Pest Control

by Eule Grey

Poor Valeri! With no job or girlfriend, the new year starts badly. Her flat’s a mess and she’s broke. She dismisses a job advert for a pest controller as the worst idea ever. Valeri is scared of spiders and bugs and isn’t great with rodents, either. When she sees a creepy crawlie, she’s forced to ask for help from the grumpy girl next door, Pippa. Pest controller? Nope. Until Valeri notices an image of the uniform ... gold catsuit and matching bracelets. Before she can think better, Valeri signs up for an interview.

Grumpy Pippa the librarian likes books, order, and keeping her shelves tidy. The last thing she wants is a messy chaotic queen entering her quiet life. Yeah, she’s lonely sometimes. True, neighbour Valeri is hot, but Pippa is too busy to even consider a date. Something is wrong at the library, though. Pippa hears noises and becomes convinced that pests have somehow gotten in.

Can messy Valeri solve the pest issue and become better acquainted with grumpy Pippa? Will the worst new year turn into the best?

Genres: LGBT, Romance

57 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 30, 2023

About the author

Eule Grey has settled, for now, in the north UK. She’s worked in education, justice, youth work, and even spread the butter in a sandwich factory.

Eule writes LGBTQI books with the characters she’s been seeking since childhood: neurodivergent villains, characters with mental health issues, conflicted thoughts, and a craving for cupcakes. Best of all, Eule adores writing romantic stories, often with a dash of the paranormal.

Reviews

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book cover and another of Eule Grey's unique worlds invited me in willingly. Sort of...well of all pests I really detest roaches so I hoped they wouldn't feature.
What does an unemployed, woman with no prospects do when she has to make rent? Of course Valeri goes for a job as Pest Controller (she's afraid of bugs) because of the sexy uniform. Librarian and next door neighbor Pippa is a loner and minds her own business until she has to call in a pest controller for the library. What a match!!
I laughed at Valeri's thoughts and antics - add that to Pippa's angst and fears, baby monsters, portals and the Vortex and I was completely carried away on a new journey from Grey. Shucks, Valeri is a natural at her new job dressed in her gold catsuit. Poor Pippa, she really needs Valeri in her life. They are meant to be together unexpected events and all.
Eule, you lighten my year end with this warm, quirky story which ended too soon. I look forward to the next chapter in this series.

[Lez_be_readin_ya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great sweet romance, Valeri is adorable and a happy ball of sunshine. Her neighbour Pippa is a 'grumpy' Librarian who is crushing hard on Valeri (so is Valeri to her also) it's an easy read and fun, with a twist that was exiting and made me want more. All in all, it was nice and sweet, and I am looking forward to more in the Vortex Series.

[Kelly Michiels · Rating 5 out of 5]

i just finished this beautiful tale. i am a dark romance reader through and through and i need some amount of spice in my stories before i am interested in it but this one just caught my eye to read it. its not a many pages story and i was sad that it was over so soon. Such a lighthearted, loving story and it warmed my heart like a golden glow. i loved the fact that it represented the lgbtq community and it was so soothing to just read a nice queer novella in this genre. Sometimes a story does not need more then 500 pages to pull a reader in.

[Ruby Ridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book complimentary from Book Sirens in e-book form in return for my honest review. Everything stated in this review is of my own opinion and I was not compensated monetarily for providing this review.
Anyone who has been following my reviews will know that I love to get my hands on a new Eule Grey story. I love the uniqueness of them both the plots and the likeable characters. This story features a "grumpy librarian" and you may think this is one character that has been done to death in all media, not giving spoilers but NO! Eule once again produces a totally original story a perfect romance for the upcoming holiday season. There is a great twist in the story and that is all I can say without spoiling future readers enjoyment.
I would like to make a comment here, readers of books do not read searching for mistakes and obscure grammatical errors, we read for enjoyment, to be scared, to be surprised to laugh and yes, for that good feeling a cozy romance gives you. On this count Eule Grey's books succeed and I look forward to seeing where her amazing imagination takes us in the future.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. That cover is seriously stunning! Besides this being written by Eule Grey, that gorgeous cover is what caught my eye. I’m obsessed with it. As for the story I ended up really enjoying this. No surprise there. I’ve yet to be disappointed by anything I’ve read from this author. I will say though that it did take me a bit to get into this one. I was confused in the beginning but things really came together by the end for me.

The world is intriguing and the characters of Pippa and Valeri were both incredibly likable and their romance was great. I’m glad that there’s going to be more as this only book one because I feel like there’s so much that Grey could do with this world and these characters and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Pest Control and loved following Valeri’s journey through building up her confidence again and discovering her strengths. I loved the almost magical element of the story, with the bracelet and gold suit, and how Valeri has such a zest for life when in her element. Her new job fascinates me and I believe there are many avenues the future of this series could take. As for Pippa, I suspected not all was as it seemed, but never would have guessed the direction this story took and was pleasantly surprised! Also, the spice is well worth the wait and read! My only complaint was that I wish it was a little longer and that some of the storyline could have had more detail added.

[Looby Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valeri is the golden girl and her powers are not fully understood in this opening book. Becoming a pest controller she thinks she’ll be dealing with spiders and mice but the true nature of her job is very different.
Pippa is a stick in the mud librarian and it is she who needs Valeri’s services for Valeri’s first official task in her new job.
The humour in the book is wonderful and the story is unique and fresh. Eule’s books get better and better and I already like this duo as much as Kitten and Blonde.
More please.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so immersed in this story that I’d forgotten that this is a short story, and before I knew it, it was over. The blurb describes Pest Control well so I won’t say much more than I thought this was an enjoyable and fun fantasy tale. Both main characters, Valeri and Pippa, are interesting and the side characters, Jill and Patricia, help move the story along well. Grey drew out the events and realizations by the characters perfectly. I'd love to revisit this world. (I received an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving a review.)

[Ellie Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a delightful read from the always-inventive Eule Grey.

I loved the world-building in this first book in the Vortex series, where it's soon revealed that this is not merely a contemporary setting with everyday people. The characters are vivid and likeable, and the central romance is gorgeous. I loved the humorous and imaginative touches that made this such an enjoyable read. I mean, who could resist a gold catsuit as a work uniform! Really looking forward to the next Vortex story.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pest Control was different but I liked it and hope for more in the series. Valeri is in need of a job when she sees an ad for a pest controller. She decided to go for an interview and it made me laugh out loud. I love how Vleri doesn't take herself too seriously. The job is not as straightforward as it seems and is very interesting. I do wish the book had gone more in-depth about it though.

This book was a fun quick read that I would recommend.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tammi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took a while for me to get in the story. But when I was about halfway in, it changed. It read like a prologue to a longer series, it sets the world a bit. The explanation of Vortex is short and to the point, the Pests something else altogether!
All in all a nice, quick story, and curious about coming books in the series.
I received an arc for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun, lighthearted story. I enjoyed the transformation the two characters went through, both in their relationship and themselves. The story itself was interesting, and I'd like to read more in the Vortex universe.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Eden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Wow that first chapter had me laughing so hard I had to keep reading! Also I enjoyed the fact that it seemed contemporary until all of a sudden it’s not. It’s fun and lighthearted and I definitely enjoyed it. This is a super quick read and makes you want to read more!

[Martez HB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pest Control by Eule Grey is a funny and sweet story.

The main character Valeri is ridiculously hilarious. The story hooked me in immediately and provided me with loads of opportunities to laugh out loud.

I'm looking forward to reading something else from Eule Grey.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

LOL level funny!

[Milo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute and quirky little novella, and i enjoyed the quick read.
There were a few spelling mistakes and grammatically incorrect sentences, but overall it was well written.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Marsha Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but Decent Read

This was a short read, but if you like odd stuff, you'll probably like this one. I did. I wasn't sure of Patricia, but if story was fleshed out some more, this may have been taken care of.

[Christina Bowling · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was some things I didn't particularly care for, but overall it was interesting and I am curious about the rest of the series.

[Ashleigh Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very original and very cute. Very much a light short story that could be developed into a much longer and deeper one, but I read this with a smile on my face from go to whoa so 5 stars all the way.

[Wanika · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this book was very intriguing, sapphic, aliens, and a mystery? Sounds amazing. Unfortunately for me it didn't quite live up to the hype I created in my head. Pest Control was enjoyable. I enjoyed the two main characters and their budding relationship, it was quite adorable actually. I assumed that the relationship would be more of a plot point and this would be more of an open door romance. The story felt a bit rushed at the end and I feel it could have benefited from a bit more information. I would've liked more POV's from Pippa. The twist was a bit predictable but it was still enjoyable to read. I may pick up the next book to see how things progress on the adventure the main characters now find themselves on.

I received an ARC of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.