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Devonshire Clinic #1
An Appreciation Of Cats: A Devonshire Clinic Novella
How do we know if it’s too late?
Dr. Ian Devonshire, the beloved veterinarian of Holly Grove, is sixty-eight with no plans to retire—until a skin exam ends with an unexpected biopsy. Ian tells no one, privately worrying about what a worst-case scenario would mean for his practice and, more importantly, his assistant, Dr. Alec Tarley.
Ian isn’t sure if Alec’s friendliness means what he hopes it does, though it wouldn’t matter if it did; Ian is old enough to be Alec’s father, and as his boss, Ian doesn’t want the small-town scandal of becoming involved. So even as Ian wonders what it might be like to have their afternoon tea somewhere other than behind closed doors, he convinces himself the risks far outweigh the gains.
Especially now, as the pending results strand him like Schrödinger's Cat. In an attempt to protect them both from the heartache of a malignant prognosis, Ian makes the abrupt decision to retire. But when Alec refuses to take over the clinic without an explanation for the sudden change of heart, Ian must decide between what’ll hurt more: revealing his secrets or walking away.
An Appreciation Of Cats is a dual POV, no spice, slow burn romance. Themes and tropes include age gap (+20), small town, co-workers, melanoma awareness, older persons rep (65+) and ace rep (demi). This is the first book in a duology but can be read as a standalone.
Dr. Ian Devonshire, the beloved veterinarian of Holly Grove, is sixty-eight with no plans to retire—until a skin exam ends with an unexpected biopsy. Ian tells no one, privately worrying about what a worst-case scenario would mean for his practice and, more importantly, his assistant, Dr. Alec Tarley.
Ian isn’t sure if Alec’s friendliness means what he hopes it does, though it wouldn’t matter if it did; Ian is old enough to be Alec’s father, and as his boss, Ian doesn’t want the small-town scandal of becoming involved. So even as Ian wonders what it might be like to have their afternoon tea somewhere other than behind closed doors, he convinces himself the risks far outweigh the gains.
Especially now, as the pending results strand him like Schrödinger's Cat. In an attempt to protect them both from the heartache of a malignant prognosis, Ian makes the abrupt decision to retire. But when Alec refuses to take over the clinic without an explanation for the sudden change of heart, Ian must decide between what’ll hurt more: revealing his secrets or walking away.
An Appreciation Of Cats is a dual POV, no spice, slow burn romance. Themes and tropes include age gap (+20), small town, co-workers, melanoma awareness, older persons rep (65+) and ace rep (demi). This is the first book in a duology but can be read as a standalone.
122 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 13, 2024
10 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Des DeVivo
2 books23 followersDes DeVivo is a queer writer of queer stories that transmute pain into beauty. Born and raised in small-town Ohio, they now reside in Los Angeles with their husband and three cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
October 11, 2024
This was such a wholesome read about hope and love. It’s a short book, roughly a hundred pages, but the author did a spectacular job describing the complicated emotions that the characters face in the story.
We follow the lives of Alec and Ian. Two doctors in the field of veterinary medicine who have danced around their feelings due to the eldest drawing a line they cannot cross. It’s heartbreaking as Ian parts his way from his veterinary practice as he received tragic news, causing him to realize it is time for his retirement despite not feeling ready to let go of the life he built. Not only that, he feels like he needs to also part ways from Alec - the ending that never even reached its beginning.
The emotions from the page were so strong, I had a few tears coming down my face by the end of the story. It’s open ended and I couldn’t help but wonder what ended up happening, but was happy to know whatever the outcome was, the two would face it together.
While the author doesn’t get too deep into it, make sure to check out content warnings as there are a few sensitive topics!
We follow the lives of Alec and Ian. Two doctors in the field of veterinary medicine who have danced around their feelings due to the eldest drawing a line they cannot cross. It’s heartbreaking as Ian parts his way from his veterinary practice as he received tragic news, causing him to realize it is time for his retirement despite not feeling ready to let go of the life he built. Not only that, he feels like he needs to also part ways from Alec - the ending that never even reached its beginning.
The emotions from the page were so strong, I had a few tears coming down my face by the end of the story. It’s open ended and I couldn’t help but wonder what ended up happening, but was happy to know whatever the outcome was, the two would face it together.
While the author doesn’t get too deep into it, make sure to check out content warnings as there are a few sensitive topics!
November 24, 2024
This beautifully written and heartwarming novella follows Ian, a veterinarian, and Alec, his assistant, who have quietly circled around their feelings for one another for years, due to their roughly 20-year age gap. When Ian is confronted with devastating news about his health, he makes the difficult decision to pass the clinic on to Alec.
Though short, the story is deeply poignant, with an open-ended conclusion that left me completely swept up in the emotion of it all. Highly recommend checking this one out of you want a short but beautiful read.
Though short, the story is deeply poignant, with an open-ended conclusion that left me completely swept up in the emotion of it all. Highly recommend checking this one out of you want a short but beautiful read.
September 21, 2024
The writing in this novella was absolutely gorgeous. If there was one word I could use to describe An Appreciation of Cats, it would be ✨elegant✨. Each word felt carefully crafted into being there at the perfect moment to convey the perfect aesthetic and emotion. And boy, was this an emotional one. All the pining from both men, and all the feels. I ADORED this and would love to read more by Des DeVivo! 💕💖
November 11, 2024
Enjoyed this book a lot, but the ending felt just a tad bit abrupt for me. Looking forward to more from this author in the future for sure.
April 27, 2025
An Appreciation of Cats was such a beautifully written and poetic little gem of a story. Every word felt intentional, lyrical even — the kind of writing that makes you want to slow down and savor every sentence. The emotional depth packed into such a short novella was genuinely impressive, and Ian and Tarley’s relationship had such a tender, authentic feel to it that I found myself completely invested in them.
Overall though, I absolutely loved this short story. It’s the kind of read that lingers with you, soft and a little bittersweet.
Overall though, I absolutely loved this short story. It’s the kind of read that lingers with you, soft and a little bittersweet.
September 21, 2024
What can I say about this novella? It is such a wholesome, emotional story that makes you feel like your heart is the weight of a lead balloon for the majority of it.
It starts off with such a lovely dedication, it is beautiful. Then we proceed to the story, even though in the beginning we do not know much about the MC, the author manages to create such powerful imagery that you feel an overwhelming sense of empathy towards this stranger. It feels like you have a gaping hole in your heart and the author manages to achieve this within the first 5 pages.
There was some comic relief in the first chapter and I laughed harder than I probably should have at some of the pet names 😆🤣
Then we get to the description of the second MMC. The author creates clear imagery straight away of what kind of person the second MMC is and you instantly feel a connection with him as he is so loveable and very relatable.
This book is not all sunshine and rainbows, the author perfectly conveys the anguish and torment of both of the characters throughout. It is so beautifully written.
The ending chapters are so touching and really creates the wholesome vibes whilst also stirring up some big emotions. It is honestly so worth the read. I don't normally read many novellas as I feel they end too soon for my liking and whilst I do feel I would have preferred a couple of answers, I don't think it could have ended in a more perfect place. If you are looking for a quick read that is going to make you feel all sorts of emotions, add this to your TBR
It starts off with such a lovely dedication, it is beautiful. Then we proceed to the story, even though in the beginning we do not know much about the MC, the author manages to create such powerful imagery that you feel an overwhelming sense of empathy towards this stranger. It feels like you have a gaping hole in your heart and the author manages to achieve this within the first 5 pages.
There was some comic relief in the first chapter and I laughed harder than I probably should have at some of the pet names 😆🤣
Then we get to the description of the second MMC. The author creates clear imagery straight away of what kind of person the second MMC is and you instantly feel a connection with him as he is so loveable and very relatable.
This book is not all sunshine and rainbows, the author perfectly conveys the anguish and torment of both of the characters throughout. It is so beautifully written.
The ending chapters are so touching and really creates the wholesome vibes whilst also stirring up some big emotions. It is honestly so worth the read. I don't normally read many novellas as I feel they end too soon for my liking and whilst I do feel I would have preferred a couple of answers, I don't think it could have ended in a more perfect place. If you are looking for a quick read that is going to make you feel all sorts of emotions, add this to your TBR
October 30, 2024
What a lovely story. Well paced. Short and sweet. It was a nice change from some of the books I have been reading.
October 27, 2024
Beautifully written sweet story!
October 14, 2024
This story/novella was something else. Two veterinarians, one is the owner and the other the employee, one is forty-five and the other sixty-eight. Friendship and respect have always been there since day one, eight years ago. After a diagnosis, Ian wants to hand over his practice to Alec, who doesn’t want it without having Ian’s heart too.
Something precious is blooming. Even though the feelings were always there, the timing not so, until now.
Watching this gentle couple was heartwarming. The writing was extraordinary, poetically, and beautifully done.
Something precious is blooming. Even though the feelings were always there, the timing not so, until now.
Watching this gentle couple was heartwarming. The writing was extraordinary, poetically, and beautifully done.
October 4, 2024
4⭐️
0.25🌶
Des really wanted to tug the heart strings with this one. It was short, sweet, but also just a bit painful. I want more of Ian and Alec 😭 Des's writing style is extremely poetic, so be prepared for beautiful words and unique metaphors. You can tell that Des placed a part of their heart in this story. Ian is facing a potential life altering diagnosis and the end of what has possibly been his identity; his career. In facing the end of his career, he is having to face the end of spending time with his assistant with whom he has been falling for without really admitting it to himself. This is an age gap romance, so Alec is about 20 years younger, which Ian struggles with a bit. Alec was searching for meaning by reconnecting to his life prior to big city life. In returning to a small town, he finds meaning in his career and the mentor he's come to love in more ways than one. They have to face being courageous and looking in the face, the reality that love makes life worth living but creates the greatest losses not yet realized.
Also, there's cats, and I love cats. Dogs are great, too.
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own*
0.25🌶
Des really wanted to tug the heart strings with this one. It was short, sweet, but also just a bit painful. I want more of Ian and Alec 😭 Des's writing style is extremely poetic, so be prepared for beautiful words and unique metaphors. You can tell that Des placed a part of their heart in this story. Ian is facing a potential life altering diagnosis and the end of what has possibly been his identity; his career. In facing the end of his career, he is having to face the end of spending time with his assistant with whom he has been falling for without really admitting it to himself. This is an age gap romance, so Alec is about 20 years younger, which Ian struggles with a bit. Alec was searching for meaning by reconnecting to his life prior to big city life. In returning to a small town, he finds meaning in his career and the mentor he's come to love in more ways than one. They have to face being courageous and looking in the face, the reality that love makes life worth living but creates the greatest losses not yet realized.
Also, there's cats, and I love cats. Dogs are great, too.
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own*
October 12, 2024
This is a lovely little novella about an elderly vet, Dr. Ian Devonshire, who has a cancer scare and decides to leave his practice to his assistant, Dr. Alec Tarley. Tarley, who's been in love with Devonshire for almost the entire time they've worked together, doesn't know how to process this decision.
Both characters' lives are rocked, and the book has a big focus on the fear of change - the fear around a cancer diagnosis and retirement, and the fear of confessing feelings. The concern about how their small town would react to the cliché of an older man dating his much younger assistant. Both characters are very attached to their routines, so the change really is a big hurdle for them.
I really liked seeing a romance about a man in his 60s, their standing 4pm tea date every day was very sweet. There's also some cute little illustrations at the beginning of each chapter that I enjoyed.
Both characters' lives are rocked, and the book has a big focus on the fear of change - the fear around a cancer diagnosis and retirement, and the fear of confessing feelings. The concern about how their small town would react to the cliché of an older man dating his much younger assistant. Both characters are very attached to their routines, so the change really is a big hurdle for them.
I really liked seeing a romance about a man in his 60s, their standing 4pm tea date every day was very sweet. There's also some cute little illustrations at the beginning of each chapter that I enjoyed.
September 7, 2025
This is a gentle and heartfelt novella with all the pining, grasping at a mutual heart's desire before it's too late.
Alec is a man in his 40s with part-time model looks who was steered towards becoming a vet by way of the cat distribution system. Ian owns the local vet practice who has decided to retire after getting some bad news that he's keeping secret. Both excellent vets, both blue ribbon award winners at pining.
They've had 8 years of pining over tea & biscuits, wistful thoughts, and internalised guilt and all the tearning on Ian's part. He's 20 years older so his sense of self is very ingrained by older societal norms. Meanwhile Alec only sees the man he wants but has a lifetime of putting everyone else before himself.
When Ian offers Alec the vet clinic so he can step down, Alec is stunned and the questions begin; one not wanting to talk, the other desperate to.
The yearning. The pining. All delivered with lyrical prose that had me bawling and putting the kettle on.
This novella doesn't compress everything into a big juicy conclusion in a red bow. Instead, it ends on the cusp of all the possibilities, which is lovely.
Alec is a man in his 40s with part-time model looks who was steered towards becoming a vet by way of the cat distribution system. Ian owns the local vet practice who has decided to retire after getting some bad news that he's keeping secret. Both excellent vets, both blue ribbon award winners at pining.
They've had 8 years of pining over tea & biscuits, wistful thoughts, and internalised guilt and all the tearning on Ian's part. He's 20 years older so his sense of self is very ingrained by older societal norms. Meanwhile Alec only sees the man he wants but has a lifetime of putting everyone else before himself.
When Ian offers Alec the vet clinic so he can step down, Alec is stunned and the questions begin; one not wanting to talk, the other desperate to.
The yearning. The pining. All delivered with lyrical prose that had me bawling and putting the kettle on.
This novella doesn't compress everything into a big juicy conclusion in a red bow. Instead, it ends on the cusp of all the possibilities, which is lovely.
November 23, 2024
This is a sweet, raw, and honest little novella. Despite being short, there's a lot involved in the story. It's packed full of emotions, there's a backstory for one character and a hinted future for the other, and then there is, of course, the present - where the story takes place. All of this is woven together wonderfully to create something beautiful.
The writing style brings to mind classic literature more than modern day tales, but don't let that deter you if it's not your thing. It's not mine, but I 100% enjoyed reading this story and would do so again in a heartbeat. The ending is left rather open, but I'm a fan of that. What's the fun in having an author tell you everything that happens when you can imagine it for yourself after you turn the last page? You could make the ending happy; you could make the end sad.
Whatever your choice, I hope these characters feel as real for you as they did me, because I was sad to leave them behind.
The writing style brings to mind classic literature more than modern day tales, but don't let that deter you if it's not your thing. It's not mine, but I 100% enjoyed reading this story and would do so again in a heartbeat. The ending is left rather open, but I'm a fan of that. What's the fun in having an author tell you everything that happens when you can imagine it for yourself after you turn the last page? You could make the ending happy; you could make the end sad.
Whatever your choice, I hope these characters feel as real for you as they did me, because I was sad to leave them behind.
August 4, 2024
(ARC Review)
Oh my gosh the writing style is so lyrical?? 9 times out of 10, any of the 1.7 million+ combinations of 26 letters in the dictionary fail to bring certain emotional situations to life— but Des is a magician who just knows how to squeeze every last drop of emotion the English language is capable of producing into such a short word count I'm— the metaphors and similies and descriptions — everything was so right up my alley
Do I make sense? NO but the point is I love this novella and I need more (yes I googled "how many words in the English language uwu" to write this review)
The MCs are so adorable — ALSO CATS
We need more old MC representation in fiction ok like wow I'm melting
Oh my gosh the writing style is so lyrical?? 9 times out of 10, any of the 1.7 million+ combinations of 26 letters in the dictionary fail to bring certain emotional situations to life— but Des is a magician who just knows how to squeeze every last drop of emotion the English language is capable of producing into such a short word count I'm— the metaphors and similies and descriptions — everything was so right up my alley
Do I make sense? NO but the point is I love this novella and I need more (yes I googled "how many words in the English language uwu" to write this review)
The MCs are so adorable — ALSO CATS
We need more old MC representation in fiction ok like wow I'm melting
July 5, 2024
I feel seen a little too hard here hahaha. The author has such a way of tapping into the reader’s head that it makes me feel like they’ve wire-tapped my feelings.
Uncompromising and sweet at the same time, the story is beautiful. And it doesn’t overstay its welcome, which I always appreciate about books that do that right. It tells the story it needs to.
Gonna keep reading this author’s work for sure.
Uncompromising and sweet at the same time, the story is beautiful. And it doesn’t overstay its welcome, which I always appreciate about books that do that right. It tells the story it needs to.
Gonna keep reading this author’s work for sure.
January 2, 2025
Adorable novella
Adorable age-gap romance novella.
This is short and sweet, but the romance was beautiful, the main characters shone, and I hope to see them in future books.
In this, you'll find:
🐾MM Contemporary Romance
🐾Novella
🐾Retirement-age vet
🐾Assistant vet
🐾No spice
🐾Age-gap (20 years)
🐾Possible cancer/melanoma diagnosis
🐾Pining
🐾Demisexual MC
🐾A HFN ending
Adorable age-gap romance novella.
This is short and sweet, but the romance was beautiful, the main characters shone, and I hope to see them in future books.
In this, you'll find:
🐾MM Contemporary Romance
🐾Novella
🐾Retirement-age vet
🐾Assistant vet
🐾No spice
🐾Age-gap (20 years)
🐾Possible cancer/melanoma diagnosis
🐾Pining
🐾Demisexual MC
🐾A HFN ending
June 13, 2024
Super sweet, short novella about finding and accepting love later in life, even if it’s scary. The love story between these two characters is so very relatable. Definitely a tear or two was shed reading this and a YES may have rang out at one point! Definitely give this short novella a read!
October 13, 2024
A heatwarming novella
September 15, 2024
Such a perfect, short novella that I completely devoured. It’s so heartwarming, and about finding love even at uncertain times when it feels like it won’t last.
The writing style is so lyrical and absolutely beautiful.
I adored the MCs so much, we don’t see a lot of older people rep so it was different, but in the best way. I loved how they were vets in a small town, the cats!! 😆
I’m so excited that this will be part of a duology!! Can’t wait to see what’s next in store for Ian and Alec ❤️
“The fact that the milk for your tea will eventually spoil doesn’t stop you from enjoying it now, right? While it’s still good?”
Thank you to the author, Des, for an ARC of this book, I’m so honoured and I can’t wait to read more of your work 🥹
The writing style is so lyrical and absolutely beautiful.
I adored the MCs so much, we don’t see a lot of older people rep so it was different, but in the best way. I loved how they were vets in a small town, the cats!! 😆
I’m so excited that this will be part of a duology!! Can’t wait to see what’s next in store for Ian and Alec ❤️
“The fact that the milk for your tea will eventually spoil doesn’t stop you from enjoying it now, right? While it’s still good?”
Thank you to the author, Des, for an ARC of this book, I’m so honoured and I can’t wait to read more of your work 🥹
September 7, 2024
This book offers a deeply endearing story of life and love, with main characters whose journey together is both captivating and profoundly touching. The writing is exceptionally poetic, creating vivid imagery that immerses readers from beginning to end. I highly recommend this book for its moving narrative and beautiful prose.
September 15, 2024
Absolutely amazing and comforting tale of love, and not just any kind of love. A love that many after a certain age are terrified to experience due to how society has become and view the age gap type relationships as individuals grow older. I absolutely love this novella and the story it conveyed. Ian and Alec are two individuals who had to take a leap in love and even more had to set aside their own thoughts and preservations to see what was right in front of them.
October 17, 2024
This is one of those books you will treasure for years.
We have the story of a veterinarian having to decide to leave the job he has done for almost all his life due to a not so good diagnosis and a young man who would do anything but let the man he loves secretly go.
I love how the dual POV let us know just what each character was thinking and feeling.
Also not having the age gap romance be all about sex but actually falling in love was nice as well.
I’ve never thought of quantum mechanics having a place in a persons everyday life until reading this and looking into Schrödinger’s Cat. It’s actually very interesting if you have the time to check it out. (You don’t have to but I did).
If you like May/December romances that are actually about the romance and not sex then this is a perfect book for you.
Can’t wait for more in the series!!
We have the story of a veterinarian having to decide to leave the job he has done for almost all his life due to a not so good diagnosis and a young man who would do anything but let the man he loves secretly go.
I love how the dual POV let us know just what each character was thinking and feeling.
Also not having the age gap romance be all about sex but actually falling in love was nice as well.
I’ve never thought of quantum mechanics having a place in a persons everyday life until reading this and looking into Schrödinger’s Cat. It’s actually very interesting if you have the time to check it out. (You don’t have to but I did).
If you like May/December romances that are actually about the romance and not sex then this is a perfect book for you.
Can’t wait for more in the series!!
October 14, 2024
this was a quick read & really sweet story! It's beautifully written and will pull at your heart strings - also, super cute illustrations at the beginning of each chapter!
December 28, 2024
Actually 2.5 stars but GR won’t allow that and I refuse to round up on this one.
The good: this is a sweet, cozy love story between two older men. I enjoyed the veterinary setting. And I, too, have an appreciation for cats.
The bad: this book is deeply over-written - every second sentence is a run-on, constructed of unnecessarily complicated words and confusing structure (why say “nearness” when you could say “adjacency”? Honestly). And a whole lot of those words do not mean what the author seems to think they mean. I read the afterward, so I know the author CAN write a normal sentence without pulling out a drunk thesaurus, but there’s no evidence of that in the novella itself.
The good: this is a sweet, cozy love story between two older men. I enjoyed the veterinary setting. And I, too, have an appreciation for cats.
The bad: this book is deeply over-written - every second sentence is a run-on, constructed of unnecessarily complicated words and confusing structure (why say “nearness” when you could say “adjacency”? Honestly). And a whole lot of those words do not mean what the author seems to think they mean. I read the afterward, so I know the author CAN write a normal sentence without pulling out a drunk thesaurus, but there’s no evidence of that in the novella itself.
March 13, 2025
There is something so soft and achingly beautiful about An Appreciation of Cats. Des has captured the longing and wonderful friendship that Ian and Alec share as coworkers who have never tipped over that line into something more.
Ian, retiring and facing his mortality and a stretch of loneliness before him is so familiar to anyone who had let an opportunity pass, who worried about other people's perceptions and too scared to change the status quo.
Alec on the other hand, pines from afar, his love, true, real, and waiting for the smallest hint that Ian could make room for him in his heart.
I read this in one sitting, I was enraptured, my heart aching, my smiles genuine and feeling lighter for having experienced Ian and Alec's story. This was so gorgeously written and I could honestly live in this soft, wonderful world where age is no barrier, love knows no bounds and two grown men call fall into each other, finally - for the time they have left.
I can't recommend this book enough.
Ian, retiring and facing his mortality and a stretch of loneliness before him is so familiar to anyone who had let an opportunity pass, who worried about other people's perceptions and too scared to change the status quo.
Alec on the other hand, pines from afar, his love, true, real, and waiting for the smallest hint that Ian could make room for him in his heart.
I read this in one sitting, I was enraptured, my heart aching, my smiles genuine and feeling lighter for having experienced Ian and Alec's story. This was so gorgeously written and I could honestly live in this soft, wonderful world where age is no barrier, love knows no bounds and two grown men call fall into each other, finally - for the time they have left.
I can't recommend this book enough.
October 31, 2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Summary: This novella is well written, and the storyline is sweet. However, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the writing style - it felt like every single sentence was a complex flowery analogy full of metaphors, and while those add to the reading experience, the whole story felt unapproachable and a little pretentious because of it. I also felt like this drowned out my ability to connect with the characters, because instead of showing me how the characters feel, the prose felt like it was trying super hard to tell me how to feel instead. Because of that, a lot of the high tension moments fell flat for me.
Ian & Alec are super sweet though and I’m glad they got their happy ending.
TLDR: The heart of the story was good but trying to read it made me mentally tired even though it’s so short.
Spice: 🌶️
Summary: This novella is well written, and the storyline is sweet. However, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the writing style - it felt like every single sentence was a complex flowery analogy full of metaphors, and while those add to the reading experience, the whole story felt unapproachable and a little pretentious because of it. I also felt like this drowned out my ability to connect with the characters, because instead of showing me how the characters feel, the prose felt like it was trying super hard to tell me how to feel instead. Because of that, a lot of the high tension moments fell flat for me.
Ian & Alec are super sweet though and I’m glad they got their happy ending.
TLDR: The heart of the story was good but trying to read it made me mentally tired even though it’s so short.
October 14, 2024
An Appreciation of Cats is like a good cup of tea. Warm, clasping you with two hands and inviting you in to sit down with Ian and Tarley and peek into their little cozy quaint life. I fell in love with Ian Devonshire the instant I began reading. I saw so much of myself in him. The quick, hurried decision maker without thinking of the future consequences. Without saying too much spoilers, watching these two finally confess their love over dessert and tea in this short yet fantastically and Beautifully written novella was a joy go experience. Des Devivo is a master with words. They weave magic in the craft of writing and encapsulates the entire feeling of working in a small town vet perfectly! Thank you for giving me this opportunity to ARC read. Thank you for writing this story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2025
I just love the delicate tenderness of this story. I'm usually very into spicy spice and lots of youthful (20s-30s) exuberance and energy in my romance novels. This was completely different. Like sitting next to a window on a sunny Fall day drinking a cup of tea. You're wearing your favorite sweater and your feet are kicked up on the couch. Its just so cozy, even with the somber thread of Ian's cancer storyline. The character's aren't flat and the writing is so immersive.
Just so good and a super quick read. Give it a try!
Just so good and a super quick read. Give it a try!
June 23, 2025
To see a full review check it out here.
Mayor approved, indeed.
Please give me the exact location of Devonshire so I can move there immediately. Thank you.
Mayor approved, indeed.
Please give me the exact location of Devonshire so I can move there immediately. Thank you.
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May 24, 2025Dr. Ian Devonshire from An Appreciation of Cats is demisexual!
https://www.tumblr.com/aspeccharacter...
https://www.tumblr.com/aspeccharacter...
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