Can’t Refuse Him

by B.J. Twigg

Oscar, a janitor cursed to be aroused by trash, meets Eddy, a Grouch (bin-spirit) who was murdered and discarded in the 1970s. Between curse-breaking intimacy, ghostly hauntings, and trash-bin makeouts, they discover redemption, grief, and the monster boyfriend of your dreams.

Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy, Ghosts, Urban Fantasy, Romance, Queer, Gay

168 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 28, 2025

Reviews

[Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️ 2 stars ⭐️

“You’re looking at me like I’m the filthiest thing you’ve ever seen.”

The most unsexy romance I’ve ever read.
And I shouldn’t be all that surprised, when the book revolves around trash and a bin-ghost and a janitor cursed to be turned on by garbage. And I hate that I’m the outlier here, because I wanted to enjoy this and have some laughs. But this was painful.
Plus, their name’s were Oscar and ‘The Grouch’. That’s a little too on the nose even for me.

Some people hate their jobs; my job turns me on.

What this book needed was to pick a lane. It was trying to be funny, got too dark too fast, the romance was super insta-love, and they tried to make bin-juice sexy.
I would’ve preferred just a wacky rom-com, making even Eddie’s backstory funny, instead of taking such a dark turn. Trying to cram so many things into a little more than 150 pages just makes everything feel rushed and unsatisfying.

I guess trash is what I deserved to become.

I get why the author chose this storyline for Eddie, and it fits with the trash premise of the book. And, sure, the meaning behind it is meant to be positive — acceptance, forgiveness, second chances. But it just felt so out of place with the initial fun vibe of the beginning.
So by the halfway mark I was already pretty disappointed. And unexpectedly sad. But then it gets worse.

Behind a dumpster, we finally make love for the first time

The fluorescent lights above us buzz like they know what is coming. And what is coming would be us both.

He doesn’t respond. Instead, he tugs the zip lower, exposing a flash of the base of his penis amongst a tuft of hair and then—FLAWP. His dick pops out in slow motion. Like it had RSVP’d for this moment weeks ago.

The sound effects. I can’t.
Like I said, the least sexy thing ever. It wasn’t romantic, it wasn’t hot, it wasn’t even funny anymore.
I was hoping for a fun time, a wild premise and hopefully a cute romance. Unfortunately, Can’t Refuse Him was just cringey.

“It’s been a long time since I've felt this.” I speak.
“Don’t you mean Bin a long time?”

I also officially hate puns now.

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.

CW and NSFW info (spoilers):
- Murder/violence
- Toxic/abusive relationships (not between MCs)
- Trauma & grief
- Death
- Mild body horror
- Use of f slur
- Food fucking (not on page)
- Sex w/ OP (after MCs become intimate)
- Top/bottom (two scenes)

[anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from GRR, and this is my honest review.

I didn’t think I would enjoy this as much as I did!

Can't Refuse Him follows the story of two boys who were cursed, and together they search for a way to break it—only to find themselves falling in love. Along the way they’re forced to deal with their own messy past, and it turns into this really sweet, emotional journey about learning to trust, forgive, and choose each other despite everything that once held them back.

I'm super excited for the next installment in the series 👻

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so strange, but in a fun, slightly gross way. If I never read the words “ bin juice” again, I’ll live happily 😆

Funny, sweet, and some unexpected themes that also make it very emotional. The author has the balance perfect, and the story is really enjoyable.


………………………………………………………….
I received an ARC from GRR, and this is my honest review.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was ridiculous, unhinged, chaotic and absolutely HILARIOUS. When I first read the concept of this book my face was basically 🤔 but honestly, I should have known that if anyone was going to write a book about a man falling in love with trash and make it good, it would be B.J. Twigg. It doesn’t surprise me, knowing the author, that this book was sweet, funny, heartwarming and so strangely beautiful.

The way this book is SO funny but the humor is woven into such a deep, traumatic backstory is actually incredible. The banter was top notch, the emotions are real and raw, and the connection that forms between these two is so special.

This could have easily been just a funny, silly little novella, but B.J. Twigg made it so much more than that.

Thank you so much to the author for letting me read an early copy of this book.

[Regina Sage · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful and moving read.

BJ Twigg is so incredibly witty, I found myself cracking up constantly. That didn't, however, detract from the deeply emotional substance of this story.

Definitely recommend.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm having a little bit of a hard time with my rating/review of this one.

I think Twigg has a unique voice that I really enjoyed. It's clever, witty, and completely original. I genuinely don't think anyone else could have wrote this story. I fell in love with Eddy. He's been through so much, there's so much growth, in very few pages he's such a strong character and presence.

Unfortunately, I really didnt feel the same way with Oscar. I just didnt really understand him besides his curse and the romance ended up not quite clicking with me because of it.

Will I still read book 2 in the series? Absolutely.

[✶ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is trashy in a literal and chaotic in the BEST way possible. I thought this was gonna be a silly little story about a man falling in love with a trash ghost and while it is exactly that, it’s also incredibly emotional and deep!? The MCs are so layered and in a short amount of time we learn quite a lot about them. There’s themes of self hatred as well as self acceptance and I loved seeing that character development. And the balance between emotional/serious and silly fun is perfect, it was a delight reading this book.
Thank you to the author for an ARC copy! 🫶

[Andrew Smith-Mebust · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I’ve ever read. I haven’t cried like this over a book since 2025s CHASING RIDDICK.

It’s novella length so can be read in one sitting. It made me laugh out loud, it’s got humor and heart. It will break you but then put you back together.

This book healed something in me I didn’t know needed healing 😭💖

No one is trash and we all deserve to be loved 💚🚮🗑️💚

[Jessie (thatchickwithabook) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

I thought Can’t Refuse Him was really well-written, but unfortunately it contained my biggest hate in a romance book: on page (or even off page) sex with someone other than the other MMC. I couldn’t really get past that, even if it is after Oscar thinks Eddy has passed on. I also found the first half - Oscar’s backstory, Eddie’s backstory, them meeting for the first time to try to break their curses - to be much better than the second half where the romance (which didn’t feel like enough) happens.

This might just be a me thing though, as the other reviews are amazing, but for me, I just didn’t enjoy the romance all that much. However, the storyline is really good.

Thank you GRR for the ARC. This review is honest and voluntary.

[Brendan Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t refuse him was described as a trashy, paranormal MM romance. Funny, witty and full of heart.

We meet Oscar, a janitor who is cursed to be turned on by trash, who meets Eddy, the bin spirit. Yes, the premise is trashy, fabulous and cheeky. But Ben’s raw talent and penmanship shines through straight away.

Ben writes with such heart and soul that the outrageously cheeky and trashy side of the story was easily forgotten as I became swept up in the moving and devastating story of these two characters.

After I finished crying over a bin spirit, I began to feel for characters that I had no idea I could ever possibly feel for. Ben has crafted such an amazing tale with Can’t Refuse Him. I am truly excited to see what he does next.

[Flirting with Fiction💕 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this little novella after someone else posted about it on bookstagram, and I just had to give it a shot. The premise was too weird, and strangely hot, to ignore.

Let me just say, this book has NO RIGHT being as hot as it is. Seriously. 🤣 I was both grossed out and kinda into it in the best way. But aside from the silliness of the plot, this is a surprisingly tender and sentimental story about self-love and second chances.

I liked this a lot! If you’re into paranormal, MM romances with a little bit of body horror and a little bit of weird, you’ll love this. I can’t wait for the next in the series.

4.5 stars rounded to 5.

[Henna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I laughed and cried - maybe gagged a bit - all because of some trash. Oscar and Eddy were amazing, and Eddy's backstory broke my heart. I was not expecting this story to be this deep and lovely.
And yes, I will read next book about a vampire and an accountant. Hopefully with less bin juice.

[angie_bookrecs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trash kink? Check.
Ghost boyfriend? Check.
Existential crisis in a garbage bin? Double check.

Benjamin Twigg really said, "Let’s get people horny, horrified, and healed in 120 pages". And he did.

Chapter titles? Camp perfection. Chapter 8? Emotional curb-stomp. By the time Eddy’s trauma unfolded, I was clutching my chest like, “Sir…this is a Wendy’s.”

Then—BOOM...curses broken, love found. They were happy. I was happy. We were all happy!
And just like that, Eddy fucking disappears.

The whiplash had me one breath away from therapy (I'm not dramatic, you're dramatic).
But when the King of the Rot brought our boy back? Oh, I ascended.

It’s gross. It’s gorgeous. It’s the queer paranormal rom-com we didn’t know we needed.

[Nick Vallina (MisterGhostReads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oscar, cursed by a witchy ex to get turned on by garbage meets a bin-spirit named Eddy who was murdered in the 1970s.

Y'all. This book is batshit (complimentary). Highly recommend. Maybe teared up a little too.

[Pixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was utterly ridiculous in some of the best ways. The underlying theme of how a person sees value in others and in themselves is told in such a humorous and deep ways. Parts of the story are really intense, especially when we learn more about the Grouch, Eddy, and how he came to be what he is in present day. A story about curses, forgiveness, self-acceptance, and love. If you just need something that makes you shake your head but still has depth, this is your story.

[Dani (Daniiireads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, I wanted to read this solely for the fact that Oscar gets boned up around trash thanks to a curse, and meets Eddy, a trash ghost.

It was weird and silly, but I had a great time lol

[ender · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a cute, campy, trash filled read.

“you just need someone who sees you. really sees you. and sometimes, miraculously, that someone crawls out of a bin.”

[Magne Einar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever dreamed of meeting a main character who, thanks to a curse, gets turned on whenever he sees trash? 😏
And it gets even better when he meets an actual trash ghost? 🤣

No? Yes? Doesn’t matter – now’s your chance!

This book is such a light and hilarious read. I swear I laughed so many times, especially during the first chapters – the humor was exactly my vibe. It was such a refreshing change from what I usually read, and honestly, the perfect pick if you just want to switch off and have a good laugh.

[Belinda Zamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpectedly wonderful

This was a sweet, silly little story filled with great banter, and a traumatic backstory that's actually dealt with very well.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He is cursed to be aroused by trash and he is about to meet a spirit of the bin. It seems they are destined to become more than either expected as they get to know each other. See how they get on

[meevreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't Refuse Him had me in a constant state of "wtf am I reading and why can't I stop?"

This book took me completely by surprise! I expected a silly, borderline gross, story, but what I did not expect was the heartbreaking twist that B.J. Twigg hit us with.

I absolutely enjoyed it and gobbled it up in no time! I liked both characters and the completely unique way in which they were bonded. It was funny and sweet with some spice; a great balance of silly with a surprising emotional depth.

Definitely check this one out of you would be into some freaky paranormal romance with a lot of heart!

Thank you to Gay Romance Reviews for the eARC!

[AJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is chaotic and unhinged in the best way possible! It is unlike any book I have read before, but I ate it up. I can’t get enough of B.J Twigg’s writing his humor and wit shine through and that Rebecca Black quote I can’t haha! Even in books we can’t escape that song lol. The depth this story had and the way he describes not just the characters, but the scenery and their feelings. This was a quick read that I really enjoyed it! Can’t wait to read more from him! Definitely give this paranormal rom-com a chance!

Thank you for the ARC and the opportunity to read and review this heartwarming, layered story.

[Jacob Sinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here are two reasons why Can’t Refuse Him by B J Twigg has been one of my favourite reads so far (and why you should bump it up your TBR)👇

1) I had the pleasure of editing CRH, FOR FREE, so I know DAMN well that this is worth your time. Stay with me here, this isn’t a plug. 

I’m an adult. I work full time. When I’m not, I’m writing, reading, reviewing, making social content, and hustling to stay alive in the clusterf*ck that is the cost of living in 2026. I am hard pressed for free time, so when I decide to do something in that free time that has no benefit for me, it’s for a good reason. 

I saw value in CRH. The moment I got that first chapter in my DMs I knew straight away that this story had weight to it. I couldn’t refuse it (pun absolutely intended) and neither should you.

2) It’s an #OwnVoice queer book with the most unique hook I’ve ever seen.

Yes, let’s talk about the elephant in the room - the main character has an interesting proclivity. Some descriptions made my stomach turn, but that’s the point. It’s a curse, and one that Oscar never asked for.

It’s a beautiful metaphor that truly encompasses the queer experiences of shame over being attracted to things society deems as abnormal. Things you were told you shouldn’t like, because it’s unnatural. Once you start to unpack Oscar’s curse, the theme just sounds more and more familiar. The hiding, the fear, the distance from others.

On top of that, it’s also funny, wacky, and whimsical too.

[Carlton Schaps · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was unprepared for how cute this book was. I tend not to be a fan of horror or monster-related stuff—whether it’s vampires, zombies, or whatever. Although I did enjoy Legacies and iZombie, The Vampire Diaries was a bit much for me. So I was honestly unprepared for how cute and how fun this book turned out to be.

The first few chapters are extremely delightful and center on two guys living with rather bizarre curses related to trash. One was cursed by an ex to find garbage arousing; the other is stuck haunting garbage for what seems like eternity. So they really are meant for each other.

There’s a bit of a tonal shift mid-book as we learn what led to the character cursed to haunt garbage becoming a ghost, and that was never going to be happy. Still, the outcome of that part of the book was significantly more positive and hopeful than I had expected.

The book picks up steam as it moves toward its conclusion, which raises the question of what it actually means to lift a curse—and whether it was really a curse at all. It ends with a satisfying resolution and a good teaser for the next installment in the series.

It’s a quick, fun read and definitely embodies the saying: one person’s trash is another person’s treasure.

[Betty Loves Books Galore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a second chance paranormal rom com novella, featuring Oscar and Eddy, and is book one in the Monsters and MENaces series.

Oscar is a cursed janitor who meets Eddy, a lonely undead bin-spirit who’s been haunting garbage for decades. As their strange attraction grows, they must face their pasts.

This book was fantastic! It was a funny, messy, weird, and incredibly sweet read. Oscar and Eddy make the most unlikely pair, and with them both being cursed and trying to help each other break those curses, it makes for such a ridiculously entertaining story.

I also adored the side characters, they added so much charm and chaos to the story. I definitely need more from this world. If you enjoy quirky monster rom coms with heart, this one is definitely worth picking up.

Things to expect in this book are:
Book 1 in series
Novella
MM rom com
Paranormal
Janitor x bin-ghost
Hurt / Comfort
Desperately lonely
Both cursed
Trash kink
MC wears glasses
Spicy times
Outdoor s*x
Reluctant soulmates
Calls him janitor boy
Time apart
Second chance
HEA

[Book Club Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first saw this book and what it entailed, I knew I had to read it. Low and behold I got WAY more than what I bargained for. Not only did I laugh and gag (at all the trash talk- literal bin juice and food scraps level of what got our boy Oscar off). I also cried. I cried because not only was this story full of humor and sexy bin ghosts, the highs were high, but the lows where you get dragged back in time to Eddy’s life, it BROKE MEEEE! What these two guys endured to find pure, devastating and soul rebuilding love was so beautiful. A love so strong that even when we think Eddy is truly gone forever, we are left surprised and hearts full on how this story ends. Benjamin Twigg, your writing is exquisite, how I thought I was getting something surface level and spooky was a lie, a good lie you kept from us daring readers. What you gave us was entirely beautiful.

[Raccoon.reader_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't Refuse Him ARC is one of the funniest yet heartwarming books I've have the pleasure of reading in a long time. 

Oscar and Eddy prove that even a love story about trash can be heartfelt, heartbreaking and absolutely beautiful which is a sentence I never thought I would say. It is a rollercoaster of emotions and rooting for these guys while also learning of their backstory and trauma. 

I can't even express in words how good this book is, everyone needs to read it because there is something in here for everyone and it was not what I expected at all in the best way. 

If anything the vibes I got were dragula mixed with Aussie shore and if you know you know.

Thank you so much the author for trusting me with your book and I can't wait to see what's next and to read what you already have out! Check in soon for pre order announcement and release date, because trust me this is one you want to be on top of 😉

[Heidi H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick read. Queer ghost story? A janitor with a trash kink? I figured it would be an awesome, funny, trashy romance. It is all that, but it's also deceptively emotional. Readers journey into Eddy’s past and learn the truth about what made him the bin spirit he is now. We also dig deeper into Oscar's history and the curse that plagues him. The story is a deeper look at loving ourselves and others for who we are. To understand that being broken or different doesn't mean we are disposable. In seeing past the obvious and learning our truth. I loved this book and these unhinged but heartwarming characters and am looking forward to more stories in this series.

Open door spice level: 🌶️🌶️ (2/5)

[Suzanne Irving · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oscar is cursed

Full disclosure! I almost stopped reading this book near the beginning because of Oscar’s curse and the sandwich thing. Because eww. BUT luckily I didn’t or I would have missed the most quirky and fun read of this year (and it’s December!). Just persevere and suspend your thoughts on the rules of storytelling and enjoy. It’s fun, silly, sweet, nuts and banana peels. OMG I just realized that this is fruitcake in a book. Like that ubiquitous dessert you should try it because if you had ever eaten my mom’s fruitcake which was cooked weeks before Christmas and bathed in brandy you wouldn’t call it a doorstop.
Seriously though this is a terrific book that even manages to teach a few life lessons along the way.

[Stepphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I was getting a funny, light hearted read about a cursed guy banging a bin spirit, but this story is a whole lot more than that.

It’s a story about acceptance, forgiveness and redemption, of longing to be treated as someone who matters. It demonstrates how the actions of someone who *should* care can have a long lasting impact on your life.

The character development in this story is fast paced. I almost wish it was longer and some of the things it talks about Oscar missing, near the end of the book, were described in more detail as they got to know each other better.

The most impactful, and heart breaking, narrative surrounds Eddie and his life and death. My poor heart broke for him and the life that he lived. Oscar’s curse bought much needed humour to the story, and I appreciated the laughs.

This was a such a good book, not for everyone, but it was for me!