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cozycritiques's reviews
64 reviews
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: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
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: Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
Puck Drills & Quick Thrills by Eden Finley, Saxon James
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 Eden Finley, Saxon James
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 Sierra Simone, Julie Murphy
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: Body shaming and Fatphobia
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: Ableism, Biphobia, and Abandonment
Morning Glory Milking Farm by C.M. Nascosta
lighthearted
medium-paced
“I’m in a position to comfortably spoil someone, so when you’re with me, I’m spoiling you. End of story.”
- Morning Glory Milking Farm
Tropes: Paranormal, Monster Romance, Minotaur,
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
CW: Divorce, Food/Wealth Insecurity, Death Mention
I think it’s safe to say that I’m officially a cozy monster romance girly. After reading the Leviathan Fitness series, I wanted to give some other books in the genre a try, and I saw this on a rec list as having similar adorable and soft vibes, so I borrowed it from KU.
Now, you may be wondering how a book about a minotaur milking farm (yes, the spicy kind of milking) could be considered sweet or adorable, and I was wondering the same thing. But Morning Glory Milking Farm was as soft and sweet as it was spicy. For every detailed description of a minotaur milking, there were scenes filled with cute banter and pining. I loved the development of Violet and Rourke’s relationship. Their physical chemistry and connection were instant, but the romantic relationship was definitely a slow burn. I’ve always loved a slow emotional burn with a fast physical burn, but this book took an entirely different approach to that trope, which made for a really interesting read.
The characters were so well developed. I couldn’t help but sympathize with Violet’s financial insecurity and the desperation she felt that propelled her to get the job at the farm. Her growth in getting more confident and taking control of her life was well done. I also thoroughly enjoyed the immersive world-building. The world is full of various monsters with unique stories and cultures, and I can’t wait to read more from this universe.
- Morning Glory Milking Farm
Tropes: Paranormal, Monster Romance, Minotaur,
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
CW: Divorce, Food/Wealth Insecurity, Death Mention
I think it’s safe to say that I’m officially a cozy monster romance girly. After reading the Leviathan Fitness series, I wanted to give some other books in the genre a try, and I saw this on a rec list as having similar adorable and soft vibes, so I borrowed it from KU.
Now, you may be wondering how a book about a minotaur milking farm (yes, the spicy kind of milking) could be considered sweet or adorable, and I was wondering the same thing. But Morning Glory Milking Farm was as soft and sweet as it was spicy. For every detailed description of a minotaur milking, there were scenes filled with cute banter and pining. I loved the development of Violet and Rourke’s relationship. Their physical chemistry and connection were instant, but the romantic relationship was definitely a slow burn. I’ve always loved a slow emotional burn with a fast physical burn, but this book took an entirely different approach to that trope, which made for a really interesting read.
The characters were so well developed. I couldn’t help but sympathize with Violet’s financial insecurity and the desperation she felt that propelled her to get the job at the farm. Her growth in getting more confident and taking control of her life was well done. I also thoroughly enjoyed the immersive world-building. The world is full of various monsters with unique stories and cultures, and I can’t wait to read more from this universe.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
Divorce, Food/Wealth Insecurity, Death Mention
The Naughty, The Nice and The Nanny by Willa Nash, Devney Perry
lighthearted
medium-paced
“Violet was a tutu-toting terrorist, but there was no way in hell a seven-year-old girl was going to best me.”
- The Naughty, the Nice and the Nanny
Tropes: Holiday Romance, Single Parent, Nanny, Childhood Crush, Forbidden Relationship, Boss/Employee
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶
CW: Parental Abandonment
I never expected to enjoy single-parent romances, but I think I’m really starting to love the trope. Maddox’s relationship with his daughter totally made me swoon, and I loved watching Natalie get Violet to open up. The character development was well done, and Maddox’s backstory made my heart ache.
Maddox and Natalie’s relationship was really well-paced. The push and pull of their flirting and pining despite the very realistic reason they had to be apart led to a fantastic slow burn. And the fact that there wasn’t a third-act breakup made it even better. I also loved Maddox’s mild possessiveness.
I adored The Naughty, the Nice and the Nanny. It was heartfelt, funny, and the right level of steamy.
- The Naughty, the Nice and the Nanny
Tropes: Holiday Romance, Single Parent, Nanny, Childhood Crush, Forbidden Relationship, Boss/Employee
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶
CW: Parental Abandonment
I never expected to enjoy single-parent romances, but I think I’m really starting to love the trope. Maddox’s relationship with his daughter totally made me swoon, and I loved watching Natalie get Violet to open up. The character development was well done, and Maddox’s backstory made my heart ache.
Maddox and Natalie’s relationship was really well-paced. The push and pull of their flirting and pining despite the very realistic reason they had to be apart led to a fantastic slow burn. And the fact that there wasn’t a third-act breakup made it even better. I also loved Maddox’s mild possessiveness.
I adored The Naughty, the Nice and the Nanny. It was heartfelt, funny, and the right level of steamy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
”She’d done a bad thing. Because that’s what this was: bad. How could sleeping with your daughter’s friend be anything else?”
- Mistakes Were Made
Tropes: Single Parent, Forbidden/Secret Relationship, Best Friend’s Parent, Caretaking While Sick, Holidays, Characters in Therapy, Women in STEM, Age Gap, Texting
Representation: LGBTQ+ (Bisexual), Mental Health
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
CW: Divorce mention, Past Infidelity mention, Parental Abandonment (Past), Misogyny
I picked this up purely because it had been described as “the MILF book,” and it did not disappoint. When there was a sex scene within the first eight pages of a book, I expected the book to be more spice than plot—which wouldn’t have been a problem for me at all. However, I was pleasantly surprised because Mistakes Were Made struck the perfect balance between spice and plot.
There was such amazing character growth for Cassie and Erin, and the emotional slow-burn of them getting together after their initial meeting was so well done. How Wilsner was able to write such effective mutual pining while the characters were actively hooking up was nothing short of amazing. Their chemistry was off the charts, even when they were separated. I loved the long-distance texting and FaceTime dates; they’re two of my favorite micro-tropes, and there aren’t nearly enough books that do it so effectively.
I loved the found family aspect of this book. It was a little messy, considering Erin was Cassie’s friend’s mother, but that didn’t detract from the tight-knit friend group feel. The messy conflict was also handled really well at the end.
Mistakes Were Made was heartfelt and fun, and I can’t wait to see what Wilsner does next.
- Mistakes Were Made
Tropes: Single Parent, Forbidden/Secret Relationship, Best Friend’s Parent, Caretaking While Sick, Holidays, Characters in Therapy, Women in STEM, Age Gap, Texting
Representation: LGBTQ+ (Bisexual), Mental Health
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
CW: Divorce mention, Past Infidelity mention, Parental Abandonment (Past), Misogyny
I picked this up purely because it had been described as “the MILF book,” and it did not disappoint. When there was a sex scene within the first eight pages of a book, I expected the book to be more spice than plot—which wouldn’t have been a problem for me at all. However, I was pleasantly surprised because Mistakes Were Made struck the perfect balance between spice and plot.
There was such amazing character growth for Cassie and Erin, and the emotional slow-burn of them getting together after their initial meeting was so well done. How Wilsner was able to write such effective mutual pining while the characters were actively hooking up was nothing short of amazing. Their chemistry was off the charts, even when they were separated. I loved the long-distance texting and FaceTime dates; they’re two of my favorite micro-tropes, and there aren’t nearly enough books that do it so effectively.
I loved the found family aspect of this book. It was a little messy, considering Erin was Cassie’s friend’s mother, but that didn’t detract from the tight-knit friend group feel. The messy conflict was also handled really well at the end.
Mistakes Were Made was heartfelt and fun, and I can’t wait to see what Wilsner does next.
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity, Misogyny, and Abandonment