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Spiced!: A fun, heartwarming mm contemporary romance
A ferret, a beagle, and a boy walked into a bar...Adrian Voss has three great dancing, baking bread before sunrise, and orange Fanta.
He is not looking for a fourth.
He's especially not looking for it in the form of a broody veterinarian who says maybe four words per visit and somehow makes all of them count.
Brendan Davis reorganizes his sock drawer by color, and he talks to his ferret. He came to Barbacks exactly once and made the tactical error of watching Adrian dance. Now, he's driving across the county for bread he could buy anywhere and calling it "practical."
Their story starts with a beagle, a bar tab, and a number scrawled where a number should never go. Where it leads from there is between Adrian, Brendan, and an entire found family that absolutely refuses to mind its own business.
Some things you have to read to believe.
The ferret, for the record, approves.
Spiced! is a low-angst MM romantic comedy with a guaranteed HEA, a scene-stealing beagle, and more Tampa Bay charm than any reasonable bar should contain.
Best read with a snack.
Readers who love opposites-attract chemistry will find a lot to enjoy here, because Adrian and Brendan could not be more different and somehow could not fit together better. This is a grumpy-meets-sunshine romance built on a slow burn that always lands somewhere soft, and it leans hard into the kind of found family that has absolutely no intention of minding its own business. If you enjoy stories about small-business dreams, big Florida hearts, and a gentle age-gap warmth between two people who each fall in their own quiet way, you will feel right at home at Barbacks. Both leads are written with genuine care, and the supporting cast, from the meddling bartender to the literary bouncer to a hockey team that cannot be trusted at private parties, gives the whole book its heartbeat.
If you love the comfort-read magic that Casey Morales is known for, the warm chaos of a well-run gay bar, and MM romantic comedies where nobody dies, nobody cheats, and the biggest crisis of the week is a heated debate about a cocktail garnish, then the Barbacks series is about to become your new safe place to land. These are books you can sink into after a long day, knowing you are in good hands and headed somewhere happy.
Spiced! will especially appeal to readers who enjoy low-angst MM romance, contemporary gay romance, and romantic comedy with real heat behind the humor. It is a natural fit for anyone who loves animal-loving heroes, foodie romance full of fresh bread and good drinks, and slow-burn love stories set in vibrant, real-feeling communities that stay with you after the last page.
He is not looking for a fourth.
He's especially not looking for it in the form of a broody veterinarian who says maybe four words per visit and somehow makes all of them count.
Brendan Davis reorganizes his sock drawer by color, and he talks to his ferret. He came to Barbacks exactly once and made the tactical error of watching Adrian dance. Now, he's driving across the county for bread he could buy anywhere and calling it "practical."
Their story starts with a beagle, a bar tab, and a number scrawled where a number should never go. Where it leads from there is between Adrian, Brendan, and an entire found family that absolutely refuses to mind its own business.
Some things you have to read to believe.
The ferret, for the record, approves.
Spiced! is a low-angst MM romantic comedy with a guaranteed HEA, a scene-stealing beagle, and more Tampa Bay charm than any reasonable bar should contain.
Best read with a snack.
Readers who love opposites-attract chemistry will find a lot to enjoy here, because Adrian and Brendan could not be more different and somehow could not fit together better. This is a grumpy-meets-sunshine romance built on a slow burn that always lands somewhere soft, and it leans hard into the kind of found family that has absolutely no intention of minding its own business. If you enjoy stories about small-business dreams, big Florida hearts, and a gentle age-gap warmth between two people who each fall in their own quiet way, you will feel right at home at Barbacks. Both leads are written with genuine care, and the supporting cast, from the meddling bartender to the literary bouncer to a hockey team that cannot be trusted at private parties, gives the whole book its heartbeat.
If you love the comfort-read magic that Casey Morales is known for, the warm chaos of a well-run gay bar, and MM romantic comedies where nobody dies, nobody cheats, and the biggest crisis of the week is a heated debate about a cocktail garnish, then the Barbacks series is about to become your new safe place to land. These are books you can sink into after a long day, knowing you are in good hands and headed somewhere happy.
Spiced! will especially appeal to readers who enjoy low-angst MM romance, contemporary gay romance, and romantic comedy with real heat behind the humor. It is a natural fit for anyone who loves animal-loving heroes, foodie romance full of fresh bread and good drinks, and slow-burn love stories set in vibrant, real-feeling communities that stay with you after the last page.
- GenresRomance
548 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 24, 2026
About the author
Casey Morales
56 books474 followersCasey Morales is an LGBT storyteller and the author of multiple bestselling MM romance novels. Born in the Southern United States, Casey is an avid tennis player, aspiring chef, dog lover, and ravenous consumer of gummy bears.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Spiced by Casey Morales is the 4th book in his Barbacks series. I would suggest that you read the others first to understand the characters that appear in this one and how the bar came to be. This is the story of a quiet veterinarian and a baker/bar dancer who feels like no one has seen the real person he is, how they meet and interact together and then find love. Adrian Voss is a bread baker by early day – like 4:00 in the morning – and a barroom dancer at Barbacks, an LGTBQ+ friendly bar, on Friday and Saturday nights. He lives in Tampa and was raised by his abuela after his mother returned to her home country, 3 islands away, when he was 8 and has always felt like he was left behind. As he grew, he felt like he always had to be delightful and good enough so no one will ever leave him again, and because of this he always has a bag packed in case he has to go. Brendan Davis is a vet with a wonderful group of people who work for him and know him so well they are like family to him. He lives alone with his succulent, Gerald, and his ferret, Puck, who both seem to understand him and react to whatever he is doing, although Gerald is quiet about it. His brother Alan also seems to know what he is thinking and doing with frightening accuracy and calls him out often. Since he keeps to himself, he told him he needed to go out to a nearby bar called Barbacks for an evening and try to meet people. So he goes and is intrigued by the dancer he sees on the bar who turns out to be Adrian. Then Adrian adopts a beagle puppy who he calls Mofongo and when he sneezes all the time, he takes him to see Brendan. He recognizes him as the dancer and they talk while he’s looking the puppy over and says he needs to bring him in 3 weeks from then. He then returns to Barbacks the next Saturday night, sitting in the same booth, and watches Adrian dance. They start texting, first about the dog, and then about what they are doing and other things happening in their lives. Of course, the guys who work at the bar including Benji, Jacks, Rod, and Finn and Brendan’s office workers and his best friend Tasha are all over both of them wanting to know everything that is going on and while they try to keep quiet about their growing attraction but it seems like everyone else knows more than they do and they egg them on in some very funny conversations. There is also a tapir at the local zoo that is having some issues and the zoo vet called on Brendan for help and that shows up from time to time in their discussions and Adrian actually has some good insights that help Brendan figure out what is going on. They then go on some dates at their apartments with Mofongo and Puck meeting and making their “comments” about what is happening and soon kiss which eventually leads to some very hot love scenes. It’s always in the back of Adrian’s mind that Brendan will eventually leave and he doesn’t want to get his heart broken and Brendan is unsure of what is happening because he’s always been a bit closed off, but he sees the real Adrian behind his façade and likes who he is and wants to be with him. Eventually Adrian tells him about his childhood and what happened with his mother, something he hasn’t done with many people, and Brendan tells him he’s been paying attention to all he does and sees the real person he is, not just the baker or the dancer. A 5 year celebration for the bar is coming up and everyone pitches in with ideas about what to do for it and Adrian has a Community Dance Collective dance he’s doing that no one knows about until Benji finds out and everyone shows up for it. Brendan also comes and is amazed by it and then is in the front row for his performance at the celebration which leads to them saying I love you and both of them saying they want to be in each other’s lives always. I really enjoyed this book. Adrian is such a sweet guy with lots of baggage in his past but he forges on. He loves his work as a bread baker at Panaderia Carmen and also loves to dance on the bar at Barbacks. He hasn’t had a long-term relationship and thinks that maybe that might not ever happen to him but Brendan is different. He is a great vet and very methodical about looking for answers to problems, especially with the tapir and then with Adrian. He notices things all around him and he sees the real Adrian and what he sees he likes. He’s surprised when they keep being together but that only makes him want him more. And once Adrian lets him in, it was easy for them to fall in love. The other workers at Barbacks and the vet office really add to the story as they keep trying to guess what is happening with them and doing some really crazy things. And it was really funny that everyone around them knew exactly what was happening even though they never told anyone. There is also a hilarious scene with one of the hockey players that frequents the bar that had me laughing out loud during the entire chapter and Puck and Mofongo often steal the show. I highly recommend this book, especially if you like heartwarming stories about a man who dances at a bar and is uncertain about whether he will find love, a vet who stays mostly to himself until seeing him dance, and how they slowly open up to each other and find love.
September 30, 2026
Shall we start with the good first?
I was brutally honest in my review of Whipped! and made it very clear that more editing was drastically needed. More as in it read like none had happened. Barbacks’ story and beloved staff, friends, and family deserved a higher level of attention. I asked Casey to do better. He did. He did and I am very pleased.
This book made me swoon, made me laugh (everyone’s looking at you, Ty) and felt like a warm hug. Casey has developed such unique characters, and I look forward to each time that I get to step into this world to see them. I need a Benji in my life!
Adrian and Brendan’s relationship developed at an authentic pace. Puck and Mofongo added just the right amount of levity. The supporting characters all served a purpose and were amazingly supportive. Any time you send me to a zoo, I’m going to love you for it!
That said, there were just enough glitches in the Matrix to stop me from giving this book five stars. The list isn’t nearly as long as the last book and did not create plot holes. Just enough to make me pause, wonder if I read it right, and go back a couple paragraphs.
• Character sits on a bar stool. Next sentence, he is at a booth.
• What characters are wearing on their date was described but later what they are removing (teehee) are completely different clothing items.
• Pretty sure the nice blue shirt was ripped off but then later was worn again. Great tailor, perhaps?
• Readers know not to poke at a timeline. I’ll let the five-year anniversary happen with just a slight hesitation.
Perfection? No. But another great installment in the series.
I was brutally honest in my review of Whipped! and made it very clear that more editing was drastically needed. More as in it read like none had happened. Barbacks’ story and beloved staff, friends, and family deserved a higher level of attention. I asked Casey to do better. He did. He did and I am very pleased.
This book made me swoon, made me laugh (everyone’s looking at you, Ty) and felt like a warm hug. Casey has developed such unique characters, and I look forward to each time that I get to step into this world to see them. I need a Benji in my life!
Adrian and Brendan’s relationship developed at an authentic pace. Puck and Mofongo added just the right amount of levity. The supporting characters all served a purpose and were amazingly supportive. Any time you send me to a zoo, I’m going to love you for it!
That said, there were just enough glitches in the Matrix to stop me from giving this book five stars. The list isn’t nearly as long as the last book and did not create plot holes. Just enough to make me pause, wonder if I read it right, and go back a couple paragraphs.
• Character sits on a bar stool. Next sentence, he is at a booth.
• What characters are wearing on their date was described but later what they are removing (teehee) are completely different clothing items.
• Pretty sure the nice blue shirt was ripped off but then later was worn again. Great tailor, perhaps?
• Readers know not to poke at a timeline. I’ll let the five-year anniversary happen with just a slight hesitation.
Perfection? No. But another great installment in the series.
September 28, 2026
'Spiced' ('Barbacks' series, Book 4) (Kindle)
by Casey Morales
September 2026
First: I want to say how much I love this fun series!
Second: do yourself a great big favor and start reading the series with Book 1, so you get to know and understand all the diverse characters that show up in this one, since they are all a part of this unusual bar scenario. Find out how, and with who, the bar was created. Plus the other storylines can get quite hilarious at times, balanced by...you know, some emotional angst and (OMG)...someone's catching feelings!
Great plot featuring a talented baker by day/exotic dancer by night, Adrian. Also featuring small animal veterinarian, Brendan, who also consults with the local zoo. Welp, right now he's got a tricky case on hand that no one at the zoo has been able to figure out: what's wrong with their female tapir, who's having some mysterious kinds of "episodes"?
Loved this storyline, especially all the interactions with the other bar guys, and the hockey team. Chaos ensues!
The whole lot of them each had distinctive personalities which makes for some really hilarious moments in the bar. Check out their 5th anniversary celebration, the private one before they had their public one later in the week; I was laughing so hard I was weeping! So my joy is given off by these characters!
NOTE: (rant) about this cover: it sucks!
(and not in a good way!)
What the hell happened? All the other covers are cheeky fun & flirty & fabulous and really well done! Not so with this one; it does this book no favors!
The model that is supposed to rep Adrian, the sizzling hot Puerto Rican exotic dancer? He actually looks miserable and constipated, not to mention photo-shopped within an inch of his life. (Ugh!)
Well, hell! Now I'm embarrassed that I ranted on about the cover on THIS book, and another reviewer made a case for ALL the covers being done by AI. But I actually liked the other covers; sometimes I can tell the difference if artwork is done using Al, but sometimes I can't. And I just fell flat on my face after ranting about this cover...OOPS!
...good thing I'm barefoot, since I just put my foot in my mouth!
Okey-dokey, back to the rest of the review.
This turned out to be my favorite book so far! Various plot lines to follow including what's happening with the condition of the tapir at the zoo? Brendan is mystified as are the caretakers at the zoo...but then he starts to get an inkling of what else to look for about her behavior, after Adrian asks him a couple of insightful questions.
Brendan has a pet ferret, Puck, whom he carries on conversations with, sometimes asking for his advice; his behavior is very silly...so is the ferret's! (ha!)
Just wait til you find out what happens when Adrian's new beagle puppy meets Brendan's ferret! You're not gonna believe it!
Adrian is such a sweetheart and it hurt my heart to discover him feeling that somehow he's never going to be good enough for people to really love him enough to stay. His mom didn't. He was raised by his grandmother, his mother's mother. I can't recall what happened to his dad, but he's not in the picture.
So there is some angst going on amidst the sunshine that's usually happening with the Barback's crew, and between Adrian and Brendan, for various and sundry reasons.
This book blew my socks off...right out the window, where they'll probably get swept away along with all the hurricane activity here in the islands this summer/fall! Yowza!
Anyway, I digress...
Great book! Morales creates his characters with so much personality and they seem so real that I swear we could just walk into that bar in Tampa, Florida, and they'd all be right there hanging out, while Benji did his usual seemingly magical drink concoctions and creations; Rod would be in the kitchen cooking up drool-worthy foods; Mark (one of the owners) would be sitting at his usual booth with his laptop, running the bar info; Dante the bouncer would be planted on his stool by the door, one of his Russian literature classics to hand...
(and every once in a while Mark and Dante don't exactly glance the other's way... yep, not at all, lol).
Ex-football player, Jacks, would be running around doing his usual barbacks job while checking in with everyone to make sure they're ok, and Finn (the other owner) would be in and out of his office in the back, if he's not bar-tending along with Benji and also checking in with everyone else in his found family. Oh, and the hockey team, Tampa Bay Lightning, has discovered 'Barbacks' and is now part of their found family, especially one certain member of that family that caught the captain's eye!
If I've left out any characters, other than some of the guy's significant others, and also Adrian's Puerto Rican abuela (grandmother) and also his boss, plus Brendan's co-workers, just leaves more personalities for you-all to discover!
Seriously, read the other books in order so you'll have a more complete picture of all the wild & wacky stuff that goes on in this bar, not to mention some sweet & spicy gay love stories!
My favorite book in this series!
(I wish it was a real place I could go to and hang out sometimes!)
There's one more book after this, Mark's story! Can't hardly wait to read it!
Two thumbs up! 👍👍
by Casey Morales
September 2026
First: I want to say how much I love this fun series!
Second: do yourself a great big favor and start reading the series with Book 1, so you get to know and understand all the diverse characters that show up in this one, since they are all a part of this unusual bar scenario. Find out how, and with who, the bar was created. Plus the other storylines can get quite hilarious at times, balanced by...you know, some emotional angst and (OMG)...someone's catching feelings!
Great plot featuring a talented baker by day/exotic dancer by night, Adrian. Also featuring small animal veterinarian, Brendan, who also consults with the local zoo. Welp, right now he's got a tricky case on hand that no one at the zoo has been able to figure out: what's wrong with their female tapir, who's having some mysterious kinds of "episodes"?
Loved this storyline, especially all the interactions with the other bar guys, and the hockey team. Chaos ensues!
The whole lot of them each had distinctive personalities which makes for some really hilarious moments in the bar. Check out their 5th anniversary celebration, the private one before they had their public one later in the week; I was laughing so hard I was weeping! So my joy is given off by these characters!
NOTE: (rant) about this cover: it sucks!
(and not in a good way!)
What the hell happened? All the other covers are cheeky fun & flirty & fabulous and really well done! Not so with this one; it does this book no favors!
The model that is supposed to rep Adrian, the sizzling hot Puerto Rican exotic dancer? He actually looks miserable and constipated, not to mention photo-shopped within an inch of his life. (Ugh!)
Well, hell! Now I'm embarrassed that I ranted on about the cover on THIS book, and another reviewer made a case for ALL the covers being done by AI. But I actually liked the other covers; sometimes I can tell the difference if artwork is done using Al, but sometimes I can't. And I just fell flat on my face after ranting about this cover...OOPS!
...good thing I'm barefoot, since I just put my foot in my mouth!
Okey-dokey, back to the rest of the review.
This turned out to be my favorite book so far! Various plot lines to follow including what's happening with the condition of the tapir at the zoo? Brendan is mystified as are the caretakers at the zoo...but then he starts to get an inkling of what else to look for about her behavior, after Adrian asks him a couple of insightful questions.
Brendan has a pet ferret, Puck, whom he carries on conversations with, sometimes asking for his advice; his behavior is very silly...so is the ferret's! (ha!)
Just wait til you find out what happens when Adrian's new beagle puppy meets Brendan's ferret! You're not gonna believe it!
Adrian is such a sweetheart and it hurt my heart to discover him feeling that somehow he's never going to be good enough for people to really love him enough to stay. His mom didn't. He was raised by his grandmother, his mother's mother. I can't recall what happened to his dad, but he's not in the picture.
So there is some angst going on amidst the sunshine that's usually happening with the Barback's crew, and between Adrian and Brendan, for various and sundry reasons.
This book blew my socks off...right out the window, where they'll probably get swept away along with all the hurricane activity here in the islands this summer/fall! Yowza!
Anyway, I digress...
Great book! Morales creates his characters with so much personality and they seem so real that I swear we could just walk into that bar in Tampa, Florida, and they'd all be right there hanging out, while Benji did his usual seemingly magical drink concoctions and creations; Rod would be in the kitchen cooking up drool-worthy foods; Mark (one of the owners) would be sitting at his usual booth with his laptop, running the bar info; Dante the bouncer would be planted on his stool by the door, one of his Russian literature classics to hand...
(and every once in a while Mark and Dante don't exactly glance the other's way... yep, not at all, lol).
Ex-football player, Jacks, would be running around doing his usual barbacks job while checking in with everyone to make sure they're ok, and Finn (the other owner) would be in and out of his office in the back, if he's not bar-tending along with Benji and also checking in with everyone else in his found family. Oh, and the hockey team, Tampa Bay Lightning, has discovered 'Barbacks' and is now part of their found family, especially one certain member of that family that caught the captain's eye!
If I've left out any characters, other than some of the guy's significant others, and also Adrian's Puerto Rican abuela (grandmother) and also his boss, plus Brendan's co-workers, just leaves more personalities for you-all to discover!
Seriously, read the other books in order so you'll have a more complete picture of all the wild & wacky stuff that goes on in this bar, not to mention some sweet & spicy gay love stories!
My favorite book in this series!
(I wish it was a real place I could go to and hang out sometimes!)
There's one more book after this, Mark's story! Can't hardly wait to read it!
Two thumbs up! 👍👍
September 26, 2026
Barbacks is a gay sports bar in Ybor city, Tampa Florida. When Mark and Finn started Barbacks, they really weren’t sure it would work. Now five years down the road it is wildly successful thanks to their wonderful staff and the Game night adoption of the Tampa Bay Lightning Hockey Team. The captain of said team now married to Jacks, their Golden Retriever of a barback. To draw in the crowds when there were no games, Mark and Finn decided to hire a dancer. One that would dance on Saturday nights (and special occasions). On the bar top. In a speedo. Male of course, it’s a gay bar. Adrian Voss is Puerto Rican, has a fantastic physique which certainly helps when you’re wearing a speedo, and is more than your average go-go dancer. He also has serious abandonment issues since his mother went back to Puerto Rico when he was eight and left him behind.
Brendan Davis is a vet, a small animal clinic but he consults on cases for the zoo. He lives alone with a ferret and a cactus, both of whom he talks to too. His friend Peter, also and vet and married to Barbacks’ flamboyant flash bartender Benji, suggested to Brendan that he visit Barbacks on a Saturday night. He did and came back the next Saturday night, sat in a corner booth and left before Adrian’s last set was over.
So Adrian adopted a beagle puppy and took it to Brendan for a checkup. And Brendan gave Adrian his mobile number.
Not everything is smooth all the time, but it is a funny, contemporary romance. And as you can imagine the bridal party on girl’s last night out who somehow wandered into a gay bar but stayed for the dancer and the drinks and the great food. The evening was hysterical. The whole book gives you the warm fuzzies as has the series. Can’t wait for the next one, which will sadly be the last. Everyone needs a feel good ready and Casey Morales has really churned them out with this series. I received this ARC from GRR is return for an unbiased review
Brendan Davis is a vet, a small animal clinic but he consults on cases for the zoo. He lives alone with a ferret and a cactus, both of whom he talks to too. His friend Peter, also and vet and married to Barbacks’ flamboyant flash bartender Benji, suggested to Brendan that he visit Barbacks on a Saturday night. He did and came back the next Saturday night, sat in a corner booth and left before Adrian’s last set was over.
So Adrian adopted a beagle puppy and took it to Brendan for a checkup. And Brendan gave Adrian his mobile number.
Not everything is smooth all the time, but it is a funny, contemporary romance. And as you can imagine the bridal party on girl’s last night out who somehow wandered into a gay bar but stayed for the dancer and the drinks and the great food. The evening was hysterical. The whole book gives you the warm fuzzies as has the series. Can’t wait for the next one, which will sadly be the last. Everyone needs a feel good ready and Casey Morales has really churned them out with this series. I received this ARC from GRR is return for an unbiased review
September 25, 2026
A rollicking good tale from Barbacks!
The inimitable Casey Morales continues to create fascinating and authentic realms for his MM romances. His series now includes Nashville Spicy, Heartstrings of Honor, Of Crowns & Quills, Of Shadows & Secrets, Land of Jade & Fire, and now BARBACKS – a welcome step away from his historic war novels and visits into Asian realms, and focuses on fun, happiness, and light hearted romance!
Setting the tone of this delightful book, we meet Adrian: ‘The woman with the clipboard arrived at six-thirty. This was a problem for several reasons. First, my shift didn’t start until eight. Second, I was holding. A pastry box and had flour on my shirt. Third, and most importantly, she walked through the front door of Barbacks with the focused energy of a general who had studied the terrain, found it acceptable, and was now prepared to occupy it…’ And for more about Adrian, Casey offers a summary: ‘Adrian Voss has three great loves: dancing, baking bread before sunrise, and orange Fanta. He is not looking for a fourth. He's especially not looking for it in the form of a broody veterinarian who says maybe four words per visit and somehow makes all of them count. Brendan Davis reorganizes his sock drawer by color, and he talks to his ferret. He came to Barbacks exactly once and made the tactical error of watching Adrian dance. Now, he's driving across the county for bread he could buy anywhere and calling it "practical." Their story starts with a beagle, a bar tab, and a number scrawled where a number should never go. Where it leads from there is between Adrian, Brendan, and an entire found family that absolutely refuses to mind its own business. Some things you have to read to believe. The ferret, for the record, approves.’ A thoroughly enjoyable new novel that enhances Casey Morales’ stature!
The inimitable Casey Morales continues to create fascinating and authentic realms for his MM romances. His series now includes Nashville Spicy, Heartstrings of Honor, Of Crowns & Quills, Of Shadows & Secrets, Land of Jade & Fire, and now BARBACKS – a welcome step away from his historic war novels and visits into Asian realms, and focuses on fun, happiness, and light hearted romance!
Setting the tone of this delightful book, we meet Adrian: ‘The woman with the clipboard arrived at six-thirty. This was a problem for several reasons. First, my shift didn’t start until eight. Second, I was holding. A pastry box and had flour on my shirt. Third, and most importantly, she walked through the front door of Barbacks with the focused energy of a general who had studied the terrain, found it acceptable, and was now prepared to occupy it…’ And for more about Adrian, Casey offers a summary: ‘Adrian Voss has three great loves: dancing, baking bread before sunrise, and orange Fanta. He is not looking for a fourth. He's especially not looking for it in the form of a broody veterinarian who says maybe four words per visit and somehow makes all of them count. Brendan Davis reorganizes his sock drawer by color, and he talks to his ferret. He came to Barbacks exactly once and made the tactical error of watching Adrian dance. Now, he's driving across the county for bread he could buy anywhere and calling it "practical." Their story starts with a beagle, a bar tab, and a number scrawled where a number should never go. Where it leads from there is between Adrian, Brendan, and an entire found family that absolutely refuses to mind its own business. Some things you have to read to believe. The ferret, for the record, approves.’ A thoroughly enjoyable new novel that enhances Casey Morales’ stature!
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
Independent reviewer for BookSirens, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 4 in the Barbacks series, and I missed books 2 and 3. I loved book 1, though. I don't think I missed anything, by not reading 2 and 3, but I'd like to go back and read them, and I added them to my KU shelf!
What I loved most about this one, was how sweet it all was! Brendan and Adrian were perfect for each other, but total opposites and it takes time for them to realize everything is creeping up on them!
There is no third act breakup/make up and I loved that. I did think one was coming, and I was surprised that it didn't at the time, but now? Totally right for these two that there wasn't one.
It's sweet and little bit smexy. It's deeply emotional, for both Adrian and Brendan for very different reasons. It's funny in places, and I think I shed a tear or two in others. It really was a little bit of everything.
There are animals in this book! Brendan has a ferret, who has a lot to say, and Brendan talks a lot to Puck. Puck is his emotional support animal. there is also Gerald, the succulent. He doesn't say much but he is very judgmental of Brendan in places! I need to name my succulents, and have conversations with them, I really do. And then we have a beagle puppy called Mofongo, who sneezes a lot in answer to Adrian's talking to him. I loved these animals, and they made this book perfect.
I tagged this 4 stars at first, and I really do love it when a book talks itself into . . . .
5 full and shiny stars!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 4 in the Barbacks series, and I missed books 2 and 3. I loved book 1, though. I don't think I missed anything, by not reading 2 and 3, but I'd like to go back and read them, and I added them to my KU shelf!
What I loved most about this one, was how sweet it all was! Brendan and Adrian were perfect for each other, but total opposites and it takes time for them to realize everything is creeping up on them!
There is no third act breakup/make up and I loved that. I did think one was coming, and I was surprised that it didn't at the time, but now? Totally right for these two that there wasn't one.
It's sweet and little bit smexy. It's deeply emotional, for both Adrian and Brendan for very different reasons. It's funny in places, and I think I shed a tear or two in others. It really was a little bit of everything.
There are animals in this book! Brendan has a ferret, who has a lot to say, and Brendan talks a lot to Puck. Puck is his emotional support animal. there is also Gerald, the succulent. He doesn't say much but he is very judgmental of Brendan in places! I need to name my succulents, and have conversations with them, I really do. And then we have a beagle puppy called Mofongo, who sneezes a lot in answer to Adrian's talking to him. I loved these animals, and they made this book perfect.
I tagged this 4 stars at first, and I really do love it when a book talks itself into . . . .
5 full and shiny stars!
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
September 25, 2026
This book from beginning to end is pure joy! It opens with Adrian dancing for a bachelorette party at Barbacks and the gay bar is packed with women openly appreciating his speedo clad dancing skills. Each comment from Benji is better than the last with the regulars and the bridal party chipping in. It moves on to a visit to a vet, Brendan's office with one kooky pet to the next, followed up by a visit from his nagging brother. Brendan had seen the dirty dancing at Barbacks and became fascinated by Adrian cuz who wouldn't be. Adrian happens to bring his new puppy for sneezing and falls for the hot vet. See how this all connects- it's fate. This is the funnest, funniest love story ever and Casey made sure you laughed on every page. There's a ferret that dooks in the mix, everyone in the Barbacks crew contributes, the vet's staff chimes in and an abuela, all with snark, wit, sarcasm and so much humor and love. There's steam and caring and tenderness. I always love Casey's books but this one soars to the top of the list - I don't know how he does it, they just keep getting better and he has the magic pen to prove it.
September 26, 2026
I love Casey Morales, his books are fantastic! And this one wasn’t an exception. The only thing I dislike was the cover. I know they say to never judge a book by its cover, so I didn’t, I read it, enjoyed it, and simply ignored the cover! I think my favorite character was Puck, closely followed by Mofongo. I really loved how the pets, all of the, including the escapist 90 lbs capybara, were such an integral part of the story. That’s my favorite thing about Casey’s books: everything surrounding the characters gives the story depth, perspective, a unique flavor that only details can give, and they breathe life into the books, making them more relatable and tend to stick with you more, because you’ve had the privilege to enjoy a glimpse into a rich, unique, wonderful life, full of incredible characters that you wish you could befriend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
Sweet & Spicy
This fourth installment in the Barbacks series, centered on a gay sports bar, goes in a slightly different direction. There’s still a lovely slow burn romance. However, the action takes place away from the bar more often than not.
We still see Adrian interacting with the other staff at the bar (most of whom have had their stories told in previous books – all readable on their own), and dancing. We also see Adrian going in early to the panadería (bakery) where he works, giving the same attention and concentration to making conchas and other bread and pastries that he brings to his dancing at Barbacks.
Adrian is intrigued by a quiet man who comes to the bar, sitting at a booth away from the bar. Brendan, a veterinarian, is there on the recommendation of his friend and colleague, Peter. Brendan’s first visit to Barbacks coincides with the night a bridal party arrives for a bachelorette party that goes a bit off the rails.
Soon, Adrian shows up in Brendan’s office with his new puppy, a beagle mix he names Mofongo. Brendan lives a quiet life, going from work where he cares for a variety of animal patients, to home where he cares for his judgy pet ferret, Puck.
Adrian and Brendan cautiously circle around one another, gradually edging into a relationship, aided by an unusual veterinary consult from a zoo regarding a tapir showing sudden changes in behavior.
This is a sweet story, with dating, domestic scenes, and a quiet romance. These two men find joy in their different cultures – and in sharing those cultures with one another. If you’ve been reading the series, all your favorite characters are there in the background - and in a great anniversary party. The way Brendan and Adrian live parallel lives they have to work hard to make intersect is interesting to watch. No tears this time, just quiet satisfaction.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This fourth installment in the Barbacks series, centered on a gay sports bar, goes in a slightly different direction. There’s still a lovely slow burn romance. However, the action takes place away from the bar more often than not.
We still see Adrian interacting with the other staff at the bar (most of whom have had their stories told in previous books – all readable on their own), and dancing. We also see Adrian going in early to the panadería (bakery) where he works, giving the same attention and concentration to making conchas and other bread and pastries that he brings to his dancing at Barbacks.
Adrian is intrigued by a quiet man who comes to the bar, sitting at a booth away from the bar. Brendan, a veterinarian, is there on the recommendation of his friend and colleague, Peter. Brendan’s first visit to Barbacks coincides with the night a bridal party arrives for a bachelorette party that goes a bit off the rails.
Soon, Adrian shows up in Brendan’s office with his new puppy, a beagle mix he names Mofongo. Brendan lives a quiet life, going from work where he cares for a variety of animal patients, to home where he cares for his judgy pet ferret, Puck.
Adrian and Brendan cautiously circle around one another, gradually edging into a relationship, aided by an unusual veterinary consult from a zoo regarding a tapir showing sudden changes in behavior.
This is a sweet story, with dating, domestic scenes, and a quiet romance. These two men find joy in their different cultures – and in sharing those cultures with one another. If you’ve been reading the series, all your favorite characters are there in the background - and in a great anniversary party. The way Brendan and Adrian live parallel lives they have to work hard to make intersect is interesting to watch. No tears this time, just quiet satisfaction.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 10, 2026
An absolutely sweet romance that comes from a veterinarian and an overachieving baker/dancer
In this fourth book in the Barbacks series by the exceptionally talented author Casey Morales, a man hired to dance at the bar one night a week becomes the unexpected love interest of a lonely veterinarian. Adrian Voss is fueled by orange Fanta and dances with all his heart and soul at the gay bar. He is also a devoted family member who rises far too early to bake bread for a relative who owns a bakery. He loves baking, he loves dancing, and orange Fanta is his go-to drink.
Adrian is concerned about his new beagle, named after a Spanish dish, and brings the dog to the veterinary practice run by Brendon Davis. Dr. Davis is a highly organized veterinarian who specializes in small animals and has previously seen Adrian dance at Barbacks. The two men realize they have seen each other before, and a spark of something more begins to develop.
In true Casey Morales fashion, the story offers rich detail, emotionally nuanced portrayals of both men’s lives, and a world in which they are surrounded by people who care about them. The claim that this story contains little angst is entirely accurate. The pacing is well managed, and the details enrich the narrative. In one scene, the two men's pets meet, and both seem remarkably comfortable with each other, despite one being a dog and the other a ferret.
The story also features a veterinary mystery that the well-organized and detail-oriented Dr. Davis is asked to help solve at the local zoo. He does, even with distractions that both the men must endure. Their romance is sweet, simple, caring and seems perfect to last their lifetimes.
This is a delightful addition to the Barbacks series and leaves room for a fifth book.
In this fourth book in the Barbacks series by the exceptionally talented author Casey Morales, a man hired to dance at the bar one night a week becomes the unexpected love interest of a lonely veterinarian. Adrian Voss is fueled by orange Fanta and dances with all his heart and soul at the gay bar. He is also a devoted family member who rises far too early to bake bread for a relative who owns a bakery. He loves baking, he loves dancing, and orange Fanta is his go-to drink.
Adrian is concerned about his new beagle, named after a Spanish dish, and brings the dog to the veterinary practice run by Brendon Davis. Dr. Davis is a highly organized veterinarian who specializes in small animals and has previously seen Adrian dance at Barbacks. The two men realize they have seen each other before, and a spark of something more begins to develop.
In true Casey Morales fashion, the story offers rich detail, emotionally nuanced portrayals of both men’s lives, and a world in which they are surrounded by people who care about them. The claim that this story contains little angst is entirely accurate. The pacing is well managed, and the details enrich the narrative. In one scene, the two men's pets meet, and both seem remarkably comfortable with each other, despite one being a dog and the other a ferret.
The story also features a veterinary mystery that the well-organized and detail-oriented Dr. Davis is asked to help solve at the local zoo. He does, even with distractions that both the men must endure. Their romance is sweet, simple, caring and seems perfect to last their lifetimes.
This is a delightful addition to the Barbacks series and leaves room for a fifth book.
September 27, 2026
This is the fourth book in the Barbacks series, and just like the ones before it, I finished it convinced it was my favorite until I read the next one. I was already falling in love with Adrian when he comes in as a character in book three. He felt like an immediate fit. His adoration for his abuela was so endearing. Casey Morales continues to deliver exactly what I’ve come to expect from his books well developed, relatable characters and an instant connection to them. There’s a sincerity in the writing that makes it easy to become fully invested. Brendan and Adrian are such incredible characters and watching them fall for each other felt like it was natural and of course full of the humor that always shines through in a Casey Morales book. One of my absolute favorite moments was Adrian dancing at the bachelorette party, the women were going crazy for him in his speedo. What made this scene for me was how hilariously it was written especially with Benji’s usual hilarious commentary. If you have been reading this series from the beginning you know the characters, their behaviors and their dynamics, it becomes like you’re expecting something from a friend. This book had me laughing constantly and left me with the biggest smile. If you’re looking for a romcom that’s full of heart, found family, and true love without unnecessary angst or a third-act breakup this is it. This series has easily become one of my all-time favorites, and with one book still to come, I already know I’m not ready to say goodbye to Baracks. I truly can’t recommend this author or this series enough.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Have you ever met a Puerto Rican guy named Adrian? I haven't either, but get ready for your first one because Adrian Voss is a sexy exotic dancer at gay sports bar "Barbacks" in Tampa. He performs every Saturday night. When Tampa's prolific veterenarian Brendan Davis ducks into Barbacks one Saturday night after his buddy Peter recommended it, he gets an eyefull of Adrian and all bets are off. This is the fourth book in this series. By now we know most of the Barbacks found family that absolutely refuses to mind their own business. This is a great addition to the series and these characters really resonate!
Adrian & Brendan's story begins with a beagle puppy and a bar tab that has a number scrawled on the back. From there we get introduced to Adrian's day job in a bread bakery along with Brendan's pet ferret and succlent plant - both of which he converses with routinely. Starting to get the picture? This is an opposites-attract, low-angst story about two guys who couldn't possibly fit together any better despite their differences. Casey takes us on a lovely ride where the landings are always soft and then gives us an HEA in the local zoo that is so compelling!
If you like animal-loving foodie heroes set in a contemporary MM romantic comedy, and a supporting cast from a meddling bartender to a literary bouncer to a pro hockey team that needs to be kept on a short leash at parties, then this book needs to be your next read. Five Stars all the way! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Adrian & Brendan's story begins with a beagle puppy and a bar tab that has a number scrawled on the back. From there we get introduced to Adrian's day job in a bread bakery along with Brendan's pet ferret and succlent plant - both of which he converses with routinely. Starting to get the picture? This is an opposites-attract, low-angst story about two guys who couldn't possibly fit together any better despite their differences. Casey takes us on a lovely ride where the landings are always soft and then gives us an HEA in the local zoo that is so compelling!
If you like animal-loving foodie heroes set in a contemporary MM romantic comedy, and a supporting cast from a meddling bartender to a literary bouncer to a pro hockey team that needs to be kept on a short leash at parties, then this book needs to be your next read. Five Stars all the way! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review of advance copy
Brendan’s life is consumed with work. He remembers Peter mentioning a bar called Barebacks, so one Saturday night, he finally puts his files down and heads to the bar.
Adrian has just gotten an eight week old puppy, but the poor little guy is sneezing, so Adrian wants to get him checked out. Peter recommends a vet, and when Brendan and Adrian meet, they realize they were both recommended to each other from the bar.
The chemistry and banter between Adrian and Brendan was genuine and absolutely hilarious. And OMG, the 4 a.m. text chain between Benji and Adrian had me on the floor hysterical!
Barebacks is celebrating its fifth anniversary, and Finn and Mark throw a family dinner before the public celebration. I seriously wish I could have been at that dinner! I would LOVE to see Tyler’s Speedo and that celebration dance.
As with all of Casey’s books, this one is packed with banter, hysterical moments, friendship, and, of course, love. I absolutely loved it and had such a great time reading it.
I’m looking forward to Mark’s story, although I already know it’s going to be a hard one to finish because it will be the last book in this wonderful series. I’m not ready to say goodbye to the Barback crew!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Adrian has just gotten an eight week old puppy, but the poor little guy is sneezing, so Adrian wants to get him checked out. Peter recommends a vet, and when Brendan and Adrian meet, they realize they were both recommended to each other from the bar.
The chemistry and banter between Adrian and Brendan was genuine and absolutely hilarious. And OMG, the 4 a.m. text chain between Benji and Adrian had me on the floor hysterical!
Barebacks is celebrating its fifth anniversary, and Finn and Mark throw a family dinner before the public celebration. I seriously wish I could have been at that dinner! I would LOVE to see Tyler’s Speedo and that celebration dance.
As with all of Casey’s books, this one is packed with banter, hysterical moments, friendship, and, of course, love. I absolutely loved it and had such a great time reading it.
I’m looking forward to Mark’s story, although I already know it’s going to be a hard one to finish because it will be the last book in this wonderful series. I’m not ready to say goodbye to the Barback crew!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I love these characters. Adrian is such a sweet soul. He's not just a scantily clad dancer, he's a baker. He also sees the world in ways others don't. Like when the tapir at the zoo his friend Brendan is doing some consulting on is having issues, Adrian asks the important questions. The ones that lead Brendan to the answer he needs.
Brendan is a veterinarian, who has a succulent He talks to and a judgemental ferret. He walks into Barbacks on the advice of his friend Peter and sees Adrian. He's mesmerized by the dancer. A few days later, Adrian shows up in Peter's clinic with his new puppy and a friendship is born. Well, more than a friendship, because this is a romance book after all.
Along with Adrian and Peter's romance, the regulars at Barbacks are planning the bar's fifth anniversary. When they're not busy trying to stick their noses in Adrian's love life, that is. All in all, this is a fun book, with lots of love and of course, an HEA.
Brendan is a veterinarian, who has a succulent He talks to and a judgemental ferret. He walks into Barbacks on the advice of his friend Peter and sees Adrian. He's mesmerized by the dancer. A few days later, Adrian shows up in Peter's clinic with his new puppy and a friendship is born. Well, more than a friendship, because this is a romance book after all.
Along with Adrian and Peter's romance, the regulars at Barbacks are planning the bar's fifth anniversary. When they're not busy trying to stick their noses in Adrian's love life, that is. All in all, this is a fun book, with lots of love and of course, an HEA.
Review of advance copy received from Author
So.....
I read the sample of this book first. Liked it and found then found Popped (bk 1) and grabbed it.
Read book 1...LOVED IT.
Then I read this book thinking it was Book 2 and trying to figure out what was happening. Mark was so different and, at the beginning, Finn wasn't really around plus all the new characters that were being treated as solid. I felt unmoored.
I still loved the book but it wasn’t until the later portion that I felt connected to the previous book and realized it takes place 5 years after book 1.
If I had read it alone, it would not have bothered me. If I had read book 2 & 3 first (what/where are they?) then I am sure my experience would have been more settled because I would have been part of the ride.
I really want to read 2, 3, and 5. I hope the earlier ones dealt with Jacks' sweetness and Benji's spiciness. I already read sample of book 5.
Now to find out.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I read the sample of this book first. Liked it and found then found Popped (bk 1) and grabbed it.
Read book 1...LOVED IT.
Then I read this book thinking it was Book 2 and trying to figure out what was happening. Mark was so different and, at the beginning, Finn wasn't really around plus all the new characters that were being treated as solid. I felt unmoored.
I still loved the book but it wasn’t until the later portion that I felt connected to the previous book and realized it takes place 5 years after book 1.
If I had read it alone, it would not have bothered me. If I had read book 2 & 3 first (what/where are they?) then I am sure my experience would have been more settled because I would have been part of the ride.
I really want to read 2, 3, and 5. I hope the earlier ones dealt with Jacks' sweetness and Benji's spiciness. I already read sample of book 5.
Now to find out.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 25, 2026
This is my favorite series among many of Casey Morales’s series. Casey is one of my favorite MM writers: real, complex, humane characters who remind you of people know or you’d like to get to know; witty, snarky banter that often has me laughing out loud; well-paced stories that unfold the complexities of the characters; a careful, often tender, exploration of love emerging between two men; and a community of co-workers who become a strong, supportive family which not only allows but nurtures each person’s unique self. SPICED! continues the story of Barbacks bar in the Ybor City neighborhood of Tampa. It’s a delight — a typical Casey Morales book that weaves together insightful explorations of the characters and evocative descriptions of the Tampa Bay area and gay life in Florida. I read it in a day. Plus, this version includes the first four chapters of the final book in the series, BOUNCED, which is scheduled for release next month. I am waiting for it — impatiently!
September 28, 2026
Spiced! Book #4 in the Barbacks series by Casey Morales was worth the wait!
Adrian and Brendan's story includes Puck the Ferret, Gerald the succulent, Marisol a Tapir and a beagle named Mofongo. All these plus the lovable cast of characters from the previous book along with new make the barbacks universe a beautiful place to belong. Casey has a way of making you feel like you are a part of the family when you read his books and that is why I keep reading his stuff and you should as well!
I think each book becomes my favorite after I read it but there was something about this one that was just so satisfying! The Vet and the Dancer who quietly and consistently show up for each other is a beautiful thing. We should all be so lucky. You want to read this series so go ahead and buy it because you will not regret it!
I received this book as advanced Reader Copy via Booksirens for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Adrian and Brendan's story includes Puck the Ferret, Gerald the succulent, Marisol a Tapir and a beagle named Mofongo. All these plus the lovable cast of characters from the previous book along with new make the barbacks universe a beautiful place to belong. Casey has a way of making you feel like you are a part of the family when you read his books and that is why I keep reading his stuff and you should as well!
I think each book becomes my favorite after I read it but there was something about this one that was just so satisfying! The Vet and the Dancer who quietly and consistently show up for each other is a beautiful thing. We should all be so lucky. You want to read this series so go ahead and buy it because you will not regret it!
I received this book as advanced Reader Copy via Booksirens for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily
October 2, 2026
Sweet, fun, and hot as hell. If you're a fan of emotional stories with great characters, this book and series are for you. Adrian is the go-go dancer at Barbacks, climbing up on the bar every Saturday to shake it and feed his love of dance. He also spends his early mornings at his other love, baking bread. His life is full...so full...totally full. He's certainly not looking for a reserved veterinarian to add to the mix. Enter Brendan, said vet who can't take his eyes off the stunning man dancing on the bar top. Brendan just needs his ferret and his succulent that never answers back. He certainly doesn't need a hot dancer with a beagle puppy...absolutely not. This is a really low angst story with a healthy dose of humor and found family. It's a warm hug of a book that builds the series really well. I totally recommend this one and the whole series.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
My goodness do i absolutely love this series. Its sweet, its spicy, it makes me laugh out loud.
The found family aspect is done so well. They are a bunch of chaotic men but my god do I love them!
This is the 4th installment and its Dancer Adrian's turn to find love in the form of vet Brendan. After meeting at the vets after Adrian takes his beagle Mofongo for over sneezing. These two fall hard and fast for each other, both supporting each other in their work. Mogongo and puck, Brendan's ferret make the most iconic duo, not forgetting about the succulent, Gerald. 😂
I absolutely loved the cameos from all the past characters. Including Tyler from book 2, one of Skylers team mates, making me laugh out loud with his shenanigans!
I cant wait for book 5 with Mark FINALLY getting his happy ever after ❤️
The found family aspect is done so well. They are a bunch of chaotic men but my god do I love them!
This is the 4th installment and its Dancer Adrian's turn to find love in the form of vet Brendan. After meeting at the vets after Adrian takes his beagle Mofongo for over sneezing. These two fall hard and fast for each other, both supporting each other in their work. Mogongo and puck, Brendan's ferret make the most iconic duo, not forgetting about the succulent, Gerald. 😂
I absolutely loved the cameos from all the past characters. Including Tyler from book 2, one of Skylers team mates, making me laugh out loud with his shenanigans!
I cant wait for book 5 with Mark FINALLY getting his happy ever after ❤️
September 5, 2026
This is an ARC review.
Spiced! is without hesitation one of the more riveting MM rom coms I’ve read in awhile. I am a big fan of Casey’s rom-com-esque books, but I haven’t had one really pull me in like this since Nashville Spicy Christmas. This book broke a several month reading slump for me.
I think one of my favorite parts about this book is you get an idea of who Adrian and Brendan really are very early on. There wasn’t much of the angsty slow build. While the other books in this series do a good job of heartening back to other characters, this one is probably the closest to what I would call a reunion, which will always make me happy.
This book was just a feel good book for me. You hear a bit about some past trauma but it remains rather light hearted. And I think I’ve fallen for Puck a bit. Dook!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Spiced! is without hesitation one of the more riveting MM rom coms I’ve read in awhile. I am a big fan of Casey’s rom-com-esque books, but I haven’t had one really pull me in like this since Nashville Spicy Christmas. This book broke a several month reading slump for me.
I think one of my favorite parts about this book is you get an idea of who Adrian and Brendan really are very early on. There wasn’t much of the angsty slow build. While the other books in this series do a good job of heartening back to other characters, this one is probably the closest to what I would call a reunion, which will always make me happy.
This book was just a feel good book for me. You hear a bit about some past trauma but it remains rather light hearted. And I think I’ve fallen for Puck a bit. Dook!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 6, 2026
This is #4 in the Barbacks series. I've read book #1 - Popped - Finn & Chase's book - where the bar is initially opened. By book #4 they're celebrating their 5th year.
Adrian, the dancer at Barbacks, and Brendan, local vet meet at the bar one Saturday night. Over the next several months they date, they share their backgrounds, they fall in love. There's plenty of found family (all those folks from the bar), there's lots of animals including a diagnosis mystery with a tapir at the zoo, and a medium amount of spice. Yes, there are a bunch of over-involved, obnoxious, nosy friends, but they don't take over the book this time - this book is strongly centered on Adrian and Brendan. There's no breakup, just 2 guys finally realizing they've met 'the one'.
Enjoyed this a lot. Easy read, fun characters. Looking forward to the next (& last book) in the series.
Adrian, the dancer at Barbacks, and Brendan, local vet meet at the bar one Saturday night. Over the next several months they date, they share their backgrounds, they fall in love. There's plenty of found family (all those folks from the bar), there's lots of animals including a diagnosis mystery with a tapir at the zoo, and a medium amount of spice. Yes, there are a bunch of over-involved, obnoxious, nosy friends, but they don't take over the book this time - this book is strongly centered on Adrian and Brendan. There's no breakup, just 2 guys finally realizing they've met 'the one'.
Enjoyed this a lot. Easy read, fun characters. Looking forward to the next (& last book) in the series.
Review of advance copy
Another great story in the Barbacks series. Lots of humor, little angst, and the MCs don't hurt each other emotionally. Both men are complex characters, protecting themselves and their hearts based on what life has taught them so far. But meeting each other gives each of them a safe space to let their guard down, something which happens slowly and believably, and with the support of their found families.
One thing I really love about this series, is that you can pick up a book, and know there won't be unnecessary drama. Yes, there may be personal issues to work through on the way to their HEA, but the MCs are always moving forwards with each other, always putting in the effort. It makes for easy, enjoyable reading.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
One thing I really love about this series, is that you can pick up a book, and know there won't be unnecessary drama. Yes, there may be personal issues to work through on the way to their HEA, but the MCs are always moving forwards with each other, always putting in the effort. It makes for easy, enjoyable reading.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 14, 2026
When Brendan sees Adrian for the first time, he admires him from the outside. They meet again elsewhere and he begins to see a lot more to the dancer from the bar he heard good things about.
Adrian dances because he loves it and he's good at it. Seeing Brendan come back week after week to see him dance makes him wonder what could happen if they both looked below the surface.
As Adrian and Brendan take the time to get to know each other, their story will make you smile, cry and laugh out loud (especially in one over-the-top scene near the end). The found family of Barbacks makes it something special and the HEA is worthy of the story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Adrian dances because he loves it and he's good at it. Seeing Brendan come back week after week to see him dance makes him wonder what could happen if they both looked below the surface.
As Adrian and Brendan take the time to get to know each other, their story will make you smile, cry and laugh out loud (especially in one over-the-top scene near the end). The found family of Barbacks makes it something special and the HEA is worthy of the story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 14, 2026
So, Adrian has just welcomed a half-beagle and another half that gave this long-eared, very curious puppy its unique look.
And then this hot veterinarian Adrian remembers watching him dance walks in the room.
You see, Adrian doesn’t just dance; he can do things that seem impossible. ?.It’s almost like gravity doesn’t even apply to him sometimes. His feet never quite touch the ground. See he’s been dancing since he could walk & blessed doesn’t even begin to describe his talents.
Now, Brendan is focused & loved by many, but not by anyone in particular.
This is a journey, a story where two strangers are hoping that their connection will last longer and grow stronger for each other.
This is such a great story.
Trace Dial
And then this hot veterinarian Adrian remembers watching him dance walks in the room.
You see, Adrian doesn’t just dance; he can do things that seem impossible. ?.It’s almost like gravity doesn’t even apply to him sometimes. His feet never quite touch the ground. See he’s been dancing since he could walk & blessed doesn’t even begin to describe his talents.
Now, Brendan is focused & loved by many, but not by anyone in particular.
This is a journey, a story where two strangers are hoping that their connection will last longer and grow stronger for each other.
This is such a great story.
Trace Dial
September 26, 2026
A real opposites attract romance. Brendan is stayed and true to his core Adrian is unreserved and exuberant, and neither can stop thinking about their opposite. Brendan dances on the bar in a speedo when he's not working at the bakery. Brendan is in the bar when a bachelorette party arrives and watches Adrian dance. When Adrian acquires a new puppy he takes him to the vet, Brendan. These two soon become an item and really do compliment each other as they and their pets get to know one another. I'm not sure how I would feel about my boyfriend dancing on a bar in a speedo, but Brendan seems good with it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
The barely organised chaos continues.
Reading this is like putting on a big warm comfort blanket when it’s cold. It’s funny, sometimes dry humour (the best type) and tries its best to describe things that have no words, just fuzzy warm feelings. Barbacks pub is absolute riot of barely contained insanity, in a good way, which I think a succulent named Gerald would approve of. The main characters never really stood a chance of fighting their attraction, in this very particular set of conditions, which includes a huge cast of very interfering helpful friends, coworkers and bosses.
Reading this is like putting on a big warm comfort blanket when it’s cold. It’s funny, sometimes dry humour (the best type) and tries its best to describe things that have no words, just fuzzy warm feelings. Barbacks pub is absolute riot of barely contained insanity, in a good way, which I think a succulent named Gerald would approve of. The main characters never really stood a chance of fighting their attraction, in this very particular set of conditions, which includes a huge cast of very interfering helpful friends, coworkers and bosses.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Adrian, whom kept everyone at arms length, has finally met his match. His baggage has finally found a home.
Brenden, whom is just as bad as Adrian at keeping people at arms length, is immediately intrigued by Adrian. And so the journey begins.
The characters are done very well and I love that all the previous characters are in each of these books. The world building continues to expand and is done wonderfully. There are some steamy parts so therefore this is an 18+ read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Brenden, whom is just as bad as Adrian at keeping people at arms length, is immediately intrigued by Adrian. And so the journey begins.
The characters are done very well and I love that all the previous characters are in each of these books. The world building continues to expand and is done wonderfully. There are some steamy parts so therefore this is an 18+ read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
This is the story about Adrian, the go-go dancer at Barbacks, and Brendan, a veterinarian. Their romance is slow and sweet. These are two guys with baggage that didn’t think they would ever find their person. There are pastries and a puppy and all the other guys from Barbacks. This is a low angst, slow burn romance with a lot of goofy humor. I highly recommend reading the other books in this series but you could read this one without reading the other books.
Story 4, Spice 2
I received a free copy of this audiobook via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Story 4, Spice 2
I received a free copy of this audiobook via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 29, 2026
I truly was captivated from the beginning until the end with Adrian and Brendan's story. Their chemistry and connection with that hilarious banter of the plants and their furbabies was so adorable. Add in the Barbacks drama, life of the Veterinarian, life of the bakery, all the famous drama/happenings with the friends, this fast paced, heart filled story had me laughing and even a little teary eyed close to the ending… love a well rounded book with all those feels!!
Received an ARC and leaving my honest review voluntarily.
Received an ARC and leaving my honest review voluntarily.
September 30, 2026
A light-hearted gay romance novel with minimal angst and fair bit of humour. Strong characters and lots of local colour and charm. I wish the author had spent more time developing the MCs.
Unfortunately after the original set up, the story, the 4th novel in a series, started rehashing characters from earlier books. Instead of keeping the focus on the two new MCs more time was taken up with previously explored side characters.
Adrian and Brendon are two of the best characters in the series. They deserved more attention.
Unfortunately after the original set up, the story, the 4th novel in a series, started rehashing characters from earlier books. Instead of keeping the focus on the two new MCs more time was taken up with previously explored side characters.
Adrian and Brendon are two of the best characters in the series. They deserved more attention.
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