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A Cup of #1
A Cup of Zodiac
A Grumpy Sunshine, Workplace Romantic Comedy
A twist of fate she never saw coming...
Decision-making is a black hole in Zoey Phillips's existence, one that always seems to lead to disaster. Her latest choices have earned her a one-way ticket to the “Disowned by Family” club after her ex blew her life apart. Fleeing to Portland, Zoey vows to swear off all men indefinitely.
Clinging to a popular horoscope app like a lifeline, Zoey hopes the app will make better choices than she can. With cosmic backup, she is aiming to completely transform her life to impress her family before her sister's wedding.
But first things first. Zoey’s broke and desperately needs a job. Her horoscope points her toward the trendiest coffee shop in town, even though she'd rather lick a cactus than sip a latte. But the app didn’t warn her about the handsome and arrogant owner. Anders Watson is so thoroughly unimpressed with her that he’d rather grind his famous coffee beans to dust than give Zoey a job. Luckily, Anders’s best friend ignores his opinion and hires Zoey anyway.
Sparks fly as Zoey and Anders collide at every twist and turn, compelling her to question her priorities. Love was never part of her plan, but the stars have a different idea in mind—whether she wants it or not.
A twist of fate she never saw coming...
Decision-making is a black hole in Zoey Phillips's existence, one that always seems to lead to disaster. Her latest choices have earned her a one-way ticket to the “Disowned by Family” club after her ex blew her life apart. Fleeing to Portland, Zoey vows to swear off all men indefinitely.
Clinging to a popular horoscope app like a lifeline, Zoey hopes the app will make better choices than she can. With cosmic backup, she is aiming to completely transform her life to impress her family before her sister's wedding.
But first things first. Zoey’s broke and desperately needs a job. Her horoscope points her toward the trendiest coffee shop in town, even though she'd rather lick a cactus than sip a latte. But the app didn’t warn her about the handsome and arrogant owner. Anders Watson is so thoroughly unimpressed with her that he’d rather grind his famous coffee beans to dust than give Zoey a job. Luckily, Anders’s best friend ignores his opinion and hires Zoey anyway.
Sparks fly as Zoey and Anders collide at every twist and turn, compelling her to question her priorities. Love was never part of her plan, but the stars have a different idea in mind—whether she wants it or not.
355 pages, ebook
First published July 25, 2023
40 people are currently reading
776 people want to read
About the author
Alexis Gorgun
6 books60 followersAlexis Gorgun writes swoon-worthy stories full of sass and spice.
Every book features a bold, sassy heroine who will captivate and inspire you, and the infuriatingly stubborn man who can't help but fall for her. Brace yourself for moments so intense, you'll want to throw your book across the room—before racing back to pick it up.
Prepare for unforgettable chemistry, heartfelt moments, and an ending that will leave you smiling long after the final page.
Every book features a bold, sassy heroine who will captivate and inspire you, and the infuriatingly stubborn man who can't help but fall for her. Brace yourself for moments so intense, you'll want to throw your book across the room—before racing back to pick it up.
Prepare for unforgettable chemistry, heartfelt moments, and an ending that will leave you smiling long after the final page.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
July 14, 2023
Wonderful book! Truly relatable with family issues and messy bits of life. I absolutely loved the main character, she truly is a fighter. We all have self-doubts and issues in life, so I'm glad this story showed the messy bits to be more realistic and relatable to the reader. Anders is so dreamy, talk about book Boyfriend! I fell for him too. Lol I loved every bit of this, and the shocking twist near the end truly had me tumbling to keep on reading and see how it played out. Absolutely loved this one!!
I was given a pre-released copy of this book by the author to read and review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
I was given a pre-released copy of this book by the author to read and review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
August 20, 2023
I struggled with this book. The first half or so I enjoyed quite a bit. I stayed up late to read it because I found it interesting and engaging. But it didn’t maintain my interest and I finished it mostly out of curiosity.
Character-wise, I started out feeling a lot of sympathy for Zoey, who has a lot of troubles over the course of the book. She was messy but it worked. Anders, however, I struggled with throughout and never quite warmed to. His attitude towards Zoey was horrible at parts of the book and I never felt like he redeemed himself by the end of it. Zoey began to grate on me as the book went on and I found some of her actions hard to understand.
Plot-wise, the story started out well, but I think it suffered a lot from poor pacing. Their physical relationship starts very suddenly, and whilst there were glimpses of deeper feelings prior to this, for me it came out of the blue. Anders went from seemingly hating her to suddenly being in love with her. There was no real build up and the book doesn’t really show them getting to know one another.
I felt chemistry between the two of them in the beginning but once they started actually acting on their feelings the romance didn’t work for me at all. I found the relationship a little bland and the love scenes I found a little clunky and hard to follow.
The external plot was one of the things I enjoyed the most in the start, but it became a little cartoonish by the end and it resolved very unsatisfactorily. The way it led to conflict between Zoey and Anders didn’t work for me; their fight felt forced.
It was a shame, because I enjoyed the first half of this book for what it was. But the second half almost felt like a different book to me. The pacing was all over the place; their romance moved really fast and there wasn’t much development between them. It didn’t feel natural. It felt like the author didn’t quite know what to do with them, to be honest, and it all felt very rushed. The wider plot needed work as well. There were moments of good, engaging writing in this, but I’m not sure I’ll be reading this author again.
Content Notes: Enemies-to-lovers, workplace, boss/employee.
Warnings:
Other: .
Character-wise, I started out feeling a lot of sympathy for Zoey, who has a lot of troubles over the course of the book. She was messy but it worked. Anders, however, I struggled with throughout and never quite warmed to. His attitude towards Zoey was horrible at parts of the book and I never felt like he redeemed himself by the end of it. Zoey began to grate on me as the book went on and I found some of her actions hard to understand.
Plot-wise, the story started out well, but I think it suffered a lot from poor pacing. Their physical relationship starts very suddenly, and whilst there were glimpses of deeper feelings prior to this, for me it came out of the blue. Anders went from seemingly hating her to suddenly being in love with her. There was no real build up and the book doesn’t really show them getting to know one another.
I felt chemistry between the two of them in the beginning but once they started actually acting on their feelings the romance didn’t work for me at all. I found the relationship a little bland and the love scenes I found a little clunky and hard to follow.
The external plot was one of the things I enjoyed the most in the start, but it became a little cartoonish by the end and it resolved very unsatisfactorily. The way it led to conflict between Zoey and Anders didn’t work for me; their fight felt forced.
It was a shame, because I enjoyed the first half of this book for what it was. But the second half almost felt like a different book to me. The pacing was all over the place; their romance moved really fast and there wasn’t much development between them. It didn’t feel natural. It felt like the author didn’t quite know what to do with them, to be honest, and it all felt very rushed. The wider plot needed work as well. There were moments of good, engaging writing in this, but I’m not sure I’ll be reading this author again.
Content Notes: Enemies-to-lovers, workplace, boss/employee.
Warnings:
Other: .
September 11, 2023
Hello! Who doesn't want to read a fun contemporary romance about a woman who moves to a new city and ends up working at a cute coffee shop with a handsome owner?
I'm happy to say that I loved A Cup of Zodiac. I read this so fast? It's so addicting and fun to read since the very first page. ONE THING THAT YOU MUST KNOW: I CRIED A LOT DURING THIS BOOK. All the things happening to the main characters, Zoey, made me go all gooey inside and I was suffering alongside her. It got to my heart instantly! Alexis Gorgun really knows how to make me cry, smile and swoon - all in one book.
I don't know about you, but I have this very specific trope I love and that is "he misjudges her too quickly and instantly realizes he is got it all wrong and now has to apologize and grovel to her." Hello? Isn't it the best trope ever??? Some of my favorite books have that and I'm pleased to say this one too. So, Anders thinks Zoey is from money and doesn't really want that job position, so he's very mean and annoying to her at the beginning. Zoey is going through so many things and it's so sad to see her lose her smile from time to time. But YES! ANDERS REALIZES HE DEF MISJUDGED HER AND NOW FEELS BAD. *evil laugh* Yes, feel bad please.
And when he does realize everything happening with Zoey, he wants to be there for her. He prepares gluten-free food for her every single day. He even tells his mom to prepare it too whenever Zoey is there. Like!! NO ONE HAS DONE THAT FOR ZOEY and she feels on cloud nine. She deserves the world and all what's good in it. I love that Anders' family adores her even more than him, I bet lmao. But like she has found a place where she belongs and is appreaciated. I love to see that!
Overall this book was super fun and I finished it so fast. I would have liked a little bit of more groveling/angst at the end. I felt it ended too quickly and all of the things got resolved in less than 70 pages which made me go "huh" but either way, I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves horoscopes, zodiac signs, coffee, and cute romances.
Content warning for grief and death of a family member (it's very much present throughout all the novel).
I'm happy to say that I loved A Cup of Zodiac. I read this so fast? It's so addicting and fun to read since the very first page. ONE THING THAT YOU MUST KNOW: I CRIED A LOT DURING THIS BOOK. All the things happening to the main characters, Zoey, made me go all gooey inside and I was suffering alongside her. It got to my heart instantly! Alexis Gorgun really knows how to make me cry, smile and swoon - all in one book.
I don't know about you, but I have this very specific trope I love and that is "he misjudges her too quickly and instantly realizes he is got it all wrong and now has to apologize and grovel to her." Hello? Isn't it the best trope ever??? Some of my favorite books have that and I'm pleased to say this one too. So, Anders thinks Zoey is from money and doesn't really want that job position, so he's very mean and annoying to her at the beginning. Zoey is going through so many things and it's so sad to see her lose her smile from time to time. But YES! ANDERS REALIZES HE DEF MISJUDGED HER AND NOW FEELS BAD. *evil laugh* Yes, feel bad please.
And when he does realize everything happening with Zoey, he wants to be there for her. He prepares gluten-free food for her every single day. He even tells his mom to prepare it too whenever Zoey is there. Like!! NO ONE HAS DONE THAT FOR ZOEY and she feels on cloud nine. She deserves the world and all what's good in it. I love that Anders' family adores her even more than him, I bet lmao. But like she has found a place where she belongs and is appreaciated. I love to see that!
Overall this book was super fun and I finished it so fast. I would have liked a little bit of more groveling/angst at the end. I felt it ended too quickly and all of the things got resolved in less than 70 pages which made me go "huh" but either way, I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves horoscopes, zodiac signs, coffee, and cute romances.
Content warning for grief and death of a family member (it's very much present throughout all the novel).
August 16, 2023
for a debut novel this was such a fun & cute fluffy romance! I’ll definitely read the next book about hayden and bree! 🥹🩷
July 13, 2025
4⭑
This was a strong debut book from this author and I’m already excited to see her writing get better and better as she continues writing.
A Cup of Zodiac follows Zoey, who very recently was conned by her ex boyfriend and so she moved to a new city for a fresh start. On her first day she goes to Amore, her local coffee shop and sees that they are currently hiring. The owner of the coffee shop, Anders, doesn’t quite like her but is convinced by one of his friends to hire Zoey.
Zoey and Anders appear to be complete opposites and bicker back and forth the entire time they are working, but it turns into this excellent tension filled banter. Their relationship development was very good and had the level of slow burn that I love.
Anders is down BAD for Zoey, so much so that he makes her gluten free lunches every single day as soon as he finds out about her celiac. I mean this man noted down the time (the actual time!!!) of when he first saw her bc it was instant for him🤭 um hello, where do I find my own Anders??
I heavily enjoyed reading Zoey’s journey with her grief and coming to accept and love herself after some difficult hardships. Her character development was fantastic, she was super witty and her inner monologue had me chuckling away!
I also have to mention how great all of the side characters were - they added a lot of fun to the story and I think we might be getting Theo and Ruby’s story next???? (I hope!!)
Overall, this was a very good debut and a super fun read. I definitely recommend!
This was a strong debut book from this author and I’m already excited to see her writing get better and better as she continues writing.
A Cup of Zodiac follows Zoey, who very recently was conned by her ex boyfriend and so she moved to a new city for a fresh start. On her first day she goes to Amore, her local coffee shop and sees that they are currently hiring. The owner of the coffee shop, Anders, doesn’t quite like her but is convinced by one of his friends to hire Zoey.
Zoey and Anders appear to be complete opposites and bicker back and forth the entire time they are working, but it turns into this excellent tension filled banter. Their relationship development was very good and had the level of slow burn that I love.
Anders is down BAD for Zoey, so much so that he makes her gluten free lunches every single day as soon as he finds out about her celiac. I mean this man noted down the time (the actual time!!!) of when he first saw her bc it was instant for him🤭 um hello, where do I find my own Anders??
I heavily enjoyed reading Zoey’s journey with her grief and coming to accept and love herself after some difficult hardships. Her character development was fantastic, she was super witty and her inner monologue had me chuckling away!
I also have to mention how great all of the side characters were - they added a lot of fun to the story and I think we might be getting Theo and Ruby’s story next???? (I hope!!)
Overall, this was a very good debut and a super fun read. I definitely recommend!
Read
January 22, 2024Ok. I'm done. I'm calling it at 44% ish when they're palanning a menu full of blood oranges and pistachios and crepes and this story is going right down the fucking toilet.
I saw this recommended a LOT in FB groups and I've had good luck with books recommended a lot like jt geissinger and Elle kennedy. I don't mind slow burn, but this h is trying to get dicked down from everyone BUT the H of this story. 😬😬😬😬🤦🤦🤦🤔
She just moved from wherever the fuck to Portland because her dead aunt? Grandma? Used to be a baker there and h had good memories of portland. Shes poor, whiney, annoying, unprepared with a mechanical engineering degree and she didn't think to apply for jobs or go somewhere where she can at least make a living with this? Anyhoo, she ends up getting a job with the grumpy H at his coffee shop even though she can't stand coffee. She has celiac disease so shes limited to foods she can eat.
She goes out to a bar with her new friend and coworker ruby. She just wants some dick so she grabs a random guy, takes him to the bathroom and decides whoever dropped their shit load was too stinky to fuck in there. At this point, my husband kept asking me why I kept saying "Eww"
She accepts dates from a guy named Nick who is a customer at the coffee shop. She kisses him and thinks of H to get horny 😳😐😐😐😐😐😐
And H is still in the background doing....I dunno? Accounts payables in the back office? Scratching his ass? Who the fuck knows!? Oh I know! He was making gluten free burritos for h 😂😂😂😂😬😩😩
I don't know why this book is recommended as much as it is. People like this shit? There's nothing happening but her trying to fuck another guy so the last guy she was with ISN'T her ex eric. She goes to.her shitty apartment and eats and works. FUN.
I regret Reading this book. D n f!!!!! Fuck
I saw this recommended a LOT in FB groups and I've had good luck with books recommended a lot like jt geissinger and Elle kennedy. I don't mind slow burn, but this h is trying to get dicked down from everyone BUT the H of this story. 😬😬😬😬🤦🤦🤦🤔
She just moved from wherever the fuck to Portland because her dead aunt? Grandma? Used to be a baker there and h had good memories of portland. Shes poor, whiney, annoying, unprepared with a mechanical engineering degree and she didn't think to apply for jobs or go somewhere where she can at least make a living with this? Anyhoo, she ends up getting a job with the grumpy H at his coffee shop even though she can't stand coffee. She has celiac disease so shes limited to foods she can eat.
She goes out to a bar with her new friend and coworker ruby. She just wants some dick so she grabs a random guy, takes him to the bathroom and decides whoever dropped their shit load was too stinky to fuck in there. At this point, my husband kept asking me why I kept saying "Eww"
She accepts dates from a guy named Nick who is a customer at the coffee shop. She kisses him and thinks of H to get horny 😳😐😐😐😐😐😐
And H is still in the background doing....I dunno? Accounts payables in the back office? Scratching his ass? Who the fuck knows!? Oh I know! He was making gluten free burritos for h 😂😂😂😂😬😩😩
I don't know why this book is recommended as much as it is. People like this shit? There's nothing happening but her trying to fuck another guy so the last guy she was with ISN'T her ex eric. She goes to.her shitty apartment and eats and works. FUN.
I regret Reading this book. D n f!!!!! Fuck
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2023
Thank you Alexis for trusting me with an advance copy of your debut!
And what a debut this is! I loved this so much. This is a unique, fun, fluffy yet also surprisingly deep rom-com that truly focuses on the messy parts of life.
Zoey downloads a new horoscope app and decides to follow its advice - after the death of her aunt, being disowned by her family, breaking up with her ex and fleeing across the country. She is lovable, chaotic and flawed and I love her. She has celiac disease which takes a central role in the book and is really interesting. I love how she would work out what star sign people are. It’s truly such a unique concept to the typical structure of a rom-com.
Anders was a delight. He was giving grumpy. He was giving Jonah from the simple wild and Brendan from it happened one summer. He was an act of service man to his core and absolutely a Sagittarius.
This is truly a book for the girls in their 20s who don’t know what they’re doing or what direction to take. If you’re feeling a bit lost right now I know you’ll love Zoey and her story.
A strong storyline in this is about found family. Zoey finds her own unit and builds her own life away from her toxic family and I couldn’t be prouder. Not to mention there are Christmas vibes and I loved it 🎄
I will absolutely be reading more from Alexis in future!
Tropes:
workplace romance - boss/employee
fish out of water
“hate” to love
celiac rep
found family
coffee hater x coffee lover
And what a debut this is! I loved this so much. This is a unique, fun, fluffy yet also surprisingly deep rom-com that truly focuses on the messy parts of life.
Zoey downloads a new horoscope app and decides to follow its advice - after the death of her aunt, being disowned by her family, breaking up with her ex and fleeing across the country. She is lovable, chaotic and flawed and I love her. She has celiac disease which takes a central role in the book and is really interesting. I love how she would work out what star sign people are. It’s truly such a unique concept to the typical structure of a rom-com.
Anders was a delight. He was giving grumpy. He was giving Jonah from the simple wild and Brendan from it happened one summer. He was an act of service man to his core and absolutely a Sagittarius.
This is truly a book for the girls in their 20s who don’t know what they’re doing or what direction to take. If you’re feeling a bit lost right now I know you’ll love Zoey and her story.
A strong storyline in this is about found family. Zoey finds her own unit and builds her own life away from her toxic family and I couldn’t be prouder. Not to mention there are Christmas vibes and I loved it 🎄
I will absolutely be reading more from Alexis in future!
Tropes:
workplace romance - boss/employee
fish out of water
“hate” to love
celiac rep
found family
coffee hater x coffee lover
July 25, 2023
I really enjoyed my time reading this! Some parts are so relatable and hits too close to home.
The story is about Zoey who is moving to Portland to start anew. She has an interest in horoscopes and during her first days in this new place she heard about an app called Zodiac Way of Life. She was intrigued and decided to use the app to help her in “starting her new life”. The premise of the story is very interesting and as someone who’s also very interested in zodiacs and astrology, this book is such a fun read.
I love how realistic the story is, the friendships, found family aspect. I really like Anders, the male main character. He gives off “hates everyone but her (and his family)” vibes and it’s just 🤌🏼
The plot where it touches on grief and family are all very realistic and enjoyable. Also I love the caretaking aspect of the book (the fmc is celiac and the mmc rlly takes care of her 😭🤌🏼) I do think the third act breakup is kind of rushed? It happened all of a sudden so i didn’t expect that. Also the amount of explicit language kind of makes me uncomfortable however, i can easily skim it, as well as the smutty scenes. There’s a couple of that.
I love the ending tho! The epilogue is just so good. I’d love to read the next book!
The whole time I’m reading this book I am singing I Can See You by Taylor Swift bcs it gives off that song’s vibe so much! If you enjoy workplace romance, relatable fmc, astrology, coffee shop setting, I really recommend this book for you to read!
The story is about Zoey who is moving to Portland to start anew. She has an interest in horoscopes and during her first days in this new place she heard about an app called Zodiac Way of Life. She was intrigued and decided to use the app to help her in “starting her new life”. The premise of the story is very interesting and as someone who’s also very interested in zodiacs and astrology, this book is such a fun read.
I love how realistic the story is, the friendships, found family aspect. I really like Anders, the male main character. He gives off “hates everyone but her (and his family)” vibes and it’s just 🤌🏼
The plot where it touches on grief and family are all very realistic and enjoyable. Also I love the caretaking aspect of the book (the fmc is celiac and the mmc rlly takes care of her 😭🤌🏼) I do think the third act breakup is kind of rushed? It happened all of a sudden so i didn’t expect that. Also the amount of explicit language kind of makes me uncomfortable however, i can easily skim it, as well as the smutty scenes. There’s a couple of that.
I love the ending tho! The epilogue is just so good. I’d love to read the next book!
The whole time I’m reading this book I am singing I Can See You by Taylor Swift bcs it gives off that song’s vibe so much! If you enjoy workplace romance, relatable fmc, astrology, coffee shop setting, I really recommend this book for you to read!
August 5, 2023
Awesome little book . Zoey Phillips is disillusioned with her life so fleeing from her past to a better future - she hopes , she moves to a new town and trusts in an Horoscope App to make her informed choices , when it points her in the direction of the local coffee shop , she heads in and asks if they’re hiring. She butts heads with Anders Watson straight away but there’s true chemistry and even though she’s definitely not looking for love , it seems fate has other ideas…. Brilliant story, great characters ,sublime chemistry , very well written and issues related in a positive way with empathy
I read an arc of this book and my review is voluntary in my own words
I read an arc of this book and my review is voluntary in my own words
December 27, 2023
I really, really enjoyed this book.
It was funny, cute, light but still serious, steamy. Anders is an amazing MMC, and his family and his best friend are awesome.
I just have a little problem with Zoey. I get that she went through some super tough shit, but I felt like she just never opened her eyes and grew up. I’m glad that she chooses to go to therapy, because it will be helpful for her, but I feel like she maybe should have went this way before. She’s always complaining and I kind of got tired of that by the end of the book.
It was funny, cute, light but still serious, steamy. Anders is an amazing MMC, and his family and his best friend are awesome.
I just have a little problem with Zoey. I get that she went through some super tough shit, but I felt like she just never opened her eyes and grew up. I’m glad that she chooses to go to therapy, because it will be helpful for her, but I feel like she maybe should have went this way before. She’s always complaining and I kind of got tired of that by the end of the book.
July 14, 2023
an interesting and cute start for a series <3
I loved how the relationship between zoey and anders was developed in particular how he helped her to face the reality she was living.🫶🏼
i was also intrigued about ruby and theo’s moments👀 and looking forward the next books💓
a fav moment quote:
"Where's your date?" he asks, not taking his gaze off the glass on my neck.
I place the water back on the bar and half turn toward him. "He left."
"Good. He listened."
"To?"
"Me."
I loved how the relationship between zoey and anders was developed in particular how he helped her to face the reality she was living.🫶🏼
i was also intrigued about ruby and theo’s moments👀 and looking forward the next books💓
a fav moment quote:
"Where's your date?" he asks, not taking his gaze off the glass on my neck.
I place the water back on the bar and half turn toward him. "He left."
"Good. He listened."
"To?"
"Me."
July 16, 2023
✨Arc Review✨
Cute and fun!I loved the chemistry Zoey and Ander’s have even in their enemies phase. I also really liked that though this is set to be a series it didn’t end on such a huge cliffhanger and leave you guessing!
Cute and fun!I loved the chemistry Zoey and Ander’s have even in their enemies phase. I also really liked that though this is set to be a series it didn’t end on such a huge cliffhanger and leave you guessing!
September 15, 2023
2.5⭐️
La primera mitad estuvo bien, pero la segunda mitad la sentí forzada. Anders y Zoey se llevan mal y de la nada no pueden separarse.
Spoilers ⚠️
La razón del rompimiento fue una tontería, no duraron separados ni un capítulo.
La primera mitad estuvo bien, pero la segunda mitad la sentí forzada. Anders y Zoey se llevan mal y de la nada no pueden separarse.
Spoilers ⚠️
La razón del rompimiento fue una tontería, no duraron separados ni un capítulo.
July 28, 2023
“enemies to lovers” you sure about that?
also the way he switched personalities in the middle of the book 💀
also the way he switched personalities in the middle of the book 💀
December 27, 2024
This was awesome! I’m pissed I didn’t read it sooner! Zoey and Anders are romantic and sexy perfection!
October 17, 2023
“A Cup of Zodiac” was such a fun read, I was sucked into the grief of each character and fell in love with them. I was routing for them every step of their journey.
If you love horoscopes, and believing everything happens for a reason this is the perfect book for you. Happy reading, and enjoy it as I did!
I took off one star simply because I would have loved an extra chapter or so with more details towards the end.
Otherwise the book was very well written and enjoyable.
Also it had the perfect amount of hot spice 😘🌶️🌶️
I will be looking forward to more books!
If you love horoscopes, and believing everything happens for a reason this is the perfect book for you. Happy reading, and enjoy it as I did!
I took off one star simply because I would have loved an extra chapter or so with more details towards the end.
Otherwise the book was very well written and enjoyable.
Also it had the perfect amount of hot spice 😘🌶️🌶️
I will be looking forward to more books!
July 22, 2023
Did you ever wish your holiday Hallmark movie had a bit more sugar and spice? Well, look no further because this is the book for you.
Our main gal Zoey is on the down and out. Her family hates her, she’s new in town, she’s got no job, and her last relationship has her swearing off men for good. She’s running from the past and ready to bet her whole life on a whim and a coffee shop. Because really, what does she have to lose? That is until a certain rugged coffee-making hottie with an attitude throws a wrench in her hastily made plans.
Things I liked:
1. The Romance. Because that’s what we’re all here for, isn’t it? As I said, it’s all the cozy comfort of your typical Hallmark holiday romance. You’ve got Christmas lights, hot chocolate, and the tree farm, but grab that extra jar of cinnamon sugar and pour it all in. The enemies-to-lovers relationship between Zoey and Anders is giving. The pacing is just right. Not too fast, not too slow, and most of all it’s believable. None of that magic “I hated you yesterday, but I’m head over heels in a heartbeat today’. No, here we work our way through the tension, misunderstandings, and miscommunication, and then we get the love and the sex. But that’s the best part. We get boundaries. BOUNDARIES?!?!?!?!? Yes, that thing that appears at the start of every romance novel and then falls apart because the spice gets too spicy. Yeah, that. Except in this novel they stay there, and they’re navigated. What? Really? A healthy romantic relationship in a romance novel? YES, and count me in because this author has written a master class on how consent is always sexy (and not just for sex). It was refreshing, to be honest, and it really makes you reevaluate just how much we let slide under the guise of “it’s not real anyway.” So A++ for that.
2. It’s more than you think. A Cup of Zodiac draws on everyone’s favorite hate-to-love-it, love-to-hate-it relationship with star signs and fates. But the story is so much more than horoscopes and superstition. It’s about becoming confident in the outcome of your everyday decisions. Because let’s face it, everyone makes mistakes, and wouldn't we just love an app that tells us exactly what to do every day? Or exactly how our day will go? All for the very low price of 19.99? But that’s not real life, and this novel brilliantly navigates the complexity of decision-making and the power of self-fulfilling prophecy, all while throwing in a romance to boot. Turns out if you believe in it hard enough, it will come true. Aside from that, the author’s depiction of the nuances of grief, depression, and the effect of toxic relationships on the human psyche makes this story a true gem.
One thing I didn’t (quite vibe with):
Zoey goes job hunting!
So, I didn’t not like this part. The end of the scene was cute, and I could see what the author was trying to achieve with it. But, I think it could have been executed differently and made more sense. How Zoey goes about her job hunt in chapter 3 feels particularly out of character to me. Not for her specifically, but for the generation she’s supposed to be representing. If Zoey is going through her quarter-life (33.3%) crisis. I’m not expecting her to take the “boots on the ground” approach towards her job hunt and reject online applications entirely. Especially for the jobs she’s going for. It was a bit of a shock to read.
But, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t make sense for Zoey herself to do what she does. I just need a stronger reason than ‘I don’t trust online applications’ to convince me that this 30-something millennial can throw all her social anxiety and need for convenience out the window and go trekking around a new city for hours in the cold and the rain (on foot no less!) just to see if the dentist office needs a new receptionist.
All in all. A Cup of Zodiac is one of those books you won’t be able to put down. It’s funny, it’s cringe (in a good way), it’s enlightening, it’s sweet, and it’s sexy. So whether you’re looking for your next fix, trying something new, or just need a quick distraction. This book will not disappoint.
Would I recommend to friends: Yes
Our main gal Zoey is on the down and out. Her family hates her, she’s new in town, she’s got no job, and her last relationship has her swearing off men for good. She’s running from the past and ready to bet her whole life on a whim and a coffee shop. Because really, what does she have to lose? That is until a certain rugged coffee-making hottie with an attitude throws a wrench in her hastily made plans.
Things I liked:
1. The Romance. Because that’s what we’re all here for, isn’t it? As I said, it’s all the cozy comfort of your typical Hallmark holiday romance. You’ve got Christmas lights, hot chocolate, and the tree farm, but grab that extra jar of cinnamon sugar and pour it all in. The enemies-to-lovers relationship between Zoey and Anders is giving. The pacing is just right. Not too fast, not too slow, and most of all it’s believable. None of that magic “I hated you yesterday, but I’m head over heels in a heartbeat today’. No, here we work our way through the tension, misunderstandings, and miscommunication, and then we get the love and the sex. But that’s the best part. We get boundaries. BOUNDARIES?!?!?!?!? Yes, that thing that appears at the start of every romance novel and then falls apart because the spice gets too spicy. Yeah, that. Except in this novel they stay there, and they’re navigated. What? Really? A healthy romantic relationship in a romance novel? YES, and count me in because this author has written a master class on how consent is always sexy (and not just for sex). It was refreshing, to be honest, and it really makes you reevaluate just how much we let slide under the guise of “it’s not real anyway.” So A++ for that.
2. It’s more than you think. A Cup of Zodiac draws on everyone’s favorite hate-to-love-it, love-to-hate-it relationship with star signs and fates. But the story is so much more than horoscopes and superstition. It’s about becoming confident in the outcome of your everyday decisions. Because let’s face it, everyone makes mistakes, and wouldn't we just love an app that tells us exactly what to do every day? Or exactly how our day will go? All for the very low price of 19.99? But that’s not real life, and this novel brilliantly navigates the complexity of decision-making and the power of self-fulfilling prophecy, all while throwing in a romance to boot. Turns out if you believe in it hard enough, it will come true. Aside from that, the author’s depiction of the nuances of grief, depression, and the effect of toxic relationships on the human psyche makes this story a true gem.
One thing I didn’t (quite vibe with):
Zoey goes job hunting!
So, I didn’t not like this part. The end of the scene was cute, and I could see what the author was trying to achieve with it. But, I think it could have been executed differently and made more sense. How Zoey goes about her job hunt in chapter 3 feels particularly out of character to me. Not for her specifically, but for the generation she’s supposed to be representing. If Zoey is going through her quarter-life (33.3%) crisis. I’m not expecting her to take the “boots on the ground” approach towards her job hunt and reject online applications entirely. Especially for the jobs she’s going for. It was a bit of a shock to read.
But, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t make sense for Zoey herself to do what she does. I just need a stronger reason than ‘I don’t trust online applications’ to convince me that this 30-something millennial can throw all her social anxiety and need for convenience out the window and go trekking around a new city for hours in the cold and the rain (on foot no less!) just to see if the dentist office needs a new receptionist.
All in all. A Cup of Zodiac is one of those books you won’t be able to put down. It’s funny, it’s cringe (in a good way), it’s enlightening, it’s sweet, and it’s sexy. So whether you’re looking for your next fix, trying something new, or just need a quick distraction. This book will not disappoint.
Would I recommend to friends: Yes
August 21, 2024
I had to read this for bingo. . . .not one I would normally pick.
The first half was a hard fine but not great. The 2nd half was very ungood. A big chunk is them having sex in various places, with some being downright gross (coffee shop counters??) and the rest her insecurities and idiosyncrasies on full display. I think I hate her.
Zoey and Anders (and for some reason I could remember all the character names except hers). She was a project managing mechanical engineer fleeing from some major screw up involving her ex boyfriend and all her family's money? I'm sure all will be revealed when the time is right. He is a mysterious world traveler flavor savant who owns a coffee shop. And his is grumpy (to her). And a lumberjack. And he doesn't wear underwear (that chafe).
Anders seems to have had a personality transplant overnight. Some of the side characters gave hints to his feelings, but otherwise he went from gruff no contact to flirty mouth-to-everywhere. Abrupt shift, that one.
Her logical mind must be broken and starved due to fasting (and I already had questions when she started guiding her life by the horoscopes). She told herself that it was only ok to get mixed up with her boss once and only if they just went down on each other. Uh, lady, that is already way past the point of keeping it professional unless you are renting hotel rooms by the hour.
She gets all mad when he says she can never be just a friend because she is dumb. The 'just' in there must have been uttered when she was in her dumb phase.
There are 33 (I think) year olds going to work drunk, multiple times. Wut. Not just logistics, but for the love of God, the hangovers. . . they work 13 hours shifts.
Random blechs:
-I do not believe for a heartbeat that a mechanical engineer does not know how to change a tire.
-Her family is objectively awful.
-She throws way too many pity parties for herself.
Then OF COURSE the ending. This was already grating on e because she refuses to take responsibility for her own actions OR call out her family on their bullshit.
BUT WAIT THERE IS MORE
That wist with her ex and how she again takes no responsibility and loses her shit because if he's behind it, every decision for the last 2 months must also be inherently tainted (because if it was just the horoscope, it would have been legit, duh).
“This is ridiculous. You’re letting an app destroy us." He should have added "You are crazy pants. How did I not see this earlier?! Thank you for bringing this to my attention but please leave so I can reevaluate my life and hopefully find a woman who still has some semblance of sanity."
I was going to go with 1.5 stars rounded up, but that last 10% really sunk it low.
Also the spice was uninspired and cold and felt trashy instead of loving or sexy.
The first half was a hard fine but not great. The 2nd half was very ungood. A big chunk is them having sex in various places, with some being downright gross (coffee shop counters??) and the rest her insecurities and idiosyncrasies on full display. I think I hate her.
Zoey and Anders (and for some reason I could remember all the character names except hers). She was a project managing mechanical engineer fleeing from some major screw up involving her ex boyfriend and all her family's money? I'm sure all will be revealed when the time is right. He is a mysterious world traveler flavor savant who owns a coffee shop. And his is grumpy (to her). And a lumberjack. And he doesn't wear underwear (that chafe).
Anders seems to have had a personality transplant overnight. Some of the side characters gave hints to his feelings, but otherwise he went from gruff no contact to flirty mouth-to-everywhere. Abrupt shift, that one.
Her logical mind must be broken and starved due to fasting (and I already had questions when she started guiding her life by the horoscopes). She told herself that it was only ok to get mixed up with her boss once and only if they just went down on each other. Uh, lady, that is already way past the point of keeping it professional unless you are renting hotel rooms by the hour.
She gets all mad when he says she can never be just a friend because she is dumb. The 'just' in there must have been uttered when she was in her dumb phase.
There are 33 (I think) year olds going to work drunk, multiple times. Wut. Not just logistics, but for the love of God, the hangovers. . . they work 13 hours shifts.
Random blechs:
-I do not believe for a heartbeat that a mechanical engineer does not know how to change a tire.
-Her family is objectively awful.
-She throws way too many pity parties for herself.
Then OF COURSE the ending. This was already grating on e because she refuses to take responsibility for her own actions OR call out her family on their bullshit.
BUT WAIT THERE IS MORE
That wist with her ex and how she again takes no responsibility and loses her shit because if he's behind it, every decision for the last 2 months must also be inherently tainted (because if it was just the horoscope, it would have been legit, duh).
“This is ridiculous. You’re letting an app destroy us." He should have added "You are crazy pants. How did I not see this earlier?! Thank you for bringing this to my attention but please leave so I can reevaluate my life and hopefully find a woman who still has some semblance of sanity."
I was going to go with 1.5 stars rounded up, but that last 10% really sunk it low.
Also the spice was uninspired and cold and felt trashy instead of loving or sexy.
July 24, 2023
Wow, o wow, does this book make want to keep going.
Zoey has a falling out with her family and ends up in Portland with nothing but 1 suitcase, her car, and $200 in the bank. She came here because this is the town her Aunt loved. She wanted a connection with her. It's almost been a year since she passed on, but the grief is still real.
Zoey has a thing for numbers and zodiac signs. She can give people numbers and know their sign, a game she would play with her aunt at the Aunts bakery.
Zoey goes to a coffee shop near Berlin New apartment to get a feel for her new home. She listens to the people talk before getting in line to order a drink. She doesn't know what to order, so she asks the guy taking the order to suggest something, Zoey does not like coffee. She takes her drink back and hears for the second time about a Zodiac app. She downloads and uses that to guide her in her new life.
The app guides her to try new things, which is hard for Zoey. Zoey has celiac, so she really has to be diligent on what she eats and drinks. A disease that puts her into a position where her new boss, Ander, can see her at her lowest, she bare empty apartments with no food.
Things from that moment things change and the dynamic between the two.
Anders doesn't trust people easily, and Zoey is prone to run when things get complicated.
They try to be friends, but the chemistry between them makes it impossible. Ander invites Zoey to spend Thanksgiving with his family, and she is not aware that she is the first friend to attend. She gets to see how a family can be when there is love, laughter, and good food.
Things get complicated when they cross the friends line as they are working on a new Cafe concept together.
Things are going well until one day she atrends a Ted Talk with Ruby and everything comes crashing down. Zoey questions everything she has done up to this point. She decides to run, run from Ander, and all they have built. Ruby helps knock some sense into her and she go in search of Anders.
This book pulled me in and I was disappointed when I got to the end. I wanted to know more. More about the shop, more another characters lives. This definitely is a book I would recommend. I could definitely write more but don't want to give away to many details.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Zoey has a falling out with her family and ends up in Portland with nothing but 1 suitcase, her car, and $200 in the bank. She came here because this is the town her Aunt loved. She wanted a connection with her. It's almost been a year since she passed on, but the grief is still real.
Zoey has a thing for numbers and zodiac signs. She can give people numbers and know their sign, a game she would play with her aunt at the Aunts bakery.
Zoey goes to a coffee shop near Berlin New apartment to get a feel for her new home. She listens to the people talk before getting in line to order a drink. She doesn't know what to order, so she asks the guy taking the order to suggest something, Zoey does not like coffee. She takes her drink back and hears for the second time about a Zodiac app. She downloads and uses that to guide her in her new life.
The app guides her to try new things, which is hard for Zoey. Zoey has celiac, so she really has to be diligent on what she eats and drinks. A disease that puts her into a position where her new boss, Ander, can see her at her lowest, she bare empty apartments with no food.
Things from that moment things change and the dynamic between the two.
Anders doesn't trust people easily, and Zoey is prone to run when things get complicated.
They try to be friends, but the chemistry between them makes it impossible. Ander invites Zoey to spend Thanksgiving with his family, and she is not aware that she is the first friend to attend. She gets to see how a family can be when there is love, laughter, and good food.
Things get complicated when they cross the friends line as they are working on a new Cafe concept together.
Things are going well until one day she atrends a Ted Talk with Ruby and everything comes crashing down. Zoey questions everything she has done up to this point. She decides to run, run from Ander, and all they have built. Ruby helps knock some sense into her and she go in search of Anders.
This book pulled me in and I was disappointed when I got to the end. I wanted to know more. More about the shop, more another characters lives. This definitely is a book I would recommend. I could definitely write more but don't want to give away to many details.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 30, 2023
This is the most cliché book I read this year. First of all the FMC is an insecure little thing *with an awful family, that she can't stop mentioning* and a degree in engineering but 0 logical thinking. She comes to Portland to have a fresh start, and miraculously meet a man, in the beginning they hate each other, but the man doesn't show his emotions, because he was hurt in the past by a woman *like I haven't seen that before *. The FMC swore she wouldn't get close to any man, but first man asks her out she says yes and enters a casual situationship *BUT* WHEN A MAN THAT SAYS "YOU BEWITCH ME" WANTS A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU YOU SAY YOU ARE NOT READY!!! WTF and after she keeps him on his toes until she sees his family and their big house. Oh and she lost the *LIFE SAVINGS* of her family and aspects to be treated the same, all because she trusted her ex that couldn't find her clit *like she mentioned a few times * HEAR ME OUT NEVER TRUST A MAN THAT DOESNT FIND YOUR CLIT!
And at the end she sees her ex who is the found of a horoscope app that she follows every day. And she begins questioning her decision of working with the MMC and her relationship with him, because she was influenced by the app that was made by SAID EX and she thinks that the ex made her be in a relationship to destroy her once again. GIRLLL FIRST OF ALL HE CANT POSSIBLY KNOW THAT YOU ARE ON THIS APP. YOU ARE AN ADULT WHO MAKES HER OWN CHOISES !!!!!!!!! YOU CANT BLABE YOU EXXX YOU said you are an engineer but GOD you don't think
WORST! She end the relationship with the MMC because she need time to figure things out,WHHAT THINGS YOU WITH YOUR LITTLE HEAD DICIDED TO ENTER A RELATIONSHIP!!!! and she leved him exactly like the previous woman. Clearly she has some issues because she already has plans to move out of the city !!!! Why you leaving what you want to find!!!! * Herself * my ass you tried once when you came to Portland, and you feel in love with a good man accept it * a millionaire* I wouldn't live except dead!
And at the end *She FIGURES ALL OUT IN A CONVERSATION ! * IF I WERE THE MMC I WOULDN'T GET HER BACK, YOU WOULD LEAVE ME IN A SECOND WHY WOULD I GET YOU BACK
But of course the MMC gets her back and they are happy again and live happily ever after and her family gets *miraculously *back the money they lose (with the help of a friend)
The end
And at the end she sees her ex who is the found of a horoscope app that she follows every day. And she begins questioning her decision of working with the MMC and her relationship with him, because she was influenced by the app that was made by SAID EX and she thinks that the ex made her be in a relationship to destroy her once again. GIRLLL FIRST OF ALL HE CANT POSSIBLY KNOW THAT YOU ARE ON THIS APP. YOU ARE AN ADULT WHO MAKES HER OWN CHOISES !!!!!!!!! YOU CANT BLABE YOU EXXX YOU said you are an engineer but GOD you don't think
WORST! She end the relationship with the MMC because she need time to figure things out,WHHAT THINGS YOU WITH YOUR LITTLE HEAD DICIDED TO ENTER A RELATIONSHIP!!!! and she leved him exactly like the previous woman. Clearly she has some issues because she already has plans to move out of the city !!!! Why you leaving what you want to find!!!! * Herself * my ass you tried once when you came to Portland, and you feel in love with a good man accept it * a millionaire* I wouldn't live except dead!
And at the end *She FIGURES ALL OUT IN A CONVERSATION ! * IF I WERE THE MMC I WOULDN'T GET HER BACK, YOU WOULD LEAVE ME IN A SECOND WHY WOULD I GET YOU BACK
But of course the MMC gets her back and they are happy again and live happily ever after and her family gets *miraculously *back the money they lose (with the help of a friend)
The end
July 31, 2023
Wow!! I came for a sweet coffee shop romance, and I left with so much more!!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Gorgun just earned herself a spot on my favorite indie authors list, because this book was amazing!! If you’re looking for a book with coffee shop vibes, grumpy/sunshine, enemies-to-lovers, found-family romance then I highly recommend you pick this book up!!
I must say while the plot of this book was great and left me wanting more it was really the characters that kept me up reading into the wee hours of the night! Starting with Zoey, first off I loved that she was a celiac rep, and showed the struggles of people with hidden issues, especially revolving around food often struggle to not only find food outside of their homes, but often have their issues just brushed off. I also just loved that Zoey had been beaten down by life, taken advantage of by her boyfriend, and then iced out by her family and still chose to find a new life for herself in Portland. Honestly Zoey was so relatable from her obsession with a zodiac app, to her horrible family drama, and her won’t be kept down attitude. She truly is one of my new favorite characters! Then there was Anders, he was a grumpy, trust no one, fear of failure, family man. And while he started off acting harshly towards Zoey, I loved the way he slowly became invested in her life and taking care of her. And their love was just *chefs kiss.* I loved that they started off with such a snarky hateish filled banter relationship, that slowly turned into a teasing friendship, and then burned into an inferno of a spicy relationship! I really enjoyed how they accepted each others flaws and propped each other up when they struggled!! Overall, this story was just amazing and I highly recommend it to everyone!!
HAPPY READING 📖
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Gorgun just earned herself a spot on my favorite indie authors list, because this book was amazing!! If you’re looking for a book with coffee shop vibes, grumpy/sunshine, enemies-to-lovers, found-family romance then I highly recommend you pick this book up!!
I must say while the plot of this book was great and left me wanting more it was really the characters that kept me up reading into the wee hours of the night! Starting with Zoey, first off I loved that she was a celiac rep, and showed the struggles of people with hidden issues, especially revolving around food often struggle to not only find food outside of their homes, but often have their issues just brushed off. I also just loved that Zoey had been beaten down by life, taken advantage of by her boyfriend, and then iced out by her family and still chose to find a new life for herself in Portland. Honestly Zoey was so relatable from her obsession with a zodiac app, to her horrible family drama, and her won’t be kept down attitude. She truly is one of my new favorite characters! Then there was Anders, he was a grumpy, trust no one, fear of failure, family man. And while he started off acting harshly towards Zoey, I loved the way he slowly became invested in her life and taking care of her. And their love was just *chefs kiss.* I loved that they started off with such a snarky hateish filled banter relationship, that slowly turned into a teasing friendship, and then burned into an inferno of a spicy relationship! I really enjoyed how they accepted each others flaws and propped each other up when they struggled!! Overall, this story was just amazing and I highly recommend it to everyone!!
HAPPY READING 📖
July 25, 2023
𝐊𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞
A happy release day to @alexisgorgunauthor who wrote this amazing piece of art book!!💘
Tropes:
•boss x employee
•grumpy x sunshine
•found family
•enemies to lovers
As a person I am a huge fan of horoscopes which made this book the perfect match and read for me and I can just tell you all already that this book did not disappoint for a single second. From the very first chapter I immediately fell in love with my babies Zoey and Anders. Their first meeting was honestly so funny and I immediately felt the chemistry between them (even though they were both still such ‘enemies’). The tropes in this book were absolutely perfect and the found family trope had my heart melting.
Anders literally is the definition of SIMP for zoey and it was so so so much fun to read about that. This book also contains serious topics including that you can literally be anything you love and don’t need to do anything on your own!
Zoey has been trough a lot and she deserves the absolute world, and of course my man Anders is there for her to make everything better and care for her in the best way possible. And the fact that he completed his tattoo with the time she came in to the coffee shop??? Omg literally my heart melted away. These two are the definition of soulmates and no one can tell me otherwise!
I already feel that I’m gonna type spoilers so I’m gonna stop this review now.. but you all NEED to read this book because you will get charmed in the best way possible. And it’s definitely my newest 5 star read!! I can’t wait for the next book already!!!🫶🏼🫶🏼
A happy release day to @alexisgorgunauthor who wrote this amazing piece of art book!!💘
Tropes:
•boss x employee
•grumpy x sunshine
•found family
•enemies to lovers
As a person I am a huge fan of horoscopes which made this book the perfect match and read for me and I can just tell you all already that this book did not disappoint for a single second. From the very first chapter I immediately fell in love with my babies Zoey and Anders. Their first meeting was honestly so funny and I immediately felt the chemistry between them (even though they were both still such ‘enemies’). The tropes in this book were absolutely perfect and the found family trope had my heart melting.
Anders literally is the definition of SIMP for zoey and it was so so so much fun to read about that. This book also contains serious topics including that you can literally be anything you love and don’t need to do anything on your own!
Zoey has been trough a lot and she deserves the absolute world, and of course my man Anders is there for her to make everything better and care for her in the best way possible. And the fact that he completed his tattoo with the time she came in to the coffee shop??? Omg literally my heart melted away. These two are the definition of soulmates and no one can tell me otherwise!
I already feel that I’m gonna type spoilers so I’m gonna stop this review now.. but you all NEED to read this book because you will get charmed in the best way possible. And it’s definitely my newest 5 star read!! I can’t wait for the next book already!!!🫶🏼🫶🏼
July 16, 2023
💌 Book Review 💌
A Cup of Zodiac | Alexis Gorgun | Romance | 4 ⭐️ | Release date: 7/25/23
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💌 Thoughts 💌
Ahhhhh this was such a fast cute read! The coffee shop aspect reminds me of this cozy game called Coffee talk and I adore that game so much 😘. The horoscope app in which you select your Zodiac sign and it tells you advice and signs you should be watching out for was an addition I enjoyed. The chemistry between Zoey and Anders was cute, spicy, and the trust they form for one another is everything 🩷. The characters in this book is relatable in terms of self doubts we have about our future as well as learning to forgive yourself is so hard. Anders being supportive of Zoey and helping her fight her self doubts is admirable as well as it was so sweet of him to be there for her. Zoey and Anders complement each other so well and their stranger to boss/employee to "friends" to lovers trope got me kicking my feet in the air hehe. Also love the celiac rep in this book and Anders learning how to cook gluten free food for her is everything!!!!! If a man wants you, he will do the work!!!!! I feel like Ruby and Theo's book will be next 😉. Super excited for the next book :)
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💌 Appreciation 💌
Thank you Alexis Gorgun for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
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💌 Tags 💌
#acupofzodiac #Alexisgorgun #indieauthor #indiebooks #debutbook #romancebook #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #booksta #bookish #horoscopes #coffeeromance #arc #arcreview
A Cup of Zodiac | Alexis Gorgun | Romance | 4 ⭐️ | Release date: 7/25/23
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.
.
💌 Thoughts 💌
Ahhhhh this was such a fast cute read! The coffee shop aspect reminds me of this cozy game called Coffee talk and I adore that game so much 😘. The horoscope app in which you select your Zodiac sign and it tells you advice and signs you should be watching out for was an addition I enjoyed. The chemistry between Zoey and Anders was cute, spicy, and the trust they form for one another is everything 🩷. The characters in this book is relatable in terms of self doubts we have about our future as well as learning to forgive yourself is so hard. Anders being supportive of Zoey and helping her fight her self doubts is admirable as well as it was so sweet of him to be there for her. Zoey and Anders complement each other so well and their stranger to boss/employee to "friends" to lovers trope got me kicking my feet in the air hehe. Also love the celiac rep in this book and Anders learning how to cook gluten free food for her is everything!!!!! If a man wants you, he will do the work!!!!! I feel like Ruby and Theo's book will be next 😉. Super excited for the next book :)
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.
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💌 Appreciation 💌
Thank you Alexis Gorgun for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
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.
.
💌 Tags 💌
#acupofzodiac #Alexisgorgun #indieauthor #indiebooks #debutbook #romancebook #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #booksta #bookish #horoscopes #coffeeromance #arc #arcreview
August 3, 2023
I have definitely been in my Romance Era and this book honestly didn't disappoint one bit.
I was lucky enough to be sent an earc of the book and as soon as it landed on my Kindle I was diving straight into the book.
If you love bookish tropes then this book is definitely for you, so if you love:
- Grumpy Sunshine
- He Falls First
- Work Romance (Boss Employee)
- Disability Rep
- Opposites attract
I laughed so hard at parts of this book, melted in others and wanted to slap certain characters in the next breath. It honestly packed quite a punch for a romance read but loved every second of reading it.
So the book follows Zoey who has recently been conned by her ex-boyfriend, shamed and disowned by her family, quite her job and moved to another state. She is broke and down on her luck and she needs things to change fast. I honestly felt so much emotion towards Zoey, where she should of been supported by her family they cast her aside and you could honestly feel the hurt seeping through those chapters when her family was mentioned. But Zoey she's strong, she knew things had to change so she set to work on finding a job.
Anders the main male MC was the quintessential grumpy male character and let me tell you I LOVE a grumpy male characters as they always fall harder and he defintely did. He also had a tough exterior but was soft and squishy on the inside for Zoey.
Overall it was a really well written romance read. We had great main characters as well as brilliant side characters that I am hoping and praying have books of their own. I love how the book showed growth of book characters and that feet and felt the love of a family that she had never had from her family. There was of course the break up and make up but you know what I love these in books especially when the male character grovels!
If you need a little pick me up read then I highly recommend that you grab a cup of tea or coffee, some snacks a blanket and read this book.
I was lucky enough to be sent an earc of the book and as soon as it landed on my Kindle I was diving straight into the book.
If you love bookish tropes then this book is definitely for you, so if you love:
- Grumpy Sunshine
- He Falls First
- Work Romance (Boss Employee)
- Disability Rep
- Opposites attract
I laughed so hard at parts of this book, melted in others and wanted to slap certain characters in the next breath. It honestly packed quite a punch for a romance read but loved every second of reading it.
So the book follows Zoey who has recently been conned by her ex-boyfriend, shamed and disowned by her family, quite her job and moved to another state. She is broke and down on her luck and she needs things to change fast. I honestly felt so much emotion towards Zoey, where she should of been supported by her family they cast her aside and you could honestly feel the hurt seeping through those chapters when her family was mentioned. But Zoey she's strong, she knew things had to change so she set to work on finding a job.
Anders the main male MC was the quintessential grumpy male character and let me tell you I LOVE a grumpy male characters as they always fall harder and he defintely did. He also had a tough exterior but was soft and squishy on the inside for Zoey.
Overall it was a really well written romance read. We had great main characters as well as brilliant side characters that I am hoping and praying have books of their own. I love how the book showed growth of book characters and that feet and felt the love of a family that she had never had from her family. There was of course the break up and make up but you know what I love these in books especially when the male character grovels!
If you need a little pick me up read then I highly recommend that you grab a cup of tea or coffee, some snacks a blanket and read this book.
December 24, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Cup of Zodiac by Alexis Gorgun is an absolutely delightful and heartfelt read that deserves every one of these five stars.
This book wraps astrology, magic, and self discovery into a story that feels warm, thoughtful, and deeply comforting. The zodiac based worldbuilding is creative and meaningful, adding depth to both the magic system and the characters’ emotional journeys. Rather than feeling like a gimmick, astrology becomes a lens through which identity, choice, and belonging are explored in a genuinely engaging way.
The cozy atmosphere truly shines. The café setting, the rituals, and the quiet moments of reflection make this a perfect book to read slowly and savor. It feels intimate and personal, like being invited into a small magical corner of the world. The pacing is calm and intentional, allowing the characters and themes to breathe.
What makes this book special is its heart. It handles themes of expectation and self acceptance with care and warmth, never forcing its message but letting it unfold naturally through the story. The writing is gentle yet impactful, leaving you feeling comforted and understood by the end.
A Cup of Zodiac is a beautiful cozy fantasy that celebrates individuality and finding your place in the world. A perfect read for anyone who loves astrology, character driven stories, and soft magic that lingers long after the last page. ✨📖♈️
A Cup of Zodiac by Alexis Gorgun is an absolutely delightful and heartfelt read that deserves every one of these five stars.
This book wraps astrology, magic, and self discovery into a story that feels warm, thoughtful, and deeply comforting. The zodiac based worldbuilding is creative and meaningful, adding depth to both the magic system and the characters’ emotional journeys. Rather than feeling like a gimmick, astrology becomes a lens through which identity, choice, and belonging are explored in a genuinely engaging way.
The cozy atmosphere truly shines. The café setting, the rituals, and the quiet moments of reflection make this a perfect book to read slowly and savor. It feels intimate and personal, like being invited into a small magical corner of the world. The pacing is calm and intentional, allowing the characters and themes to breathe.
What makes this book special is its heart. It handles themes of expectation and self acceptance with care and warmth, never forcing its message but letting it unfold naturally through the story. The writing is gentle yet impactful, leaving you feeling comforted and understood by the end.
A Cup of Zodiac is a beautiful cozy fantasy that celebrates individuality and finding your place in the world. A perfect read for anyone who loves astrology, character driven stories, and soft magic that lingers long after the last page. ✨📖♈️
September 29, 2023
This was the author's debut book and was such an engaging and fun read. The characters were well-developed and realistic and were totally relatable. I was drawn into the story from the very start and was completely engaged till the end. Zoey comes from money, but she has a bad habit of making the wrong decisions, her latest which includes her ex, and has ultimately led her to become disowned by her family. She decides to get away and start fresh in Portland. She has no money and desperately needs a job. She follows the advice of a horoscope app and goes to a local coffee shop in hopes of finding a job. The uptight and grumpy owner is not impressed by her, but you can still feel the electric charge between them as they butt heads. He can sense she is from money and doesn't think she really wants the job, but she gets it anyway. As he gets to know her more he realizes he misjudged her and does everything he can to help her out and to be there for her. Zoey didn't come looking for love, but she just may have found it anyway.
An absolutely sweet and charming story that was such a delight to read! The storyline flowed smoothly and had a well-crafted plot and the characters were likable and endearing. Glad to have had the opportunity to read this!
I received a complimentary copy from StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving my review.
An absolutely sweet and charming story that was such a delight to read! The storyline flowed smoothly and had a well-crafted plot and the characters were likable and endearing. Glad to have had the opportunity to read this!
I received a complimentary copy from StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving my review.
April 11, 2024
This book was an absolute favorite from the get go!
Zoey’s life has been turned upside down. All because she trusted the wrong person. Her family hates her now, so she leaves her cushy engineering job and moves herself to Oregon, where her late aunt Addie found herself.
Without so much as a job she finds herself sitting in the swankiest coffee shop in Portland, Amoré eavesdropping on peoples conversations to get the gist of the what’s what in the area. There she overhears more than one conversation discussing The Zodiac Way of Life, a new horoscope app that it seems everyone swears by. In that very moment, she makes a decision, she’ll let the app choose everything for her, and the first thing it says essentially is look for a job in coffee.
She gives her resumé to the grumpy barista but not before insulting his drink choice and he rips it up right there, but that’s only the beginning!
This book is filled with so many fabulous details. The grumpy/sunshine, celiac disease representation, found family! And the 🌶️🌶️!!! Definitely not lacking in that department and the scenes are just 💋
Can’t wait to read the other books in the series! Each can be read as a standalone but they do connect across the brothers!!
Zoey’s life has been turned upside down. All because she trusted the wrong person. Her family hates her now, so she leaves her cushy engineering job and moves herself to Oregon, where her late aunt Addie found herself.
Without so much as a job she finds herself sitting in the swankiest coffee shop in Portland, Amoré eavesdropping on peoples conversations to get the gist of the what’s what in the area. There she overhears more than one conversation discussing The Zodiac Way of Life, a new horoscope app that it seems everyone swears by. In that very moment, she makes a decision, she’ll let the app choose everything for her, and the first thing it says essentially is look for a job in coffee.
She gives her resumé to the grumpy barista but not before insulting his drink choice and he rips it up right there, but that’s only the beginning!
This book is filled with so many fabulous details. The grumpy/sunshine, celiac disease representation, found family! And the 🌶️🌶️!!! Definitely not lacking in that department and the scenes are just 💋
Can’t wait to read the other books in the series! Each can be read as a standalone but they do connect across the brothers!!
September 11, 2023
This was a cutesy little romance. I love the romantic part of it and Anders was HOT. I wish I got to know him a little more, I loved when he was grumpy and shit but still brought Zoey gluten free food and then he turned into the BIGGEST softy for her. But I feel like there should have been a wee bit more depth on why he was an asshole and the whole thing with courtney, it was really only touched on once and it should have been a wee bit more. But the worst part of this book was the main character. She was insufferable. There was times where I was like girlllllllllllll stop plz. Like the whole family thing- her family legit did not care about her AT ALL even before the big “event”. They didn’t even care that she was celiac like bro that is INSANE. Also the end was too fast. Like anders said terrible shit to her and then they just get back together like that??? All she wanted was some space and she was obviously not mentally well after seeing her ex, on the brink of the panic attack of all panic attacks and he basically says he regrets ever meeting her like that’s not right at all
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2024
Steaming Cup of Love
I dont think I've ever hit the 5 star button at the end of a Kindle book, so dang, fast.
Zoeys heartbreak is so difficult to swallow, like the way that her family treats her is unforgivable. I can't imagine. The way that the author literally made me feel like her family hated ME as well was unreal.
The horoscope at the beginning of each chapter kind of reminds me of Gossip Girl or Bridgerton, how each episode starts/ends with a narration that's a bit ambiguous. I loved it. I loved trying to guess HOW the horoscope would come true. It was excellent.
Anders was perfect. I loved his "grumpy, closed off, but secretly in love with her" persona. Because I am an avid reader, I knew he would be the love interest, but I truly thought he disliked her in the beginning. But when he mentions how he KNEW and wrote down the time in his notebook, UGH I swooned.
I love Anders family, Im excited to see the rest of the boys. (I already read Haydens story, which is #2...A Cup of Wanderlust)
I dont think I've ever hit the 5 star button at the end of a Kindle book, so dang, fast.
Zoeys heartbreak is so difficult to swallow, like the way that her family treats her is unforgivable. I can't imagine. The way that the author literally made me feel like her family hated ME as well was unreal.
The horoscope at the beginning of each chapter kind of reminds me of Gossip Girl or Bridgerton, how each episode starts/ends with a narration that's a bit ambiguous. I loved it. I loved trying to guess HOW the horoscope would come true. It was excellent.
Anders was perfect. I loved his "grumpy, closed off, but secretly in love with her" persona. Because I am an avid reader, I knew he would be the love interest, but I truly thought he disliked her in the beginning. But when he mentions how he KNEW and wrote down the time in his notebook, UGH I swooned.
I love Anders family, Im excited to see the rest of the boys. (I already read Haydens story, which is #2...A Cup of Wanderlust)
July 26, 2023
I had a ball with this book!! Anders somehow hits every box on The Fictional Man list which, can’t lie, made me nervous that he was doing too much but all his quirks fit well! The author got him right- the sexiest asshole lumberjack, an ex-barista’s wet dream, and oooooh damn if that mouth doesn’t drip deliciously dirty things.
I loved the laugh out loud moments & there were so many beautiful points of growth. It explored topics I didn’t expect- death and grief, crime, self confidence, family, and a few more snuck in for good measure. The zodiac elements (which were very approachable as someone with almost no astrology knowledge) tied in like an absolute DREAM!!
I may or may not have shed a few tears… and stayed up till 2am to finish it.
TLDR:
tropes:
-grumpy/sunshine
-boss/employee
-celiac rep
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
(I use https://www.romance.io/steamrating spice rating system)
thank you for the ARC in exchange for an honest review 🫶
I loved the laugh out loud moments & there were so many beautiful points of growth. It explored topics I didn’t expect- death and grief, crime, self confidence, family, and a few more snuck in for good measure. The zodiac elements (which were very approachable as someone with almost no astrology knowledge) tied in like an absolute DREAM!!
I may or may not have shed a few tears… and stayed up till 2am to finish it.
TLDR:
tropes:
-grumpy/sunshine
-boss/employee
-celiac rep
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
(I use https://www.romance.io/steamrating spice rating system)
thank you for the ARC in exchange for an honest review 🫶
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