Scan barcode
wilder's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
★★★★ / 5
Cover Story by Valerie Gomez immediately drew me in! It firmly captured my attention for a day and didn't let it go until I was finished. You wouldn't think this was a debut with how well Gomez crafts a sweet romance and realistic characters, with unique story elements that I've never read before. It really was the whole package for me: it's steamy, there's cinnamon roll gooeyness, and it's full of moments that made me melt. I rooted for these guys from beginning to end.
It took me no time at all to warm up to our protagonists, AJ and Dax, who are both creatives on the edge of rising in their career fields. Dax is an up and coming comedian, AJ is a creative director for a fashion magazine, and they meet on set for a photoshoot... but it seems like fate has it out for them after several unfortunate misunderstandings that set them off on the wrong foot.
Their chemistry is undeniable from the start, and I found them both deeply relatable. AJ's desire to have somewhere to call home & being nearly estranged from his family, and Dax's deep rooted anxiety and panic attacks that plague him throughout the story. Gomez clearly speaks from a place of experience - these characters felt so real. Even at times when I felt slightly frustrated with them, I realized it was because they were acting on emotions they weren't able to handle just yet. It made them very human and I loved them for it.
I really enjoyed this book and my time with these boys. I found myself craving pizza by the end (but not in a dirty way! Jeez... if you know, you know). I also want to point out how adorable the chapter headers are. The art for each chapter is different and I really appreciated it. The chancla made me laugh out loud 'cuz I knew what was to come. It only cements how much love the author put into this story. I will absolutely pick up anything Gomez writes in the future!
This ARC was sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Cover Story by Valerie Gomez immediately drew me in! It firmly captured my attention for a day and didn't let it go until I was finished. You wouldn't think this was a debut with how well Gomez crafts a sweet romance and realistic characters, with unique story elements that I've never read before. It really was the whole package for me: it's steamy, there's cinnamon roll gooeyness, and it's full of moments that made me melt. I rooted for these guys from beginning to end.
It took me no time at all to warm up to our protagonists, AJ and Dax, who are both creatives on the edge of rising in their career fields. Dax is an up and coming comedian, AJ is a creative director for a fashion magazine, and they meet on set for a photoshoot... but it seems like fate has it out for them after several unfortunate misunderstandings that set them off on the wrong foot.
Their chemistry is undeniable from the start, and I found them both deeply relatable. AJ's desire to have somewhere to call home & being nearly estranged from his family, and Dax's deep rooted anxiety and panic attacks that plague him throughout the story. Gomez clearly speaks from a place of experience - these characters felt so real. Even at times when I felt slightly frustrated with them, I realized it was because they were acting on emotions they weren't able to handle just yet. It made them very human and I loved them for it.
I really enjoyed this book and my time with these boys. I found myself craving pizza by the end (but not in a dirty way! Jeez... if you know, you know). I also want to point out how adorable the chapter headers are. The art for each chapter is different and I really appreciated it. The chancla made me laugh out loud 'cuz I knew what was to come. It only cements how much love the author put into this story. I will absolutely pick up anything Gomez writes in the future!
This ARC was sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
fae_princess_in_space's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
alex_reads_anything's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Oh my god. I loved this. It was amazing! No notes.
There was mental health rep, a character that comes out later in life, characters that just want the best for each other… I loved the story. Dax and AJ have my heart now!
I also loved AJ’s relationship with Sam and that they stayed friends after realizing their romantic relationship wasn’t working (twice). Dax’s family was so cute and supportive, love to see it!
I received an arc from the author in exchange for an honest review.
There was mental health rep, a character that comes out later in life, characters that just want the best for each other… I loved the story. Dax and AJ have my heart now!
I also loved AJ’s relationship with Sam and that they stayed friends after realizing their romantic relationship wasn’t working (twice). Dax’s family was so cute and supportive, love to see it!
I received an arc from the author in exchange for an honest review.
djlys's review
5.0
this book was a complete delight. the main characters had excellent chemistry, the plot was compelling, the portrayal of anxiety was expertly done - did i mention the main characters were great together?? i just loved the whole damn thing.
artemis's review
5.0
4AM: okay, since i gotta go to sleep, I'll only read one page to check out the writing… [accidentally reads the whole book with no breaks]
I knew that I was going to love this story from the very moment i found out about it–just a hunch–but i didn't know my love would be THIS intense.
READ COVER STORY FOR: adult queer romance, well-represented mental health issues, humor–including a lot of flirty banter, men in love learning to communicate & to understand each other
I'm usually not a fluff fan, but it got me giggling like a baby in the middle of the night. It has some drama too and the mixture is so perfect that it strongly kicks the plot and you just can't put it down until you're done. And for yall spice enjoyers out there, you won't be disappointed either. Usually i cringe at spicy scenes in books but they were so well written, god what i would give to have a romance like that goin on in my life… not to get too h0rny here: I'd gladly read an entire saga on Dax and AJ and i don't even wish I was joking. I've only met them today and they already hold a special place in my heart.
And to the technicalities: like i said at the beginning. I wanted to read one page before sleeping. But ultimately the writing style fully sucked me in. I laughed out loud at the first paragraph and it was then that I knew I was a goner. The story is written in that light, addictive way, just urging you to binge the whole thing. I don't mind. Between this and lovable, amazingly developed characters, it was just impossible to stop reading.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes (no spoilers!) to really get yall into it:
“You thought I left, didn’t you?”
“Yeah..” I scrub my fingers over the back of my neck, embarrassed for worrying about nothing. Of course he’d come back. Why had I thought he wouldn’t?
“I did leave,” he says, then winks at me. “To get breakfast.”
“So being with me isn’t to satisfy a curiosity about dating a—”
“Comedian?” I ask, laughing. “Maybe a little.”
I start to take off my tie, but he stops me. “Leave it on,” he says.
Oh? Ohhhhh.
I was granted an e-arc of cover story from the author, which was the highlight of my day. Thank you for an opportunity to read and review this wonderful, wonderful book!!
I knew that I was going to love this story from the very moment i found out about it–just a hunch–but i didn't know my love would be THIS intense.
READ COVER STORY FOR: adult queer romance, well-represented mental health issues, humor–including a lot of flirty banter, men in love learning to communicate & to understand each other
I'm usually not a fluff fan, but it got me giggling like a baby in the middle of the night. It has some drama too and the mixture is so perfect that it strongly kicks the plot and you just can't put it down until you're done. And for yall spice enjoyers out there, you won't be disappointed either. Usually i cringe at spicy scenes in books but they were so well written, god what i would give to have a romance like that goin on in my life… not to get too h0rny here: I'd gladly read an entire saga on Dax and AJ and i don't even wish I was joking. I've only met them today and they already hold a special place in my heart.
And to the technicalities: like i said at the beginning. I wanted to read one page before sleeping. But ultimately the writing style fully sucked me in. I laughed out loud at the first paragraph and it was then that I knew I was a goner. The story is written in that light, addictive way, just urging you to binge the whole thing. I don't mind. Between this and lovable, amazingly developed characters, it was just impossible to stop reading.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes (no spoilers!) to really get yall into it:
“You thought I left, didn’t you?”
“Yeah..” I scrub my fingers over the back of my neck, embarrassed for worrying about nothing. Of course he’d come back. Why had I thought he wouldn’t?
“I did leave,” he says, then winks at me. “To get breakfast.”
“So being with me isn’t to satisfy a curiosity about dating a—”
“Comedian?” I ask, laughing. “Maybe a little.”
I start to take off my tie, but he stops me. “Leave it on,” he says.
Oh? Ohhhhh.
I was granted an e-arc of cover story from the author, which was the highlight of my day. Thank you for an opportunity to read and review this wonderful, wonderful book!!
after_hours_reader's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
tristatereader's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
So basically I just adored everything about this book. At its core, Cover Story is a debut novel about two imperfect people finding their person.
AJ Bond and Dax Ximénez are two high achieving, successful adults living in NYC. AJ is the art director at The Modern Gentleman magazine (TMG) and Dax is an up and coming actor whose show has just been picked up by one of the top streaming services. When Dax has a scheduled photo shoot at TMG, he and AJ get off to a bit of a rocky start. But then Dax does something unexpected and invites himself out to dinner with AJ. It’s at dinner that the two spend hours getting to know one another, both seeming to agree that this is the start of a great friendship. As time goes on and the two spend more time together, it’s apparent that their platonic feelings have turned into more. But will the stress of high-demand careers allow for the two of them to be together?
I loved these characters. I’m coming off some pretty heavy reads recently and breathed such a sigh of relief going into this book and genuinely liking both MCs right from the start. I need more of that in queer romances! The chemistry between D&AJ was incredible. Mental, physical, emotional; they really had so much fun together and I loved watching it unfold. It was all so organic and their transition from friends to romantic partners was seamless. We also need to talk about the beautifully written representation in this book! Mexican-American MC, developmental disability rep, trans and non-binary rep, unlabeled sexuality, and mental health… I loved it all. I also have to praise the author for making these characters in their early 30s because this is an age group that seems to be so underrepresented in queer literature. If what I’ve written so far still has you on the fence, I leave you with this: A+ character growth and tear-shedding found family.
**Side note: As if the book wasn’t incredible enough, the author also illustrated her own gorgeous book cover! Can you imagine that much talent in one person?!
Thank you to the author for this ARC 💕
More...