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The Boundlands #3.5
Live, Laugh, Lurk
Nothing could be worse than having to take a temporary job in a spooky old college town. Until I discover I'm living downstairs from a terrifying mothman..
The only thing I want is to get back to my old life as soon as possible. But then I realize that the most terrifying thing about the mothman is his obsession with well-made lamps—and I notice how good his backside looks during our shared yoga class. Slowly, he wraps himself around my heart like one of his chunky, hand-knitted blankets. Will I be able to shake off the sparkly moth dust when it’s time to go home?
The only thing I want is to get back to my old life as soon as possible. But then I realize that the most terrifying thing about the mothman is his obsession with well-made lamps—and I notice how good his backside looks during our shared yoga class. Slowly, he wraps himself around my heart like one of his chunky, hand-knitted blankets. Will I be able to shake off the sparkly moth dust when it’s time to go home?
205 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 26, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
August 28, 2024
i find moths and butterflies very disgusting in real life but mothman might be my favorite type of monster🫣 they’re just so cute!!
August 29, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up
I read Live, Laugh, Lurk when it was originally included in an anthology some time ago and I've been waiting for the author to rerelease it on its own, so I was pretty happy to get to snuggle in a blanket and read this cozy mothman romance with extra added. This is character-focused, low stakes, and sweet. No big plot or any villains, unless mysteriously appearing frogs are villainous (they're not).
Lilith's (h) new to town and is there to manage a nursery that her uncle bought, even though she prefers the city to the quieter college town that she's ended up in. Her rental unit is in a building with a presence she can sense and hear at times, but it takes her time to realize that she's noticing a somewhat awkward mothman neighbor. Alistair (H) is preciously adorable once you get to know him. He's got an intimidating physical appearance but is a sweetheart who loves lamps and plants. The two have a couple of interesting encounters around town/the building and strike up a friendship until their mutual attraction eventually becomes more.
Written in first person, dual POV. No ow/om dram and I don't recall either of their histories being addressed, but I had the impression that H was likely inexperienced.
I loved all the little moments in this book like Lilith first appreciating Alistair's love of plants, Patrick the frog constantly breaking into her apartment, her love of the way that Alistair smells, and the two of them doing yoga and her admiring his booty. There are some clunkier sections since we're in Lilith's head a good bit and it does take forever for them to cross the friendship line. But the actual crossing of the line was funny and hot. Mothman equipment is, uh, substantial. I did wish that there was more than the one scene however, even if only a shorter other scene.
I also would have liked more fleshing out of both characters' backgrounds with this being expanded a bit. We do get some info on both, including seeing her parents and meeting his best friends, there just could have been more. Seeing Alistair's friends though was esp fun, having read their stories already. This is a fantasy world that's connected to the human world and some other races and dynamics are mentioned but the world building isn't heavy. Most of the book is just Lilith and Alistair.
The ending is HFN with them living together and planning to babysit for his best friend. It's a cute moment and they're talking about the future so I was happy with where we leave them off. I'm hoping maybe the author will continue to write in this world, it's a fun one!
I read Live, Laugh, Lurk when it was originally included in an anthology some time ago and I've been waiting for the author to rerelease it on its own, so I was pretty happy to get to snuggle in a blanket and read this cozy mothman romance with extra added. This is character-focused, low stakes, and sweet. No big plot or any villains, unless mysteriously appearing frogs are villainous (they're not).
Lilith's (h) new to town and is there to manage a nursery that her uncle bought, even though she prefers the city to the quieter college town that she's ended up in. Her rental unit is in a building with a presence she can sense and hear at times, but it takes her time to realize that she's noticing a somewhat awkward mothman neighbor. Alistair (H) is preciously adorable once you get to know him. He's got an intimidating physical appearance but is a sweetheart who loves lamps and plants. The two have a couple of interesting encounters around town/the building and strike up a friendship until their mutual attraction eventually becomes more.
Written in first person, dual POV. No ow/om dram and I don't recall either of their histories being addressed, but I had the impression that H was likely inexperienced.
I loved all the little moments in this book like Lilith first appreciating Alistair's love of plants, Patrick the frog constantly breaking into her apartment, her love of the way that Alistair smells, and the two of them doing yoga and her admiring his booty. There are some clunkier sections since we're in Lilith's head a good bit and it does take forever for them to cross the friendship line. But the actual crossing of the line was funny and hot. Mothman equipment is, uh, substantial. I did wish that there was more than the one scene however, even if only a shorter other scene.
I also would have liked more fleshing out of both characters' backgrounds with this being expanded a bit. We do get some info on both, including seeing her parents and meeting his best friends, there just could have been more. Seeing Alistair's friends though was esp fun, having read their stories already. This is a fantasy world that's connected to the human world and some other races and dynamics are mentioned but the world building isn't heavy. Most of the book is just Lilith and Alistair.
The ending is HFN with them living together and planning to babysit for his best friend. It's a cute moment and they're talking about the future so I was happy with where we leave them off. I'm hoping maybe the author will continue to write in this world, it's a fun one!
August 18, 2024
Just a story about a sweet lamp-loving mothman. Adorable & cozy.
August 29, 2024
3✨
1.75🌶️
I had my eye on this one for a while, just because it sounded SO adorable. And it was definitely an all-around cute read. Both MCs were very sweet and shy, particularly the MMC (the mothman), which made their friendship and eventual romance all the more endearing. But don’t let the cuteness fool you, things definitely get spicy in the back half!
I would’ve loved to feel more immersed in the fantasy element of the setting. The world created sets a great foundation, but I found myself being knocked out of the story with the overuse of exclamation marks in dialogue, as well as more modern speech and sayings than what you’d typically find in a fantasy world.
1.75🌶️
I had my eye on this one for a while, just because it sounded SO adorable. And it was definitely an all-around cute read. Both MCs were very sweet and shy, particularly the MMC (the mothman), which made their friendship and eventual romance all the more endearing. But don’t let the cuteness fool you, things definitely get spicy in the back half!
I would’ve loved to feel more immersed in the fantasy element of the setting. The world created sets a great foundation, but I found myself being knocked out of the story with the overuse of exclamation marks in dialogue, as well as more modern speech and sayings than what you’d typically find in a fantasy world.
August 11, 2024
Copying my review from Monsters in Love: Wicked Tales and Monstrous Ever Afters from Mar 2023. Will update my review once I've read the new version!
✨
Live, Laugh, Lurk by Elsie Winters
It was great seeing the whole cast together—I have Elsie’s Boundlands books on my TBR and it’s definitely past due for me to read them. This short & sweet story made me want to go out and buy a few plants! I’d love a mothman with a green thumb 🤩
✨
Live, Laugh, Lurk by Elsie Winters
It was great seeing the whole cast together—I have Elsie’s Boundlands books on my TBR and it’s definitely past due for me to read them. This short & sweet story made me want to go out and buy a few plants! I’d love a mothman with a green thumb 🤩
August 15, 2024
I never knew I could fall in love with a fuzzy, glittery, giant, red-eyed mothman with a perky ass, but Elsie Winters really said hey, watch this. My gods. This was totally and completely adorable. A plant loving elf becoming best friends with the horticulture program director, who happens to be a huge ass moth, and slowly falling in love via Saturday Yoga, tea parties, fruit pastries and gardening? Say so much less.
Alistair was the perfect shy, golden retriever MMC. "He was such a lovely mix of contradicting traits: shy, nervous, confident, flamboyant, smart, loyal, nurturing, persnickety, and gruff." I think it's hard to form fully fledged characters in a novella, because our time with the characters is much shorter than a full novel; however, the character development was lovely here. And the romance between Alistair and Lilith unfolded naturally and did not feel rushed. Per usual in Elsie's stories, I was giggling and kicking my feet like an absolute fool. "no thoughts, just frog" vibes.
And the spice was great! I was cackling at the broom closet, and now I really want a boyfriend with 4 arms. A must read!
"My plants will all die," he mumbled tiredly.
"What? Why?" I laughed at the strange non sequitur.
"Because this is all I want to do for the rest of my life."
Alistair was the perfect shy, golden retriever MMC. "He was such a lovely mix of contradicting traits: shy, nervous, confident, flamboyant, smart, loyal, nurturing, persnickety, and gruff." I think it's hard to form fully fledged characters in a novella, because our time with the characters is much shorter than a full novel; however, the character development was lovely here. And the romance between Alistair and Lilith unfolded naturally and did not feel rushed. Per usual in Elsie's stories, I was giggling and kicking my feet like an absolute fool. "no thoughts, just frog" vibes.
And the spice was great! I was cackling at the broom closet, and now I really want a boyfriend with 4 arms. A must read!
"My plants will all die," he mumbled tiredly.
"What? Why?" I laughed at the strange non sequitur.
"Because this is all I want to do for the rest of my life."
September 28, 2024
This was an adorable cozy novella. Alistair was the perfect mix of shy and random bursts of confidence bordering on arrogance, usually related to his perceived superior Mothman features. He was the sweetest plant daddy. Lilith was shy in her own way, tending to be reluctant to strike up conversations with strangers outside of work. Their introverted tendencies made them a good match. The comedy was spot on. I love them forever.
Spice: 2/5
Triggers: speciesism, sex while tipsy
Spice: 2/5
Triggers: speciesism, sex while tipsy
September 1, 2024
Thoughts
I read "Seduction of a psychopomp" earlier this year and really liked it so I was excited to read something else by this author! The cover is stunning and the concept sounded cute so I preordered it when it arrived on my kindle I was so hyped to read it! Lilith and Alistair were so sweet and I loved seeing them fall into domestic bliss with one another. I didn't give this book a higher rating because while it was cute it didn't move me emotionally. There were a few time skips, not a lot of plot or conflict to really build the relationship or my emotions towards the characters and I wish we got more of Alistair's pov.
Tropes:
— Cozy Romance
— Mothman mmc
— Mutual Pining
Horn Level: 3/5🌶️
Format: Ebook
The Rating
I give this book a 3/5🌟 rating. This was cute but I kind of wanted more.
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I read "Seduction of a psychopomp" earlier this year and really liked it so I was excited to read something else by this author! The cover is stunning and the concept sounded cute so I preordered it when it arrived on my kindle I was so hyped to read it! Lilith and Alistair were so sweet and I loved seeing them fall into domestic bliss with one another. I didn't give this book a higher rating because while it was cute it didn't move me emotionally. There were a few time skips, not a lot of plot or conflict to really build the relationship or my emotions towards the characters and I wish we got more of Alistair's pov.
Tropes:
— Cozy Romance
— Mothman mmc
— Mutual Pining
Horn Level: 3/5🌶️
Format: Ebook
The Rating
I give this book a 3/5🌟 rating. This was cute but I kind of wanted more.
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September 10, 2024
This was beyond precious
October 22, 2024
Ой ну це було досить добре.
Людина-метелик, з вайбом golden retriever, що може бути краще?
мені сподобалось❤️🔥
Людина-метелик, з вайбом golden retriever, що може бути краще?
мені сподобалось❤️🔥
August 26, 2024
Title: Live, Laugh, Lurk
Series: Boundlands
# in series: 2.5
Author: Elsie Winters
Genre: Cozy Fantasy Romance
Tropes/Keywords: Fae, Golden Retriever MMC, Magic, Neighbors, Curvy FMC, Paranormal
Pages: 125
Steam: Open Door
Spice: 🌶🌶/5
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Review: Such a fun read, Alistair is an anxious giant bean and I love him so much. I originally read the story in an anthology, and loved this extended version just as much. I would love to read many more stories in this world in the future.
Quotes:
- Many people would consider me a monster, for some bizarre reason— probably because they felt inadequate due to their limited number of arms—
- “You’re welcome,” he said loftily, though I caught a hint of mirth that made me grin. How did he manage to be scary and cute at the same time?
- But he scooped me right up off the floor and tossed me over his shoulder like a caveman— Alistair, my Alistair, had lost his mind
.
.
.
.
.
.
CW: Mention of MLMs
Pregnancy?: No
Babies/Children?: A friend's toddler is often in the story
**ARC provided by the author. All thoughts are my own**
Series: Boundlands
# in series: 2.5
Author: Elsie Winters
Genre: Cozy Fantasy Romance
Tropes/Keywords: Fae, Golden Retriever MMC, Magic, Neighbors, Curvy FMC, Paranormal
Pages: 125
Steam: Open Door
Spice: 🌶🌶/5
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Review: Such a fun read, Alistair is an anxious giant bean and I love him so much. I originally read the story in an anthology, and loved this extended version just as much. I would love to read many more stories in this world in the future.
Quotes:
- Many people would consider me a monster, for some bizarre reason— probably because they felt inadequate due to their limited number of arms—
- “You’re welcome,” he said loftily, though I caught a hint of mirth that made me grin. How did he manage to be scary and cute at the same time?
- But he scooped me right up off the floor and tossed me over his shoulder like a caveman— Alistair, my Alistair, had lost his mind
.
.
.
.
.
.
CW: Mention of MLMs
Pregnancy?: No
Babies/Children?: A friend's toddler is often in the story
**ARC provided by the author. All thoughts are my own**
August 18, 2024
❤️💡 ARC review 💡❤️
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶
This novella felt like being cozied on the couch, cup of tea in hand, wrapped up in a big chunky-knit blanket your mothman boyfriend hand-made for you.
I was kicking my feet and giggling the whole time. Alistair and Lilith's story is absolutely beautiful. I simply can not tell you how many times I highlighted and noted "swoonworthy." Elsie really set the standard with our new mothman book boyfriend, Alistair. Plants, moonlit garden parties, tea, knitting & knotting? Sign a gal upppp.
Expect:
❤️ MAJOR SWOONS
💡 Mothman glitter
❤️ A butt you can balance a cupcake on
💡 Shuttle pocket races
❤️ A rather persistent frog
💡 Lamp
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶
This novella felt like being cozied on the couch, cup of tea in hand, wrapped up in a big chunky-knit blanket your mothman boyfriend hand-made for you.
I was kicking my feet and giggling the whole time. Alistair and Lilith's story is absolutely beautiful. I simply can not tell you how many times I highlighted and noted "swoonworthy." Elsie really set the standard with our new mothman book boyfriend, Alistair. Plants, moonlit garden parties, tea, knitting & knotting? Sign a gal upppp.
Expect:
❤️ MAJOR SWOONS
💡 Mothman glitter
❤️ A butt you can balance a cupcake on
💡 Shuttle pocket races
❤️ A rather persistent frog
💡 Lamp
May 8, 2025
Read this for scientific purposes. I know you can only fit so much into 130-odd pages but I expected more! The story was so rushed with a lot of words wasted on useless info that could've been better spent on relationship development, or even better, dialogue. I really thought I would be cackling but it just wasn't that funny.
July 18, 2026
so incredibly CUTE & COZY! a knitting, glittering mothman who owns an orchard & a nursery-managing elf become an unlikely duo in a will they or won't they romance. the setting was magnificent- a cozy college town with little coffee shops, a yoga studio & so many wonderful characters... plant-dwelling mushroom lesser-fae, elves, orcs, goblins. curious hybrid babies, friendship & love. this was such an adorable story & I can't wait to dive deeper into the Boundlands series.
Did Not Finish
December 14, 2024DNF at 35%. I want to like it but it bores me.
January 28, 2025
This book helped me learn things about myself. For example, I learned where I draw the line in fantasy smut and that is non-human penis.
September 11, 2024
So friggin cute
I loved the way the two characters navigated each other's lives. I am also glad the author answered the question we all presumably have going into this: "sooo...how does it work?"
I loved the way the two characters navigated each other's lives. I am also glad the author answered the question we all presumably have going into this: "sooo...how does it work?"
August 31, 2024
Listen, this is the cryptid romance that we all need in our lives.
This is everything that I love about most monster romances. Despite his fearsome exterior, our mothman monstrous love interest just adores his chosen partner.
Sweet, spicy, and incredibly cozy - this has so much to love. Reading it is like being wrapped in a warm blanket with a warm cup of tea cradled in your palms - and then there’s some spice in there for extra fun. Lillith and the surprisingly domestic mothman named Alistair are so awkward and loveable. My favorite part was the moth aspects of his personality - so funny! This was so fun!
Thanks to the author for the opportunity to read and review. This review is based on a complimentary pre-released copy and it is voluntary.
This is everything that I love about most monster romances. Despite his fearsome exterior, our mothman monstrous love interest just adores his chosen partner.
Sweet, spicy, and incredibly cozy - this has so much to love. Reading it is like being wrapped in a warm blanket with a warm cup of tea cradled in your palms - and then there’s some spice in there for extra fun. Lillith and the surprisingly domestic mothman named Alistair are so awkward and loveable. My favorite part was the moth aspects of his personality - so funny! This was so fun!
Thanks to the author for the opportunity to read and review. This review is based on a complimentary pre-released copy and it is voluntary.
December 14, 2024
1.25 stars that all belong to Alistair but even he couldn't save this one for me. Lilith was awful. Xenophobic at worst. Fetishy at best. Just read CM Nascosta's Sweet Berries. Basically the same mothman. Less shitty FMC.
August 16, 2024
And just like that, the coziest novella I’ve read in awhile goes to Live, Laugh, Lurk. This was such a delight!! I knew I was going to love it but I love it so much 🥹 Lilith and Alistair’s story is just too sweet and cute that it makes you want to adopt a bunch of plants, eat a few apples, and bury yourself under the softest blanket. The relationship and character development was perfect for a novella, the crossovers from two of the other Boundland books made my heart very very happy, and just being back in this world again makes me even excited for future books
Thank you so much to Elsie for letting me have an arc and creating one of my favorite cozy worlds. I cannot wait for the next 💛💛
Thank you so much to Elsie for letting me have an arc and creating one of my favorite cozy worlds. I cannot wait for the next 💛💛
August 30, 2024
This was sweet but not exactly what I was expecting (think morning glory milking farm's world). It was a cute read but I just wanted a bit more and felt a bit bored.
PLOT:
Lilith is an elf who comes to a small town to take a temporary job. She's all but ready to go back to the city when she meets her upstairs neighbor, a huge mothman named Alistair.
THOUGHTS:
- I'm super disappointed I didn't love this more! I'm a HUGE monster romance lover but this just fell flat for me. There is no real conflict or plot, just Lilith getting into scrapes and doing stuff and that's it. I didn't really get the world or connect with any of the characters.
- Lilith is annoying IMO. I really tried to like her but just couldn't get past how she's written. She's all over the place, awkward and kind of cringy. I didn't understand why she did most of what she did and I didn't get why she was afraid of Alistair for so long. Like she's an elf / fae, isn't she used to other creatures? She didn't seem freaked out by the orcs etc. then when she falls for him it seems rushed, they're basically never hung out and have nothing in common but boom she's super into him.
- Alistair I liked at first but he wore on me tbh. He's kind of uppity, whiny, dramatic and a little bit full of himself.
- Lastly, the smut (which tbh most of us are here for) was.... Not great. There's this part where Alistair talks about his parts and it's so dull and clinical and then when they actually get down to it it's really anticlimactic. Like you're telling me she's in another world and having the time of her life during it but I don't see that at all.
All in all it's cute but just a bit too bland and syrupy sweet for my taste!
PLOT:
Lilith is an elf who comes to a small town to take a temporary job. She's all but ready to go back to the city when she meets her upstairs neighbor, a huge mothman named Alistair.
THOUGHTS:
- I'm super disappointed I didn't love this more! I'm a HUGE monster romance lover but this just fell flat for me. There is no real conflict or plot, just Lilith getting into scrapes and doing stuff and that's it. I didn't really get the world or connect with any of the characters.
- Lilith is annoying IMO. I really tried to like her but just couldn't get past how she's written. She's all over the place, awkward and kind of cringy. I didn't understand why she did most of what she did and I didn't get why she was afraid of Alistair for so long. Like she's an elf / fae, isn't she used to other creatures? She didn't seem freaked out by the orcs etc. then when she falls for him it seems rushed, they're basically never hung out and have nothing in common but boom she's super into him.
- Alistair I liked at first but he wore on me tbh. He's kind of uppity, whiny, dramatic and a little bit full of himself.
- Lastly, the smut (which tbh most of us are here for) was.... Not great. There's this part where Alistair talks about his parts and it's so dull and clinical and then when they actually get down to it it's really anticlimactic. Like you're telling me she's in another world and having the time of her life during it but I don't see that at all.
All in all it's cute but just a bit too bland and syrupy sweet for my taste!
August 16, 2024
This was such an adorable and spicy novella. Lilith and Alistar are both so adorably shy at first, but they soon become fast friends who both secretly want the relationship to become something more. And when they do finally take that step? 🔥🥵🔥
September 16, 2026
What a cute little book! I had a great time with this book and it's story! Just in time for spooky season! The characters are fun and very interesting! It's like dipping your toes into a fantasy but without having to know to much lore! It's a quick little book you can easily finish in a day or two!
~Summary: Lilith is an elf that has to move to a little college town to help fix up her uncles flower shop! She has a special gift when it comes to plants! She moves into her apartment and meets her neighbor... Alistair, he is a mothman! As she is trying to make her Uncle's store more profitable she starts a friendship with Alistair after finding him at the orchard. He grows Moon Blush apples. When Lilith runs into him, he is scrapping with an orc toddler. Thinking he is going to hurt her, she goes to stop him but sees the child is clearly a friend. Lilith decides to take home a few of his Moon Blush apple trees to grow and sell at the shop. She keeps one for herself and finds a bunch of little mushroom fae living in her pot! She realizes these are the same mushrooms the little orc girl was planting at the orchard when she saw Alistair. After a few days she finds a frog in the pot and tries to take it outside, running into her neighbor, Alistair. He was staring at the lamp outside. I actually thought that was really funny, when she asks him what he was doing he says "I really like this lamp". But, giong back to the frog, after several tries to get rid of the frog she ends up in a tree close to Alistairs work. He sees her in the tree and stops to see what is happening. She is trying to release the frog but a bird got him and dropped him in the tree, she went up there to try and save him. Alistair offers to help her down but she declines says she is too heavy and doesn't want to bother him. He decides to help by holding the frog and guiding her down. He then takes the frog, who's name is Patrick to the orchard for her. She also finds his smells and fur so alluring. She realizes she is starting to have crush on him. He offers to come see her tree since it hasn't been growing properly. When he stops by he offers to take to his roof top garden and she is just amazed by the space and his ability to garden/care for the plants. They start hanging out more and gardening. She asks him to go to a yoga class with her and he says yes! And shows up wearing a "I heart Lamp" shirt! I'M DEAD!!!! Lilith has to return home to go to a friends wedding. She planned to go with her old college friend but was stood up. After the wedding her old friend tries to get her to join an mlm, and she tells her off. Good for her. Lilith realizes she actually misses Alistair and her home there, instead of the home she knew. Once back at the apartment she decides to go out to meet Alistairs friends to meet mroe people in the town. Hopefully make some new friends herself. As they all drink, she starts to feel looser and her and Alistair end up in the broom closet. There's where his best friend and her husband usually end up after a night of drinking. Alistair admits to Lilith he doesn't know what happens in the broom closet, she informs him it usually touching. She then proceeds to start touching Alistair. And boy does he touch her back! Both as in he touches her as well and touchs her back. He then flys her home so they can really get to touching, he doesn't want to get serious next to a dirty mop. Now, I bet you are wondering how a mothman and an elvish women have relations... WELL YOU HAVE TO READ THE BOOK! All I can say is.. it's like a coin purse with a giant pepper grinder inside. You do the math. So, fast forward, lots of mothman touching, lots of mothman sparkle, and lots of gardening, Lilith gets a call from her uncle that she can come home and manage the old flower shop if she wants. She gets emotional at the thought of leaving her new home and mostly importantly, Alistair. She tells her uncle no and stays with Alistair and they live in his really cool apartment and grow tons of flowers!
~Favorite Part: I really liked the little humor in this book! I thought it was so funny how one of their first meet-cutes was when Alistair was looking at a lamp! Oh, honorable mention, when he helped her with the frog. He knew it's name was Patrick!
~Least Favorite Part: I didn't really like that her cousin and her husband basically made Lilith decide for them on whether or not to move. I think it would have been just fine to have Lilith come to the realization she did not want to leave Alistair. But, it's not that big a deal.
~Favorite Character: I really liked Alistair! He was kinda quirky but smart and uninternally funny. I really liked the mothman!
~Least Favorite Character: Her one friend that ditch her as a plus one and then was going to ask her to join that stupid mlm! Lilith deserved better!
~Overall Thouughts: I wasn't sure about this book at first. Admittedly, I was worried about the cawls... In more ways then one! Also, I am really happy his weird moth tongue didn't go in her ear! It goes in other places, just not her ear. That freaks me out! But this was a cute, short read! I had a great time! The characters were fun and likeable and the story moves pretty well. Overall, it was great!
~Score: 5/5
~Summary: Lilith is an elf that has to move to a little college town to help fix up her uncles flower shop! She has a special gift when it comes to plants! She moves into her apartment and meets her neighbor... Alistair, he is a mothman! As she is trying to make her Uncle's store more profitable she starts a friendship with Alistair after finding him at the orchard. He grows Moon Blush apples. When Lilith runs into him, he is scrapping with an orc toddler. Thinking he is going to hurt her, she goes to stop him but sees the child is clearly a friend. Lilith decides to take home a few of his Moon Blush apple trees to grow and sell at the shop. She keeps one for herself and finds a bunch of little mushroom fae living in her pot! She realizes these are the same mushrooms the little orc girl was planting at the orchard when she saw Alistair. After a few days she finds a frog in the pot and tries to take it outside, running into her neighbor, Alistair. He was staring at the lamp outside. I actually thought that was really funny, when she asks him what he was doing he says "I really like this lamp". But, giong back to the frog, after several tries to get rid of the frog she ends up in a tree close to Alistairs work. He sees her in the tree and stops to see what is happening. She is trying to release the frog but a bird got him and dropped him in the tree, she went up there to try and save him. Alistair offers to help her down but she declines says she is too heavy and doesn't want to bother him. He decides to help by holding the frog and guiding her down. He then takes the frog, who's name is Patrick to the orchard for her. She also finds his smells and fur so alluring. She realizes she is starting to have crush on him. He offers to come see her tree since it hasn't been growing properly. When he stops by he offers to take to his roof top garden and she is just amazed by the space and his ability to garden/care for the plants. They start hanging out more and gardening. She asks him to go to a yoga class with her and he says yes! And shows up wearing a "I heart Lamp" shirt! I'M DEAD!!!! Lilith has to return home to go to a friends wedding. She planned to go with her old college friend but was stood up. After the wedding her old friend tries to get her to join an mlm, and she tells her off. Good for her. Lilith realizes she actually misses Alistair and her home there, instead of the home she knew. Once back at the apartment she decides to go out to meet Alistairs friends to meet mroe people in the town. Hopefully make some new friends herself. As they all drink, she starts to feel looser and her and Alistair end up in the broom closet. There's where his best friend and her husband usually end up after a night of drinking. Alistair admits to Lilith he doesn't know what happens in the broom closet, she informs him it usually touching. She then proceeds to start touching Alistair. And boy does he touch her back! Both as in he touches her as well and touchs her back. He then flys her home so they can really get to touching, he doesn't want to get serious next to a dirty mop. Now, I bet you are wondering how a mothman and an elvish women have relations... WELL YOU HAVE TO READ THE BOOK! All I can say is.. it's like a coin purse with a giant pepper grinder inside. You do the math. So, fast forward, lots of mothman touching, lots of mothman sparkle, and lots of gardening, Lilith gets a call from her uncle that she can come home and manage the old flower shop if she wants. She gets emotional at the thought of leaving her new home and mostly importantly, Alistair. She tells her uncle no and stays with Alistair and they live in his really cool apartment and grow tons of flowers!
~Favorite Part: I really liked the little humor in this book! I thought it was so funny how one of their first meet-cutes was when Alistair was looking at a lamp! Oh, honorable mention, when he helped her with the frog. He knew it's name was Patrick!
~Least Favorite Part: I didn't really like that her cousin and her husband basically made Lilith decide for them on whether or not to move. I think it would have been just fine to have Lilith come to the realization she did not want to leave Alistair. But, it's not that big a deal.
~Favorite Character: I really liked Alistair! He was kinda quirky but smart and uninternally funny. I really liked the mothman!
~Least Favorite Character: Her one friend that ditch her as a plus one and then was going to ask her to join that stupid mlm! Lilith deserved better!
~Overall Thouughts: I wasn't sure about this book at first. Admittedly, I was worried about the cawls... In more ways then one! Also, I am really happy his weird moth tongue didn't go in her ear! It goes in other places, just not her ear. That freaks me out! But this was a cute, short read! I had a great time! The characters were fun and likeable and the story moves pretty well. Overall, it was great!
~Score: 5/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2024
*ARC review*
It was total fluffiness in a cute blanket.
We have a lovely elf girl who was sent to a small town to restore plant business and possibly sell it afterward. She doesn't want to be here, this new place is not hers, it's smaller, she has no friends here and no places to visit (where is her favourite bar? yoga studio? are the local shops having her favourite food or tea?), just everything is not right.
And especially not right are two big red eyes she noticed the first night in rented apartment.
One day she was advised to visit university gardens and see the trees they sell and maybe chose something. Sounds like a great idea, truth be told. But best part (apart from getting amazing apples and four trees) was meeting lovely fluffy mothman.
From this moment everything changes (it's not an insta love story, don't expect this), but it was a lovely experience to read how slowly they connected, how they discussed everything, how he helped her, how they laughed. But remember she has this idea of returning home. Will she? Or will she not?
i loved this story, definitely wished it was bigger and even more fluffier, but this novella was an ideal choice and read for an evening. Meeting characters whose stories we know from other books? Amazing, their friendly jokes and time together were so nice. Joke about 'broom closet' a cherry on a cake.
Oh almost forgot, there is a special place in my heart reserved for silly Patrick. Who is a frog. And he is a friend to magical mushrooms (which decided to live with our girl).
can recommend to anyone interested in cute monster romance story.
However, i would suggest to read "Green-Eyed Monster" first (another short novella), so you can understand more. And i'm definitely suggesting you to read the rest of the series, cause you will want to know about baby dragon, chaotic shifter and the rest of their friends group.
____
Note: this book (ARC) was provided to me by Elsie Winters in exchange for an honest review.
It was total fluffiness in a cute blanket.
We have a lovely elf girl who was sent to a small town to restore plant business and possibly sell it afterward. She doesn't want to be here, this new place is not hers, it's smaller, she has no friends here and no places to visit (where is her favourite bar? yoga studio? are the local shops having her favourite food or tea?), just everything is not right.
And especially not right are two big red eyes she noticed the first night in rented apartment.
One day she was advised to visit university gardens and see the trees they sell and maybe chose something. Sounds like a great idea, truth be told. But best part (apart from getting amazing apples and four trees) was meeting lovely fluffy mothman.
From this moment everything changes (it's not an insta love story, don't expect this), but it was a lovely experience to read how slowly they connected, how they discussed everything, how he helped her, how they laughed. But remember she has this idea of returning home. Will she? Or will she not?
i loved this story, definitely wished it was bigger and even more fluffier, but this novella was an ideal choice and read for an evening. Meeting characters whose stories we know from other books? Amazing, their friendly jokes and time together were so nice. Joke about 'broom closet' a cherry on a cake.
Oh almost forgot, there is a special place in my heart reserved for silly Patrick. Who is a frog. And he is a friend to magical mushrooms (which decided to live with our girl).
can recommend to anyone interested in cute monster romance story.
However, i would suggest to read "Green-Eyed Monster" first (another short novella), so you can understand more. And i'm definitely suggesting you to read the rest of the series, cause you will want to know about baby dragon, chaotic shifter and the rest of their friends group.
____
Note: this book (ARC) was provided to me by Elsie Winters in exchange for an honest review.
October 1, 2024
This was the mothman smut I needed in my life. Lillith is a plump, plant loving elf helping her uncle out in a new city by getting his plant shop to take off. She hated her new place of residence because she hadn't known anyone. She then met Alistair, the fluffy, tall, dark and handsome mothman who lives above her. Alistair loves plants as well and grows some super delicious apples. Their budding friendship soon develops into more.
The smut level is a solid 5, I just wish there was more of that. There was only one scene in the last 35 pages of the book.
This was such a cute, quick novella.
The smut level is a solid 5, I just wish there was more of that. There was only one scene in the last 35 pages of the book.
This was such a cute, quick novella.
October 29, 2024
Oh my...
Let me tell you, this wasn't my first encounter with "alternative body configuration" romance 😆 yes, that's what I'm calling it.
How could I use the word *monster* for this cutie? He's a giant, fluffy, glittery ball of OCD neuroses and botanical genius all wrapped in big wings.
This was sooooooooo freaking cute I could just squeal myself and everyone else into deafness.
I love everything Elsie writes, I'm obsessed with all the characters, I'm obsessed with the world, their interconnected stories. Can't wait for the next novel 🥹
Let me tell you, this wasn't my first encounter with "alternative body configuration" romance 😆 yes, that's what I'm calling it.
How could I use the word *monster* for this cutie? He's a giant, fluffy, glittery ball of OCD neuroses and botanical genius all wrapped in big wings.
This was sooooooooo freaking cute I could just squeal myself and everyone else into deafness.
I love everything Elsie writes, I'm obsessed with all the characters, I'm obsessed with the world, their interconnected stories. Can't wait for the next novel 🥹
February 4, 2025
Live, Laugh, Lurk features Lilith, elf and Alastair, mothman. Lilith has just moved to town and is working on rehabbing a plant nursery. Alastair is a scientist, who works with plants and has developed a new kind of apple. They start off as friends and then become more.
This was really charming. I loved how quirky and fun this world was. I adored Alastair, he was completely adorable. I honestly would have read more and was slightly sad for it to be over so quickly.
Overall delightful and a good mix of completely bonkers.
This was really charming. I loved how quirky and fun this world was. I adored Alastair, he was completely adorable. I honestly would have read more and was slightly sad for it to be over so quickly.
Overall delightful and a good mix of completely bonkers.
December 6, 2025
Buddy read with Kat, Brittany and Kayla.
Don’t worry, millennials, there is the compulsory “I Love Lamp” Anchorman reference. Objectively, this is a really bad book (but an excellent litmus test for how much non-human penis I am willing to tolerate—the answer is none.) That said, I’ve decided to add an additional star because of how hard we laughed talking about the sexy, glitter covered, lamp loving, fat-assed moth man with a forearm-sized dick and a heart of gold.
Don’t worry, millennials, there is the compulsory “I Love Lamp” Anchorman reference. Objectively, this is a really bad book (but an excellent litmus test for how much non-human penis I am willing to tolerate—the answer is none.) That said, I’ve decided to add an additional star because of how hard we laughed talking about the sexy, glitter covered, lamp loving, fat-assed moth man with a forearm-sized dick and a heart of gold.
August 13, 2025
1.5 stars
Alistair carried this book. The rest was questionable. And the Spicy scene didn't even match the characters!!
It seemed like the author wrote this, stopped after the spicy scene, and decided to shelf it. Only to go back and slap two last chapters and an Epilogue and call it good.
Alistair carried this book. The rest was questionable. And the Spicy scene didn't even match the characters!!
It seemed like the author wrote this, stopped after the spicy scene, and decided to shelf it. Only to go back and slap two last chapters and an Epilogue and call it good.
September 11, 2024
Romance:
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