Book 44, 2026

[chez_jae]

Hot Axe by May Archer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


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I started reading Hot Axe by May Archer yesterday and finished it before lunch today. It’s the second in her “Axford Brothers” series of male/male romance. Main characters are Ames Axford and Robbie Wojcik, who’ve been BFFs since high school.

For as long as he can remember, Ames has been in love with his straight best friend, Robbie. He even joined the volunteer fire department to spend more time with Robbie. Ames knows the situation is hopeless so he keeps his feelings to himself. Now, however, Robbie is engaged to be married, and Ames knows he needs to put paid to his romantasies forever. Robbie doesn’t seem to get the memo, though. He blunders on, oblivious to the fact that his relationship with Ames is going to shift once he’s married and must put his new wife first in his life. It’s not until Robbie has to rescue Ames from a burning building that he realizes that all he ever wanted in life has been right beside him all along. Now it’s up to him to convince Ames that he’s serious about a future together.

Just the right amount of pining, angst, humor, and hurt/comfort. You couldn’t help but feel bad for Ames, but then I wanted to head desk when he put up walls right when what he wanted was within his grasp. Communication, gentlemen, is key. LOL! I loved all the cameos by familiar characters, as well as meeting the new ones. Characters were engaging, plot was compelling, and the sexy times were hot.

Favorite lines:
♦ “Your love languages are giving shit and cooking.”
♦ I am officially failing therapy.
♦ “I’m telling my mom you called her tiny.”
♦ Getting Ames from my truck into my house is like trying to herd a cat...if the cat weighed a hundred seventy-five pounds and was determined to prove he didn’t need help.
♦ I feel like I unknowingly took part in some Buffy-esque ritual. I summoned this demon, and now I need to banish it.
♦ “When your daydream comes to life, be brave enough to grab him with both hands and...let him rail you into a mattress.” // “Where’d you get that? Chicken Soup for the Fuckboy Soul?”
♦ “There’s been a disturbance in the force, and Winsome feels it.”

Charming and delightful! Five stars