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cozycritiques's reviews
67 reviews
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: đ¶đ¶đ¶đ¶đ¶ (Knotting, Primal Play, Praise, Degradation)
CW: Body Shaming, Past Toxic Relationship
Iâve avoided monster romance for a while because I figured it wouldnât really be my jam. But M.A. Wardell recommended Ashley Bennettâs books to me, and Iâm so glad I trusted him because this book was absolutely delightful. If youâre like me and a bit afraid of the monster romance genre because you think it may be too dark and gritty, you donât have to worry about that with Bennettâs books. Muscles & Monsters was a cozy slice-of-life romance. Itâs set in a world where monsters are just part of the fabric of lifeânot something to be afraid of. Thereâs 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. Bennettâs writing is magic, somehow writing a story that is both the most adorable and the spiciest thing Iâve ever read. I canât 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: đ¶đ¶đ¶đ¶đ¶ (Knotting, Primal Play, Praise, Degradation)
CW: Body Shaming, Past Toxic Relationship
Iâve avoided monster romance for a while because I figured it wouldnât really be my jam. But M.A. Wardell recommended Ashley Bennettâs books to me, and Iâm so glad I trusted him because this book was absolutely delightful. If youâre like me and a bit afraid of the monster romance genre because you think it may be too dark and gritty, you donât have to worry about that with Bennettâs books. Muscles & Monsters was a cozy slice-of-life romance. Itâs set in a world where monsters are just part of the fabric of lifeânot something to be afraid of. Thereâs 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. Bennettâs writing is magic, somehow writing a story that is both the most adorable and the spiciest thing Iâve ever read. I canât recommend giving this book a chance enough.
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming, Toxic relationship
The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
âMy whole life is other people deciding what's acceptable. When I put on a dress, I get to decide what's silly.â
- 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, Outing
The Tea Dragon Tapestry by K. O'Neill
lighthearted
fast-paced
âMemories don't just live inside you, Minette. They live in all the people and objects you share your life with.â
- 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. Itâs cozy, adorable, and has beautiful illustrations. There isnât 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. Itâs cozy, adorable, and has beautiful illustrations. There isnât 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
Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
âHome is where you are, okay?â
- Mooncakes
Tropes: Paranormal Romance, Friends to Lovers
Representation: LGBT (Nonbinary/Trans), Disability (Hearing Loss)
CW: Kidnapping, Confinement, Violence, Death of a Parent
I donât read a lot of fantasy graphic novels, but after Mooncakes, I will definitely be reading more. The diversity representation is done really well and woven throughout, so it doesnât feel forced. The illustrations were beautiful and warm, giving the book an overall cozy feel that I lovedâespecially since a lot of the fantasy I ready leaves me with the opposite of cozy feelings. Overall, his was a short and sweet story with great world-building and an adorable side romance.
- Mooncakes
Tropes: Paranormal Romance, Friends to Lovers
Representation: LGBT (Nonbinary/Trans), Disability (Hearing Loss)
CW: Kidnapping, Confinement, Violence, Death of a Parent
I donât read a lot of fantasy graphic novels, but after Mooncakes, I will definitely be reading more. The diversity representation is done really well and woven throughout, so it doesnât feel forced. The illustrations were beautiful and warm, giving the book an overall cozy feel that I lovedâespecially since a lot of the fantasy I ready leaves me with the opposite of cozy feelings. Overall, his was a short and sweet story with great world-building and an adorable side romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Violence, Kidnapping
Minor: Death of parent
Love and War by Killian Ng, Andrew Wheeler
lighthearted
fast-paced
âTug-of-war s not about the singular âyou.â Itâs about the transcendent âus.â Itâs about that most human aspiration, the many coming together in one purpose.â
- Love and War
Tropes: Sports (Tug of War), Opposites Attract, Forbidden Relationship
Representation: Gay, Plus-Size Male, POC
This was only the first volume of this story, so it left off at a bit of a cliffhanger. However, the story was cute and had good pacing. I loved the diversity rep, especially the plus-size male lead, and the uniqueness of tug of war being the sport. If youâre looking for something to read after finishing Fence, I definitely recommend this.
- Love and War
Tropes: Sports (Tug of War), Opposites Attract, Forbidden Relationship
Representation: Gay, Plus-Size Male, POC
This was only the first volume of this story, so it left off at a bit of a cliffhanger. However, the story was cute and had good pacing. I loved the diversity rep, especially the plus-size male lead, and the uniqueness of tug of war being the sport. If youâre looking for something to read after finishing Fence, I definitely recommend this.
Cheer Up! Love and Pompoms by Crystal Frasier, Val Wise
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
âSeeing you go first let me know I could do it, too!â
- Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms
Tropes: Sports (Cheerleading), Friends to Enemies to Lovers, Friends to Lovers
Representation: Trans MC, Lesbian MC, Plus-size
CW: Transphobia, Fatphobia, Sexual Harassment
Cheer Up was short and sweet, but with a powerful message. I loved the growth that Bebe and Annie went throughâBebe as she become more comfortable with her identity and Annie as she opened up and learned to let others support her.
- Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms
Tropes: Sports (Cheerleading), Friends to Enemies to Lovers, Friends to Lovers
Representation: Trans MC, Lesbian MC, Plus-size
CW: Transphobia, Fatphobia, Sexual Harassment
Cheer Up was short and sweet, but with a powerful message. I loved the growth that Bebe and Annie went throughâBebe as she become more comfortable with her identity and Annie as she opened up and learned to let others support her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Transphobia
Fence, Vol. 5: Rise by C.S. Pacat
lighthearted
medium-paced
"You were worried about failing in the eyes of someone else. When you fence donât think about the outcome of the match. Donât think about winning. Winning is a distraction. Think about fencing."
- Fence, Vol 5
Tropes: Sports (Fencing), Boarding School, Enemies to Lovers, Slow Burn
Representation: LGBT, POC
CW: Parental Abandonment, Minor Injury
*This review is for Fence Vol 1-5
Fence is fun, quick to read, and has lovable characters. The representation is weaved in throughout and just kind of casually exists, which I loved. It is heavy on the fencing (more so than any sports romance Iâve ever read), but everything is explained, so I actually learned a lot. The romance is very slow burn, though, so if you're impatient, I would maybe wait until more issues are out to start reading. However, I'm patient, so Iâm looking forward to seeing how the rest of the storyline progresses.
- Fence, Vol 5
Tropes: Sports (Fencing), Boarding School, Enemies to Lovers, Slow Burn
Representation: LGBT, POC
CW: Parental Abandonment, Minor Injury
*This review is for Fence Vol 1-5
Fence is fun, quick to read, and has lovable characters. The representation is weaved in throughout and just kind of casually exists, which I loved. It is heavy on the fencing (more so than any sports romance Iâve ever read), but everything is explained, so I actually learned a lot. The romance is very slow burn, though, so if you're impatient, I would maybe wait until more issues are out to start reading. However, I'm patient, so Iâm looking forward to seeing how the rest of the storyline progresses.
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Bloom by Kevin Panetta
fast-paced
âI would love to have something like that... To be on a team with someone... and to be better together than you ever could be alone.â
- Bloom
Tropes: Workplace, Baking, Friends to Lovers
Representation: Queer (M/M relationship), POC
CW: Death of a Grandparent, Fire, Toxic Friendship
This was such a sweet read. It reminded me a lot of Heartstopper if it were set in a bakeryâjust two soft boys becoming friends and falling in love. I loved the character growth, and the Maryland setting was a definite bonus.
- Bloom
Tropes: Workplace, Baking, Friends to Lovers
Representation: Queer (M/M relationship), POC
CW: Death of a Grandparent, Fire, Toxic Friendship
This was such a sweet read. It reminded me a lot of Heartstopper if it were set in a bakeryâjust two soft boys becoming friends and falling in love. I loved the character growth, and the Maryland setting was a definite bonus.
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship
The Christmas Pact by Penelope Ward, Vi Keeland
lighthearted
fast-paced
âLooking for someone, Riley? Perhaps, Mr. Riley?â a deep, raspy voice said from over my shoulder.
- The Christmas Pact
Tropes: Workplace (Publishing), Enemies to Lovers, Fake Dating, Forced Proximity, Only One Bed
Spice Scale: đ¶
CW: Grief, Cheating Mention
The Christmas Pact was an adorable read. The publishing company setting was fun, and I loved the concept of how the characters knew each other. The characters were well developed, and once they met in person, they had amazing chemistry and great banter. The conflict felt forced, but the epilogue after it was resolved completely made up for it. Overall The Christmas Pact was fun and had the perfect amount of Christmas cheer without being over the top.
- The Christmas Pact
Tropes: Workplace (Publishing), Enemies to Lovers, Fake Dating, Forced Proximity, Only One Bed
Spice Scale: đ¶
CW: Grief, Cheating Mention
The Christmas Pact was an adorable read. The publishing company setting was fun, and I loved the concept of how the characters knew each other. The characters were well developed, and once they met in person, they had amazing chemistry and great banter. The conflict felt forced, but the epilogue after it was resolved completely made up for it. Overall The Christmas Pact was fun and had the perfect amount of Christmas cheer without being over the top.
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity, Grief
Resting Scrooge Face by Meghan Quinn
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
âMaybe Iâm lonely. Maybe itâs the holidays, or maybe itâs the way that letter spoke to me, but Resting Scrooge Face caught my attention, and for some reason, I want to write back.â
- Resting Scrooge Face
Tropes: Holiday Romance, Second Chance, Epistolary, Small Town
Spice Scale: đ«
Resting Scrooge Face was wholesome, festive, and had no third act breakup, which made it the perfect quick holiday read. The small Christmas town was the perfect setting for a love story between two Scrooges. Caleb had total Luke from Gilmore Girlâs vibes, too, which was great. I loved the witty letters back and forth. They acted as a great way to move the story forward through showing rather than telling and gave the book a Youâve Got Mail feel. My only complaint, which is more a warning than a complaint, was the lack of spice. Meghan Quinn is known for writing some amazing sex scenes, so if youâre going into this expecting spice, you wonât find any. Resting Scrooge Face keeps things basically PG. However, itâs still cute and witty, so I definitely recommend it.
- Resting Scrooge Face
Tropes: Holiday Romance, Second Chance, Epistolary, Small Town
Spice Scale: đ«
Resting Scrooge Face was wholesome, festive, and had no third act breakup, which made it the perfect quick holiday read. The small Christmas town was the perfect setting for a love story between two Scrooges. Caleb had total Luke from Gilmore Girlâs vibes, too, which was great. I loved the witty letters back and forth. They acted as a great way to move the story forward through showing rather than telling and gave the book a Youâve Got Mail feel. My only complaint, which is more a warning than a complaint, was the lack of spice. Meghan Quinn is known for writing some amazing sex scenes, so if youâre going into this expecting spice, you wonât find any. Resting Scrooge Face keeps things basically PG. However, itâs still cute and witty, so I definitely recommend it.