Crucify my Love: Gay Book Reviews: [193-ENG] Review: Unapologetically Me

Series: Offbeat Shifters

Volume: 3/4
Publisher: Independently published

Genre/s: Supernatural M/M Romance

Length: 68 000 words

Pages: -

Read in: English
Review copy format: epub

Rate:✮✮✮✮✮✬

When his only son leaves home to start his own family, Austin Steele have to find balance in his life again. Unexpectedly, a young pop star comes to his aid, although that was undoubtedly not what Charlie meant when he asked Austin to spend the night together. It was supposed to be just that one time, but it quickly turned out that it is not so easy to satisfy one's hunger when the mutual attraction is so strong.

"Unapologetically Me" is the third volume in the rapidly expanding "Offbeat Shifters" series, with which Colette Davison conquers our hearts. I must admit that I was waiting impatiently for "Unapologetically Me", even before I found out that this novel would be written. Why? Because Austin immediately caught my attention. Thus, his character is, in my opinion, the greatest advantage of this story. Austin from the very beginning, from the very first volume of the series, was an extremely fascinating and internally complex hero. All volumes of the series tell us part of his story, as each of them shows us a slightly different Austin, who changes under the influence of events that take place in his life. What's important, in "Unapologetically Me" we have the opportunity not only to get to know this present Austin, but also that past, younger one. Thanks to this, we can see how the events of his past had been shaping him up to the moment we met him in the first volume of the series. "Unapologetically Me" is therefore a must-read for any reader who has come to love Austin and this amazing series.

What's also important and undoubtedly very interesting, in "Unapologetically Me" the inner needs of both our protagonists play an essential role. In fact, this story is not driven by desire, impulse, or even love, but what pushes our heroes towards each other is the aforementioned need – the need for closeness, tenderness, companionship. Thus, it can be said that the author goes much deeper into our characters and their psyche, because she brings out all their partly unconscious needs, mentally conditioned impulses. I'm sure that you know how it is when you unexpectedly feel a familiar smell, taste or hear music, which for some reason awakens that feeling of melancholy, sadness or joy in you. To each other, Austin and Charlie are such a trigger of deeply hidden needs. Why? Maybe because, contrary to appearances, they are very similar to each other? Or maybe the reason is completely different? And is there any reason at all? If you want to know the answer, there's one simple way - reach for "Unapologetically Me" and find out!

The thing that I also love about the novel is that our characters, to a certain extent, sense and, in a way, also perceive the problems of this other, significant person and try to help them, sometimes even unconsciously. However, at the same time they don't see, or simply ignore, all that happens to them, or even "in" them. What's important, the author presents it in such a way that Austin and Charlie seem to be almost programmed to feel the "waves" sent involuntarily by the other person. Believe me, in "Unapologetically Me" Colette Davison shows us the story of her lovely characters in an amazing, profound way, filled with an invisible, almost magical bond that have been between Austin and Charlie from the beginning, even if it seemed elusive. Imagine two people who are connected by a thread that is invisible to an ordinary person. What you can see with the eyes of your imagination at the moment, you can feel with your whole body when you read "Unapologetically Me" and it's all thanks to Colette Davison.

To sum up, "Unapologetically Me" is a truly wonderful novel that we not only read, but also feel. We fall in love with this story in the blink of an eye and let it dominate our every thought. To put it simply, you have to read this novel. You won't regret it.

Headcanon: Charlie loves it when Austin scratches his head lightly while watching TV.

Fanfiction idea: One night, Charlie has a dream about marrying Austin. In that dream, he is wearing a princess gown. After the wedding, he is locked in the tower by Isaac and Austin must save him.

AU idea: Alien attack on Earth. Charlie is a hybrid of an alien and a human.

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Here's some more about:

Book Title: Unapologetically Me (Offbeat Shifters #3)

Author: Colette Davison

Publisher: Independently Published

Cover Artist: Colette Davison

Release Date: March 23, 2021

Genre: Supernatural M/M romance

Tropes: shifters, mpreg setting but there isn’t pregnancy or childbirth in the books,

age-gap, pop-star, hidden disability, hidden relationship

Themes: Standing up for yourself and others, not letting opportunities pass you by,

importance of family, second chances

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 68 000 words

Book 3 could be read as a standalone,

but has spoilers for the other two so is definitely better read as part of the series.

Add on Goodreads

Buy Links

Universal link | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Austin Steele is my idol. He’s also the guy I can’t get enough of.

Blurb

Austin Steele is my idol. He’s also the guy I can’t get enough of.

Everyone thinks they know who I am—one of pop’s biggest divos. They don’t know me at all. Austin Steele makes me want to see the real me, only there’s some problems:

We’re both omegas, he’s nineteen years my senior, he’s nursing old wounds, and he wants to keep what’s happening between us a secret.

I thought a one-night stand was all I wanted. Now it’s becoming so much more. But how can we look to the future when we can’t let go of our pasts?

Unapologetically Me is the third book in Offbeat Shifters, an m/m paranormal romance series with a continuing storyline. This book includes a misunderstood and unapologetic Arctic fox shifter, a caring capuchin monkey shifter, and a HFN ending. While it’s set in an alternate universe where omegas give birth, there are no pregnancy or birth scenes in this book.

Excerpt

“I can’t remember the last time I just hung out with someone before this week.” I laid my head on his shoulder. “That’s not true. It was right before my first album went viral.”

“That’s a long time.” Austin didn’t sound even remotely surprised.

“I guess you know how that feels, huh?”

“Yes.”

“The cupcakes will be cool enough to decorate.” I cleared my throat and stood.

We’d been having fun, and I didn’t want to drag the day down with drama about how lonely I was. Had been. Could I consign my loneliness to past tense now that I was spending time with Austin?

“I’ll help you make some icing if you want.”

“That might help,” Austin said around a chuckle.

I showed him the recipe I liked to use, loaded up a piping bag for him, and hand over hand showed him how to use it.

“You’ve gotta be gentle,” I said as I left him to it.

I carefully cut a hole out of the centre of each of my cupcakes, into which I pushed a fresh strawberry. Then I popped the top back on and began to ice them. I’d coloured my icing a soft shade of pink, much paler than the bright red of the strawberries. Using a controlled motion, I spiralled the icing onto the top of each cupcake.

“Bollocks!” Austin said.

I looked around to see that his hands were covered in icing, and the nozzle had shot off the piping bag onto one of his cupcakes. Icing dripped everywhere.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “You squeezed too hard, didn’t you?”

“It wasn’t coming out,” he grumbled.

He put the piping bag into a bowl, washed his hands, and grabbed a spoon. I watched for a moment as he dolloped icing onto the top of each cupcake. They looked anything but pretty. Still chuckling to myself, I finished mine off by sprinkling the tiny pieces of chopped strawberry over the icing.

“It’s obvious who’s won,” Austin said.

“No, it’s not. Don’t we have to do a taste test or something?”

“I guess so.”

“Get a couple of plates out.”

He complied. I cut one of his cupcakes in half and put a piece on each plate, then did the same with one of my own.

“Forks?”

“We could use our fingers?”

“I’m pretty sure that’s not how they do it on cooking shows.”

Austin smiled and grabbed a couple of forks. “We should taste the same one.” He handed me a fork. “Mine first.”

“Why?”

“So we’re saving the best until last? We’ll need to eat yours to get rid of the taste of mine.”

“They can’t be that bad.”

He raised his eyebrows. We both took a bite.

“Oh.” The cupcake was like a dry rock in my mouth.

“See what I mean?” Austin said around his own mouthful.

I grabbed some water to wash it down. “They’re not bad for a beginner. A little dry.”

“And heavy.”

“You might want to try adding a bit of milk when you’re mixing the ingredients. It helps to make the mixture light and fluffy.”

“What would help the taste?”

“Some vanilla-bean paste. It’s much better than vanilla extract,” I added, glancing at the small brown bottle of extract that Austin had bought but obviously not used in his own cakes.

Austin nodded thoughtfully before trying my cake. He closed his eyes and murmured his approval. “Now this is like an orgasm in my mouth.”

I snorted a laugh. “A what?”

“An orgasm in my mouth.” He devoured the rest of his half of the cupcake and then put his plate down. “You win.” He wrapped his arms around my waist.

“What do I win?”

“A kiss.” His lips and tongue tasted of strawberries and icing.

“Good prize.”

Check out the first two books in the Offbeat Shifters Series

Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Pre-Order Book 4 here

About the Author

Colette’s personal love story began at university, where she met her future husband. An evening of flirting, in the shadow of Lancaster castle, eventually led to a fairytale wedding. She’s enjoying her own ‘happy ever after’ in the north of England with her husband, two beautiful children and her writing.

Social Media Links

Blog/Website | Facebook Page | Facebook Group: Colette’s Cosy Corner

BookBub | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram: @colettedavison

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