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Hug Club #1
Cuddle Bug
My chronic illness means I need lots of healing hugs… When I head to the Hug Club Friday night, I’m not expecting anything new. More Daddies who’ll take one look at me playing on the beanbag chairs with my stuffy and write me off as a lost cause. I’m worthy of sympathetic glances, never real relationships. Everything changes when I have a medical emergency and Wren rescues me. Wren is my dream Daddy come to life. He’s forty-four, fluffy, and he owns the Hug Club with his four best friends. Whereas most men aren’t open with their feelings, Wren doesn’t hold back. His gentle embraces let me know he’s experienced rejection like me. Out of all the men here tonight, he knows how to take care of a sensitive boy like me. Wren helps me take my medication, then brings me to the snuggle room where we hold each other, cuddle, and talk about our feelings all night. When it’s time to head home, I hope Wren still wants to be mine…
216 pages, Paperback
Published July 6, 2023
4 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
March 1, 2024
This is a story about a lifestyle that most folks have never heard of and few, except those that are in that particular lifestyle, understand. To each his own...whatever makes then happy is okay with me. This is a relationship that always needs to be built on a lot of trust between the two players...a "daddy" and his "boy". These stories nearly always have little confrontation and always have a happy ending. There were parts of this story that were way to long... like the amount of time that Waxley and Wren spent in the Hug Club. It's mostly a story about the acceptance of difficult issues and these two main characters had some tough ones. Waxley had a chronic illness that caused him to sometimes pass out...that was how he and Wren met. Waxley trusted Wren enough to tell him ways to help. Being "Little " was one of the ways that helped when these spells happened. Wren's previous "boy" had just cheated on him and left him because of Wren's body structure...but how Wren's body looked didn't both Waxley in the least. Waxley also had obligations in his life that his illness made difficult to fulfil, but Wren helped him form a plan that worked. This is just a sweet story where you can root for the two of them to have a happy life...together.
September 10, 2023
I struggled SO hard to get though this book. Like contemplated DNF-ing multiple times and had to really force myself to complete once I was at the 70% mark.
At first I was really excited to see if adding a little with some medical issues would add an extra layer of loving care, but while it did play a role in the book it just felt kind of...shallow or very surface level.
What contributed most to my dislike of this book though, was that it honestly just gave the ick a lot of the time. I didn't mesh well with either character and for my taste there was too much mixing of the age-play and R-rated stuff. I'm not a newbie to this subgenre but when baby talk is used to describe mature activities and it's mentioned that a favorite teddy bear is used for self gratification, aka "rubbies," IDk it just crosses from age-play to something a bit skeevy to me.
When it came to Waxley I felt like he didn't really have a developed "adult" side which was a bit concerning as that feels more like age regression due to trauma, which should never involve sexual activity. The age-play really never stopped, even in public. While everyone has a different opinion on that, I view it with the same policy as I do any kink; only do it to and around people who consent. When in public none of those people consented to be part of your scene and while it may be harmless in a book I really don't like that being normalized. Wren was okay I suppose but he never really felt like someone capable of being a Daddy, he was advertised as a man in touch with his emotions but to me it felt more like somsone who wasn't quite emotionally mature, he cried a LOT and not in a "It's so nice for a man to be sensitive" way but more in a "I think you would benefit from therapy" kind of way.
I also found the writing was kind of poor, with spelling errors and mistakes/ contradictions. For example at one point they were talking about how everyone was pretty sure Quinton and Koa have a mutual crush on each other, just for Quinton to walk out and dramtically say out a window "Why must I have fallen in love with Bryce?" No one reacts to this except for Waxley who tells him to tell Koa how he feels. So obviously the wrong name was used. A lot of scenes also felt really random to the point where'd I'd flip back a page wondering how we got from point A to point B.
All in all this short book took me weeks to read and I didn't enjoy the experience.
At first I was really excited to see if adding a little with some medical issues would add an extra layer of loving care, but while it did play a role in the book it just felt kind of...shallow or very surface level.
What contributed most to my dislike of this book though, was that it honestly just gave the ick a lot of the time. I didn't mesh well with either character and for my taste there was too much mixing of the age-play and R-rated stuff. I'm not a newbie to this subgenre but when baby talk is used to describe mature activities and it's mentioned that a favorite teddy bear is used for self gratification, aka "rubbies," IDk it just crosses from age-play to something a bit skeevy to me.
When it came to Waxley I felt like he didn't really have a developed "adult" side which was a bit concerning as that feels more like age regression due to trauma, which should never involve sexual activity. The age-play really never stopped, even in public. While everyone has a different opinion on that, I view it with the same policy as I do any kink; only do it to and around people who consent. When in public none of those people consented to be part of your scene and while it may be harmless in a book I really don't like that being normalized. Wren was okay I suppose but he never really felt like someone capable of being a Daddy, he was advertised as a man in touch with his emotions but to me it felt more like somsone who wasn't quite emotionally mature, he cried a LOT and not in a "It's so nice for a man to be sensitive" way but more in a "I think you would benefit from therapy" kind of way.
I also found the writing was kind of poor, with spelling errors and mistakes/ contradictions. For example at one point they were talking about how everyone was pretty sure Quinton and Koa have a mutual crush on each other, just for Quinton to walk out and dramtically say out a window "Why must I have fallen in love with Bryce?" No one reacts to this except for Waxley who tells him to tell Koa how he feels. So obviously the wrong name was used. A lot of scenes also felt really random to the point where'd I'd flip back a page wondering how we got from point A to point B.
All in all this short book took me weeks to read and I didn't enjoy the experience.
dnf
August 28, 2023DNF @ 17%
I know it was warned but goddamned, this was too much. They both complained and in the next breath were super lovey dovey. Also, Waxley truly is an atrocious name.
I know it was warned but goddamned, this was too much. They both complained and in the next breath were super lovey dovey. Also, Waxley truly is an atrocious name.
September 23, 2023
This was... a lot.
July 24, 2023
It was bad
Till the end with the steamboat shaped diamond 🤦♀️
Till the end with the steamboat shaped diamond 🤦♀️
dnf
January 16, 2025DNF at 30%
I tried, I really did and read past the point I first thought about the DNF option since this is the first book I've read by the author. first, Waxley is not a good name. I don't want to name-shame but paired with Wren, it was too much. Also, there were just too much in the feels department. So far it feel like all they do is talk about former partners and life difficulties, and cry. Sooooo much crying. Things happen too fast, like beyond the scope of any reality fast. I read to get out of my head and escape reality, but still need reality to be there and have certain things make sense and this just doesn't. I rarely DNF, but I just couldn't handle this anymore.
I tried, I really did and read past the point I first thought about the DNF option since this is the first book I've read by the author. first, Waxley is not a good name. I don't want to name-shame but paired with Wren, it was too much. Also, there were just too much in the feels department. So far it feel like all they do is talk about former partners and life difficulties, and cry. Sooooo much crying. Things happen too fast, like beyond the scope of any reality fast. I read to get out of my head and escape reality, but still need reality to be there and have certain things make sense and this just doesn't. I rarely DNF, but I just couldn't handle this anymore.
July 24, 2023
Why do I do this to myself. This author is not for me. The entire book is literally the two main characters griping about their clearly angsty and traumatic pasts and spend 90% of the book crying. I love when men show their emotions but omg the tiniest thing made them bawl. ALL. THE. TIME. I can't with this author anymore.
July 30, 2023
A bit too simple and dumbed down for me. The characters just got irritating in the end. Some of the elements of age play felt they were squished in there to tick them off the list rather than it being naturally part of their experience. Just not for me.
Read
August 3, 2023I need to learn that this author just isn't for me
July 23, 2023
Wren's boy has cheated on him. leaving him alone. He's at the Hug Club to hang out with his friends when Waxley collapses. Wren takes care of him finding out Waxley has a chronic illness. Wren was attracted while helping Waxley and becomes more attracted as he gets to know Waxley's story. Wren has body positivity issues but Waxley loves that Wren is cuddly and huggable. In a short time, they are inseparable. Will it work out for them? Will their pasts come back to hurt them?
I enjoyed this sweet story. I liked that they had issues in their lives where they made conscious choices to let each other into their lives. I liked how Waxley's chronic illness gave Wren ways to help him. I loved Waxley's acceptance of Wren's cuddly body. I appreciated them focusing on the positive rather than the negatives of their lives. They are so cute! I loved Wren's acceptance of all of Waxley's Little side and how he finds joy in it. I loved Waxley's happiness in the cuddling and hugging he can do with Wren. Waxley has obligations in his life that he wants to fulfill and that he does fulfill. though Wren wants to fix it all, but Wren steps back and allows Waxley to make his decisions for his big life.
This is just a sweet story where I was rooting for the two of them. And they made it.
I enjoyed this sweet story. I liked that they had issues in their lives where they made conscious choices to let each other into their lives. I liked how Waxley's chronic illness gave Wren ways to help him. I loved Waxley's acceptance of Wren's cuddly body. I appreciated them focusing on the positive rather than the negatives of their lives. They are so cute! I loved Wren's acceptance of all of Waxley's Little side and how he finds joy in it. I loved Waxley's happiness in the cuddling and hugging he can do with Wren. Waxley has obligations in his life that he wants to fulfill and that he does fulfill. though Wren wants to fix it all, but Wren steps back and allows Waxley to make his decisions for his big life.
This is just a sweet story where I was rooting for the two of them. And they made it.
July 20, 2023
Wexley has a chronic illness and whenever he is at the Hug Club all the Daddies write him off as a lost cause and just give him sympathetic glances. Then he has a medical emergency and Daddy Wren steps in and rescues him. Wren owns the Hug Club with his four best friends and is very open with his feelings. All his gentle hugs and loving care show how in the past he has experienced rejection. Wren helps him to take his medication and takes him to the snuggle room where they hold each other, cuddle, and talk about their feelings all night. Wexley just hopes when it is time to go home Wren will still want to be his.
This was a really sweet story with a very sensitive and ill boy who needed just the right Daddy who was prepared to care for him and love him while giving him lots of cuddles. I loved having a chronically ill character who needed care and love although I did find some of the aspects of the story around driving ships a little strange. Easy to read, feel and understand. This is an MM story containing a little mature content and with a BSDM-like DDLB relationship.
This was a really sweet story with a very sensitive and ill boy who needed just the right Daddy who was prepared to care for him and love him while giving him lots of cuddles. I loved having a chronically ill character who needed care and love although I did find some of the aspects of the story around driving ships a little strange. Easy to read, feel and understand. This is an MM story containing a little mature content and with a BSDM-like DDLB relationship.
Want to read
November 28, 2023Wren et
Daddy
Ageplay
📖
Ma maladie chronique signifie que j’ai besoin de beaucoup de câlins apaisants…
Quand je me rends au Hug Club vendredi soir, je ne m'attends à rien de nouveau. Plus de papas qui me regarderont jouer sur les poufs avec mon peluche et me considéreront comme une cause perdue. Je mérite des regards sympathiques, jamais de vraies relations.
Tout change lorsque j'ai une urgence médicale et que Wren me sauve.
Wren est mon rêve, papa prend vie. Il a quarante-quatre ans, il est moelleux et il possède le Hug Club avec ses quatre meilleurs amis. Alors que la plupart des hommes ne sont pas ouverts à leurs sentiments, Wren ne se retient pas. Ses douces étreintes me font savoir qu'il a vécu le rejet comme moi. De tous les hommes ici ce soir, il sait comment prendre soin d'un garçon sensible comme moi.
Wren m'aide à prendre mes médicaments, puis m'emmène dans la pièce où nous nous tenons, nous nous blottissons et parlons de nos sentiments toute la nuit.
Quand il sera temps de rentrer à la maison, j'espère que Wren voudra toujours être à moi…
📕
🖋🖋
Daddy
Ageplay
📖
Ma maladie chronique signifie que j’ai besoin de beaucoup de câlins apaisants…
Quand je me rends au Hug Club vendredi soir, je ne m'attends à rien de nouveau. Plus de papas qui me regarderont jouer sur les poufs avec mon peluche et me considéreront comme une cause perdue. Je mérite des regards sympathiques, jamais de vraies relations.
Tout change lorsque j'ai une urgence médicale et que Wren me sauve.
Wren est mon rêve, papa prend vie. Il a quarante-quatre ans, il est moelleux et il possède le Hug Club avec ses quatre meilleurs amis. Alors que la plupart des hommes ne sont pas ouverts à leurs sentiments, Wren ne se retient pas. Ses douces étreintes me font savoir qu'il a vécu le rejet comme moi. De tous les hommes ici ce soir, il sait comment prendre soin d'un garçon sensible comme moi.
Wren m'aide à prendre mes médicaments, puis m'emmène dans la pièce où nous nous tenons, nous nous blottissons et parlons de nos sentiments toute la nuit.
Quand il sera temps de rentrer à la maison, j'espère que Wren voudra toujours être à moi…
📕
🖋🖋
August 7, 2023
I am not one to not finish a book but I will admit with this one I nearly didn’t finish it at the 18% mark. I liked the premise when I first found this and thought I’d enjoy it as it was similar to previous stories I’d read but I sadly just didn’t enjoy this as much as I had hoped.
It’s a sweet story yes but the complete overuse of the pet name ‘boy’ just annoyed me to no end. I found myself saying to myself ‘how many times can you fit ‘boy’ onto a page’ there are so many names that can be used and in most cases it wasn’t even really needed.
Like other reviews I must agree the characters sadly got annoying for me. I really love the premise of the Hug Club and I was really hoping I’d like this story.
If you like overly sweet and mushy ageplay stories this might be one for you with two characters who show their emotions about their tragic pasts finding comfort in each others arms. It just sadly wasn’t one for me.
It’s a sweet story yes but the complete overuse of the pet name ‘boy’ just annoyed me to no end. I found myself saying to myself ‘how many times can you fit ‘boy’ onto a page’ there are so many names that can be used and in most cases it wasn’t even really needed.
Like other reviews I must agree the characters sadly got annoying for me. I really love the premise of the Hug Club and I was really hoping I’d like this story.
If you like overly sweet and mushy ageplay stories this might be one for you with two characters who show their emotions about their tragic pasts finding comfort in each others arms. It just sadly wasn’t one for me.
August 9, 2023
This is 100% I will not yuck your yum for me. I honestly didn't quite understand what I was starting to read until, well, I started to read. Once I started to read I, honestly, just forced myself to finish because I want to be as open minded to people's kinks as I am able. I don't have to get the mindset but I also don't want to add shame in conversations or action if a friend were to share that side of themself with me.
So the book is okay. I view it like art - it should make you feel something, if that something is "uncomfortable" then it is still doing the job.
I can't recommend it but I would be happy to talk with anyone who has read it to know what they think!
So the book is okay. I view it like art - it should make you feel something, if that something is "uncomfortable" then it is still doing the job.
I can't recommend it but I would be happy to talk with anyone who has read it to know what they think!
July 20, 2023
Devoted readers of Aster Rae's previous books have always appreciated the sweetness and caring between the deadly mafia men and the men they love so it was no surprise to me that when Rae decided to write a completely sweet and fluffy romance it would be amazing. This story of Wraxley and Wren and the caring and love between them lived up to all my expectations. The idea of a Hug Club was delightful and now that we've seen one of its co-owners, Wren, find his HEA with Wraxley, I can't wait to see the others get theirs.
September 4, 2023
It's hard to even find words for this review. The random 24 hour lock-in meet-cute instant love was one thing, and the absolute lack of character consistency was another, but the stand out downer of this book was the wildly out of nowhere morality lectures that went on for paragraphs. Just needed a "The More You Know" tagline to complete the effect.
Also, this book did not do Littles any favors. It's not my thing personally, but YKINMKATOK. However, even knowing the barest minimum about this kink, I felt like this story unfairly painted Littles as sort of... mentally handicapped? Suggesting that would be the primary reason for any sort of ageplay. That was definitely the feeling I got from the Little in this book, who was described as being incapable of anything more than the simplest work and being taken advantage of due to this. It was really very ick and anything but sweet.
Also, this book did not do Littles any favors. It's not my thing personally, but YKINMKATOK. However, even knowing the barest minimum about this kink, I felt like this story unfairly painted Littles as sort of... mentally handicapped? Suggesting that would be the primary reason for any sort of ageplay. That was definitely the feeling I got from the Little in this book, who was described as being incapable of anything more than the simplest work and being taken advantage of due to this. It was really very ick and anything but sweet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2024
So….so so bad. I’ve read quite a few age play books so I’m familiar with the quick pace/insta love that comes with these stories- I also know that they are usually super sweet(which is why I love them) but this was ridiculous. This is a line from chapter 2- they literally have known each other for an hour
“Wren rubs my belly ‘Tell Daddy how it tastes’(pizza)
‘Like candy.’ No denying I’m being goofy.
‘Does not, baby boy,’ Wren grunts. ‘Don’t lie.’
It’s just BAD. Also, giving both MCs names that start with the same letter is annoying- especially when on of those names is WAXLEY??
“Wren rubs my belly ‘Tell Daddy how it tastes’(pizza)
‘Like candy.’ No denying I’m being goofy.
‘Does not, baby boy,’ Wren grunts. ‘Don’t lie.’
It’s just BAD. Also, giving both MCs names that start with the same letter is annoying- especially when on of those names is WAXLEY??
March 31, 2024
I had a hard time deciding what level to give this book. It felt like a 3.5 but rounding up to 4.0 for reviews. It is a very sweet story. When reading most Daddy stories you have the expectation that things will probably be less than realistic. But parts of this story just seemed a bit much. For example spending over 24 hours in the Cuddle Room at the Club. And there were other times where the story seemed to jump like visiting Waxley’s old teacher. But bottom line it is a sweet story of two men finding the right person. I picked up the bonus chapter and it was a fun addition.
November 11, 2024
I really wanted to like this. I have Menieres so to see the rep was great and I love the littles genre for the most part… but this was utterly ridiculous and over the top. How are these people not dehydrated from all these tears. I mean for the love of god and all that is holy how does someone function with this many tears.
And what drew me to the book is also one of the things that pissed me off. Crying triggers my menieres so all this emotion would have me sleeping for days and throwing up.
This was poorly written, badly paced and childish.
And what drew me to the book is also one of the things that pissed me off. Crying triggers my menieres so all this emotion would have me sleeping for days and throwing up.
This was poorly written, badly paced and childish.
July 24, 2023
This was definitely a super sweet book. I loved that Daddy Wren is on the fluffier side. More to hug right?! I also liked that there was a character with a chronic illness represented. Waxley deserves all the love in the world. I enjoyed their story and how their relationship progressed. It was really cute that Waxley loves watching the big ships come into the dock. And I loved that Wren wasn't afraid to show his emotions.
July 27, 2023
Waxley and Wren are perfect for each other.
Both have issues, Wexley being his illness, and no daddy taking his feelings into account, and Wren being a bigger daddy who would rather care and cuddle his little.
Loved this story but I think there was a lot of talk about Wren's ex, always comparing the two boys.
Wexley is definitely the best boy.
I received an advanced copy of this book for a honest review
Both have issues, Wexley being his illness, and no daddy taking his feelings into account, and Wren being a bigger daddy who would rather care and cuddle his little.
Loved this story but I think there was a lot of talk about Wren's ex, always comparing the two boys.
Wexley is definitely the best boy.
I received an advanced copy of this book for a honest review
July 19, 2023
Cuddle Bug is the first book in a new series by Aster Rae. It's the story of Waxley and Wren. It says no angst but if you have trouble reading about a past with troubles then I would say some angst is included.
I liked the story of Waxley and Wren. It was sooooo sweet, I have a tooth ache now 😉. No but it was a sweet story with feels and lots of cuddles.
I liked the story of Waxley and Wren. It was sooooo sweet, I have a tooth ache now 😉. No but it was a sweet story with feels and lots of cuddles.
July 24, 2023
This is a very cute read. There isn’t any angst between Waxley and Wren. There is some past issues that have affected both of them. Their sweetness helps each other so much. What I loved most is how it shows what I’ve always believed. Everyone is beautiful. It’s your actions and words that make you not so. And to those who like to judge I have one thing to say. By pointing out what you think of as flaws you’ve put the spotlight on your actual flaws. And to everyone else I’m sorry for the long review but this is something I’ve felt strongly about my whole life. Remember you are beautiful and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
July 21, 2023
This is such a sweet Book. I absolutely adored it. Wren and Waxley are both dealing with misconceptions. One with body image and one with health issues. ASTER RAE stepped out of the comfort zone and created a Book that can touch everyone. These two remarkable men just needed to be in the right place at the right time. There is someone for everyone. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!
October 12, 2024
DNF’d at 25%. The Daddy’s dialogue is so weird- doesn’t flow or sound like it belongs in the past 50 years at least. That was really distracting. And the taking a couple of sentences and a nap for them to decide to be a couple sounded so unrealistic that I had to DNF this. There has to be at least one believable thing for me to imagine and enjoy a story.
Read
August 19, 2023DNF 20%
The concept sounded so sweet but this was hard to read. When I read I see it in my head like a movie but the dialogue was just so childish and not believable at all. I felt like I was reading a book written for 5th graders it was just so simple.
The concept sounded so sweet but this was hard to read. When I read I see it in my head like a movie but the dialogue was just so childish and not believable at all. I felt like I was reading a book written for 5th graders it was just so simple.
Read
September 14, 2023DNF 30% I thought the other readers were exaggerating and that this book was going to be okay, I mean, come on! Age play books are usually sweet and corny and overly cute, so what did they expect? But it turns out that the other readers were right and this is just TOO much. I just can't.
October 5, 2025
This book is not bad it just drags in some places and there are some repetitive things being said that have already been spoken. Overall it has a good storyline and the Characters are just adorable. What an amazing point to have a Fluffy Daddy for a needy boy. I give it Four stars ⭐️💜❤️
July 21, 2023
TOD 20%
I tried. I really, really tried. And I know that book is really special to the author, so I won't express why this was not for me, but oof. I just...can't.
I tried. I really, really tried. And I know that book is really special to the author, so I won't express why this was not for me, but oof. I just...can't.
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