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Can’t Refuse Him
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.
- GenresParanormal
168 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2025
5 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
December 4, 2025
⭐️ 2 stars ⭐️
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.
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 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.
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.
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)
“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)
November 26, 2025
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 👻
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 👻
November 24, 2025
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.
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.
October 17, 2025
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.
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.
October 7, 2025
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.
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.
November 5, 2025
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! 🫶
Thank you to the author for an ARC copy! 🫶
November 23, 2025
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.
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.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2025
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.
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.
November 22, 2025
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.
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.
December 1, 2025
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.
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.
November 23, 2025
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.
And yes, I will read next book about a vampire and an accountant. Hopefully with less bin juice.
October 12, 2025
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.
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.
November 23, 2025
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
It was weird and silly, but I had a great time lol
October 3, 2025
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.
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.
October 19, 2025
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.
September 30, 2025
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 😉
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 😉
November 1, 2025
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)
Open door spice level: 🌶️🌶️ (2/5)
December 7, 2025
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.
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.
September 21, 2025
Oscar & the Grouch 💚
Trash.. seriously, who would get aroused by trash? Oscar would.. but not because he wants to, because his cursed to. But this leads him to something unexpected. Something that changes his life for the better... Eddy...
The humour and the banter between Oscar and Eddy had me laughing out loud so many times. We learn about their trauma, Eddy's backstory but that's where it changes for Oscar.
I thought this was funny, heartfelt, raw and emotional. Im glad this was my first paranormal romance after years of not reading them, it was the perfect novella to ease my way back in.
Trash.. seriously, who would get aroused by trash? Oscar would.. but not because he wants to, because his cursed to. But this leads him to something unexpected. Something that changes his life for the better... Eddy...
The humour and the banter between Oscar and Eddy had me laughing out loud so many times. We learn about their trauma, Eddy's backstory but that's where it changes for Oscar.
I thought this was funny, heartfelt, raw and emotional. Im glad this was my first paranormal romance after years of not reading them, it was the perfect novella to ease my way back in.
November 3, 2025
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.
Thank you for the ARC and the opportunity to read and review this heartwarming, layered story.
October 18, 2025
This book was everything I wanted it to be yet absolutely nothing like i expected!
I went in wanting a crazy trash man romance and what I got was an incredible story, with depth, emotion, that had me sobbing into the night one moment and almost pissing my pants the next! 10/10 baby!
I'll never look at my coffee cups or a ham and cheese sandwich the same again!
this book was stella!
if you love crazy, fun stories with emotion to boot. this ones it! :)
I went in wanting a crazy trash man romance and what I got was an incredible story, with depth, emotion, that had me sobbing into the night one moment and almost pissing my pants the next! 10/10 baby!
I'll never look at my coffee cups or a ham and cheese sandwich the same again!
this book was stella!
if you love crazy, fun stories with emotion to boot. this ones it! :)
October 29, 2025
Can’t Refuse Him really took me by surprise. I was expecting a trashy (in the best way) paranormal rom-com, but what I got was a poignant story about low self-worth, healing, and hope — one that had me tearing up even as I cackled at the absurd humour. Oscar and Eddy are so pure despite their literal garbage beginnings.
This book? A certified garbage banger that you need if you’re looking for a mm paranormal romance with a soul. Time for me to pull some tissues out of the bin.
This book? A certified garbage banger that you need if you’re looking for a mm paranormal romance with a soul. Time for me to pull some tissues out of the bin.
November 26, 2025
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!
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!
October 9, 2025
Loved this! It had me hooked. Have not read a story like this before and I want more. A must read!!
October 27, 2025
Thank you Benjamin Twigg for this advanced copy of Can’t refuse him in exchange for an honest review.
Coming into this work I was skeptical because a TRASH BIN love I wasn’t ready. Oscar (HA!) and Eddy struck up a quick friendship that quickly blossomed into more in this sticky novella. Oscar cursed to be aroused by trash and Eddy a bin spirit were literally a match made in a trash heap (I’ll leave the trash puns to Ben).
This was more than just smut it had a surprisingly emotional element when we learned more about both Oscar and Eddy’s back story. Eddy had such a tragic end causing him to be a ghost I really didn’t expect to cry over a bin spirit. Oscar’s Ex who cursed him was just rude and the curse was uncalled for.
This is a great quick read that everyone needs to check out.
Coming into this work I was skeptical because a TRASH BIN love I wasn’t ready. Oscar (HA!) and Eddy struck up a quick friendship that quickly blossomed into more in this sticky novella. Oscar cursed to be aroused by trash and Eddy a bin spirit were literally a match made in a trash heap (I’ll leave the trash puns to Ben).
This was more than just smut it had a surprisingly emotional element when we learned more about both Oscar and Eddy’s back story. Eddy had such a tragic end causing him to be a ghost I really didn’t expect to cry over a bin spirit. Oscar’s Ex who cursed him was just rude and the curse was uncalled for.
This is a great quick read that everyone needs to check out.
September 19, 2025
This week I read a book that was utter trash - and I loved it.
Ben had this incredible brain child for a monster romance where essentially Oscar the Grouch (though call him Eddy and he's tall, handsome and less furry... sometimes) is a sentient being who haunts a bin network where our poor MMC works.
Our MMC is 'actually' called Oscar, a janitor for a swanky firm and cursed to fall...ahem - aroused at the sight and smell of rubbish, which as you can imagine hasn't been great for his personal or work life (who wants to be near someone who needs to screw your empty banana peel after lunch?)
But fate intervenes and suddenly Oscar meets the man of his litter-al dreams at the bottom of a garbage bin (we've all been there...) and junk of a different kind is on both their minds. Oh and so is breaking the curse...
What could have been a purely crack story - though it is absolutely laced with the best puns and so many laugh out loud moments - actually has so much heart and soft moments interspersed to counter the ridiculous (and by ridiculous, I mean gold).
This story is deep on so many levels and you'll be surprised at the feelings it will invoke.
If you love:
- monster romance
- a little bin juice
- cursed MMC
- Grouch MMC
- m/m
- puns and banter
- psychic binfluencer
- touch him and get a boner
Then add this to your list to read! I read this prior to official release date.
Ben had this incredible brain child for a monster romance where essentially Oscar the Grouch (though call him Eddy and he's tall, handsome and less furry... sometimes) is a sentient being who haunts a bin network where our poor MMC works.
Our MMC is 'actually' called Oscar, a janitor for a swanky firm and cursed to fall...ahem - aroused at the sight and smell of rubbish, which as you can imagine hasn't been great for his personal or work life (who wants to be near someone who needs to screw your empty banana peel after lunch?)
But fate intervenes and suddenly Oscar meets the man of his litter-al dreams at the bottom of a garbage bin (we've all been there...) and junk of a different kind is on both their minds. Oh and so is breaking the curse...
What could have been a purely crack story - though it is absolutely laced with the best puns and so many laugh out loud moments - actually has so much heart and soft moments interspersed to counter the ridiculous (and by ridiculous, I mean gold).
This story is deep on so many levels and you'll be surprised at the feelings it will invoke.
If you love:
- monster romance
- a little bin juice
- cursed MMC
- Grouch MMC
- m/m
- puns and banter
- psychic binfluencer
- touch him and get a boner
Then add this to your list to read! I read this prior to official release date.
November 5, 2025
I absolutely loved this book—like, full-body laugh, ugly cry, clutching-my-chest kind of love. I went into it expecting a ridiculous romcom about a sentient trash monster and a janitor who maybe needs to unpack his feelings for discarded garbage… 🙈🙈
Instead, I got a story that wrecked me in the best possible way. This book is hilarious, weird, and so full of heart. It takes the absurd—bin monsters, curses, and a janitor with way too much emotional baggage—and somehow turns it into a story about love, loneliness, and learning to forgive yourself for the messes you’ve made.
Oscar and Eddy absolutely ruined me. Their love burns so brightly, it feels too good for this world. Eddy especially—god, if I ever meet the people who hurt him, it’s on sight. 🤬🤬
He deserved so much better than the world gave him, and seeing him find someone who truly saw him (even under the layers of spectral rot and bin juice) was everything.🥰🥰
This book was an absolute joy from start to finish—a beautiful, filthy, heart-wrenching, garbage-scented masterpiece. I devoured every single page and came out a little smellier and a lot more emotional than when I started.🥹
Huge thank you to the author for trusting me with an advance copy—and for letting me scream, cry, and send you unhinged messages while I fell in love with your trash boyfriends.😝
Instead, I got a story that wrecked me in the best possible way. This book is hilarious, weird, and so full of heart. It takes the absurd—bin monsters, curses, and a janitor with way too much emotional baggage—and somehow turns it into a story about love, loneliness, and learning to forgive yourself for the messes you’ve made.
Oscar and Eddy absolutely ruined me. Their love burns so brightly, it feels too good for this world. Eddy especially—god, if I ever meet the people who hurt him, it’s on sight. 🤬🤬
He deserved so much better than the world gave him, and seeing him find someone who truly saw him (even under the layers of spectral rot and bin juice) was everything.🥰🥰
This book was an absolute joy from start to finish—a beautiful, filthy, heart-wrenching, garbage-scented masterpiece. I devoured every single page and came out a little smellier and a lot more emotional than when I started.🥹
Huge thank you to the author for trusting me with an advance copy—and for letting me scream, cry, and send you unhinged messages while I fell in love with your trash boyfriends.😝
September 16, 2025
When you think you're going to be in for a fun witty paranormal romance and end up crying over a garbage can.
It is difficult to find the most apt words to express my love for this story. Ben has delivered a beautiful character driven story with our two MMCs Oscar and Eddy having such depth and heart. The beginning of Cant Refuse Him had me cackling over the wit and absurdity of Oscar's situation. Then you meet Eddy, learn his backstory and everything changes. Make sure you have a few Kleenex nearby (for tears, not other bodily fluids). Eddy is the heart of the story, dealing with some very relatable emotional trauma and is learning to find treasure in the trashy situation he was handed.
Beautiful, raw, inspiring, heartfelt, and endearing are words I never thought I would use about a trash monster romance, but when the author gives a garbage can such emotional depth its necessary. What an absolute pleasure to read and a reminder its garbage can, not garbage cannot!
You won't want to miss out on this read heading into spooky season! Perfect for those who enjoy the absurb humour of movies like Flying High, Army of Darkness, Beverly Hills Ninja (and don't mind a tearjerker).
It is difficult to find the most apt words to express my love for this story. Ben has delivered a beautiful character driven story with our two MMCs Oscar and Eddy having such depth and heart. The beginning of Cant Refuse Him had me cackling over the wit and absurdity of Oscar's situation. Then you meet Eddy, learn his backstory and everything changes. Make sure you have a few Kleenex nearby (for tears, not other bodily fluids). Eddy is the heart of the story, dealing with some very relatable emotional trauma and is learning to find treasure in the trashy situation he was handed.
Beautiful, raw, inspiring, heartfelt, and endearing are words I never thought I would use about a trash monster romance, but when the author gives a garbage can such emotional depth its necessary. What an absolute pleasure to read and a reminder its garbage can, not garbage cannot!
You won't want to miss out on this read heading into spooky season! Perfect for those who enjoy the absurb humour of movies like Flying High, Army of Darkness, Beverly Hills Ninja (and don't mind a tearjerker).
December 9, 2025
I couldn’t resist checking out an Oscar the Grouch inspired story. This one isn’t for the faint of stomach, but it is different.
It wasn’t really for me, and wasn’t safe for me on a couple fronts, but, I persevered just to see how weird it would get. I didn’t find it very romantic, but, the bizarreness of it was interesting.
Oscar isn’t the Grouch (though he really is; Eddy isn't grumpy like Oscar is, he's all sunshine); he’s the office janitor, cursed by his ex to be turned on by trash. And he really is—those are the details that aren’t for the faint of stomach. It’s possibly the weirdest kink I’ve read about. And yes, I found it gross, but, not outlandish to the point I couldn’t read on.
The Grouch is Eddy, the spirit of a murdered man, whose body was thrown into a dumpster like trash, who now haunts the bins (aka garbage cans) at Oscar’s office.
Eddy, begins to haunt Oscar, and the two get to know each other’s stories and eventually fall for each other and want to help each other break their cursed situations.
I didn’t feel the chemistry between them, which made it possible to keep going when the story went to OM-action places I normally wouldn’t read through. Because I didn’t feel invested in their romance, and didn’t get that “meant to be” feeling, I stayed interested in their individual stories and kept reading. The entire midsection is Eddy’s story of how he was murdered, and involves seeing his abusive (physically and mentally) relationship with his closeted lover Mark in real-time, sex and all. It wasn’t entertaining for me, but does give extensive info on how he wound up a bin-spirit and tried to haunt the man who supposedly killed him, and how he befriended another spirit who became the King of Rot. I didn’t understand what really happened/exactly who killed him, and was unsatisfied; justice for Eddy wasn’t served.
Oscar’s story of how he was cursed seemed nebulous. His ex was a witch, but I didn’t really get what the situation was between them that made the breakup so bad that the ex cursed Oscar. The ex is never confronted, which felt like a loose end.
It was hard to get to know Oscar; he was focused on trash and trying to hide boners in the office, and I have no sense of his wider life, family, friends, passions, anything. Eddy I liked more, though his lack of self-esteem became frustrating in his backstory; he kept taking whatever scraps Mark would give him and making poor decisions.
There’s OM action with Eddy and Mark, and then once Eddy and Oscar find a solution to their mutual issues, there’s a time of separation with Oscar heartbroken but hooking up with OM too. But like I said, I didn’t really feel their connection so I didn’t care like I usually would. The I love yous came out of nowhere for me; I didn’t feel their emotional connection enough to believe them; they seemed more like friends helping each other out.
The world building was pretty sparse. It wasn’t clear at first that this world is filled with paranormal beings and they’re everywhere, so the witch, the curse, and the bin spirit weren’t unusual at all and wouldn’t have raised eyebrows. Oscar’s boss, Claudia, is a psychic of some sort, but again, that seemed unusual until I realized toward the end it really wasn’t.
I ended the book thinking, what did I just read? And, well, kudos to the author for trying something unique.
There are a few errors in word choice, and incorrect verb tenses throughout. I have an ARC, but, the verb tense issue seems like a case of incorrect editing, including copious use of past perfect where simple past would have been correct (the story POV is first person, present tense). There are also places, in dialogue especially, where contractions would have rung more organically.
So, not my favorite, but, definitely a unique read.
HEA, ghost love story, curse-breaking, Oscar and the Grouch, reincarnation. Not safe for me, there is on-page OM action, both in full detail in Eddy’s past, and during separation with Oscar trying to date other men. But I didn’t care because my romance emotions weren’t engaged. A weird and different read. Not recommended for the romance, but, if you’re tired of the usual and want to give it a go, recommended for being different.
My thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for the ARC; this is my free and impartial opinion.
It wasn’t really for me, and wasn’t safe for me on a couple fronts, but, I persevered just to see how weird it would get. I didn’t find it very romantic, but, the bizarreness of it was interesting.
Oscar isn’t the Grouch (though he really is; Eddy isn't grumpy like Oscar is, he's all sunshine); he’s the office janitor, cursed by his ex to be turned on by trash. And he really is—those are the details that aren’t for the faint of stomach. It’s possibly the weirdest kink I’ve read about. And yes, I found it gross, but, not outlandish to the point I couldn’t read on.
The Grouch is Eddy, the spirit of a murdered man, whose body was thrown into a dumpster like trash, who now haunts the bins (aka garbage cans) at Oscar’s office.
Eddy, begins to haunt Oscar, and the two get to know each other’s stories and eventually fall for each other and want to help each other break their cursed situations.
I didn’t feel the chemistry between them, which made it possible to keep going when the story went to OM-action places I normally wouldn’t read through. Because I didn’t feel invested in their romance, and didn’t get that “meant to be” feeling, I stayed interested in their individual stories and kept reading. The entire midsection is Eddy’s story of how he was murdered, and involves seeing his abusive (physically and mentally) relationship with his closeted lover Mark in real-time, sex and all. It wasn’t entertaining for me, but does give extensive info on how he wound up a bin-spirit and tried to haunt the man who supposedly killed him, and how he befriended another spirit who became the King of Rot. I didn’t understand what really happened/exactly who killed him, and was unsatisfied; justice for Eddy wasn’t served.
Oscar’s story of how he was cursed seemed nebulous. His ex was a witch, but I didn’t really get what the situation was between them that made the breakup so bad that the ex cursed Oscar. The ex is never confronted, which felt like a loose end.
It was hard to get to know Oscar; he was focused on trash and trying to hide boners in the office, and I have no sense of his wider life, family, friends, passions, anything. Eddy I liked more, though his lack of self-esteem became frustrating in his backstory; he kept taking whatever scraps Mark would give him and making poor decisions.
There’s OM action with Eddy and Mark, and then once Eddy and Oscar find a solution to their mutual issues, there’s a time of separation with Oscar heartbroken but hooking up with OM too. But like I said, I didn’t really feel their connection so I didn’t care like I usually would. The I love yous came out of nowhere for me; I didn’t feel their emotional connection enough to believe them; they seemed more like friends helping each other out.
The world building was pretty sparse. It wasn’t clear at first that this world is filled with paranormal beings and they’re everywhere, so the witch, the curse, and the bin spirit weren’t unusual at all and wouldn’t have raised eyebrows. Oscar’s boss, Claudia, is a psychic of some sort, but again, that seemed unusual until I realized toward the end it really wasn’t.
I ended the book thinking, what did I just read? And, well, kudos to the author for trying something unique.
There are a few errors in word choice, and incorrect verb tenses throughout. I have an ARC, but, the verb tense issue seems like a case of incorrect editing, including copious use of past perfect where simple past would have been correct (the story POV is first person, present tense). There are also places, in dialogue especially, where contractions would have rung more organically.
So, not my favorite, but, definitely a unique read.
HEA, ghost love story, curse-breaking, Oscar and the Grouch, reincarnation. Not safe for me, there is on-page OM action, both in full detail in Eddy’s past, and during separation with Oscar trying to date other men. But I didn’t care because my romance emotions weren’t engaged. A weird and different read. Not recommended for the romance, but, if you’re tired of the usual and want to give it a go, recommended for being different.
My thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for the ARC; this is my free and impartial opinion.
December 6, 2025
There are times when I stumbled upon books and think “WT-actual-F” and never want to look at them again. Then there are times when that WTF is followed by curiosity. Usually for the wrong reasons. Can’t Refuse Him was one of those cases. It sounded so unhinged that I was curious enough to pick it up. I was ready to be shocked in the way that made me tell my friends to read it for the wild experience… unfortunately, Can’t Refuse Him was not the out-there experience I had hoped it would be.
I am sure many people will be hooked on B.J. Twigg’s wacky story. In fact, at first, I was intrigued by the strangeness. Alas, I quickly found myself distracted by the fact that the book needed a better proofread. The tense was constantly changing. Not just between chapters, but within chapters. The point when I finally realised that I could not overlook it any longer was when it happened within a sentence. It distracted me far too much. If it had not been for this, I would have given the book a two-star rating. It was not for me (in the end, it tried to do too much in too little space, which meant it was not developed enough for me), but I was willing to give it a two-star rating because it was wild enough to have me curious. Alas, the fact I was spending more time picking out errors meant I ended up unable to give that extra star.
If you are going into this purely for the wild experience, with no expectations in terms of the quality, I can see it ticking the boxes of those who enjoy WTF reads. Unfortunately, there was too much distracting me from the wildness to allow me to enjoy it in the way others will.
I am sure many people will be hooked on B.J. Twigg’s wacky story. In fact, at first, I was intrigued by the strangeness. Alas, I quickly found myself distracted by the fact that the book needed a better proofread. The tense was constantly changing. Not just between chapters, but within chapters. The point when I finally realised that I could not overlook it any longer was when it happened within a sentence. It distracted me far too much. If it had not been for this, I would have given the book a two-star rating. It was not for me (in the end, it tried to do too much in too little space, which meant it was not developed enough for me), but I was willing to give it a two-star rating because it was wild enough to have me curious. Alas, the fact I was spending more time picking out errors meant I ended up unable to give that extra star.
If you are going into this purely for the wild experience, with no expectations in terms of the quality, I can see it ticking the boxes of those who enjoy WTF reads. Unfortunately, there was too much distracting me from the wildness to allow me to enjoy it in the way others will.
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