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Bromantasy
Not yet published
Expected 26 May 26Two heroes. One brain cell.
BROMANTASY is a cozy, queer fantasy about the mortifying ordeal of being known by your totally platonic best friend and the epic quest that might force you to confront the truth.
Fellas, is it gay to kiss your bff while on a quest through the forest you’re unqualified for?
Juniper O'Reilly is good at only two things: demolishing a pint of mead and finding the perfect skincare routine. Everything else—taking care of the farm, bartering for goods, any sort of manual labor—falls to Juniper’s best friend, the absurdly capable, endlessly patient Mo Elmthorn.
But when Juniper accidentally volunteers them both for a quest to kill a fearsome monster, he knows he’s finally gotten in over his head. Juniper hates camping, he hates the dark, and there’s no way all these foraged mushrooms are going to sit well in his stomach. One thing he doesn’t hate? How good Mo’s thighs look in his questing pants—he doesn’t have time to think about that, though, with a monster to hunt and their futures on the line.
But monsters come in all shapes and sizes. When Juniper and Mo realize that the terrifying beast they’ve sworn to kill is just a scared little girl torn from their family, they’re off to find not only the true villain of the story, but maybe even a happy ending.
BROMANTASY is a cozy, queer fantasy about the mortifying ordeal of being known by your totally platonic best friend and the epic quest that might force you to confront the truth.
Fellas, is it gay to kiss your bff while on a quest through the forest you’re unqualified for?
Juniper O'Reilly is good at only two things: demolishing a pint of mead and finding the perfect skincare routine. Everything else—taking care of the farm, bartering for goods, any sort of manual labor—falls to Juniper’s best friend, the absurdly capable, endlessly patient Mo Elmthorn.
But when Juniper accidentally volunteers them both for a quest to kill a fearsome monster, he knows he’s finally gotten in over his head. Juniper hates camping, he hates the dark, and there’s no way all these foraged mushrooms are going to sit well in his stomach. One thing he doesn’t hate? How good Mo’s thighs look in his questing pants—he doesn’t have time to think about that, though, with a monster to hunt and their futures on the line.
But monsters come in all shapes and sizes. When Juniper and Mo realize that the terrifying beast they’ve sworn to kill is just a scared little girl torn from their family, they’re off to find not only the true villain of the story, but maybe even a happy ending.
352 pages, Paperback
Expected publication May 26, 2026
10 people are currently reading
3610 people want to read
About the author
Máire Roche
2 books21 followersMáire Roche is a former teacher who now writes fantasy for all ages.
When she's not writing, Máire enjoys exploring new coffee shops, hiking, and teaching martial arts.
She also writes thrillers and contemporary romance as Mary E. Roach, where her recent & upcoming titles include Better Left Buried, Seven for a Secret, and We Are the Match.
When she's not writing, Máire enjoys exploring new coffee shops, hiking, and teaching martial arts.
She also writes thrillers and contemporary romance as Mary E. Roach, where her recent & upcoming titles include Better Left Buried, Seven for a Secret, and We Are the Match.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
December 27, 2025
You know those spoof/parody movies, Not Another Teen Movie or Scary Movie etc? This feels like that in book form for romantasy.
If you enjoyed those movies or humor like it, you’ll probably have a great time with this book.
There is a quest, dragons, and two idiots (complimentary) totally in love with each other but pretending not to be.
Plenty of silly funny humor that pokes fun at modern slang, books in the genre, etc.
Unfortunately, I’m not a fan of those types of movies or that type of humor so this book was a kind of a miss for me. I did enjoy it enough that I wanted to find out what happened with the dragon, but this isn’t one I’ll read again and I’d only recommend it to ppl that really enjoy that parody/silly humor style.
I’ll also emphasize that this is two idiots in love and denying it for most of the book. This reads like miscommunication, so if you’re not a fan of that style of conflict this might be one to skip!
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Thank you to the publisher for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
If you enjoyed those movies or humor like it, you’ll probably have a great time with this book.
There is a quest, dragons, and two idiots (complimentary) totally in love with each other but pretending not to be.
Plenty of silly funny humor that pokes fun at modern slang, books in the genre, etc.
Unfortunately, I’m not a fan of those types of movies or that type of humor so this book was a kind of a miss for me. I did enjoy it enough that I wanted to find out what happened with the dragon, but this isn’t one I’ll read again and I’d only recommend it to ppl that really enjoy that parody/silly humor style.
I’ll also emphasize that this is two idiots in love and denying it for most of the book. This reads like miscommunication, so if you’re not a fan of that style of conflict this might be one to skip!
| IG | TikTok |
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Bromantasy is a cozy fantasy book about best friends who secretly love each other. There's also a baby dragon that may or may not be a little girl.
It's a sorcery and small magics meets the house in the cerulean sea.
It was very cute and a fun time, I'd recommend it if you like cozy fantasy.
Thank you Netgalley and Putnam for the ARC.
It's a sorcery and small magics meets the house in the cerulean sea.
It was very cute and a fun time, I'd recommend it if you like cozy fantasy.
Thank you Netgalley and Putnam for the ARC.
December 15, 2025
Bromantasy is a fun, cozy, campy read great for those looking for something in the vein of Legends & Lattes or The House in the Cerulean Sea.
Juniper and Mo's "friendship" is rife with stupidity and missed opportunities and poor communication, and while that would normally frustrate me to no end, I felt Máire Roche did a great job of instead portraying it as endearing and an understandable result of their histories, both shared and individual. I definitely enjoyed the pining and yearning weaved throughout, though I'll admit to wishing there had been slightly more of an on-page payoff in the romance department.
That aside, I enjoyed how much this book leaned into common fantasy and romance tropes (friends-to-lovers, only one bed, etc.) and didn't take itself too seriously. There were numerous contemporary references and phrases tied in to the fantasy setting, which added a lot of humor and helped maintain the lighthearted tone, even when Juniper and Mo's personal stakes were higher.
As someone who loves when a book puts me in an emotional chokehold, there were moments throughout, primarily related to Juniper and Mo's character and relationship development, when I wanted the author to dig a little deeper and really dive into the core of things. I can, however, accept that this book is about the vibes, and the vibes are meant to be silly and playful and tongue-in-cheek. I think, in that regard, it's important to go into this book with the appropriate expectations.
Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Juniper and Mo's "friendship" is rife with stupidity and missed opportunities and poor communication, and while that would normally frustrate me to no end, I felt Máire Roche did a great job of instead portraying it as endearing and an understandable result of their histories, both shared and individual. I definitely enjoyed the pining and yearning weaved throughout, though I'll admit to wishing there had been slightly more of an on-page payoff in the romance department.
That aside, I enjoyed how much this book leaned into common fantasy and romance tropes (friends-to-lovers, only one bed, etc.) and didn't take itself too seriously. There were numerous contemporary references and phrases tied in to the fantasy setting, which added a lot of humor and helped maintain the lighthearted tone, even when Juniper and Mo's personal stakes were higher.
As someone who loves when a book puts me in an emotional chokehold, there were moments throughout, primarily related to Juniper and Mo's character and relationship development, when I wanted the author to dig a little deeper and really dive into the core of things. I can, however, accept that this book is about the vibes, and the vibes are meant to be silly and playful and tongue-in-cheek. I think, in that regard, it's important to go into this book with the appropriate expectations.
Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
arcs
January 17, 2026Legolas and Gimli walked so these idiots could run
September 21, 2025
yes, it is gay
December 19, 2025
4.25 stars
This was such a fun and lighthearted book about two definitely platonic best friends who are sent on a quest to find a dragon. It was cozy and campy with a good
mix of humor and some more serious moments.
Juniper and Mo were the somewhat stereotypical main characters of this genre of book. Juniper was the well intentioned bumbling idiot who keeps getting himself in trouble and Mo was the quieter, serious character who gets them out of trouble. It’s nothing groundbreaking, but it works. They played off each other really well and I loved their incredibly codependent friendship. They very much acted like an old married couple while trying their hardest to pretend they didn’t have actual feelings for each other.
The quest was fun and interesting and I liked all the side characters and the way they drove the story forward. There’s not a lot of world building or set up to this book - you’re kind of just thrown into the story. I personally don’t mind that, I found that the book gave me enough information to know what was going on but if you’re the kind of person who needs to know every detail of the setting or the magic system, just know that you don’t really get that.
This book is perfect for fans of:
-cozy fantasy
-quests
-found family
-shapeshifting dragons
-friends/idiots to lovers
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC!
This was such a fun and lighthearted book about two definitely platonic best friends who are sent on a quest to find a dragon. It was cozy and campy with a good
mix of humor and some more serious moments.
Juniper and Mo were the somewhat stereotypical main characters of this genre of book. Juniper was the well intentioned bumbling idiot who keeps getting himself in trouble and Mo was the quieter, serious character who gets them out of trouble. It’s nothing groundbreaking, but it works. They played off each other really well and I loved their incredibly codependent friendship. They very much acted like an old married couple while trying their hardest to pretend they didn’t have actual feelings for each other.
The quest was fun and interesting and I liked all the side characters and the way they drove the story forward. There’s not a lot of world building or set up to this book - you’re kind of just thrown into the story. I personally don’t mind that, I found that the book gave me enough information to know what was going on but if you’re the kind of person who needs to know every detail of the setting or the magic system, just know that you don’t really get that.
This book is perfect for fans of:
-cozy fantasy
-quests
-found family
-shapeshifting dragons
-friends/idiots to lovers
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC!
Read
December 21, 2025fun and funny book with some absolutely hilarious protagonists (great couple, too) and a really great found family plotline. would recommend. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Goodreads give me half stars please - this would be a 3.5 if I could! It delivered on the silly cozy queer vibes but I just didn't feel like the core romance itself was terribly strong.
I liked the narrative tone, which makes a lot of jokes about the genre and fits modern references into an old-timey fantasy setting (felt a bit like Shrek's tone to me, which I mean as a compliment!).
It felt like we lost the romance thread a bit amongst the questing - we're in Juniper's POV and as the story went on there just wasn't enough of that delicious tension of him not seeing Mo's reciprocal feelings that we can clearly see as readers for my taste in an oblivious friends-to-lovers romance. The ending also felt a little abrupt but overall I had a silly goofy good time reading this book!
Thanks to Putnam and Netgalley for the ARC ✌️
I liked the narrative tone, which makes a lot of jokes about the genre and fits modern references into an old-timey fantasy setting (felt a bit like Shrek's tone to me, which I mean as a compliment!).
It felt like we lost the romance thread a bit amongst the questing - we're in Juniper's POV and as the story went on there just wasn't enough of that delicious tension of him not seeing Mo's reciprocal feelings that we can clearly see as readers for my taste in an oblivious friends-to-lovers romance. The ending also felt a little abrupt but overall I had a silly goofy good time reading this book!
Thanks to Putnam and Netgalley for the ARC ✌️
January 18, 2026
Stupid (affectionate)
Rtc
———-
Juniper O’Reilly loves three things: creature comforts, tavern brawls, and his best friend and roommate Mo Elmthron (wait what was that? Surely he’s not IN LOVE with Mo, just because he would do literally anything for him and thinks constantly about the way his butt looks in his pants). Unfortunately for him, he conks the wrong guy on the head and is suddenly forced to go on a quest to hunt a dragon. Mo, of course, goes with him, and the two certainly bring new meaning to the phrase “blaze of glory.”
I am constantly on the hunt for the perfect stupid book. BROMANTASY might be it. It’s so important that a silly book with a silly premise commit to that premise, and stay unserious. With lines such as a bystander pointing to Juniper and going, “Why is that man crying as he runs”, BROMANTASY certainly walks that line. I can’t say this is like, a good book, but I don’t think that’s the point. It’s a FUN book, and THAT’s the point. Juniper accidentally kicked his pants into a forest fire and then had to walk around without them for a while, Mo’s butt is so big it literally gets stuck in a cave they’re hiding in, there is a plot significant obsession with fine cheeses and every tavern has Only One Bed. Men will literally go on a life or death quest instead of talking about their feelings!!
If you want to let some fun into your life, BROMANTASY is out May 26, 2026. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
Rtc
———-
Juniper O’Reilly loves three things: creature comforts, tavern brawls, and his best friend and roommate Mo Elmthron (wait what was that? Surely he’s not IN LOVE with Mo, just because he would do literally anything for him and thinks constantly about the way his butt looks in his pants). Unfortunately for him, he conks the wrong guy on the head and is suddenly forced to go on a quest to hunt a dragon. Mo, of course, goes with him, and the two certainly bring new meaning to the phrase “blaze of glory.”
I am constantly on the hunt for the perfect stupid book. BROMANTASY might be it. It’s so important that a silly book with a silly premise commit to that premise, and stay unserious. With lines such as a bystander pointing to Juniper and going, “Why is that man crying as he runs”, BROMANTASY certainly walks that line. I can’t say this is like, a good book, but I don’t think that’s the point. It’s a FUN book, and THAT’s the point. Juniper accidentally kicked his pants into a forest fire and then had to walk around without them for a while, Mo’s butt is so big it literally gets stuck in a cave they’re hiding in, there is a plot significant obsession with fine cheeses and every tavern has Only One Bed. Men will literally go on a life or death quest instead of talking about their feelings!!
If you want to let some fun into your life, BROMANTASY is out May 26, 2026. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Pretty predictable goofy adventure with silly idiot boys in love. And a dragon!
Our main character is a very high maintenance guy who pines after his best friend, a strong quiet type who obviously to everyone but him, loves him back. What keeps them apart and is a main driver of their eventual relationship development is a decade of miscommunication, my least favorite trope. The two main characters and their dynamic are very similar to the main characters of Yield Under Great Persuasion, in which I was also perpetually annoyed with the whiny goblin of a main character.
The humor of this book is like This Will Be Fun, kind of cheesy adventure parody with modern humor and slang (e.g. down bad, unalive, multi-step tallow skincare routine). It's exactly what you would expect with a title like Bromantasy! The book is written well with a little uneven pacing, but it's quick and easy to get through and the side characters were compelling by the end. I wish there was more dragon, which was my favorite part.
If you like this kind of corny humor and appreciate miscommunication driven yearning, you'll really enjoy this book! Neither of which, unfortunately, were for me but I had a decent enough time.
Thank you, Putnam, for the arc!
Our main character is a very high maintenance guy who pines after his best friend, a strong quiet type who obviously to everyone but him, loves him back. What keeps them apart and is a main driver of their eventual relationship development is a decade of miscommunication, my least favorite trope. The two main characters and their dynamic are very similar to the main characters of Yield Under Great Persuasion, in which I was also perpetually annoyed with the whiny goblin of a main character.
The humor of this book is like This Will Be Fun, kind of cheesy adventure parody with modern humor and slang (e.g. down bad, unalive, multi-step tallow skincare routine). It's exactly what you would expect with a title like Bromantasy! The book is written well with a little uneven pacing, but it's quick and easy to get through and the side characters were compelling by the end. I wish there was more dragon, which was my favorite part.
If you like this kind of corny humor and appreciate miscommunication driven yearning, you'll really enjoy this book! Neither of which, unfortunately, were for me but I had a decent enough time.
Thank you, Putnam, for the arc!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4⭐
G🌶️
This was silly but also cozy and happy and right now the world is kind of a scary place, so this book is exactly what I needed right now. If you're in search of some comfort and escapism, this book delivers it in spades.
G🌶️
This was silly but also cozy and happy and right now the world is kind of a scary place, so this book is exactly what I needed right now. If you're in search of some comfort and escapism, this book delivers it in spades.
Want to read
January 21, 2026i like gay things :)
January 24, 2026
Incredible! This is so funny and very heartwarming. I loved the pacing, and felt like the plot was exciting. I could barely put it down. Can’t wait to be able to recommend this to people.
January 1, 2026
Fun! I’m glad these idiots finally talked together in the end!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When I first saw this title on Netgalley, I knew that I needed to get my hands on it as soon as possible. The cover art, the title, and the synopsis all drew me in, wanting to read more about a "bromantasy." This is the first time that I have read anything by this author, so I had no expectations going in; however, now I want to read some more of Roche's work.
Overall, I had a fun time with this book! It was a great read to help me destress from my finals, as I was able to transport myself to a world with dragon shifters and inns that only ever have one bed. Speaking of such, I love how Roche played with the typical fantasy and romance/romantasy tropes! My personal favorite was the fact that the inns only ever have one bed, even advertising itself with that fact. That trope is a staple in romance novels and it never gets old to me, so I love that small quips were said by the characters about these rooms with only one bed! I also really enjoyed the found family aspect of this novel, especially when Bear was introduced (love her to pieces!!). Juniper was more hesitant at first in regards to Bear, his feelings about Mo were abundantly clear lol, but soon the switch flipped and Bear became a part of their family. I love how she immediately started using Mo's nickname for Juniper - Junebug. Bear had just lost her mother, leaving Mo and Juniper to fill that hole. The fact that she picked up on the nickname and felt comfortable to use it for Juniper as well just made me heart happy.
The thing that really kept me reading was the relationship between Mo and Juniper. Regardless of the romance, the dynamic between the two of them just worked so well. They built a home together, a safe space that seems so warm and inviting, which just shows how much they understand each other. Both characters also felt very nuanced to me, with clear background of why they both act a certain way, such as Juniper's awful dad making Juniper grow up to fear Mo would leave. The romance between Mo and Juniper is also very sweet. It's one of those where I just wind up yelling at the book saying, "JUST TELL HIM HOW YOU FEEL ALREADY!!" I did feel that the romance felt a bit rushed though. It might just be because the confession happened in an awkward time, but by the end of the book it was just kind of mutually decided they would get married. I wish there was a bit more conversation between the characters regarding their feelings. I understand that they have both been in love with each other for quite some time, but it just seemed like there wasn't a true "moment." I think in this case, a dual POV could have been used so that the reader could see how both Mo and Juniper dealt with these emotions. I think the confession might have been more impactful if we got both perspectives.
This book was such a fun, light-hearted read, and I can't wait for the publication date! I will definitely be purchasing this book for myself when it comes out because I could see myself reading this again :) Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, I had a fun time with this book! It was a great read to help me destress from my finals, as I was able to transport myself to a world with dragon shifters and inns that only ever have one bed. Speaking of such, I love how Roche played with the typical fantasy and romance/romantasy tropes! My personal favorite was the fact that the inns only ever have one bed, even advertising itself with that fact. That trope is a staple in romance novels and it never gets old to me, so I love that small quips were said by the characters about these rooms with only one bed! I also really enjoyed the found family aspect of this novel, especially when Bear was introduced (love her to pieces!!). Juniper was more hesitant at first in regards to Bear, his feelings about Mo were abundantly clear lol, but soon the switch flipped and Bear became a part of their family. I love how she immediately started using Mo's nickname for Juniper - Junebug. Bear had just lost her mother, leaving Mo and Juniper to fill that hole. The fact that she picked up on the nickname and felt comfortable to use it for Juniper as well just made me heart happy.
The thing that really kept me reading was the relationship between Mo and Juniper. Regardless of the romance, the dynamic between the two of them just worked so well. They built a home together, a safe space that seems so warm and inviting, which just shows how much they understand each other. Both characters also felt very nuanced to me, with clear background of why they both act a certain way, such as Juniper's awful dad making Juniper grow up to fear Mo would leave. The romance between Mo and Juniper is also very sweet. It's one of those where I just wind up yelling at the book saying, "JUST TELL HIM HOW YOU FEEL ALREADY!!" I did feel that the romance felt a bit rushed though. It might just be because the confession happened in an awkward time, but by the end of the book it was just kind of mutually decided they would get married. I wish there was a bit more conversation between the characters regarding their feelings. I understand that they have both been in love with each other for quite some time, but it just seemed like there wasn't a true "moment." I think in this case, a dual POV could have been used so that the reader could see how both Mo and Juniper dealt with these emotions. I think the confession might have been more impactful if we got both perspectives.
This book was such a fun, light-hearted read, and I can't wait for the publication date! I will definitely be purchasing this book for myself when it comes out because I could see myself reading this again :) Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Sometimes I read a book, and then I read other people's reviews, and I wonder if we read the same book or if I'm being punk'd. Such is this experience.
I have been looking forward to this book since I saw that cover and read that silly blurb. In general, when I'm reviewing a book, I try not to take bad marketing choices into account, but this blurb is a pretty egregious lie. How are you gonna tell me that is a bros-to-lovers story when they are literally in love the whole time? They kissed ten years before the start of the book. They have lived together for nine of those ten years and have been been aware of the unresolved romantic tension.
I'm also struggling with the "Two Heroes, One Braincell" blurb because that doesn't feel accurate to me. I hear that, and I expect himbo behavior. I think with some light editing to perhaps fifteen sentences scattered throughout the book, this could have been a middle grade novel. These do not real like two inept adult men. (They're, like, 30?) They read like comically incompetent preteens. This was compounded by the limited vocabulary used throughout the book, the level of humor, and the complete and total lack of worldbuilding. The villains were slapping and pinching one another and shouting in all caps. How am I supposed to be afraid of these noodles? In place of worldbuilding, there were an abundance of real-world references, similar to those found in "This Will Be Fun," but at least in the latter, the characters had some level of complexity. Juniper has approximately three personality traits: he's worried about skincare, he has never forgiven Mo for going on one vacation without him a decade ago (red flag, honestly), and he really likes cheese. Only cheese, basically. I love cheese a more than average amount, but there are only so many times that cheese can be a punchline before I want some level of deeper character development.
For a book that's almost 400 pages long, surprisingly little happens, and the few chaotic actions scenes are interspersed with lengthy, repetitive backstory infodumps. As much as I love cozy fantasy, I get frustrated with how many books in this subgenre rely on no-stakes or jokey storylines without doing anything interesting with the characters. Juniper's arc is linear. He makes the obvious mistakes for the obvious reasons and then immediately reaches the obvious conclusions. There was nothing surprising or unexpected about the narrative or the world.
This feels like an awfully long sh**post for a book I didn't actually hate. I think that, with a few minor revisions, it would be a perfectly serviceable middle grade or even early YA novel, but the notion that these characters are 30 and behaving in this way was deeply frustrating, obviously. Thank you to NetGallay and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC; sorry that it awakened the wrong kind of something in me. Other people have clearly had a much better reading experience than I did, so I am clearly an outlier here.
I have been looking forward to this book since I saw that cover and read that silly blurb. In general, when I'm reviewing a book, I try not to take bad marketing choices into account, but this blurb is a pretty egregious lie. How are you gonna tell me that is a bros-to-lovers story when they are literally in love the whole time? They kissed ten years before the start of the book. They have lived together for nine of those ten years and have been been aware of the unresolved romantic tension.
I'm also struggling with the "Two Heroes, One Braincell" blurb because that doesn't feel accurate to me. I hear that, and I expect himbo behavior. I think with some light editing to perhaps fifteen sentences scattered throughout the book, this could have been a middle grade novel. These do not real like two inept adult men. (They're, like, 30?) They read like comically incompetent preteens. This was compounded by the limited vocabulary used throughout the book, the level of humor, and the complete and total lack of worldbuilding. The villains were slapping and pinching one another and shouting in all caps. How am I supposed to be afraid of these noodles? In place of worldbuilding, there were an abundance of real-world references, similar to those found in "This Will Be Fun," but at least in the latter, the characters had some level of complexity. Juniper has approximately three personality traits: he's worried about skincare, he has never forgiven Mo for going on one vacation without him a decade ago (red flag, honestly), and he really likes cheese. Only cheese, basically. I love cheese a more than average amount, but there are only so many times that cheese can be a punchline before I want some level of deeper character development.
For a book that's almost 400 pages long, surprisingly little happens, and the few chaotic actions scenes are interspersed with lengthy, repetitive backstory infodumps. As much as I love cozy fantasy, I get frustrated with how many books in this subgenre rely on no-stakes or jokey storylines without doing anything interesting with the characters. Juniper's arc is linear. He makes the obvious mistakes for the obvious reasons and then immediately reaches the obvious conclusions. There was nothing surprising or unexpected about the narrative or the world.
This feels like an awfully long sh**post for a book I didn't actually hate. I think that, with a few minor revisions, it would be a perfectly serviceable middle grade or even early YA novel, but the notion that these characters are 30 and behaving in this way was deeply frustrating, obviously. Thank you to NetGallay and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC; sorry that it awakened the wrong kind of something in me. Other people have clearly had a much better reading experience than I did, so I am clearly an outlier here.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for this ARC.
3.75 stars
Oh man, let me tell you, the blurb for Bromantasy sold it to me so much that I was willing to skip past my other ARCs just to read this one. Bromantasy is cozy, queer, and honestly full of some pretty great tongue and cheek humor. After all, these quests tend to have only one bed don't they?
From the get go, whether you've read the blurb or not, Maire Roche makes it abundantly clear that Juniper is head over heels in love with his roommate/best friend, but in denial due to trauma. Every winter, Mo gets the adventuring blues which makes Juniper very anxious that Mo will leave never to return. After ten years of this, Juniper's anxiety is at an all time high when he promises Mo that they will go to look at the quests available. Unfortunately due to some of Juniper's terrible decision making they are then saddled with the responsibility of hunting for a dragon.
Juniper's personality is best described as messy, because oh boy does he make the worst decision possible in every scenario. Although I enjoyed Roche's humor and turnabout phrasing, I have to say Juniper's personality is more than a little frustrating to read. First of all, his drunken brawl is the whole reason for this mess. He has no ability to sit down and plan out his actions beyond what he wants to do in the moment. It sure doesn't help that Mo is the avoidant type who point blank refuses to talk to Juniper about any plans. I am quite surprised that these two managed to live ten long years together with this confounding level of communication.
The crux of the story occurs when Mo cuts off Juniper's attempts to formulate a plan beyond "use a net" or "attack". Personally, I can understand what motivated Juniper to make THE worst plan in the whole novel... who wouldn't if your trusted companion refuses to talk to you? However, the naivete of Juniper will make the reader want to throttle him. Anyone with more than a few functioning braincells would have made a better plan than what our main character ends up creating.
Despite all my complaints, overall Bromantasy for sure has an audience that will absolutely adore it. As for me, I am looking forward to more cozy fantasies from Roche. This is the type of cozy I'm looking for and I hope Roche continues to write more in this vein.
3.75 stars
Oh man, let me tell you, the blurb for Bromantasy sold it to me so much that I was willing to skip past my other ARCs just to read this one. Bromantasy is cozy, queer, and honestly full of some pretty great tongue and cheek humor. After all, these quests tend to have only one bed don't they?
From the get go, whether you've read the blurb or not, Maire Roche makes it abundantly clear that Juniper is head over heels in love with his roommate/best friend, but in denial due to trauma. Every winter, Mo gets the adventuring blues which makes Juniper very anxious that Mo will leave never to return. After ten years of this, Juniper's anxiety is at an all time high when he promises Mo that they will go to look at the quests available. Unfortunately due to some of Juniper's terrible decision making they are then saddled with the responsibility of hunting for a dragon.
Juniper's personality is best described as messy, because oh boy does he make the worst decision possible in every scenario. Although I enjoyed Roche's humor and turnabout phrasing, I have to say Juniper's personality is more than a little frustrating to read. First of all, his drunken brawl is the whole reason for this mess. He has no ability to sit down and plan out his actions beyond what he wants to do in the moment. It sure doesn't help that Mo is the avoidant type who point blank refuses to talk to Juniper about any plans. I am quite surprised that these two managed to live ten long years together with this confounding level of communication.
The crux of the story occurs when Mo cuts off Juniper's attempts to formulate a plan beyond "use a net" or "attack". Personally, I can understand what motivated Juniper to make THE worst plan in the whole novel... who wouldn't if your trusted companion refuses to talk to you? However, the naivete of Juniper will make the reader want to throttle him. Anyone with more than a few functioning braincells would have made a better plan than what our main character ends up creating.
Despite all my complaints, overall Bromantasy for sure has an audience that will absolutely adore it. As for me, I am looking forward to more cozy fantasies from Roche. This is the type of cozy I'm looking for and I hope Roche continues to write more in this vein.
December 6, 2025
Thanks Netgalley & Putnam for the ARC!
This was delightful and hilarious. The story follows Juniper and Mo, two best friends who accidentally end up having to go on quest. The plot is fairly simple, though it does have some interesting twists and turns at the end, but it serves its purpose well.
The story pokes fun at many common quest fantasy and romantasy tropes, and doesn't take itself too seriously. Inns only ever have one bed. When people are scrolling, this means they are reading scrolls. People refer to Juniper and Mo as being a friends-t0-lovers situation (which of course happens all the time on quests).
While the book is mostly lighthearted and funny, it does have a good character story at the center of it. Juniper is a bit insecure, a bit stupid and naive, and heavily compartimentalizes his trauma, which we don't actually learn about until later in the book. Sometimes revealing backstory too late makes for confusing character development, but I think in this case it really worked because Juniper really is the kind of guy who just tries not think about uncomfortable things. Nor does he really talk about his feelings, which is something he needs to learn. He was a fun character to root for, and I really wanted him to grow and learn, which he did.
Mo is the love interest, and he doesn't get POVs so I didn't always know his thoughts about things. Like Juniper, he struggles with talking about his feelings, and there's much Juniper wrongly assumes. Initially, Mo definitely seems to be the more competent one of the pair, but that is also due to Juniper's unreliable narrating. Juniper thinks Mo is amazing and thinks lowly of himself. But it turns out when it comes to making plans, Mo never thinks much further ahead than going to the place and doing the thing, without much an idea of how he is going to do the thing. He had strong ethics, which were a strong driver for the plot, and I loved seeing him bond with the dragon.
Would highly recommend this to fans of quests, romantic fantasy with a strong character arc at the center, and books that don't take themselves too seriously and make fun of common fantasy tropes.
This was delightful and hilarious. The story follows Juniper and Mo, two best friends who accidentally end up having to go on quest. The plot is fairly simple, though it does have some interesting twists and turns at the end, but it serves its purpose well.
The story pokes fun at many common quest fantasy and romantasy tropes, and doesn't take itself too seriously. Inns only ever have one bed. When people are scrolling, this means they are reading scrolls. People refer to Juniper and Mo as being a friends-t0-lovers situation (which of course happens all the time on quests).
While the book is mostly lighthearted and funny, it does have a good character story at the center of it. Juniper is a bit insecure, a bit stupid and naive, and heavily compartimentalizes his trauma, which we don't actually learn about until later in the book. Sometimes revealing backstory too late makes for confusing character development, but I think in this case it really worked because Juniper really is the kind of guy who just tries not think about uncomfortable things. Nor does he really talk about his feelings, which is something he needs to learn. He was a fun character to root for, and I really wanted him to grow and learn, which he did.
Mo is the love interest, and he doesn't get POVs so I didn't always know his thoughts about things. Like Juniper, he struggles with talking about his feelings, and there's much Juniper wrongly assumes. Initially, Mo definitely seems to be the more competent one of the pair, but that is also due to Juniper's unreliable narrating. Juniper thinks Mo is amazing and thinks lowly of himself. But it turns out when it comes to making plans, Mo never thinks much further ahead than going to the place and doing the thing, without much an idea of how he is going to do the thing. He had strong ethics, which were a strong driver for the plot, and I loved seeing him bond with the dragon.
Would highly recommend this to fans of quests, romantic fantasy with a strong character arc at the center, and books that don't take themselves too seriously and make fun of common fantasy tropes.
December 9, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for this eARC!
Bromantasy is my first read by Maire Roche and I believe her debut adult fantasy. I love the title and the cover so much, I couldn't NOT read it.
This story follows our two MMCs Juniper and Mo. After some shenanigans forcing them to go on one of the king's dragon quests, things don't go to plan and they end up on a very different journey, and not just a journey into their feelings for each other.
I thought this book was absolutely adorable, fun, slapstick and just a great time. Juniper just wanted to be home in his warm bed, each some cheese and do his skin care (relatable), and Mo... well, I'm not sure what Mo wants; Juniper believes that Mo would like some adventure in his life, but really I think Mo just wants Juniper. The humor was there. The story didn't take itself too seriously. There was a good mix of using modern language in a more fantasy/medieval setting that was fun to read (let's circle back and set some SMART goals).
The one thing this story was lacking was a bit of depth. It's like it was right there, you could almost see it, but it never went deep enough to explore the characters in any real way. There is so much we don't know about Mo, including the "why" of what happened when he left years before. Even with Juniper's POV, we learn very little about his past; I would've loved to know more about his friendship with Mo and his relationship with his family, which is just barely touched upon. I needed MORE. I want to know why they love each other so much, give me pining! And, don't forget abo
Overall, I had a good time. It is light and cozy and the characters are likeable (Mo is probably my favorite, but Bear is pretty darn cute). Great read for anyone who just wants to have fun not take life too seriously for a little while. I will definitely pick up future books by this author!
3.5/5 stars.
Bromantasy is my first read by Maire Roche and I believe her debut adult fantasy. I love the title and the cover so much, I couldn't NOT read it.
This story follows our two MMCs Juniper and Mo. After some shenanigans forcing them to go on one of the king's dragon quests, things don't go to plan and they end up on a very different journey, and not just a journey into their feelings for each other.
I thought this book was absolutely adorable, fun, slapstick and just a great time. Juniper just wanted to be home in his warm bed, each some cheese and do his skin care (relatable), and Mo... well, I'm not sure what Mo wants; Juniper believes that Mo would like some adventure in his life, but really I think Mo just wants Juniper. The humor was there. The story didn't take itself too seriously. There was a good mix of using modern language in a more fantasy/medieval setting that was fun to read (let's circle back and set some SMART goals).
The one thing this story was lacking was a bit of depth. It's like it was right there, you could almost see it, but it never went deep enough to explore the characters in any real way. There is so much we don't know about Mo, including the "why" of what happened when he left years before. Even with Juniper's POV, we learn very little about his past; I would've loved to know more about his friendship with Mo and his relationship with his family, which is just barely touched upon. I needed MORE. I want to know why they love each other so much, give me pining! And, don't forget abo
Overall, I had a good time. It is light and cozy and the characters are likeable (Mo is probably my favorite, but Bear is pretty darn cute). Great read for anyone who just wants to have fun not take life too seriously for a little while. I will definitely pick up future books by this author!
3.5/5 stars.
January 20, 2026
This is a book I probably should have quit early on. The need for further editing is apparent in the first few pages so I waffled about continuing with the story or stopping. About a third of the way through, the story became more compelling and I continued to read until the end. While I can confidently say this book is a vibe, I can also confidently say that I do not believe this book is ready for publishing yet.
A book cannot thrive on vibes alone, not even cozy fantasy. It cannot exist as quips and basic bitch personality while wrapped in modern parlance. While the story has a beginning/middle/end and a murky catalyst for the quest, it does not flesh out the world or the story.
The MMC is a walking contradiction named Juniper. He is abhorrently self involved, an egotist, and as petulant as a child. His main qualities are that he likes cheese, skincare, Mo, and himself. This book felt like a court ordered thoughts and feelings journal from a contradictory guy who liked to fight and knit in equal measures. It was a lot. His character was a lot.
And by the blurb, I expected more himbo action… two guys, one brain cell does not really describe this book, even though I think it makes a fantastic hook.
Lastly, I read a lot of m/m romance, and am no stranger to sex talk. With that being said, the sexy talk in the last 3% of this book was stilted and uncomfortable. The intimacy either needed to come way earlier in the story (one kiss a decade ago does not count as romance) or not at all.
I wish the author good luck. I do believe with a lot of tweaking and streamlining the base of the story could be something that the masses like.
Things I enjoyed: Mo, Bear, the fact that Juniper hated Bill and did not realize that he and Bill were basically the same person, and the cat named Mumford.
A book cannot thrive on vibes alone, not even cozy fantasy. It cannot exist as quips and basic bitch personality while wrapped in modern parlance. While the story has a beginning/middle/end and a murky catalyst for the quest, it does not flesh out the world or the story.
The MMC is a walking contradiction named Juniper. He is abhorrently self involved, an egotist, and as petulant as a child. His main qualities are that he likes cheese, skincare, Mo, and himself. This book felt like a court ordered thoughts and feelings journal from a contradictory guy who liked to fight and knit in equal measures. It was a lot. His character was a lot.
And by the blurb, I expected more himbo action… two guys, one brain cell does not really describe this book, even though I think it makes a fantastic hook.
Lastly, I read a lot of m/m romance, and am no stranger to sex talk. With that being said, the sexy talk in the last 3% of this book was stilted and uncomfortable. The intimacy either needed to come way earlier in the story (one kiss a decade ago does not count as romance) or not at all.
I wish the author good luck. I do believe with a lot of tweaking and streamlining the base of the story could be something that the masses like.
Things I enjoyed: Mo, Bear, the fact that Juniper hated Bill and did not realize that he and Bill were basically the same person, and the cat named Mumford.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The spoilers start with “a few things didn’t work for me” spoiler free up to that point.
This could have been called misBROmunicaton too haha. This was very cozy and sweet and I really enjoyed it. I like when cozy fantasy has some stakes as well as the cozy atmosphere. We’re not just sitting around drinking tea (although there is some of that too). Juniper pining like a mad man and in stereotypical male fashion these boys can’t get it together to just say what they want. It’s witty, with great found family and hilarious use of tropes. The vibes of the cover match this book perfectly.
A few things didn’t work for me; the writing was a little simple and it took like 5% of the book for me to understand what was going on. I wish there was more of the actual romance. Thanks to one giant miscommunication, they don’t end up together until right at the very end. Top tier pining and yearning and then we are not rewarded with much romance. I’m def fine with no spice in a cozy book but the entirety of the book is knitting and tea and blankets and then Mo talks about how he wants to rail Juniper kinda sent me haha. If miscommunication is not for you, neither will this book be, as it’s the central theme.
I definitely still recommend, this is more Emily Wilde than Legends and Lattes in terms of cozy fantasy comparisons.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author/publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This could have been called misBROmunicaton too haha. This was very cozy and sweet and I really enjoyed it. I like when cozy fantasy has some stakes as well as the cozy atmosphere. We’re not just sitting around drinking tea (although there is some of that too). Juniper pining like a mad man and in stereotypical male fashion these boys can’t get it together to just say what they want. It’s witty, with great found family and hilarious use of tropes. The vibes of the cover match this book perfectly.
A few things didn’t work for me; the writing was a little simple and it took like 5% of the book for me to understand what was going on. I wish there was more of the actual romance. Thanks to one giant miscommunication, they don’t end up together until right at the very end. Top tier pining and yearning and then we are not rewarded with much romance. I’m def fine with no spice in a cozy book but the entirety of the book is knitting and tea and blankets and then Mo talks about how he wants to rail Juniper kinda sent me haha. If miscommunication is not for you, neither will this book be, as it’s the central theme.
I definitely still recommend, this is more Emily Wilde than Legends and Lattes in terms of cozy fantasy comparisons.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author/publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Bromantasy. When I saw the tagline "Two heroes, one brain cell.", I knew i needed to read this title.
The author killed the premise of two best friends who also love each other and go on a quest together. Sometimes a change in scenery and circumstance is what makes you realize you have more than bro feelings for your housemate. I liked how well it seemed they knew each other and how layered their feelings about each other were. We're in Juniper's head throughout the novel, so we mostly get his thoughts, but they seemed well fleshed out.
Morn (Mo) was a little harder to suss out. I don't know if it's just his gruff demeanor, but it felt like we didn't know a ton about his hopes and dreams and interests (other than Juniper) by the end, which was a bit of a bummer since we were in his best friend's head.
Despite that drawback, I thought the journey was a delight. It's definitely got supremely cozy fantasy vibes and I was okay that there wasn't a huge emotional change happening, because it fulfilled the promise of "fantasy romance comedy" exactly as intended. The side characters has a bit of flavor and fun, but nothing too crazy.
Overall, I recommend it for lovers of cozy fantasy, romcoms, sort of silly fantasy satire. It's lighthearted and fast-paced and serves up a heaping helping of happy ending.
The author killed the premise of two best friends who also love each other and go on a quest together. Sometimes a change in scenery and circumstance is what makes you realize you have more than bro feelings for your housemate. I liked how well it seemed they knew each other and how layered their feelings about each other were. We're in Juniper's head throughout the novel, so we mostly get his thoughts, but they seemed well fleshed out.
Morn (Mo) was a little harder to suss out. I don't know if it's just his gruff demeanor, but it felt like we didn't know a ton about his hopes and dreams and interests (other than Juniper) by the end, which was a bit of a bummer since we were in his best friend's head.
Despite that drawback, I thought the journey was a delight. It's definitely got supremely cozy fantasy vibes and I was okay that there wasn't a huge emotional change happening, because it fulfilled the promise of "fantasy romance comedy" exactly as intended. The side characters has a bit of flavor and fun, but nothing too crazy.
Overall, I recommend it for lovers of cozy fantasy, romcoms, sort of silly fantasy satire. It's lighthearted and fast-paced and serves up a heaping helping of happy ending.
January 12, 2026
the premise of "bromantasy" sounded fun and cute, but i didn't enjoy it as much as i thought i would.
- the writing feels juvenile, simple, and repetitive. it read more like a YA book rather than a novel for adult readers. the language was also pretty modern for what i had thought was supposed to be a medieval setting? some readers might be fine with that, but it threw me off. i also wish there was more world-building for a fantasy book.
- i had a hard time liking the characters because their personalities felt flat/didn't really have depth. and since i didn't like them, i wasn't as invested in their arcs.
- i know miscommunication is the most common romance trope, but they've been in love with each other and living together for a decade while thinking their love was one-sided? i don't know, maybe that's where the "two heroes, one brain cell" tagline comes from.
- i did enjoy how cozy this was. i loved reading about them drinking tea, eating cheese, and just overall good vibes.
- the book was pretty low-stakes. i think it could have used more action or drama or something (or maybe cozy just isn't for me).
- the humor is cheesy and the book is kind of like a parody. it made me roll my eyes at some points and laugh out loud at others.
i personally wasn't that big of a fan of the book, but if you're interested in a wholesome and whimsical queer fantasy, give this a try!
- the writing feels juvenile, simple, and repetitive. it read more like a YA book rather than a novel for adult readers. the language was also pretty modern for what i had thought was supposed to be a medieval setting? some readers might be fine with that, but it threw me off. i also wish there was more world-building for a fantasy book.
- i had a hard time liking the characters because their personalities felt flat/didn't really have depth. and since i didn't like them, i wasn't as invested in their arcs.
- i know miscommunication is the most common romance trope, but they've been in love with each other and living together for a decade while thinking their love was one-sided? i don't know, maybe that's where the "two heroes, one brain cell" tagline comes from.
- i did enjoy how cozy this was. i loved reading about them drinking tea, eating cheese, and just overall good vibes.
- the book was pretty low-stakes. i think it could have used more action or drama or something (or maybe cozy just isn't for me).
- the humor is cheesy and the book is kind of like a parody. it made me roll my eyes at some points and laugh out loud at others.
i personally wasn't that big of a fan of the book, but if you're interested in a wholesome and whimsical queer fantasy, give this a try!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a charming, whimsical, snarky, romcom fantasy. It’s funny, it’s silly, it’s crazy. It’s full of slapstick, absurdity, and Meta about the romance genre.
This is basically like if hobbits were pretending they were only best friends, but were definitely queer and totally in love. But they’re not hobbits. I don’t think. 😂
If you’re looking for a good time and you like silly fellows questing in the woods and avoiding town and the horror of the only one bed trope, hop on board. I’m betting a lot of readers don’t catch all of the jokes because it’s pretty rapid fire. I enjoyed that immensely..
Charmingly written, no major developmental or pacing issues. I did get bogged down a little bit here and there. . I mean, it’s a quest, so that’s always going to be characters walking around in circles a bit. Quests are not my jam, but I got through this one pretty easily, which is seeing a lot. I generally throw my hands up in the air and DNF in many quest books . Structurally it’s pretty sound.
This is basically like if hobbits were pretending they were only best friends, but were definitely queer and totally in love. But they’re not hobbits. I don’t think. 😂
If you’re looking for a good time and you like silly fellows questing in the woods and avoiding town and the horror of the only one bed trope, hop on board. I’m betting a lot of readers don’t catch all of the jokes because it’s pretty rapid fire. I enjoyed that immensely..
Charmingly written, no major developmental or pacing issues. I did get bogged down a little bit here and there. . I mean, it’s a quest, so that’s always going to be characters walking around in circles a bit. Quests are not my jam, but I got through this one pretty easily, which is seeing a lot. I generally throw my hands up in the air and DNF in many quest books . Structurally it’s pretty sound.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Bromantasy is a story of two main characters who are desperately trying to ignore that they are in love with each other while stumbling into a quest to hunt dragons. This book is a cozier fantasy with minimal stakes and an almost slice-of-life feel, however the one major plotline it does have is incredibly intriguing and had me curious as to the resolution the entire time I was reading! My biggest issue was that the pacing had a few too many slow points, and the MMCs spend 75% of the book majorly miscommunicating, with both small and large repercussions.
Overall, the tone of this book was really reminiscent of the absolute banger of a movie "A Knight's Tale" with its modern language and cheeky contemporary references. For example, Quests come with "SMART" goals or scrolling through the gossip scrolls. The book also spends a decent amount of time making fun of common romantasy tropes. The campy humor is present throughout, and I think those who were a fan of the cozy fantasy elements of Sorcery and Small Magics and the quirky humor of The Nightmare Before Kissmas will enjoy this one!
Thank you to Netgalley and Putnam for this ARC!
Overall, the tone of this book was really reminiscent of the absolute banger of a movie "A Knight's Tale" with its modern language and cheeky contemporary references. For example, Quests come with "SMART" goals or scrolling through the gossip scrolls. The book also spends a decent amount of time making fun of common romantasy tropes. The campy humor is present throughout, and I think those who were a fan of the cozy fantasy elements of Sorcery and Small Magics and the quirky humor of The Nightmare Before Kissmas will enjoy this one!
Thank you to Netgalley and Putnam for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was such a delightful read! It's a ridiculous story that doesn't take itself seriously and I loved every second of it! I found myself laughing quite a few times. It pokes fun at some of the popular romantasy tropes - it's mentioned multiple times that every inn only has one bed and for some reason I found that hilarious. There are numerous contemporary phrases worked in to the fantasy setting that add to the humor - reading through scrolls is referred to as scrolling.
There's a quest, a dragon, two idiots who are clearly in love, camping, a prince and copious amounts of cheese. There's not a lot of world-building and not a lot of emotional depth but that's okay. This was about vibes and it definitely delivers. The cover and title fit this book perfectly. I will definitely be adding this one to my shelf when it comes out!
This was a lighthearted and cozy read. It kept me engaged from beginning to end. Thank you NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the eARC!
There's a quest, a dragon, two idiots who are clearly in love, camping, a prince and copious amounts of cheese. There's not a lot of world-building and not a lot of emotional depth but that's okay. This was about vibes and it definitely delivers. The cover and title fit this book perfectly. I will definitely be adding this one to my shelf when it comes out!
This was a lighthearted and cozy read. It kept me engaged from beginning to end. Thank you NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was funny, warm, and genuinely well written, with excellent trope-aware humor and characters who felt frustrating in the most realistic way, not once did I feel like screaming at Juniper or Mo to just talk already. I loved the cozy queer fantasy vibes and the heart behind it, though the ending felt a bit rushed and there are some loose ends that still bug me, especially the witnesses just rolling with the prince’s betrayal and the unanswered questions around Bear’s family. The takeaway really is TALK ABOUT STUFF, you are not a mind reader, and also people can be more than you make them out to be, assumptions are lazy and usually wrong, plus extra points for fire ale, cats, and the self-aware romance trope jokes, even if the cover teased them riding a horse together and I do not remember that actually happening, though it would have been very funny.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC provided by NetGalley — thank you for the opportunity.
If you took Ridoc energy, mixed it with David-from-Schitt’s-Creek humor, and dropped that personality into a fantasy setting, you’d get Juniper O’Reily — sarcastic, lovable, slightly daft, and very much the heart of this story.
This book is campy in a way that totally works if you let it. I completely understand why it won’t be for everyone, but I loved how modern-day language and humor were intentionally woven into a magical fantasy world instead of pretending it didn’t exist. It felt playful, cozy, and self-aware.
The author even played around with the “one bed” trope at the inn!
At its core, this is a low-stakes, cozy quest about two “roommates” setting off to see dragons and ending up with far more than they expected — emotionally and otherwise. It’s light, fun, and doesn’t take itself too seriously, which honestly made it a really enjoyable read.
If you took Ridoc energy, mixed it with David-from-Schitt’s-Creek humor, and dropped that personality into a fantasy setting, you’d get Juniper O’Reily — sarcastic, lovable, slightly daft, and very much the heart of this story.
This book is campy in a way that totally works if you let it. I completely understand why it won’t be for everyone, but I loved how modern-day language and humor were intentionally woven into a magical fantasy world instead of pretending it didn’t exist. It felt playful, cozy, and self-aware.
The author even played around with the “one bed” trope at the inn!
At its core, this is a low-stakes, cozy quest about two “roommates” setting off to see dragons and ending up with far more than they expected — emotionally and otherwise. It’s light, fun, and doesn’t take itself too seriously, which honestly made it a really enjoyable read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for an ARC of Bromantasy!
If you have ever been a fan of Rincewind in Discworld, and wished that he was sexy and strong and silly and in love with his best friend - that’s our hero in Juniper! This book is a slow burn friends to lovers, and a true love letter to the queer romantasy genre. Expect many giggle out loud winks to the fandom! The love story the sweet, the found family and character growth heart warming. I loved the gentle push the book gives us to nurture our own inner child.
Content warnings: there is a lot of child neglect (past) that is mentioned. There is also a child adoption that is all fantasy (real adoption is generally seen as a path of kin care cannot be found).
If you have ever been a fan of Rincewind in Discworld, and wished that he was sexy and strong and silly and in love with his best friend - that’s our hero in Juniper! This book is a slow burn friends to lovers, and a true love letter to the queer romantasy genre. Expect many giggle out loud winks to the fandom! The love story the sweet, the found family and character growth heart warming. I loved the gentle push the book gives us to nurture our own inner child.
Content warnings: there is a lot of child neglect (past) that is mentioned. There is also a child adoption that is all fantasy (real adoption is generally seen as a path of kin care cannot be found).
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was such a fun, lighthearted and cozy fantasy that didn’t take itself too seriously. The cover gave me exactly what it entails.
I enjoyed Juniper’s quirky personality and inner monologue about his feelings for cheese, tallow, cleanliness, skin care, and constant disdain for Bill. I loved Mo’s quiet nature, even though you could tell how he felt for Juniper through his actions (again, the constant cheese flow). I agree with the other reviewer that this could have been called MisBROmmunication instead of Bromantasy, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I usually don’t enjoy children in stories, but Bear was a cute addition to the storyline.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Putman and Máire Roche for the arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I enjoyed Juniper’s quirky personality and inner monologue about his feelings for cheese, tallow, cleanliness, skin care, and constant disdain for Bill. I loved Mo’s quiet nature, even though you could tell how he felt for Juniper through his actions (again, the constant cheese flow). I agree with the other reviewer that this could have been called MisBROmmunication instead of Bromantasy, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I usually don’t enjoy children in stories, but Bear was a cute addition to the storyline.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Putman and Máire Roche for the arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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