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No Pants Required

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“Let me find peace, by falling apart with you.”



In Tabby’s life, when it rains, it pours… and then instead of letting up - a freaking flash flood! Her fiance? Well… we don't talk about him anymore. Her job? They laid her off after a decade of service due to "budget cuts." Now, a soggy mess, she drags herself home, forced to move back in with her emotionally immature father, bringing along her furry bestie, Nymeria.



Tabby has to find a job. She wants a place she can call home. She needs to find solid ground again. Little does she know taking an evening walk at the beach with her dog will lead to the beginning of a brand new adventure.



Despite her dad complaining about Nymeria destroying his avocado trees, finding ways to kick her when she’s already down, or her past is finding ways to complicate her present, Tabby is determined to land on top. First, she’s got to figure out how to get out on her own, follow her passions, and possibly find love along the way.

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 3, 2026

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Kate Pelczar

5 books7 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
Profile Image for Tropes_and_Taboo.
743 reviews10 followers
August 4, 2026
No Pants Required by Kate Pelczar
⭐⭐⭐⭐🌶️🌶️
Contemporary Romance * Healing Romance * Finding Yourself * Single Parent (Adults)* Pet (Dog) * Abusive Family Dynamic (not by MMC) * Emotional Abuse (not by MMC) * Coffee Barista x CEO * Curvy FMC * Latin MMC * Age Gap
📖272 pages 🎧8h53
🎙️Narrated by Juniper West (Solo Audio)

This was such an adorable story about a woman who's spent most of her life being let down by the people who should have loved her most. After escaping an unhealthy family dynamic years ago, life throws one curveball after another. Suddenly unemployed, freshly out of a failed engagement (the ex was a complete douchebag), and needing a place to land, she reluctantly returns home with her loyal dog, Nymeria, to get back on her feet.

Unfortunately, home isn't the safe haven she'd hoped for. Her family remains emotionally abusive, making every day feel like a battle. Looking for any excuse to stay out of the house, she ends up at a Renaissance fair, where a wonderfully sweet meet-cute sets the stage for a slow-burning, genuinely healthy romance.

The characters were all wonderfully written. Nymeria wasn't simply a background pet. She truly felt like an emotional lifeline for our FMC, offering comfort when everything else seemed to be falling apart. Meanwhile, some of the secondary characters were incredibly easy to dislike, with their narcissism and cruelty making every interaction feel frustratingly real.

Although the romance features a wealthy CEO who wants nothing more than to spoil and support her, it never felt like an unrealistic fairy tale. The story puts just as much emphasis on her desire to rebuild her confidence and independence as it does on accepting help from someone who genuinely cares for her. Watching that balance unfold made their relationship feel earned. It blossomed slowly, naturally, and beautifully.

This is a lovely healing romance that reminds us sometimes the healthiest love is the one that gives you the space to rediscover yourself while standing beside you.

Juniper West's solo narration was fantastic. She gave each character a distinct voice while effortlessly conveying fear, warmth, anxiety, vulnerability, and love. Her performance added another layer of emotion that made this story an easy audiobook to get lost in.
Profile Image for Lb.
364 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy
July 15, 2026
We go through Tabby's journey as she navigates working long hours at the coffee shop, working on herself and finding out who she is as a person and what she wants in life... does that include a man so soon after her last relationship imploded? ... what she does know is she needs a place of her own ASAP!

Tabby's home life after returning to live with her parents is less than ideal and brings up childhood issues where her father becomes increasingly verbally agressive towards her and she worries that her mother is dealing with even worse treatment, she is talked down to by her father, her sister and quite frankly she has had enough... she's tired of walking on eggshells to be supportive of her father's immature and quite frankly appalling behavior towards everyone around him.

Tabby and Tony grow closer together over the course of this book and it's sweet to see them together opening up and letting down their walls. The narrator did a great job with the characters and this was a truly cute and cozy story. My heart went out to Tabby having to deal with her toxic family I truly wouldn't blame her for not wanting to deal with them again.

I did find a few situations could have been handled differently during the course of the book (but it could have just been a me thing) one of them being that Tony had given her no reasons not to trust him but she immediately thought the worst case scenario and didn't even want to let him speak... come on girl this guy is amazing at least hear him out before you jump to conclusions.

I also would have appreciated an epilogue to finish things out (this also could possibly be a me thing) it felt like a few plot points could have been wrapped up better. This book leaves our leads in a happily for now situation.

Thank you to the author and High Gravity for this ALC!

Book Blog: https://elbyslibrary.blogspot.com/202...

*High Gravity ALC *Indie Author *Strangers to More *guarded hearts *Barrista FMC


*Green Flag book boyfriend *State Challenge California (Repeat) *Cute animal side kick

*pop culture references

Trigger warnings: Toxic family (DV mentioned )
Profile Image for Briana.
35 reviews11 followers
August 5, 2026
No Pants Required by Kate Pelczar

ALC Review of Advanced Copy Received from Author via High Gravity Productions

This book was such a great listen! I went into it completely blind and I absolutely adored it! 😍

The Narration was FANTASTIC! 👏🏻 Juniper West may very well be one of my new favorite narrators!—is it weird if I say she has a pleasant voice to listen to?!🫣 She did an incredible job as a solo narrator doing both the female and male parts! She brought great animation and energy to the characters and also was able to convey the deep emotional aspects incredibly as well!❤️

The overall premise of the book is that the FMC, Tabby loses her job, her relationship and has to move hundreds of miles back home to live with her parents into a…. 🥴 We’ll just say less than ideal situation!

The ONE bright spot… She gets to bring her bestie with her!—Nymeria, her 4 legged, fun loving, goodest girl, who loves her more than anyone else in this world! 🐾🐕‍🦺
And y’all!—I am a sucker for a animal BFF! This writer does not disappoint in the least, I believe you can tell when someone is an animal lover, and Nymeria was definitely written by someone who loves a fur baby! 🫶🏻

THEN we meet our other bright spot, Tony! *swoon*
Tabby meets Tony at a Renaissance Fair 🧝🏼‍♀️⚔️ where she literally FALLS into his arms! — In true Renaissance fashion he is her “knight in shining armor” if you will, and he saves the day (and her face)!
They become fast “friends”, and one thing leads to another…
I will not spoil anything for you, but let’s just say he is the PERFECT book boyfriend!—he even has a pet name for her!!! 🫠😍

Also, for the fellow coffee lovers—coffee is Tabby’s literal love language, it flows through her veins like lava through a volcano waiting to erupt; it is the burning, driving force behind the volcano’s energy!

The author wonderfully conveys Tabby’s struggles both emotionally and mentally as she goes through this transition, trying to make the best of a bad situation. As an adult moving home, into an environment that was NOT healthy growing up, where her father was not a kind man, took HIS issues out on their mother and caused long term issues for both Tabby and her sister; you take this journey alongside Tabby, feeling the stress, anger, anxiety, and other emotions as she does. These are very tastefully handled and addressed in a way that destigmatizes mental illness well!
As I will always say, check your trigger warnings and make sure you are protecting your OWN mental health first! 💜🩵

This was definitely a 5 🌟 read for me! Both the writing and narration were incredible 🙌🏻🫶🏻
Profile Image for Janelle.
393 reviews67 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
July 19, 2026
Book & Narrator Review 🎧📚

“Let me find peace… by falling apart with you.”

Juniper West delivered a beautiful, emotional story about heartbreak, healing, and finding your way back to yourself when life doesn’t go according to plan.

Tabby’s journey completely captured my heart. After losing her fiancé, her job of ten years, and the independence she worked so hard for, she finds herself starting over from scratch. Life keeps throwing obstacles her way, but watching her pick herself back up, rediscover her strength, and fight for the life she wants was such a rewarding journey.

What I loved most about Tabby was how real she felt. She wasn’t perfect, and she didn’t have everything figured out. She was hurting, frustrated, and trying to find solid ground again—and that made her story even more relatable. Her growth throughout the book was beautiful to witness.

Nymeria was an absolute highlight! 🐾 The love and comfort between Tabby and her furry best friend added so much heart to the story and made those emotional moments hit even harder.

🎧 Narration Review

Juniper West’s narration was the perfect match for this story. She brought so much emotion and depth to Tabby’s character, capturing every moment of heartbreak, uncertainty, hope, and strength. Her delivery made the emotional scenes feel authentic and pulled me deeper into Tabby’s journey.

Juniper’s voice brought warmth and sincerity to the story, making the characters feel real and the moments feel personal. She has a beautiful ability to highlight the emotions behind the words and make you feel every twist, turn, and heartfelt moment.

This was such a beautiful audiobook experience. Juniper West’s storytelling and narration combined to create a journey about rebuilding, healing, and discovering that sometimes falling apart is the first step toward finding where you truly belong.

If you love emotional romance, fresh starts, healing journeys, and characters who feel incredibly real, this audiobook deserves a spot on your listening list.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 Narration: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Latasha.
939 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
July 17, 2026
This was a heartwarming story about rebuilding your life after everything seems to fall apart. Tabby loses both her job and her fiancé in a short span of time, forcing her to move back in with her emotionally immature father with her loyal dog, Nymeria, by her side. Watching her navigate grief, disappointment, and uncertainty while slowly rediscovering herself made for an uplifting and relatable journey.

One of my favorite parts of the story was Nymeria. She wasn’t just a pet—she was a source of comfort, comic relief, and unconditional love. The father-daughter relationship was also refreshingly realistic. It wasn’t perfect, and at times it was frustrating, but seeing the complexities of family dynamics added emotional depth to the story.

The romance develops naturally alongside Tabby’s personal growth, which I appreciated. Rather than overshadowing her healing journey, it complemented it, making the relationship feel earned. While I enjoyed the overall story, the pacing occasionally slowed in the middle, and a few plot points felt a bit predictable, which kept this from being a full five-star read for me.

I listened to the audiobook, and Juniper West delivered a warm, engaging performance that captured Tabby’s vulnerability, resilience, humor, and determination. Her expressive narration made it easy to connect with the characters and kept me invested throughout the story. She brought genuine emotion to both the heavier moments and the lighter, more hopeful scenes.

This is a cozy, uplifting contemporary romance about starting over, finding your footing after life’s unexpected storms, and discovering that sometimes the best new beginnings come from your biggest setbacks. If you enjoy stories centered on personal growth, lovable dogs, family relationships, and hopeful romances, this one is worth picking up.
Profile Image for Dixon Cockrell.
1 review
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 22, 2026
Of course! Since those themes are significant, it’s helpful to mention them so potential readers know what to expect without spoiling the story.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars

No Pants Required by Kate Pelczar was such a fun, entertaining read while also tackling some incredibly heavy emotional themes. From the very beginning, the story pulled me in with engaging characters, witty dialogue, and a wonderful balance of humor, heart, and romance.

The chemistry between the main characters felt natural and believable, and I found myself rooting for them throughout their journey. I especially appreciated how the lighter, laugh-out-loud moments were woven together with deeper emotional scenes, creating a story that felt both heartfelt and authentic.

This book does include several potentially triggering topics, including emotional and psychological trauma and abuse, infidelity, and the death of a loved one due to cancer. While these subjects are handled thoughtfully, they play an important role in the characters’ growth and emotional journeys, so readers may want to keep those content warnings in mind before diving in.

Kate Pelczar has a writing style that’s easy to get lost in. The characters felt genuine, the banter was enjoyable, and the emotional depth gave the romance even more impact. If you’re looking for a romantic comedy with plenty of charm that also isn’t afraid to explore grief, healing, and difficult past experiences, I’d definitely recommend giving No Pants Required a try.

Thank you to the author and ARC team for providing me with an advance copy. I’m leaving this review voluntarily, and all opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for KathrynAlyse.
143 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy
July 24, 2026
A huge thank you to High Gravity Audio and author Kate Pelczar for providing me with an ALC of No Pants Required.

This audiobook is narrated by Juniper West, who did a fantastic job bringing the story to life. Her performance perfectly captured the emotional moments, romance, and humor, and honestly, I think her narration is what kept me engaged throughout the book.

The story follows Tabby, a FMC who is clearly feeling lost and trying to figure out who she is and what she truly wants out of life. When she moves back home, she's forced to confront old emotional wounds and navigate the complicated relationship she has with her parents. Tabby's father was certainly a memorable character who added a lot of tension to the story and honestly was so irritating.

One thing I found interesting was Tabby's character development. She often spoke about emotional intelligence and self-awareness, and while some of her decisions—especially when it came to her trust issues with Tony, felt a little inconsistent at times, they also made her feel very human and relatable. It didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story, but it did make me think more about her journey.

Her dog was such a sweet addition, and honestly, felt like a little star of the story. Ha.

I do wish the ending provided a bit more closure. It wrapped up, but I was left wanting just a little more resolution for the characters.

Overall, No Pants Required was a good audiobook with strong narration and plenty of heartfelt moments. I can absolutely see readers enjoying Tabby's journey of self-discovery, healing, and romance.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
1,259 reviews39 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 20, 2026
I devoured No Pants Required by Kate Pelczar in just a single day—I truly could not put it down.

The story follows Tabby, who is dealing with a series of overwhelming setbacks after her fiancé betrays her and her job of a decade lays her off. Forced to move back in with her emotionally immature parents, she finds herself struggling to cope with her father’s constant criticism and the stress of rebuilding her life with her furry bestie, Nymeria, by her side. Her parents’ behavior was so frustrating that I found myself rolling my eyes throughout the experience, but their antagonism only made me root for Tabby more as she fought to find solid ground and move out on her own.

Everything changes when a simple walk on the beach with her dog leads to a chance encounter at a Renaissance Fair, where this talented barista falls into the wonderful arms of the amazing Tony. As the book perfectly captures with the line, “Let me find peace, by falling apart with you,” their journey is as heartfelt as it is romantic.

Despite her past complications and her father’s complaints about her dog, Tabby’s determination to follow her passions and land on top is incredibly inspiring. To top it all off, the solo narration by Juniper West was extremely well done, bringing every emotion to life and making this a must-listen.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kristin.
269 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
July 21, 2026
🎧 No Pants Required
By Kate Pelzcar
Narrated by Juniper West
Release Date: August 3, 2026
⭐⭐⭐✨

This book had a different vibe than most of what I typically read, and I still can't quite put my finger on what made it feel so unique.

Juniper West absolutely shines as the narrator. Her performance was engaging from start to finish, and I'm pretty sure I'll be reaching out to her when it's time to produce some of my books.

The story follows Tabby as she tries to rebuild her life after being betrayed by both her fiancé and her best friend. She struggles with her self-worth and doesn't believe she deserves good things, which makes watching her slowly find confidence through new friendships, work, and romance especially satisfying.

I kept waiting for everything to fall apart, but for the most part, it never did. Instead, the story focuses on Tabby finally getting the fresh start she deserves.

Her family, though... yikes. They were absolutely awful, and it's no surprise she wanted to leave that life behind.

One thing that did surprise me was the spice level. I initially thought I was settling in for a sweet, closed-door romance, but I was definitely wrong. Those scenes caught me completely off guard!

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to listen to this book prior to release!
36 reviews2 followers
August 18, 2026
In No Pants Required we are introduced to Tabby, our FMC. In the beginning of this story Tabby is going through it. From being cheated on, to moving back to her childhood home, to violence within that household she is forced to find herself and what she wants to do with her life.

Our MMC, Super Man.... I mean Tony who you can't help but swoon over. Tony is protective, observational, and pays attention to the small details. All things that as a reader I feel like Tabby is not used to. It is an adjustment for her over their relationship to accept the things he wants to offer. She is someone who wants to be independent and not dependent on anyone due to the past she has experienced.

As much as Tony wants to take care of her, he accepts that she needs that independence and they chase her dreams. Not everything in this story is sunshine and rainbows. Tabby is forced to set boundaries that are hard, especially when it comes to family. She is forced to be strong on her own for so long, but Tony gives her that reassurance often that she doesn't have to be strong by herself all the time.

No Pants Required seems sweet and innocent.. but there are some spicy scenes that I loved. When it comes down to it I am on the same team as Tabby.. no pants is the way to go.
Profile Image for Amanda Palmer.
66 reviews3 followers
August 3, 2026
If you are looking for a light, humorous, age gap romance featuring a cute puppy, and an FMC with a coffee obsession then No Pants Required is the book for you!

Tabby is a 30 something who has recently gone through a breakup and is forced to move back in with her dysfunctional, and arguably abusive, parents. She is searching for a way to turn her life around and get back on her own two feet as quickly as possible.

When a chance meeting at a renaissance fair has her falling (literally) into the arms of a very charming salt and pepper Latino man, the romance begins. Tony is the MMC we all aspire to find in our lives. Handsome, kind, caring and supportive he and Tabby have an instantaneous connection that is truly swoon worthy.

No Pants Required lets you follow along while Tabby gets her life back in order, overcoming hurdles, finding and establishing her own support system and making her own dreams come true. You will find yourself cheering for Tabby, falling in love with Tony and maybe even craving a latte!!

Thank you to the author for giving me the opportunity to ARC read this book!


Profile Image for BookishLatinaJenn (Jennifer).
397 reviews5 followers
August 14, 2026
No Pants Required is a sweet, heartfelt story about starting over when life basically decides to throw the entire damn kitchen sink at you. Tabby is navigating job loss, a broken engagement, family complications, and figuring out who she is outside of everyone else’s expectations. Her journey felt messy, vulnerable, funny, and genuinely relatable.

I especially loved the emotional layers surrounding her family relationships. They weren’t always easy to read, but they gave the story some real depth. And Nymeria? That dog absolutely deserves her own spin-off. 😂

🎧 Juniper West was fantastic. Her voice brought so much warmth and personality to Tabby, and she handled the humor, emotional moments, and romantic tension beautifully. This was a very easy listen, and I’ll definitely be keeping an ear out for more from her.

I did wish the ending gave us a little more closure, but overall, this was an enjoyable listen about healing, finding yourself, and realizing that sometimes falling apart is exactly how you figure out what comes next.

Thank you to Kate Pelczar and High Gravity Productions for the ALC!
Profile Image for Ivey.
164 reviews
Review of advance copy
July 24, 2026
4.5/5 Stars. Thank you High Gravity for the ALC.

This was such a heartfelt and uplifting story about rebuilding your life when everything seems to fall apart. Tabby's journey felt authentic and relatable as she navigated heartbreak, unemployment, family struggles, and the challenge of starting over. I found myself rooting for her from the very beginning.

One of my favorite parts was watching her rediscover her confidence and learn to embrace new opportunities, even when life kept throwing obstacles in her path. The romance was sweet, the character growth was satisfying, and Nymeria absolutely stole every scene she was in. As a dog lover, I adored her!

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Juniper West, and she did a fantastic job bringing Tabby's emotions to life. Her performance captured the humor, heartbreak, frustration, and hope so beautifully that I felt completely immersed in the story. Juniper's narration added so much personality to the characters and made Tabby's journey even more engaging.
Profile Image for Brandy.
343 reviews10 followers
August 16, 2026
This gets 3.5 stars from me.

So we have our FMC, who has to move back in with her parents. We find out that this is not the best situation. She is working at a local coffee shop but nothing she can do will please her father. Her mother is more diplomatic but dad has his own mental health issues. Due to this, make sure to check your triggers as this could be a trigger for some.
We have our MMC, who is older and what our FMC calls a DILF. He has money and has a great job.
Our MMC and FMC meet at an even in the community and things progress pretty fast. Needless to say, he is her knight in shinning armor and this story ends with a HEA.

Overall, this audio was great but the story lacked depth for me. It just seemed like our FMC was stuck in a routine (which does happen) but then they both fall so fast and join each other's worlds. OH also there is some spicy spice in this story and it starts off on the faster side in the relationship.

Thank you to High Gravity for providing me with a copy of this audiobook. The narrators did a fantastic job with this story.
Profile Image for Megan.
6 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 25, 2026
- ARC Review -

This book was so much fun but had so much heart! The banter, the relationship building, the found family and the doggo sidekick all drew me in! It made me laugh, cry, and want to reach in and strangle some!

It’s these kind of books that make you feel the gambit of the emotions that stick with you. I related so much to Tabby with her family, her sexuality and how she found herself. It was amazing to feel so deeply for a character that I wanted to protect her. Watching the relationship with Tony grow was so sweet, and not rushed with everything else that Tabby went through.

The spice was the perfect amount in my opinion. Not too much that it seemed to take away from all the plot but enough to add to the relationship dynamic in a way that felt authentic to them.

Overall a great read and I’m so lucky to have gotten an ARC copy to read it early! Will definitely be a re-read in the future!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
35 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 28, 2026
Hello Book Besties! I received this book as an ARC from Ms. Pelczar - and it’s a cute read.
We meet Tabatha when she is at a bit of a crossroads in her life. She has left her boyfriend, her job as a barista, and her home in Colorado and headed to live - temporarily-with her parents; with all her worldly possessions and her furry best friend. Now she is on the hunt for the perfect job and an apartment she can actually afford - something that can’t happen fast enough for Tabatha ( or her dad )
Tabatha faces a lot of challenges in moving back home- . while she chases her dreams and falls in love, she also has to face her past. She has some tough choices to make throughout her story and faces some harsh realities on her way to her HEA.
Overall, I found the characters fun, the storyline relatable, the spice steamy, and the dog adorable. If you’ve ever found yourself having to start over, pick this one up. You will love it.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Harvey.
1 review2 followers
August 5, 2026
I received this book as an ARC and I am so glad I waited to pick it up until I could dedicate the time to finish it in one sitting. When I saw Kate’s tiktok describing the book I just knew it was going to be good and it did not disappoint.

From the beginning Tabatha is going through it. She is going through a divorce, moving back home and in with her parents whom she has a rocky relationship with, and has to find a new job. With what seems like every step in the right direction towards learning how to be independent and set personal boundaries for herself it seems she has a few setbacks. Slowly the right people come into her life and provide the support she needs to be successful while also giving her the space she needs to navigate her new life independently. I really enjoyed getting to read her find a genuine friendship in Liz, a loving relationship with Tony, find work doing a job she loves and have a successful side hustle. This was truly a heart felt read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Average Jess Reads.
101 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 26, 2026
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of this book from the author.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a solid 3.75 stars. There is nothing majorly wrong with this book. It is a great little palette cleanser.

It is very slice of life. We follow Tabby while she is having to move back home with her parents and this is not something she ever wanted or thought she could do. She is accompanied by her faithful dog. She end up meeting a man at a local ren fair and they hit it off and begin dating.

This issue I had with this was we didn't get too deep and I was always waiting for something major to happen. The other issue is that she moves home because she can't afford to live on her own but then ends up making some major purchases later in the book that don't make sense.
Finally time moves very strange, we had major time jumps that I felt were not very well described.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Roth.
329 reviews9 followers
August 11, 2026
No Pants Required by Kate Pelczar was definitely different than I thought it would be based on the title. Tabitha is a woman who left her cheating bf and moved back home with her parents into a very dysfunctional family dynamic. Side note: I loved her dog, Nymeria! She was the very definition of an emotional support dog. Her parents were terrible and were very emotionally abusive. She avoids being home as much as possible and goes to a Renaissance fair and has the most adorable meet-cute with Tony. He is a wealthy, divorced CEO. Their relationship, even though it was fast, also felt like a natural and authentic relationship. He was so incredibly supportive of her dreams. I also enjoyed Liz, her boss and mentor at the coffee shop.
Juniper West did a really great job with the solo narration, and I really felt all the emotions Tabitha was going through.
Profile Image for Laura.
64 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
July 15, 2026
I received the “No Pants Required” ALC from High Gravity Productions.

Rating: 3.75 ⭐️
Spice: 🌶️

Tabby’s life is falling apart and she just left her boyfriend after he cheated on her with her best friend. Now, she has to move back in with her parents. Her parents are enabling and emotionally immature. They are also verbally and physically abusive.

While at a Renaissance fair alone, she literally stumbles out of a portable toilet into the arms of Tony. He’s our golden retriever, angel of a MMC.

Overall, I appreciated the audiobook and the narrator was fantastic. I wish the opening of the story had opened with her leaving Ryan and giving us a little backstory. It picked up after the 25% mark. Overall, a solid read!
3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
July 27, 2026
So this is the first book that i have signed up to be an ARC reader. I was so excited because i found the author on TIkTOK and i loved her vibe.This book is extremely well written and i did enjoy it but it was a slow read for me. i average a book a day and it took me several days to work through this one maybe because i'm ADhd and it just didn't hold my attention. It has a great story about starting over and having to move back home to the parentals as an adult and over coming your childhood trauma's instilled by said parents, but the plot could have went in so many different directions and been expanded on. In my opinion it reads like a novella. Enough info to suck you and leave you wanting more, like more info on the MMC daughters and the ex-wife.
Profile Image for Kari Lake.
461 reviews12 followers
Review of advance copy
July 29, 2026
Solo narration by Juniper West was fabulous! Not many solo narrators do such a great job at multiple voices, but Juniper smashes that feat with ease.

I truly enjoyed the storyline. I loved how Tabby focused on getting herself back on track with her life. Her parents were awful, and her ex-boyfriend was a narcissist.

Tabby was genuine in that she realized she needed to work things out for herself first. I really understood that part of her. Her struggles really made her relatable. The only thing I didn't care very much about her is not very nice attitude towards some things. I won't get into the details, but you will see what I mean.

Overall I enjoyed the audiobook a lot. Thank you to High Gravity Productions for the ALC.
Profile Image for Amanda M.
3,647 reviews16 followers
August 10, 2026
Amazing audiobook and the storyline was so good. I liked the narrative. The characters were lovely. It's a heartfelt romance with a few little bumps along the way for them to get that HEA but oh it was so worth it for the main characters. Juniper West did an amazing job narrating this book. The way this narrator has the capability to flip their voice around was incredible. I really liked that they were able to do that and the ability they have to match their voice and tone to the specific character just blew me away. This was a very satisfying listen that I'd recommend grabbing a copy of. A huge thanks to High Gravity Productions and the author for a copy of this. All thoughts are my own and freely expressed.
Profile Image for Tiff D.
88 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
August 2, 2026
I thought this was a cute beachy romance. I was excited when I recieved it and dove in but found that I couldnt get caught up in the story like I wanted. I couldnt connect with Tabby and felt like Tony was too perfect. He didnt have any flaws and it almost seemed cheesy and predictable.

Normally I love these types of books with age gap, finding yourself, a puppy (of course) and just a sweet romance but I couldnt get into it. The story its self is very well done and did have some great spots but overall it wasnt for me.

Thank you to Kate Pelczar for the ARC and this review is my honest opinion!
Profile Image for MHT Books.
697 reviews1 follower
September 15, 2026
Be prepared for the most hilariously adorable meet cute between Tony and Tabby. Who knew a porta potty could be so adorable. Tabby has hit rock bottom and had to move back home her parents and it’s not a great situation. My favorite part is she has a furry baby named Nymeria who is a total sweetheart. Tony is a grey fox who runs a successful business and has a huge heart who loves to spoil the people he cares about. Watching Tabby move forward through her life and growing and becoming her best self was a joy. Juniper West did such an amazing job narrating the whole book on her own. Her voice really painted an amazing story.
Profile Image for Marissa Atchison.
439 reviews14 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 13, 2026
I followed Kate's progress as she wrote this book, and I was so excited to read it. Tony and Tabby's story was so great that I read it in a day!!! I couldn't put this book down. Tabby's ex betrayed her in the worst way possible, and this forced her to move in with her parents. I am literally rolling my eyes as I type this because her parents make me so angry. Who knew a day at the Renaissance Fair would change Tabby's life? This barista falls in the wonderful arms of the amazing Tony. I agree with the editor of this book and say he is the perfect book boyfriend.
108 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
July 23, 2026
If you love cozy beach town romances with older MCs, coffee shops, and sweet puppy dog this book may be for you. I listened to the audiobook and Juniper West did an amazing job at single narration.

With all that said, this book was not for me. I could not connect with the FMC. She was whiny. And the MMC was too perfect. It was just too cheesy I think.

I know this book has its readers though. So if it sounds like something you would like definitely give it a listen because again Juniper is awesome!
5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 18, 2026
This book takes you on a journey I wasn’t expecting. Parts made me laugh out loud others I had to pause so I wouldn’t throw my book. I quickly feel in love with Tabby, Tony, and Nymeria. I’d say this was a semi slow burn. When the spice came it was worth the wait. The whole book I kept rooting for Tabby’s dreams to come true. This was probably one of the best rom com spicy books I’ve read this year.
Profile Image for Isha Coleman.
9,898 reviews178 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 20, 2026
Audio Review: No Pants Required by Kate Pelczar

Narrated by Juniper West

Pelczar takes the soul on a journey of hijinx and heartache that ends up being impossible to forget. West breathes deep emotion into a character that doesn't know her own strength. Tabby pushes the boundaries of the heart with a strength that is hard to resist. From ironic to heartbreaking, a whisper becomes a shout.

Profile Image for Christina _readingwhilewet.
587 reviews33 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
July 21, 2026
🎧Alc review

📖No Pants Required by Kate Pelczar
🎤 Narrated by Jupiter West

🎧Thank you to High Gravity Productions for the opportunity!

🩷Starting over
🩷Toxic family
🩷New love
🩷Self love and healing

Loved this story.

The FMC was so relatable, her story didn't feel rushed or unrealistic.

I loved the path she found for herself.

Her path to love and the way Tony loved her out loud and calmed her doubts.

Julie's narration was phenomenal.
📖4/5
🎤3/5
🌶️🌶️
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