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On the Line
Growing up in high society, James Ferdinand never imagined that one day she'd end up working as a server. But after her authoritative father gives her the ultimatum she needs to find a quick way to support herself since she's unwilling to give up on her dreams. The answer is landing a job at Orso, a fine-dining restaurant in the heart of Marsford Bay.
Between learning to navigate the grind of restaurant life, trying not to cry in the walk-freezer, and rebuilding her life, there is only one silver lining—a line cook that seems to always make her shifts a little easier whether it be with a cheeky grin or a delicious mid-shift snack.
Ozzy McKenna, the tattooed jester with a Casanova reputation, is immediately smitten and makes it his mission to charm the new girl. But James isn't ready for anything serious, having just broken up with her abusive long-term boyfriend.
Their attraction, however, is undeniable. James proposes they become friends with benefits; making a deal to hide their arrangement from their coworkers at Orso.
However, despite their best efforts to keep it casual, things inevitably begin to change.
All they need to do is get out of their own way.
Contains mature themes.
Between learning to navigate the grind of restaurant life, trying not to cry in the walk-freezer, and rebuilding her life, there is only one silver lining—a line cook that seems to always make her shifts a little easier whether it be with a cheeky grin or a delicious mid-shift snack.
Ozzy McKenna, the tattooed jester with a Casanova reputation, is immediately smitten and makes it his mission to charm the new girl. But James isn't ready for anything serious, having just broken up with her abusive long-term boyfriend.
Their attraction, however, is undeniable. James proposes they become friends with benefits; making a deal to hide their arrangement from their coworkers at Orso.
However, despite their best efforts to keep it casual, things inevitably begin to change.
All they need to do is get out of their own way.
Contains mature themes.
Audible Audio
First published March 7, 2024
887 people are currently reading
13911 people want to read
About the author
Naomi Loud
11 books546 followersWriter, occasional poet, and full-time witch, Naomi Loud is known for her angsty and heartfelt stories. Whether it be dark romance or contemporary, she loves to explore the complexities of the human condition and find the common thread that connects us all. Naomi lives in Montreal, Canada, with her husband and three cats, but secretly wishes she could live underwater.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,710 reviews
July 7, 2024
4.5⭐️ these characters were like a breath of fresh air I loved them sm
March 10, 2024
I have never been happier reading a book.
100000/5 stars.
everyone read this for me? K thanks
Although it was an adorable romance, in classic Naomi fashion there is heavy subjects (SA not by MMC, abusive boyfriend, drug/alcohol addiction and more)
READ THIS
100000/5 stars.
everyone read this for me? K thanks
Although it was an adorable romance, in classic Naomi fashion there is heavy subjects (SA not by MMC, abusive boyfriend, drug/alcohol addiction and more)
READ THIS
April 4, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ ill never be able to eat a snickers the same way again.
March 14, 2024
For fucks sake this one was steamy in the best way. It started out pretty slow for me, I almost DNF'd, but I'm glad I didn't. This took me back to the 20 year old me.. except the line cook I dated was an asshole. 😂
Ozzy, the line cook is a cocky, slightly vulgar, tattooed male with a pack a day habit and a hint of alcoholism. 😅 He is so damn caring, though. His love language is cooking for her. 🥹
This book comes off in a funny, lighthearted way, but I think this gives a real voice to how it actually feels to be a victim of r*pe and SA. The fear of telling someone. How it's going to affect people's outlook on you. How it can tear apart your life.
James was in an abusive relationship.. If you know, you know... She spent a lot of time feeling insecure and vulnerable.
Ozzy helped James grow and find herself again. Made her feel safe and wanted 💜 The found family, the love!! I'm swooning over this unsuspecting 5 ⭐️ read
Ozzy, the line cook is a cocky, slightly vulgar, tattooed male with a pack a day habit and a hint of alcoholism. 😅 He is so damn caring, though. His love language is cooking for her. 🥹
This book comes off in a funny, lighthearted way, but I think this gives a real voice to how it actually feels to be a victim of r*pe and SA. The fear of telling someone. How it's going to affect people's outlook on you. How it can tear apart your life.
James was in an abusive relationship.. If you know, you know... She spent a lot of time feeling insecure and vulnerable.
Ozzy helped James grow and find herself again. Made her feel safe and wanted 💜 The found family, the love!! I'm swooning over this unsuspecting 5 ⭐️ read
March 11, 2024
DNF 45%
it was over for me when they did coke together 🫠
it was over for me when they did coke together 🫠
October 2, 2024
four/five stars.
she stuck a snickers bar up her 🤫🤭 and he ate it in front of her boyfriend.
that’s it. that’s all.
kink warnings:
- somnophilia
trigger warnings:
- r***
- verbal abuse
she stuck a snickers bar up her 🤫🤭 and he ate it in front of her boyfriend.
that’s it. that’s all.
kink warnings:
- somnophilia
trigger warnings:
- r***
- verbal abuse
March 8, 2024
*thank you to Good Girls PR and the author for an arc copy in exchange for my honest review*
“I like how your brain works, Jimbo.”
Anyone who knows me knows Naomi’s writing in general, just meshes so well with my brain and personal reading taste. This book however, is special. James’ character arc in particular really hit home for me. Her inner monologues truly felt like I was reading my own thoughts.
“I continue to experience life through the distorted lens of my past.”
This story follows James, who comes from money but leaves it all behind when her father insists she change career paths. She gets a waitress job at Orso, where she meets line cook Ozzy. Who *immediately* becomes enamored by her. They enter a friends with benefits situation, but Ozzy plans to win her over for real.
Listen, when I tell y’all this book is so horny, I mean that shit. There is so much TENSION. And the smut?? Good lord. So hot. And the way Naomi takes a more taboo kink and made it a healing moment for James?! *chefs kiss*
I really loved the tension in this, I mean I’m a hoe for friends with benefits anyway, but this is just done sooooo well. Ozzy was patient, consistent, and so fucking filthy when he needed to be.
“Maybe fucking a slutty line cook is exactly what you need.”
“I like how your brain works, Jimbo.”
Anyone who knows me knows Naomi’s writing in general, just meshes so well with my brain and personal reading taste. This book however, is special. James’ character arc in particular really hit home for me. Her inner monologues truly felt like I was reading my own thoughts.
“I continue to experience life through the distorted lens of my past.”
This story follows James, who comes from money but leaves it all behind when her father insists she change career paths. She gets a waitress job at Orso, where she meets line cook Ozzy. Who *immediately* becomes enamored by her. They enter a friends with benefits situation, but Ozzy plans to win her over for real.
Listen, when I tell y’all this book is so horny, I mean that shit. There is so much TENSION. And the smut?? Good lord. So hot. And the way Naomi takes a more taboo kink and made it a healing moment for James?! *chefs kiss*
I really loved the tension in this, I mean I’m a hoe for friends with benefits anyway, but this is just done sooooo well. Ozzy was patient, consistent, and so fucking filthy when he needed to be.
“Maybe fucking a slutty line cook is exactly what you need.”
March 9, 2024
I think this would have been higher for me had there not been a recreational cocaine scene (it felt unnecessary and gave me the ick considering other aspects of the characters) and the somnophilia scene (with her history of IPV and rape while she was sleeping this also gave me the ick).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2024
proofreading🫶🏽
March 12, 2024
That snickers scene did not disappoint.
While I loved what we saw from Ozzy and James, it felt a little surface level. At the beginning I had no idea why they were so into each other, and their progression seemed choppy at times. I liked reading about Ozzy’s background and family struggles but James’ was more or less forgotten. There was a bit about how she got to where she was and her horrible boyfriend, but there was so much more I wish was unpacked. Also, I wasn’t a huge fan of some of the choices made in this book like the casual drug use but that’s just a personal preference. This was a nice romance with lots of fun spicy scenes but not as enjoyable as some of their others books. Plus I loved the easy representation this book had.
While I loved what we saw from Ozzy and James, it felt a little surface level. At the beginning I had no idea why they were so into each other, and their progression seemed choppy at times. I liked reading about Ozzy’s background and family struggles but James’ was more or less forgotten. There was a bit about how she got to where she was and her horrible boyfriend, but there was so much more I wish was unpacked. Also, I wasn’t a huge fan of some of the choices made in this book like the casual drug use but that’s just a personal preference. This was a nice romance with lots of fun spicy scenes but not as enjoyable as some of their others books. Plus I loved the easy representation this book had.
March 8, 2024
“You were good, I was waiting for you to be great” but honestly that doesn’t even describe it. Woooo buckle in this is a long one y’all, I have a lot of feelings.
I was stoked for this book, who doesn’t love a line cook especially in the era of Jeremy Allen White and the Bear?? The smut is so good, and I’ll be honest this author is a good writer, but that’s about it.
We have a poor little rich girl (James, 23) who has to start paying for her own college after changing majors. She moves out of her parent’s opulent mansion with her Louis Vuitton luggage and art supplies into a friend’s cousin’s apartment who conveniently needs a roommate. Said roommate is never to be seen again in this book, he literally does not exist. She also has to *gasp* get a job in a few months because her TRUST FUND money is likely to stop coming through. Somehow she waltzes into a fancyish restaurant and gets a job on the spot. James also has a rich abusive boyfriend who let his friend SA’d her months prior. (Side note: the Zon really needs to make books open earlier than the prologue bc I missed these trigger warnings). Obviously that is horrific and I hate that our FMC is dealing with this, but it feels like it only served to give James some depth that she is SEVERELY lacking.
Our MMC, Ozzy 26 (age deduced from a random comment about the fact that they would have been 15 and 18 if they had met in high school) is the oldest sibling in a legitimately poor family and he is essentially the parent to his 3 younger siblings. Their mother is in jail and their father is an alcoholic. So he’s been working his ass off for a long time and dealing with a LOT of shit. He’s also a “typical” food service worker who parties, sleeps around casually, and is a hot head during service. I say this with love as someone who worked in restaurants lol.
So they come from very different worlds and Ozzy mentions this multiple times throughout the book. At one point, she’s at her parents for her birthday party wearing designer clothes and being sad about her life while he is catering the event.
Short of explaining the whole plot of the book, I can’t understand how or why these two end up together other than the fact that it’s a romance novel and they are the main characters. Like I really do not understand why Ozzy would change his ways or fall for her because she’s so caught up in her own shit and he is dealing with much bigger issues.
To be fair, maybe I just find James too unrelatable to like. When I was 23, I was working at a restaurant and a hair salon and going to school full time so I don’t really feel bad for her! That sounds so boomer “back in my day!!!” Of me but I just found myself constantly rolling my eyes at her words and behavior because it was so out of touch. James has clearly never given a shit about service industry people and how they are treated until she was one. I just don’t think she needed to be a trust fund baby for this scenario to work.
I wanted a hot messy romance of a slutty line cook and a server and instead got a rich girl cosplaying as poor and a slutty line cook taking shreds of decency from her while f*cking her 6 ways to Sunday.
I was stoked for this book, who doesn’t love a line cook especially in the era of Jeremy Allen White and the Bear?? The smut is so good, and I’ll be honest this author is a good writer, but that’s about it.
We have a poor little rich girl (James, 23) who has to start paying for her own college after changing majors. She moves out of her parent’s opulent mansion with her Louis Vuitton luggage and art supplies into a friend’s cousin’s apartment who conveniently needs a roommate. Said roommate is never to be seen again in this book, he literally does not exist. She also has to *gasp* get a job in a few months because her TRUST FUND money is likely to stop coming through. Somehow she waltzes into a fancyish restaurant and gets a job on the spot. James also has a rich abusive boyfriend who let his friend SA’d her months prior. (Side note: the Zon really needs to make books open earlier than the prologue bc I missed these trigger warnings). Obviously that is horrific and I hate that our FMC is dealing with this, but it feels like it only served to give James some depth that she is SEVERELY lacking.
Our MMC, Ozzy 26 (age deduced from a random comment about the fact that they would have been 15 and 18 if they had met in high school) is the oldest sibling in a legitimately poor family and he is essentially the parent to his 3 younger siblings. Their mother is in jail and their father is an alcoholic. So he’s been working his ass off for a long time and dealing with a LOT of shit. He’s also a “typical” food service worker who parties, sleeps around casually, and is a hot head during service. I say this with love as someone who worked in restaurants lol.
So they come from very different worlds and Ozzy mentions this multiple times throughout the book. At one point, she’s at her parents for her birthday party wearing designer clothes and being sad about her life while he is catering the event.
Short of explaining the whole plot of the book, I can’t understand how or why these two end up together other than the fact that it’s a romance novel and they are the main characters. Like I really do not understand why Ozzy would change his ways or fall for her because she’s so caught up in her own shit and he is dealing with much bigger issues.
To be fair, maybe I just find James too unrelatable to like. When I was 23, I was working at a restaurant and a hair salon and going to school full time so I don’t really feel bad for her! That sounds so boomer “back in my day!!!” Of me but I just found myself constantly rolling my eyes at her words and behavior because it was so out of touch. James has clearly never given a shit about service industry people and how they are treated until she was one. I just don’t think she needed to be a trust fund baby for this scenario to work.
I wanted a hot messy romance of a slutty line cook and a server and instead got a rich girl cosplaying as poor and a slutty line cook taking shreds of decency from her while f*cking her 6 ways to Sunday.
March 22, 2024
casual coke sniffing that doesn't bring anything to the story line anyone?
James massively lacked any kind of depth. Ozzy gave off wanna-be 2012 tumblr vibes.
It had such good potential but my god the lack of everything really took over. I really wanted to love it but it did feel very fan-fiction.
James massively lacked any kind of depth. Ozzy gave off wanna-be 2012 tumblr vibes.
It had such good potential but my god the lack of everything really took over. I really wanted to love it but it did feel very fan-fiction.
October 1, 2024
I'll never eat Snickers ever again.
dnf
June 20, 2025Dnf at 37%
I just think this is not the book for me.
Spoilers/trigger warning:
- The FMC is in an abusive relationship
- She was SA by someone off-page in the past
- She has anxiety and panic attacks
- She gets intimate with the MMC while still technically with her abusive boyfriend
- The MMC has a drunk for a father, who leaves his other kids alone and neglected
I just think this is not the book for me.
Spoilers/trigger warning:
- The FMC is in an abusive relationship
- She was SA by someone off-page in the past
- She has anxiety and panic attacks
- She gets intimate with the MMC while still technically with her abusive boyfriend
- The MMC has a drunk for a father, who leaves his other kids alone and neglected
March 1, 2025
“But I’ll tell you every minute of every fucking day that I love you if it means I can keep you forever.”
This should probably be read if you don't want anything too serious.
This book was so cute except for the snickers part especially how excited Ozzy was in hearing James call him his boyfriend 😭♥️
The cute recipe section at the end of the book was the cherry on top!!! The serving suggestions were hilarious.🤭🎀
I have never heard of the name Ozzy before It's very unique. Why did he have to call her Jimbo though🤣🤣
This should probably be read if you don't want anything too serious.
This book was so cute except for the snickers part especially how excited Ozzy was in hearing James call him his boyfriend 😭♥️
The cute recipe section at the end of the book was the cherry on top!!! The serving suggestions were hilarious.🤭🎀
I have never heard of the name Ozzy before It's very unique. Why did he have to call her Jimbo though🤣🤣
March 12, 2024
if i could give infinite stars i would oh my god i love this book with everything in me 😭😭
March 13, 2024
4.5⭐️ This book hit me in the gut!! If you’ve ever worked in a restaurant this book encapsulates the experience PERFECTLY. I really resonated with this book and really appreciated reading it.
The characters in this book reminded me of real people. They were written really well. Ozzy especially reminded me of people I grew up with. Complex people with tough backgrounds but who have hearts of gold and are fiercely loyal. James was wonderful and her healing journey was done responsibly with lots of respect. I liked seeing her learn to trust and love again and heal in various ways. As much as this book is emotional there is some really great kink as well 😌 ozzy being a complete simp over James was everything I needed. I love a good switch and Ozzy was able to be bossy with candy bars but also had no trouble getting on his knees when demanded GAHHHH SO FUCKIN GOOD!!
I do wish we got a little more of a conclusion with Ozzy’s family I felt like the sibling situation could’ve ended with more impact somehow? Overall I really connected with this book and really enjoyed it! Thank you to Good Girls PR for the eARC.
The characters in this book reminded me of real people. They were written really well. Ozzy especially reminded me of people I grew up with. Complex people with tough backgrounds but who have hearts of gold and are fiercely loyal. James was wonderful and her healing journey was done responsibly with lots of respect. I liked seeing her learn to trust and love again and heal in various ways. As much as this book is emotional there is some really great kink as well 😌 ozzy being a complete simp over James was everything I needed. I love a good switch and Ozzy was able to be bossy with candy bars but also had no trouble getting on his knees when demanded GAHHHH SO FUCKIN GOOD!!
I do wish we got a little more of a conclusion with Ozzy’s family I felt like the sibling situation could’ve ended with more impact somehow? Overall I really connected with this book and really enjoyed it! Thank you to Good Girls PR for the eARC.
March 11, 2024
“Yes, chef.”
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Contemporary romance
Line cook x Server
Former rich girl x Play boy
Friends with benefits
He falls first
Character development
Dirty talk (praise and degradation)
Exhibitionism / voyeurism
Toy play
Quickies
Backdoor action
CNC
Somnophilia
Crawling
It was an absolute honor to work with Naomi on this book as part of her alpha team. A million thank yous are not enough.
James is trying to become independent after her rich parents cut her off financially for switching majors and following her passion. She gets a job as a server, and meets Ozzy, the slutty line cook. The tension runs high, but they agree on being friends with benefits, right when Ozzy is determined to change his ways and let go of the playboy image.
James, my beautiful crying, emotional angel. She’s come a long way by the end of this book, the character development is perfection. She is no longer a pushover and she knows what she wants, both in her love life and in the bedroom. I love a good woman-finds-her-voice story and this was it. Ozzy, phew that man is unreal. He cooks for her. He challenges her. He is perfect for her. And he is head over heels for her from the beginning and I just LOVE a simp. I was kicking my feet the whole damn time. There are so many cute moments where I laughed out loud, but the real star of the show is the spice. Holy hell it was insane. So many kinks and all done to perfection. This is Naomi’s hottest book yet, trust me on this.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Contemporary romance
Line cook x Server
Former rich girl x Play boy
Friends with benefits
He falls first
Character development
Dirty talk (praise and degradation)
Exhibitionism / voyeurism
Toy play
Quickies
Backdoor action
CNC
Somnophilia
Crawling
It was an absolute honor to work with Naomi on this book as part of her alpha team. A million thank yous are not enough.
James is trying to become independent after her rich parents cut her off financially for switching majors and following her passion. She gets a job as a server, and meets Ozzy, the slutty line cook. The tension runs high, but they agree on being friends with benefits, right when Ozzy is determined to change his ways and let go of the playboy image.
James, my beautiful crying, emotional angel. She’s come a long way by the end of this book, the character development is perfection. She is no longer a pushover and she knows what she wants, both in her love life and in the bedroom. I love a good woman-finds-her-voice story and this was it. Ozzy, phew that man is unreal. He cooks for her. He challenges her. He is perfect for her. And he is head over heels for her from the beginning and I just LOVE a simp. I was kicking my feet the whole damn time. There are so many cute moments where I laughed out loud, but the real star of the show is the spice. Holy hell it was insane. So many kinks and all done to perfection. This is Naomi’s hottest book yet, trust me on this.
March 21, 2024
So so fresh…
There’s something about this book that was unlike anything I’d ever read, and that’s saying something.
📕 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: On the Line by Naomi Loud
📙 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: Standalone
📗 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀: E-book on Kindle. 🆓 on KU.
📘 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Contemporary romance
📔 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: Dark romance aesthetic, opposites attract, all of the tension, yes chef, Jeremy Allen White coded (the Bear AND Shameless), found family.
📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: James changes her major to her passion of painting, and her rich family disowns her. Stuck with no money, she learns the ropes at Oreo, a fine dining restaurant with a line cook whose turquoise eyes always find hers.
🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: I almost have no choice but to rate this a five.
It had a unique storyline, unforgettable characters, spice that was unlike anything I’ve seen on page, and my absolute favorite - chef vibes.
Ozzy had all of the Lip and Carmy goodness, but even if you’ve never seen those shows you’d still fall in love with him - especially his inner monologue while falling for James.
And James is the kind of girl you’re rooting for from the start.
The found family aspect of this is strong, but the dark aspects are especially profound. Please read trigger warnings. But once you do, and once you motor through this book, drop in my DMs so we can gush about how perfect it was.
My only issue? I need an extended epilogue. And wanting more is a good problem to have.
𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: 4/5 🌶🌶🌶🌶
There’s something about this book that was unlike anything I’d ever read, and that’s saying something.
📕 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: On the Line by Naomi Loud
📙 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: Standalone
📗 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀: E-book on Kindle. 🆓 on KU.
📘 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Contemporary romance
📔 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: Dark romance aesthetic, opposites attract, all of the tension, yes chef, Jeremy Allen White coded (the Bear AND Shameless), found family.
📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: James changes her major to her passion of painting, and her rich family disowns her. Stuck with no money, she learns the ropes at Oreo, a fine dining restaurant with a line cook whose turquoise eyes always find hers.
🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: I almost have no choice but to rate this a five.
It had a unique storyline, unforgettable characters, spice that was unlike anything I’ve seen on page, and my absolute favorite - chef vibes.
Ozzy had all of the Lip and Carmy goodness, but even if you’ve never seen those shows you’d still fall in love with him - especially his inner monologue while falling for James.
And James is the kind of girl you’re rooting for from the start.
The found family aspect of this is strong, but the dark aspects are especially profound. Please read trigger warnings. But once you do, and once you motor through this book, drop in my DMs so we can gush about how perfect it was.
My only issue? I need an extended epilogue. And wanting more is a good problem to have.
𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: 4/5 🌶🌶🌶🌶
March 7, 2024
LOVE LOVE LOVED
This book was fucking everything.
James was amazing. I loved her story and journey. I wanted to hug her, be her best friend, hang out. I love her. How she went from dealing with her abusive relationship to taking charge so amazingly afterwards and not being afraid to ask for what she wanted. A queen 👏🏼👏🏼
Ozzy 🤭😏 I love this man with everything. His inner dialogue was my favorite 😂 this man was down bad and I loved it so much 👏🏼 I had not a single complaint. As a matter of fact I found myself rereading parts of his chapters immediately after I’d finished the book.
I’m never going to shut up about this book and how much I loved it!
This book was fucking everything.
James was amazing. I loved her story and journey. I wanted to hug her, be her best friend, hang out. I love her. How she went from dealing with her abusive relationship to taking charge so amazingly afterwards and not being afraid to ask for what she wanted. A queen 👏🏼👏🏼
Ozzy 🤭😏 I love this man with everything. His inner dialogue was my favorite 😂 this man was down bad and I loved it so much 👏🏼 I had not a single complaint. As a matter of fact I found myself rereading parts of his chapters immediately after I’d finished the book.
I’m never going to shut up about this book and how much I loved it!
March 23, 2024
Ok, so first off this book needs trigger warnings for SA.
Second, everyone needs therapy. The obsession with somnophilia was strange and whatever they want to say, I don’t think that was a take back your power moment for James. Although I am the first to admit that all survivors heal differently.
Even how Ozzy attacked Zachary leaves a lot to be desired. While Zachary deserved punishment for his attack, Ozzy’s temper would probably be worrisome for many.
The idea of ditching condoms just because your situationship asks also gave me HUGE ick.
Overall just a really juvenile book that seems to gloss over real problems as click bait.
Second, everyone needs therapy. The obsession with somnophilia was strange and whatever they want to say, I don’t think that was a take back your power moment for James. Although I am the first to admit that all survivors heal differently.
Even how Ozzy attacked Zachary leaves a lot to be desired. While Zachary deserved punishment for his attack, Ozzy’s temper would probably be worrisome for many.
The idea of ditching condoms just because your situationship asks also gave me HUGE ick.
Overall just a really juvenile book that seems to gloss over real problems as click bait.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2024
Asked my husband if he wants a snickers after reading this.
April 29, 2024
I just know people got paid to write good reviews about this book bc this book was just not it.
March 16, 2024
good god this was bad. i had to put it down at 40%.
this is partially my fault, as my stupid apple books skipped straight over the content warning page and into the first chapter 🤦♂️ but i think if i had even seen it, this book is INTENSE.
i expected a cute romp, especially from the blurb. making her food on her shift? great. nice line cook? i watched the bear, so this is even better.
this book was NOTHING like that. You can immediately see the multiple abusive relationships the MC is a part of, and it’s awful. I believe it’s important to show these stories, but the way that it was handled here was just…not good.
Spoilers Ahead:
after the MMC opens his mouth for the first time, he really isn’t all that great. Not abusive maybe, but he’s drinking at work, his first instinct is to embarrass her for something she had no knowledge of, and at one point encourages her to do some nasty things with a snickers bar??? I can’t believe i had to read this. the ultimate turning point was when the MMC encouraged the MC to do c*ke with him, because he wanted to see if she could be a “bad girl” and “disappoint her mother”.
The MC seems to constantly be thrown into controlling relationships, with unhealthy coping mechanisms abound. I felt so bad for her this entire story, and as she got more involved with the MMC it didn’t feel good- Just wrong. She very obviously needed to work through a lot of things and focus on herself, when suddenly she’s doing c*ke in the bathroom???
Sometimes the book shifts and you can see the MC getting so close to just focusing on herself and trying to get help, make friends- And then either her Ex, her Parents, or the MMC comes in and it’s shattered.
for all intents and purposes, these warnings were all laid out in the trigger warning chapter, and i don’t fault the author for including potentially triggering material. The way the material was handled on the other hand… that was truly wild.
this is partially my fault, as my stupid apple books skipped straight over the content warning page and into the first chapter 🤦♂️ but i think if i had even seen it, this book is INTENSE.
i expected a cute romp, especially from the blurb. making her food on her shift? great. nice line cook? i watched the bear, so this is even better.
this book was NOTHING like that. You can immediately see the multiple abusive relationships the MC is a part of, and it’s awful. I believe it’s important to show these stories, but the way that it was handled here was just…not good.
Spoilers Ahead:
after the MMC opens his mouth for the first time, he really isn’t all that great. Not abusive maybe, but he’s drinking at work, his first instinct is to embarrass her for something she had no knowledge of, and at one point encourages her to do some nasty things with a snickers bar??? I can’t believe i had to read this. the ultimate turning point was when the MMC encouraged the MC to do c*ke with him, because he wanted to see if she could be a “bad girl” and “disappoint her mother”.
The MC seems to constantly be thrown into controlling relationships, with unhealthy coping mechanisms abound. I felt so bad for her this entire story, and as she got more involved with the MMC it didn’t feel good- Just wrong. She very obviously needed to work through a lot of things and focus on herself, when suddenly she’s doing c*ke in the bathroom???
Sometimes the book shifts and you can see the MC getting so close to just focusing on herself and trying to get help, make friends- And then either her Ex, her Parents, or the MMC comes in and it’s shattered.
for all intents and purposes, these warnings were all laid out in the trigger warning chapter, and i don’t fault the author for including potentially triggering material. The way the material was handled on the other hand… that was truly wild.
March 12, 2024
4.5/5 ⭐️ i’m not sure how to explain it exactly, but the way Naomi loud writes such in-depth emotional characters with incredible back stories and is able to show their character development…AND also write some of the best spice i’ve read in a very long time…kudos to you babe!!!!
Immediately the chemistry, the fireworks are instantaneous, the moment James and Ozzy meet. Two people from very different worlds finding one another and a found family along the way. go into this book reading the trigger warnings because you definitely need to be in a good space to read that.
my favorite thing about this book was seeing James really grow, and become more confident in herself, despite what she went through in the past in a abusive relationship, and also seeing Ozzie being able to believe that he deserves good things in his life, these two were absolute soulmates.
oh, and speaking of the spice, yes, the snickers bar surprisingly was very hot to me. Did not think that was going to actually work for me, but it did! But what I really loved is when James took control, and Ozzy just fell to his knees like a dog(but in a really good way)..you know what I mean. 😉
💜ARC Review💜
Immediately the chemistry, the fireworks are instantaneous, the moment James and Ozzy meet. Two people from very different worlds finding one another and a found family along the way. go into this book reading the trigger warnings because you definitely need to be in a good space to read that.
my favorite thing about this book was seeing James really grow, and become more confident in herself, despite what she went through in the past in a abusive relationship, and also seeing Ozzie being able to believe that he deserves good things in his life, these two were absolute soulmates.
oh, and speaking of the spice, yes, the snickers bar surprisingly was very hot to me. Did not think that was going to actually work for me, but it did! But what I really loved is when James took control, and Ozzy just fell to his knees like a dog(but in a really good way)..you know what I mean. 😉
💜ARC Review💜
April 12, 2024
no one speak to me i will never ever recover this was so good - RTC
March 14, 2024
In love with a chef
James and Ozzy are like instant magnets. Her eyes were drawn to him from the first moment, and he noticed her, too. I love the chemistry between them that grows throughout the story. Staying as friends with benefits that have hidden feelings was not going to last long. I also love their nicknames, salad boy, and Jimbo. So cute. The story itself was lovely, hot, and fun.
I love the character growth, James is quiet and has a past trauma that she's been keeping to herself. But when she breaks out of her shell and confronts her shitty boyfriend, i am happy for her.
James and Ozzy are like instant magnets. Her eyes were drawn to him from the first moment, and he noticed her, too. I love the chemistry between them that grows throughout the story. Staying as friends with benefits that have hidden feelings was not going to last long. I also love their nicknames, salad boy, and Jimbo. So cute. The story itself was lovely, hot, and fun.
I love the character growth, James is quiet and has a past trauma that she's been keeping to herself. But when she breaks out of her shell and confronts her shitty boyfriend, i am happy for her.
April 19, 2024
DNF 40%
Well. Ms Loud certainly loves her present participles, doesn’t she? I’d guess they take up 45% of this book. I do so love a hilarious dangling participle, and she certainly delivers on that. 😐 But I kept reading.
When the MMC first showed up on page, I didn’t think it was the MMC because he was that unappealing. That only increased with his toothpick stature and wearing of crop tops. But I kept reading.
The poor little rich girl FMC was with her POS boyfriend for far longer than necessary. And there was a real chance of growth on her part. Unfortunately, Loud cuts off the scenes at their knees, then fast forwards. (At 40% in, suddenly five months have passed since the start of the book?!? Wut.) But I kept reading.
Out of absolutely nowhere, the MMC tells the FMC to shove a Snickers bar “up her cunt.” She currently has aforementioned POS boyfriend and the FMC MMC haven’t had more than passing interactions. But I kept reading.
Then POS boyfriend shows up at the restaurant FMC works at with his BFF who he allowed to rape his GF while she was passed out. Instead of telling both of them to fuck off, she goes into the back, shoves a frozen Snickers bar up her pussy, and gives it to the MMC. But I kept reading.
Finally spineless FMC finds her spine and breaks up with POS five minutes after allowing MMC to finger her in the bushes. It was wholly unsatisfying. But I kept reading.
Then, MMC invites FMC out and they’re finally connecting! Oh, no, wait. They’re gonna do coke in the bathroom instead.
What—and I cannot stress this enough—the fuck. Someone tell me how and why I saw so many people losing their shit over this absolute fever dream masquerading as a book. SURELY we read different books.
Well. Ms Loud certainly loves her present participles, doesn’t she? I’d guess they take up 45% of this book. I do so love a hilarious dangling participle, and she certainly delivers on that. 😐 But I kept reading.
When the MMC first showed up on page, I didn’t think it was the MMC because he was that unappealing. That only increased with his toothpick stature and wearing of crop tops. But I kept reading.
The poor little rich girl FMC was with her POS boyfriend for far longer than necessary. And there was a real chance of growth on her part. Unfortunately, Loud cuts off the scenes at their knees, then fast forwards. (At 40% in, suddenly five months have passed since the start of the book?!? Wut.) But I kept reading.
Out of absolutely nowhere, the MMC tells the FMC to shove a Snickers bar “up her cunt.” She currently has aforementioned POS boyfriend and the FMC MMC haven’t had more than passing interactions. But I kept reading.
Then POS boyfriend shows up at the restaurant FMC works at with his BFF who he allowed to rape his GF while she was passed out. Instead of telling both of them to fuck off, she goes into the back, shoves a frozen Snickers bar up her pussy, and gives it to the MMC. But I kept reading.
Finally spineless FMC finds her spine and breaks up with POS five minutes after allowing MMC to finger her in the bushes. It was wholly unsatisfying. But I kept reading.
Then, MMC invites FMC out and they’re finally connecting! Oh, no, wait. They’re gonna do coke in the bathroom instead.
What—and I cannot stress this enough—the fuck. Someone tell me how and why I saw so many people losing their shit over this absolute fever dream masquerading as a book. SURELY we read different books.
March 24, 2024
2.5 starsThis might be an 'it's me, not you' thing.
Some context. The FMC, James, has a traumatic history of abuse/IPV, as well as (off page) SA and rape while asleep and drugged. She walks away from a privileged life funded by her parents to work as a server and study so she can follow her dreams of being an artist. MMC, Ozzy is a line cook at the same restaurant and carries the responsibility of caring for his 3 younger siblings because his parents are non-functioning alcholics/addicts/in prison.
For me, the romance between them felt superficial. I couldn't understand why they were so into each other. They went from 0-100 in no time, with no substance to back it up. They had about 2 conversations before he was daring her to do that with a Snickers?! 🍫🐱
There's also some recreational drug use, but snorting cocaine off a key in a bar wasn't quite what I expected when I read that trigger warning. It didn't add anything to the story, and especially considering character history and motivations, it felt wildly out of place.
Also, Ozzy, thinks in a lot of edible metaphors. He always wants to "eat James alive/swallow her whole/devour her/consume her." Y'know, 'cause he's a cook. It just felt a bit on the nose. And, the man wears crop tops.
Ultimately, I struggled to connect with the characters, and I just didn't find myself enjoying the story. I don't think this one was for me.
Take heed of the trigger warnings before you start.
Some context. The FMC, James, has a traumatic history of abuse/IPV, as well as (off page) SA and rape while asleep and drugged. She walks away from a privileged life funded by her parents to work as a server and study so she can follow her dreams of being an artist. MMC, Ozzy is a line cook at the same restaurant and carries the responsibility of caring for his 3 younger siblings because his parents are non-functioning alcholics/addicts/in prison.
For me, the romance between them felt superficial. I couldn't understand why they were so into each other. They went from 0-100 in no time, with no substance to back it up. They had about 2 conversations before he was daring her to do that with a Snickers?! 🍫🐱
There's also some recreational drug use, but snorting cocaine off a key in a bar wasn't quite what I expected when I read that trigger warning. It didn't add anything to the story, and especially considering character history and motivations, it felt wildly out of place.
Also, Ozzy, thinks in a lot of edible metaphors. He always wants to "eat James alive/swallow her whole/devour her/consume her." Y'know, 'cause he's a cook. It just felt a bit on the nose. And, the man wears crop tops.
Ultimately, I struggled to connect with the characters, and I just didn't find myself enjoying the story. I don't think this one was for me.
Take heed of the trigger warnings before you start.
March 7, 2024
2.5 ⭐️ I wanted to like this so bad. And I would’ve if not for the cocaine-bathroom scene. I don’t love that fact that Ozzys parents are both users and it was written so nonchalant. There’s a lot of unanswered questions at the end so I assume this will be a series. I did picture Jeremy Allen White as Ozzy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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