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cozycritiques's reviews
64 reviews
The Legacy by Elle Kennedy
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
“It’s times like this I remember why I fell so hopelessly hard for this girl.”
Tropes: Weddings, Proposals, Accidental Pregnancy, Miscommunication
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶
CW: Past Sexual Assault, Past Child Abuse, Plane Troubles, Minor Injury
I have mixed feelings about this book. One one hand, I loved the characters in this series (for the most part—see my review for The Mistake), so I was excited to read more of them. It was also fun trying to guess which couple would get which storyline/milestone.
However, the plot was lacking for me. Since this was an epilogue book, I went into this hoping for 320 pages of pure fluff, and while there were some cute moments, there was a lot of miscommunication. For four couples whose paths to love were not exactly smooth sailing, I hoped for more growth in their communication styles after three years of being together. The drama that each of the couples go through felt a little forced.
That being said, there were a lot of really cute moments. The banter and shenanigans that I enjoyed from the first four books were there, and I laughed out loud every time Alexander made an appearance (I would explain more, but it would spoil it). But it was the bromance between Garrett, Dean, Logan, and Tucker that really stole the show.
Tropes: Weddings, Proposals, Accidental Pregnancy, Miscommunication
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶
CW: Past Sexual Assault, Past Child Abuse, Plane Troubles, Minor Injury
I have mixed feelings about this book. One one hand, I loved the characters in this series (for the most part—see my review for The Mistake), so I was excited to read more of them. It was also fun trying to guess which couple would get which storyline/milestone.
However, the plot was lacking for me. Since this was an epilogue book, I went into this hoping for 320 pages of pure fluff, and while there were some cute moments, there was a lot of miscommunication. For four couples whose paths to love were not exactly smooth sailing, I hoped for more growth in their communication styles after three years of being together. The drama that each of the couples go through felt a little forced.
That being said, there were a lot of really cute moments. The banter and shenanigans that I enjoyed from the first four books were there, and I laughed out loud every time Alexander made an appearance (I would explain more, but it would spoil it). But it was the bromance between Garrett, Dean, Logan, and Tucker that really stole the show.
Content Warnings
Minor: Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Injury/Injury detail
The Goal by Elle Kennedy
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
“Because love is the ultimate goal. It’s not the one I had strived for, but I was lucky enough, so damn lucky, to achieve it.”
- The Goal
Tropes: Sports (Hockey), College, One-Night Stand, Surprise Pregnancy, Slow Burn
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
CW: Pregnancy, Death, Grief, Sexual Harassment
The Goal was the slowest burn of the series, which I really loved. It was well paced and allowed for some amazing character development. It also gave a different perspective on the events from The Score, which was interesting to read.
Sabrina was independent and stubborn which contrasted against Tucker’s easygoing and friendly manner well. I loved how much of a gentleman cinnamon roll Tucker was while also being surprisingly dirty.
Surprise pregnancy gets a bad rap, but The Goal handled the trope so well. So if you’re looking for a book to change your mind on the trope, this one might just be it.
- The Goal
Tropes: Sports (Hockey), College, One-Night Stand, Surprise Pregnancy, Slow Burn
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
CW: Pregnancy, Death, Grief, Sexual Harassment
The Goal was the slowest burn of the series, which I really loved. It was well paced and allowed for some amazing character development. It also gave a different perspective on the events from The Score, which was interesting to read.
Sabrina was independent and stubborn which contrasted against Tucker’s easygoing and friendly manner well. I loved how much of a gentleman cinnamon roll Tucker was while also being surprisingly dirty.
Surprise pregnancy gets a bad rap, but The Goal handled the trope so well. So if you’re looking for a book to change your mind on the trope, this one might just be it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Pregnancy
Moderate: Death
Minor: Sexual harassment
The Score by Elle Kennedy
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
“Seriously, just find yourself a rebound.” Dean whips up his arm. “I volunteer as tribute.”
- The Score
Tropes: Sports (Hockey), College, Reformed Player, Friends with Benefits to Lovers, Secret Relationship, Actress
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
CW: Slut Shaming, Death, Drug Use, Grief, Suicidal Ideation (Mention)
I will admit that I didn’t really like Dean much in the first two books, but The Score totally changed my mind. He’s cocky, but also such a secret softie. His coaching was sweet to watch, and his support of his friends was endearing.
I loved how his and Allie’s relationship developed from a rebound to friends to something real. The had amazing chemistry and the fact that they were still pining for each other while carrying on with a sexual relationship was so well done. They had such a supportive relationship, and the conflict between them at the end was realistic and handled with care and nuance.
I think The Score might be my favorite of the series. It was funny (the bathtub scene and Dean and Beau’s Twilight conversation especially), soft, and sexy. It checked all the boxes.
- The Score
Tropes: Sports (Hockey), College, Reformed Player, Friends with Benefits to Lovers, Secret Relationship, Actress
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
CW: Slut Shaming, Death, Drug Use, Grief, Suicidal Ideation (Mention)
I will admit that I didn’t really like Dean much in the first two books, but The Score totally changed my mind. He’s cocky, but also such a secret softie. His coaching was sweet to watch, and his support of his friends was endearing.
I loved how his and Allie’s relationship developed from a rebound to friends to something real. The had amazing chemistry and the fact that they were still pining for each other while carrying on with a sexual relationship was so well done. They had such a supportive relationship, and the conflict between them at the end was realistic and handled with care and nuance.
I think The Score might be my favorite of the series. It was funny (the bathtub scene and Dean and Beau’s Twilight conversation especially), soft, and sexy. It checked all the boxes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death and Drug use
slut shaming
The Mistake by Elle Kennedy
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
“What are you doing?” I whisper. “Well, you were looking at me like you wanted me to kiss you.” His blue eyes become heavy-lidded. “So I was thinking I might do that.”
- The Mistake
Tropes: Sports (Hockey), College, Reformed Player, Second Chance (sort of)
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
CW: Alcoholism
The Mistake was a little disappointing after The Deal, which I loved. I loved Logan’s character growth and the discussion around his father’s alcoholism. And for the most part, I liked him and Grace together, but Grace as a character got on my nerves. The way she approached relationships was emotionally immature, which might be expected for a college freshman, but there was no growth beyond that.
** Spoilers ahead **
Her friendship with Ramona was toxic from the start and didn’t get any better, and the third-act-breakup fight at the end was her fault. She shouldn’t have blown up the way she did when Logan was clearly just anxiety spiraling after a traumatic event, and he shouldn’t have had to be the one to do the grand gesture to get her back.
Overall, I still enjoyed it. It had a cute premise. The grand gesture list was fun, and I enjoyed still getting to see Hannah and Garret together as well as the rest of the friend group. But it was Logan’s character development and my obsession with completionism that kept me going with this book.
- The Mistake
Tropes: Sports (Hockey), College, Reformed Player, Second Chance (sort of)
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
CW: Alcoholism
The Mistake was a little disappointing after The Deal, which I loved. I loved Logan’s character growth and the discussion around his father’s alcoholism. And for the most part, I liked him and Grace together, but Grace as a character got on my nerves. The way she approached relationships was emotionally immature, which might be expected for a college freshman, but there was no growth beyond that.
** Spoilers ahead **
Her friendship with Ramona was toxic from the start and didn’t get any better, and the third-act-breakup fight at the end was her fault. She shouldn’t have blown up the way she did when Logan was clearly just anxiety spiraling after a traumatic event, and he shouldn’t have had to be the one to do the grand gesture to get her back.
Overall, I still enjoyed it. It had a cute premise. The grand gesture list was fun, and I enjoyed still getting to see Hannah and Garret together as well as the rest of the friend group. But it was Logan’s character development and my obsession with completionism that kept me going with this book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism
The Deal by Elle Kennedy
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
“Baby, I could watch you watching paint dry, and I still wouldn’t be bored.” Garrett Graham, my own personal sweet-talker.
- The Deal
Tropes: Sports (Hockey), College, Fake Dating, Reformed Player, Only One Bed
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
CW: Rape, Physical Abuse, Parental Abuse, Violence
The Deal was soft, swoony, and funny. Hannah was a sassy heroine and Garrett was cocky and confident. They had great chemistry. Their witty banter and bickering was funny without being too over the top, and they had amazing physical chemistry. But they also connected with each other on an emotionally vulnerable level that was new for both of them. It was sweet, and I couldn’t help rooting for them.
Like Hannah and Garrett didn’t expect the feelings they ended up developing for each other, I truly did not expect to love The Deal as much as I did. It was a quick and easy read, entertaining, and definitely ended up being one of my favorites in the series.
- The Deal
Tropes: Sports (Hockey), College, Fake Dating, Reformed Player, Only One Bed
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
CW: Rape, Physical Abuse, Parental Abuse, Violence
The Deal was soft, swoony, and funny. Hannah was a sassy heroine and Garrett was cocky and confident. They had great chemistry. Their witty banter and bickering was funny without being too over the top, and they had amazing physical chemistry. But they also connected with each other on an emotionally vulnerable level that was new for both of them. It was sweet, and I couldn’t help rooting for them.
Like Hannah and Garrett didn’t expect the feelings they ended up developing for each other, I truly did not expect to love The Deal as much as I did. It was a quick and easy read, entertaining, and definitely ended up being one of my favorites in the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Rape
You're a Mean One, Matthew Prince by Timothy Janovsky
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
“Never in my life has someone come for me so directly like this. Everyone hides behind their computers, writing articles and mean tweets they think I’ll never see, but here’s this stranger unabashedly going toe-to-toe with me. Fuck. Do I find that…refreshing?“
Thank you, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca, for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tropes: Forced Proximity, Enemies to Lovers, Opposites Attract, Grumpy/Sunshine
Representation: Mental Health (Generalized Anxiety Disorder), LGBTQ+ (Gay and bi), BIPOC (Puerto Rican-American)
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶
CW: Mental Illness, Panic Attacks, Mentions of Outing, Toxic Friendship, Gaslighting
This was my first book by Timothy Janovsky, but I will definitely be going back to read his first book now. You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince was utterly delightful. It had all the warm, heartfelt vibes of a Hallmark Christmas movie but with depth and steamy chemistry. The small town setting was perfect, and I loved getting to know all the side characters.
I tend to prefer dual POV when it comes to romance novels. However, I think this book is one of the rare instances where a dual POV may have detracted from the story. Although clearly spoiled and snobbish, Matthew was a surprisingly likable character, something I think can be attributed to the first-person single POV. Because we only see the story through Matthew’s eyes, we can fully understand his struggle with anxiety and the character growth he goes through throughout the book.
My only complaint was Hector’s overuse of the word “dude.” However, I must admit that by the end of the book, I started to find it as endearing as I did annoying. So do with that information what you will.
Overall, if you’re looking for a sweet and funny read with witty banter and a Schitt’s Creek feel, look no further than You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince.
Thank you, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca, for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tropes: Forced Proximity, Enemies to Lovers, Opposites Attract, Grumpy/Sunshine
Representation: Mental Health (Generalized Anxiety Disorder), LGBTQ+ (Gay and bi), BIPOC (Puerto Rican-American)
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶
CW: Mental Illness, Panic Attacks, Mentions of Outing, Toxic Friendship, Gaslighting
This was my first book by Timothy Janovsky, but I will definitely be going back to read his first book now. You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince was utterly delightful. It had all the warm, heartfelt vibes of a Hallmark Christmas movie but with depth and steamy chemistry. The small town setting was perfect, and I loved getting to know all the side characters.
I tend to prefer dual POV when it comes to romance novels. However, I think this book is one of the rare instances where a dual POV may have detracted from the story. Although clearly spoiled and snobbish, Matthew was a surprisingly likable character, something I think can be attributed to the first-person single POV. Because we only see the story through Matthew’s eyes, we can fully understand his struggle with anxiety and the character growth he goes through throughout the book.
My only complaint was Hector’s overuse of the word “dude.” However, I must admit that by the end of the book, I started to find it as endearing as I did annoying. So do with that information what you will.
Overall, if you’re looking for a sweet and funny read with witty banter and a Schitt’s Creek feel, look no further than You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Gaslighting and Toxic friendship
Muscles & Monsters by Ashley Bennett
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
"Thump, thump, thump."
- Muscles & Monsters
Tropes: Paranormal, Monster Romance, Wolven, Baking, Gym, Instalove, Meet Cute, Fated Mates, Cinnamon Roll Hero
Representation: Plus-Size
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 (Knotting, Primal Play, Praise, Degradation)
CW: Body Shaming, Past Toxic Relationship
I’ve avoided monster romance for a while because I figured it wouldn’t really be my jam. But M.A. Wardell recommended Ashley Bennett’s books to me, and I’m so glad I trusted him because this book was absolutely delightful. If you’re like me and a bit afraid of the monster romance genre because you think it may be too dark and gritty, you don’t have to worry about that with Bennett’s books. Muscles & Monsters was a cozy slice-of-life romance. It’s set in a world where monsters are just part of the fabric of life—not something to be afraid of. There’s no drama, no third-act breakup, just an endearing wolven gym owner completely smitten with a confident plus-size bakery owner. Atlas and Tegan have an adorably sweet instalove connection and off-the-charts chemistry. Bennett’s writing is magic, somehow writing a story that is both the most adorable and the spiciest thing I’ve ever read. I can’t recommend giving this book a chance enough.
- Muscles & Monsters
Tropes: Paranormal, Monster Romance, Wolven, Baking, Gym, Instalove, Meet Cute, Fated Mates, Cinnamon Roll Hero
Representation: Plus-Size
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 (Knotting, Primal Play, Praise, Degradation)
CW: Body Shaming, Past Toxic Relationship
I’ve avoided monster romance for a while because I figured it wouldn’t really be my jam. But M.A. Wardell recommended Ashley Bennett’s books to me, and I’m so glad I trusted him because this book was absolutely delightful. If you’re like me and a bit afraid of the monster romance genre because you think it may be too dark and gritty, you don’t have to worry about that with Bennett’s books. Muscles & Monsters was a cozy slice-of-life romance. It’s set in a world where monsters are just part of the fabric of life—not something to be afraid of. There’s no drama, no third-act breakup, just an endearing wolven gym owner completely smitten with a confident plus-size bakery owner. Atlas and Tegan have an adorably sweet instalove connection and off-the-charts chemistry. Bennett’s writing is magic, somehow writing a story that is both the most adorable and the spiciest thing I’ve ever read. I can’t recommend giving this book a chance enough.
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming and Toxic relationship
The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
“My whole life is other people deciding what's acceptable. When I put on a dress, I get to decide what's silly.”
- The Prince and the Dressmaker
Tropes: Royalty, Friends to Lovers
Representation: Genderqueer/genderfluid
CW: Homophobia, Forced Outing
This book brought me so much joy. I adored the narrative of acceptance and becoming comfortable in your own skin. The slow-burn friends to lovers romance stole my heart, and the detail with the dress illustrations was absolutely amazing.
- The Prince and the Dressmaker
Tropes: Royalty, Friends to Lovers
Representation: Genderqueer/genderfluid
CW: Homophobia, Forced Outing
This book brought me so much joy. I adored the narrative of acceptance and becoming comfortable in your own skin. The slow-burn friends to lovers romance stole my heart, and the detail with the dress illustrations was absolutely amazing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Outing
The Tea Dragon Tapestry by K. O'Neill
lighthearted
fast-paced
“Memories don't just live inside you, Minette. They live in all the people and objects you share your life with.”
- The Tea Dragon Society
Representation: Disability (Wheelchair), Deaf/Sign Language, LGBTQ
CW: Past Injury, Grief, Memory Loss
**This review is for the whole series
This series is like a warm hug. It’s cozy, adorable, and has beautiful illustrations. There isn’t a lot of plot, however the world-building and characters are more than enough to make these books interesting reads. I love the concept of tea dragons so much, and I wish they existed in real life. I also really enjoyed the theme of finding yourself and your true purpose woven throughout all three books. If you need a quick pick-me-up, this series is perfect.
- The Tea Dragon Society
Representation: Disability (Wheelchair), Deaf/Sign Language, LGBTQ
CW: Past Injury, Grief, Memory Loss
**This review is for the whole series
This series is like a warm hug. It’s cozy, adorable, and has beautiful illustrations. There isn’t a lot of plot, however the world-building and characters are more than enough to make these books interesting reads. I love the concept of tea dragons so much, and I wish they existed in real life. I also really enjoyed the theme of finding yourself and your true purpose woven throughout all three books. If you need a quick pick-me-up, this series is perfect.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Injury/Injury detail