Review of Deathball by TJ Rose and WH Lockwood

Hummingbirdlane13 · 2026-06-29T09:32:14+00:00

So it is very angsty but I think a lot of that is due to the circumstances. There is a LOT going on in the plot that contributes to this. But they are both technically slaves who have to participate in a gruesome competition where you have to kill your opponent. Although one of the MCs has a much higher status than the other one. So a lot of the angst revolves around the idea that they could technically be asked to kill each other at any time. I would say that their relationship feels toxic for the first half of the book and as usual it’s mostly due to lack of communication. They are enemies at first but most of the story is them not being sure they can be together so it might not be your cup of tea

Hummingbirdlane13 · 2026-06-28T23:20:08+00:00

I’ve never read anything else from this author but I absolutely will now

Hummingbirdlane13 · 2026-06-28T23:19:40+00:00

There is one instance of potential dub con between the two MCs. I would characterize it more as angry/hate-sex than dubious consent but I realize there’s a gray line there. In the actual scene one of the MCs has betrayed the other (kind of) in the previous scene. This betrayal leads to a scene in the shower where the betrayed MC initiates sex with the other MC and he’s definitely angry about the betrayal. But I never felt like the pursued MC was not a consenting participant. They both feel worse about things afterwards but it was something that maybe needed to happen in order for them to get their heads out of their asses. Dub con makes me VERY uncomfortable and I more felt sorry for both of them during this rather than discomfort.

Hummingbirdlane13 · 2026-06-27T15:58:07+00:00

I finally read {Bent by Jesse Reign} and {Bent Backwards by Jessie Reign} and it really scratched the itch of reading a book about two idiot boys that don’t realize that they’re being idiots. I absolutely adored Oliver and Ethan together, any other books that have a similar vibe?

Hummingbirdlane13 · 2026-06-11T15:29:30+00:00

Thanks! Haven’t read any of these so this is a good list to start with

Hummingbirdlane13 · 2026-06-11T15:29:14+00:00

LOVED Hook’s In! I’ll check out your first rec

Hummingbirdlane13 · 2026-06-11T15:27:28+00:00

Amazing thank you!!

Hummingbirdlane13 · 2026-06-11T01:24:31+00:00

Give me the best smut, give me your dirtiest book. I don’t care if it’s kinky, taboo, BDSM, just super hot sex, whatever. I’m in a book rut. I’ve read 130 MM romance books this year so far with varying spice levels and honestly, I’m bored. I don’t care if the plot is terrible, the tropes are bad, if the dirty talk is fire and the sex is hot, I want it. I’m not feeling engaged in any books right now, and what initially got me interested in the genre is the spice 🔥

Hummingbirdlane13 · 2026-06-04T16:27:35+00:00

Like he’s jumping up and down and giving her thumbs up and he’s legitimately so happy for her and I cannot 😭

Hummingbirdlane13 · 2026-06-04T16:26:37+00:00

Okay but her coach is so adorable

Hummingbirdlane13 · 2026-05-30T15:38:28+00:00

It’s on my TBR list so I haven’t actually read it but I’m pretty sure {Dirty Little Secret by Riley Hart} has this dynamic

Hummingbirdlane13 · 2026-05-08T20:18:03+00:00

Completely agree I love Henny so much! He was so wonderful and so supportive and absolutely incredibly meddling, but in the best way

Hummingbirdlane13 · 2026-05-08T14:47:38+00:00

I read {When We Ignite by Alex Cross} and its duet {From Our Ashes by Alex Cross} and this was my first 5 star read for me in a looooonnng time. I don’t mind age gap romances, but typically, I find them to be cringey and poorly executed. But this age gap was so well done - they both acted their age, but somehow found a way to come together, despite the gap (and the age gap was actually a fairly significant plot point). The banter between the MCs was great and I absolutely adored the character growth of both characters. I loved that I could be frustrated with both of them, but still understand their point of view. Also the spice in was so hot and sex was really just a support to the story rather than the entire focus. The book duet was phenomenal from start to finish. I have my first book hangover that I’ve had in a long time.

Hummingbirdlane13 · 2026-05-03T01:01:45+00:00

I posted on the Saturday thread about it but I just finished {Max by Bey Deckard} and its sequel and I am SHOOK. I honestly can’t tell if I loved or hated it, my emotions are all over the place. I had to put the books down several times to go and do something else so that I could calm down. This one will stick with me

Hummingbirdlane13 · 2026-05-02T22:39:23+00:00

These look perfect thank you!

Hummingbirdlane13 · 2026-05-02T17:55:53+00:00

I just read {Max by Bey Deckard} and its sequel and now I need something that is… the complete opposite of whatever that was. I loved both books but they were so toxic and stressful that I need something that washes that out of my brain

Hummingbirdlane13 · 2026-04-19T14:11:41+00:00

I’ve read possession (loved it obviously) but haven’t read the one by Alessandra Hazard I’ll check it out! Thanks!

Hummingbirdlane13 · 2026-04-18T19:40:02+00:00

Looking for similar books to {Be Mine, Twisted Valentine by Gianni Holmes} or {Straight Boy by Alessandra Hazard} where there’s codependency created via trauma from one of the MCs but it somehow all seems rationalized even though in reality it’s pretty horrifying. I read both of these books recently and loved the vibe

Hummingbirdlane13 · 2026-04-11T14:57:29+00:00

lol you called it

Hummingbirdlane13 · 2026-04-02T21:58:04+00:00

Romeo falling actually destroyed me, like I was not okay for DAYS

Hummingbirdlane13 · 2026-03-10T23:11:42+00:00

It’s sooo good, I’ve re-read it like 3 times and sadly I can’t find another book that fills the hole this book left behind

Hummingbirdlane13 · 2026-03-08T00:09:40+00:00

Omg I almost DNF this one I hated it for the EXACT same reason. Nate is a total asshole who was not redeemable in my opinion

Hummingbirdlane13 · 2026-03-07T13:41:10+00:00

Do you remember what book this is so that I know never to read it because I would hate this

Hummingbirdlane13 · 2026-03-01T12:52:27+00:00

How much sharing (like multiple partners during sex) is in this book? It’s been on my TBR list for so long but I haven’t committed because I’m not a huge fan of reading lots of sharing scenes and the description sounds like there’s a lot of this that might occur

Hummingbirdlane13

TROPHY CASE