She came for a weekend escape, but destiny came harder.
Victoria Lopez is freshly divorced, newly forty-five, and determined to reclaim her joy on a weekend girl's trip to a romance book conference. But when her rechargeable self-care device stages a full-scale riot in the TSA line, she's forced to toss it in the trash... along with her hopes for a no-strings-attached, between-the-sheets revival.
Fine. Whatever. She's got a BookCon, her two best friends, and a weekend far away from her ex-husband's engagement party. That should be enough, right?
But then a mysterious figurine at a vendor booth calls her name - literally. According to the shop owner, these enchanted effigies choose their person. Victoria laughs it off… until she brings the warrior-shaped statue back to her hotel room and discovers "choosing" might have involved a lot more than fate.
Because this figurine doesn't stay a figurine.
Suddenly Victoria is face-to-abs with a devoted, dangerously gorgeous Mexica warrior determined to serve her every desire and remind her exactly who she powerful, wanted, and worthy of pleasure without apology.
What started as a girls' trip becomes a wild, magical awakening - one that might just put her heart back together in ways she never expected.
Ok, can someone please make book-con carryon happen for real? I’d like a travel sized warrior whose sole purpose is reminding me how powerful I am by giving me endless orgasms.
This is exactly what it claims to be. Short. Spicy. A little silly.
But it also packs a bit of an emotional punch. We all deserve to feel powerful and a worthy of love, affection, and orgasms, but sometimes we need a little reminder.
A love letter to all things books & bookish friends.
The only negative I’ll note is that the prose was a bit repetitive in places, including the spice.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This was a cute novella that went from embarrassing at the airport to very interesting in the bedroom. I think the airport scene was so hilarious, I had to stop reading because I was laughing so hard my boyfriend was concerned and I had to explain to him what was so funny.
I loved the female empowerment message throughout the book. I can understand being so wrapped up in a relationship that you forget that you are your own person and you deserve to be yourself unconditionally.
BookCon Carry-on is a steamy novella with magical realism elements; about Victoria a divorced woman in her mid 40s, who has devoted her entire life to the well-being of her three children and marriage. This year, she has decided to prioritize herself and is on her way to a romance book conference with her two friends who she met on social media. While at the book conference she stumbles upon a vendor who sells figurines that can embody your book boyfriend; however, these figurines can only be sold to the person the figurine chooses.
Overall, it was a very entertaining and quick read; only wished the story did not end so fast.
Thank you Tides Collide Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Listen. I came for a fun, slightly unhinged spicy novella and Carry On absolutely understood the assignment, mostly.
First of all: divorced, forty-five, BookCon weekend, feral best friends? Immediate yes. Victoria is living the fantasy of every romance-reader-with-back-pain-and-boundaries, and I loved that for her. The TSA incident alone told me exactly what kind of ride this was going to be. Tragic. Hilarious. Relatable. RIP to a fallen rechargeable soldier 🫡
Now let’s talk sentient spice. This is not my first encounter with magically animated thirst objects, so I went in seasoned and spiritually prepared. Was this the most mind-blowing version of the trope? No. Was it fun, ridiculous, and occasionally very hot? Absolutely. Not the best, not the worst - solid middle-of-the-road “I enjoyed myself and do not regret this” energy.
The real standout for me was the friend group. Bookish, weird, supportive women who met online and brought their chaos IRL? That hit home. Deeply. Bookstagram girlies, we see each other. That sense of chosen family and hype-woman energy gave the story heart beyond the spice.
Also, the quote: “I deserved to feel sexy. I deserved to take up space.” Yeah. That one stayed with me. Because YES. Full-body yes. The older I get, the more I believe desire isn’t something to outgrow - it’s something to finally own without apology!
Overall a quick, spicy little read that doesn’t reinvent the wheel but definitely gives it a fun, enchanted spin. Perfect for when you want empowerment, escapism, and just a dash of “what did I just read?” energy. Would recommend for a cozy weekend mood read with snacks and zero shame!
First off thank you NetGalley and Tides Collide Publishing for the ARC. Here is my honest review.
This book… Definitely something you can read in one sitting quickly. Or however long you want to read this. lol Definitely 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️? Is a guesstimate. Definitely written by a book girlie for other book girlies.
BookCon Carry-On by Monty Amor (Feb. 2026) [Reading in Jan.] 74-page Kindle Ebook story pages 10-69
Genre: Novella, Erotica, Fantasy
Rating as a movie: XX for Explicit Sexual Content
Featuring: Content Warning - Explicit Sexual Content, Roseville, California; Atlanta, Georgia; Divorcée, Boy Mom, Weekend Trip, Books About Books, Book Dragons, Bookstagrammers, Latino MC, Friendships, Quinquagenarian, Text Graphics, Review Advertisement
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🧳🛫🫔
My thoughts: I read the genre and was still greatly surprised. This story starts with a bang (not that kind) it is hilarious from the start, so much so that the spice was just a bonus. My only complaint is that it ended too soon. Her friends and the event sounded like a good time and we didn't finish the weekend. Maybe there are more coming. I wouldn't be mad at a series. Thank you to NetGalley and Tides Collide Publishing for this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Recommend to others: Yes! This is a quick story but it's a 10. Just in time for Valentine’s Day.
This was short, quirky, cute, and spicy novella about a woman post divorce finding her spark!
There were a few phrases or word choices in here that made my eye twitch and my brain short circuit (the use of the word "meaty" was one 🤢). Surprisingly, this short book did have some emotional depth to it- more than i was expecting. Go into this looking for a fun, quick read with a book that doesnt ask too many questions or take itself too seriously.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review
Also a sentient object romance taking place at a bookcon? (something I will be attending for the first time in July???) Amazing. Best possible setting. Got me hyped for my con even tho I won't be finding any sexy statues to keep me company.
Story started fast with hijinx.....involving highways, sex toys, and TSA.
Despite the short length, there was definitely depth to this story. Our FMC felt like a real person who gave and lost so much of herself in an unhealthy marriage, and now post divorce is finally taking time for herself (bookcon with friends 🎉🎉🎉) to rediscover herself and her confidence. Her relationship with her sons was adorable.
Characters? ✅️ Humor? ✅️ Sexy warrior effigy? ✅️
This story though short was full of humor and spice! Thoroughly recommend if you enjoy a good sentient object romance with some depth 🫶
This little spicy novella was not at all what I was expecting and woah did it deliver! —The first part felt very relatable and easy to follow if you’re a book lover. Once she headed to the con, the fun really started (hello, airport scene). I really enjoyed Victoria’s empowerment journey with “a little” help from a very hot warrior. Their initial interactions had me giggling and left me wanting an Ollin in my life. I received an advanced copy of this novella in exchange for my honest review. A big thank you to Monty Amor and Tides Collide Publishing.
I did enjoy this short read! Although it was an unusual storyline (not like one I’d read before), I found it was funny, easy to follow along and surprisingly had some great points in, such as women with children should still take time for themselves. I found it to be an empowering read and it kept my attention! I would recommend if you’re after a short, spicy, yet lighthearted, empowering book.
Just finished BookCon Carry-On by Monty Amor and wow… what a ride 🔥
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC 🥰
I came in for a wild, slightly chaotic spicy novella, and it delivered in all the right ways. Divorced, forty-five, BookCon weekend chaos with feral besties? Instant yes. Victoria is living the dream of every romance reader with back pain and boundaries, and honestly, I loved watching her own it. The TSA moment alone set the tone: tragic, hilarious, and painfully relatable. 🫡
The magical “thirst objects” trope made a return here, and while it didn’t reinvent the wheel, it was delightfully ridiculous and occasionally scorching. Middle-of-the-road in brilliance, but highly enjoyable energy throughout.
Where this one really shined for me was the friend group. Quirky, bookish, online friends turned real-life chaos crew? Chef’s kiss 👌 That chosen-family vibe and hype-woman energy gave the story heart beyond the spice.
And yes, this quote stuck with me: “I deserved to feel sexy. I deserved to take up space.” Preach. Desire doesn’t fade with age it just becomes unapologetic, and this book nails that.
A short, fun, empowering, slightly unhinged read perfect for cozy weekends, snacks in hand, zero shame required. 💕
✨ Have you read it yet? What did you think of the chaos?
Bookcon Carry-on by Monty Amor is a fun spicy novella perfect for all those spicy romance readers.
Victoria Lopez is freshly divorced, 45 and determined to reclaim herself on a girl's weekend to a book conference. What ensues on that magical weekend is surprisingly fun, spicy and hilarious.
I loved how perfectly Monty captured the feel of a bookcon from a excited readers point of view. Monty took a weird concept and made it perfectly spicy and believable within the context of the story. The only issue I had with the story is that it wasn't longer! I wanted to know if her friends got to see the book boyfriend magic as well!
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and Tides Collide Publishing, in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
Thanks to NetGalley, Tides Collide Publishing, and of course Monty Amor for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was silly and hilarious which was just what I needed. The spice level was perfect, in my opinion. It’s got some exhibitionism, but other than that it’s not especially kinky…well…would we consider the fact that the MMC isn’t quite a person to be dubcon? Like he exists to please her. I don’t know. Either way, it’s quite spicy given the length of the novella. Everything is written well, including the spicy scenes. I also appreciate that our FMC has a clear character arc even though this is so short. We have a 40-something divorced mom learning to put herself first and love herself again. Also, did I mention it’s hilarious?? Highly recommend this as a palate cleanser.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of Book Con Carry On in exchange for an honest review.
I honestly did not expect this book to go in the direction that it did but omg, it was absolutely amazing! I don’t want to spoil anything because I truly think this is one of those stories that’s better when you go in blind. Trust me on this one 😄
This novella had me giggling and smiling the entire way through. It was so much fun and I couldn't put it down.
I had a great time with this and will definitely be picking up more from this author in the future. If you’re in the mood for something fun that’ll put a smile on your face, I highly recommend this for sure!
Thank you Netgalley and Tides Collide publishing for my ARC in exchange for an honest review Everyone knows I’m a Whöre for sentiment object romances. I love that it makes me laugh but I also love it when it has great writing and emotion. BookCon Carry on has both of those things! Monty Amors writing flows very nicely and you can feel the emotion from chapter one with how Victoria feels towards her ex and where she is at in her life as a single mother. So yes while you are Laughing your butt off you can appreciate Monty’s writing. ✨ this book is hott and I just wished it was a tad bit longer! Didn’t want it to end !
Wow! This book was absolutely bonkers! My first-ever sentient romance, and I wasn’t entirely sure what I’d let myself in for, but it was hilarious, steamy, and thoroughly enjoyable. At its heart, it’s a story about women owning their sexuality unapologetically; whether they’re divorced, over forty, or mums. Everyone deserves to be worshipped… even if it’s by a doll that turns into a man when licked.
I also loved that it’s set at a romance book convention. Perfect for romance readers, by romance readers. Between the magical twist, the spicy scenes, and the empowering themes, this novella had me laughing, swooning, and cheering for Victoria all the way.
This was a sweet novella. A middle aged divorcee who had been used, abused, and neglected by her husband. She has forgotten who she is and has allowed the world to dim her light. She goes on a girl's trip weekend with her besties to a NSFW style bookcon. Lots of fun ensues and Stella gets her groove back. I love the lens this is written through. It's nice toto have a mid life baddie with real world problems. I love a supportive cast of book besties. I love rediscovering the light we all have within. A good time was had.
Creative and cute with some painfully cringey moments, this little novella is quite charming. While this was not my typical read, I enjoyed it. I can tell the author put a lot of heart in this, and I really appreciated all of the character building, despite so few pages. I felt myself rooting for Victoria, and was happy she got what was coming (in)to her 🤭.
Big thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Should have known the sex toy joke on the first page was a bad sign.
The humour was not for me, I did not vibe with the forty-something divorcée mother who feels guilty about finally doing something for herself, and sentient object romance was not on my bingo card for 2026.
A positive was that this was a very short read. And the cover is lovely!
I received an ARC of this book (thanks!) and these are my own opinions.
Short, spicy, and silly but I was pleasantly surprised to find some emotional depth to the story. There are some empowering moments for women and I loved the quote "I deserved to feel sexy. I deserved to take up space.” The spice was as unhinged as I hoped it would be. This will be a super fun read for anyone bookish.
This book just gave me all the feels I needed to be book-con ready with my girls.
From page 1, this book was giving me flashbacks of past bookcons and the amazing friendships I made there. Who doesn't want to travel to visit their book besties and meet their favorite authors. Victoria has amazing friends who are always there to hype a girl up. And is there some special bookish magic in this story.. well you have to read it to find out..
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Five stars because this was funny, lighthearted, and deliciously different from your typical read 🌶️🔥 Super unique, spicy in all the right ways, and I flew through it in about an hour. If you want a quick, fun, no-strings-attached story—grab this one.
A wonderfully spicy short read that I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to read! how wild would your life be if a figurine could come to life and fulfill your every steamy desire?!
This was honestly hilarious, especially at the beginning. But the rest of the book was very odd, and the writing was clunky in my opinion. I want a longer book based on the airport scene.