Scan barcode
cozycritiques's reviews
64 reviews
Lovebug by Erin Mallon
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
”It feels good to finally have a solid group of girlfriends, especially ones who understand why I do what I do. These are the girls who aren’t afraid to get messy, to literally “play in the dirt” digging for dinosaur bones or dive into murky waters to study a blobfish. These are women are passionate about science. They would never give me that scrunched-up “ew” face so many people give me when they learn that an entomologist studies bugs, not words.”
- Lovebug
Tropes: Women in STEM, Workplace Romance, Love Triangle, Camp Counselors
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶
CW: Infidelity
After reading Flirtasaurus, I was a little skeptical about whether I would enjoy the sequel, but within the first chapter, any doubts I had disappeared. Mabel is a breath of fresh air and exactly the type of heroine I look for in a lighthearted romance. She’s quirky, sweet, friendly, and genuinely kind. But she’s not without her flaws. She’s also a people pleaser and a bit of a pushover, letting the people in her life walk all over her. Wallace is snarky, flirtatious, and completely smitten with Mabel and helps unlock the confident and self-sufficient part of herself that was in there all along but just needed a little help to come out.
And although Mabel has a fiancé, I couldn’t help rooting for her and Wallace. Because frankly, her fiancé Bert is a jerk who doesn’t deserve Mabel or his games of glorified bop-it (I won’t go any further into this, but oh my god, I’d never cringed or laughed more than when Mabel was describing her sex life with Bert). It’s evident from Mabel and Wallace’s first real encounter that they have an effect on each other. Wallace opens up Mabel in a way that he apparently hasn’t done with anyone at the center, and she’s reduced to a state of “smurfnurblin” (a word I’m 80% sure was made up for this novel and apparently means “to be depressingly aroused”) every time he’s near.
- Lovebug
Tropes: Women in STEM, Workplace Romance, Love Triangle, Camp Counselors
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶
CW: Infidelity
After reading Flirtasaurus, I was a little skeptical about whether I would enjoy the sequel, but within the first chapter, any doubts I had disappeared. Mabel is a breath of fresh air and exactly the type of heroine I look for in a lighthearted romance. She’s quirky, sweet, friendly, and genuinely kind. But she’s not without her flaws. She’s also a people pleaser and a bit of a pushover, letting the people in her life walk all over her. Wallace is snarky, flirtatious, and completely smitten with Mabel and helps unlock the confident and self-sufficient part of herself that was in there all along but just needed a little help to come out.
And although Mabel has a fiancé, I couldn’t help rooting for her and Wallace. Because frankly, her fiancé Bert is a jerk who doesn’t deserve Mabel or his games of glorified bop-it (I won’t go any further into this, but oh my god, I’d never cringed or laughed more than when Mabel was describing her sex life with Bert). It’s evident from Mabel and Wallace’s first real encounter that they have an effect on each other. Wallace opens up Mabel in a way that he apparently hasn’t done with anyone at the center, and she’s reduced to a state of “smurfnurblin” (a word I’m 80% sure was made up for this novel and apparently means “to be depressingly aroused”) every time he’s near.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
Flirtasaurus by Erin Mallon
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
”“Hi, Trix. Hi, Monty.” I actually lift my hand to wave at them, but it just hangs in the air, a soft-palmed salute. I feel my jaw relax and lower. My Jaw does the same. This must be what it feels like to fall in love for the first time.”
- Flirtasaurus
Tropes: Women in STEM, Workplace Romance, Meet Ugly
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶
CW: Drug Use
Flirtasaurus drew me in with the hope that Calliope could possibly be a heroine to look up to—I mean a female paleontologist? And overall, there were some super cute moments between Calliope and Ralph, and the meet-ugly in the beginning totally grabbed my attention. However I think Calliope as a character missed the mark for me. I loved how passionate she was was about her career, but there was a lack of character growth from her. She is the exact same at the beginning of the story as she is at the end: foul-mouthed, self-centered, and stubborn. At no point does she learn from her mistakes, even when confronted head-on with them, whether by Dr. Knowles, by her parents, or by her love interest, Ralph.
I did love the supporting cast, though. For example, Dr. Knowles; she’s strong, competent, and a little bit frightening. I understand why Calliope looks up to her and wants her to be her mentor. Some of my favorite parts of the book were Calliope’s interactions with Dr. Knowles. The woman is unflappable. I also liked Mabel, an entomologist Calliope meets on her first day that immediately befriends her. Calliope may find Mabel to be too quirky and awkward, but I found her genuine and sweet, and I can’t wait to read the sequel that focuses on her.
- Flirtasaurus
Tropes: Women in STEM, Workplace Romance, Meet Ugly
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶
CW: Drug Use
Flirtasaurus drew me in with the hope that Calliope could possibly be a heroine to look up to—I mean a female paleontologist? And overall, there were some super cute moments between Calliope and Ralph, and the meet-ugly in the beginning totally grabbed my attention. However I think Calliope as a character missed the mark for me. I loved how passionate she was was about her career, but there was a lack of character growth from her. She is the exact same at the beginning of the story as she is at the end: foul-mouthed, self-centered, and stubborn. At no point does she learn from her mistakes, even when confronted head-on with them, whether by Dr. Knowles, by her parents, or by her love interest, Ralph.
I did love the supporting cast, though. For example, Dr. Knowles; she’s strong, competent, and a little bit frightening. I understand why Calliope looks up to her and wants her to be her mentor. Some of my favorite parts of the book were Calliope’s interactions with Dr. Knowles. The woman is unflappable. I also liked Mabel, an entomologist Calliope meets on her first day that immediately befriends her. Calliope may find Mabel to be too quirky and awkward, but I found her genuine and sweet, and I can’t wait to read the sequel that focuses on her.
To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
lighthearted
medium-paced
”And now that the year is almost over, I know for sure that I am also over you. I'm immune to you now, Peter. I'm really proud to say that I'm the only girl in this school who has been immunized to the charms of Peter Kavinsky. All because I had a really bad dose of you in seventh grade and most of eighth. Now I never ever have to worry about catching you again. What a relief! I bet if I did ever kiss you again, I would definitely catch something, and it wouldn't be love.”
- To All the Boy I’ve Loved Before
Tropes: High School, Childhood Crush, Opposites Attract, Fake Dating, Friends to Lovers
Representation: BIPOC
Spice Scale: 🫑
CW: Bullying, Death of a parent
Lara Jean is your classic romantic. She’s not the popular girl, but she’s well-liked, just a little bit naïve, and grounded. She’s relatable. Peter, however, is the opposite. He’s your typical popular boy: a little cocky, plays a sport, and is dating the most popular girl in school—or at least was. He’s the boy that nearly every girl has had a crush on at some point. I know I had my own Peter Kavinsky (although he wasn’t nearly as charming as Peter, never gave me the time of day, and I stayed over him once my unrequited middle school crush was over).
The two of them make a nice pair. Yes, Peter and Lara Jean are seemingly opposites, but they both care, which is more important than extracurriculars anyway. Lara Jean loves profoundly and honestly, whether it’s her friend Chris (who is a whole mood), her sisters Margot and Kitty (who is, I think, my favorite character. That little girl is a firecracker), or the boys she wrote letters to. Peter loves almost effortlessly. He has lots of friends, but he seems to honestly like and get along with them, he has a close relationship with his family, and although Genevieve is kind of a nightmare, he still cares about her even after they break up. And then, of course, there’s how they end up feeling about each other, but I won’t spoil it too much for you.
I absolutely adored this story. Lara Jean’s inner monologues had me laughing one minute and feeling all the feels the next. It really helped me understand her as a character. I felt like I went on this journey with her, and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for me next.
- To All the Boy I’ve Loved Before
Tropes: High School, Childhood Crush, Opposites Attract, Fake Dating, Friends to Lovers
Representation: BIPOC
Spice Scale: 🫑
CW: Bullying, Death of a parent
Lara Jean is your classic romantic. She’s not the popular girl, but she’s well-liked, just a little bit naïve, and grounded. She’s relatable. Peter, however, is the opposite. He’s your typical popular boy: a little cocky, plays a sport, and is dating the most popular girl in school—or at least was. He’s the boy that nearly every girl has had a crush on at some point. I know I had my own Peter Kavinsky (although he wasn’t nearly as charming as Peter, never gave me the time of day, and I stayed over him once my unrequited middle school crush was over).
The two of them make a nice pair. Yes, Peter and Lara Jean are seemingly opposites, but they both care, which is more important than extracurriculars anyway. Lara Jean loves profoundly and honestly, whether it’s her friend Chris (who is a whole mood), her sisters Margot and Kitty (who is, I think, my favorite character. That little girl is a firecracker), or the boys she wrote letters to. Peter loves almost effortlessly. He has lots of friends, but he seems to honestly like and get along with them, he has a close relationship with his family, and although Genevieve is kind of a nightmare, he still cares about her even after they break up. And then, of course, there’s how they end up feeling about each other, but I won’t spoil it too much for you.
I absolutely adored this story. Lara Jean’s inner monologues had me laughing one minute and feeling all the feels the next. It really helped me understand her as a character. I felt like I went on this journey with her, and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for me next.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han
lighthearted
medium-paced
“I cannot believe that John Ambrose McClaren read that letter. I didn’t remember it to be so… naked. With so much… yearning. God, why do I have to be a person who yearns so much? How horrible. How perfectly horrible.”
- P.S. I Still Love You
Tropes: High School, Childhood Crush, Opposites Attract, Love Triangle, Matchmaking, Meddling Elderly Character
Representation: BIPOC
Spice Scale: 🫑
CW: Death of a Parent, Infidelity, and Mild Racism
Can a girl be in love with two boys at once? I found myself asking this question throughout the book because I couldn’t help but love both Peter and John Ambrose McClaren. Of course, I fell in love with Peter in the first book, but this one just cemented that love. He’s kind and charismatic, and his love for Lara Jean is so evident, despite the drama with Genevieve going on. Him giving her the locket? So sweet. And taking Kitty to school on her birthday and telling her that she’s his “only girl” that day? I understand entirely why Lara Jean was swooning. But then there’s John Ambrose McClaren (I can’t help using his full name like Lara Jean. It’s just a great name). He’s confident and smart and also clearly thinks the world of Lara Jean. I mean (mild spoiler) who shows up for a nursing home USO party in a red convertible Mustang and wearing a full uniform for a girl he wasn’t head over heels with? I was with Ms. Rothschild on that one: “Whoa is right.”
Usually, the second installation in a series tends to be the weakest. Oceans 12 was not nearly as good as Oceans 11 or Oceans 13. Catching Fire was not nearly as compelling as The Hunger Games or Mocking Jay. P.S. I Love You bucks this tradition. While I loved To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, I think P.S. I Love You is even stronger. This could be because it was intended to be the last book in the series, but I think that wouldn’t be giving the book enough credit. The side characters grow and become even more likable than they already were (Kitty had me laughing out loud more than once. Someone, get that girl away from The Sopranos!). The side plots with Stormy and the nursing home and Kitty being a matchmaker for her dad and their neighbor Ms. Rothschild are well developed and interesting in their own right. P.S. I Love You builds on what I loved about the first book, but it also tells its own story.
- P.S. I Still Love You
Tropes: High School, Childhood Crush, Opposites Attract, Love Triangle, Matchmaking, Meddling Elderly Character
Representation: BIPOC
Spice Scale: 🫑
CW: Death of a Parent, Infidelity, and Mild Racism
Can a girl be in love with two boys at once? I found myself asking this question throughout the book because I couldn’t help but love both Peter and John Ambrose McClaren. Of course, I fell in love with Peter in the first book, but this one just cemented that love. He’s kind and charismatic, and his love for Lara Jean is so evident, despite the drama with Genevieve going on. Him giving her the locket? So sweet. And taking Kitty to school on her birthday and telling her that she’s his “only girl” that day? I understand entirely why Lara Jean was swooning. But then there’s John Ambrose McClaren (I can’t help using his full name like Lara Jean. It’s just a great name). He’s confident and smart and also clearly thinks the world of Lara Jean. I mean (mild spoiler) who shows up for a nursing home USO party in a red convertible Mustang and wearing a full uniform for a girl he wasn’t head over heels with? I was with Ms. Rothschild on that one: “Whoa is right.”
Usually, the second installation in a series tends to be the weakest. Oceans 12 was not nearly as good as Oceans 11 or Oceans 13. Catching Fire was not nearly as compelling as The Hunger Games or Mocking Jay. P.S. I Love You bucks this tradition. While I loved To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, I think P.S. I Love You is even stronger. This could be because it was intended to be the last book in the series, but I think that wouldn’t be giving the book enough credit. The side characters grow and become even more likable than they already were (Kitty had me laughing out loud more than once. Someone, get that girl away from The Sopranos!). The side plots with Stormy and the nursing home and Kitty being a matchmaker for her dad and their neighbor Ms. Rothschild are well developed and interesting in their own right. P.S. I Love You builds on what I loved about the first book, but it also tells its own story.
Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
”What if I came here and I ended up loving it? What if, after a year, I didn’t want to leave? What then? But wouldn’t it be great if I loved it? Isn’t that the whole point? Why bet on not loving a place? Why not take a chance and bet on happiness?”
- Always and Forever, Lara Jean
Tropes: High School, Childhood Crush, Opposites Attract
Representation: BIPOC
Spice Scale: 🫑
CW: Death of a Parent, Underage Drinking
Always and Forever, Lara Jean was hands down my favorite in the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before series. It opens a year after the events of P.S. I Still Love You. Lara Jean and Peter are well into their senior year of high school and dealing with everything that goes along with that; waiting for college acceptances, senior class trips, prepping for prom. Although it’s been nearly ten years since I was a senior in high school, reading Lara Jean go through all of the ups and downs of that year brought me right back. And I think that was my favorite part of this book and why it ended up being my favorite in the series.
I’ve never fake-dated my middle school crush and had that turn into a real relationship—and I’m going to go out on a limb and say that not many other people have, either—but almost everyone has gone through the panic of graduating from high school. Reading this book, I remembered the anxiety that went along with waiting for college acceptances, the joy of watching my friends get “promposed” to in elaborate ways, and the paradoxical feeling of both excitement and terror at the fact that everything was changing.
Always and Forever, Lara Jean is raw, real, and relatable in a way that the first two books were not but still had that same charm. Lara Jean and Peter’s relationship is as adorable as ever—minus the bumps along the way—and the side plot with Lara Jean’s dad getting married is heartwarming. As always, I loved Lara Jean’s dynamic with her sisters and her friendship with Chris and Lucas, as well as the growing relationship she has with Trina. As I mentioned in my review of P.S. I Still Love You, the series was intended to be two novels, not three, and while I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in the series, I couldn’t have imagined the series without the third installation. It’s a perfect way to wrap up the series and say goodbye to the characters I’ve grown to love.
- Always and Forever, Lara Jean
Tropes: High School, Childhood Crush, Opposites Attract
Representation: BIPOC
Spice Scale: 🫑
CW: Death of a Parent, Underage Drinking
Always and Forever, Lara Jean was hands down my favorite in the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before series. It opens a year after the events of P.S. I Still Love You. Lara Jean and Peter are well into their senior year of high school and dealing with everything that goes along with that; waiting for college acceptances, senior class trips, prepping for prom. Although it’s been nearly ten years since I was a senior in high school, reading Lara Jean go through all of the ups and downs of that year brought me right back. And I think that was my favorite part of this book and why it ended up being my favorite in the series.
I’ve never fake-dated my middle school crush and had that turn into a real relationship—and I’m going to go out on a limb and say that not many other people have, either—but almost everyone has gone through the panic of graduating from high school. Reading this book, I remembered the anxiety that went along with waiting for college acceptances, the joy of watching my friends get “promposed” to in elaborate ways, and the paradoxical feeling of both excitement and terror at the fact that everything was changing.
Always and Forever, Lara Jean is raw, real, and relatable in a way that the first two books were not but still had that same charm. Lara Jean and Peter’s relationship is as adorable as ever—minus the bumps along the way—and the side plot with Lara Jean’s dad getting married is heartwarming. As always, I loved Lara Jean’s dynamic with her sisters and her friendship with Chris and Lucas, as well as the growing relationship she has with Trina. As I mentioned in my review of P.S. I Still Love You, the series was intended to be two novels, not three, and while I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in the series, I couldn’t have imagined the series without the third installation. It’s a perfect way to wrap up the series and say goodbye to the characters I’ve grown to love.
The Dog Share by Fiona Gibson
emotional
slow-paced
“And what does a fully functional grown-up woman do when everything’s screwed up? She kicks off her shoes and yanks the screw top off a bottle of wine and pours herself a massive glassful.”
- The Dog Share
Thank you, NetGalley and Avon Books, for the e-ARC
Tropes: Love after Divorce, Later in Life
Spice Scale: 🫑
CW: Infidelity, Minor mentions of death
This was a cute read, but it wasn’t what I expected when picking it up. The Dog Share tells the story of two people navigating the twists and turns of life in their 40s. Suzy Medley is an obituary writer with two teenagers in college whose ex left her with a failing whiskey distillery in Sgadansay, Scotland. She’s set on closing the distillery, but when she finds an abandoned dog, Scout, she gets a new lease on life. She ends up falling in love with this island and decides to try to rescue the distillery. Her love interest is Ricky, a music teacher with a pre-teen son. While on a trip back home to Sgadansay with his son Arthur and his Instagram-obsessed girlfriend (who leaves early, thank God), Ricky meets Scout and ends up partially sharing him with Suzy to give Arthur a chance to play with him. However, this meeting doesn’t happen until well over halfway into the book.
The romance wasn’t the main focus of the story but rather the lives of the two main characters. And although I picked the book up expecting a cute romance facilitated by an adorable dog, I still ended up enjoying the book. Suzy was a compelling character, and I found myself rooting for her on her quest to save the distillery. I also enjoyed watching Ricky fall back in love with his hometown. I will say that the marketing for this book felt a little misleading. Based on the title, cover, and description, I did expect more interaction and more actual dog-sharing between Suzy and Ricky. Although they do end up coming together at the end, it felt more like an “oh, by the way” than a significant plot point.
- The Dog Share
Thank you, NetGalley and Avon Books, for the e-ARC
Tropes: Love after Divorce, Later in Life
Spice Scale: 🫑
CW: Infidelity, Minor mentions of death
This was a cute read, but it wasn’t what I expected when picking it up. The Dog Share tells the story of two people navigating the twists and turns of life in their 40s. Suzy Medley is an obituary writer with two teenagers in college whose ex left her with a failing whiskey distillery in Sgadansay, Scotland. She’s set on closing the distillery, but when she finds an abandoned dog, Scout, she gets a new lease on life. She ends up falling in love with this island and decides to try to rescue the distillery. Her love interest is Ricky, a music teacher with a pre-teen son. While on a trip back home to Sgadansay with his son Arthur and his Instagram-obsessed girlfriend (who leaves early, thank God), Ricky meets Scout and ends up partially sharing him with Suzy to give Arthur a chance to play with him. However, this meeting doesn’t happen until well over halfway into the book.
The romance wasn’t the main focus of the story but rather the lives of the two main characters. And although I picked the book up expecting a cute romance facilitated by an adorable dog, I still ended up enjoying the book. Suzy was a compelling character, and I found myself rooting for her on her quest to save the distillery. I also enjoyed watching Ricky fall back in love with his hometown. I will say that the marketing for this book felt a little misleading. Based on the title, cover, and description, I did expect more interaction and more actual dog-sharing between Suzy and Ricky. Although they do end up coming together at the end, it felt more like an “oh, by the way” than a significant plot point.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Infidelity
The Secret Bridesmaid by Katy Birchall
lighthearted
medium-paced
”But I’ve never been in a situation where the bride is so determined to attack me personally every chance she gets. I will not let her defeat me, though. Lady Cordelia Swann is my biggest challenge yet, and I’m going to face it head-on.”
- The Secret Bridesmaid
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for the e-ARC.
Tropes: Bridesmaid for Hire, Wedding Planning, Mistaken Identity, Texts on the Page
Spice Scale: 🫑
CW: Overdose
The Secret Bridesmaid was a delightfully unexpected novel. When I picked it up, I just expected a cute story about a bridesmaid-for-hire trying to juggle a secret identity while wooing a difficult bride’s brother, but what I got was so much more than that, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I liked so many things about this book, one of which was how deep of a look we get into Sophie’s life as a professional bridesmaid. Scattered throughout the book, we get glimpses of the other weddings Sophie is working through emails with vendors, bachelorette party group texts, and meetings with other brides, all of which are laugh-out-loud funny. Sophie’s job is truly chaotic, and I admire the hell out of her for being able to do it. I also loved Sophie’s cousin Cara, who is such a great book best friend. But I think the thing that I liked the most was Sophie’s relationship with Cordelia.
Although The Secret Bridesmaid is classified as a romance—and the romance is definitely there—the story’s main focus is about Sophie (or Emily as she goes by) and Cordelia’s reluctant friendship. The story arc that would usually happen between a protagonist and their love interest—you know, the whole inciting incident, pivotal moments that bring them together, the “all is lost” moment thing—all happens between Sophie and Cordelia. Tom and Sophie do have their own mini-arc, which was a delight, but honestly, I would have enjoyed the story regardless of it being there. Sophie and Cordelia go on a journey of enemies to reluctant bridesmaids to friends to real bridesmaids, and I wish more stories focused on female friendships like this one.
- The Secret Bridesmaid
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for the e-ARC.
Tropes: Bridesmaid for Hire, Wedding Planning, Mistaken Identity, Texts on the Page
Spice Scale: 🫑
CW: Overdose
The Secret Bridesmaid was a delightfully unexpected novel. When I picked it up, I just expected a cute story about a bridesmaid-for-hire trying to juggle a secret identity while wooing a difficult bride’s brother, but what I got was so much more than that, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I liked so many things about this book, one of which was how deep of a look we get into Sophie’s life as a professional bridesmaid. Scattered throughout the book, we get glimpses of the other weddings Sophie is working through emails with vendors, bachelorette party group texts, and meetings with other brides, all of which are laugh-out-loud funny. Sophie’s job is truly chaotic, and I admire the hell out of her for being able to do it. I also loved Sophie’s cousin Cara, who is such a great book best friend. But I think the thing that I liked the most was Sophie’s relationship with Cordelia.
Although The Secret Bridesmaid is classified as a romance—and the romance is definitely there—the story’s main focus is about Sophie (or Emily as she goes by) and Cordelia’s reluctant friendship. The story arc that would usually happen between a protagonist and their love interest—you know, the whole inciting incident, pivotal moments that bring them together, the “all is lost” moment thing—all happens between Sophie and Cordelia. Tom and Sophie do have their own mini-arc, which was a delight, but honestly, I would have enjoyed the story regardless of it being there. Sophie and Cordelia go on a journey of enemies to reluctant bridesmaids to friends to real bridesmaids, and I wish more stories focused on female friendships like this one.
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 Eden Finley, Saxon James
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: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infidelity and Abandonment
Minor: Physical abuse