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Bitches With Stitches #1
Hot Doggin'
It’s funny how you can wake up one day and realize that everything you’ve ever wanted has been right in front of your face all along.
McCormick
I’ve had some dark days.
The day I lost my leg.
The day I took a handful of innocent lives.
The day I watched my buddy take his life because he couldn’t live with the consequences of our actions.
They haunt me late at night. I hear them cry out for help.
The only things that quiet the voices; My motorcycle, knitting, and my buddies—Stiles in particular. He’s always there when I need him, and when I don’t.
But the loneliness lingers, and it hurts sometimes.
Stiles
I gave seven years to the Army, and in return, they took my memories. I got caught in the backlash of a land mine that caused a loss of my short-term memory function. I forget little things like appointments, and whether or not I forgot to turn off the stove or lock the door. But kissing my best friend? That’s a huge thing, something I’m not likely to forget.
Another huge thing I can’t forget? That I’m a straight man who doesn’t kiss men.
It’s too bad I’m not attracted to guys because we would be perfect together. In fact, I think we could make it work, as long as he doesn’t make it weird. But… Fuck, McCormick makes everything weird.
Hot Doggin’ is the first Bitches with Stitches novel and is a continuation of the Scars and Stripes Trilogy. Best friends to lovers Past trauma/hurt comfort PTSD/disability/amputee Motorcycle club Double bi awakening Found family Bad ass men who knit Stupid hot dog jokes
McCormick
I’ve had some dark days.
The day I lost my leg.
The day I took a handful of innocent lives.
The day I watched my buddy take his life because he couldn’t live with the consequences of our actions.
They haunt me late at night. I hear them cry out for help.
The only things that quiet the voices; My motorcycle, knitting, and my buddies—Stiles in particular. He’s always there when I need him, and when I don’t.
But the loneliness lingers, and it hurts sometimes.
Stiles
I gave seven years to the Army, and in return, they took my memories. I got caught in the backlash of a land mine that caused a loss of my short-term memory function. I forget little things like appointments, and whether or not I forgot to turn off the stove or lock the door. But kissing my best friend? That’s a huge thing, something I’m not likely to forget.
Another huge thing I can’t forget? That I’m a straight man who doesn’t kiss men.
It’s too bad I’m not attracted to guys because we would be perfect together. In fact, I think we could make it work, as long as he doesn’t make it weird. But… Fuck, McCormick makes everything weird.
Hot Doggin’ is the first Bitches with Stitches novel and is a continuation of the Scars and Stripes Trilogy. Best friends to lovers Past trauma/hurt comfort PTSD/disability/amputee Motorcycle club Double bi awakening Found family Bad ass men who knit Stupid hot dog jokes
223 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 20, 2025
63 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
April 22, 2025
I had soooo much fun reading this! Loved this couple so so much! Best friends to lovers, Stiles and Mac complement each other so well.
Forgot how much I love this group of friends, I can’t wait to read more about the rest of the couples!
Forgot how much I love this group of friends, I can’t wait to read more about the rest of the couples!
December 4, 2025
Hot Doggin' Bitches With Stitches #1 by author Raquel Riley
MC:Stiles and McCormick 3.5⭐
If you’ve read the Scars and Stripes Trilogy, you already know Stiles and Mac — chaotic, loyal, traumatised, ridiculous, emotional idiots who somehow steal every scene they’re in. Seeing them finally get their own HEA made me feral. You could read this book alone, but trust me, read the trilogy first — it makes the stakes, the trauma, and the emotional payoff hit so much harder. And also… that trilogy is amazing ✨🫶🫠🥰
Tropes & tags
🌭Best Friends to Lovers
🧶Double Bi-Awakening
🌭Forced Proximity
🧶Hurt/Comfort
🌭Amputee/PTSD
🧶Knitting Circle
🫶✨🙌All the Bitches cameos🙌
Micro tropes
Those damn boiled hot dogs
Secret cuddles with hot dog blankets
Ride or die
Pining but they don’t know it’s pining?
Watching porn together
Cosmo quizzes
First dates
Slutty knitting
Hotdoggin’ like really sausage on bun 👀
That’s the energy of this whole book: messy, loud, loyal, and full of ridiculous love.
This universe revolves around the Bitches With Stitches, a chaotic found-family of veterans who knit, bully each other affectionately, show up at your door at 3AM, and somehow hold each other together when the world feels unbearable. Stiles and Mac are right in the heart of it — Mac with his amputee trauma, Stiles with memory issues and violent night terrors — and their bonds with this group are everything.
Their romance isn’t sudden — it’s just finally out in the open. They’ve spent four years sharing nightmares, sleeping under the same roof, doing grocery shopping like dates, and caring for each other so fiercely it hurts. Of course it was going to explode into love.
The UST is so thick you could cut it with a knife🥵🥵🥵their sexual discovery was as messy as they were, but I felt it should have more intimacy, more… I don’t even know how to describe what I expected. Hot yes, but too messy.
It’s heart breaking at times, their ghosts and nightmares are so vivid, it hurts to read. These brave men suffer and come home with such heavy trauma…
And then… the hot dogs. I adore these idiots, but if they don’t eat a salad soon I’m calling a cardiologist. The humour is OTT, juvenile, chaotic, and totally them — a golden retriever and a feral alley cat in love.
A word of thank yo Angela, thank for getting these two to open their eyes for each other ✨🫠
The Bitches™ show up constantly, loud, messy, supportive, full of hugs, sarcasm, and love. They’re the emotional backbone of everything. And Mandy… my soft angel. I love all these men, but he deserves his HEA yesterday. He’s always holding everyone else up, quietly soft and lonely, and I need him happy, loved, and protected.
This line sums up the book: chaotic, sweet, horny, tender, OTT, heart-breaking, and hilarious. A messy, emotional, utterly addictive 4-star read full of trauma, healing, UST, boiled hot dogs, found family, and two idiots finally realising they’re soulmates.
⚠️Author Content Warnings
This book deals with heavy sensitive topics like mental health and depression, low self-esteem, and healing after loss.
Death of side characters, vulgar language, disfigurement and amputation, anger, and self-hatred, and memory loss.
Alcohol consumption.
❣️Book Safety & Content
Cheating/Other Person Drama/Sharing: They try to have a treesome with a girl there’s kissing and groping nothing more happens because they feel their connection right there, when she asks them to kiss.
Third-Act Breakup: no
Role Dynamics: Strict roles
POV: 1st person (dual)
Format: Series
Ending: HFN
Angst Level: Low
Spice Level: Medium
Communication: Some miscommunication
Pining: Mild
MC:Stiles and McCormick 3.5⭐
If you’ve read the Scars and Stripes Trilogy, you already know Stiles and Mac — chaotic, loyal, traumatised, ridiculous, emotional idiots who somehow steal every scene they’re in. Seeing them finally get their own HEA made me feral. You could read this book alone, but trust me, read the trilogy first — it makes the stakes, the trauma, and the emotional payoff hit so much harder. And also… that trilogy is amazing ✨🫶🫠🥰
“You’re a fucking mess.”
He looks thrilled. “Am I your mess?”
My heart squeezes. “Hell yeah. All mine.”
Tropes & tags
🌭Best Friends to Lovers
🧶Double Bi-Awakening
🌭Forced Proximity
🧶Hurt/Comfort
🌭Amputee/PTSD
🧶Knitting Circle
🫶✨🙌All the Bitches cameos🙌
Micro tropes
Those damn boiled hot dogs
Secret cuddles with hot dog blankets
Ride or die
Pining but they don’t know it’s pining?
Watching porn together
Cosmo quizzes
First dates
Slutty knitting
Hotdoggin’ like really sausage on bun 👀
That’s the energy of this whole book: messy, loud, loyal, and full of ridiculous love.
This universe revolves around the Bitches With Stitches, a chaotic found-family of veterans who knit, bully each other affectionately, show up at your door at 3AM, and somehow hold each other together when the world feels unbearable. Stiles and Mac are right in the heart of it — Mac with his amputee trauma, Stiles with memory issues and violent night terrors — and their bonds with this group are everything.
“A brotherhood of broken men, but we help repair each other’s cracks and breaks. We put together the broken pieces and make each other whole again”
Their romance isn’t sudden — it’s just finally out in the open. They’ve spent four years sharing nightmares, sleeping under the same roof, doing grocery shopping like dates, and caring for each other so fiercely it hurts. Of course it was going to explode into love.
“With Stiles, I don’t have to be the best version of myself, but he makes me want to anyway because if I don’t have my shit together, I can’t help him be better.
I’m pretty sure he feels the same way about me.”
The UST is so thick you could cut it with a knife🥵🥵🥵their sexual discovery was as messy as they were, but I felt it should have more intimacy, more… I don’t even know how to describe what I expected. Hot yes, but too messy.
“Layers of tension float between us, so thick I can practically see them.”
It’s heart breaking at times, their ghosts and nightmares are so vivid, it hurts to read. These brave men suffer and come home with such heavy trauma…
“Sometimes at night when I find you in the kitchen on the floor, is this what you’re remembering?”
“Yeah,” I choke. “I can’t stand the quiet at night. I can hear them screaming, I can hear the scraping of metal and the blast. The ringing in my ears that lasted for weeks. I can smell it and feel the heat on my face again. It blocks out all of my senses and I get lost inside myself. Something about that cold, hard kitchen floor, so opposite from the hot desert sand, grounds me, brings me back to the present.”
His gaze drops to our joined hands, and he laces our fingers together. “Next time, I won’t pull you up off the floor so fast. I’ll just sit down there with you and hold your hand until it passes, until you can find your way back to me again.”
I lose the battle with my tears, and they fall hot down my cheeks. His promise—I hope that’s something he doesn’t forget. I need him to remember for next time.”
And then… the hot dogs. I adore these idiots, but if they don’t eat a salad soon I’m calling a cardiologist. The humour is OTT, juvenile, chaotic, and totally them — a golden retriever and a feral alley cat in love.
A word of thank yo Angela, thank for getting these two to open their eyes for each other ✨🫠
The Bitches™ show up constantly, loud, messy, supportive, full of hugs, sarcasm, and love. They’re the emotional backbone of everything. And Mandy… my soft angel. I love all these men, but he deserves his HEA yesterday. He’s always holding everyone else up, quietly soft and lonely, and I need him happy, loved, and protected.
This line sums up the book: chaotic, sweet, horny, tender, OTT, heart-breaking, and hilarious. A messy, emotional, utterly addictive 4-star read full of trauma, healing, UST, boiled hot dogs, found family, and two idiots finally realising they’re soulmates.
“Why did I never know about this? This is insane.”
“Isn’t it?” Mac hisses, his eyes rolling back in his head. “I love being gay with you.”
⚠️Author Content Warnings
This book deals with heavy sensitive topics like mental health and depression, low self-esteem, and healing after loss.
Death of side characters, vulgar language, disfigurement and amputation, anger, and self-hatred, and memory loss.
Alcohol consumption.
❣️Book Safety & Content
Cheating/Other Person Drama/Sharing: They try to have a treesome with a girl there’s kissing and groping nothing more happens because they feel their connection right there, when she asks them to kiss.
Third-Act Breakup: no
Role Dynamics: Strict roles
POV: 1st person (dual)
Format: Series
Ending: HFN
Angst Level: Low
Spice Level: Medium
Communication: Some miscommunication
Pining: Mild
February 13, 2025
I'm convinced Raquel Riley can't write a single bad story!!!
Her characters find a way into your heart!
I've been waiting for Stiles and Mccormick since book one of Scars And Stripes Trilogy!
2 veterans that found each other after serving. Both have struggles and demons, but they have each other's back no matter what! 4 years as best friends, and it takes one night to change the way one sees the other and the other to finally open his eyes to his feelings!
Trust me, this is a must-read that I would 6 stars if I could!
Her characters find a way into your heart!
I've been waiting for Stiles and Mccormick since book one of Scars And Stripes Trilogy!
2 veterans that found each other after serving. Both have struggles and demons, but they have each other's back no matter what! 4 years as best friends, and it takes one night to change the way one sees the other and the other to finally open his eyes to his feelings!
Trust me, this is a must-read that I would 6 stars if I could!
February 18, 2025
If you read the Scars & Stripes Series, without a doubt you’ve met Stiles & McCormick. These two goofballs have been the comic relief needed throughout the series. We all saw them coming together eventually. This was a super fast paced read, laughed my head off throughout the whole thing. Loved seeing all the b*tches as well! This is one friends to lovers, instalove-ish, forced proximity, one bed story. Oh and don’t forget the hot dogs- essential part of the story IYKYK 😂
March 6, 2025
Absolutely loved it!
This was so cute, sweet, spicy, and FUNNY!!! Best friends to lovers and found family are two of my favorite tropes. But what I enjoyed the most was the realistic portrayal of post military life - something that I as a veteran really appreciated. This was a fantastic book!!
This was so cute, sweet, spicy, and FUNNY!!! Best friends to lovers and found family are two of my favorite tropes. But what I enjoyed the most was the realistic portrayal of post military life - something that I as a veteran really appreciated. This was a fantastic book!!
February 20, 2025
A MM Friends to Lovers, Military Veterans Romance with Dual Bi-awakening (epitome of gay for eachother 😅), cute af, humorous with sweet, emotional moments & a heavy dose of Found Family goodness with badass men who knit!
I've loved McCormick & Stiles in the Star & Stripes trilogy, had been so excited for this story. That's not needed to read this, but you'll've lot of fun if you do as all the Bitches are here. I devoured my #ARC in around 5hrs. There were couple things I'd've liked more of!
McCormick has a loud personality, bit of an oddball, goes with the flow, talker & reliable. He's got a prosthetic leg & lives a chill life.
Stiles likes his quiet, he's a mechanic & in Motorcycle Club. He's funny, caring, loyal. He has short-term memory loss. S made us wait, guys!
They're vets in their mid-30s, both had experienced loss 🥺 & suffer from it's repercussion. Their friendship is so fun, OTT & cute. Eachother's Ride or Die! Then a failed hookup brings the secret/new desires to surface 😏. (I thank that girl!) S+M's bond is cute, romance taking its time, secrecy 😏😥, & "winging it" lol.
"I'm not me without him."
It's full of hot-dogs 😂, corny & gay jokes 😅 (hence why I said GFE). I'm just glad S thought that they're bi/pan as it would've irk-ed me. Their disabilities are shown with care. The spice gets hot later on 🥵. I did want a vers scene as M'd thought tho! We got an in-depth on M's trauma 😭💓, I'd've liked a similar scene for S too. Loved the ending. Excited for more in this series!
P.s. I'm a girl who's name ends in A. Ahhhh! (IYKYK)
Story Ratings:
POV: 1st person, Dual POV
1) Enjoyed? —> Sure, Fun! 5/5
2) The Characters: 5/5
3) Top feels: 😅😏🤭🥺😍😳😁😂🥳😆🥵😭🤨😯🥰
4) Steamy scenes: 2.5/5
5) Levels: Cute+Fun: 4.5/5
Angst: 2.25/5
Dark: 2/5 (past trauma)
6) Creativity + world: 4.6/5
7) Plot arc: (Friends to Lovers, OTT fun & cute) 4/5
8) Writing style + pace: 4.5/5
I've loved McCormick & Stiles in the Star & Stripes trilogy, had been so excited for this story. That's not needed to read this, but you'll've lot of fun if you do as all the Bitches are here. I devoured my #ARC in around 5hrs. There were couple things I'd've liked more of!
McCormick has a loud personality, bit of an oddball, goes with the flow, talker & reliable. He's got a prosthetic leg & lives a chill life.
Stiles likes his quiet, he's a mechanic & in Motorcycle Club. He's funny, caring, loyal. He has short-term memory loss. S made us wait, guys!
They're vets in their mid-30s, both had experienced loss 🥺 & suffer from it's repercussion. Their friendship is so fun, OTT & cute. Eachother's Ride or Die! Then a failed hookup brings the secret/new desires to surface 😏. (I thank that girl!) S+M's bond is cute, romance taking its time, secrecy 😏😥, & "winging it" lol.
"I'm not me without him."
It's full of hot-dogs 😂, corny & gay jokes 😅 (hence why I said GFE). I'm just glad S thought that they're bi/pan as it would've irk-ed me. Their disabilities are shown with care. The spice gets hot later on 🥵. I did want a vers scene as M'd thought tho! We got an in-depth on M's trauma 😭💓, I'd've liked a similar scene for S too. Loved the ending. Excited for more in this series!
P.s. I'm a girl who's name ends in A. Ahhhh! (IYKYK)
Story Ratings:
POV: 1st person, Dual POV
1) Enjoyed? —> Sure, Fun! 5/5
2) The Characters: 5/5
3) Top feels: 😅😏🤭🥺😍😳😁😂🥳😆🥵😭🤨😯🥰
4) Steamy scenes: 2.5/5
5) Levels: Cute+Fun: 4.5/5
Angst: 2.25/5
Dark: 2/5 (past trauma)
6) Creativity + world: 4.6/5
7) Plot arc: (Friends to Lovers, OTT fun & cute) 4/5
8) Writing style + pace: 4.5/5
January 19, 2026
4 stars
Hot Doggin’ is a raw, tender, and unexpectedly funny M/M romance that blends military trauma, found family, and slow‑burn longing into a story that hits straight in the chest. Raquel Riley takes two broken men—each carrying scars you can see and scars you can’t—and lets them stumble, swear, knit, and joke their way toward something that feels like healing.
McCormick and Stiles aren’t just best friends—they’re battle‑forged brothers who’ve survived the kind of horrors that don’t stay on the battlefield. Their trauma is handled with honesty and weight:
McCormick’s guilt, amputation, and nightly torment
Stiles’s memory loss and the constant fear of forgetting something important
The shared grief of losing a friend to suicide
These aren’t just backstory details—they shape every interaction, every moment of hesitation, every spark of hope.
The emotional core of the book is the messy, complicated shift from friendship to something deeper. McCormick has been quietly in love for years, burying it under loyalty and fear. Stiles, meanwhile, is convinced he’s straight… until one kiss shatters that certainty.
The tension is delicious:
Stiles trying to rationalize what he felt
McCormick trying not to hope
Both of them trying (and failing) not to make things weird
It’s awkward, heartfelt, and painfully real.
The Bitches With Stitches crew is exactly the kind of found family readers love—protective, chaotic, and fiercely loyal. They knit, they ride, they tease, they support. The juxtaposition of tough bikers and yarn crafts adds levity without ever undermining the emotional stakes.
What sets this book apart is how it treats trauma. Neither man is “fixed” by love. Instead:
They learn to communicate
They learn to lean on each other
They learn that vulnerability isn’t weakness
They learn that desire doesn’t have to fit a label
The double bi awakening is handled with nuance and humor, especially through Stiles’s internal monologue as he tries to make sense of wanting his best friend.
Humor That Balances the Darkness. For a book dealing with PTSD, disability, and survivor’s guilt, Hot Doggin’ is surprisingly funny. The hot dog jokes, the banter, the awkward flirting—they keep the story from sinking under its own emotional weight. It’s a perfect blend of hurt/comfort and laugh‑out‑loud moments.
Hot Doggin’ is a heartfelt, gritty, and deeply satisfying romance about two damaged men learning that love doesn’t have to be perfect to be real. It’s for readers who crave:
best friends to lovers
military trauma handled with care
disability representation
found family
slow‑burn tension with explosive payoff
tough men who knit and feel deeply
It’s tender, messy, sexy, and full of heart—an unforgettable start to the Bitches With Stitches series.
Hot Doggin’ is a raw, tender, and unexpectedly funny M/M romance that blends military trauma, found family, and slow‑burn longing into a story that hits straight in the chest. Raquel Riley takes two broken men—each carrying scars you can see and scars you can’t—and lets them stumble, swear, knit, and joke their way toward something that feels like healing.
McCormick and Stiles aren’t just best friends—they’re battle‑forged brothers who’ve survived the kind of horrors that don’t stay on the battlefield. Their trauma is handled with honesty and weight:
McCormick’s guilt, amputation, and nightly torment
Stiles’s memory loss and the constant fear of forgetting something important
The shared grief of losing a friend to suicide
These aren’t just backstory details—they shape every interaction, every moment of hesitation, every spark of hope.
The emotional core of the book is the messy, complicated shift from friendship to something deeper. McCormick has been quietly in love for years, burying it under loyalty and fear. Stiles, meanwhile, is convinced he’s straight… until one kiss shatters that certainty.
The tension is delicious:
Stiles trying to rationalize what he felt
McCormick trying not to hope
Both of them trying (and failing) not to make things weird
It’s awkward, heartfelt, and painfully real.
The Bitches With Stitches crew is exactly the kind of found family readers love—protective, chaotic, and fiercely loyal. They knit, they ride, they tease, they support. The juxtaposition of tough bikers and yarn crafts adds levity without ever undermining the emotional stakes.
What sets this book apart is how it treats trauma. Neither man is “fixed” by love. Instead:
They learn to communicate
They learn to lean on each other
They learn that vulnerability isn’t weakness
They learn that desire doesn’t have to fit a label
The double bi awakening is handled with nuance and humor, especially through Stiles’s internal monologue as he tries to make sense of wanting his best friend.
Humor That Balances the Darkness. For a book dealing with PTSD, disability, and survivor’s guilt, Hot Doggin’ is surprisingly funny. The hot dog jokes, the banter, the awkward flirting—they keep the story from sinking under its own emotional weight. It’s a perfect blend of hurt/comfort and laugh‑out‑loud moments.
Hot Doggin’ is a heartfelt, gritty, and deeply satisfying romance about two damaged men learning that love doesn’t have to be perfect to be real. It’s for readers who crave:
best friends to lovers
military trauma handled with care
disability representation
found family
slow‑burn tension with explosive payoff
tough men who knit and feel deeply
It’s tender, messy, sexy, and full of heart—an unforgettable start to the Bitches With Stitches series.
March 5, 2025
4 stars
Very very nice story about two best friends falling in love.
Both Stiles and McCormick are Veterans who got injured during their missions abroad. Stiles lost his short term memory, while Mac lost his leg. They met during their recovery, 4 years before the start of the story, and became the best friends ever.
I really really loved their dynamic: they help, support, complement, understand each other, they're act like idiots sometimes, but their love runs deep. They are well aware of one another's struggles and they do everything they can to ease their own internal demons.
Mac is easygoing and loud, he wears his heart on his sleeves, but he's also been burned by too many rejections and he feels lonely.
Stiles is more successful with women, but the everyday life is harder for him, since he often forgets important dates, appointments and such and he gets frustrated because of that.
During one attempt to help Mac get laid, Stiles agrees to a threesome that will fail but that also will open his eyes about his best friend.
Their bi (or pan) awakening is a mess just like them, but even if they often put the physical part off because they get sidetracked and because they take their time figuring things out, they're still very close emotionally.
I adored that they could go from being very romantic to arguing over how many hot dogs to buy. They were maybe too codependent, but they never let outside noises get in the middle of their relationship.
What prevented me from giving a higher rate:
Sometimes it felt like both Stiles and Mac had a bit too much of going back and forth.
I know that some of the Bitches are MCs in the author's previous books, but I haven't read them yet and I struggled a little with keeping up with their stories.
The found family is amazing and one particular scene had me in tears. Next book will be Jax and Pharo and I'm surely going to read it.
Very very nice story about two best friends falling in love.
Both Stiles and McCormick are Veterans who got injured during their missions abroad. Stiles lost his short term memory, while Mac lost his leg. They met during their recovery, 4 years before the start of the story, and became the best friends ever.
I really really loved their dynamic: they help, support, complement, understand each other, they're act like idiots sometimes, but their love runs deep. They are well aware of one another's struggles and they do everything they can to ease their own internal demons.
Mac is easygoing and loud, he wears his heart on his sleeves, but he's also been burned by too many rejections and he feels lonely.
Stiles is more successful with women, but the everyday life is harder for him, since he often forgets important dates, appointments and such and he gets frustrated because of that.
During one attempt to help Mac get laid, Stiles agrees to a threesome that will fail but that also will open his eyes about his best friend.
Their bi (or pan) awakening is a mess just like them, but even if they often put the physical part off because they get sidetracked and because they take their time figuring things out, they're still very close emotionally.
I adored that they could go from being very romantic to arguing over how many hot dogs to buy. They were maybe too codependent, but they never let outside noises get in the middle of their relationship.
What prevented me from giving a higher rate:
Sometimes it felt like both Stiles and Mac had a bit too much of going back and forth.
I know that some of the Bitches are MCs in the author's previous books, but I haven't read them yet and I struggled a little with keeping up with their stories.
The found family is amazing and one particular scene had me in tears. Next book will be Jax and Pharo and I'm surely going to read it.
February 14, 2025
Raquel Riley never misses. Hot Doggin’ is everything I love in a romance—deeply emotional, laugh out loud funny, incredibly tender, and, of course, HOT. As a veteran, I deeply appreciate how she portrays the reality of life after the military—PTSD, isolation, grief, and the struggle to find a new sense of purpose—all with such care, respect, and authenticity.
Stiles and Mac’s friendship is the heart of this book, and watching them navigate their feelings while leaning on each other through their trauma was absolutely beautiful. Their love and support for one another, the way they just got each other, made their transition from best friends to lovers feel so natural and deeply satisfying. And the double bi awakening? Chef’s kiss. 😘
Beyond the emotional depth, this book is hilarious. The hot dog jokes? The chaotic, lovable found family? The motorcycle club + knitting combo? Perfection. And let’s not forget the spice, which is absolutely 🔥🔥🔥. Riley delivers it all—angst, humor, steam, and so much heart. I am so glad she extended the Bitches With Stitches/BALLS universe because they are so good and I always want more.
This series is already shaping up to be SO good, and I cannot wait for more. I am so excited for Jax and also Tex to get their own stories.
If you love best friends to lovers, hurt/comfort, MM military romance, or just two awesome men who knit, you need this book in your life!
Thank you to Raquel Riley for the eARC of this book.
Stiles and Mac’s friendship is the heart of this book, and watching them navigate their feelings while leaning on each other through their trauma was absolutely beautiful. Their love and support for one another, the way they just got each other, made their transition from best friends to lovers feel so natural and deeply satisfying. And the double bi awakening? Chef’s kiss. 😘
Beyond the emotional depth, this book is hilarious. The hot dog jokes? The chaotic, lovable found family? The motorcycle club + knitting combo? Perfection. And let’s not forget the spice, which is absolutely 🔥🔥🔥. Riley delivers it all—angst, humor, steam, and so much heart. I am so glad she extended the Bitches With Stitches/BALLS universe because they are so good and I always want more.
This series is already shaping up to be SO good, and I cannot wait for more. I am so excited for Jax and also Tex to get their own stories.
If you love best friends to lovers, hurt/comfort, MM military romance, or just two awesome men who knit, you need this book in your life!
Thank you to Raquel Riley for the eARC of this book.
February 15, 2025
4.5 stars
I'll never get enough of the B*tches! They're always good for a laugh and a swoon! Stiles and McCormick did not disappoint. Together, they're were just cute and sweet, hilarious, and hot in some strange ways lol! I loved their journey from finding their way from best friends to lovers, I enjoyed every minute of it! Always have to throw a shout out to my favorite B*tch, Mandy, he melts my heart. Great addition to this world Raquel created, it's truly spectacular! Can't wait for Jax and Pharo's book next!
I'll never get enough of the B*tches! They're always good for a laugh and a swoon! Stiles and McCormick did not disappoint. Together, they're were just cute and sweet, hilarious, and hot in some strange ways lol! I loved their journey from finding their way from best friends to lovers, I enjoyed every minute of it! Always have to throw a shout out to my favorite B*tch, Mandy, he melts my heart. Great addition to this world Raquel created, it's truly spectacular! Can't wait for Jax and Pharo's book next!
May 26, 2025
I can’t get enough of the Bitches! 🧶 This friends-to-lovers book had so many hilarious laugh-out-loud moments between Stiles and McCormick as they figure things out!
This book starts out differently than the first three. We get flashbacks into their traumatic pasts, but we aren’t starting at the beginning with them. My heart was full of the moments, whether it’s an emotional code black and they all come together to support each other as they relive their worst day or the laugh-out-loud moments of all the found family Bitches! Can’t wait for Pharo and Jax’s book next!
This book starts out differently than the first three. We get flashbacks into their traumatic pasts, but we aren’t starting at the beginning with them. My heart was full of the moments, whether it’s an emotional code black and they all come together to support each other as they relive their worst day or the laugh-out-loud moments of all the found family Bitches! Can’t wait for Pharo and Jax’s book next!
February 17, 2025
I received an E-book ARC edition of this novel in exchange for an honest review. It will be available Feb 20th on Amazon & Kindle Unlimited: https://www.amzn.com/B0DJZMST2F
Signed copies and other merch can be found on Raquel's website:
raquelriley.com/shop/ols/products/xn-...
--…we're not just warriors-we're healers, knitting together the loose ends of our lives.--
This fast-paced 224-page bi-awakening, Friends-to-Lovers MM Romance, will have you laughing out loud from page one, while also showing that even though physical and mental scars are always present, they can also show a persons strength. Written in an alternating chapter duel POV , this novel picks up after the SCARS & STRIPES Series. I recommend you read those 3 books first as they do set the foundation for all the characters. You won’t regret it!
--Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? WTF?--
I am very tempted to just throw random quotes at you, out of order from the book, let you spin thru them and call it a f*cking day and let that be my review. I have so many highlights and notes; Raquel really outdid herself. It keeps with the theme of the OG series of a group of guys after they leave the Military (almost all), but this sequel series follows the guys that are already established within the group. This edition was far more humorous and less devastating than the prior 3 books, though there are some dark moments (PLEASE SEE TRIGGER WARNINGS).
--I’m done destroying things. It solves nothing and only destroys the destroyer.--
Raquel writes in a way that even if you didn’t read the previous installments or if you have the memory of a golden fish (raises hand), you won’t miss a detail as she gives you what’s important to each character whether MCs or Ensemble.
--…I don’t have to be the best version of myself, but he makes me want to anyway because if I don’t have my sh!t together, I can’t help him be better.--
Stiles and McCormack (Mac) are stuck at the hip, trauma besties that lean on each other in every aspect. Stiles supports Mac with his amputee, the struggles of his flashbacks, and his unfortunate touched-starved dating life. Mac helps Stiles with his short-term memory loss, which is an emotional struggle for both of them. After 4 years of friendship and Bitches With Stitches group sessions at BALLS, they know almost everything about each other. ALMOST…
--“Ride or Die.” That was our pact. We ride together, we die together, and generally annoy the f*ck out of each other on the days in between.--
After Stiles has to moved out of his apt temporarily, Mac takes him to his place. Instigated forced proximity and OMG, only one bed with WHATEVER vibes, they figure out their very close friendship could be more. Their trajectory takes them thru phases from joking, messing around and denial, to admitting to themselves their feelings are more than they were expecting. Along the way, antics ensue from haircuts (Glinda Hair Toss Toss), food tours (2nd Breakfasts LOTRs Style), and of course A LOT of hot dogs, in and out of the bedroom. Their chemistry is as crazy as their individual personalities but the way that they care for each other in life whether they are in a good headspace or in a fetal position on the floor shows that no matter how many knots are in their knitting yarn, they always help each other get untangled.
--cockblocked by a b!tch. Go figure.--
The spice was a journey!!! 4/5🌶! The tension they exude is as THICK as … well, you’ll find out. There were a lot of surprises I was not expecting at all, especially one of the early scenes!!! Raquel didn’t lose their banter and I found myself laughing or gagged even during these fun moments.
--I’ve said it before… This circle, these men, are healers. They may not look like it, but they can reach inside you, and find the very thing that hurts the most, and beat it into submission. They can hold your hand while you cry about it. And they can help you dry your tears and remind you that you’re loved.--
The Backstreet Boys have nothing on this group of guys! The ensemble is as chaotic as ever if not more, from Nash obsessing over the health of his plant, to Mandy needing panty hose that no one wants to know why and making Arts n Craft glitter bombs. Throw in some good ribbing, innuendos, and dark humor to fight their traumatizing pasts. The next two books were heavily teased with character development and details. And at the end of this novel, the titles are revealed!
--I love BALLS. I eat, sleep, and breathe BALLS.--
I really love this BALLS to the wall world Raquel has created with as much realistic detail as possible about military trauma. She not only knows how to break a readers heart but she knits it back together before the end. The emotions conveyed feel real. That’s hard to do when writing about men showing weakness and getting it right. I have a feeling the next book is gonna up the anty and I can’t wait!
💜Happy Reading 🫶
**Personal note: my 25th book and 10th ARC of 2025 (Feb 16th).
Signed copies and other merch can be found on Raquel's website:
raquelriley.com/shop/ols/products/xn-...
--…we're not just warriors-we're healers, knitting together the loose ends of our lives.--
This fast-paced 224-page bi-awakening, Friends-to-Lovers MM Romance, will have you laughing out loud from page one, while also showing that even though physical and mental scars are always present, they can also show a persons strength. Written in an alternating chapter duel POV , this novel picks up after the SCARS & STRIPES Series. I recommend you read those 3 books first as they do set the foundation for all the characters. You won’t regret it!
--Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? WTF?--
I am very tempted to just throw random quotes at you, out of order from the book, let you spin thru them and call it a f*cking day and let that be my review. I have so many highlights and notes; Raquel really outdid herself. It keeps with the theme of the OG series of a group of guys after they leave the Military (almost all), but this sequel series follows the guys that are already established within the group. This edition was far more humorous and less devastating than the prior 3 books, though there are some dark moments (PLEASE SEE TRIGGER WARNINGS).
--I’m done destroying things. It solves nothing and only destroys the destroyer.--
Raquel writes in a way that even if you didn’t read the previous installments or if you have the memory of a golden fish (raises hand), you won’t miss a detail as she gives you what’s important to each character whether MCs or Ensemble.
--…I don’t have to be the best version of myself, but he makes me want to anyway because if I don’t have my sh!t together, I can’t help him be better.--
Stiles and McCormack (Mac) are stuck at the hip, trauma besties that lean on each other in every aspect. Stiles supports Mac with his amputee, the struggles of his flashbacks, and his unfortunate touched-starved dating life. Mac helps Stiles with his short-term memory loss, which is an emotional struggle for both of them. After 4 years of friendship and Bitches With Stitches group sessions at BALLS, they know almost everything about each other. ALMOST…
--“Ride or Die.” That was our pact. We ride together, we die together, and generally annoy the f*ck out of each other on the days in between.--
After Stiles has to moved out of his apt temporarily, Mac takes him to his place. Instigated forced proximity and OMG, only one bed with WHATEVER vibes, they figure out their very close friendship could be more. Their trajectory takes them thru phases from joking, messing around and denial, to admitting to themselves their feelings are more than they were expecting. Along the way, antics ensue from haircuts (Glinda Hair Toss Toss), food tours (2nd Breakfasts LOTRs Style), and of course A LOT of hot dogs, in and out of the bedroom. Their chemistry is as crazy as their individual personalities but the way that they care for each other in life whether they are in a good headspace or in a fetal position on the floor shows that no matter how many knots are in their knitting yarn, they always help each other get untangled.
--cockblocked by a b!tch. Go figure.--
The spice was a journey!!! 4/5🌶! The tension they exude is as THICK as … well, you’ll find out. There were a lot of surprises I was not expecting at all, especially one of the early scenes!!! Raquel didn’t lose their banter and I found myself laughing or gagged even during these fun moments.
--I’ve said it before… This circle, these men, are healers. They may not look like it, but they can reach inside you, and find the very thing that hurts the most, and beat it into submission. They can hold your hand while you cry about it. And they can help you dry your tears and remind you that you’re loved.--
The Backstreet Boys have nothing on this group of guys! The ensemble is as chaotic as ever if not more, from Nash obsessing over the health of his plant, to Mandy needing panty hose that no one wants to know why and making Arts n Craft glitter bombs. Throw in some good ribbing, innuendos, and dark humor to fight their traumatizing pasts. The next two books were heavily teased with character development and details. And at the end of this novel, the titles are revealed!
--I love BALLS. I eat, sleep, and breathe BALLS.--
I really love this BALLS to the wall world Raquel has created with as much realistic detail as possible about military trauma. She not only knows how to break a readers heart but she knits it back together before the end. The emotions conveyed feel real. That’s hard to do when writing about men showing weakness and getting it right. I have a feeling the next book is gonna up the anty and I can’t wait!
💜Happy Reading 🫶
**Personal note: my 25th book and 10th ARC of 2025 (Feb 16th).
March 5, 2025
5⭐️
Man am I glad I picked this up!! Don’t let the title or cover dissuade you! These men were so unapologetically goofy and silly while also being the MOST supportive of each other and their group of Bitches. There are so many actual LOL moments in this book while also having such sweet and tender moments that had me kicking my feet cuz they were so dang cute while figuring out they were #endgoals! This being my first by Riley, I didn’t expect the depth of emotion that was so well intertwined within the story given the PTSD and grief these men deal with on a day to day basis. It definitely had me teary and made this story all the more beautiful for its ability to balance their silly and lovable personalities with the stark realities vets live with. This is my first by this author and now I wanna go back and read about the other Bitches in her Scars & Stripes series, though it looks like that will tend on the more serious side while this series is clearly giving us plenty of lolz. I’m so excited for the next couples that were teased. #BertandErnie had me cackling!! Read this folks!!! So unexpected and will absolutely stay with me for a while
Man am I glad I picked this up!! Don’t let the title or cover dissuade you! These men were so unapologetically goofy and silly while also being the MOST supportive of each other and their group of Bitches. There are so many actual LOL moments in this book while also having such sweet and tender moments that had me kicking my feet cuz they were so dang cute while figuring out they were #endgoals! This being my first by Riley, I didn’t expect the depth of emotion that was so well intertwined within the story given the PTSD and grief these men deal with on a day to day basis. It definitely had me teary and made this story all the more beautiful for its ability to balance their silly and lovable personalities with the stark realities vets live with. This is my first by this author and now I wanna go back and read about the other Bitches in her Scars & Stripes series, though it looks like that will tend on the more serious side while this series is clearly giving us plenty of lolz. I’m so excited for the next couples that were teased. #BertandErnie had me cackling!! Read this folks!!! So unexpected and will absolutely stay with me for a while
February 16, 2025
McCormick and Stiles ❤️
4.5 Stars ⭐️
Just when I think Raquel Riley cannot possibly outdo herself, she does it again!!
OMG!! These two were so freaking funny! From the corny a** hotdog puns and jokes to the best (straight) friends who happen to love each other obliviousness between the two, I couldn't get enough. Don't get me wrong with the Bitches group we always get some heavy but those times turned into something so sweet and heartwarming. Between the tenderness and care Mac and Stiles showed one another in those times to all of the guys and the no man left behind "Bitches" motto....a sloppy wet chef's kiss💋. There wasn't much of a relationship build because of the solid foundation already there but the navigation of the new normal was as fun as it was sweet and sexy. I absolutely recommend this book, I cannot wait for the next in this series...all of these guys are so unbelievably special!!
* I received an ARC, this is my open and honest review *
4.5 Stars ⭐️
Just when I think Raquel Riley cannot possibly outdo herself, she does it again!!
OMG!! These two were so freaking funny! From the corny a** hotdog puns and jokes to the best (straight) friends who happen to love each other obliviousness between the two, I couldn't get enough. Don't get me wrong with the Bitches group we always get some heavy but those times turned into something so sweet and heartwarming. Between the tenderness and care Mac and Stiles showed one another in those times to all of the guys and the no man left behind "Bitches" motto....a sloppy wet chef's kiss💋. There wasn't much of a relationship build because of the solid foundation already there but the navigation of the new normal was as fun as it was sweet and sexy. I absolutely recommend this book, I cannot wait for the next in this series...all of these guys are so unbelievably special!!
* I received an ARC, this is my open and honest review *
February 16, 2025
It’s a true gift to be able to write two characters with heavy histories and baggage into an amazingly fun and lighthearted read. These two goofballs are so cute and endearing, taking life one moment at a time. Never apologizing for being themselves and doing what they love. They have so many adorable quirks that make them, them.
Now their eye-opening scene… I loved that! I didn’t see it coming the way it did and wow, I just had to reread that straight away. So fun and so them, my clueless puppies.
The heavy moments don’t show the angst as heavy but shows the unwavering and unconditional love Stiles and McCormick share as well as the love from their found family. I just love these stories from our balls guys, our Bitches with Stitches. Some are heavy, they wear down your heart with the pain and hurt they go through, and some are lighter like this one. Making you laugh at their antics, feeling the love and teaching you family can be found anywhere.
Now their eye-opening scene… I loved that! I didn’t see it coming the way it did and wow, I just had to reread that straight away. So fun and so them, my clueless puppies.
The heavy moments don’t show the angst as heavy but shows the unwavering and unconditional love Stiles and McCormick share as well as the love from their found family. I just love these stories from our balls guys, our Bitches with Stitches. Some are heavy, they wear down your heart with the pain and hurt they go through, and some are lighter like this one. Making you laugh at their antics, feeling the love and teaching you family can be found anywhere.
February 23, 2025
This is Mac and Stiles' story.
The 2 were first introduced in the Stars and Stripes trilogy. Both are members of the Bitches With Stitches knitted circle.
Both class themselves as straight and we nearly have to suffer a MFM sexual encounter ( urgh!). The two quickly decide they would like to try to be with each other even if they have to take it slow to start with.
The 2 were first introduced in the Stars and Stripes trilogy. Both are members of the Bitches With Stitches knitted circle.
Both class themselves as straight and we nearly have to suffer a MFM sexual encounter ( urgh!). The two quickly decide they would like to try to be with each other even if they have to take it slow to start with.
February 18, 2025
Hot Doggin is the first book in the Bitches With Stitches series. Is the story of Stiles and Mac. These guys are so real that you forget you are reading a book. I loved this story so much because it had everything I look for in a romance, tender moments, humor, and steam. I would definitely recommend this book.
May 31, 2025
This was an entertaining read. It was very low angst and just a good friends to lovers book
March 1, 2025
4 stars A great book for the series.
Book one of the Bitches and Stitches Series with the knitting crew.
Stiles was a saviour of war which had left him with traumas which include memory loss. McCormack was his friend that had also suffered from the wars.
Ive been a fan of these guys in the Scars and Stripes series in which they were secondary characters. Now both guys get their story told.
These two bozos are great together as theyd bicker and banter yeah anyone would think there a couple. Lol
Getting fleas wasn't great but it gets them extra closer despite Stiles being straight. Each of the Bitches have their own baggage of war time which you get a small glimpse of in this in the discussion group.
Denial was the wise part as coming to terms of being Bi or Gay after being straight with all the emotions.
Book one of the Bitches and Stitches Series with the knitting crew.
Stiles was a saviour of war which had left him with traumas which include memory loss. McCormack was his friend that had also suffered from the wars.
Ive been a fan of these guys in the Scars and Stripes series in which they were secondary characters. Now both guys get their story told.
These two bozos are great together as theyd bicker and banter yeah anyone would think there a couple. Lol
Getting fleas wasn't great but it gets them extra closer despite Stiles being straight. Each of the Bitches have their own baggage of war time which you get a small glimpse of in this in the discussion group.
Denial was the wise part as coming to terms of being Bi or Gay after being straight with all the emotions.
April 6, 2025
Nobody told me we were finally getting the Bitches stories! I am so happy that we at last will get to hear the stories of these fantastic guys.
Mac and Stiles? I love them. Almost as much as West and Brandt. They just take such good care of each other. Stiles suffers short term memory loss and Mac always is supportive. He puts reminders everywhere and never ever loses his temper when Stiles forgets something he’s told him already.
And Mac. Poor sweet adorable Mac. He lost a leg and has severe PTSD. I just wanted to hug him. Stiles always takes care of him when he’s having an episode and finds himself on the kitchen floor trying to ground himself.
These men were perfect for each other. They complement each other. They complete each other. True ride or die.
It’s a GFY/BIFY story and they go slow.
Can’t wait for the next story.
No cheating
No real Other Person drama except they almost have a threesome with a woman near the beginning.
No break up.
Spice and love and fluff.
Mac and Stiles? I love them. Almost as much as West and Brandt. They just take such good care of each other. Stiles suffers short term memory loss and Mac always is supportive. He puts reminders everywhere and never ever loses his temper when Stiles forgets something he’s told him already.
And Mac. Poor sweet adorable Mac. He lost a leg and has severe PTSD. I just wanted to hug him. Stiles always takes care of him when he’s having an episode and finds himself on the kitchen floor trying to ground himself.
These men were perfect for each other. They complement each other. They complete each other. True ride or die.
It’s a GFY/BIFY story and they go slow.
Can’t wait for the next story.
No cheating
No real Other Person drama except they almost have a threesome with a woman near the beginning.
No break up.
Spice and love and fluff.
February 25, 2025
I guess this book is funny, but it definitely wasn’t for me. Best friends bi awakening is not my trope, this book proves that again.
And I really didn’t like the hotdog jokes and millions of mentions.
And I really didn’t like the hotdog jokes and millions of mentions.
April 27, 2025
Fucking hilarious, I loved it.
These two dumbasses share one (1) single braincell, and neither one of them has it.
These two dumbasses share one (1) single braincell, and neither one of them has it.
August 16, 2025
Raquel did it again! Bringing the laughter as well as the tears and the grateful heart with the spice! I love Mac and Stiles! They are just each other’s perfect partner!
Reading their story and getting to see some of our other boys just makes me want to reread them all again!
Loved it!
(I received an advanced reader copy of this book, it did not affect my opinion of this story)
Reading their story and getting to see some of our other boys just makes me want to reread them all again!
Loved it!
(I received an advanced reader copy of this book, it did not affect my opinion of this story)
February 26, 2025
Cute but it jumped so fast from let’s blow eachother to let’s buy a house but no one can know we’re gay
February 26, 2025
Reviewed for Love Bytes – 4.25 hearts.
Mac and Stiles are ex-Army veterans through injury, not age. Mac lost his leg, and Stiles has memory issues. When they met, a connection made them best friends among a brotherhood of similarly broken men who find therapy through knitting while they talk about their day-to-day activities. But should the status quo remain between Mac and Stiles, who firmly believe they are straight or is something brewing that will make that blip on the Kinsey scale work for them?
I was in two minds about whether to pick up this book for review. The reason is that the blurb reads rather depressing, but I am a sucker for friends-to-lovers stories. By the end, the story wasn’t as sad as it could have been. However, I remained unsure about what to write in this review. I will explain.
The story is very well-written in the first person, with alternating chapters from the viewpoints of Stiles and Mac. Worldbuilding revolves around their day-to-day activities and interactions with the public and other members of the veteran's group who are closer than brothers. It was interesting to see life from an alternative viewpoint. Still, I found it very sad that some members of the public looked at these heroic men and their disfigurements and saw something horrific instead of saying thank you for your service. The trauma of their active service was, quite rightly, hard to read, and I was frequently in tears throughout the story, though the camaraderie was heartwarming, which also made me cry. I especially enjoyed the Veteran’s Day food trail and the ‘we’ll drop anything and come when you need us’ side of the group.
Mac and Stiles are lovely people. There is lots of belching, down-to-earth conversation, and daily situations. The honesty between the men was an aspect that many relationships could learn from. The banter also brought a smile.
The nuts and bolts of my uncertainty are that I found Hot Doggin to be a thought-provoking story. It was a window into the life of a veteran that I appreciated and respected. It is also a view that I believe needs to be out there, and by the end of reading, I felt educated and more mindful of the people I encounter. The author has done a lot of research for this novel, which is admirable and hits the heartstrings big time. I reiterate that I cried a lot. But the story comes over like a bio-style novel, and I’d have preferred to smile more and cry less.
So, it all comes down to why you pick up a book. Is it to learn about the life of another, escape this world for a while, or something between the two with a percentage of realism to fantasy? While a chunk of the population is in the believable fantasy category, I am positive thousands reside in the realm of realism. These readers will most likely give Hot Doggin a deserved five hearts.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for
Love Bytes.
Mac and Stiles are ex-Army veterans through injury, not age. Mac lost his leg, and Stiles has memory issues. When they met, a connection made them best friends among a brotherhood of similarly broken men who find therapy through knitting while they talk about their day-to-day activities. But should the status quo remain between Mac and Stiles, who firmly believe they are straight or is something brewing that will make that blip on the Kinsey scale work for them?
I was in two minds about whether to pick up this book for review. The reason is that the blurb reads rather depressing, but I am a sucker for friends-to-lovers stories. By the end, the story wasn’t as sad as it could have been. However, I remained unsure about what to write in this review. I will explain.
The story is very well-written in the first person, with alternating chapters from the viewpoints of Stiles and Mac. Worldbuilding revolves around their day-to-day activities and interactions with the public and other members of the veteran's group who are closer than brothers. It was interesting to see life from an alternative viewpoint. Still, I found it very sad that some members of the public looked at these heroic men and their disfigurements and saw something horrific instead of saying thank you for your service. The trauma of their active service was, quite rightly, hard to read, and I was frequently in tears throughout the story, though the camaraderie was heartwarming, which also made me cry. I especially enjoyed the Veteran’s Day food trail and the ‘we’ll drop anything and come when you need us’ side of the group.
Mac and Stiles are lovely people. There is lots of belching, down-to-earth conversation, and daily situations. The honesty between the men was an aspect that many relationships could learn from. The banter also brought a smile.
The nuts and bolts of my uncertainty are that I found Hot Doggin to be a thought-provoking story. It was a window into the life of a veteran that I appreciated and respected. It is also a view that I believe needs to be out there, and by the end of reading, I felt educated and more mindful of the people I encounter. The author has done a lot of research for this novel, which is admirable and hits the heartstrings big time. I reiterate that I cried a lot. But the story comes over like a bio-style novel, and I’d have preferred to smile more and cry less.
So, it all comes down to why you pick up a book. Is it to learn about the life of another, escape this world for a while, or something between the two with a percentage of realism to fantasy? While a chunk of the population is in the believable fantasy category, I am positive thousands reside in the realm of realism. These readers will most likely give Hot Doggin a deserved five hearts.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for
Love Bytes.
February 16, 2025
Raquel Riley has easily become one of my favorite authors. I was completely drawn in to the Scars and Stripes series and when I found out that Bitches with Stitches were getting their own series, I was excited!
Raquel definitely did not let me down with this first book in the series. I love a good friends to lovers and this is easily one of my favorites. Stiles and McCormick are a great couple and my heart melts for them. The jokes and thoughts going through their head throughout the whole story made me so happy.
I really loved the discussions of PTSD and how real it all was for them. The PTSD did not take over the full story but definitely had a big impact. I felt that this story really showed how both of them struggled but were still there for each other. I loved hearing the different stories of the others in the Bitches with Stitches group.
I highly recommend this book. I loved all of joking around, the first person thoughts of both characters, and the spice was on point! I cannot wait for the other books in the series. I am beyond dedicated to the Bitches and will be waiting (Im)patiently for the next book in the series!
Raquel definitely did not let me down with this first book in the series. I love a good friends to lovers and this is easily one of my favorites. Stiles and McCormick are a great couple and my heart melts for them. The jokes and thoughts going through their head throughout the whole story made me so happy.
I really loved the discussions of PTSD and how real it all was for them. The PTSD did not take over the full story but definitely had a big impact. I felt that this story really showed how both of them struggled but were still there for each other. I loved hearing the different stories of the others in the Bitches with Stitches group.
I highly recommend this book. I loved all of joking around, the first person thoughts of both characters, and the spice was on point! I cannot wait for the other books in the series. I am beyond dedicated to the Bitches and will be waiting (Im)patiently for the next book in the series!
April 28, 2025
McCormick and Stiles, both haunted by their military pasts, rely on each other for comfort and support. McCormick struggles with the pain of loss, guilt, and loneliness, finding solace in his hobbies and his bond with Stiles. Meanwhile, Stiles grapples with memory loss and confusion about his feelings for McCormick after an unexpected kiss. Despite the complications, their deep connection hints at a unique relationship that could bring healing and hope, if they can navigate the challenges together.
I loved this story with the two complex men who were damaged after injuries sustained during their time fighting for their country. Best friends and a source of support for each other their relationship had changed into love and physical attraction but they realised it at different times. Some humorous moments - just look out for a YouTube video. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.
I loved this story with the two complex men who were damaged after injuries sustained during their time fighting for their country. Best friends and a source of support for each other their relationship had changed into love and physical attraction but they realised it at different times. Some humorous moments - just look out for a YouTube video. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.
February 26, 2025
LAUGHED, CRIED, FELL IN LOVE
BITCHES WITH STITCHES Book #1. The Veteran support group that Knits is a wild dependable group of broken men. Just because you made it back doesn't mean you're free and clear. Some things can't be left behind. RAQUEL RILEY gives all she has to these men. The horror of the cost of freedom. Stiles and McCormack are best friends and as different as night and day. Stiles is the quiet one. Mac continues to see the good in everything. Together they are unstoppable. This made me laugh out loud and cry tears of pain. It's a gripping story that makes you want to make a difference. I HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!
BITCHES WITH STITCHES Book #1. The Veteran support group that Knits is a wild dependable group of broken men. Just because you made it back doesn't mean you're free and clear. Some things can't be left behind. RAQUEL RILEY gives all she has to these men. The horror of the cost of freedom. Stiles and McCormack are best friends and as different as night and day. Stiles is the quiet one. Mac continues to see the good in everything. Together they are unstoppable. This made me laugh out loud and cry tears of pain. It's a gripping story that makes you want to make a difference. I HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!
March 3, 2025
Not sure how much praise I can possibly give through words just to show how hilariously entertaining McCormick was (Stiles added his dry humour, too). Although I can’t say I am entirely shocked by either one of their subliminal responses, what I am taken back by is that neither of them acted sooner, especially with Stiles irritation with women judging Mac.
These two together were the most interesting couple thus far. And I have to admit I was NOT expecting that bottom! But, even without their intimacy, just their dynamic was captivating enough to pique my interest. The fact Stiles was stupidly committed to Mac, regardless of his antics, shows how much loyalty he holds for him. And come on, fleas!?!?! 🤦🏽♀️
These two together were the most interesting couple thus far. And I have to admit I was NOT expecting that bottom! But, even without their intimacy, just their dynamic was captivating enough to pique my interest. The fact Stiles was stupidly committed to Mac, regardless of his antics, shows how much loyalty he holds for him. And come on, fleas!?!?! 🤦🏽♀️
February 19, 2025
A great start to a new spin-off series, I would definitely recommend reading the first series to get the full mindblowing effect of these MCs. This book, while dealing with the traumas both characters had suffered while serving, felt a lot lighter than the previous series. The knitting group is well established here and always prepared to dive in immediately to help any member who needs it. These MCs were adorably awkward, and though the humour wasn't my personal taste (and neither were the large quantities of boiled hotdogs), their growing relationship and casual double bi-awakening was really believable.
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