*Release Date Is A Placeholder*Gold Coast’s blonde beauty and local editor, Holly Cate, pines for her weekends alone with her bottle of wine and sappy romance books to get her through a bad breakup. But what she doesn’t expect, is one night’s boozy, menty b to change her entire life… with a one-way ticket to Canada. And she had no idea she booked it.
Disaster continues to strike for Holly as she unravels the plot to her new life, losing her house, getting stuck with delayed flights, and misplaced luggage in one day, to becoming convinced she’s living in a cliche romance book the next. All because she just so happens to quite literally fall into the sexiest man on planet Earth. And he's sporting a pair of nerdy glasses, suit and tie, tattoos poking out of his collar, is taller than a tree and as rugged as a bear…
Bestselling dark romance author, Cyrus Stone. AKA, her new boss.
Cyrus instantly becomes infatuated with the Aussie bombshell who fell up the stairs, landing straight into his chest. So much so that he starts writing about her in his next book. Spicy parts included. When his publisher hires her as his new editor and personal assistant, tension rises painfully high between them.
He could risk his pending six-figure contract if he touches her—worse, if he admits he’s falling for her.
When the two come head to head with the cliche romance trope ‘forced proximity’ by being snowed in during a winter storm, will they have the strength to keep their hands off each other? Or will coiled temptation finally unwind?
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Our Little Cliche is a standalone high heat romance.
Holly descubre que su novio la engañó, y ahora decepcionada de la vida, decide curar sus males con una borrachera. Cuando llega el momento de la resaca y de saber otra vez del mundo, descubre que hizo varias cosas en estado inconveniente. Como por ejemplo renunciar a su trabajo, rentar por tiempo indefinido una cabaña aislada y tranquila al otro lado del mundo (en Canadá siendo ella de Australia 🤣), contratar a una empresa de mudanzas internacionales y los respectivos vuelos. Una vez instalada en Canadá, busca trabajo de editora, y encuentra uno siendo la editora y asistente personal de Cyrus Stone, un Autor bestseller de dark romance un género que ella no suele rondar. Ahora trabajando para él descubre todo un mundo de posibilidades que antes no se hubiera imaginado contemplar y se plantea vivirlas con el famoso escritor y sus sexis lentes. 😂
Es una historia ambientada en navidad muy poco convencional. Estuvo entretenido de leer aunque si hubieron cosas sin sentido pero bueh..
📖 “I’m not scared… Australia is packed full of poisonous spiders and snakes, and stuff, so I’m used to things trying to kill me." _ “You’re right this is insane. I thought I had a dark side, guess I’m not the only one.”
I have heart eyes finishing this book — it was amazing! Our Little Cliché is the perfect blend of rom-com charm with a soft touch of dark romance. I’m calling it a fluffy dark romance, because it just fits so well. I laughed out loud so many times. Holly was an absolute chaotic mess in the most wholesome, relatable way, and I adored every second of her. The fact that she’s an editor and our Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome — Cyrus — is a dark romance author? Pure genius. I devoured this story like it was my last meal on Earth. The plot had me hooked from the very first page — fast-paced, addictive, and with spice that was downright delicious. The way Cyrus saw Holly melted me completely. He didn’t want to change a single thing about her; instead, he worked hard to make her feel safe, wanted, and deeply loved. Be still my beating heart! I also loved how the darker elements of the spice were handled — respectful, realistic, and seamlessly woven into their romance. This book made me laugh, swoon, and sigh with happiness. If you love witty banter, swoony heroes, and spice with heart, this one is a must-read.
The beginning of this book was a bit hard to believe; if she loved her job why did none of her colleagues ask why she quit, alerting her to the fact she had done so❓️ However, it is a fast-paced book and moves along quickly so not a major plot flaw.
Being an Aussie 🇦🇺 myself I found the subtle references hilarious. There were quite a few but it wasn't overdone to the point that any non-Australian would be confused.
I must admit, I did get a little sick of the word "cliche" with it being used about 15 times throughout the book but I assume that it was intentional, satire almost, given the book title. Somehow it just worked 🤷♀️ The cliches were so well written into the book as part of the story.
The spice 🌶 good lord, so good! 🔥
Overall, I really enjoyed the book, the further in I got the more I was hooked. What an amazing effort from the author for publishing this level of writing in a debut novel 💙✨️
This reallyyyyyy was one cliche after the other. I would be surprised if there’s a cliche in existence that’s not in this book, but somehow, someway it all just works.
It was funny, and I do mean that I actually cackled! They have such amazing banter. The FMC, Holly is a total clutz and complete scatterbrain. It also has a little sprinkling of dark romance paired with a deliciously sexy, nerdy MMC. And wowza is it spicy? Yes, yes it is.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
At first, I’ll admit I was a little confused like did Holly really do all that in a drunken night? I kept thinking, “Nah, her ex wouldn’t go that far, right?” But then again… he was such a complete ass, so maybe yes. Either way, it set up Holly’s journey perfectly.
What I loved most was how the story unfolded once she took control. Watching Holly put on her big woman pants - well, not really appropriate pants for that Canadian cold - and just go for it was inspiring. I honestly wanted to reach through the pages and hug her. Seeing her grow out of such a terrible, limiting life into a big, strong, determined woman was the heart of the story for me.
And of course, no romance would be complete without a little workplace tension. Her sexy-ass boss was the perfect match. The way their relationship grew was chef’s kiss, slow, believable, and full of the kind of sparks that keep you hooked. I was fully invested in these two, and by the end, I couldn’t stop smiling. Both of them got exactly what they’d always wanted, and it was so satisfying to see it happen.
On top of it all, the writing style was easy and nice to follow. It flowed so well that I found myself flying through chapters without realizing how much I’d read.
The perfect spicy rom-com blending elements of all my favourite microtropes!
Previous readings representing Australia and Australian culture have missed the mark, including 2 series DNF’d. Not Our Little Cliche!!! I devoured this book, falling head first into the liberally sprinkled Australianism’s and kicking my feet every time Holly came out with a new ripper.
I do wish that L.R. Would drop the sausage roll recipe 😉
Welcome Cyrus Stone, Henry Cavill who?! I could vividly picture Cyrus before me, the hunky nerd and mysterious dark romance author 🥵. I loved how despite the darker elements of the story, consent was actively sought and enthusiastically given.
I will be enthusiastically recommending this book to all of my family and friends, and hope you all enjoy it as much as I have.
First impression is very good. Holly, the fmc, ability to rearrange her entire life one drunk night so both inspiring and scary. I admire her determination to change her life, even though she just went through a bad breakup.
My first impression of Cyrus, the mmc, was not the best. I thought he was full of himself but his character definitely grew on me.
Cyrus is a nerd in disguise. His sexy nerd exterior hides a loving man with a taste of the forbidden and little bit taboo.
The dark romance elements are *chef’s kiss*.
I love the feeling the book gives you, that you landed face first, straight into a cheesy rom-com sprinkled with extra spicy spice. You get everything you could ever wish for; strong female characters, tension, romance and last but not least: clichés.
“To find a woman to love like that is a gift. But to worship the ground she walks on is a pleasure.”
“Her eyes are as blue as the ocean, so calm, and yet they hold a million untold stories that I would go to lengths unknown just to hear.”
“I will never allow her to go hungry, cold, thirsty or scared. Not on my watch. When she smiles her eyes glow with warmth, like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders. To see her any other way is a tragedy.”
“I listen, I watch, I observe everything about you. Everything you do, everything you wear, everything you like or dislike, what your favorite food is, what drinks you enjoy, the way you like your tea made, the way you plait your hair when you’re trying to get my attention, the way you pinch your cheeks every time I come into the room, the way your teeth chew on your inner lip when you’re nervous, so much so that you make yourself bleed, or when you try to act cool so that you don’t flirt with me… like calling me mate as if it’ll be a deterrent. Spoiler alert, it’s not. You’re like a fucking magnet. Why do you think it’s so goddamn hard for me to stay away?” Finally, he breathes. “But I respect your boundaries, so I keep my hands to myself, even when it’s killing me.”
“could spend the rest of my life repeating scenes like this with her. Silly little memories like this are what last a lifetime. Things you take to your grave when you’re old and gray.”
“No. I’m just really into everything you do. It’s my new full time job, trying to figure you out, Holly.”
“all I want to do is run away, and flee the country because it’s so goddamn hard to hide how I feel about her. Why exist in a place where you’re not accepted? Why hide it? Why torture yourself?”
“Maybe we were in love in our past life, picking up where we left off, but without memory. Maybe even the time before that.”
First I want to say thank you to L.R. Meadows for giving me an ARC. I appreciate the opportunity but I apologize for my critical review
I reaaally wanted to like this book but I just couldn’t get past the insta love… like as soon as sex happened BAM love happens and the characters have zero conversations that aren’t about how bad the FMC’s life is or sex…
I also despise when MCs say things like “I am a walking romance novel” or any type of reference to being in a book… there were a ton of those references and I caught myself rolling my eyes
If you like solely spice this may be for you but I like depth and there wasn’t any with these characters
ARC Reader Confessional – Our Little Cliché by L.R. Meadows
Okay, listen. I didn’t need this book in my life, but apparently my life was incomplete without Holly Cate making every bad decision I secretly admire. First, she impulsively books a one-way ticket to Canada like it’s no big deal. I mean… same, Holly. Same.
Then there’s Cyrus Stone. Oh. My. God. Cyrus Stone. Broody, devastatingly hot, and annoyingly perfect—but somehow also painfully flawed in the exact ways that make me scream and swoon at the same time. Watching Holly and Cyrus interact is like watching two magnets fling each other around a room while also setting everything on fire. And yes, I am here for it.
The push and pull between them crackles on every page, the banter is sharp enough to cut glass, and the moments of vulnerability hit harder than I expected. And when things heat up? Let’s just say I considered adding “professional swooner” to my résumé.
And the clichés? Don’t even get me started—they’re so perfectly executed that I kept sighing, laughing, and facepalming in equal measure. Honestly, I have no regrets. I am emotionally compromised, slightly obsessed, and already planning my reread.
If you want a book that will make you laugh, swoon, fangirl uncontrollably, and question all your life choices in the best possible way… congratulations. You’ve found it. Holly and Cyrus will ruin you. And you will love every second of it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
For the most part, Holly is right-this is wrote basically like a Hallmark movie lol. I loved the follow through with her move across the globe and very much loved the fact the mmc is not the normal ripped tall dark and handsome. I love me a geeky big bear mc. Mmc gave great energy (other than the homeless comment) and was consistent with his feelings and personality. I did however find the beginning very unbelievably in the fact that you do not give notice everywhere and not one soul alive reaches out to remind you of your “mistakes”. Some of the timeline could be announced with the jump in time as well. I did not enjoy Hollys personality up until the snow storm though.
Drunken stupor turns into a stunned moving trip from Australia to Alaska.
This adorable rom-com had me eager for more. Cyrus and Holly are my faves. The angsty 2 fighting their rolling emotions made for a fun, spicy read (especially when they have in).
OMG! Our Little Cliché is absolutely delightful!!! I adored every page!
Holly is Australian, heartbroken, and in classic post-breakup fashion (helped along by a bottle of wine), she makes a life-altering decision.
Cyrus, a Canadian award-winning author, is waiting for the right person, and without even realising it, Holly is about to change everything for him.
This story had me laughing, clapping my hands with joy, and completely hooked. The banter sparkled, the romance made me swoon, and the tension kept me on edge in the best way.
Our Little Cliché is the perfect spicy rom-com I didn’t know I needed. Even the small clichés are written so playfully that they made me grin, laugh, and eagerly turn the page to see what was next.
I especially loved Cyrus’ character, he felt so authentic, with his fears, anxiety, and self-doubt. We rarely see male characters portrayed with that kind of vulnerability, and it made him all the more real. Holly’s spiralling moments were equally relatable, and what stood out most for me was the balance of doubt, reflection, and genuine communication between the characters. Their connection felt believable, like I was witnessing a real romance unfold.
I was truly swept away by this book, and I’m so glad I got to read it!
I received an ARC of this book, but my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own and shared voluntarily.
This book was such a cute little gem! 💕 Holly and Cyrus had me grinning from the start their banter, the tension, and that undeniable spark made me want to keep flipping the pages. I loved how the story sprinkled in Aussie vibes and culture (seriously, it gave the romance an extra kick of personality 🌏).
The spice? Just right. 🌶️ Enough to keep things steamy but not so much that it takes over the whole story. And even though it definitely plays with familiar tropes (hello boss/employee romance 👀), L.R. Meadows delivers it in a way that feels cozy, fun, and addictively swoony.
It’s not the most groundbreaking romance ever, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s flirty, charming, and just the right kind of cliché to put a smile on your face. 💫
Perfect if you’re in the mood for a quick, spicy, and feel-good read.
Our Little Cliché by L.R. Meadows is a wonderfully heartwarming and addictive read! From the very first chapter, it sweeps you into a world full of charm, sharp banter, and unforgettable characters. Meadows captures romance in such a fun yet genuine way, balancing laugh-out-loud moments with those softer, emotional beats that stick with you long after you turn the last page. The chemistry is magnetic, the pacing keeps you hooked, and every scene feels alive and meaningful.
This is one of those stories that makes you smile while reading, leaves your heart a little lighter, and reminds you why you love getting lost in a good book. Truly a standout romance that deserves all the praise!
I took my time to really savor this book. It was so adorably cliche that it had me barking out laughs (just in case there were wolves around) and getting all gooey and mushy over Cyrus and Holly. With Cyrus’ dark romances he wrote, you could see the darker side of Ms Meadows poking through and I loved the delicious and devious little bits she sprinkled throughout to keep a rabid dark romance girlie suckered into an insta love rom-com. I mean, random move from Australia with zero recollection of planning it (best move ever drunk Holly!) and a terrible ex and a writer who is swoon worthy on his own but add into the mix the things he writes about in his books and I’m hooked!! This book was quite a breath of fresh air for me and I loved it!!
Have you ever had a breakup so bad you wanted to pack up and flee the country? That’s exactly what Holly Cate (accidentally) does.
After finding out her boyfriend cheated, she gets drunk, quits her job, and—apparently—hires movers to relocate her from sunny Gold Coast, Australia to snowy Banff, Canada. The catch? She doesn’t remember any of this until the movers show up.
In Canada, she runs into the buffest nerd she’s ever seen—Cyrus Stone, a dark romance author who’s never acted on anything he’s written… until Holly. When she unknowingly applies to work for him, sparks (and more) start to fly. But if the publishing house discovers their chemistry, it could end both their careers.
This book had everything I love in a romance—lovable characters, witty banter, forced proximity, and STEAM. The sexual tension was off the charts, and the spicy scenes? Chef’s kiss. (Yes, there’s an airplane scene. Yes, you need to read it.)
If you’re looking for a fast, flirty, and steamy romance with heart, this is it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — Fast, Fun, and Deliciously Over-the-Top
Our Little Cliché by L.R. Meadows is a quick, steamy boss/employee romance that fully embraces every guilty-pleasure trope in the best way possible. The pacing is lightning fast (I finished it in one sitting), the banter is sharp, and the chemistry between the leads is instant and intense.
The male lead is unapologetically possessive — the kind of morally gray hero you’ll either swoon over or side-eye — and I loved every unhinged moment. The heroine’s sass and confidence keep things balanced, giving their dynamic plenty of spark.
The novella length means there’s little room for deep emotional arcs or slow-burn tension. Everything happens in a whirlwind — insta-lust to obsession almost instantly — which might not work for everyone.
If you’re craving a heartfelt slow burn, this won’t scratch that itch. But if you want a fast, spicy escape with lots of heat and zero filler, this little cliché might be exactly what you’re looking for.
I laughed so hard I actually cackled! The banter in this book is next-level — quick, witty, and downright addictive. Our FMC, Holly, is a glorious disaster: a total Calamity Jane with a scatterbrained charm you can’t help but love. Add in a sprinkling of dark romance and a deliciously sexy, nerdy MMC, and you’ve got magic.
And the spice? Oh, it’s there. Burn-your-mouth, fan-yourself, hell-yes-it-is levels of heat.
We’ve got Ms. Aussie — an inspiring editor and author with all the sass and humour of the Southern Hemisphere — meeting Mr. Big Shot Canadian author, equal parts sweet and sinful. The chemistry is electric, the banter perfection, and the emotional beats hit just as hard as the laughs.
This is not just a book — it’s an experience. I cried, sympathised, swooned, envied, and laughed out loud… sometimes all in the same chapter.
Hilarious, heartfelt, sexy, and utterly unputdownable. Highly, highly recommend!
I absolutely LOVED this book. I loved everything about it - the characters, the storyline, the way Holly was so aware that her situation was like a classic romance novel, it was all fantastic! This story had me so hooked that I read most of this book in one sitting and stayed up until 4am to finish it. I was obsessed with Cyrus from the get-go, we’ve all wanted a man to be completely obsessed with us, right?? And I wanted to wrap Holly up in the biggest hug; I was so happy when she was making connections and friendships throughout the book. Plus, I absolutely loved all of Holly’s Aussie sayings and attitudes; it was so nice seeing myself represented in that way. Also, does anyone else now really want to read Cyrus’s book??
This book is releasing on August 18th, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Thank you so much to L.R. Meadows for allowing me the privilege of arc reading this fantastic book 💕
I had the privilege of watching this book come to life as a Beta reader. Let me tell you this book is so scrumptious, lip smacking delicious!!
After a complete blitz night of wine. Holly uproots her life and not just to the next town over, but across the globe. Holly books plane tickets, moving company and finds a new rental…..in Canada!! As an Australian she is out of comfort zone. She’s an editor and currently has no job at her new chapter in life.
In comes Mr Cyrus Stone. He is such a cinnamon roll of a man. He writes smut for a living but longs to have a woman in his life that he can do things he has only dreamt of….. written about.
This book had me giggling and kicking my feet. I love this relationship. I also fell in love with Holly’s new friendship. I somehow picture this new found friendship getting into so many shenanigans, and I’m here for it!!!
This was the easiest 5 stars I've given in a long time! The first physical book I've read in a while as I am time poor but I found the time for this one, finishing it in only a couple of days! I cannot fault it, the Aussie throwbacks that feel like home, and gorgeous, respectful MMC and a beautiful FMC who finds the confidence and love for her body and herself after a really shitty time and eventually knowing and finding her worth. Also- the spice was absolute perfection 👌 I really hope we get to see more of Cyrus and Holly and learn more about their respective families because IMO this book was too short, I cannot get enough of Cyrus and Holly!!
I read this book in a day.. Could not put it down. This book made me laugh, anxious, I giggled and kicked my feet. How she did I don’t know but it’s a cute and cozy romance but a dark romance at the same time. The spice is spicing, it’s very present but it doesn’t take away from the plot. The MMC is absolutely perfect, a yearning, respectful man, who knows what he wants and will get on his knees as soon as his woman asks him to.
Omg this book is so good… I would almost classify it as a light grey rom-com.. He’s a dark romance author looking for a PA and Editor while she gets drunk after breaking up with her boyfriend and decides to make a life changing decision that she completely forgets about till the day of. What could go wrong? How about finding love with someone that accepts you for you and only encourages you to be the best version of yourself…
A bold Aussie heroine + a sexy, nerdy author = sizzling chemistry you can’t resist. Their forbidden romance is fun, flirty, and irresistibly steamy—once you start, you won’t want to put it down!
This sizzling romance is the perfect blend of sass, sweetness, and undeniable chemistry.
Fast-paced, fun, and delightfully steamy, this book is a must-read for fans who love workplace tension that blossoms into a love too powerful to hide.
Our Little Cliche by L.R. Meadows Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Please read trigger warnings before reading. This was the perfect little spicy rom com. I was giggling and kicking my feet for most of the book, the banter between the FMC and MMC was “chefs kiss” 💋 Holly and Cyrus have a little piece of my heart ♥️