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Queried Sick
For fans of Casey McQuiston and Always Only You, Queried Sick is a slow-burn romance about two bisexual disasters finding love while working at a publishing company during the pandemic—complete with grumpy/sunshine vibes, found family, and an attention-seeking cat.
Social distance makes the heart grow fonder…
Ezra Beaumont never felt like New York was truly his home, which is why he’s spent the last seven years studying abroad at university and backpacking across Europe. Some may say he’s running from his problems, but he just hates feeling stuck.
Then COVID-19 starts ripping its way through Europe. Within weeks, Ezra is back in New York and on lockdown for the foreseeable future. And to make matters worse, the person training him at his new job seems to hate him
Oliver Wheeler used to love his job at Coleman Press. But starting to train a new hire at the onset of a worldwide health crisis when he’s already overworked is enough to make him snap—especially since that new hire has no prior publishing knowledge.
Yet, somehow, even without experience, Ezra proves not to be as bad as Oliver initially thought. Through a constant stream of bad literature quotes, text exchanges about Oscar Wilde, and Zoom dates to watch television, Oliver and Ezra find themselves falling for each other.
But can a relationship work when CDC guidelines require you to keep your distance?
Social distance makes the heart grow fonder…
Ezra Beaumont never felt like New York was truly his home, which is why he’s spent the last seven years studying abroad at university and backpacking across Europe. Some may say he’s running from his problems, but he just hates feeling stuck.
Then COVID-19 starts ripping its way through Europe. Within weeks, Ezra is back in New York and on lockdown for the foreseeable future. And to make matters worse, the person training him at his new job seems to hate him
Oliver Wheeler used to love his job at Coleman Press. But starting to train a new hire at the onset of a worldwide health crisis when he’s already overworked is enough to make him snap—especially since that new hire has no prior publishing knowledge.
Yet, somehow, even without experience, Ezra proves not to be as bad as Oliver initially thought. Through a constant stream of bad literature quotes, text exchanges about Oscar Wilde, and Zoom dates to watch television, Oliver and Ezra find themselves falling for each other.
But can a relationship work when CDC guidelines require you to keep your distance?
370 pages, Paperback
First published May 2, 2023
42 people are currently reading
2213 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
May 4, 2023
4.5 stars
Ah, I loved this book. Loved!
Two guys working for the same publishing company, meeting virtually during the COVID pandemic, starting off on the wrong foot, but eventually becoming friends and then lovers.
I absolutely loved the format of this book, it's mostly text messages and emails, and you'd think it would be hard to follow the plot, but damn, this worked perfectly. As an introverted person myself, meeting your future partner online is the dream! 😅 Honestly, their relationship developed so organically and beautifully, I couldn't stop reading.
Ezra and Oliver are two flawed humans, trying to navigate both personal problems and life during a freaking plague. The rep in this book was what initially drew me to it, both characters are bisexual, Oliver is suffering from RA (I don't know much about it, but it felt accurately portrayed.. the flares, the everyday struggles), and Ezra deals with anxiety (there's one episode in particular that made my heart hurt, he's so vulnerable and confused when that anxiety attack strikes).
The writing was so good, it flowed easily and it was really funny too. Those book excerpts Ezra sends to Oliver had me cackling. 😅 These two spend months talking online, and when they finally get to meet, ah! The anticipation was brilliant, because by then they were both pining over each other and crushing on one another.
I loved the entire group of characters, they have a couple of friends in common prior to meeting, and it was so nice seeing them interacting, even if mostly virtually. Here's to a Zoom birthday, I had that! 😅
I particularly liked Ezra and Oliver's rapport, their type of intimacy was so natural, the domesticity they had going made me love them even more. I was so ecstatic that some of my favourite TV shows were mentioned (PSYCH!!!). Let's not forget Fiona, Oliver's cat, she's a queen and she blended in their relationship perfectly.
I did have a bit of a problem with Ezra's character, but that's just a me thing.. he was pretty much every person's dream: tattooed, well travelled, the artistic type, English accent, speaking French. I mean, yes to all of that, but I think I would have liked his background to be a little bit different or maybe more detailed, I don't know. I think I wanted more closure.
Anyway! Such a great debut. I loved it so so much!
Thank you to the author and BookSirens for sending a digital ARC.
Ah, I loved this book. Loved!
Two guys working for the same publishing company, meeting virtually during the COVID pandemic, starting off on the wrong foot, but eventually becoming friends and then lovers.
I absolutely loved the format of this book, it's mostly text messages and emails, and you'd think it would be hard to follow the plot, but damn, this worked perfectly. As an introverted person myself, meeting your future partner online is the dream! 😅 Honestly, their relationship developed so organically and beautifully, I couldn't stop reading.
Ezra and Oliver are two flawed humans, trying to navigate both personal problems and life during a freaking plague. The rep in this book was what initially drew me to it, both characters are bisexual, Oliver is suffering from RA (I don't know much about it, but it felt accurately portrayed.. the flares, the everyday struggles), and Ezra deals with anxiety (there's one episode in particular that made my heart hurt, he's so vulnerable and confused when that anxiety attack strikes).
The writing was so good, it flowed easily and it was really funny too. Those book excerpts Ezra sends to Oliver had me cackling. 😅 These two spend months talking online, and when they finally get to meet, ah! The anticipation was brilliant, because by then they were both pining over each other and crushing on one another.
I loved the entire group of characters, they have a couple of friends in common prior to meeting, and it was so nice seeing them interacting, even if mostly virtually. Here's to a Zoom birthday, I had that! 😅
I particularly liked Ezra and Oliver's rapport, their type of intimacy was so natural, the domesticity they had going made me love them even more. I was so ecstatic that some of my favourite TV shows were mentioned (PSYCH!!!). Let's not forget Fiona, Oliver's cat, she's a queen and she blended in their relationship perfectly.
I did have a bit of a problem with Ezra's character, but that's just a me thing.. he was pretty much every person's dream: tattooed, well travelled, the artistic type, English accent, speaking French. I mean, yes to all of that, but I think I would have liked his background to be a little bit different or maybe more detailed, I don't know. I think I wanted more closure.
Anyway! Such a great debut. I loved it so so much!
Thank you to the author and BookSirens for sending a digital ARC.
January 30, 2025
WHAT AN AMAZING BOOK 😭😭😭😭😭😭💗
I’m obsessed with Ezra and Oliver 🫶 The setting being during covid was wow. Covid definitely was really difficult for people but that didn’t stop us from forming friendships and relationships.
I’m sad that I finished it but i loved it a lot 💗💗 Definitely 5⭐️s for me
I’m obsessed with Ezra and Oliver 🫶 The setting being during covid was wow. Covid definitely was really difficult for people but that didn’t stop us from forming friendships and relationships.
I’m sad that I finished it but i loved it a lot 💗💗 Definitely 5⭐️s for me
September 2, 2024
This was very a sweet and wholesome and ngl I’m a bit surprised that this is the first book I read that is set during Covid.
It’s so random to read about people going through the pandemic when it first started since I still vividly remember that I also thought it was gonna be just weeks.
These two have one of the cutest friends to lovers story I’ve ever read, the angst is very minimal and the wholesomeness all over the place.
I think my only critique is that at the beginning of the book the whole workplace setting was fundamental for the building of their relationship but once they become friends we don’t hear anything else about their work or about Oliver’s book.
It’s so random to read about people going through the pandemic when it first started since I still vividly remember that I also thought it was gonna be just weeks.
These two have one of the cutest friends to lovers story I’ve ever read, the angst is very minimal and the wholesomeness all over the place.
I think my only critique is that at the beginning of the book the whole workplace setting was fundamental for the building of their relationship but once they become friends we don’t hear anything else about their work or about Oliver’s book.
August 16, 2023
good debut, there is a chance to improve in some places but its a strong start and i believe that every consecutive book itll be better.
May 18, 2023
One word to describe the book is "CUTE."
I didn't know what I was expecting when I requested the arc.
The blurb sounded interesting, and it revolves around the two characters getting to work together in the publishing industry. The set of the story starts just as the COVID pandemic hits. I haven't read many books with the story revolving around the pandemic cuz COVID is still here, and I didn't want to read about someone getting it or dying from it😭 but don't worry, none of that here, and we got a HEA ending so all cool.
What I liked:
Both of them got the wrong impression of one another, but once they realize how wrong they were that when all the cuteness comes in, both have the most adorable crushes on each. Also, Oliver being a cat dad is a bonus.
I think at the beginning, I was not too fond of the whole texting (that was going on between them and the other characters), but it started to creep up on me, and Ezra and Ollie's texting changed from "about work" to "let's get to know each other" was just cute. You can tell by now how cute the book is from me repeating the word cute 🥰.
The adorable Skype date (Ill call it that) was Cute.
Love the representation in this book, and it's done well. An autoimmune disorder, anxiety, panic disorder.
What I didn't like:
There was a lot and a lot of talk about the publishing industry. It was a bit much for me.
It starts slow, like really slow. It took me a while to get into it, but I finished it in one setting once it kicked off.
Sometimes I felt the book dragged on, and it could be a few pages shorter.
My conclusion: As for a depute novel, it was a hit for me. Overall, the story kept me reading, and the characters, including the side characters, were lovable. It was funny. Put a smile on my face, and I do recommend giving it a chance. It was stinking CUTE.
I look forward to reading more from this author❤️
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book through BookSirens.
I didn't know what I was expecting when I requested the arc.
The blurb sounded interesting, and it revolves around the two characters getting to work together in the publishing industry. The set of the story starts just as the COVID pandemic hits. I haven't read many books with the story revolving around the pandemic cuz COVID is still here, and I didn't want to read about someone getting it or dying from it😭 but don't worry, none of that here, and we got a HEA ending so all cool.
What I liked:
Both of them got the wrong impression of one another, but once they realize how wrong they were that when all the cuteness comes in, both have the most adorable crushes on each. Also, Oliver being a cat dad is a bonus.
I think at the beginning, I was not too fond of the whole texting (that was going on between them and the other characters), but it started to creep up on me, and Ezra and Ollie's texting changed from "about work" to "let's get to know each other" was just cute. You can tell by now how cute the book is from me repeating the word cute 🥰.
The adorable Skype date (Ill call it that) was Cute.
Love the representation in this book, and it's done well. An autoimmune disorder, anxiety, panic disorder.
What I didn't like:
There was a lot and a lot of talk about the publishing industry. It was a bit much for me.
It starts slow, like really slow. It took me a while to get into it, but I finished it in one setting once it kicked off.
Sometimes I felt the book dragged on, and it could be a few pages shorter.
My conclusion: As for a depute novel, it was a hit for me. Overall, the story kept me reading, and the characters, including the side characters, were lovable. It was funny. Put a smile on my face, and I do recommend giving it a chance. It was stinking CUTE.
I look forward to reading more from this author❤️
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book through BookSirens.
September 2, 2024
That was super cute, I fell in love with the characters. The author did a wonderful job of portraying very real emotions during COVID. The feelings between the MCs were very believable and relatable
And the description of Oliver as the theoretical child of a cinnamon roll and a librarian had a baby was so unbelievably accurate 🥹
And the description of Oliver as the theoretical child of a cinnamon roll and a librarian had a baby was so unbelievably accurate 🥹
May 14, 2023
(I received an ARC for this book)
Trigger Warnings include:
COVID-19 pandemic, quarantine, toxic family dynamics, disownment, biphobia, references to past death, grief, off-page parental death, panic attacks, chronic illness, hospitalization, coming out, anxiety disorder, chronic illness
I can not express how much I adored this. I was blushing with them. And when i wasn’t blushing, I was giggling or smiling like an idiot. Are “adorable tears” a thing? Because I think that’s what I had going on. It’s been a couple days since I finished reading this, and I still smile like an idiot just thinking about it! It's so sweet. Sickly sweet. It’s genuine, it’s endearing. I think the best single word to use is swoony. And I just couldn’t get enough! Oliver and Ezra didn’t quite get off on the right foot. But once they found equal footing, they built such a beautiful friendship. And then, they each confessed their crush to their friends, and then effortlessly to each other! My heart could barely take it! When they finally had the opportunity to meet in person, I had to pause my reading because I was too giddy to see the words. If I dwelled too long on their first hug (yes I said hug) I probably could have cried. Once they started letting their emotions out, they couldn’t stop. Ollie and Ezra shared their heartbreak and pain, their doubts and fears. The things that have plagued their hearts the most. And it was beautiful. Which meant when it was time for them to break my heart, they demolished it. They are surrounded by such a fantastic friend group. And I loved every moment we got to spend with them. I also have a soft spot for Oliver’s furry roommate. And so did Ezra. This is absolutely a book I plan on revisiting! I should note that while it makes no difference to me, it does include Game of Thrones spoilers.
My Favorite Quotes:
• “I’ve never been happier to be wrong about a person."
• “I know I saw you already today, but I want to see you again."
• “Jesus, you’re cute."
• “If you think that the next time you’re within ten feet of me, I’m not touching you, then you’re mistaken."
• “Consent is sexy."
• “For clarity’s sake, we’re having sex, right?"
• “I don’t know what I did to deserve you."
• “Je te veux. Toujours.”
• “I need to feel like the world doesn’t exist outside of you and this bed."
• “You. I don’t care how. I just need you."
• “I want to be a person who deserves you."
8/10 Dirty Birdy
7/10 Friends to Lovers
6/10 Slow Burn
6/10 Workplace Romance
if you liked this then you should read Teacher of the Year by M.A. Wardell
Trigger Warnings include:
COVID-19 pandemic, quarantine, toxic family dynamics, disownment, biphobia, references to past death, grief, off-page parental death, panic attacks, chronic illness, hospitalization, coming out, anxiety disorder, chronic illness
I can not express how much I adored this. I was blushing with them. And when i wasn’t blushing, I was giggling or smiling like an idiot. Are “adorable tears” a thing? Because I think that’s what I had going on. It’s been a couple days since I finished reading this, and I still smile like an idiot just thinking about it! It's so sweet. Sickly sweet. It’s genuine, it’s endearing. I think the best single word to use is swoony. And I just couldn’t get enough! Oliver and Ezra didn’t quite get off on the right foot. But once they found equal footing, they built such a beautiful friendship. And then, they each confessed their crush to their friends, and then effortlessly to each other! My heart could barely take it! When they finally had the opportunity to meet in person, I had to pause my reading because I was too giddy to see the words. If I dwelled too long on their first hug (yes I said hug) I probably could have cried. Once they started letting their emotions out, they couldn’t stop. Ollie and Ezra shared their heartbreak and pain, their doubts and fears. The things that have plagued their hearts the most. And it was beautiful. Which meant when it was time for them to break my heart, they demolished it. They are surrounded by such a fantastic friend group. And I loved every moment we got to spend with them. I also have a soft spot for Oliver’s furry roommate. And so did Ezra. This is absolutely a book I plan on revisiting! I should note that while it makes no difference to me, it does include Game of Thrones spoilers.
My Favorite Quotes:
• “I’ve never been happier to be wrong about a person."
• “I know I saw you already today, but I want to see you again."
• “Jesus, you’re cute."
• “If you think that the next time you’re within ten feet of me, I’m not touching you, then you’re mistaken."
• “Consent is sexy."
• “For clarity’s sake, we’re having sex, right?"
• “I don’t know what I did to deserve you."
• “Je te veux. Toujours.”
• “I need to feel like the world doesn’t exist outside of you and this bed."
• “You. I don’t care how. I just need you."
• “I want to be a person who deserves you."
8/10 Dirty Birdy
7/10 Friends to Lovers
6/10 Slow Burn
6/10 Workplace Romance
if you liked this then you should read Teacher of the Year by M.A. Wardell
May 26, 2023
This book is the cutest book I have read this year! I devoured it and could not put it down. It’s such an easy read with the format of the book being heavily centred around emails and text messages so it’s fast paced and just lovely to actually see the interaction between Oli and Ezra just build over time.
I think Smith did an amazing job at incorporating disability rep within this book without overloading with information and trying to illicit sympathy. It was informative in a way that helps readers understand the chronic illness and the struggles that Oli goes through. The anxiety rep of Ezra’s part was amazing too, Smith just really knows how to shed light on these real life struggles without it becoming a main part of the book and it was just executed with perfect sensitivity.
Oli and Ezra will now become one of my favourite ever couples, it was just such a feel good book, all the characters were accepting. The side characters really brought the whole book together as well. I think this will become a new comfort read of mine!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and feelings around the book are my own and this has not affected my review.
I think Smith did an amazing job at incorporating disability rep within this book without overloading with information and trying to illicit sympathy. It was informative in a way that helps readers understand the chronic illness and the struggles that Oli goes through. The anxiety rep of Ezra’s part was amazing too, Smith just really knows how to shed light on these real life struggles without it becoming a main part of the book and it was just executed with perfect sensitivity.
Oli and Ezra will now become one of my favourite ever couples, it was just such a feel good book, all the characters were accepting. The side characters really brought the whole book together as well. I think this will become a new comfort read of mine!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and feelings around the book are my own and this has not affected my review.
May 13, 2023
4.5/5 stars
I was charmed by Queried Sick. It is a workplace romance set in the time of COVID between two bisexual men. Ezra and Oliver both work for an indie publishing house but have never met in person since Ezra only started there after the pandemic started and work from home was in place. After some initial tension over work emails, their relationship grows through texts, phone calls, Zoom meetings, and Facetime videocalls. But can love truly blossom when socially distanced?
I thought this was such a refreshing take on an office romance with the added twist of social distancing and the relevance of this new form of relationships since COVID. Their romance was really cute and charming, and both men felt authentic and different. Ezra comes from a privileged background with a wealthy but controlling family who has been disowned because of his queerness while Oliver is an immunocompromised man because of his rheumatoid arthritis which gives him episodes of intense pain and vulnerability to other illnesses. They come together over their love of books and some bad book quotes. I would have preferred more spice though as each instance was over in just a few sentences. I would have wanted the author to commit to either fade-to-black or really go for it.
The only reason this wasn’t a 5 star read was because the conflict towards the end felt really contrived. I think I would have rather had no drama at all and had their relationship going smoothly that what actually happened. Otherwise, I loved nearly every bit of this book.
Queried Sick is a charming queer socially distanced office romcom.
*I received an eARC from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
I was charmed by Queried Sick. It is a workplace romance set in the time of COVID between two bisexual men. Ezra and Oliver both work for an indie publishing house but have never met in person since Ezra only started there after the pandemic started and work from home was in place. After some initial tension over work emails, their relationship grows through texts, phone calls, Zoom meetings, and Facetime videocalls. But can love truly blossom when socially distanced?
I thought this was such a refreshing take on an office romance with the added twist of social distancing and the relevance of this new form of relationships since COVID. Their romance was really cute and charming, and both men felt authentic and different. Ezra comes from a privileged background with a wealthy but controlling family who has been disowned because of his queerness while Oliver is an immunocompromised man because of his rheumatoid arthritis which gives him episodes of intense pain and vulnerability to other illnesses. They come together over their love of books and some bad book quotes. I would have preferred more spice though as each instance was over in just a few sentences. I would have wanted the author to commit to either fade-to-black or really go for it.
The only reason this wasn’t a 5 star read was because the conflict towards the end felt really contrived. I think I would have rather had no drama at all and had their relationship going smoothly that what actually happened. Otherwise, I loved nearly every bit of this book.
Queried Sick is a charming queer socially distanced office romcom.
*I received an eARC from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
June 17, 2023
4,5 ⭐️ what a sweet love story that was obviously a wolfstar fanfic first
April 24, 2023
𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Queried Sick
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Dallas Smith
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Contemporary romance
𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 🌶️.5
𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀: COVID-19 pandemic, quarantine, toxic family dynamics, disownment, biphobia, references to past death, grief , off-page parental death, panic attacks, chronic illness, hospitalization and coming out
𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: Workplace romance, M/M, mutual pining, friends to lovers, found family, foul mouthed cinnamon roll, anxiety rep, chronic illness (RA) rep
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: This was so fun, swoony and romantic. i think this was just the nuance i needed. the writing was immaculate and easy to follow. the characters were so, so lovable and easy to get invested in almost immediately. i loved that this was a quarantine romance and they started developing feelings for each other over texts first before even knowing how the other person looks. ive been dying to read something like that and it absolutely served. i loved the domestic elements in this. it was so comforting. the side characters were so wholesome, the friend group is so. adorable. everyone needs a ryan copeland in their lives. this served emotional intimacy and i was there for it. the way i relentlessly look for emotional intimacy in romance books is unreal. im so glad this had so much of it. the RA rep was absolutely brilliant. i loved the third act conflict. i think it was so valid and refreshing to read about. i also loved that the mcs kept switching dynamics. there wasnt one dominant macho man's man hero. they were both such refreshing characters to read about.
this is such a cozy romance. i laughed out loud at multiple points. the workplace aspect was absolutely unrivalled. if you're looking for a funny, m/m romance with a cute ass cat, lots of cooking and the most precious mc's of all time, look no further. pick this one asap!
thank you to the author for an e-arc of this delightful book 🩷
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Dallas Smith
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Contemporary romance
𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 🌶️.5
𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀: COVID-19 pandemic, quarantine, toxic family dynamics, disownment, biphobia, references to past death, grief , off-page parental death, panic attacks, chronic illness, hospitalization and coming out
𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: Workplace romance, M/M, mutual pining, friends to lovers, found family, foul mouthed cinnamon roll, anxiety rep, chronic illness (RA) rep
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: This was so fun, swoony and romantic. i think this was just the nuance i needed. the writing was immaculate and easy to follow. the characters were so, so lovable and easy to get invested in almost immediately. i loved that this was a quarantine romance and they started developing feelings for each other over texts first before even knowing how the other person looks. ive been dying to read something like that and it absolutely served. i loved the domestic elements in this. it was so comforting. the side characters were so wholesome, the friend group is so. adorable. everyone needs a ryan copeland in their lives. this served emotional intimacy and i was there for it. the way i relentlessly look for emotional intimacy in romance books is unreal. im so glad this had so much of it. the RA rep was absolutely brilliant. i loved the third act conflict. i think it was so valid and refreshing to read about. i also loved that the mcs kept switching dynamics. there wasnt one dominant macho man's man hero. they were both such refreshing characters to read about.
this is such a cozy romance. i laughed out loud at multiple points. the workplace aspect was absolutely unrivalled. if you're looking for a funny, m/m romance with a cute ass cat, lots of cooking and the most precious mc's of all time, look no further. pick this one asap!
thank you to the author for an e-arc of this delightful book 🩷
August 15, 2023
Queried Sick is adorable and you should read it ASAP. That’s it. That’s the review.
Ok so… in this sweet romance, we’re introduced to Ezra Beaumont and Oliver Wheeler. While his family’s legacy is based on wealth and power, Ezra has no desire to be part of it. He’s spent the last 7 years backpacking his way through Europe solely to avoid his cruel family. When his mom hires a PI and finds Ezra in the arms of another man, he’s completely disowned. At the same time, Covid starts spreading and Ezra makes the decision to leave Europe and return to NYC, where he is able to quarantine and live with his cousin. As luck would have it, his best friend Ryan is also able to secure him a job at his family’s publishing company. Ezra starts to see a light at the end of the tunnel, until he’s introduced to his mentor, Oliver, who seems to want nothing to do with him.
Oliver Wheeler wants nothing to do with Ezra Beaumont. To Oliver, Ezra is an entitled, trust fund kid that his bestie Ryan knows from boarding school. And with the lockdown adding more responsibility and stress to Oliver’s job, the last thing he wants is to have to babysit a spoiled man-child. But how long can stubborn Oliver continue to focus on who he thinks Ezra is, rather than accept the sweet and sensitive peanut butter cup for who he really is?
There were so many things I loved about this book, starting with the autoimmune rep. Oliver has RA and this plays a huge role in this book’s narrative. I empathized so much with his isolation struggles. I also adored Ezra. He obliterated the stereotype of “trust fund kid” as he worked his ass off to prove himself at Coleman Press. And the sparks! These two guys had me giggling constantly throughout this book; the chemistry was chemistrying, y’all!
My favorite part of this book was watching their romance blossom via epistolary communication (e-mails, texts, adorable video chat movie dates). It was unlike anything I’d ever read and I felt the author absolutely nailed it.
Just a warning, there is a 3rd act miscommunication-semi-somewhat-kinda-breakup, but I felt it served it’s purpose for the two and their character development 💕
Thank you so much to the author for the gifted copy of this gem of a book!
*4.5 stars rounded up
Ok so… in this sweet romance, we’re introduced to Ezra Beaumont and Oliver Wheeler. While his family’s legacy is based on wealth and power, Ezra has no desire to be part of it. He’s spent the last 7 years backpacking his way through Europe solely to avoid his cruel family. When his mom hires a PI and finds Ezra in the arms of another man, he’s completely disowned. At the same time, Covid starts spreading and Ezra makes the decision to leave Europe and return to NYC, where he is able to quarantine and live with his cousin. As luck would have it, his best friend Ryan is also able to secure him a job at his family’s publishing company. Ezra starts to see a light at the end of the tunnel, until he’s introduced to his mentor, Oliver, who seems to want nothing to do with him.
Oliver Wheeler wants nothing to do with Ezra Beaumont. To Oliver, Ezra is an entitled, trust fund kid that his bestie Ryan knows from boarding school. And with the lockdown adding more responsibility and stress to Oliver’s job, the last thing he wants is to have to babysit a spoiled man-child. But how long can stubborn Oliver continue to focus on who he thinks Ezra is, rather than accept the sweet and sensitive peanut butter cup for who he really is?
There were so many things I loved about this book, starting with the autoimmune rep. Oliver has RA and this plays a huge role in this book’s narrative. I empathized so much with his isolation struggles. I also adored Ezra. He obliterated the stereotype of “trust fund kid” as he worked his ass off to prove himself at Coleman Press. And the sparks! These two guys had me giggling constantly throughout this book; the chemistry was chemistrying, y’all!
My favorite part of this book was watching their romance blossom via epistolary communication (e-mails, texts, adorable video chat movie dates). It was unlike anything I’d ever read and I felt the author absolutely nailed it.
Just a warning, there is a 3rd act miscommunication-semi-somewhat-kinda-breakup, but I felt it served it’s purpose for the two and their character development 💕
Thank you so much to the author for the gifted copy of this gem of a book!
*4.5 stars rounded up
September 1, 2024
Sweet as Candy
I loved this book do much. It's a beautiful, sweet tale of a romance during lock down. I thought it might be more dramatic but it really isn't. The third act drama is well done as well and doesn't drag for very long. This is definitely one of my favorite books I've ever read and I feel strongly that other people should give it a shot. I'm already looking forward to rereading it. Side note: I started and finished this in less than 24 hrs that's how good it was. I spent the entire time squealing and kicking my feet quite literally. The story has a little of everything, including but not limited to texting (which I adore) sweetly romantic moments, two MCs who understand help means, tell me how to help, and spice. We all love the spice.
I loved this book do much. It's a beautiful, sweet tale of a romance during lock down. I thought it might be more dramatic but it really isn't. The third act drama is well done as well and doesn't drag for very long. This is definitely one of my favorite books I've ever read and I feel strongly that other people should give it a shot. I'm already looking forward to rereading it. Side note: I started and finished this in less than 24 hrs that's how good it was. I spent the entire time squealing and kicking my feet quite literally. The story has a little of everything, including but not limited to texting (which I adore) sweetly romantic moments, two MCs who understand help means, tell me how to help, and spice. We all love the spice.
May 10, 2023
I received an ARC from the author via Book Sirens
TW: covid/pandemic, toxic family dynamics & disownment, biphobia, off page parental death, hospitalization
4
This was a really sweet story! I've yet to read a pandemic romance and wasn't sure how I'd feel about one, but I thought this was done well. The elements of the shelter in place order and the uncertainty of early covid was very true, and that tension was used well to grow the distance relationship between the two characters.
The romance was developed nicely and fairly well paced. My big turn off with a lot of romances is the romance being too rushed, and the way their entire arc of coworkers to friends to lovers happened via long distance really worked in my favor! The author took time to make the growth feel organic, and their crushes are adorably shown through their movie dates and texts.
I also can't personally speak on the disability rep but I liked the inclusion of RA, and it seemed well done. The additional stress of being high risk while also being sick of other people coddling you and desperate to meet your crush in person gave this whole thing an anxious giddiness that really adds to the experience.
Personally, this wasn't really the level of drama and depth I prefer, but a surface level romance mostly just means fluff, which a lot of people actively seek out.
But the "surface level" air meant a lot of things were implied rather than gone into. Like, I wanted to know more about Ezra's life and him being rich. There was plenty of interesting potential for that beyond the mentions of childhood lessons and travel, but we don't really get to see it. It's mostly used as an excuse for him to know other languages and have issues.
Along with the language thing- there was... a lot of French in this book. Too much French for it to flow into just being a cute thing between partners. It was an overwhelming amount of French.
And, my biggest complaint, is that the pacing was very strange. While the relationship was paced pretty well as they became romantic, everything else was off. We jump backwards for clues about Ezra and we skip forward a lot- sometimes as a cheat to help that aforementioned romantic pacing. The actual big obstacle shows up literally 90% into the book and is solved, of course, very quickly- and there is no other actual obstacle beyond covid.
This book was a quick, fluffy read that I'm sure some people will really have fun with
TW: covid/pandemic, toxic family dynamics & disownment, biphobia, off page parental death, hospitalization
4
This was a really sweet story! I've yet to read a pandemic romance and wasn't sure how I'd feel about one, but I thought this was done well. The elements of the shelter in place order and the uncertainty of early covid was very true, and that tension was used well to grow the distance relationship between the two characters.
The romance was developed nicely and fairly well paced. My big turn off with a lot of romances is the romance being too rushed, and the way their entire arc of coworkers to friends to lovers happened via long distance really worked in my favor! The author took time to make the growth feel organic, and their crushes are adorably shown through their movie dates and texts.
I also can't personally speak on the disability rep but I liked the inclusion of RA, and it seemed well done. The additional stress of being high risk while also being sick of other people coddling you and desperate to meet your crush in person gave this whole thing an anxious giddiness that really adds to the experience.
Personally, this wasn't really the level of drama and depth I prefer, but a surface level romance mostly just means fluff, which a lot of people actively seek out.
But the "surface level" air meant a lot of things were implied rather than gone into. Like, I wanted to know more about Ezra's life and him being rich. There was plenty of interesting potential for that beyond the mentions of childhood lessons and travel, but we don't really get to see it. It's mostly used as an excuse for him to know other languages and have issues.
Along with the language thing- there was... a lot of French in this book. Too much French for it to flow into just being a cute thing between partners. It was an overwhelming amount of French.
And, my biggest complaint, is that the pacing was very strange. While the relationship was paced pretty well as they became romantic, everything else was off. We jump backwards for clues about Ezra and we skip forward a lot- sometimes as a cheat to help that aforementioned romantic pacing. The actual big obstacle shows up literally 90% into the book and is solved, of course, very quickly- and there is no other actual obstacle beyond covid.
This book was a quick, fluffy read that I'm sure some people will really have fun with
April 28, 2023
Ezra is cut off by his family so he gets a job as a publishing assistant. Oliver is the editor and as he has R.A. and this is set during the Covid pandemic, he works from home. The biggest chunk of the book is written through emails and facetiming because, yeah, that's how we did it so it fits wonderfully. They are terse at first, warm up and become amusing and flirty. This is a slow burn story and they fall for each other, even before seeing each other or having sex. I enjoyed this first author's efforts and the two guys who found each other in the midst of the craziness of Covid. I received a copy of this book through BookSirens and this is my honest opinion.
May 29, 2024
I actually dont know when I finished this book because I completely forgot to update this here. However, better late than never. I'll confess I started this book already with some preconceptions about it, mostly because it's a romance during quarantine which would mean there would be a break in the quarantine by the characters. Everything made sense though so it satisfied me. Despite that being out of the way, I couldn't really get attached to the characters and their story. I think they weren't developed well enough as there were too many time skips in the book. The third act conflict made sense but it also bothered me a bit. I don't know it just felt lacking somehow.
August 30, 2024
Really loved this book! The relationship development despite covid's challenges was lovely, the chronic illness rep was great to see, and I loved the realistic internal struggles both Ezra and Oliver struggled with. The back and forth with terrible fake book quotes was too funny. ❤️ Amazing, particularly for an independently published work.
August 22, 2023
Haven’t actually read this as a book yet (I will soon) but I’m giving it four stars because I’ve already read this as a Wolfstar fic.
January 1, 2024
cute stuff albeit a little shallow. did what it came to do ig.
January 5, 2024
4.5 stars
June 4, 2023
4.5 stars. I swoon for Oliver & Ezra.
August 28, 2025
so i’ve come to realize i don’t really like books that are way too modern and recent and like way too realistic, but it was a cute read
Read
October 24, 2023DNF - cute and all but too slow for my liking, texting is not something I enjoy reading.
April 25, 2023
I absolutely ADORED this book! Big thanks to Dallas for sending me an ARC for review. I feel so lucky to have gotten an early peak into what will definitely be added to my comfort reads shelf (next to RW&RB, The Charm Offensive, and Heartstopper, so good company!).
This story is about two guys who meet through work during the pandemic, so the story is primarily told through work chats, emails & text messages. And let me tell you, it works so well for this story. We really get to watch them fall for each other through these exchanges (without ever having seen what each other looks like - an aspect, I loved!). Writing a story set during the first year of the pandemic could have gone so wrong and brought up a lot of tough feelings, but Dallas wrote it in a way that was almost wistful. Like, I was a newly wed in 2020, but I kind of wish this was how my husband and I had met because it was sweet, and swoony, and just really lovely.
I loved all the characters in this book, especially the 2 MCs. Ezra is just this hot, well-traveled, sweet, fun guy. He could have been written to almost annoyingly perfect, but he isn't. He has issues and emotional scars and he doesn't always do the best thing, but that makes him so real (and honestly, even more of a dream-boat). Oliver is so sweet, and shy and charming. He starts out as a bit of a grump with a chip on his shoulder, but the description of him being the love child of a cinnamon roll and a librarian is just the most accurate and adorable thing I've ever read. All the friends are also delightful additions and I enjoyed all the interactions, especially when they had the Zoom birthday party for Ezra. Just so cute.
Overall, the writing is fun and relatable. The MCs will make you swoon all over the place. Also, the conflict is so real that I cried. I just wanted to reach out and hug both Ollie & Ezra for the last 10% of the book. Just add this to your TBR!
This story is about two guys who meet through work during the pandemic, so the story is primarily told through work chats, emails & text messages. And let me tell you, it works so well for this story. We really get to watch them fall for each other through these exchanges (without ever having seen what each other looks like - an aspect, I loved!). Writing a story set during the first year of the pandemic could have gone so wrong and brought up a lot of tough feelings, but Dallas wrote it in a way that was almost wistful. Like, I was a newly wed in 2020, but I kind of wish this was how my husband and I had met because it was sweet, and swoony, and just really lovely.
I loved all the characters in this book, especially the 2 MCs. Ezra is just this hot, well-traveled, sweet, fun guy. He could have been written to almost annoyingly perfect, but he isn't. He has issues and emotional scars and he doesn't always do the best thing, but that makes him so real (and honestly, even more of a dream-boat). Oliver is so sweet, and shy and charming. He starts out as a bit of a grump with a chip on his shoulder, but the description of him being the love child of a cinnamon roll and a librarian is just the most accurate and adorable thing I've ever read. All the friends are also delightful additions and I enjoyed all the interactions, especially when they had the Zoom birthday party for Ezra. Just so cute.
Overall, the writing is fun and relatable. The MCs will make you swoon all over the place. Also, the conflict is so real that I cried. I just wanted to reach out and hug both Ollie & Ezra for the last 10% of the book. Just add this to your TBR!
April 25, 2023
"I need to feel like the world doesn't exist outside of you and this bed."
Queried Sick is a love letter to work-at-home warriors and anyone (you) reading this who survived the lockdowns toward the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Yes, a pandemic romance. And it works. Beautifully.
Although Ezra and Oliver work for the same publishing company, they've never met in person. When they begin communicating through email and text, things aren't peachy at first, but soon they become friends and then... more.
Readers will swoon over Smith's use of email and text messages to craft the central relationship. She expertly develops their connection without the two men ever being in the same physical space. I adored the concept, but even more so, how she propelled me to keep reading, given the device.
As someone who has a close friend with RA (I'm not sure I've ever read a character with it), I was delighted to see this rep. The flare-ups and constant nagging issues were beautifully portrayed. Also, a big round of applause for two bisexual men as a couple.
Smith's writing glides beautifully, even within the email and text structure. The buildup to their first meeting was palpable, and I found myself sneaking reads in the middle of the night (thank you, insomnia) to get there.
I have to give a shout-out to Oliver's cat Fiona. More cat rep in books, please (no disrespect to dogs, but let's let our feline friends have equal time).
The author provided an ARC for review, but these are my unbiased opinions.
Queried Sick is a love letter to work-at-home warriors and anyone (you) reading this who survived the lockdowns toward the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Yes, a pandemic romance. And it works. Beautifully.
Although Ezra and Oliver work for the same publishing company, they've never met in person. When they begin communicating through email and text, things aren't peachy at first, but soon they become friends and then... more.
Readers will swoon over Smith's use of email and text messages to craft the central relationship. She expertly develops their connection without the two men ever being in the same physical space. I adored the concept, but even more so, how she propelled me to keep reading, given the device.
As someone who has a close friend with RA (I'm not sure I've ever read a character with it), I was delighted to see this rep. The flare-ups and constant nagging issues were beautifully portrayed. Also, a big round of applause for two bisexual men as a couple.
Smith's writing glides beautifully, even within the email and text structure. The buildup to their first meeting was palpable, and I found myself sneaking reads in the middle of the night (thank you, insomnia) to get there.
I have to give a shout-out to Oliver's cat Fiona. More cat rep in books, please (no disrespect to dogs, but let's let our feline friends have equal time).
The author provided an ARC for review, but these are my unbiased opinions.
August 14, 2023
A LOVELY rom-com with a ton of heart! Thank you, Dallas Smith for this ARC. This story is oh so cute. I actually wish it was a little longer. This is also the first book I’ve read that revolves around Covid, which is so wild for me to think about. I’m absolutely crazy over the constant checking for consent during intimate moments between the characters. I loved watching Ezra and Oliver’s love story come to life.
June 4, 2023
DNF at 25%
If you want to read a bunch of text messages and emails, this is the book. I can’t stand it anymore, honestly driving me insane that they’re probably 50% of the text. Makes reading harder when you have to look for who said what to whom and at what time. It’s kind of funny when you think about how the characters work at a publication company.
If you want to read a bunch of text messages and emails, this is the book. I can’t stand it anymore, honestly driving me insane that they’re probably 50% of the text. Makes reading harder when you have to look for who said what to whom and at what time. It’s kind of funny when you think about how the characters work at a publication company.
April 19, 2023
I'm not super wordy, but this is a very sweet, queer romance that takes place during the pandemic. Chronic pain representation and anxiety representation. Also, bi boy representation, we love to see it. Enjoyed it for sure 😁
May 16, 2023
Absolute 5 stars, this book is ridiculously sweet while being quite deep at the same time. Also, it is one of the few books I’ve ever read that accurately depict the pandemic and it’s imposed quarantine.
The characters are absolutely lovely and I’m not talking only about the 2 MCs (though did I fell in love with them both).
The whole book is thoroughly well constructed, I really couldn’t put it down. The writing style is also great, simple, quirky and snarky yet conveying a complex story about complex humans in a complex time. Yet, despite the deep topics that the book covers, it manages to be a very light read, without any unnecessary angst or drama.
The first bit of the book is really fun, I loved following Oliver and Ezra’s virtual interaction with each other. The first couple of chapters, it was great to have a (very brief and not at all thorough but yet entertaining) glimpse onto the publishing world. I laughed out loud with the “quotes” from different manuscripts /books queried (it doesn’t make sense if you haven’t read the book so go read it and you’ll understand).
And the way their relationship shifts later on is also so heart-warming and organic. The way in which the book depicts time passing is very effective.
This book manages something that not many books do which is to take full advantage of a dual POV, even from a third-person narration. Specifically, there is one point towards the end in which it’s beautiful and thoroughly endearing to see a specific situation in the plot from both their points of view and the way each of them interprets the situation is simply lovely to read.
Also, the secondary characters are awesome. I particularly loved Ryan, though Mary and Juliet are also great. Josie and Willow and Oliver’s father are also very endearing.
There’s a few things that didn’t make much sense, but more in a “this is a loose thread” way than in a “this is not coherent” way.
The characters are absolutely lovely and I’m not talking only about the 2 MCs (though did I fell in love with them both).
The whole book is thoroughly well constructed, I really couldn’t put it down. The writing style is also great, simple, quirky and snarky yet conveying a complex story about complex humans in a complex time. Yet, despite the deep topics that the book covers, it manages to be a very light read, without any unnecessary angst or drama.
The first bit of the book is really fun, I loved following Oliver and Ezra’s virtual interaction with each other. The first couple of chapters, it was great to have a (very brief and not at all thorough but yet entertaining) glimpse onto the publishing world. I laughed out loud with the “quotes” from different manuscripts /books queried (it doesn’t make sense if you haven’t read the book so go read it and you’ll understand).
And the way their relationship shifts later on is also so heart-warming and organic. The way in which the book depicts time passing is very effective.
This book manages something that not many books do which is to take full advantage of a dual POV, even from a third-person narration. Specifically, there is one point towards the end in which it’s beautiful and thoroughly endearing to see a specific situation in the plot from both their points of view and the way each of them interprets the situation is simply lovely to read.
Also, the secondary characters are awesome. I particularly loved Ryan, though Mary and Juliet are also great. Josie and Willow and Oliver’s father are also very endearing.
There’s a few things that didn’t make much sense, but more in a “this is a loose thread” way than in a “this is not coherent” way.
May 8, 2023
3,5 *
This book was cute, though a bit clunky. I really enjoyed the epistolary format. The emails and text messages were cute and worked really well for a pandemic romance. unfortunately, I do think that Ezra and Oliver’s relationship developed a *too quickly*. They started liking each other pretty soon after they started becoming friendly, and because it was all so quick I couldn’t really feel their love for each other. I wish the author had spend a bit more time developing the romance. 😕😕😕
Once they got together their relationship was pretty cute, though! I always appreciate fluffy romances, which is exactly what this was. 🥰 I really liked seeing how much Ezra and Oliver cared for each other. Their domestic moments, asking for verbal consent (my favourite!!!), taking care of each other during difficult times… >>>
Though, I have to say, there was still something missing in their relationship, and I think it’s because a lot of their relationship was developed through messages. I understand that this is an epistolary story, but I think opening it up to include ~a little more~ narration so we could actually SEE how they felt for each other could’ve helped make their romance more believable, especially since they start liking each other so fast.
Also, the world outside Oliver and Ezra’s relationship and friendships were barely developed. Like, they’re in a pandemic, yet it barely feels like it. Though perhaps that was a deliberate choice by the author – perhaps she didn’t want to remind readers of that time. But, to me, it just made it seem like the author just didn’t want to write much other than the main relationship.
The writing was kinda clunky in other ways, too. For example, several times, things were brought up, even though they’d never been mentioned before – as if all of these moments happened off page. I also noticed a couple of repeated lines/words very close to each other (which was distracting). Also, “Ezra let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.” ????? IS THIS 2012????? 😭
Also, there’s a stupid …… 🙄😑 God, it was so fucking dumb!!! I hate those SO MUCH!!! And in this book it literally happens in the last 15%, so it gets solved in like… 12 pages or smth. It’s so stupid. Those need to be abolished from romance books, because 99% of the time they’re poorly written, rushed and very forced. After that comes the stereotypical “wise dad advice” (even though the dad had only been mentioned like, twice, in the whole book). It was all so fucking ridiculous. I was rolling my eyes nonstop.
Overall, a sweet book, but unfortunately the worst of it was right at the end, so it’s what stuck with me the most. 😕 I’ll still be following this author and looking out for her next books, though, because I genuinely enjoyed how sweet Ezra and Oliver were!
This book was cute, though a bit clunky. I really enjoyed the epistolary format. The emails and text messages were cute and worked really well for a pandemic romance. unfortunately, I do think that Ezra and Oliver’s relationship developed a *too quickly*. They started liking each other pretty soon after they started becoming friendly, and because it was all so quick I couldn’t really feel their love for each other. I wish the author had spend a bit more time developing the romance. 😕😕😕
Once they got together their relationship was pretty cute, though! I always appreciate fluffy romances, which is exactly what this was. 🥰 I really liked seeing how much Ezra and Oliver cared for each other. Their domestic moments, asking for verbal consent (my favourite!!!), taking care of each other during difficult times… >>>
Though, I have to say, there was still something missing in their relationship, and I think it’s because a lot of their relationship was developed through messages. I understand that this is an epistolary story, but I think opening it up to include ~a little more~ narration so we could actually SEE how they felt for each other could’ve helped make their romance more believable, especially since they start liking each other so fast.
Also, the world outside Oliver and Ezra’s relationship and friendships were barely developed. Like, they’re in a pandemic, yet it barely feels like it. Though perhaps that was a deliberate choice by the author – perhaps she didn’t want to remind readers of that time. But, to me, it just made it seem like the author just didn’t want to write much other than the main relationship.
The writing was kinda clunky in other ways, too. For example, several times, things were brought up, even though they’d never been mentioned before – as if all of these moments happened off page. I also noticed a couple of repeated lines/words very close to each other (which was distracting). Also, “Ezra let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.” ????? IS THIS 2012????? 😭
Also, there’s a stupid …… 🙄😑 God, it was so fucking dumb!!! I hate those SO MUCH!!! And in this book it literally happens in the last 15%, so it gets solved in like… 12 pages or smth. It’s so stupid. Those need to be abolished from romance books, because 99% of the time they’re poorly written, rushed and very forced. After that comes the stereotypical “wise dad advice” (even though the dad had only been mentioned like, twice, in the whole book). It was all so fucking ridiculous. I was rolling my eyes nonstop.
Overall, a sweet book, but unfortunately the worst of it was right at the end, so it’s what stuck with me the most. 😕 I’ll still be following this author and looking out for her next books, though, because I genuinely enjoyed how sweet Ezra and Oliver were!
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