates from that old movie Misery pops into my mind. From the look on Luke’s face, he’s thinking something similar. I want to assure him that I won’t hobble him, chain him to the bed, and keep him as a hostage, but I think that might scare him more. ![]()
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Title: Finding Lord Landry
Series: The Billionaire Brotherhood #5
Author: Lucy Lennox
Genre: Contemporary Gay Romance
Tropes: Enemies with Benefits, Boss/Employee
Workplace Romance, Secret Fling, Fake Fiancé
Release Date: March 25, 2025
BLURB
When a secret enemies-with-benefits situation turns into the world’s most public fake marriage…
The world knows me as Landry Davis, supermodel. A beautiful face and killer abs that have spawned a hundred fantasies.
To my friends, I’m simply Landry, the snarkiest (read: most fun) member of our billionaire brotherhood.
But to Kenji Toma, the gorgeous and oh-so-capable personal assistant I’ve been in love with for years, I’m “effing Landry,” the charming slacker who disappears for weeks only to resurface in trouble. His favorite enemy-with benefits. A man he refuses to fall in love with (though I’ve tried) and also can’t resist managing (a fact I’m not too proud to take advantage of).
What none of them know is that I have another title–in fact, a whole other life. One I was born into. One that comes with sprawling estates, a coronet, and a metric ton of familial and political expectations. A life I’ve kept secret for way too long… and hope to keep secret for just a little while longer.
At least until I learn Kenji is in danger.
When all my money and fame can’t save the man I love, I don’t hesitate to use long-hidden political power to whisk him to safety, even though it means outing myself as Viscount Hawling, the elusive heir to the Davencourt earldom…
And pretending the man who loves to hate me is actually my doting husband.
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AUTHOR BIO
Lucy Lennox is a USA Today bestselling author and winner of the A.C. Katt Gay Debut Novel Award.
After enjoying creative writing as a child, Lucy didn’t write her first novel until she was over 40 years old. Her debut novel, Borrowing Blue, was published in the autumn of 2016. Lucy has an English Literature degree from Vanderbilt University, but that doesn’t hold a candle to the years and years of staying up all night reading tantalizing novels on her own. She has three children, plays tennis, and hates folding laundry. While her husband is no shmoopy romance hero, he is very good at math, cooks a mean lasagne, has gorgeous eyes, looks hot in his business clothes, and makes her laugh every single day. She writes gay romance with heart, humor, and heat!
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![]() SUNDOWN SOMEWHEREHayes Family #3by Claire HastingsBlog TourRelease Date: March 20, 2025Cover Design: Y'all That Graphic
Photographer: Lindee Robinson Photography
Model: Drew HarwoodGenre: Contemporary Romance StandaloneTrope: Friends to lovers, jilted bride, accidental couples massage, small-town SynopsisIt was my worst nightmare come to life—having to tell my childhood best friend that she was being left at the altar. As Man of Honor, it was my duty to be the one to pass on the message, breaking both our hearts in the process. Picking up the pieces is made worse when the small-town rumor mill runs rampant. There’s only one choice—escape. A weekend away, just the two of us. A chance to cause some trouble like we used to as kids. Until one drunken kiss reveals a massive secret I didn’t see coming, leading to a bigger one I had no plan of ever confessing. Next thing I know, Dolly’s in my arms—and in my bed—and all my wildest dreams are coming true. If only it were that simple. She’s the town sweetheart. I’m the guy that will never be good enough for her. Us being together would send Hickory Hills into a frenzy. Lucky for them, causing a little chaos is my forte. Because now that I’ve had a taste of Dolly, there’s no going back. Whether this town likes it or not. Add to your TBR List!Giveaway$25 Amazon Gift Carda Rafflecopter GiveawayOther Titles Within this SeriesPURCHASE PURCHASE PRE-ORDER About the AuthorUSA Today Best Selling Claire Hastings is a walking, talking awkward moment. She loves Diet Coke, gummi bears, the beach, and books (obvs). When not reading she can usually be found hanging with friends at a soccer match or grabbing food (although she probably still has a book in her purse). She and her husband live in Atlanta.Connect with ClaireWebsite: https://www.clairehastingsauthor.com/
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