Anti-Valentine: An MM Romance Anthology by Becca Steele, T. Ashleigh, Ashlyn Drewek, Nicole Dykes, J.R. Gray, Hayden Hall, Ashley James, Andi Jaxon, Isabel Lucero, C. Lymari, Riley Nash, Bailey Nicole, C.E. Ricci, Jessie Walker, Misty Walker, Bethany Winters

Our reviewer, Nedra, reviewed several of the stories in this Anti-Valentine anthology.

From the blurb:

This Valentine’s Day…the bad boys come out to play…

Get ready for an anti-Valentine to remember in this limited release M/M romance anthology. Sixteen authors have come together to bring you a collection of brand-new short stories with a combination of dark, enemies to lovers, and bully themes.

Participating authors: Andi Jaxon, Ashley James, Ashlyn Drewek, Bailey Nicole, Becca Steele, Bethany Winters, C. Lymari, CE Ricci, Hayden Hall, Isabel Lucero, J.R. Gray, Jessie Walker, Misty Walker, Nicole Dykes, Riley Nash, T. Ashleigh

All eBook proceeds from this anthology will benefit LGBTQ+ mental health organizations.

Review for Wet by Riley Nash:

My only complaint about this story is it's entirely too short! Even with the story being a novella, though, events never seemed rushed or forced. A more than believable storyline of enemies due to competitive nature, who eventually became lovers because of their desire for the other, blossoms into a hurt/comfort story to start off a new year! 

“𝖄𝖔𝖚 𝖆𝖗𝖊 𝖆 𝖕𝖊𝖗𝖋𝖊𝖈𝖙 𝖉𝖎𝖘𝖆𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗.”

Darius and Tate have a rather unique relationship. Darius ultimately replacing Tate on the relay swim team causes quite a bit of friction and animosity. This level of hostility can only add to their overall chemistry, and adding in a tad bit of humiliation/praise kink and a bi-sexual awakening, equals to a spicy, steamy, hot, passionate smut scene! 

Very satisfied with Riley’s work within this highly anticipated compilation of erotic novellas, and cannot wait to read more of his work in the future. 

Rating: 5 Stars

Review for By the Throat by Bailey Nicole:

In true Bailey fashion, she turned the flame to scorching hot with this one! Rome and Devin’s twisted mind frames continue where they left us in 𝙃𝙞𝙨 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙧𝙮, striving to become more sinister with this short novella. 

𝔹𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕡𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕦𝕣𝕖 𝕤𝕝𝕒𝕞𝕤 𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕠 𝕞𝕖 𝕒𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕨𝕖𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕠𝕗 𝕁𝕦𝕝𝕚𝕒𝕟’𝕤 𝕔𝕠𝕔𝕜 𝕡𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕖𝕤 𝔻𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕟’𝕤 𝕒𝕘𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕤𝕥 𝕞𝕪 𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕥𝕖.

Omfg!! I never thought I'd see the day when Devin shared Rome, but the nastiness and filth that came along with their scene were enough to make me blush with desire. Never take Dev for granted, though, because even he had his limitations. 

Rating: 5 Stars

Review for Forgive Me by J.R. Gray:

A completely different perspective of the Catholic Church, but did JR ever grasp my attention! The little bits of their backstory were appreciated, allowing the readers the opportunity to understand their present situation. I also loved the accuracy of the Catholic faith, adding to the appeal of the story. 

“𝓘𝓯 𝓘’𝓶 𝓭𝓮𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓮𝓭 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓮𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓷𝓪𝓵 𝓭𝓪𝓶𝓷𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷, 𝓘’𝓶 𝓰𝓸𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓷 𝓲𝓽.”

The slow buildup was everything in this story. The anticipation was high and the excitement of the game was overwhelmingly pleasing. The fact that the entire setting was in the Parrish allowed an indescribable level of sin, never shying away from their consequences out of fear. I do wish this one could have been longer, though, as I never wanted it to end. 

Rating: 5 Stars

Review for The Race Between the Pretty Boy and the Bad Boy by Nicole Dykes:

As usual, Nicole delivers a sweet yet touching coming-out story, normalizing this sensitive topic matter. As always, I love how she always uses her platform to join together a fantastic community, giving them their time to shine. 

𝘖𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴, 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘥𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘴, 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘥 𝘣𝘰𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬.

Axel and Sebastian shocked me when their love affair was first revealed. Especially with how the author paints their animosity. And did that initial scene set ablaze to the pages!! And, Nicole slaps you in the face with another one just as steamy and to the point! 

Rating: 5 Stars

Review for Prom king by Andi Jaxon:

It wasn’t until the end of this novella did I realize that it contains characters from Bully King, and I am definitely going back to read that as we speak! 

“𝓓𝓻𝓾𝓷𝓴 𝓙𝓸𝓷𝓪𝓱 𝓯𝓾𝓬𝓴𝓼 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝓪 𝔀𝓱𝓸𝓻𝓮, 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝓷𝓸 𝓲𝓷𝓱𝓲𝓫𝓲𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼. 𝓗𝓮’𝓼 𝓪 𝓭𝓲𝓻𝓽𝔂, 𝓭𝓲𝓻𝓽𝔂 𝓫𝓸𝔂.”

Roman and Jonah’s dynamic was sizzling, but with a dark cloud hanging over them because of their surroundings. Their chemistry is felt through the pages, setting them ablaze with edging and longing. 

“𝓒𝓸𝓶𝓮 𝓸𝓷, 𝓑𝓲𝓫𝓵𝓮 𝓑𝓸𝔂, 𝓬𝓾𝓶 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓶𝓮.”

The possessiveness did it for me, Roman was overly aggressive and protective towards Jonah, which trickled down to his sister, as well. For a new author, she knew just how to hook another reader into a lifetime commitment!!

Rating: 5 Stars

Anti-Valentine is available to buy as an ebook, paperback and hardback. The proceeds go to LGBTQ+ organizations.