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Straight To Him
The Cat Code
When your cats are the ultimate relationship critics, your love life might just end up in the litter box.
Marcus LaFleur is done with dating apps. Between the dick pics, crude propositions, and walking red flags who can't string together a coherent sentence, online hookup culture has become a howling disaster in his otherwise fulfilling life running Happy Paws animal shelter.
Until—in a moment of late-night weakness—a suspiciously house-trained human messages him. Some guy who doesn't lead with "Sup, face or ass first?" or an unsolicited photo of his junk.
That mind-blowing night with the gorgeous stranger leaves Marcus painfully satisfied… but practical.
Hookups are hookups. No need to complicate things with feelings.
Except when Sebastian Holt shows up at the shelter the next day with flowers and that devastating smile, Marcus realizes his simple hookup is the shelter's most devoted volunteer—and he's looking at Marcus like he's the best thing since catnip.
Even more confusing? Marcus's three cats—his furry children and closest confidants—suddenly start giving him the cold shoulder whenever Sebastian comes over with his tail wagging.
As Sebastian's earnest pursuit and genuine warmth begin to melt Marcus's carefully guarded heart, his cats' increasingly bizarre behavior forces him to make a send Sebastian packing to appease his feline overlords, or take a chance on what could be the most purr-fect match of his life.
A deliciously steamy, laugh-out-loud, open door MM romance
A shelter manager desperate to get his cats to stop sabotaging his love lifeA smitten CEO who's been waiting for his momentThree feline matchmakers with impossibly high standardsFriends who are forced to endure a cat-astrophic mating danceAnd enough heat to make even the cats cover their eyes
Marcus LaFleur is done with dating apps. Between the dick pics, crude propositions, and walking red flags who can't string together a coherent sentence, online hookup culture has become a howling disaster in his otherwise fulfilling life running Happy Paws animal shelter.
Until—in a moment of late-night weakness—a suspiciously house-trained human messages him. Some guy who doesn't lead with "Sup, face or ass first?" or an unsolicited photo of his junk.
That mind-blowing night with the gorgeous stranger leaves Marcus painfully satisfied… but practical.
Hookups are hookups. No need to complicate things with feelings.
Except when Sebastian Holt shows up at the shelter the next day with flowers and that devastating smile, Marcus realizes his simple hookup is the shelter's most devoted volunteer—and he's looking at Marcus like he's the best thing since catnip.
Even more confusing? Marcus's three cats—his furry children and closest confidants—suddenly start giving him the cold shoulder whenever Sebastian comes over with his tail wagging.
As Sebastian's earnest pursuit and genuine warmth begin to melt Marcus's carefully guarded heart, his cats' increasingly bizarre behavior forces him to make a send Sebastian packing to appease his feline overlords, or take a chance on what could be the most purr-fect match of his life.
A deliciously steamy, laugh-out-loud, open door MM romance
A shelter manager desperate to get his cats to stop sabotaging his love lifeA smitten CEO who's been waiting for his momentThree feline matchmakers with impossibly high standardsFriends who are forced to endure a cat-astrophic mating danceAnd enough heat to make even the cats cover their eyes
419 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 5, 2025
32 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
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May 25, 2025I DNF’d at 7% because I was already done, so I won’t rate it. I don’t like an unreliable narrator and that’s what we have here. There was only one rating when I chose to start so I’m going to try not to rip it apart. Reading is subjective so I’m not trying to yuck anyone’s yum.
In the first 6ish paragraphs one paragraph was repeated word for word twice. I’m assuming it was an editing error, but that’s kind of a big one, so I didn’t have high hopes there wouldn’t be a ton more.
MC1 (can’t remember his name) is the manager of an animal shelter. He keeps checking his Grindr notifications and talks repeatedly about how disgusting the men are, how disgusting their opening lines are, how the first thing they ask is if you want to hook up, etc. he also talks about his desire to find “the one”.
Enter MC2. He’s hot, rich, and volunteers at the shelter. Several people have brought up how much MC2 seems to be smitten with MC1, yet he won’t look at the guy or give him any attention. Yes, even though thus far he’s been all about wanting to find Mr. Right. One is right in front of him but he’s too busy to even look at the man but he’s convinced he’s straight based on other encounters🙄
Fast forward, MC1 goes home at the end of the day and gets on Grindr and gets a message from someone who doesn’t have a disgusting username and the message is really sweet. MC1 replied and immediately asks him to come over to fuck and self-admittedly dressed in skimpy clothes.
MC2 shows up with flowers and Mc1’s favorite drink and MC1 has no idea who he is. Even though he volunteers in his shelter several times a week and has been for weeks. 🙄
MC2 is trying to have a normal conversation and MC1 just keeps making sexual innuendos and sticking his ass out to get MC2’s attention before finally dragging him on his bedroom instead of talking or even asking how they know each other.
So we’ve heard all about how disgusting the guys on Grindr are, then you act just like them? You know this guy likes you but has never been with a man yet you don’t care, you just want any to get your dick wet, essentially being everything you’ve complained about thus far in the book? Not to mention you talked about how hot this guy was earlier in the day and have looked at him enough to know he’s straight, yet he shows up at your door and you don’t know him?
Yeah, I just knew I couldn’t finish. There was no way after the first 5-7% that I could finish. It was already so contradictory, the narrator was completely unreliable, the dialogue was cringey, and the error in the beginning was just enough for me. Better luck to anyone else who tries it out.
In the first 6ish paragraphs one paragraph was repeated word for word twice. I’m assuming it was an editing error, but that’s kind of a big one, so I didn’t have high hopes there wouldn’t be a ton more.
MC1 (can’t remember his name) is the manager of an animal shelter. He keeps checking his Grindr notifications and talks repeatedly about how disgusting the men are, how disgusting their opening lines are, how the first thing they ask is if you want to hook up, etc. he also talks about his desire to find “the one”.
Enter MC2. He’s hot, rich, and volunteers at the shelter. Several people have brought up how much MC2 seems to be smitten with MC1, yet he won’t look at the guy or give him any attention. Yes, even though thus far he’s been all about wanting to find Mr. Right. One is right in front of him but he’s too busy to even look at the man but he’s convinced he’s straight based on other encounters🙄
Fast forward, MC1 goes home at the end of the day and gets on Grindr and gets a message from someone who doesn’t have a disgusting username and the message is really sweet. MC1 replied and immediately asks him to come over to fuck and self-admittedly dressed in skimpy clothes.
MC2 shows up with flowers and Mc1’s favorite drink and MC1 has no idea who he is. Even though he volunteers in his shelter several times a week and has been for weeks. 🙄
MC2 is trying to have a normal conversation and MC1 just keeps making sexual innuendos and sticking his ass out to get MC2’s attention before finally dragging him on his bedroom instead of talking or even asking how they know each other.
So we’ve heard all about how disgusting the guys on Grindr are, then you act just like them? You know this guy likes you but has never been with a man yet you don’t care, you just want any to get your dick wet, essentially being everything you’ve complained about thus far in the book? Not to mention you talked about how hot this guy was earlier in the day and have looked at him enough to know he’s straight, yet he shows up at your door and you don’t know him?
Yeah, I just knew I couldn’t finish. There was no way after the first 5-7% that I could finish. It was already so contradictory, the narrator was completely unreliable, the dialogue was cringey, and the error in the beginning was just enough for me. Better luck to anyone else who tries it out.
January 8, 2026
I agree with another reviewer that this is very much a modern fairytale. But I couldn’t help noticing how real certain parts felt: the craving for gay monogamy; the exhaustion with the impersonal, transactional expectations of gay dating apps; the overthinking and fear. Yes, everyone hates a misunderstanding-based story and wants to yell “just talk about it,” but in real life you get stuck in your own head—you want to talk about it, but you can’t. That felt really true here.
I felt completely sucked in and saw myself in Marcus, as much as I hated to admit it (sigh). And there’s something painfully accurate about how, when you’ve been in this kind of situation for a long time, you don’t even realize you’ve turned into the very thing you hate. Maybe that makes Marcus a character who’s hard to like right off the bat, but he’s unsettlingly “everyday,” and way too close for comfort.
At the same time, the fairytale side of this is pure comfort-read material: having Prince Charming swoop in and save you unconditionally; having supportive friends who actively root for you and take small but meaningful steps toward your happiness; having your own apartment and being able to afford the rent in this economy. Who doesn’t fantasize about that?
It made me uncomfortable and comfortable at the same time. I hated it, and ultimately I loved it. It’s surprisingly deep for such a silly little feel-good story, and I think I’ll keep coming back to it as a palate cleanser.
THE SMUT IS FUCKING FANTASTIC, BY THE WAY. WORTH A READ FOR THAT ALONE!!!
I felt completely sucked in and saw myself in Marcus, as much as I hated to admit it (sigh). And there’s something painfully accurate about how, when you’ve been in this kind of situation for a long time, you don’t even realize you’ve turned into the very thing you hate. Maybe that makes Marcus a character who’s hard to like right off the bat, but he’s unsettlingly “everyday,” and way too close for comfort.
At the same time, the fairytale side of this is pure comfort-read material: having Prince Charming swoop in and save you unconditionally; having supportive friends who actively root for you and take small but meaningful steps toward your happiness; having your own apartment and being able to afford the rent in this economy. Who doesn’t fantasize about that?
It made me uncomfortable and comfortable at the same time. I hated it, and ultimately I loved it. It’s surprisingly deep for such a silly little feel-good story, and I think I’ll keep coming back to it as a palate cleanser.
THE SMUT IS FUCKING FANTASTIC, BY THE WAY. WORTH A READ FOR THAT ALONE!!!
July 9, 2025
This was like watching a train wreck and being unable to look away. The author has a talented writing style that makes you want to keep reading, but this was just so bad. I can’t do a search on how many exclamation marks there are in this book because my kindle refuses to index it, but I would bet there are hundreds. Sometimes I visibly cringed the dialogue was so bad. The cat drama was insanity.
February 21, 2026
I loved this book so much. The obliviot is peak. Enjoy my commentary as I roll my eyes at Marcus's dumbass throughout this book:
"Marcus, I was wondering if maybe—" "—plus we're doing a raffle, tons of prizes—" He guides Sebastian through the doorway with a gentle push. "Anyway, thanks for coming—I had the best night!" The door clicks shut on Sebastian's. "But I—"
Oh Marcus, you'd better make this fucking right. Poor Sebastian!
The cats had acted like he owed them money at breakfast.
Yeah Marcus, the cats want you to make it right with Sebastian too. WE ARE NOT IMPRESSED.
Well, Marcus can help with that. He'll be the friend Sebastian needs until he can spread his new little gay wings and fly. After all, everyone deserves a safe space to figure themselves out.
Marcus, you're a dumbass. Seriously. I hope the cats get you good.
Zinnia, Poppy, and Snowdrop stand at the end of the hallway, tails pointing straight up like exclamation marks, heads tilted high. They stare at him for exactly two seconds before pivoting away in unison.
Get her, Jade!
"Seriously? What did I do?"
YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID MARCUS
"He's not a disaster, you are." Lila leans across the counter.
PREACH
He tugs at the hem of his shirt, quite self-conscious and acutely aware that he’s nothing special.
Oh Marcus, my heart. Sebastian thinks you matter.
Those two are either the world's worst actors or the last people on Earth to realize they're dating.
THE CALL'S COMING FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE, MARCUS
The realization hits Marcus like a bucket of cold water. He'd slept with—and inadvertently ignored—one of the city's most successful young entrepreneurs. A man who apparently commands enough respect to summon a fleet of luxury cars on a Saturday afternoon, yet still volunteers to clean cat boxes and wrestle with rescue dogs.
BOOM
Sigh. He’s silly like that. Of course it’s just how Sebastian is.
Marcus, you dumbass
"I'm clean," he says softly. "If you don't mind..."
NOPE
"And he only has eyes for you, you blind bat," Mary adds, organizing donation receipts with unnecessary force.
GET HIM MARY
as lube spreads everywhere.
Hope you put down a damn towel! LOLOLOL
Marcus wipes his hands on the sheets, then straddles Sebastian's thighs.
THAT'S A NO ON THE TOWEL! BWHAHAHAAA
"You're doing so good, sweetie," Marcus praises, scratching Sebastian's scalp with his fingertips. "My perfect, handsome boy, so good for me."
WAIT. Do the cats think Sebastian is a cat?
"This is what you need to be happy," Marcus teases, spreading his fingers wider. "This is why you love me." Sebastian makes a choked sound, his cursing now sounding almost angry as the entire bed shakes with his thrashing around.
MARCUS! Do you realize what you just said?! HOLY SHIT
Why can't Sebastian just stay the night?
BECAUSE YOU HAVENT ASKED HIM TO STAY, IDIOT
Were they… were they pleased with Marcus’s performance tonight? Have they accepted Marcus as The Dominant One and now tolerate Sebastian as another loyal subject?
No you idiot, they want Sebastian to staaaay!
Or maybe they hate him and Sebastian together so much that the only solution is to stop seeing Sebastian.
FUCK NO, MARCUS! JESUS!
Sebastian shrugs. "It's somewhere to live. It'll be much nicer if I could share it with someone one day." “Oh..." Marcus trails off. His hand drops from the glass.
OH FOR FUCK'S SAKE MARCUS!
A fleeting thought crosses Marcus's mind—how careful Sebastian is, how attentive. How he'd make the most amazing boyfriend. The most perfect husband.
Listen to that voice, Marcus
The Truth
Yesssssssssssss
"That's when the girls downloaded Grindr onto my phone," Sebastian admits. "According to them, 'Our thick-headed, dumb manager is too dumb and thick-headed to see true love if it bit him in the leg and punched him in the face.'"
BOOM
All this time, his cats weren't judging him—they were simply protecting him, making sure he ended up with the right person. The person they'd already known and loved.
I FUCKING TOLD YOU MARCUS! OBLIVIOT.
5.0
This book is lovely. The writing is wonderful-descriptive and lyrical. Marcus is a fully recognized character with faults and flaws as well as positive attributes. I'm really hoping he doesn't hurt Sebastian. The cats are hilarious.
So good. We get Marcus and Sebastian's entire relationship. We watch it build and change as they grow closer. These are real people. Not cardboard cutouts masquerading as characters.
The writing is great. So descriptive. The feelings flow right off the page. We're right alongside Marcus as he learns to trust and love Sebastian.
The epilogue was indulgent and a little too long. But it was fun to see these guys get their HEA. I loved this read.
5.0
This book is lovely. The writing is wonderful-descriptive and lyrical. Marcus is a fully recognized character with faults and flaws as well as positive attributes. I'm really hoping he doesn't hurt Sebastian. The cats are hilarious.
So good. We get Marcus and Sebastian's entire relationship. We watch it build and change as they grow closer. These are real people. Not cardbord cutouts masquerading as characters.
Tbe writing is great. So descriptive. The feelings flow right off the page. We're right alongside Marcus as he learns to trust and love Sebastian.
The epilogue was indulgent and a little too long. But it was fun to see these guys get their HEA. I loved this read.
"Marcus, I was wondering if maybe—" "—plus we're doing a raffle, tons of prizes—" He guides Sebastian through the doorway with a gentle push. "Anyway, thanks for coming—I had the best night!" The door clicks shut on Sebastian's. "But I—"
Oh Marcus, you'd better make this fucking right. Poor Sebastian!
The cats had acted like he owed them money at breakfast.
Yeah Marcus, the cats want you to make it right with Sebastian too. WE ARE NOT IMPRESSED.
Well, Marcus can help with that. He'll be the friend Sebastian needs until he can spread his new little gay wings and fly. After all, everyone deserves a safe space to figure themselves out.
Marcus, you're a dumbass. Seriously. I hope the cats get you good.
Zinnia, Poppy, and Snowdrop stand at the end of the hallway, tails pointing straight up like exclamation marks, heads tilted high. They stare at him for exactly two seconds before pivoting away in unison.
Get her, Jade!
"Seriously? What did I do?"
YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID MARCUS
"He's not a disaster, you are." Lila leans across the counter.
PREACH
He tugs at the hem of his shirt, quite self-conscious and acutely aware that he’s nothing special.
Oh Marcus, my heart. Sebastian thinks you matter.
Those two are either the world's worst actors or the last people on Earth to realize they're dating.
THE CALL'S COMING FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE, MARCUS
The realization hits Marcus like a bucket of cold water. He'd slept with—and inadvertently ignored—one of the city's most successful young entrepreneurs. A man who apparently commands enough respect to summon a fleet of luxury cars on a Saturday afternoon, yet still volunteers to clean cat boxes and wrestle with rescue dogs.
BOOM
Sigh. He’s silly like that. Of course it’s just how Sebastian is.
Marcus, you dumbass
"I'm clean," he says softly. "If you don't mind..."
NOPE
"And he only has eyes for you, you blind bat," Mary adds, organizing donation receipts with unnecessary force.
GET HIM MARY
as lube spreads everywhere.
Hope you put down a damn towel! LOLOLOL
Marcus wipes his hands on the sheets, then straddles Sebastian's thighs.
THAT'S A NO ON THE TOWEL! BWHAHAHAAA
"You're doing so good, sweetie," Marcus praises, scratching Sebastian's scalp with his fingertips. "My perfect, handsome boy, so good for me."
WAIT. Do the cats think Sebastian is a cat?
"This is what you need to be happy," Marcus teases, spreading his fingers wider. "This is why you love me." Sebastian makes a choked sound, his cursing now sounding almost angry as the entire bed shakes with his thrashing around.
MARCUS! Do you realize what you just said?! HOLY SHIT
Why can't Sebastian just stay the night?
BECAUSE YOU HAVENT ASKED HIM TO STAY, IDIOT
Were they… were they pleased with Marcus’s performance tonight? Have they accepted Marcus as The Dominant One and now tolerate Sebastian as another loyal subject?
No you idiot, they want Sebastian to staaaay!
Or maybe they hate him and Sebastian together so much that the only solution is to stop seeing Sebastian.
FUCK NO, MARCUS! JESUS!
Sebastian shrugs. "It's somewhere to live. It'll be much nicer if I could share it with someone one day." “Oh..." Marcus trails off. His hand drops from the glass.
OH FOR FUCK'S SAKE MARCUS!
A fleeting thought crosses Marcus's mind—how careful Sebastian is, how attentive. How he'd make the most amazing boyfriend. The most perfect husband.
Listen to that voice, Marcus
The Truth
Yesssssssssssss
"That's when the girls downloaded Grindr onto my phone," Sebastian admits. "According to them, 'Our thick-headed, dumb manager is too dumb and thick-headed to see true love if it bit him in the leg and punched him in the face.'"
BOOM
All this time, his cats weren't judging him—they were simply protecting him, making sure he ended up with the right person. The person they'd already known and loved.
I FUCKING TOLD YOU MARCUS! OBLIVIOT.
5.0
This book is lovely. The writing is wonderful-descriptive and lyrical. Marcus is a fully recognized character with faults and flaws as well as positive attributes. I'm really hoping he doesn't hurt Sebastian. The cats are hilarious.
So good. We get Marcus and Sebastian's entire relationship. We watch it build and change as they grow closer. These are real people. Not cardboard cutouts masquerading as characters.
The writing is great. So descriptive. The feelings flow right off the page. We're right alongside Marcus as he learns to trust and love Sebastian.
The epilogue was indulgent and a little too long. But it was fun to see these guys get their HEA. I loved this read.
5.0
This book is lovely. The writing is wonderful-descriptive and lyrical. Marcus is a fully recognized character with faults and flaws as well as positive attributes. I'm really hoping he doesn't hurt Sebastian. The cats are hilarious.
So good. We get Marcus and Sebastian's entire relationship. We watch it build and change as they grow closer. These are real people. Not cardbord cutouts masquerading as characters.
Tbe writing is great. So descriptive. The feelings flow right off the page. We're right alongside Marcus as he learns to trust and love Sebastian.
The epilogue was indulgent and a little too long. But it was fun to see these guys get their HEA. I loved this read.
August 13, 2025
terrible
Wow I disliked this one. The dialogue between the MCs was so terrible. It was actually painful to read. This book was way too long and nothing actually happened. The story kept shifting perspectives (at one point to random side characters, these construction bros). It was trying hard to be funny but it wasn’t actually funny. It also brought up random characters for no reason. Like all of a sudden with 10% left there are family members that we’re suddenly supposed to care about that have barely been mentioned before. There was a Chinese character that inexplicably had a crazy accent that made no sense. So bizarre. The spicy scenes were terrible. Some of the worst I’ve ever read. They went on for so long and they just weren’t well written. It seemed awful for the MCs. I actually felt bad for them.
The biggest problem was the lack of any emotional development between the MCs. There was never any relationship built or any meaningful conversations between the two. I have no idea why they like each other beyond the fact that they’re hot and one of them is rich. That’s not a basis for a satisfying couple/relationship, I’m sorry. I hated the nicknames. Hated the bedroom dialogue. So cringy. Another huge problem was the characterization. Marcus’ character especially was very inconsistent, his personality seemed to shift randomly because “plot” (not that there was any plot to speak of). I almost DNF’d this multiple times. I can’t believe I made it through (regrets). Very unsatisfying read. Don’t recommend and I wouldn’t read anything else by this author.
Wow I disliked this one. The dialogue between the MCs was so terrible. It was actually painful to read. This book was way too long and nothing actually happened. The story kept shifting perspectives (at one point to random side characters, these construction bros). It was trying hard to be funny but it wasn’t actually funny. It also brought up random characters for no reason. Like all of a sudden with 10% left there are family members that we’re suddenly supposed to care about that have barely been mentioned before. There was a Chinese character that inexplicably had a crazy accent that made no sense. So bizarre. The spicy scenes were terrible. Some of the worst I’ve ever read. They went on for so long and they just weren’t well written. It seemed awful for the MCs. I actually felt bad for them.
The biggest problem was the lack of any emotional development between the MCs. There was never any relationship built or any meaningful conversations between the two. I have no idea why they like each other beyond the fact that they’re hot and one of them is rich. That’s not a basis for a satisfying couple/relationship, I’m sorry. I hated the nicknames. Hated the bedroom dialogue. So cringy. Another huge problem was the characterization. Marcus’ character especially was very inconsistent, his personality seemed to shift randomly because “plot” (not that there was any plot to speak of). I almost DNF’d this multiple times. I can’t believe I made it through (regrets). Very unsatisfying read. Don’t recommend and I wouldn’t read anything else by this author.
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August 13, 2025I’m sorry I can’t do this. I feel bad for Sebastian. I hate that Marcus basically used him to get sex and then kicked him out right after. My chest is literally hurting 😭 DNF @ 10%
Especially knowing the guy hasn’t been with anyone yet, you don’t even wait for him to communicate his needs or for both of yall to communicate you just act like the same guys that you claim to hate on Grindr. Enough is enough 😒. I’m sorry I can’t root for this couple. And you don’t even recognize him?
Especially knowing the guy hasn’t been with anyone yet, you don’t even wait for him to communicate his needs or for both of yall to communicate you just act like the same guys that you claim to hate on Grindr. Enough is enough 😒. I’m sorry I can’t root for this couple. And you don’t even recognize him?
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May 30, 2025dnf. neither character was believable or likeable.
January 10, 2026
1.5 stars. I had to get to the end bc I can’t DNF books but this was a struggle. There are so many things wrong here that I don’t even know where to start.
Firstly, the book was way too long. Too many meandering paragraphs about nothing at and then on top of that, you have terrible dialogue between two unlikeable mcs. There was no real plot or story tbh and the book went nowhere. Nothing really happened.
Funnily enough it was *too* cat coded and the dirty talk felt too much like they were talking to their pets. At one point, I wondered if it was going to be revealed that Sebastian was a cat who turned human. That’s how silly reading this book felt. The switch between the first time how Seb was nervous and never been with a man and then him turning into a dirty talking sex machine? Unbelievable. Also he’s meant to endearing and cute but he’s actually kinda comes off as a creepy stalker entitled man child? There’s a way to make that adorable or even hot but his inability to not talk in exclamations made me read him as a weird overexcited teenager.
Don’t even get me started on Marcus. Hated him in the start but surprising he grew on me. He’s the only one in the book that has a little bit of forward movement. It’s not good but at least it something.
It was also a bit hard to read and follow? At one point during the car was scene in the first few chapters, it turned into one of the side characters POV with no warning? Also who could possibly spend the day washing 73 cars? The more I think about it, the more annoyed I get.
I skimmed most of it and this might be the book that forces me to reconsider my DNF rules.
Firstly, the book was way too long. Too many meandering paragraphs about nothing at and then on top of that, you have terrible dialogue between two unlikeable mcs. There was no real plot or story tbh and the book went nowhere. Nothing really happened.
Funnily enough it was *too* cat coded and the dirty talk felt too much like they were talking to their pets. At one point, I wondered if it was going to be revealed that Sebastian was a cat who turned human. That’s how silly reading this book felt. The switch between the first time how Seb was nervous and never been with a man and then him turning into a dirty talking sex machine? Unbelievable. Also he’s meant to endearing and cute but he’s actually kinda comes off as a creepy stalker entitled man child? There’s a way to make that adorable or even hot but his inability to not talk in exclamations made me read him as a weird overexcited teenager.
Don’t even get me started on Marcus. Hated him in the start but surprising he grew on me. He’s the only one in the book that has a little bit of forward movement. It’s not good but at least it something.
It was also a bit hard to read and follow? At one point during the car was scene in the first few chapters, it turned into one of the side characters POV with no warning? Also who could possibly spend the day washing 73 cars? The more I think about it, the more annoyed I get.
I skimmed most of it and this might be the book that forces me to reconsider my DNF rules.
June 17, 2025
The first book, Under Construction, was very busy and had a lot of things going on. In contrast, The Cat Code was like being wrapped in a soft blanket while sipping hot chocolate indoors while it snowed outside. It's now officially one of my comfort reads.
The Cat Code is not completely realistic because it's meant to be a modern fairytale. And it's exactly the cute brain break that I needed after I read a long action-packed series.
I love it when one party is absolutely besotted while the other is largely clueless and surprised. Even in the parts where Sebastian spent a shit ton of money on Marcus, it never felt like he was buying Marcus' love because there was something so wholesome and good with how Sebastian just wanted to spoil Marcus. Those little messages that came with the gifts were everything.
This book is relatively low-angst and there is no third act breakup. None of the MCs treated the other like crap and there was no cheating or great betrayal. But it's great how it never gets boring. It's such a joy to see how Sebastian slowly and surely wooed Marcus so earnestly from the start.
The Cat Code is not completely realistic because it's meant to be a modern fairytale. And it's exactly the cute brain break that I needed after I read a long action-packed series.
I love it when one party is absolutely besotted while the other is largely clueless and surprised. Even in the parts where Sebastian spent a shit ton of money on Marcus, it never felt like he was buying Marcus' love because there was something so wholesome and good with how Sebastian just wanted to spoil Marcus. Those little messages that came with the gifts were everything.
This book is relatively low-angst and there is no third act breakup. None of the MCs treated the other like crap and there was no cheating or great betrayal. But it's great how it never gets boring. It's such a joy to see how Sebastian slowly and surely wooed Marcus so earnestly from the start.
June 24, 2025
Sexy, sweet, easy to follow, no third act break up bonus! Don't pick this up if you're looking for deep and meaningful realism with fancy prose. This is a romcom and acts like it to the T. The only realistic thing here is how there's a bit of Marcus in all of us and while we love books to clear up misunderstandings with a 5 minute conversation, our real lives are full of them especially when it comes to the person we like. Related with that and appreciated it. I felt seen and heard, all I need is a Sebastian now!!
January 20, 2026
wtf was this. Terrible. DNF'd at like 10%.
Did not finish
February 10, 2026this is very cute and easy to read, but the constant unawareness was too high and I was really getting uncomfortable cringe from it so I had to dnf
March 11, 2026
The Cat Code is a delightful blend of heartfelt romance and feline-fueled chaos, delivering both laugh-out-loud humor and genuine emotional warmth. Marcus LaFleur’s exasperation with modern dating is instantly relatable, and his dynamic with Sebastian Holt strikes that perfect balance between flirty banter and slow-blooming affection. Their chemistry feels natural and tender, yet the story never loses its playful charm-especially thanks to the meddling trio of cats who seem determined to run Marcus’s love life like their own personal soap opera.
Juliet M. Dixon has a wonderful knack for dialogue and comedic timing. The shelter setting adds layers of coziness and compassion, giving the romance a grounded, heartwarming feel amid the antics. Sebastian’s earnest, tail-wagging devotion contrasts beautifully with Marcus’s cautious nature, and watching the walls between them crumble is deeply satisfying.
Between the purrs, mishaps, and moments of vulnerability, The Cat Code becomes more than just a rom-com: it’s a story about trust, healing, and the unexpected ways love sneaks into your life. Funny, tender, and just a little bit chaotic, it’s a purr-fect comfort read for anyone who believes our pets sometimes know our hearts better than we do.
Juliet M. Dixon has a wonderful knack for dialogue and comedic timing. The shelter setting adds layers of coziness and compassion, giving the romance a grounded, heartwarming feel amid the antics. Sebastian’s earnest, tail-wagging devotion contrasts beautifully with Marcus’s cautious nature, and watching the walls between them crumble is deeply satisfying.
Between the purrs, mishaps, and moments of vulnerability, The Cat Code becomes more than just a rom-com: it’s a story about trust, healing, and the unexpected ways love sneaks into your life. Funny, tender, and just a little bit chaotic, it’s a purr-fect comfort read for anyone who believes our pets sometimes know our hearts better than we do.
November 10, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
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