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cozycritiques's reviews
47 reviews
Virtually Yours by Jeremy Holt
lighthearted
fast-paced
“Most people go the online dating route. You’ve chosen to go the non-dating route. A true trailblazer. Now hand over your phone so I can judge your taste in fake men.”
- Virtually Yours
Tropes: Fake Dating, Internet Dating, Texting, Former Child Star, Secret Identity
Representation: POC, LGBTQ+ Side Character
CW: Divorce, Domestic Abuse
I loved the premise of the fake internet boyfriend. Although there is romance, the main focus is on the friendship/found family vibes. My only wish is that there was more concrete resolution for the romantic plot. The ending was quite abrupt. However, this was still a cute and quick read.
- Virtually Yours
Tropes: Fake Dating, Internet Dating, Texting, Former Child Star, Secret Identity
Representation: POC, LGBTQ+ Side Character
CW: Divorce, Domestic Abuse
I loved the premise of the fake internet boyfriend. Although there is romance, the main focus is on the friendship/found family vibes. My only wish is that there was more concrete resolution for the romantic plot. The ending was quite abrupt. However, this was still a cute and quick read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Egotistical Puckboy by Saxon James, Eden Finley
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
”Apparently, the cure to toxic masculinity is to show them how it feels to be talked about like a piece of meat. You’re welcome, ladies.”
- Egotistical Puckboy
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Teammates, Friends with Benefits, Reformed Playboy
Representation: LGBTQ+ (Gay)
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
CW: Parental Abandonment, Toxic Relationship
I was on the fence about whether I would enjoy Egotistical Puckboy after meeting Ezra in the CU Hockey series, but I shouldn’t be surprised that Eden and Saxon made me absolutely fall in love with his story.
Ezra was a total mess, but getting to read his POV showed a different side of him than the one we got to see in his appearance in the CU Hockey series. Yeah, he was a fuckboy—a puckboy, if you will—but it was understandable given his messed-up family dynamic. He also cared deeply about his friend, even if he didn’t always show it the best way in the case of West. I loved his bond with the whole Queer Collective. He took it very seriously, and that more than redeemed his fuckboy ways.
Anton was his total opposite—uptight, desperate to prove himself a serious hockey player that was more than just his sexual identity. It was great watching him loosen up and grow into someone who didn’t see everything so black and white.
They balanced each other out, and I loved it, especially given their start as “enemies.” Enemies to lovers usually works best for me when the characters can meet each other in the middle, which Ezra and Anton definitely did. Their rivalry at the beginning was so well done—full of banter and instigation. Also, I’m not sure if it can be considered a microtrope if I’ve only seen it in two books, but if it can be, then a karaoke scene featuring Don’t Stop Me Now in a queer enemies to lovers novel is a new favorite.
I shouldn’t be surprised based on how quickly I read Eden and Saxon’s first series, but I’m hooked. Egotistical Puckboy set up the series so well, and I can’t wait to binge-read this one as well.
- Egotistical Puckboy
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Teammates, Friends with Benefits, Reformed Playboy
Representation: LGBTQ+ (Gay)
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
CW: Parental Abandonment, Toxic Relationship
I was on the fence about whether I would enjoy Egotistical Puckboy after meeting Ezra in the CU Hockey series, but I shouldn’t be surprised that Eden and Saxon made me absolutely fall in love with his story.
Ezra was a total mess, but getting to read his POV showed a different side of him than the one we got to see in his appearance in the CU Hockey series. Yeah, he was a fuckboy—a puckboy, if you will—but it was understandable given his messed-up family dynamic. He also cared deeply about his friend, even if he didn’t always show it the best way in the case of West. I loved his bond with the whole Queer Collective. He took it very seriously, and that more than redeemed his fuckboy ways.
Anton was his total opposite—uptight, desperate to prove himself a serious hockey player that was more than just his sexual identity. It was great watching him loosen up and grow into someone who didn’t see everything so black and white.
They balanced each other out, and I loved it, especially given their start as “enemies.” Enemies to lovers usually works best for me when the characters can meet each other in the middle, which Ezra and Anton definitely did. Their rivalry at the beginning was so well done—full of banter and instigation. Also, I’m not sure if it can be considered a microtrope if I’ve only seen it in two books, but if it can be, then a karaoke scene featuring Don’t Stop Me Now in a queer enemies to lovers novel is a new favorite.
I shouldn’t be surprised based on how quickly I read Eden and Saxon’s first series, but I’m hooked. Egotistical Puckboy set up the series so well, and I can’t wait to binge-read this one as well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Toxic relationship
Tis the Season for Revenge by Morgan Elizabeth
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
”No, I’ve just secured the world’s best revenge if I can make it happen.
”I’m gonna fuck his boss.””
- Tis the Season for Revenge
Tropes: Age Gap, Lawyer, Legally Blonde inspired, Opposites Attract, Possessive Hero, “Good Girl”
Representation: POC (Latino)
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶 (Praise, Degradation, Breath Play)
CW: Toxic Relationship, Parental Abandonment, Emotional Abuse, Cheating, Mentions of Physical Abuse
I’m not entirely sure what Morgan Elizabeth put in this book, but I’m pretty sure it’s crack because I was HOOKED. I picked it up intending to read a few chapters before bed. Fast forward to 1:30 am when I was 53% of the way through.
I adored the Legally Blonde-esque start, but the twist on it. Abbie’s plan being for revenge instead of for trying to get Richard back was the update to that story I didn’t know I needed. Also, the pranks she pulled on him gave Mean Girls vibes, which was hysterical.
This book maintained a perfect balance of heartbreak, healing, and falling in love again. I loved how Morgan tackled the complexity of abusive relationships while still keeping an overall lighthearted tone. Damien was the perfect hero for this story, allowing Abbie the space to heal from the toxicity of her relationship with Richard. He says everything that any woman who’s been told they’re “too much” wants to hear, and it was kind of cathartic. The chemistry between him and Abbie was also off the charts, and the spice was incredible.
There was some drama, but the way the conflict resolved was so mature and healthy. I’d braced myself for a third-act breakup, but blessedly, there wasn’t one. The only kind oof warning that I have is that despite the book being set around Christmas, there weren’t too many Christmas vibes. However, I actually enjoyed that. It makes it so this a read that you can enjoy any time of year, even if you’re typically a person who doesn’t enjoy Christmas books outside of the holiday season.
This was my first book by Elizabeth, but it definitely won’t be my last.
”I’m gonna fuck his boss.””
- Tis the Season for Revenge
Tropes: Age Gap, Lawyer, Legally Blonde inspired, Opposites Attract, Possessive Hero, “Good Girl”
Representation: POC (Latino)
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶 (Praise, Degradation, Breath Play)
CW: Toxic Relationship, Parental Abandonment, Emotional Abuse, Cheating, Mentions of Physical Abuse
I’m not entirely sure what Morgan Elizabeth put in this book, but I’m pretty sure it’s crack because I was HOOKED. I picked it up intending to read a few chapters before bed. Fast forward to 1:30 am when I was 53% of the way through.
I adored the Legally Blonde-esque start, but the twist on it. Abbie’s plan being for revenge instead of for trying to get Richard back was the update to that story I didn’t know I needed. Also, the pranks she pulled on him gave Mean Girls vibes, which was hysterical.
This book maintained a perfect balance of heartbreak, healing, and falling in love again. I loved how Morgan tackled the complexity of abusive relationships while still keeping an overall lighthearted tone. Damien was the perfect hero for this story, allowing Abbie the space to heal from the toxicity of her relationship with Richard. He says everything that any woman who’s been told they’re “too much” wants to hear, and it was kind of cathartic. The chemistry between him and Abbie was also off the charts, and the spice was incredible.
There was some drama, but the way the conflict resolved was so mature and healthy. I’d braced myself for a third-act breakup, but blessedly, there wasn’t one. The only kind oof warning that I have is that despite the book being set around Christmas, there weren’t too many Christmas vibes. However, I actually enjoyed that. It makes it so this a read that you can enjoy any time of year, even if you’re typically a person who doesn’t enjoy Christmas books outside of the holiday season.
This was my first book by Elizabeth, but it definitely won’t be my last.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Infidelity and Abandonment
Minor: Physical abuse
The Rest of the Story by Tal Bauer
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
5.0
“I’d forgotten that it’s the brokenness of a kaleidoscope that brings out the beauty, and as easily as there can be order, everything can fall apart. Can shatter.”
- The Rest of the Story
Tropes: Sports (Hockey), Teammates, Age Gap, Former Playboy, Virgin Hero, Found Family
Representation: LGBTQ+ (Gay, Bisexual)
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶
CW: Physical Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Sexual Assault, Suicidal Thoughts, Car Accident, Drug Abuse, Addiction, Injury, Hospitalization
Oh, wow, the chokehold this book had on me from start to finish. After reading Gravity, I expected to be taken on a rollercoaster of emotions. But let me tell you, from the moment the plot’s premise was set up in the second chapter, I nearly couldn’t breathe, I was so drawn into Bauer’s storytelling.
The romance between Morgan and Shea is beautiful. I absolutely felt the pining between them to my core. And the bond that forms between the men on this team… it was gut-wrenching and breathtaking.
I honestly don’t know how to review this book without giving way too much, but this is probably one of the most profound and intense books I’ve ever read. By the end, I felt raw and overwhelmed by emotion, but in the best way. This story tackles some pretty heavy themes (see content warnings), but it is also about family, bravery, strength, and love in its various forms. If you want something that will make you feel something with your whole chest, I can’t recommend this book enough.
Just a note: This book is set in the same world as Gravity, and there is a small cameo from Bryce and Hunter, but you don’t need to read it beforehand. There are, however, two short stories after this book on Tal Bauer’s website focusing on two of Morgan and Shea’s teammates, and I highly recommend reading them after this. They went a long way to mend my heart after this book destroyed it.
- The Rest of the Story
Tropes: Sports (Hockey), Teammates, Age Gap, Former Playboy, Virgin Hero, Found Family
Representation: LGBTQ+ (Gay, Bisexual)
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶
CW: Physical Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Sexual Assault, Suicidal Thoughts, Car Accident, Drug Abuse, Addiction, Injury, Hospitalization
Oh, wow, the chokehold this book had on me from start to finish. After reading Gravity, I expected to be taken on a rollercoaster of emotions. But let me tell you, from the moment the plot’s premise was set up in the second chapter, I nearly couldn’t breathe, I was so drawn into Bauer’s storytelling.
The romance between Morgan and Shea is beautiful. I absolutely felt the pining between them to my core. And the bond that forms between the men on this team… it was gut-wrenching and breathtaking.
I honestly don’t know how to review this book without giving way too much, but this is probably one of the most profound and intense books I’ve ever read. By the end, I felt raw and overwhelmed by emotion, but in the best way. This story tackles some pretty heavy themes (see content warnings), but it is also about family, bravery, strength, and love in its various forms. If you want something that will make you feel something with your whole chest, I can’t recommend this book enough.
Just a note: This book is set in the same world as Gravity, and there is a small cameo from Bryce and Hunter, but you don’t need to read it beforehand. There are, however, two short stories after this book on Tal Bauer’s website focusing on two of Morgan and Shea’s teammates, and I highly recommend reading them after this. They went a long way to mend my heart after this book destroyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Medical content, Physical abuse, Car accident, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse
Gravity by Tal Bauer
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
”It's like I can't escape him. Et non, I do not want to. He can trap me in his gravity pour toujours.”
- Gravity
Tropes: Sports Romance (Hockey), Workplace Romance, Teammates, Sexual Awakening, Hurt/Comfort, Not Third Act Breakup
Representation: LGBTQ+ (Gay
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶
CW: Graphic Injury Detail, Hospitalization, Medical Content, Blood
When I picked up Gravity, I expected it to be a lot like most other sports romances I’ve read: fun, flirty, and a little bit sexy. I did not expect a heart-wrenchingly soft love story that left me with an emotional hangover.
Tal Bauer’s writing was poetic—which is not something I usually like because it’s too hard for my neurodivergent brain to read between the lines and parse out what’s actually happening. But somehow, Bauer strikes the perfect balance between beautiful sweeping prose and an easy-to-follow plot.
I loved the juxtaposition of insta-love and slow-burn between Bryce and Hunter. Their friendship and chemistry developed so easily and quickly, yet the build to their romantic relationship was filled with heart-aching pining. It worked beautifully.
There’s no third-act breakup, which I also loved. However, there is still a major conflict in the third act that I did not see coming and kept me on edge until the very last page. I don’t want to give too much away other than to say to check out my content warnings above, but I will say that it was absolutely heartbreaking in the best way. The hurt/comfort between Bryce, Hunter, and the entire team stitched my heart back together.
This is probably one of the most unique books I’ve read in a long time, and I absolutely loved it.
Also, just a quick note: This book has a lot of on-page French. However, if you’re reading on Kindle, the in-app/device translation feature works great, and if you’re reading in print, Bauer includes translation footnotes at the end of each chapter.
- Gravity
Tropes: Sports Romance (Hockey), Workplace Romance, Teammates, Sexual Awakening, Hurt/Comfort, Not Third Act Breakup
Representation: LGBTQ+ (Gay
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶
CW: Graphic Injury Detail, Hospitalization, Medical Content, Blood
When I picked up Gravity, I expected it to be a lot like most other sports romances I’ve read: fun, flirty, and a little bit sexy. I did not expect a heart-wrenchingly soft love story that left me with an emotional hangover.
Tal Bauer’s writing was poetic—which is not something I usually like because it’s too hard for my neurodivergent brain to read between the lines and parse out what’s actually happening. But somehow, Bauer strikes the perfect balance between beautiful sweeping prose and an easy-to-follow plot.
I loved the juxtaposition of insta-love and slow-burn between Bryce and Hunter. Their friendship and chemistry developed so easily and quickly, yet the build to their romantic relationship was filled with heart-aching pining. It worked beautifully.
There’s no third-act breakup, which I also loved. However, there is still a major conflict in the third act that I did not see coming and kept me on edge until the very last page. I don’t want to give too much away other than to say to check out my content warnings above, but I will say that it was absolutely heartbreaking in the best way. The hurt/comfort between Bryce, Hunter, and the entire team stitched my heart back together.
This is probably one of the most unique books I’ve read in a long time, and I absolutely loved it.
Also, just a quick note: This book has a lot of on-page French. However, if you’re reading on Kindle, the in-app/device translation feature works great, and if you’re reading in print, Bauer includes translation footnotes at the end of each chapter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Blood
Puck Drills & Quick Thrills by Saxon James, Eden Finley
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
”Don’t look at me like that, or you’ll never get home.”
Sounds perfect to me, I almost say, and then my chest lurches.
Ah, guilt, my old friend. You’ve returned.
- Puck Drills & Quick Thrills
Tropes: Age Gap, Fake Dating, Professor, Coach, Friends with Benefits, Secret Relationship, Opposites Attract, Hurt/Comfort
Representation: LGBTQ+ (Bisexual, Gay)
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
Content Warnings: Grief, Parental Death, Bullying
After reading Asher’s book, I was desperate for Westly to get his own story, but I was initially a little skeptical that a coach and professor romance would fit with the rest of the books in this series. However, Puck Drills & Quick Thrills was the perfect way to wrap up this series.
This book took place during the same time as Line Mates & Study Dates, and I loved seeing things from West’s point of view. He was so earnest and wanted to do his best to help everyone around him. His instinct to immediately offer to help Jasper with his high school reunion despite having run to his office to tell him off was so pure and adorable. I couldn’t help falling in love with him a little.
I enjoyed the character growth that Jasper went through as well. He was so grumpy and jaded initially, but he quickly let himself get past his hockey-related hang-ups. Also, the scenes with him tutoring West’s little brother were so sweet.
I adored the hurt/comfort aspect of this. Jasper was so sweet to West and genuinely just wanted to take care of him, which was perfect since West put everyone’s needs ahead of his own.
I read through this series so quickly because I literally couldn’t put it down, and now I’m a little sad that it’s over. I’ll be moving on to the Puckboys series next, but I’ll definitely be adding the CU Hockey series to my comfort re-reads list.
Sounds perfect to me, I almost say, and then my chest lurches.
Ah, guilt, my old friend. You’ve returned.
- Puck Drills & Quick Thrills
Tropes: Age Gap, Fake Dating, Professor, Coach, Friends with Benefits, Secret Relationship, Opposites Attract, Hurt/Comfort
Representation: LGBTQ+ (Bisexual, Gay)
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
Content Warnings: Grief, Parental Death, Bullying
After reading Asher’s book, I was desperate for Westly to get his own story, but I was initially a little skeptical that a coach and professor romance would fit with the rest of the books in this series. However, Puck Drills & Quick Thrills was the perfect way to wrap up this series.
This book took place during the same time as Line Mates & Study Dates, and I loved seeing things from West’s point of view. He was so earnest and wanted to do his best to help everyone around him. His instinct to immediately offer to help Jasper with his high school reunion despite having run to his office to tell him off was so pure and adorable. I couldn’t help falling in love with him a little.
I enjoyed the character growth that Jasper went through as well. He was so grumpy and jaded initially, but he quickly let himself get past his hockey-related hang-ups. Also, the scenes with him tutoring West’s little brother were so sweet.
I adored the hurt/comfort aspect of this. Jasper was so sweet to West and genuinely just wanted to take care of him, which was perfect since West put everyone’s needs ahead of his own.
I read through this series so quickly because I literally couldn’t put it down, and now I’m a little sad that it’s over. I’ll be moving on to the Puckboys series next, but I’ll definitely be adding the CU Hockey series to my comfort re-reads list.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Bullying and Death of parent
Hot Asset by Lauren Layne
lighthearted
medium-paced
“You take my suggestion to seduce the lady agent?
I smile. Lady agent. I wonder how Lara would feel about the moniker. ‘I tried. Didn’t take. Trying to clear my name the old-fashioned way, though,’ I respond.
‘Hiring someone to take out the witness?”
- Hot Asset
Tropes: Workplace Romance, Millionaire, Reformed Playboy, Enemies to Lovers, Forbidden Relationship, Law Enforcement, Opposites Attract
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶
CW: Foster Care, Parental Death, Cheating (Mention)
Hot Asset was everything I expected from a Lauren Layne book and more. The New York setting was great, and the side characters were likable and well-developed. Both Ian and Lara were strong and ambitious, making for great chemistry. I loved their witty banter and how utterly unimpressed Lara was with Ian’s suave playboy exterior.
This book had a good balance of external and internal conflict, which was a nice change from Layne’s usually character-flaw-driven plots. Ian and Lara had a very realistic obstacle keeping them apart, in addition to the personal issues they had to overcome.
Hot Asset was the perfect quick and fun read and did a great job setting up the following two books.
I smile. Lady agent. I wonder how Lara would feel about the moniker. ‘I tried. Didn’t take. Trying to clear my name the old-fashioned way, though,’ I respond.
‘Hiring someone to take out the witness?”
- Hot Asset
Tropes: Workplace Romance, Millionaire, Reformed Playboy, Enemies to Lovers, Forbidden Relationship, Law Enforcement, Opposites Attract
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶
CW: Foster Care, Parental Death, Cheating (Mention)
Hot Asset was everything I expected from a Lauren Layne book and more. The New York setting was great, and the side characters were likable and well-developed. Both Ian and Lara were strong and ambitious, making for great chemistry. I loved their witty banter and how utterly unimpressed Lara was with Ian’s suave playboy exterior.
This book had a good balance of external and internal conflict, which was a nice change from Layne’s usually character-flaw-driven plots. Ian and Lara had a very realistic obstacle keeping them apart, in addition to the personal issues they had to overcome.
Hot Asset was the perfect quick and fun read and did a great job setting up the following two books.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Line Mates & Study Dates by Saxon James, Eden Finley
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
“What about emotionally unavailable guys who treat people like shit? Because I’m that too. Don’t pigeonhole me, dude.”
- Line Mates & Study Dates
Tropes: Sports (Hockey), College, Coach’s Son, Opposites Attract, Troubled Hero, Tutoring, Secret Relationship
Representation: LGBTQ+ (Bisexual, Gay)
Spice Scale: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
CW: Grief, Death of a Parent
I am such a sucker for troubled characters putting up a front to protect themselves, especially when their backstories are well-developed. So when I met Asher in book three, I knew I would love his book. Once you get into Asher’s head, you can really understand why he is the way he is, and I couldn’t help but feel for him. Asher went through some amazing character growth. I also completely adored his secret cinnamon roll side. Watching him open up to Kole and his team was so heartwarming, and I loved how sweet he was with his younger siblings.
Kole was sweet and completely self-assured, which made him a perfect match for Asher. He was able to read Asher so well and get under his skin in a way no one else had been able to. I loved their banter, and their chemistry was off the charts. The tension during those study sessions? Chefs kiss.
Line Mates & Study Dates was a definite tone shift from the previous three books. It had a lot more angst than the previous books, but it worked so well. There was a perfect balance between heavy emotions and lighthearted moments, and I absolutely loved it.
- Line Mates & Study Dates
Tropes: Sports (Hockey), College, Coach’s Son, Opposites Attract, Troubled Hero, Tutoring, Secret Relationship
Representation: LGBTQ+ (Bisexual, Gay)
Spice Scale: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
CW: Grief, Death of a Parent
I am such a sucker for troubled characters putting up a front to protect themselves, especially when their backstories are well-developed. So when I met Asher in book three, I knew I would love his book. Once you get into Asher’s head, you can really understand why he is the way he is, and I couldn’t help but feel for him. Asher went through some amazing character growth. I also completely adored his secret cinnamon roll side. Watching him open up to Kole and his team was so heartwarming, and I loved how sweet he was with his younger siblings.
Kole was sweet and completely self-assured, which made him a perfect match for Asher. He was able to read Asher so well and get under his skin in a way no one else had been able to. I loved their banter, and their chemistry was off the charts. The tension during those study sessions? Chefs kiss.
Line Mates & Study Dates was a definite tone shift from the previous three books. It had a lot more angst than the previous books, but it worked so well. There was a perfect balance between heavy emotions and lighthearted moments, and I absolutely loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy, Sierra Simone
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
”And then, there it was: the collapse of all my gingerbread-infused effort. With a single kiss from Bee, all my control burned away, and my body stirred for her. I was going to have a problem hiding my response after this, but that didn’t stop me from deepening the kiss, from holding her tight as she explored my mouth with a soft, sweet greed. I’d figure out what was going on later.”
- A Merry Little Meet Cute
Thank you, NetGalley and Avon, for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tropes: Holiday Romance, Celebrities (Porn Star, Actors, Former Musician), Forced Proximity, Secret Identity, Hidden Relationship, Image Rehab, Small Town, Childhood Crush
Representation: Plus Size, LGBTQ+ (Bisexual)
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
CW: Mental Illness (Bipolar Disorder), Fatphobia, Body Shaming, Sexism, Medical Content
I requested this ARC because I loved Julie Murphy’s If the Shoe Fits last year. I’ve never read anything by Sierra Simone before, but I know from BookTok that her writing is ✨spicy✨ so I had to see how their two styles worked together. It did not disappoint.
I absolutely loved the Christmas town setting and holiday references. You would think a holiday-themed strip club or gingerbread line would be a little over the top, but it worked so well. I also loved how positive this book was about body and sex. Bee was completely comfortable with her size and career choice. Her size was just one aspect of who she was, not her entire person, and although she kept her job secret for the majority of the book, she never felt shame for working in adult film. More importantly, her love interest never made her feel shame for either of these things either, which was a major green flag.
Bee and Nolan’s relationship was the perfect mix of sweet and spicy. The fact that they were both each other’s celebrity crushes was adorable, and their chemistry and banter were off the charts. Also, they were both bisexual disasters, which I am a total sucker for.
If you’re looking for something that captures the spirit of a Hallmark Christmas movie but is smutty as hell, A Merry Little Meet Cute is a must-read. Simone and Murphy’s writing flowed so seamlessly that I honestly couldn’t tell it was written by two people. I loved the world they created and can’t wait for more in this series.
- A Merry Little Meet Cute
Thank you, NetGalley and Avon, for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tropes: Holiday Romance, Celebrities (Porn Star, Actors, Former Musician), Forced Proximity, Secret Identity, Hidden Relationship, Image Rehab, Small Town, Childhood Crush
Representation: Plus Size, LGBTQ+ (Bisexual)
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
CW: Mental Illness (Bipolar Disorder), Fatphobia, Body Shaming, Sexism, Medical Content
I requested this ARC because I loved Julie Murphy’s If the Shoe Fits last year. I’ve never read anything by Sierra Simone before, but I know from BookTok that her writing is ✨spicy✨ so I had to see how their two styles worked together. It did not disappoint.
I absolutely loved the Christmas town setting and holiday references. You would think a holiday-themed strip club or gingerbread line would be a little over the top, but it worked so well. I also loved how positive this book was about body and sex. Bee was completely comfortable with her size and career choice. Her size was just one aspect of who she was, not her entire person, and although she kept her job secret for the majority of the book, she never felt shame for working in adult film. More importantly, her love interest never made her feel shame for either of these things either, which was a major green flag.
Bee and Nolan’s relationship was the perfect mix of sweet and spicy. The fact that they were both each other’s celebrity crushes was adorable, and their chemistry and banter were off the charts. Also, they were both bisexual disasters, which I am a total sucker for.
If you’re looking for something that captures the spirit of a Hallmark Christmas movie but is smutty as hell, A Merry Little Meet Cute is a must-read. Simone and Murphy’s writing flowed so seamlessly that I honestly couldn’t tell it was written by two people. I loved the world they created and can’t wait for more in this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Body shaming
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Mental illness and Medical content
Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun
lighthearted
medium-paced
”We’re suspended in a perfect snow globe built for two. On a snow day in Portland, you could fall in love.”
- Kiss Her Once for Me
Thank you, NetGalley and Atria, for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tropes: Holiday Romance, Second Chance Romance, Marriage of Convenience, Fake Dating, Miscommunication, Love Triangle, Non-Linear Flashbacks
Representation: LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Bisexual, Demisexual), POC, Neurodivergent (ADHD)
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶
CW: Ableism, Biphobia, Anxiety Disorder, Parental Abandonment, Toxic Family
Since The Charm Offensive was my favorite book of last year, I expected that I would adore Cochrun’s second book. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever read anything quite like this book before. Kiss Her Once for Me was a refreshing take on so many classic tropes. I tend not to like love triangles in general, but the love trapezoid was perfection. I loved the friendship that developed between Andrew and Ellie over the course of their fake engagement, and the absolute chaos of their pining over different people was hilarious—especially when you add in the Boozy Grandmas’ antics.
This was the first book I’ve read with female ADHD rep. I always appreciate seeing ADHD rep, but it can present so differently in women as compared to men (which is why it often goes undiagnosed), so it was nice seeing the nuances of my experience portrayed in that way. The anxiety rep was also well done, but that wasn’t a surprise, seeing as it was also well done in The Charm Offensive.
Kiss Her Once for Me was wonderfully Christmassy and heartwarming. It had all the vibes of a Hallmark Christmas movie, except delightfully gay and with more in-depth character development.
- Kiss Her Once for Me
Thank you, NetGalley and Atria, for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tropes: Holiday Romance, Second Chance Romance, Marriage of Convenience, Fake Dating, Miscommunication, Love Triangle, Non-Linear Flashbacks
Representation: LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Bisexual, Demisexual), POC, Neurodivergent (ADHD)
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶
CW: Ableism, Biphobia, Anxiety Disorder, Parental Abandonment, Toxic Family
Since The Charm Offensive was my favorite book of last year, I expected that I would adore Cochrun’s second book. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever read anything quite like this book before. Kiss Her Once for Me was a refreshing take on so many classic tropes. I tend not to like love triangles in general, but the love trapezoid was perfection. I loved the friendship that developed between Andrew and Ellie over the course of their fake engagement, and the absolute chaos of their pining over different people was hilarious—especially when you add in the Boozy Grandmas’ antics.
This was the first book I’ve read with female ADHD rep. I always appreciate seeing ADHD rep, but it can present so differently in women as compared to men (which is why it often goes undiagnosed), so it was nice seeing the nuances of my experience portrayed in that way. The anxiety rep was also well done, but that wasn’t a surprise, seeing as it was also well done in The Charm Offensive.
Kiss Her Once for Me was wonderfully Christmassy and heartwarming. It had all the vibes of a Hallmark Christmas movie, except delightfully gay and with more in-depth character development.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Abandonment, Biphobia, and Ableism