Crocodile Tears

Prickle Island Zoo #4

by Ali K. Mulford

Dove Lachlan is a self-proclaimed bird nerd and DnD enthusiast who’s finally found her place among her wacky clan of zookeepers. She's become the driving force behind the zoo's fundraising and events, pouring her heart into making Prickle Island Zoo a sanctuary for animals and a delight for visitors. But being immersed in her work, Dove has decided to put romance on a permanent hiatus . . .

That is, until movie star, Deacon Harrow, starts filming his latest blockbuster at her family's zoo.

Dove isn't thrilled that her former childhood best friend--turned enemy--turned movie star has weaseled his way back into her life. After his most recent conservation blunder, she can't even bear to be in the same room as him. Fame has changed him—or has it?

When Deacon launches a new conservation campaign to repair his public image, he ropes Dove into helping him in the hopes of getting closer to her. He knows the kindhearted Dove won’t be able to refuse and tries to use their newfound proximity to set things right. But Deacon fears that maybe this time, he’s messed up his relationship with Dove beyond repair.

Amidst the clamor of wild animals and film crews, old sparks fly and forgotten feelings resurface. Can Dove and Deacon rekindle their friendship—and perhaps discover something more? Get ready for a wild ride filled with love, laughter, and a few crocodile tears.

Each book in the Prickle Island Zoo series can be read as a standalone

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Adult

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 21, 2025

About the author

Also writes as A.K. Mulford

Ali K. Mulford (also known by their bestselling fantasy pen name A.K. Mulford) is a rom-com author and former wildlife biologist who swapped rehabilitating monkeys for writing novels. A US and NZ citizen, Mulford now lives in Australia rearing two human primates, writing lovable characters, and making ridiculous TikToks (@akmulfordauthor).

Reviews

[Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

- childhood best friends
- friends to lovers
- second chance
- rockstar/ celebrity x zoo keeper
- slow burn
- forced proximity
- third act breakup

H/h were childhood best friends but when H rises to fame, he leaves her and they lose touch with each other. they meet years later when H is making a film in her zoo that she keeps to help her with funding. she hates him when they meet so it takes some work for them to be friends again which i liked, the slow burn, the banter and the nerd jokes were fun too

but just as quick, the dreaded third act breakup came and it ruined his character(for me). the news of them dating gets out and the media hounds h so she withdraws naturally. she also finds out from the newspaper that posts a picture of them kissing that he has slept with her nemesis. granted it was 5 years before and he claims he did it because he "missed" h. what a crock of shit. he knew ow's family hates h and her family and that it would hurt her but hey it was just one night for him.

this paired with him leaving after the breakup to his old life and on date with his co star to get pictured for the media made me dislike him so much. i want heroes to to grovel and feel bad when they mess up, which he did slightly ig but not enough. as for as the book goes, if not for the last few chapters i would've loved this book and probably would've become a fav.

safety -they are each others first kiss and are with op during seperation. no om drama, no manwhores but there is ow drama,. H goes on fake dates with his costar who is a lesbian before he met h and once after, to boost his movie. they get pictured and h sees it too and it hurts her. same ow is nasty to her when he takes her to the red carpet (?). H also slept with her nemesis and hides this fact from h but it was a ons and she doesn't reappear. h forgives him for it but i can't lol

[Lana | Libraryofabibliotaph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Prickle Island Zoo book, another new favourite. I really enjoyed reading this new story, just like I did reading its predecessors.

All the characters have their individualities, and no two relationships are alike. This is what I truly love about this series. The books don't get boring at any point, and you keep looking forward to the subsequent books. The balance between things you already know from previous books, and new things added each time, is very well done. There are also different animals stealing the show every time, this is hilarious and heartwarming at the same time. However, the one thing that again bothered me a bit in this book is that a certain trope recurred again. Then again, it's a trope I don't like at all, so it could be just a me thing. The ending (and overall story) was wonderful nonetheless, I was very pleased with how everything turned out to be. I'm really glad I got to spend some time with all these characters again and am already looking forward to the next story.

[Blanche Maze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute perfection

- I would like to thank the author for the eARC -

BOOK 4 in the PRICKLE ISLAND ZOO series - can be read as a standalone
Dove and Deacon used to be best friends. Both nerds and DnD enthusiasts, they were inseperable, and even each other's first kiss. Until Deacon left to become a famous movie star, and showed he was not who she thought he was. Meanwhile, Dove stayed behind to become a zookeeper with her family, dedicating her life to animals and endangered species, and she's happy, hating him for his reckless actions that go against everything she believes in. Until Deacon comes back to film his latest movie - a zookeeper romance -at the zoo. But even worse: to repair his public image, they have to pretend to be friends.

I really loved this fourth book. Dove is an absolute sweetheart, I'm in love with her. I love how dedicated and passionate she is about animals and what she believes in. She's a very inspiring woman and she made me learn a lot! As for Deacon, he might have made some mistakes in the past, I love how relentless he is when he has set his mind on something. The sparks between them were obvious, and it was really fun to see them rediscover one another even if, in the end, it was like they were never apart. It was beautiful, full of tension and feelings that made me cry. The story was addictive, full of twists and turns, and it was obvious from the start that they were meant to each other, and the easiness they had with one another was absolutely beautiful (I'm jealous). All in all, I loved it.

I highly recommend this sweet and inspiring romcom!

“You make me want to be all the best parts of myself.”

TW: blood, snakes/spiders, sexual content

[Erin Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved returning the absolute chaotic world of the Lachlan family and Prickle Island Zoo.

Dove has always been one of my favourite characters, I love her entire personality. Her brashness, stubbornness and nerdiness. I love the D&D references, and the friends-to-enemies-to-friends-to-lovers tropes, the toucans and the crocodiles & the well written assholiness of the celebrity world.

I was so worried toward the end. I knew that there had to be a HEA but I was so stressed. I have such a soft spot for the Prickle Island Zoo world, I hope that it will continue but this story, and all the ones before, will forever live on my re-read and recommend lists.

Thank you to the author for a chance to read and review.

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

🦙

The Prickle Zoo series never lets me down! I was really excited for this one because it’s a second chance romance of sorts and childhood friends to lovers! It didn’t disappoint. I loved it. I loved Dove and Deacon. I loved seeing all the couples from the previous books and their continued happiness.
I super loved the coin in this book and how they’d flip it. So cute!
Ahhh it’s just a really cute series! If you love a good LGBTQ friendly romance then read this series NOW!

[WenDeeDeeDee36 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve said it at least 100 times now and I’m sure I’ll say it at least another thousand times yet: I LOVE THE PRICKLE ISLAND ZOO. I’ve been so eager for Dove’s story because she’s been my favorite sibling throughout the first 3 books (which is impressive since I really like all of the siblings). I was not disappointed.
This story had a little less of the tension on whether Dove and Deacon would get together because you could totally tell they were mutually pining for each other from the start and Dove was just in denial. So for me, it was really a matter of when and what was going to cause a 3rd act breakup. That said, it wasn’t a bad thing at all. I actually loved their dynamic and the fact that Deacon was smitten from before they even reunited in this book. You also got fun interactions with the rest of the Lachlans again, and I loved their dynamic with Deacon. I also think we were given a hint at which sibling is next and I’m pretty excited for it.
The only downside I can even come up with for Crocodile Tears is that it was more centered on the Hollywood/spotlight aspect of their lives so the zoo was more of almost an incidental setting….and that’s just me being a nit-picky animal nerd😆

[Nikki - Nikki's Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dove Lachlan is a DnD nerd and bird lover who works with her family at Prickle Island Zoo. She pours everything she has into organising fund-raising events for the Zoo.
Her love life is on hold until her childhood friend now movie star Deacon Harrow starts filming his latest movie at her families zoo.
Dove isn't too happy about this as he is a friend turned enemy since becoming a celebrity and she does everything she can to avoid him. This doesn't seem to last long as sparks begin to fly and their forgotten feeling start to bubble to the surface.

Tropes:
-Strong FMC
-Childhood best friends
-Slow Burn
My nerdy heart truely enjoyed this book. Dove and Deacon are just too cute and I love the journey they took together growth wise. Their relationship was sweet and I may have shed a few tears at the end.
I really love this series and feel it's the series Ali was made to write!

Whilst I received a copy from the publisher, all thoughts and opinions remain my own

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this series! These siblings are just the best mix of ride or die and brutally honest. They work like a well oiled team at their private family zoo. The whole community feel and shenanigans are my favorite.
Love that you get to see the other siblings’ relationships from the previous books as well. This romance was so sweet but there was the Hollywood aspect that was wild.
They had so much history and inside jokes but so much time had passed as well. They had fallen for each other when they were younger and it really didn’t take much time for them to fall back into their easy pattern.
Loved it! Definitely check out this series!!

[Lara Reading Wild · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the fourth book in the prickle island series. And while it wasn’t my favorite, I still enjoyed it. What keeps me coming back to this series is the Prickle Island zoo setting and the way the author treats the siblings (there are 7) individually. I appreciate the representation that we find in each book; they truly feel inclusive!

Despite this book being full of cute and comedic moments, there were also heartfelt scenes where I actually teared up. These books are never one dimensional.

For me, the pacing of the love story was a little off. In parts it felt drawn out, yet rushed in others.

All in all, this was a quick, refreshing read and I look forward to the next one!

[Pandora · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an adorable story filled with the loveable but chaotic Lachlan family and their zoo. I love that Dove is unafraid to speak her mind and the banter between her and Deacon is hilarious and adorable. The many D&D references were also a perfect little addition to this friends to frenemies to lovers story. Their childhood history together and the fact they know each other so well just makes it even more beautiful.

[Kristie Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely fantastic! I've loved following the lives of the Lochlan siblings so far, and Dove is no exception! She's thrown for a loop when her childhood best friend and current Hollywood star Declan comes to the island to film a movie.

Dove has hated Declan for years, despite holding him in her heart. She can't believe he's here and hopes to avoid him altogether. Of course, that'll never happen. Especially with the meddling of her family. Dove finds herself tangled up in the filming of Declan's movie, but also with a new charity he's started for endangered species.

I laughed so much and cried during this, and I cannot wait for the next one!

[Shazz · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolute page turner. Once again the Lachlan family have invited us in, made us laugh and shown us a hopeful, inspiring and funny adventure in Dove and Deacon. Prickle Island Series has me captured and this was my first 5 star read for 2025.

[Leelee Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each prickle island book just gets better and better!

From the start you could feel the tension from Dove and deacon seeping off the pages in this second chance romcom , with all the family shenanigans and hilarious moments mixed in with some steamy bits this series is becoming a top 5 favourite

[Meggie Gold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Ali for an early copy of Crocodile Tears 💕

I’ve been waiting for this one! Dove has always been a fave Lachlan and I loved getting to see her story (and backstory) with Deacon unfold.

[Gen · Rating 3 out of 5]

"She wasn’t the one that got away—she was the one who could’ve been but never was."

3.5⭐

I'm a little bit disappointed again unfortunately. The first two books in the Prickle Island Zoo series absolutely won me over with their ridiculous charm and adorable romances. The seven hardworking siblings with a really heart warming back story and the goal of one day owning their zoo outright was such a fun idea for an interconnected series following each of the siblings as they found their true loves. But the last two books in this series have felt a little bit lack lustre compared to the first two. Crocodile Tears follows the fourth oldest sibling in the Lachlan family, Dove - she's nerdy, a bit alternative and demisexual, so she's always been unsure she would ever find someone who she connected with enough to want a relationship with. With dreams of one day leaving Prickle Island to do something other than zookeeping, I was really interested to see what her story was like, and from the spoilers we got at the end of Party Animal I thought the storyline of her falling for her childhood best friend turned famous heart throb and movie star, Deacon Harrow, would be so cute, and it was, but it just didn't capture my heart the way I hoped it would.

This was a friends to lovers, second chance romance and in the past I have absolutely loved those tropes, paired with the glitz and glamour of Hollywood celebrity stardom juxtaposed with Dove's hands on, dirty work as a zookeeper I was hoping we would get a bit of a "best of both worlds" type romance here but in the end this just felt a bit one-dimensional. I loved the beginning of this book and there were many parts of it that I found very entertaining. The premise of Dove asking Deacon for help with fundraising so they could own their zoo, him using the zoo as a location for the movie he was starring in and him signing to a brand which mistreated resources due to consumerism and threatened a breed of skinks, and this causing Dove to go no contact with him just before he was meant to arrive, are all such fascinating and unique ways to create tension between the two main characters. I liked that we got to see Deacon becoming more true to himself, at the start he is barely holding onto the version of himself that really cared about other people, the version that Dove knew when they were just kids. We saw that he was getting tugged in a million different directions as his name became more of a brand than about what he personally wanted from his life and how much he wants to regain control, and we can see that he will do just about anything to win Dove over again. There were some really adorable moments where his true self started to shine through again, caring for Dove when she needed him, knowing her better than anyone else, and the way he grovels for her to accept him back were all very romantic and won me over. Plus, I loved getting to see how all of the other siblings are doing as well, getting to catch up on their lives after their books have finished is so amazing.

Unfortunately, I did find the pacing in this book was a little bit off and the depth of the characters just wasn't really there. The build up to Dove and Deacon getting together took almost 75 percent of the book and then all of a sudden they were professing their love for each other. And while I could see their friendship rekindling beautifully, I just didn't really feel their romantic chemistry as much as I would've hoped - since Dove is demisexual I think this aspect should've been a real stand out of the story, but it just wasn't for me sadly. Then of course with all the drama at the end it all felt a bit too rushed and disingenuous for me. The fact that Cory had so maliciously dragged Dove and Deacon's relationship through the mud and revealed that Deacon had slept with Dove's rival zookeeper from the Madigan family should've been more shocking but instead it just felt brushed over and very easily resolved in the end. I wish we'd gotten to see some of their flashbacks on the page to see how close they were as kids instead of the small mentions that basically felt like inside jokes we only got a brief glimpse at. I wish we'd seen more of Deacon opening up about what he really wants from his life and celebrity status, more of him leaning back into song writing and singing, maybe a few scenes of him picking up the guitar again for her. And mostly I wish we'd seen more deep and meaningful's between the love interests, because for the most part they just felt like old friends who found each other attractive and not two people falling in love.

Overall, I still love this series and will definitely keep reading them, but I just wish the same depth and care that went into She's A Keeper and Easy Tiger had been shown here - I think this story had the perfect base for that to happen but it just wasn't quite executed right in my opinion. I think I just found this romance and the characters a little too superficially developed in this book unfortunately, and yet underneath that I could see just how amazing this book could've been with a little bit more coaxing. I am interested to see what happens in the next book, I believe Heron will be the main character and I am excited to see their journey, and I will have all my fingers and toes crossed that it sparks that emotion in me that I am missing from this series, that we used to have at the beginning. I still absolutely recommend this series for anyone looking for something light hearted and easy reading!

[Jillsbooknook · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 💫

“Sometimes I really, really, wish I could hate you…But I don’t and I never have. You’ve always just been you to me.”

Crocodile Tears is the fourth installment in the romance comedy series, Prickle Island Zoo. Each novel is an interconnected standalone so you do not need to read them in order but it would enhance the experience. Written in dual first person POV, the series follows the Lachlan family and their family run zoo; this next story follows Dove, a self proclaimed bird nerd and Deacon, a hot actor and musician who also was a childhood friend of Dove coming back into her life.

In a desperate attempt to save her family zoo, Dove reaches out to Deacon after over a decade of no communication. What she didn't anticipate was that this would entail Deacon bringing a film crew to film at the zoo for their next big blockbuster...oh and that she would have to be around Deacon. Meanwhile Deacon sees it as the perfect opportunity to save his public media image and also reconnect with the girl that got away.

With wild animals, a film set wreaking havoc, and old feelings rekindling will these two find a connection built to last or will the past continue to keep them apart?

This was such a sweet and easy read.

Dove has a passion to support animal activism and it fuels her every action. She also struggles to see what a catch she is because of it. I loved seeing her come to realize her power and to be supported by so many people that see her greatness.

Deacon is a wealthy actor but he is feeling the weight of the job, especially his agent and publicist breathing down his neck with new jobs. Yet he never forgot Dove and I loved seeing him try to use the past interests like D&D and animals to connect. He truly is trying to give his all but sometimes can blunder.

“If ever there was such a thing as soulmates, he was mine.”

In terms of spice I would place this novel at 2 spicy peppers out of 5 spicy peppers. Spice doesn't appear until the second half of the book and you get a couple scenes. I appreciated how we got time to learn these characters before things escalated, especially given the fast timeline to begin with. I felt their connection and feelings so clearly as they fell in love so when the spice happened it was perfect. Spice is explicit and detailed with a bit of urgency because for a long they've been hiding these feelings and I loved it. The connection between these two makes everything work so well together.

The story itself is more character driven than any deep plot. Deacon is filming at the zoo and in order to keep connected to Dove he seeks out her help to fix his image. Dove grapples with her feelings about Deacon while also helping the Lachlan family prepare for the arrival of her brother's first kid. There are still fun zoo shenanigans and family banter (let's just say the other Lachlan kids can see from a mile away what is happening here). The romance hits hard with yearning and feelings. My only note is that the timeline is very fast and I wished there was more time between things. The ending was sweet with the perfect come together and an adorable epilogue.

As always, this series is just perfect for an evening with a cup of tea, a cat, and a warm blanket! Crocodile Tears is no exception.

Thank you to the author for this arc!

[Sherley's Reading Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

*𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4.0 ⭐
*𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥: 3.0 🌶️

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

🆀🆄🅸🅲🅺 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂
Though 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 is part of the 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒍𝒆 𝑰𝒔𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒁𝒐𝒐 series, it can be read as a standalone and that is exactly what I did, and I enjoyed it so much!

Dove and Deacon were so cute together. I loved that they had been two nerdy childhood friends who were living in their own world during the summers. They loved DND (Dungeons & Dragons) and being outside and hanging out at the zoo growing up. Years later, Deacon is now a big superstar actor but his friendship with Dove is in the dumps. In this story, we see how they deal with each other after being forced to be around each other, fifteen years after last seeing each other, when Deacon comes to shoot a movie at the zoo.

This book was a cute, lighthearted read, with loveable and well-developed characters—a sweet romantic comedy. Dove and Deacon’s chemistry was off the charts. I was there for their angsty interactions before they both admitted that they had romantic feeling for each other and gave in to their true feelings. The whole time I was reading I was thinking, these two just get each other and belong together. No one else they have ever been with got them and accepted them for who they truly were like they did for each other. Best Friends to loves / Childhood friends to lovers are my favorite romance tropes so this book was really an enjoyable read.

The third-act breakup was expected, and I had no issue with it as it did not seem like it came out of nowhere, but I am happy that it was not drawn out too long because in my view, these two, having been friends since 12-years-old, were really made for each other and I’m glad they got a second chance at love with each other.

Not only did I enjoy Dove and Deacon’s story, but I also really liked the secondary characters (Dove’s siblings, her mom, her bestie Hannah). I laughed so much with the scenes her family members were in. The siblings’ funny banters and them making fun of each other and their discussions about their mom and her obsession with getting grandbabies was funny and so relatable.

Overall, this was a good read, and I look forward to going back to read the previous books (especially Hawk and Hannah’s story). I am also excited for what’s to come in the series.

𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞: How cute was it that Hawk and Hannah named their son Simon in memory of their dad. Man, that scene really tugged at my heartstrings, and I became a bubbling mess like Dove was with Deacon during the scene.


✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

🆆🅷🅰🆃 🆃🅾 🅴🆇🅿🅴🅲🆃
🐅 Childhood Best Friends
🐊 Enemies to Lovers
🦜 LGBTQIA+ Rep
🐕 Forced Proximity
🐅 Second Chance Romance
🐊 She’s a Zookeeper
🦜 He’s a Super Star Celebrity
🐕 They love DND
🐅 Slow Burn
🐊 Lots of Funny Family Banter

🅵🅰🆅🅾🆁🅸🆃🅴 🆀🆄🅾🆃🅴🆂/🆂🅰🆈🅸🅽🅶🆂
🐅 “She wasn’t the one that got away—she was the one who could’ve been but never was.”
🐊 “Deacon was a drug I craved and a pill I couldn’t swallow all at the same time.”
🦜 ��I can’t just let you go. There’s just no world where you and I weren’t meant to be together.”

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

* 𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 & 𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝑳𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒂 5.0 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒆

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Wow, we are already at book number four!

Ever since Dove was introduced as a nerdy, DnD enthusiast zookeeper, I have been (im)patiently waiting for her story. From the moment this quote was mentioned in book one - “Dove leans on social media and being online and everywhere but in her actual body” - I knew that she was going to be one of my favourite characters of the series, alongside Lark.

Dove and Deacon’s love story is a gorgeous childhood friends-to-enemies-to-lovers romance. Theirs is a story of heartfelt moments, righting your teenage regrets and a second chance at a connection that not even Hollywood can keep apart. I loved the development of both characters, with Dove coming out of her shell, learning to trust again and how to keep true to herself under the spotlight. And Deacon, how shallow he had become, and how he acknowledged that and worked on improving himself so he was a man worthy of Dove. Don’t even get me started on how he kept the coin she found as a necklace (swooning brb).

The filming of a movie on the island, the Sea Pearl cottage and the off-island excursions were all welcome inclusions in this installment. All of these additions ensured that the book didn’t feel stale, given it is the fourth book set on the same small island about the same family. Of course, there are always gorgeous animal companions to love in these stories, and in this book it was Eddie the toucan, Doris and Clyde the crocodiles, and surfer-vibes Garrett the Llama.

I actually love this book so much - the banter between the characters and hearing all about their backstory as best friends was just so wholesome. If I had to pick out anything I didn’t like, it’s really only things that are personal preference. I’m never a fan of miscommunication between love interests, but thankfully Mulford always resolves it pretty quickly.

As always, Mulford’s writing is witty and a breeze to read. This was such an easy and fun read, and I will be eagerly awaiting the release of book five and beyond! 🐊

Thank you to the author and publisher for sending me an ARC of ‘Crocodile Tears’. All opinions shared in this review are my own.

[Moe Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4 🌟
Spice: 🌶

Crocodile Tears is a charming, heartwarming romance and the next in Prickle Island zoo series. Everyone needs to get amongst this family and their antics 🤣

The story follows Deacon and Dove, childhood best friends who reconnect when the zoo turns into a film set for his latest hollywood movie. This all happens as Dove amidst her passion for animal activism and his struggle with public image, creating delightful tension that drives both their personal growth and their relationship.

It was a good mix of sweet, slow-burn romance with a touch of spice that built up naturally, making their emotional connection feel authentic and impactful. I loved how Deacon slowly knocked back Dove's walls with her interests like the animals, but also D&D! The nerd in me just screams for joy whenever I see my interests brought into the books I read 🤣.

The dynamic of Dove learning to appreciate her worth and Deacon trying to balance his career and personal life added a lot of depth to their interactions.

I also loved and appreciated when Ali wrote all the lighthearted moments with family banter and zoo antics because that family is everything and made it even more enjoyable to read. The only aspect that I felt lacked was that the timeline felt rushed. However, the payoff in the end made up for it.

If you're a fan of character-driven romance with a touch of humour and warmth, Crocodile Tears is the perfect choice for a relaxing evening read!

Thank you to Ali for letting me read this ARC! I love supporting and reviewing Australian authors, and she is such a dynamo in her field!

[Bookish Selkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crocodile Tears is the latest installment in the Prickle Island Zoo series by Ali K. Mulford. This story follows Dove, who is furious to discover that her childhood friend Deacon is back in her life. Once the best of friends, Deacon became a famous movie star and they lost touch. When Deacon’s new movie takes him to the zoo, Dove and Deacon are forced to reconnect. As they work with the zoo animals, can Deacon and Dove get back to who they once were?

I love this series! Any trip to Prickle Island Zoo is a joyful and delightful time. Mulford writes the best sibling relationships and I loved the cameos of all the previous stories. I especially loved seeing Hannah & Hawk and Frankie & Finch. Dove has such strong bonds to the zoo and to her family, which makes her feel protective of them when Deacon arrives. Deacon is a golden retriever kind of guy, who has made some bad life decisions due to his advisers. Prickle Island Zoo works its magic and he starts to realize that there’s more to life than fame. Mulford writes outstanding queer rep, including demisexuality.

Readers who love complex sibling relationships, former-friends-to-lovers, and adorable zoo animals should check out Crocodile Tears. I love this series and can’t wait to read the next installment!

Thank you to Ali K. Mulford for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jodie Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ Crocodile Tears was another fantastic episode in the Lachlan family shenanigans with a second chance romance between Dove and her childhood best friend.

All of the Prickle Island Zoo books have been such delightfully romantic, easy to read books which take you away from life for awhile.

Each story makes you feel like one of the family sharing all the emotions, the giggles and the banter.

Crocodile Tears was a little slower, with a little less spice helping to keep the focus on the complications of a childhood friendship lost to the years being reluctantly rekindled in the spotlight of stardom. I really enjoyed this, it was nice to slow the pace after three super quick fall-hard-and-fast romances in previous books.

I am still surprised that this zookeeper romcom series has captured my whole heart as a fantasy reader who doesn’t like romance books… but this author has all the magic needed to engage and excite me to read everything they write.

I will forever recommend the Prickle Island Zoo series and cannot wait to find out which Lachlan sibling will be finding romance next.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the teasers in the previous book, I hadn't expected to like this one as much. I'm glad to have been wrong - I enjoyed this quite a bit!
It may not be my favourite story or pairing in the series so far, but I'm not sorry in the least to have read it, and would gladly do so again.

I can definitely agree with what some other reviewers have said so far regarding pacing - it did seem a bit fast at times. Especially the obligatory "breakup" - it hits pretty late in the book and is a bit of a blink and you miss it whirlwind.
But I'll also say it didn't really bother me all that much. I devoured this one pretty quick, and didn't really realize things felt fast until it was over.

I also wish the crocodiles played a slightly bigger role in the story, but that feels a bit like a silly nitpicky thing to say. The reason for the title still becomes apparent.

Also: BABIES! I love that we get a glimpse at more of the siblings' babies in the last chapter! I'm excited to see more, especially of Finch and Frankie's!

I was given a copy by the publisher (thank you!) and all opinions are my own.

[Carriebooksandart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you @akmulford for a chance at an early read of Crocodile Tears. This is book 4 of the Prickle Island Zoo series. Did this story make me laugh so hard that I snorted? Ummm Yes! Did scenes in this book make water escape from my eyeballs? Yes, yes it did! Dove is such a strong willed character. I love how ruffled she would get around Deacon. There is a point in this book, during a certain bird release, that her sarcasm was so on point. Deacon surprised me a bit. I thought at first he would be a major snob, but welcome Mr. Heartthrob! I’ve enjoyed so much of the family ties in the Prickle Island Zoo series, that I do not want this series to ever end… can we just keep it going? A new book every couple of months. Some updates on the family? If my math is correct, there are still 3 family members left at the zoo????? Hint… Hint…Crocodile Tears is set to release on January 21st. If you haven’t read any of the books from this series, just order them all together. Hide away for a weekend and enjoy! Be prepared to laugh and have those tissues on hand.

[Kell X · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here we can follow Dove, a zookeeper in a small island that ends up reuniting with her long lost best friend when he goes to the island to film one of his movies. She hates him, for several reasons, but is forced to interact with him in so many ocasions.
Deacon is a movie star, and a big one. He goes to Dove's zoo so he can help her. But she surely gives him a hard time. And although he knows he deserves it, he can't help but want more. He wants what they had before, and so much more.
I couldn't help but love Dove. All that black cat energy, sarcasm and witty retorts made me laugh in several moments. And I really think that the author balanced her precicely with Deacon, a really happy and sweet man, who brought the light to her dark.
As I've said before they complemented and balanced each other out and made the story much more fun and endearing at the same time.
I really liked the interaction between all of Dove's sibling and their partners. It showed a strong and united family with so much love for one another. And we ended up liking them almost as much as the main characters.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first line I knew this was going to be a page turner & it did not disappoint!!

“I never thought I’d want to murder someone for sending me a fruit basket, but movie star Deacon Harrow might make me change my mind”.

The comedic banter between Dove & Deacon had me in giggling fits out loud in public & Dove’s self talk was hilarious & relatable!

“Think of the skinks, Dove”.

It was a beautiful feel good read of Dove & Deacon’s friendship, dissension, their growth blooming into a romance with a happily ever after.

I love the Lachlan family. Ali K. Mulford writes them so beautifully that you are drawn into their family & feel like you’re apart of it & feel protective of each character. This is one of my favourites series. I can’t wait to return to Prickle Island Zoo - oh how I wish you were a real place.

I was lucky enough to receive an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Psyckers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crocodile Tears works a little slower than previous books from the author, but no less nuanced, character dynamics perfected, complete with emotional baggage that you can relate too.
Here is a story of love that is on, then off, then on, with both characters involved totally unaware of each others desires, with the Prickle Island family knowing it was only inevitable, so why not prod them into the right direction.
The author makes a great habit of making huge twists in the books that turns the tables over the whole plot, and this time round you find yourself wondering, how can the lovers pull it around this time. Its a real doosie and one that makes you think, now that is why celebrity relationships never last.
This is certainly a slow burn but a real page turner. Get involved in this book and you will never regret it it. This is quite possibly a masterclass in character development.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I liked:

The nerdy friendship between Dove and Deacon when they were pre-teens was sweet and made me want to learn why their friendship dissolved and how their new lives intersect.

I enjoy the cameos from siblings and their partners from books earlier in the series and this story provides a lot. The siblings are all so different yet support each other always.

Another thing I appreciate is the inclusion of conservation and endangered species messages. The way zoo animals are worked into the storyline is always a hoot.

What didn’t work for me:

The end felt a bit rushed and I wanted to see more of the chemistry between Dove and Deacon before the conflict.

Overall this is a solid installment in the Prickle Zoo series and is very much in line with the style of the previous books.

I received this book for free from the author and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[thebookishstephanie]

Crocodile Tears is the fourth instalment of the Prickle Island Zoo series, wherein we follow Dove Lachlan, keeper of the birds, as she deals with the consequences of begging her former best friend turned movie star to save her family's business.

I think this is my favourite book so far in this series! I love coming back to the zoo and following a new family member each time, with all the former stars making their own appearances.

Dove does not want to be friends with Deacon. She even deleted her social media so she wouldn't have to see him living his life as a big movie star. But the banter between these two is delicious as Deacon wriggles his way back into Dove's life.

It's the story of adults with adult emotions and responsibilities, and I love it.

A big thank you to Ali for an e-arc, all opinions are my own.

[Katie Peck · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Star⭐️/2🌶️

I truly loved this book so much and it really is such a good tie in with the other books in this series. They can definitely be read as stand alone novels, but you get SO much more back story about the Prickly Island Zoo if you read them in order.

I love both Dove (FMC) and Deacon (MMC) and their aDORKableness story! It was very unique in every way and I even learned something new about the LGBTQIA+ community through reading this book. I love how the author literally represents EVERY single sexuality in all of her series that I have read. She does it in a way to help you understand different sexualities in an easy manner!

I love the Lachlan family and the zoo that they keep treasured to their family. I love the evolution of the zoo as the siblings find their own love and have their own children. I can't wait for the next book in the series!

[Kathleen Kimpton · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven’t read any of the Prickle island Zoo series yet you’re truly missing out. This is the 4th book in the series and it follows Dove and Deacon who were once childhood friends who haven’t seen each other for years. Deacon has lost his way a little as his star has risen to fame but he’s returned to help Dove save the zoo and hopefully win the woman he’s been infatuated with for years.

Of course that’s never quite as easy as one first thinks, so it’s time for Deacon to step up and rise to the occasion.

There’s also plenty of antics from all of the Lachlans and the animals at the zoo. If you’re looking for a heart warming read filled with hilarious moments then this series is for you. I can’t wait for the next book to come out in the series so I can spend some more at Prickle Island Zoo with the Lachlans.