Cute as Cats

by Suki Fleet

Meet-cute in a cat cafe, but oh no! there's a storm and they're trapped together...Zu has spent his life wishing he wasn’t so big and awkward and always making a mess of things. When he gets stood up by his date at a cat café one rainy Christmas eve, it turns out to be the best thing that could have happened to him. He finds himself exchanging flirty glances with Kiitan, the café’s slender pudding chef. But when they start to talk, Kiitan tells Zu he’s deaf and Zu’s shyness get the better of him, and his worry about messing up makes him do just that.Gathering his courage, Zu vows to wait until the end of Kiitan’s shift to make it up to him. But as the streets around the café start to flood, the café closes early to make sure everyone can get home, and Zu thinks his chance is gone. Until he sees Kiitan is staying behind to protect the café’s cats. Ignoring all the ways things could go wrong, Zu does the only thing that feels right—he takes a chance and offers to help him.This contemporary Christmas short story has gay, pansexual, disability rep and a HEA.An earlier version of this story was available as part of the Rainbow Christmas Advent in 2022. This is an extended and updated version of that story.

Genres: M M Romance, Holiday, Contemporary, Christmas, Romance, Disability, Novella

48 pages, ebook

First published November 20, 2020

About the author

About the author:
Suki Fleet is an award winning author, a prolific Reader (though less prolific than they'd like), and a lover of angst, romance and unexpected love stories.
They write lyrical stories about memorable characters and believe everyone should have a chance at a happy ending.
Their first novel This is Not a Love Story won Best Gay Debut in the 2014 Rainbow Awards, and was a finalist in the 2015 Lambda Awards. Their novel Foxes won Best Gay Young Adult in the 2016 Rainbow Awards.

If you’d like to offer your support and buy Suki Fleet a coffee you can do that here: https://ko-fi.com/sukifleet

If you would like info on upcoming releases and the occasional free story, please sign up to Suki’s newsletter: https://sukifleet.wordpress.com/newsl...

If you’re interested in reading first drafts of Suki’s new stories, or reading stories that are no longer available or cuts that can’t be published on Amazon, and other extras, please consider signing up to Suki’s Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sukifleet

Reviews

[~Nicole~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable 😍

[Drache.... (Angelika) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25 stars.
Lovely but very short novella.
Zu and Kiitan were so sweet together.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 3.5 stars ⭐️

True to the title, this short holiday novella was cute as cats🐾.

The writing had a bit of a YA feel to it, which matches the vibe of the book, but there are a couple spice scenes that sort of felt out of place compared to the sugary sweet love story.
I’m not one to complain about smut, but it almost felt unnecessary here.

All in all, Zu and Kiitan were adorably sweet, and the setting was cozy and warm. This book was all cuddle vibes.
Rounding up for the cats, obvs.

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.

Tropes and NSFW info (spoilers):
- Cat cafe
- Chef vs comic artist
- London setting
- Forced proximity
- Insecure MC
- Deaf MC
- Pansexual MC
- No penetrative sex

[QuietlyKat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is actually the third time I’ve read Cute as Cats. It’s just that cute and comforting! I know I say this every time I review one of Suki Fleet’s books, but it’s the thing that draws me to them like a moth to a flame: their characters have beautifully gentle souls. Souls that call to me and resonate deeply within me.

Zu and Kiitan are no exception. They’re gentle and a bit awkward and though maybe not directly described as introverted or shy, they come across that way to me in a way that feels like home. I especially identified with Zu’s I’m actually probably better at writing stuff down than saying it out loud. To be completely honest, I struggle to articulate my thoughts in any context, but verbally and in the moment, most of all, so seeing a character who has a similar struggle was heartening and validating.

Although the story is short, it’s packed with just the right amount of feels. We get character awkwardness and vulnerability, some thoughtful messaging about dieting and body image insecurity, beautiful disability representation and cats! Not only that, we get some sweetly romantic emotional and physical intimacy. And here’s the thing with the intimate scene/s, I’m typically a tiny bit uncomfortable when physical intimacy happens quickly between characters because for me, that does not resonate with my demi/ace soul, but it worked for me here. It’s tentative and gentle and Zu and Kiitan check in with each other in a way that felt perfect and lovely.

Cute as Cats takes place on Christmas Eve but the Christmas element is subdued and more incidental than focal so if you’re looking for Christmas feels, they’re relatively minor. On the other hand, if you typically avoid Christmas stories or only read them during the season, I’d say you’re safe to go with this one no matter what and at any time of year. It’s a lovely short story, perfect for a quick little comfort read.

KU but I’ll buy the ebook as soon as I return the KU copy. And if Fleet ever releases a print copy, I’ll buy that one too 😉☺️

[Smutty Sully · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 kitty kat stars
The entire novella takes place in a cat cafe, which is pretty adorable. Nice Deaf rep (I'm using the capitalized Deaf because he had meningitis and lost his hearing at 3, and I believe that's the correct assessment), anxiety, pansexual, forced priximity (flooded cat cafe Christmas Eve through Christmas), very sweet

A bit on the sweeter side for me, but cats for the win! 🐾

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable!
As in typical Suki Fleet fashion, this story was like a warm fuzzy blanket.
Soft and comforting.
Cute boys and cute cats, how can you go wrong?

[Ken W · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sweet!

Sweet, well written Christmas story! The main characters were both adorable! My only complaint is that it wasn’t a longer story! At 48 pages I can’t give it 5 stars, but I’ll give 4 perfect Christmas stars!

[Agla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice but short, it still felt complete so it was OK 🥰

[Misty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, very cute read.
Adorable ❤️

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short, sweet story that would have been more festive had the leads been snowed in rather than rained in. Still a cute read though.

[SJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

While looking at the cute cover I wondered if I have read this author before. I have, two of their novellas. This is a good writer and I would read more except for trying to avoid an overwhelming emotional punch that many of their books provide. I enjoy reading the reviews of those who can handle the angst. I think this story is perhaps a Christmas one off that is more lighthearted?
I enjoyed the narrative in this one very much: the care for the kitties, avoiding the flooding water, the mopping up and the cooking. Kiitan and Zu were doing all the things I would do in that situation and it was fun to read.
I almost forgot about the possibility of physical between the two. When it happens it was wow! It is apparent the author knows their way around a bedroom! Or, here, an upper floor and two beanbag chairs. The detailed scene was made excellent by the emotion pouring out between them. The POV was Zu’s thoughts and feelings, as is the story, and they were descriptive enough that you could get how Kiitan was feeling, too. This was some hot half dressed sex.
This was a lovely read about a very insecure man who can’t believe he has met someone who likes him, wants him. That the person has a disability does not bother him at all. Zu was big and loving. Kiitan was beautiful and charming, like his kitty cats. There is a sweet happy ending.
I enjoyed reading this love story.

[Trish Skywalker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adorable!
When Zu goes to meet a friend at a cat cafe on Christmas Eve and she doesn’t show up, he decides to stay and get out of the rain for bit. He pets the cats, has a delicious piece of cake, and meets a beautiful man. It seems like things are going downhill when the man disappears and the street starts flooding, but things improve when Zu discovers the man, Kiitan, is the chef here. What starts as Zu helping Kiitan to feed the cats and stave off the flood turns into the sweetest first date ever!

[Vin George · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to read the updated version with the new cover.

This is the sweetest ever Christmas novella. Two very different but lovely MCs, more cats than I could count, and some mild potential peril conspire to give me all the festive feels. Just lovely.

[TC Rittenhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute Christmas novella

Cat cafe, queer characters, set at Christmas time, and deserts? This had all the necessary ingredients for a perfect short story for me, and I was not disappointed at all. Zu is a cinnamon roll of a character, and I loved him so much. Kiitan with his cats and lovely skills in the kitchen was the dream. The spice was a lovely little bit, but the heart of the story rested in the softness of the meet cute, and the fuzziness of the cafe cats.

I adore heart warming stories like this, it's a breath of fresh air. I know that there are multiple conversations about background issues, but that they didn't make that the focus of the storyline, gave the characters space to be nuanced without focusing solely on trauma, which we need as queer readers, that even with issues, we can still have our happy moments and celebrate being ourselves.

5 out of 5 stars, cannot recommend enough!!!!!

Thank you to Gay Romance Reviews and the publisher for the early reader copy. This is my honest opinion. 

[Lady Macbeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
Lovely novella with two adorable young men who meet by chance at a cat cafè.
Zu, shy gay guy, is waiting for his date but his attention is stolen by a cute guy with pink hair, Kiitain who works at the cafè. They hit off instantly and the fear of rain flooding the cafè will make them work together to save the cats.

This novella is very short but not shallow at all: Kiitan is deaf and it's hinted he's not close to his family, Zu is lonely and he always feels unworthy, thanks to a previous boyfriend who kept him hidden and his low self esteem.

Between written notes, confidences and a lot of cats they feel more and more close to each other. The only sex scene is clumsy and adorable like them.

I wish it hadn't been so short, I'd really like to know more about them.

I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.

[Isaiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got an ARC of this book.

This is as cute as cats for sure. The love was very instalove, which sometimes is great. This felt WAY too fast, but otherwise this story was incredibly sweet and cute. I loved the setting. I loved the characters. I really wanted them to get together, but the length played against the story being perfect. I needed a bit more to really be able to get fully immersed. It did make me need to find more by this author though. I bet they will be a favorite in no time.

[Shawna (endemictoearth) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very super cute and adorable!

[Lillian Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick cute Christmas read.

A lovely no angst, meet-cute short story.

* Deaf rep
* Body positive rep
* Cats
* Enforced proximity

[rocío ❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fui demasiado feliz leyendo este libro !! 🥹

[Gareth Jones-Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice short story.
Suki knows how to melt your heart

[Mary Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. That's it - this is a VERY short story but it is VERY CUTE!!!

If You like forced proximity, attraction-at-first sight and cats this is a shortie just for You :)
One of the MCs is also deaf, with some troubled, lonely past so it is a little bit a hurt/comfort but only a very little bit since it is so short.

It was really enjoyable, I just wish there was no making out because somhow I feel it was too fast, but it might be just me. Kiitan is sweet, sexy and as Zu says really really cute with his pink hair and curious glances. I just wish we could learn more about Kiitan's past, his family problems and his name.

* I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review *

[DLB2572 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short & Cute

This isn't a very long story but it is very cute. I enjoyed the way Zu and Kiitan got to know each other throughout the story. It was fun to read.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

[... · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awwwww 🥰🥰🥰

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute as Cats is a precious meet-cat, er, meet-cute story set on Christmas Eve in a London cat café. A chance meeting leads to what promises to be a life-long romance.

I have a theory: people who hate cats have never met a cat. You won’t want to read Cute as Cats if you're an unfortunate cat hater (who has a cold, black heart and no soul), but then again, you wouldn't even have picked up a book with this title. For those who love cats – or those who've never met a cat – reading this sweet short story is the perfect way to get a feline fix.

The leading men are as cute as the cats. Zu (which keeps autocorrecting to zucchini as I type this) is a lonely guy who misses having a relationship and being close to someone. Somehow he meets up with a coworker for what he thinks is just a friendly get together at a cat café, while she thinks it’s a date. What Zucchini Zu doesn’t expect is to get caught up in some pretty intense eye contact and shy smiles with a cute guy across the room. Kiitan (gotta love his name!) is adorable. He’s a chef at the café and he's deaf. I’m fond of stories featuring characters who overcome their disabilities or, in this case, are written as people who don’t let their disabilities stand in their way. Zu has struggles, too, related to body image. I love both characters and am so glad to see them find happiness with each other.

“You look perfect to me, he writes, just as you are. You look strong, powerful, like no one is ever going to push you around, like your place in the world is certain. Like if you hugged me while all around us a storm was raging, I’d feel like it wouldn’t touch me. You’d make me feel protected.”

Suki Fleet has written a lovely story that’s perfect for this time of year. It’s filled with the magical feelings brought about by the holidays, mojo MMand its short enough at 48 pages to read in one sitting and fit into this busy time of year when taking the time to read may be at a premium. This is one super sweet love story you don’t want to miss.

Now if only I could find my own cat café.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zu & Kiitan
Rating: 3.8 ⭐

- Holiday Romance
- Deaf MC
- Lots of cats
- MM Romance

This was so stinking cute, just warm fuzzies and I want more of this couple to see where they go from their first date. Zu "Suzuki" has accidentally agreed to a date with a coworker and by the time he figures out it's a date he doesn't really know how to handle telling her that he's not interested because he is gay. The poor thing is shy and a nervous wreck because he's not used to people wanting him or to ask him on a date. His date picks the pet café for them to meet at he waits for her to arrive, but as time passes he believes that he's being stood up. While waiting, he spots a gorgeous pink haired man that has stolen his attention and seems to be glancing back at him. There is a small misunderstand between the two of them after Kiitan tells Zu that he's deaf. Zu desperately wants to clear the air and spend more time with Kiitan. When the storm continues to get worse the café closes and Zu stays behind to help Kiitan with the cats. These two get to know each other and acknowledge their attraction to each other. While dealing with the flooding from the storm, they basically have their first date with a little bit of heat before they fall asleep together in the café. You only get to see their first day together and after they wake up the next morning, but you still feel their connection and that they will have many more great dates together.

I received a free copy of this book via GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Verse: Not specified or shown
HEA: HFN

[DMCechak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute As Cats - PURRfect

‘His fingers brush my wrist for a second. ‘I’m really glad you’re here. Thank you.’ I’m obviously not in complete control of my body, because I watch him put his pad and pen in his shirt pocket and then reach for his hand. Not quite looking at me, he locks our fingers together and grins. Hand in hand we walk up the stairs, and for the first time in my life, I feel so light I might actually be floating.

Suki Fleet writes characters (and cats) that I want to meet in real time, in their wonderfully romantic Cute As Cats!

I loved reading this sweet MM romance where Suzuki and Kiitan find their important other, in a setting that is warm, soft and furry, until the elements bring on a wet catastrophe. Together, they are able to navigate through shyness and lack of hearing, and form a heartfelt, and steamy, connection that is as magical as the holiday season.

Each Suki Fleet story I read pulls me farther into their extraordinarily talented worlds of hope through strife and helps me to believe that hope should blanket each and every one of us with their brilliance!

[S.K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit it, I picked up this book because of the cats and the meet-cute premise! I went to a Cat Cafe for my 50th birthday with my kids and we had an absolute blast!

This novella is sweet, cute and all of those words that are appropriate for this time of year. It contains a lot of representation for such a short story: disability representation, gay, pansexual – but all of it is just part of the story rather than a big deal. Obviously there isn’t a lot of space for character/world building and it was a little instant-love – basically Zu and Kiitan fall in love over the course of a (very busy and traumatic) day. If you ignore that aspect of things if it doesn’t work for you, then this is a simple tale of two men meeting and liking each other, working together to keep cats safe, and a little bit of sexy-touching to round things off. A really nice read and a good start to my Christmas reading!

I received an ARC from GRR.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute as Cats is indeed chalked full of adorableness. From a meet cute centered around being trapped in a cat cafe due to flooding all the way to its HEA, Fleet does an amazing job creating this specific moment in time. While I would love to know more about our deaf MC Kittan who definitely has a back story, I’m still satisfied with how the story and characters develop- just the right amount of awkward and courage in stressful situation. There are just some very cute moments, with some spice thrown in just to make everything real nice. Kittan and Zu and all the cats manage to get their HEA in this feel-good novella. Note - this is set at Christmas but without Christmas as a focal theme so really could be read any time of year. This one is going to be a re-read for me on nights where I just need something bite sized that soothes the soul.

[Isa Tis · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 🐱🐱🐱

Une petite nouvelle aussi adorable que les couvertures des deux éditions. Avec un titre pareil et étant une crazy cat lady, je ne pouvais passer à côté de cette histoire de Suki Fleet dont un grand nombre d'écrits reposent dans ma liseuse.
Je ne vais pas en dire trop car le récit étant très court, ce serait gâcher la surprise. Mais par une soirée pluvieuse, deux garçons solitaires se rencontrent dans un lieu particulièrement cozy !
Zu et Kiitan sont en effet cute as Cats, c'était mimi comme tout de les voir se rapprocher avec timidité puis avec plus d'assurance au fur et à mesure qu'ils comprennent qu'ils craquent véritablement l'un pour l'autre.

J'ai évidemment adoré le cadre de cette petite nouvelle fluffy et si réconfortante ! Une lecture cocooning à souhait ❤️

[Nikki Robson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really cute Christmas themed short story, with plenty of cats to make you smile. The new cover is gorgeous too 😍

Zu thinks he’s been stood up by his friend/date and goes ahead with his booking at the cat cafe only to meet eyes with Kiitan across the room. A brief misunderstanding has Kiitan pulling away but when Zu offers to stay and help with the cats as the rain quickly has the cafe flooding, they talk things out and quickly the connection between the two of them blossoms into something special.