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Sweet & Stocky #1
Cubs & Campfires
A cozy summer romance with low angst and high heat.
Luca Torres, struggling journalism graduate, never meant to take a vow of celibacy. It was just a dumb idea from a job interview gone wrong. He never thought they’d approve the article. Or make his future career conditional on delivering it.
Now, with no choice but to steer clear of temptation for the summer, he takes the most isolated job he can find: a fire lookout in the rural and picturesque mountains of Washington State.
However, his goal becomes much harder with the arrival of the husky and flirtatious Artair Osmond, a musician and wilderness enthusiast who takes up camp nearby. Now he must decide what he really desires: the career at the prestigious newspaper, or the big, bearded bear he can’t get out of his head.
Cubs & Campfires is a sweet and spicy romance about chunky men, cozy woods, and cuddles under starlight.
Luca Torres, struggling journalism graduate, never meant to take a vow of celibacy. It was just a dumb idea from a job interview gone wrong. He never thought they’d approve the article. Or make his future career conditional on delivering it.
Now, with no choice but to steer clear of temptation for the summer, he takes the most isolated job he can find: a fire lookout in the rural and picturesque mountains of Washington State.
However, his goal becomes much harder with the arrival of the husky and flirtatious Artair Osmond, a musician and wilderness enthusiast who takes up camp nearby. Now he must decide what he really desires: the career at the prestigious newspaper, or the big, bearded bear he can’t get out of his head.
Cubs & Campfires is a sweet and spicy romance about chunky men, cozy woods, and cuddles under starlight.
256 pages, Paperback
First published August 25, 2024
655 people are currently reading
3043 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 476 reviews
June 1, 2025
Reread 06/2025
Lovely. Sex positive. Different. Heartwarming.
Now I'm ready for the sequel.
-----------------
4,25 stars rounded up to 5.
It's been a while since I had such a huge smile on my face while reading.
Lovely and beautifully written, with (lots of) sex in between almost poetic descriptions of nature, heart warming hugs and cuddles.
I've never read anything like this before.
I loved the body positivity so much! The focus on the alluring body parts of bigger men was unique, full of joy and awesome to read.
There wasn't much space for depth or character development, but both MCs were plenty awesome already, there was no drama to push through for them.
Can't wait for the sequel...
Lovely. Sex positive. Different. Heartwarming.
Now I'm ready for the sequel.
-----------------
4,25 stars rounded up to 5.
It's been a while since I had such a huge smile on my face while reading.
Lovely and beautifully written, with (lots of) sex in between almost poetic descriptions of nature, heart warming hugs and cuddles.
I've never read anything like this before.
I loved the body positivity so much! The focus on the alluring body parts of bigger men was unique, full of joy and awesome to read.
There wasn't much space for depth or character development, but both MCs were plenty awesome already, there was no drama to push through for them.
Can't wait for the sequel...
November 7, 2024
An extremely strange book. Really good but with such a completely different mixture of poetic, sometimes dreamlike narration, super adorable characters and wild sex scenes that I've never read before.
Also, the cover is a pretty good representation of the two of them, so if you're not in the mood for bear-like men, steer clear.
What intrigued me for the first half of the book was actually the writing style or storytelling. We have one perspective, that of Luca, who is a journalist spending his summer in the mountains writing a story. So for a good part of the story, you are occupied with the thoughts of a writer and these digress quite readily and occasionally turn poetic. But it's very light, so nothing melancholy or anything like that, it's almost as if you don't even notice that he's rambling on forever in sentences about nature.
Or about the wanderer he can't get out of his head and about his body. Yes, the details about the advantages of Artair's body are quite frequent.
The book is a bit sex-heavy, although there aren't actually that many sex scenes, but since the main theme of the story is sex anyway, it's quite prominent. However, I had fun even if it was a bit too much for me, but I still decided to give it five stars because I think the concept behind this story should be honored and I really loved the writing style.
Here's a little something to spice things up for you:
“You like it when a stranger finds you ass up like this, you little slut? Begging for a raw load in your fuck hole?”
Luca groaned hard at the unexpected filthiness, drifting off into the land of long-explored fantasy. Because somehow Artair just knew what that fantasy was—how he could send Luca into another plane of pleasure.
The way he could switch from sweet and caring to nasty and ferocious was volcanically hot. It was the perfect combination. The sexiest trait you could find in a man: a kitten in public and a hellcat in the bedroom. 😳😳😳
Also, the cover is a pretty good representation of the two of them, so if you're not in the mood for bear-like men, steer clear.
What intrigued me for the first half of the book was actually the writing style or storytelling. We have one perspective, that of Luca, who is a journalist spending his summer in the mountains writing a story. So for a good part of the story, you are occupied with the thoughts of a writer and these digress quite readily and occasionally turn poetic. But it's very light, so nothing melancholy or anything like that, it's almost as if you don't even notice that he's rambling on forever in sentences about nature.
Or about the wanderer he can't get out of his head and about his body. Yes, the details about the advantages of Artair's body are quite frequent.
The book is a bit sex-heavy, although there aren't actually that many sex scenes, but since the main theme of the story is sex anyway, it's quite prominent. However, I had fun even if it was a bit too much for me, but I still decided to give it five stars because I think the concept behind this story should be honored and I really loved the writing style.
Here's a little something to spice things up for you:
“You like it when a stranger finds you ass up like this, you little slut? Begging for a raw load in your fuck hole?”
Luca groaned hard at the unexpected filthiness, drifting off into the land of long-explored fantasy. Because somehow Artair just knew what that fantasy was—how he could send Luca into another plane of pleasure.
The way he could switch from sweet and caring to nasty and ferocious was volcanically hot. It was the perfect combination. The sexiest trait you could find in a man: a kitten in public and a hellcat in the bedroom. 😳😳😳
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October 10, 2024
RATING 3.5 STARS
Cubs & Campfires is book one in the Sweet & Stocky series by Dylan Drakes. This is my very first book by this author. I loved the cover and the blurb sounded so adorable. This is actually a difficult review to write. While as the blurb says, it’s sweet and spicy, low angst and loveable characters, it felt like there was a lot of repetition with the descriptive words. And although I love the steamy scenes in my romance books, eventually I started skimming them in this. The ending was super cute though so I’m so glad I stuck with it.
The year is 2005. Luca Torres has his shiny journalism degree and no one wants to hire him. The things he wants to write about cannot be printed in any magazine or newspaper. He’s at an interview and as a last ditch effort, pitches an idea that would require him to be celibate for an entire summer and to write about it. No kissing, no nothing! To insure his success, Luca takes a job as a fire lookout far out in the middle of nowhere where he’s sure not to see another human being for the entire three months. But surprise!
Artair Osmond is twenty four years old. He lives his life on his own terms, going from one place to another, doing odd jobs, playing his guitar and experiencing new things. Now he’s on the same mountain as Luca and as soon as they meet, he knows he’s staying.
These two have that instant spark, or instant lust! But Luca needs to keep his distance. He has to succeed at staying celibate. He needs this job! Can he survive Artair’s flirting though?! Not to mention, Artair is probably the sexiest man he has ever seen!
I loved the setting of this book. It sounds so beautiful up there in the mountains of Washington State. And you are going to meet the most adorable little fox that thinks he’s a dog! And yes, there are plenty of sweet moments. And some character growth as these two try to figure out what they really want out of life. But, as a whole, I just never really connected to them like I would have liked. I am rounding up the rating to four stars just because they were loveable and the ending was great! But I don’t think I will continue the series.
“If all the forest was full of sexy men, I’d still be spending my days with you, Luca Torres.”
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Cubs & Campfires is book one in the Sweet & Stocky series by Dylan Drakes. This is my very first book by this author. I loved the cover and the blurb sounded so adorable. This is actually a difficult review to write. While as the blurb says, it’s sweet and spicy, low angst and loveable characters, it felt like there was a lot of repetition with the descriptive words. And although I love the steamy scenes in my romance books, eventually I started skimming them in this. The ending was super cute though so I’m so glad I stuck with it.
The year is 2005. Luca Torres has his shiny journalism degree and no one wants to hire him. The things he wants to write about cannot be printed in any magazine or newspaper. He’s at an interview and as a last ditch effort, pitches an idea that would require him to be celibate for an entire summer and to write about it. No kissing, no nothing! To insure his success, Luca takes a job as a fire lookout far out in the middle of nowhere where he’s sure not to see another human being for the entire three months. But surprise!
Artair Osmond is twenty four years old. He lives his life on his own terms, going from one place to another, doing odd jobs, playing his guitar and experiencing new things. Now he’s on the same mountain as Luca and as soon as they meet, he knows he’s staying.
These two have that instant spark, or instant lust! But Luca needs to keep his distance. He has to succeed at staying celibate. He needs this job! Can he survive Artair’s flirting though?! Not to mention, Artair is probably the sexiest man he has ever seen!
I loved the setting of this book. It sounds so beautiful up there in the mountains of Washington State. And you are going to meet the most adorable little fox that thinks he’s a dog! And yes, there are plenty of sweet moments. And some character growth as these two try to figure out what they really want out of life. But, as a whole, I just never really connected to them like I would have liked. I am rounding up the rating to four stars just because they were loveable and the ending was great! But I don’t think I will continue the series.
“If all the forest was full of sexy men, I’d still be spending my days with you, Luca Torres.”
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
November 12, 2024
If I didn’t already know this is written by a man, I’d have guessed it based on how different the vibe of this book is compared to the ones written by women.
It’s… something else. It’s the story of Luca, an aspiring journalist, who strikes a deal with a reputable newspaper to be celibate for the summer and write an article about it. To remove himself from temptation, Luca takes the job of a “fire guard” in the middle of nowhere, living in a tower on top of a mountain, all by himself.
And then there’s Artair, the epitome of a traveller, never one to settle down, living (and loving) life outside of “civilised expectations” - no phone, no regular job, just himself and his guitar, only ever settling down for a few months at a time.
It was… strange. I loved the writing, the beautiful poetic, lyrical vibe. It was almost like watching a movie, getting a glimpse into a world that’s so far off my “real” life as it gets: no expectations, no rules, just living each day as it comes. It’s not a life I personally would crave, but it was… relaxing, reading about it. But BECAUSE it’s been so different, I felt like looking at it from the outside, without being able to fully immerse myself in it like I do with other books.
I mean… I know it sounds strange. I’ve been known to “live” inside of fantasy novels, monster romances, space operas, cowboy pastures and all kinds of traumatic or idyllic sceneries that have NOTHING to do with my normal life.
But here, I felt a bit detached. No idea why, maybe because I couldn’t quite get into the whole “furry, sweaty, stocky mid twenties vibe” Luca and Artair represented.
I still loved it, but I was very clearly NOT the target group this author addressed 😅
A quote to better explain what I meant:
And all of that was set against pure man. His ginger pubes were untrimmed and wild, encasing a set of big balls, heavy with lust. Even from here, Luca could smell the man underneath, musty and reeking of full nuts.
I mean… it’s not all sex ofc, but at the same time, it’s also a huge part of why they’re attracted to each other 🧸🧸
Still, I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who needs an escape from real life ❤️
It’s… something else. It’s the story of Luca, an aspiring journalist, who strikes a deal with a reputable newspaper to be celibate for the summer and write an article about it. To remove himself from temptation, Luca takes the job of a “fire guard” in the middle of nowhere, living in a tower on top of a mountain, all by himself.
And then there’s Artair, the epitome of a traveller, never one to settle down, living (and loving) life outside of “civilised expectations” - no phone, no regular job, just himself and his guitar, only ever settling down for a few months at a time.
It was… strange. I loved the writing, the beautiful poetic, lyrical vibe. It was almost like watching a movie, getting a glimpse into a world that’s so far off my “real” life as it gets: no expectations, no rules, just living each day as it comes. It’s not a life I personally would crave, but it was… relaxing, reading about it. But BECAUSE it’s been so different, I felt like looking at it from the outside, without being able to fully immerse myself in it like I do with other books.
I mean… I know it sounds strange. I’ve been known to “live” inside of fantasy novels, monster romances, space operas, cowboy pastures and all kinds of traumatic or idyllic sceneries that have NOTHING to do with my normal life.
But here, I felt a bit detached. No idea why, maybe because I couldn’t quite get into the whole “furry, sweaty, stocky mid twenties vibe” Luca and Artair represented.
I still loved it, but I was very clearly NOT the target group this author addressed 😅
A quote to better explain what I meant:
And all of that was set against pure man. His ginger pubes were untrimmed and wild, encasing a set of big balls, heavy with lust. Even from here, Luca could smell the man underneath, musty and reeking of full nuts.
I mean… it’s not all sex ofc, but at the same time, it’s also a huge part of why they’re attracted to each other 🧸🧸
Still, I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who needs an escape from real life ❤️
October 7, 2024
DNF @ 90%
Bookstagram is a lie and I want the months I waited for this book back.
The cover is the best part.
ETA: I had a whole rant but decided it’s not worth it lol.
Bookstagram is a lie and I want the months I waited for this book back.
The cover is the best part.
ETA: I had a whole rant but decided it’s not worth it lol.
March 2, 2025
Well and truly in my Bear-era. Somewhere I never expected to be. And unsure if it’s really for me. This was far too cozy and poetically erotic for me but kudos to the author for bringing out something a bit quirky and embracing abundantly chunky thighs.
Gardening…they are GARDENING here 😆
”Luca’s arms shook from the exertion. He and Artair had been at it for hours now, with neither showing any signs of slowing. Because neither wanted to be the one to admit that their knees were too sore or their asses too aching. The wet mound yielded under his constant digging, his steely tool gripped firmly between stout fingers. Every thrust into the tender, squelching hole elicited drips down its sun-warmed sides. It was the perfect environment for Luca to sow his ample seed—deep and fertile.”
Gardening…they are GARDENING here 😆
”Luca’s arms shook from the exertion. He and Artair had been at it for hours now, with neither showing any signs of slowing. Because neither wanted to be the one to admit that their knees were too sore or their asses too aching. The wet mound yielded under his constant digging, his steely tool gripped firmly between stout fingers. Every thrust into the tender, squelching hole elicited drips down its sun-warmed sides. It was the perfect environment for Luca to sow his ample seed—deep and fertile.”
September 11, 2024
⭐️ 3.5 stars ⭐️
Cubs & Campfires was super adorable.
I loved the forest setting, the tranquility, the serenity, the sweet friendship turning into something more.
Luca and Artair were both cute and cuddly, sweet teddy bears just enjoying nature and each others company.
The writing was melodic and witty, but also sexy and romantic and passionate.
This was a very light and summery romance, full of sexy times between two sexy men and campfire cuddles.
CW and tropes (spoilers):
- Low angst
- a fox named Bowie that thinks he’s a dog
- Vers MCs
- Coming hands-free
- Rimming
« My plan was to spend the summer without a man, completely and utterly celibate..
Thankfully, I failed. »
Cubs & Campfires was super adorable.
I loved the forest setting, the tranquility, the serenity, the sweet friendship turning into something more.
“Okay, I’m going to need you to be about fifty percent less cute?”
“You first”
Luca and Artair were both cute and cuddly, sweet teddy bears just enjoying nature and each others company.
The writing was melodic and witty, but also sexy and romantic and passionate.
This was a very light and summery romance, full of sexy times between two sexy men and campfire cuddles.
“You are everything, Artair”
CW and tropes (spoilers):
- Low angst
- a fox named Bowie that thinks he’s a dog
- Vers MCs
- Coming hands-free
- Rimming
September 30, 2025
I don't know what I could say beyond I really didn't enjoy reading this one. The suspension of disbelief is too far sometimes. Plus, it desperately needed another Beta reader.
August 18, 2024
The book is adorable.
I have done some research on the author's work, I have seen that he has a book of poetry, especially because the style of Cubs and Campfires is not poetic, because it is prose, but you can see part of that poetic style in the narrative. Especially in the description of landscapes and feelings of the protagonists.
Luca is a journalist looking for his place in the publishing world, he is known for writing articles about sexual experiences. In a job interview, he proposes a series of articles about the opposite, to lead a life of celibacy, for that he goes to the middle of nowhere to work in a fire lookout tower in a forest.
One day Artair shows up at the tower, leading a bohemian lifestyle, with his guitar, no phone, no email and a lot of charm.
It is not at all a book full of drama, on the contrary, it is adorable, funny, full of spicy scenes, love and acceptance for the body in all its shapes and sizes.
I can't wait to read the next one.
Here comes the personal part, which no one needs to read.😉 I have cried a lot with the book because I have always had problems with the space my body occupies, there have been hard times (nothing serious) but there are traumas, so reading that two men who are happy with the size of their body and do not need to lose weight to feel good and loved, has touched my soul.
I have done some research on the author's work, I have seen that he has a book of poetry, especially because the style of Cubs and Campfires is not poetic, because it is prose, but you can see part of that poetic style in the narrative. Especially in the description of landscapes and feelings of the protagonists.
Luca is a journalist looking for his place in the publishing world, he is known for writing articles about sexual experiences. In a job interview, he proposes a series of articles about the opposite, to lead a life of celibacy, for that he goes to the middle of nowhere to work in a fire lookout tower in a forest.
One day Artair shows up at the tower, leading a bohemian lifestyle, with his guitar, no phone, no email and a lot of charm.
It is not at all a book full of drama, on the contrary, it is adorable, funny, full of spicy scenes, love and acceptance for the body in all its shapes and sizes.
I can't wait to read the next one.
Here comes the personal part, which no one needs to read.😉 I have cried a lot with the book because I have always had problems with the space my body occupies, there have been hard times (nothing serious) but there are traumas, so reading that two men who are happy with the size of their body and do not need to lose weight to feel good and loved, has touched my soul.
September 10, 2024
✨ARC REVIEW✨
Cuteness overload.
Yes to chunky furry sexy men finding love in the wilderness!
This story was so sweet and so hot. It's set in the early 2000 which made me lol because I was just out of college and I remember the feeling of being young and free, with ambitions and dreams, no the crumbly old goblin I am now. Luca, a journalist who writes candidly about sex (gay sex, something that might be kind of ok now, but 20 years ago was a big no no) has to stay celibate for a summer in order to write an article and get the job of his dreams. I loved the subtle dig at normativity there. So he takes a job at a fire watch tower in a remote location in the woods. You'd think it'd be easy, as there won't be many dudes around to bang, right?
Wrong! Enter Artair, aka Red Bear, a hot chunky redhead who captures Luca's attention (and dreams lol).
What follows is both of them falling in love surrounded by nature -which is described so beautifully- and accompanied by a cute fox.
This book was so gentle and soft and lovely. They are cute together, and it's an ode to thick thighs, furry bellies, finding your own way out of what's expected and loving without boundaries.
Loved it!
Cuteness overload.
Yes to chunky furry sexy men finding love in the wilderness!
This story was so sweet and so hot. It's set in the early 2000 which made me lol because I was just out of college and I remember the feeling of being young and free, with ambitions and dreams, no the crumbly old goblin I am now. Luca, a journalist who writes candidly about sex (gay sex, something that might be kind of ok now, but 20 years ago was a big no no) has to stay celibate for a summer in order to write an article and get the job of his dreams. I loved the subtle dig at normativity there. So he takes a job at a fire watch tower in a remote location in the woods. You'd think it'd be easy, as there won't be many dudes around to bang, right?
Wrong! Enter Artair, aka Red Bear, a hot chunky redhead who captures Luca's attention (and dreams lol).
What follows is both of them falling in love surrounded by nature -which is described so beautifully- and accompanied by a cute fox.
This book was so gentle and soft and lovely. They are cute together, and it's an ode to thick thighs, furry bellies, finding your own way out of what's expected and loving without boundaries.
Loved it!
September 5, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️🌶️. A big warm bear hug. This book was very cozy and sweet. Dylan describes it as sweet and spicy. It delivers on that. I loved the body positivity and big boy rep.
I expected the celibacy to last a little longer and more tension around the article. Those were the main drawbacks of the book.
I expected the celibacy to last a little longer and more tension around the article. Those were the main drawbacks of the book.
January 18, 2025
2.5 stars ...
This was cute but very superficial ...
and so much of the dialogue was
embarrassingly cringe! 😬
This was cute but very superficial ...
and so much of the dialogue was
embarrassingly cringe! 😬
July 14, 2025
The sweetest and coziest romance novel I've read this year, and by far my favorite MM read of 2024 so far.
September 13, 2024
DNF 40%. (after several breaks and new attempts).
If there's something I really love in this world, it's bears. Therefore, I'm terribly frustrated that I couldn't enjoy this book. There are two main reasons for this :
1. The writing style has a terrible tendency to break a sentence into several short sentences, each of them separated by a full stop but with only one verb somewhere. It's like some ideas have been broken down with bullet points and then the small paragraph is built while just removing the line breaks.
It's a stylistic device that usually works well in the case of the rhetorical figure of gradation, for example :
I was tired.
Just exhausted.
Dead.
In this novel it's used without any other purpose than to break sentences in a very choppy style, and it's not used once or twice in the whole book but whole pages are written like that in some chapters. I've never read something that annoying.
"He would tell him, of course.
Eventually.
When the time was right."
5 sentences later :
"he'd thought about visiting him again. Thought about slipping on the familiar leather of his boots (...). Toward company and conversation and finding out more about (...).
And every single day, he'd forced himself to write instead. To hike in the opposite direction from the river cabin. To engage honestly (...). To speak on desire (...).
Like why, despite knowing everything (...).
Like why, despite lucking out (...).
(+ 3 Like why) "
(and it starts again with another chopped sentence, and again!)"
2. Most of the "plot" developments are just introduced under the most absurd justifications. The first chapter, in particular, is terribly bad, but that concerns every chapter I've read. Even some dialogues sounded forced.
3. The narrator (23 y.o.) is presented as a guy who needs a hook-up every night but he "had endured his fill of men hardening when they discovered what he did for a living". (still 23 y.o.) (and the job is sex columnist)...
The second MC has a completely bland personality.
The third MC is a wild but apparently domesticated fox, because you know you need a cute animal in a romance but cats and dogs have been done already.
4. In their early twenties, we speak of cubs, not bears.
The only thing I liked in this book is the physical description of the MCs, but even that was sometimes a bit repetitive.
If there's something I really love in this world, it's bears. Therefore, I'm terribly frustrated that I couldn't enjoy this book. There are two main reasons for this :
1. The writing style has a terrible tendency to break a sentence into several short sentences, each of them separated by a full stop but with only one verb somewhere. It's like some ideas have been broken down with bullet points and then the small paragraph is built while just removing the line breaks.
It's a stylistic device that usually works well in the case of the rhetorical figure of gradation, for example :
I was tired.
Just exhausted.
Dead.
In this novel it's used without any other purpose than to break sentences in a very choppy style, and it's not used once or twice in the whole book but whole pages are written like that in some chapters. I've never read something that annoying.
"He would tell him, of course.
Eventually.
When the time was right."
5 sentences later :
"he'd thought about visiting him again. Thought about slipping on the familiar leather of his boots (...). Toward company and conversation and finding out more about (...).
And every single day, he'd forced himself to write instead. To hike in the opposite direction from the river cabin. To engage honestly (...). To speak on desire (...).
Like why, despite knowing everything (...).
Like why, despite lucking out (...).
(+ 3 Like why) "
(and it starts again with another chopped sentence, and again!)"
2. Most of the "plot" developments are just introduced under the most absurd justifications. The first chapter, in particular, is terribly bad, but that concerns every chapter I've read. Even some dialogues sounded forced.
3. The narrator (23 y.o.) is presented as a guy who needs a hook-up every night but he "had endured his fill of men hardening when they discovered what he did for a living". (still 23 y.o.) (and the job is sex columnist)...
The second MC has a completely bland personality.
The third MC is a wild but apparently domesticated fox, because you know you need a cute animal in a romance but cats and dogs have been done already.
4. In their early twenties, we speak of cubs, not bears.
The only thing I liked in this book is the physical description of the MCs, but even that was sometimes a bit repetitive.
dnf
September 4, 2024DNF. Unfortunately I was expecting something from this book that wasn't delivered. And maybe that's on me. But the writing was messy, perhaps because it was a POV that I really dislike. In the end I just could not connect with the characters. Shame as I was looking forward to reading this. Still love the cover though.
August 31, 2024
Hands down, the best romance that I have ever read.
March 31, 2025
I have to tell you that for me reading a book about gay bears is FUCKING difficult, because I get horny immediately, and of course, it's complicated to continue reading. But, take that away and I found a very nice reading, though intense and HOT. Maybe I would like it to be less obvious about the sex situations, but, that's the novel plot, and I haven't complained ;))
August 25, 2024
God damn that was hot as fuck. This is what I’ve been looking for in cozy romance. This specifically. I loved. I need 20 more books just like it. I love it. It was amazing.
August 28, 2024
A very sweet and steamy story about fat men with thick thighs. And it’s by a gay man which is what I want for my m/m romances.
March 5, 2025
Ok, I admit it. I bought this book because of the cover. I’m not sure I wouldn’t have bought it anyway, but two sexy bears and camping. Anyway, I just liked it ok.
I listened to this as an audiobook and that’s the only reason I finished it. Victor Quixabas is a new narrator for me, but he’s excellent. I loved the story, and the sex was really hot. My biggest problem was the writing style. For me, it was just too flowery and there is too much telling. It seemed like every description contained metaphors or similes. I did love Artair and Luca, but not staying together in the cabin after they got together seemed strange.
I enjoyed the author’s note at the end and will check out the other books by Dylan Drake.
I listened to this as an audiobook and that’s the only reason I finished it. Victor Quixabas is a new narrator for me, but he’s excellent. I loved the story, and the sex was really hot. My biggest problem was the writing style. For me, it was just too flowery and there is too much telling. It seemed like every description contained metaphors or similes. I did love Artair and Luca, but not staying together in the cabin after they got together seemed strange.
I enjoyed the author’s note at the end and will check out the other books by Dylan Drake.
October 3, 2024
i received an arc of this book, here are my thoughts ~
okay so this wasn’t bad but it’s not my favorite. i thought it was going to be super fluffy and cute but it was a straight up erotica (which is fine), i’m just genuinely not a person who can read erotica recently. so it just overall caught me by surprise.
definitely a good book if you are wanting erotica!
okay so this wasn’t bad but it’s not my favorite. i thought it was going to be super fluffy and cute but it was a straight up erotica (which is fine), i’m just genuinely not a person who can read erotica recently. so it just overall caught me by surprise.
definitely a good book if you are wanting erotica!
September 8, 2024
While struggling to find work in journalism after college, Luca Torres gets the opportunity of a lifetime. Luca is known for writing incredible sex positive articles but that doesn’t quite jive with the mainstream. The Seattle Gazette offers him an opportunity to write a feature for their Sunday Supplement. Luca will forego sex in all forms and document the experience.
Not willing to pass up this opportunity, Luca applies to work in a remote fire watch tower in the picturesque mountains of Washington State. A perfect way to avoid sexy bears and get some writing done.
Of course things don’t go quite to plan and Luca runs into Artair Osmond…a sexy beefy ginger who is planning to camp nearby for the summer.
Can Luca maintain his vow of celibacy to write his article or will the strange pull he feels to this Red Bear spell the downfall of his career aspirations?
So the author has billed this for MONTHS as a “Sweet and Spicy” romance. And boy is it. Luca and Artair are very cute together; they laugh and joke and are silly but really feel sweet together. The spice is next level. This book in unapologetically sex positive (as it should be). I did end up skimming past some of the sex scenes but that’s a personal taste thing and there was nothing objectionable about the quantity or quality of the scenes.
One of my favorite parts of the book was obviously Bowie, the odd dog-like fox that hangs out with Artair. Who doesn’t want to snuggle with a big silly fox?!
Having also ARC read Drakes’ first book Our Satyr Prince it was a real joy to watch his writing level up in his second. His first book wasn’t lacking in content or character development or interest but the prose felt elevated and honestly beautiful at points here (and then there would be a crass (hilarious) joke about a cock, so, ya know. Brace yourself lol)
All-in-all I think this is a lovely start to this little cozy chonky boy romance series that Drakes is writing and it has a deep and important message that all people are beautiful. You’re not lesser because you weigh more. As a chubby ace man in his thirties, sometimes I still need to hear that.
Thank you to Dylan Drakes for providing me with a free ARC copy of this book to review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Not willing to pass up this opportunity, Luca applies to work in a remote fire watch tower in the picturesque mountains of Washington State. A perfect way to avoid sexy bears and get some writing done.
Of course things don’t go quite to plan and Luca runs into Artair Osmond…a sexy beefy ginger who is planning to camp nearby for the summer.
Can Luca maintain his vow of celibacy to write his article or will the strange pull he feels to this Red Bear spell the downfall of his career aspirations?
So the author has billed this for MONTHS as a “Sweet and Spicy” romance. And boy is it. Luca and Artair are very cute together; they laugh and joke and are silly but really feel sweet together. The spice is next level. This book in unapologetically sex positive (as it should be). I did end up skimming past some of the sex scenes but that’s a personal taste thing and there was nothing objectionable about the quantity or quality of the scenes.
One of my favorite parts of the book was obviously Bowie, the odd dog-like fox that hangs out with Artair. Who doesn’t want to snuggle with a big silly fox?!
Having also ARC read Drakes’ first book Our Satyr Prince it was a real joy to watch his writing level up in his second. His first book wasn’t lacking in content or character development or interest but the prose felt elevated and honestly beautiful at points here (and then there would be a crass (hilarious) joke about a cock, so, ya know. Brace yourself lol)
All-in-all I think this is a lovely start to this little cozy chonky boy romance series that Drakes is writing and it has a deep and important message that all people are beautiful. You’re not lesser because you weigh more. As a chubby ace man in his thirties, sometimes I still need to hear that.
Thank you to Dylan Drakes for providing me with a free ARC copy of this book to review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 28, 2024
This book should be mandatory reading for every upcoming chonky gay kid. I have never read something that was so body positive and made me feel not only at ease, but SEXY in my bigger skin. I won't lie, it was also extremely horny, but what a treat to feature big boys in the spotlight. I hung on Drakes' every word, and was a willing prisoner to his beautiful and moreish prose to the very end. My only bad thing was at 250ish pages, I didn't get to spend more time with Luca and Artair.
August 27, 2024
Fun, good sex scenes and some lovely touching scenes.
Just maybe a little too many descriptions of asses and too many metaphors for sex! They got a bit tedious.
Just maybe a little too many descriptions of asses and too many metaphors for sex! They got a bit tedious.
August 21, 2025
Cubs and Campfires had its fair share of hot moments for sure but it got kinda repetitive and with each "round" got less effective haha... the edging on the first 40 percent or so golly I got so involved hahahaha! the story was passable for what this was aiming to be i guess... when I'm up to reading spice again will definitely check the sequel rawr just love bears
December 16, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up
Super sweet, super cute, super chonky, super spicy
Only complaint is that there are a LOT of places that a question mark is used when it should be a period - enough that it pulled me out of the story.
Super sweet, super cute, super chonky, super spicy
Only complaint is that there are a LOT of places that a question mark is used when it should be a period - enough that it pulled me out of the story.
February 16, 2025
Content warnings: implied homophobia. I think that's all?
Look, I wanted to love this. I really did. I love that the author is all "I want to write books about men who look like me and who still get to fall in love and live happily ever after and no one ever wants them to change the way they look". It's fabulous.
But I...had issues with this. First of all, I feel like the whole idea of Luca writing a piece about being celibate for a summer would have been wildly uninteresting to read if it was like "I was asked to be celibate and that seemed hard so I ran away to the woods for three months to avoid all human contact". Just...have him take the job because he's got writer's block and he needs solitude to work through it but he also needs money? Like, yeah, the column is an excuse for him to not immediately fall into bed with Artair, but given that he pretty quickly gives up on the whole idea of the column and falls into bed with Artair anyway, it just...felt unnecessary.
All of that being said, I actually did like the romance between Luca and Artair. It was sweet and charming and the banter between them was great. What I *did* have a problem with the romance was two fold:
1. Why, for the love of God, is there never any lube? Like, I understand you didn't come into the woods expecting to have sex all the damn time. Fine. Surely you have cooking oil at the very least?!
2. If I had to read the words girth, veiny, beefy, bulge, or foreskin again, I was going to scream
And finally, there IS such a thing as using too much alliteration and too many adjectives:
"In one booty bounce, Artair was promptly beside him, beefy bicep to beefy bicep."
"Even from here, Luca could smell the man underneath, musty and reeking of full nuts."
"Normally, Artair liked to draw things out. But Luca's touch was so expert, so focused on his task that soon Artair was gasping and moaning and spraying a screaming torrent of virility ten feet across the mountain top."
Like...it's a lot. And for a book that's described as a cosy romance, there are truly excessive quantities of fluids. At one point, one of them ejaculates "gallons". And, like, yeah, sure, it's hyperbole. But GALLONS? PLURAL??? It's a penis, not a fire hydrant. Also, please for the love of God, don't describe a penis as "a brick" or "a slab" because both of those visual pictures are horrifying.
Look, I wanted to love this. I really did. I love that the author is all "I want to write books about men who look like me and who still get to fall in love and live happily ever after and no one ever wants them to change the way they look". It's fabulous.
But I...had issues with this. First of all, I feel like the whole idea of Luca writing a piece about being celibate for a summer would have been wildly uninteresting to read if it was like "I was asked to be celibate and that seemed hard so I ran away to the woods for three months to avoid all human contact". Just...have him take the job because he's got writer's block and he needs solitude to work through it but he also needs money? Like, yeah, the column is an excuse for him to not immediately fall into bed with Artair, but given that he pretty quickly gives up on the whole idea of the column and falls into bed with Artair anyway, it just...felt unnecessary.
All of that being said, I actually did like the romance between Luca and Artair. It was sweet and charming and the banter between them was great. What I *did* have a problem with the romance was two fold:
1. Why, for the love of God, is there never any lube? Like, I understand you didn't come into the woods expecting to have sex all the damn time. Fine. Surely you have cooking oil at the very least?!
2. If I had to read the words girth, veiny, beefy, bulge, or foreskin again, I was going to scream
And finally, there IS such a thing as using too much alliteration and too many adjectives:
"In one booty bounce, Artair was promptly beside him, beefy bicep to beefy bicep."
"Even from here, Luca could smell the man underneath, musty and reeking of full nuts."
"Normally, Artair liked to draw things out. But Luca's touch was so expert, so focused on his task that soon Artair was gasping and moaning and spraying a screaming torrent of virility ten feet across the mountain top."
Like...it's a lot. And for a book that's described as a cosy romance, there are truly excessive quantities of fluids. At one point, one of them ejaculates "gallons". And, like, yeah, sure, it's hyperbole. But GALLONS? PLURAL??? It's a penis, not a fire hydrant. Also, please for the love of God, don't describe a penis as "a brick" or "a slab" because both of those visual pictures are horrifying.
September 14, 2024
Horrible
It was obvious the author thought they were writing funny banter but it wasn’t funny at all. The main character just goes on and on with useless scenes for the first 20% honestly it was so boring! That’s why I quit reading the book, I was so bored!
It was obvious the author thought they were writing funny banter but it wasn’t funny at all. The main character just goes on and on with useless scenes for the first 20% honestly it was so boring! That’s why I quit reading the book, I was so bored!
June 30, 2025
(4.5⭐️)
This was such a cozy and comforting read, full of sweetness and spice in the perfect amounts. This was a novel full of whimsical and fantastical prose, from the descriptions of the land and lush surroundings our characters found themselves in to the descriptions of their bodies and thoughts. It felt like Lucas and Artair were in their own world separate from reality, where storms were magical beings bringing them together, campfires licked their skin with comfort, a mischievous fox became their companion, the trees sang their music for their entertainment and two souls found each other in the intimate and quiet moments. Low-stakes, no third act break-up, and spice that will have your cheeks turning rosey in one sentence, what more could you ask for?
This was such a cozy and comforting read, full of sweetness and spice in the perfect amounts. This was a novel full of whimsical and fantastical prose, from the descriptions of the land and lush surroundings our characters found themselves in to the descriptions of their bodies and thoughts. It felt like Lucas and Artair were in their own world separate from reality, where storms were magical beings bringing them together, campfires licked their skin with comfort, a mischievous fox became their companion, the trees sang their music for their entertainment and two souls found each other in the intimate and quiet moments. Low-stakes, no third act break-up, and spice that will have your cheeks turning rosey in one sentence, what more could you ask for?
November 2, 2024
This was absolutely adorable and I loved the pet fox. 🥰
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