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Comfort Read
Not yet published
Expected 8 Oct 26A feel-good M/M cozy romance with fake dating, one slightly demonic orange cat and a slow burn worth swooning over!
Sage Ballard needs to rescue his reputation. Kit Forrest just wants to keep his beloved local bookshop from shutting down. All they have to do is convince the world they're madly in love. Pumpkin spice, old paperbacks, and a romance that's about to get very real...
What readers are saying about Dylan Morrison's cozy
"This. Was. Adorable. I swooned for both of these two HARD! This is grumpy x sunshine delivered!" Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Heartwarming and funny… the banter is truly next level… a wonderful and cozy read." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Laugh-out-loud funny and heartache-inducing… incredibly satisfying… Morrison's writing is
truly distinctive for the genre — intelligent and assured… a book that will stay with me for a long time." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"One of my books of the year… Funny, charming, compelling" Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"This book was a joy… genuine emotional arcs… this really cemented Morrison on my list of must-read authors." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"This book was such a joy to read!… Heartwarming and funny… the banter is truly next level… a wonderful and cozy read." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Love love love!… Sweet, funny, heartwarming… The characters were so lovable and well developed." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"A slow burn without spice, full of witty characters… the transition in their relationship feels organic." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"So engaging and funny that I really couldn't put this one down." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Hilarious and adorable… My partner ended up reading over my shoulder because I kept bursting out laughing." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Adorable and extremely well-written. I laughed out loud frequently." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Super sweet and cute!… I highly recommend this book." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sage Ballard needs to rescue his reputation. Kit Forrest just wants to keep his beloved local bookshop from shutting down. All they have to do is convince the world they're madly in love. Pumpkin spice, old paperbacks, and a romance that's about to get very real...
What readers are saying about Dylan Morrison's cozy
"This. Was. Adorable. I swooned for both of these two HARD! This is grumpy x sunshine delivered!" Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Heartwarming and funny… the banter is truly next level… a wonderful and cozy read." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Laugh-out-loud funny and heartache-inducing… incredibly satisfying… Morrison's writing is
truly distinctive for the genre — intelligent and assured… a book that will stay with me for a long time." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"One of my books of the year… Funny, charming, compelling" Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"This book was a joy… genuine emotional arcs… this really cemented Morrison on my list of must-read authors." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"This book was such a joy to read!… Heartwarming and funny… the banter is truly next level… a wonderful and cozy read." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Love love love!… Sweet, funny, heartwarming… The characters were so lovable and well developed." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"A slow burn without spice, full of witty characters… the transition in their relationship feels organic." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"So engaging and funny that I really couldn't put this one down." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Hilarious and adorable… My partner ended up reading over my shoulder because I kept bursting out laughing." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Adorable and extremely well-written. I laughed out loud frequently." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Super sweet and cute!… I highly recommend this book." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
321 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 8, 2026
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August 24, 2026
ARC generously provided by netgalley and Storm Publishing
Publish Date: Oct 8th
Will Review By: Sept 8th
Publish Date: Oct 8th
Will Review By: Sept 8th
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August 17, 2026I received an ARC from the Publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I'm writing an honest review in exchange for receiving the ARC from NetGalley and the publisher.
This book was a comfort to read, for sure. Sage is a Hollywood movie star with a lot of recent turmoil surrounding his image, and a pretty big chip on his shoulder. Kit Forrest is an adorable teacher-turned-bookstore owner, with seriously low self worth. Not much seems to go his way and he seems to be the man in town everyone feels sorry for, for one thing after another since childhood. It takes place in Cedar Falls....and that's in NY, folks. Not IA, which I'm very familiar with...thus, I was seriously confused for a while.
After their initial meeting and agreement for Kit to pose as Sage's boyfriend, their relationship progresses. It's not a whirlwind, it truly does take time and progress fairly naturally. There's self doubt on both their parts. There's A LOT of internalized issues about why this should and/or could not work.
They don't actually come together until very late in the book. And it's not described on page at all, so expect no spice. But that doesn't mean it wasn't a sensual read when they did connect.
I spent a lot of time smiling and laughing at their antics and Kit's humor. Kit's an absolute gem. And there's so much more to Sage, and he just comes out of his shell around Kit. Kit's humor is genuine, as well as a defense mechanism, but it was adorable and funny to read.
My heart hurt for Kit and how he thought so little of himself, and also in the 3 act breakup, even though I thought it was all valid. I was only slightly annoyed at the apologies that came. But that's just personal preference. It worked for the book. I think I just am someone who needs people to grovel a bit more 🤣.
Speaking of apologies and groveling, I liked the side characters....sort of. But in some books where the side characters make the story soooo much better, they make you fall in love with the main characters just for their banter and love and relationship....I did not get that in this book. I thought it would be that with Allison, as that's how it started with her and Kit. But that just dropped the hell off the minute that Allison started spacing out. But there just seemed to be something hidden or something off with every one of the side characters. It was a tad annoying, if I do say so myself. Kit already feels he's the butt of everyone's jokes and the one everyone always feels soooo sorry for. So let's all hide more stuff from him. He doesn't feel that anyone takes him seriously or that anyone considers him worthy of trusting or being capable of being a proper adult, I guess? So let's just keep him in the dark and ignore the things we see going on with him? That'll show him how much we trust him, how much we care for him, how much we want him to know he's actually worthy of.....well, anything. That and the fact I am a slut for smut, that's why it's a 4 ⭐ read.
But as a whole, this is an easy read, not a lot of angst, sweet and funny, and a cat that seriously is plotting to end the world one hat at a time. Throgmorten, the cat, is literally the best side character in this whole book. I think I need his book, his comic strip, and my own hoodie that says Reading is Sexy....with his picture on it. Definitely recommend this book, as it is aptly named, it's a comfort read.
This book was a comfort to read, for sure. Sage is a Hollywood movie star with a lot of recent turmoil surrounding his image, and a pretty big chip on his shoulder. Kit Forrest is an adorable teacher-turned-bookstore owner, with seriously low self worth. Not much seems to go his way and he seems to be the man in town everyone feels sorry for, for one thing after another since childhood. It takes place in Cedar Falls....and that's in NY, folks. Not IA, which I'm very familiar with...thus, I was seriously confused for a while.
After their initial meeting and agreement for Kit to pose as Sage's boyfriend, their relationship progresses. It's not a whirlwind, it truly does take time and progress fairly naturally. There's self doubt on both their parts. There's A LOT of internalized issues about why this should and/or could not work.
They don't actually come together until very late in the book. And it's not described on page at all, so expect no spice. But that doesn't mean it wasn't a sensual read when they did connect.
I spent a lot of time smiling and laughing at their antics and Kit's humor. Kit's an absolute gem. And there's so much more to Sage, and he just comes out of his shell around Kit. Kit's humor is genuine, as well as a defense mechanism, but it was adorable and funny to read.
My heart hurt for Kit and how he thought so little of himself, and also in the 3 act breakup, even though I thought it was all valid. I was only slightly annoyed at the apologies that came. But that's just personal preference. It worked for the book. I think I just am someone who needs people to grovel a bit more 🤣.
Speaking of apologies and groveling, I liked the side characters....sort of. But in some books where the side characters make the story soooo much better, they make you fall in love with the main characters just for their banter and love and relationship....I did not get that in this book. I thought it would be that with Allison, as that's how it started with her and Kit. But that just dropped the hell off the minute that Allison started spacing out. But there just seemed to be something hidden or something off with every one of the side characters. It was a tad annoying, if I do say so myself. Kit already feels he's the butt of everyone's jokes and the one everyone always feels soooo sorry for. So let's all hide more stuff from him. He doesn't feel that anyone takes him seriously or that anyone considers him worthy of trusting or being capable of being a proper adult, I guess? So let's just keep him in the dark and ignore the things we see going on with him? That'll show him how much we trust him, how much we care for him, how much we want him to know he's actually worthy of.....well, anything. That and the fact I am a slut for smut, that's why it's a 4 ⭐ read.
But as a whole, this is an easy read, not a lot of angst, sweet and funny, and a cat that seriously is plotting to end the world one hat at a time. Throgmorten, the cat, is literally the best side character in this whole book. I think I need his book, his comic strip, and my own hoodie that says Reading is Sexy....with his picture on it. Definitely recommend this book, as it is aptly named, it's a comfort read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a cute read but nothing revolutionary. As the title suggests, this is very much a “Comfort Read”. Kit is relatable and a little goofy and I love that about him. He’s definitely millennial-coded. The writing is simple but fun and quirky. It was really easy to breeze through this book with a lot of cute and funny moments. I think this book thrives as a cute little romance but loses a bit of steam when the climax approaches.
*SPOILER*
*END OF SPOILER*
The romance in this book is well written, but I feel like could have benefitted from a little more time for the characters to spend together to really create tension.
I found the ending interesting and unique. The future of the characters was revealed by different articles written about them. I like how we got confirmation that they are all happy years in the future, but I also don’t know how I feel about telling and not showing. I would have liked at least part of the prologue to involve the POV of at least one of the characters.
Overall, this was well written and a fun ride, but not the best romance I’ve ever picked up. 3 stars is definitely the rating I think this novel deserves. I recommend this book to someone looking for a fun little romance with a little bit of drama, but nothing too crazy.
This was a cute read but nothing revolutionary. As the title suggests, this is very much a “Comfort Read”. Kit is relatable and a little goofy and I love that about him. He’s definitely millennial-coded. The writing is simple but fun and quirky. It was really easy to breeze through this book with a lot of cute and funny moments. I think this book thrives as a cute little romance but loses a bit of steam when the climax approaches.
*SPOILER*
*END OF SPOILER*
The romance in this book is well written, but I feel like could have benefitted from a little more time for the characters to spend together to really create tension.
I found the ending interesting and unique. The future of the characters was revealed by different articles written about them. I like how we got confirmation that they are all happy years in the future, but I also don’t know how I feel about telling and not showing. I would have liked at least part of the prologue to involve the POV of at least one of the characters.
Overall, this was well written and a fun ride, but not the best romance I’ve ever picked up. 3 stars is definitely the rating I think this novel deserves. I recommend this book to someone looking for a fun little romance with a little bit of drama, but nothing too crazy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Storm Publishing and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. Continuing my fake dating streak! I also read enjoy the whole celebrity non-celebrity dating thing, always a good time! Plus this one has the backdrop of a bookstore during fall, I’m am so there for the vibes! It’s been 18 months since Kit’s failed proposal to his now ex-boyfriend and he’s just trying to get through a day without someone in his small town giving him that pitying looking. To make things more difficult the bookstore he bought, the one he specifically bought for said ex, now had a bunch of issues and needs to be renovated, Kit is no where close to having that kind of money, and apparently he’s not worth the risk from banks. So when a PR agent calls saying they need to use the bookstore to shoot some super secret thing he happily agrees, after all any amount of money helps. To his surprise the thing being shot involves Sage Ballard the super famous actor who’s had some bad publicity lately. Then to his utter bafflement Sage proposes a deal. If Kit will agree to fake date him for a few months then Sage will pay for the renovations to the bookstore. Sage needs to improve his reputation and impress a potential investor and seeming to be in a stable relationship can help with that. Kit just needs to attend a few events, be seen a few times in public with Sage and he’ll get what he needs to improve the shop. What he doesn’t count on is his growing feelings for Sage. And it’s not the a super famous person would be interested in him right? And what about all the press that come with Sage’s life, can Kit handle that? A cozy absolutely swoony read that gave me all the warm and fuzzies! It’s heartwarming, funny, charming, and sweet! The setting of Cedar Falls and the bookstore was wonderful and perfect for fall! Dylan Morrison drew me in and I couldn’t put it down! Highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Kit Forrest owns a quirky historic bookshop in Cedar Falls called Sawyer's Books, much used in tv and films as a backdrop. Unfortunately it needs far more work done on it than he ever imagined when he bought is as a surprise engagement present for his then boyfriend. The boyfriend not only rejected Kit's proposal, he broke up with him and left town. Leaving Kit broke, single, and homeless.
Eighteen months later, Kit is desperately trying to get a loan to cover the necessary repairs before the town condemns the property without success. Then, following an interview filmed at the bookshop, he receives a surprising offer from Hollywood superstar Sage Ballard - be his fake boyfriend to make a reluctant investor bankroll his adaptation of a much-loved fantasy book by proving that Sage is grounded, and in return Sage will pay for the necessary repairs to the bookshop. Fake boyfriend to one of the hottest men on the planet, who also happens to be Kit's childhood crush from when he starred in a tv sitcom? Sign him up stat, even if Sage does seem to be a bit of a drama llama!
Despite all the press coverage of Sage's recent bad-boy behaviour he turns out to be a charming guy, and maybe just a little bit shy. Once Kit gets over being star-struck he treats Sage just like any other guy. From red carpet dates, and dinners at Michelin starred restaurants, to Thanksgiving with Kit's out-there family the two are getting closer and closer.
I think we can all see where the conflict is going to arise and I have to confess it did irritate me a little bit but it was resolved really well and overall I loved the book so much. loved Kit, loved Sage that I am willing to let it go (big of me LOL).
Anyway, if you love a small-town bookshop fake romance with a film star then you'll love this. And now I see that I have also read and loved two other books by this author!
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
Eighteen months later, Kit is desperately trying to get a loan to cover the necessary repairs before the town condemns the property without success. Then, following an interview filmed at the bookshop, he receives a surprising offer from Hollywood superstar Sage Ballard - be his fake boyfriend to make a reluctant investor bankroll his adaptation of a much-loved fantasy book by proving that Sage is grounded, and in return Sage will pay for the necessary repairs to the bookshop. Fake boyfriend to one of the hottest men on the planet, who also happens to be Kit's childhood crush from when he starred in a tv sitcom? Sign him up stat, even if Sage does seem to be a bit of a drama llama!
Despite all the press coverage of Sage's recent bad-boy behaviour he turns out to be a charming guy, and maybe just a little bit shy. Once Kit gets over being star-struck he treats Sage just like any other guy. From red carpet dates, and dinners at Michelin starred restaurants, to Thanksgiving with Kit's out-there family the two are getting closer and closer.
I think we can all see where the conflict is going to arise and I have to confess it did irritate me a little bit but it was resolved really well and overall I loved the book so much. loved Kit, loved Sage that I am willing to let it go (big of me LOL).
Anyway, if you love a small-town bookshop fake romance with a film star then you'll love this. And now I see that I have also read and loved two other books by this author!
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I had been craving a sweet, uncomplicated contemporary romance, found this one on NetGalley, and decided to go for it. And it definitely hit exactly what I was feeling. This was an extremely straightforward romance, and hits all the classic tropes in a very predictable way, so what carries a book like this are the characters. And I did love Kit, he was the kind of character you could really root for. Sage was, perhaps by necessity, somewhat of a cipher, but it wasn't too distracting. Their relationship is a slow burn, and builds fairly organically.
I do wish this book had been about 50 pages longer and included more of that build, though—a couple of deeper conversations, some more bonding over books, etc. As it is, their relationship still feels fairly shallow despite the fact that they've been fake dating for a couple of months. I also wish Kit had spent more time talking to his best friend, who was barely present. I feel like he needed more of that kind of support, tbh. There were also some kind of off aspects—how did no one prep Kit for his first pap walk out of the airport—and I was annoyed in the back quarter because I felt Kit forgave certain people way too easily. Then again, I think that's part of his character. I would never, lol. The angst makes sense in-universe, though the end feels a bit rushed. I appreciate that Morrison gave some time for Kit to grow and accept himself during the fallout, but it felt a little drawn out before we got the final resolution.
Overall, this was a solid, cute, cozy romance perfect for fall, finishable in one day, good to scratch that itch when you don't want to think too hard about anything and just want to feel warm fuzzies.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I do wish this book had been about 50 pages longer and included more of that build, though—a couple of deeper conversations, some more bonding over books, etc. As it is, their relationship still feels fairly shallow despite the fact that they've been fake dating for a couple of months. I also wish Kit had spent more time talking to his best friend, who was barely present. I feel like he needed more of that kind of support, tbh. There were also some kind of off aspects—how did no one prep Kit for his first pap walk out of the airport—and I was annoyed in the back quarter because I felt Kit forgave certain people way too easily. Then again, I think that's part of his character. I would never, lol. The angst makes sense in-universe, though the end feels a bit rushed. I appreciate that Morrison gave some time for Kit to grow and accept himself during the fallout, but it felt a little drawn out before we got the final resolution.
Overall, this was a solid, cute, cozy romance perfect for fall, finishable in one day, good to scratch that itch when you don't want to think too hard about anything and just want to feel warm fuzzies.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Fake-dating isn't usually a trope that I enjoy reading about, but I was pleasantly surprised by this one! It felt different from what I've read before, and I loved how we saw Kit and Sage's relationship develop naturally over time. I loved the celebrity/regular guy dynamic, it kept the book interesting and different from other romances I've read.
The setting was described in a way that made me want to visit the bookshop; I love books that are set in bookshops/centered around librarians. The side characters were delightful. Sometimes, romance books can focus on the two main characters and forget to develop their sidekicks, but I felt that I got to know all of them equally, which is really important to me as I'm a reader that needs to care about the characters to enjoy a book.
I loved that this was a closed-door romance. I don't mind spice in books, but it was refreshing to read a book that focused on the characters' emotional connection. I truly believed in their love story, something I often don't do when the romance is more physical.
I usually dislike the in romance books, but it was done really well in Comfort Read. Their conflict felt realistic and natural, given where both characters were in their lives.
The only thing I liked less was Kit's attitude in some parts, which felt a bit childish at times. But at the same time, I liked that the author created characters that felt flawed and multi-dimensional.
I'll definitely keep an eye out for Dylan Morrison's other books, I really enjoyed getting to know Kit and Sage!
Fake-dating isn't usually a trope that I enjoy reading about, but I was pleasantly surprised by this one! It felt different from what I've read before, and I loved how we saw Kit and Sage's relationship develop naturally over time. I loved the celebrity/regular guy dynamic, it kept the book interesting and different from other romances I've read.
The setting was described in a way that made me want to visit the bookshop; I love books that are set in bookshops/centered around librarians. The side characters were delightful. Sometimes, romance books can focus on the two main characters and forget to develop their sidekicks, but I felt that I got to know all of them equally, which is really important to me as I'm a reader that needs to care about the characters to enjoy a book.
I loved that this was a closed-door romance. I don't mind spice in books, but it was refreshing to read a book that focused on the characters' emotional connection. I truly believed in their love story, something I often don't do when the romance is more physical.
I usually dislike the in romance books, but it was done really well in Comfort Read. Their conflict felt realistic and natural, given where both characters were in their lives.
The only thing I liked less was Kit's attitude in some parts, which felt a bit childish at times. But at the same time, I liked that the author created characters that felt flawed and multi-dimensional.
I'll definitely keep an eye out for Dylan Morrison's other books, I really enjoyed getting to know Kit and Sage!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I want to point out a couple things that if I had known ahead of time, I probably would’ve have read this book. That being said, I did enjoy it despite these things. First, it is written in 3rd person, single POV. And second, it is a closed door romance. And the slowest of slow burn books to ever slow burn. Imagine my disappointment when the characters finally make it to bed and the next sentence starts off the next morning! It was a let down for this spice lover but I’m sure others will enjoy it.
If all of that is fine with you, then this story is not bad. Sage, a famous actor, is looking for a fake boyfriend to help improve his reputation and land financing for a project. Kit, a small town book store owner, needs money to repair his crumbling book store. So a deal is made that benefits both of them.
It took me quite a while to warm up to Sage. He was not the friendliest and pretty rude to Kit when I didn’t think it was deserved (plane ride I’m looking at you). There wasn’t a ton of Sage and Kit interacting or getting to know each other so the chemistry felt a little off to me. I wish there had been more moments of them talking or hanging out and getting to know one another. I felt like they just did their publicity dates and then didn’t talk again until the next one. There were many times I was wishing for Sage’s POV so we knew where he was at or what he was thinking. For a love story, I don’t feel like we got to experience much of their romance.
Despite all of this, it was a lovely, well written story with fun characters and quirky animals!
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🫑
If all of that is fine with you, then this story is not bad. Sage, a famous actor, is looking for a fake boyfriend to help improve his reputation and land financing for a project. Kit, a small town book store owner, needs money to repair his crumbling book store. So a deal is made that benefits both of them.
It took me quite a while to warm up to Sage. He was not the friendliest and pretty rude to Kit when I didn’t think it was deserved (plane ride I’m looking at you). There wasn’t a ton of Sage and Kit interacting or getting to know each other so the chemistry felt a little off to me. I wish there had been more moments of them talking or hanging out and getting to know one another. I felt like they just did their publicity dates and then didn’t talk again until the next one. There were many times I was wishing for Sage’s POV so we knew where he was at or what he was thinking. For a love story, I don’t feel like we got to experience much of their romance.
Despite all of this, it was a lovely, well written story with fun characters and quirky animals!
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🫑
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mild spoilers included
This was a cute, quick, closed door romance. I really liked Kit as the MC; he’s kind of at a cross roads in his life with his business and love life on the rocks and he meets perfect-for-him famous Sage who likes the same obscure media that he likes and makes him an offer he can’t refuse.
I almost wish this was dual POV in that Sage can come off as kind of a dick head. I think he’s accurately written; an actor who’s tired of people taking advantage of him and having his whole life on display would probably be an actual dick head. But we’re supposed to be endeared to this character as the love interest (as is Kit) and from what we are shown it’s difficult to imagine. We’re told about their messages and jokes at one point but rarely are we shown that. I wish we could have seen some of his inner workings. I think this portrays exactly what Sage fears pretty well in that it’s difficult to be with him because of what he does for a living. When they do get together you get to see how good they are for each other, was just hoping to see a little more of that. A little more of Throgmorten would have been fun too!
A third act conflict that actually makes sense and is necessary is almost unheard of but this was inevitable and really well done.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this for a lighter rom com read and I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a cute, quick, closed door romance. I really liked Kit as the MC; he’s kind of at a cross roads in his life with his business and love life on the rocks and he meets perfect-for-him famous Sage who likes the same obscure media that he likes and makes him an offer he can’t refuse.
I almost wish this was dual POV in that Sage can come off as kind of a dick head. I think he’s accurately written; an actor who’s tired of people taking advantage of him and having his whole life on display would probably be an actual dick head. But we’re supposed to be endeared to this character as the love interest (as is Kit) and from what we are shown it’s difficult to imagine. We’re told about their messages and jokes at one point but rarely are we shown that. I wish we could have seen some of his inner workings. I think this portrays exactly what Sage fears pretty well in that it’s difficult to be with him because of what he does for a living. When they do get together you get to see how good they are for each other, was just hoping to see a little more of that. A little more of Throgmorten would have been fun too!
A third act conflict that actually makes sense and is necessary is almost unheard of but this was inevitable and really well done.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this for a lighter rom com read and I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley, Storm publishing and Dylan Morrison for the chance to read an advance copy of this book!
God, this book gave me ALL the cute, cozy feels. 🥹❤️ It’s the literary equivalent of curling up under a blanket in front of a crackling fire on a rainy day, hot drink in hand, while watching a Hallmark movie. Just pure comfort and sweetness.
A few things I absolutely adored:
💕 Sage & Kit — I loved their dynamic and chemistry from the moment they met. Their relationship was so sweet and genuinely swoon-worthy.
👩✈️ The women in powerful roles — I loved seeing women taking on so many different badass roles throughout the story, from pilot to bodyguard to best friend. It was fantastic.
✨ The side characters — Every single one brought something fun to the story. They were well-written, entertaining, and surprisingly interesting, and I genuinely enjoyed getting to know them.
🎩 Throgmorten and his complete and utter disdain for hats. 😂 Absolutely everything about this deserves its own mention. I loved him. 🐈
This is not a spicy book, so if you’re looking for spice, you’ll definitely want to look elsewhere. But if you’re looking for a sweet, cozy, swoon-worthy, Hallmark-esque love story that feels like a warm hug, this is absolutely the book for you. ❤️
Title - Comfort Read
Author - Dylan Morrison
Star rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spicy Rating - 🌶️
Overall - Autistic Allie Approved✅
God, this book gave me ALL the cute, cozy feels. 🥹❤️ It’s the literary equivalent of curling up under a blanket in front of a crackling fire on a rainy day, hot drink in hand, while watching a Hallmark movie. Just pure comfort and sweetness.
A few things I absolutely adored:
💕 Sage & Kit — I loved their dynamic and chemistry from the moment they met. Their relationship was so sweet and genuinely swoon-worthy.
👩✈️ The women in powerful roles — I loved seeing women taking on so many different badass roles throughout the story, from pilot to bodyguard to best friend. It was fantastic.
✨ The side characters — Every single one brought something fun to the story. They were well-written, entertaining, and surprisingly interesting, and I genuinely enjoyed getting to know them.
🎩 Throgmorten and his complete and utter disdain for hats. 😂 Absolutely everything about this deserves its own mention. I loved him. 🐈
This is not a spicy book, so if you’re looking for spice, you’ll definitely want to look elsewhere. But if you’re looking for a sweet, cozy, swoon-worthy, Hallmark-esque love story that feels like a warm hug, this is absolutely the book for you. ❤️
Title - Comfort Read
Author - Dylan Morrison
Star rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spicy Rating - 🌶️
Overall - Autistic Allie Approved✅
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 ⭐️
The heatwave in Europe is finally over and I dived head first into this cozy fall Comfort Read(hahah you get it? Because of the ti- Okay, I’ll stop)
In Comfort Read, we follow a struggling Hollywood actor who starts fake dating a struggling small town bookshop owner. We’re in struggle city essentially. And lemme tell you, this story is CUTE. The characters feel well rounded and real. I particularly enjoyed the humour in this because unlike other books where it’s often very over the top slapstick like, Dylan Morrison finds a humour that actually feels like something you could encounter in the real world without thinking you’re in a sitcom.
Three other things that positively stood out to me:
- This book has a normal length!! I can’t deal with a 500+ pages contemporary romance like c‘mon, is it ever that serious?
- One POV (Kit’s) the entire time!!! This might be an unpopular opinion, but I am so sick of this Dual POV trend that’s been going around for ages. Why would I want to know what both parties think all the time? In a romance???
- The third arc conflict didn’t feel unrealistic or out of left field. It made sense for the characters and it also didn’t unnecessarily drag on
So if you‘re looking for a cozy M/M romcom, this is it! It’s also closed door for anyone who cares :)
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for kindly providing me with the ARC, all opinions are my own 💛
The heatwave in Europe is finally over and I dived head first into this cozy fall Comfort Read(hahah you get it? Because of the ti- Okay, I’ll stop)
In Comfort Read, we follow a struggling Hollywood actor who starts fake dating a struggling small town bookshop owner. We’re in struggle city essentially. And lemme tell you, this story is CUTE. The characters feel well rounded and real. I particularly enjoyed the humour in this because unlike other books where it’s often very over the top slapstick like, Dylan Morrison finds a humour that actually feels like something you could encounter in the real world without thinking you’re in a sitcom.
Three other things that positively stood out to me:
- This book has a normal length!! I can’t deal with a 500+ pages contemporary romance like c‘mon, is it ever that serious?
- One POV (Kit’s) the entire time!!! This might be an unpopular opinion, but I am so sick of this Dual POV trend that’s been going around for ages. Why would I want to know what both parties think all the time? In a romance???
- The third arc conflict didn’t feel unrealistic or out of left field. It made sense for the characters and it also didn’t unnecessarily drag on
So if you‘re looking for a cozy M/M romcom, this is it! It’s also closed door for anyone who cares :)
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for kindly providing me with the ARC, all opinions are my own 💛
August 23, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher (Storm Publishing) for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
"Comfort Read" turned out to be a comfort read. We have a nice, cozy celebrity-and-ordinary-guy fake-dating romcom (so don't expect any smut - it's sweet, not steamy). You could say it's a good book to carry for an elevator emergency 🤷🏽♀️
However, despite being a short quick read, the story felt slow-paced for me.
So, while the premise is appealing and both main characters have their own reasons for entering the fake-dating arrangement, the setup felt rushed . The proposition comes out of nowhere, especially since the characters barely interact normally beforehand. And, honestly, how this developed into real feelings is also a question for me. Even though it was a book about them, I felt like they could use more scenes together.
The characters were realistic, if a little bland. Sage is introduced as cold, distant, and occasionally rude, while Kit is a hopeless romantic recovering from a LONG past relationship (and he's also broke). Surprisingly, even though I didn't particularly like either of the main characters, Sage's character resonated with me a bit more. I felt like we saw more of his hidden sides and vulnerabilities.
Also mrs. Sanderson was an icon. I fount her hilarious.
And without going into any details - I was annoyed with Maggy. Like, come on, girl…
– 2,5 ☆ (rounded up to 3)
"Comfort Read" turned out to be a comfort read. We have a nice, cozy celebrity-and-ordinary-guy fake-dating romcom (so don't expect any smut - it's sweet, not steamy). You could say it's a good book to carry for an elevator emergency 🤷🏽♀️
However, despite being a short quick read, the story felt slow-paced for me.
So, while the premise is appealing and both main characters have their own reasons for entering the fake-dating arrangement, the setup felt rushed . The proposition comes out of nowhere, especially since the characters barely interact normally beforehand. And, honestly, how this developed into real feelings is also a question for me. Even though it was a book about them, I felt like they could use more scenes together.
The characters were realistic, if a little bland. Sage is introduced as cold, distant, and occasionally rude, while Kit is a hopeless romantic recovering from a LONG past relationship (and he's also broke). Surprisingly, even though I didn't particularly like either of the main characters, Sage's character resonated with me a bit more. I felt like we saw more of his hidden sides and vulnerabilities.
Also mrs. Sanderson was an icon. I fount her hilarious.
And without going into any details - I was annoyed with Maggy. Like, come on, girl…
– 2,5 ☆ (rounded up to 3)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I fell completely, stupidly in love with Sage and Kit. Kit's the kind of guy you want to hug and Sage is the misunderstood movie star you want to fix, and watching these two tamper down their feelings is a lesson in yearning. The fake dating trope is a well worn one but Morrison's take is not gimmick, if anything it reflects back on the core of the characters' arc. Kit wanting to help everyone and avoid his own feelings, and Sage doing some quiet work of his own beneath the tabloid headlines.
I'm showing my age and I don't care, but this book gives off huge Notting Hill vibes, where our protagonists are made for each other but life is going to get in the way. Oh, and TMZ.
The setting takes place in Cedar Falls and just like our wide cast of side characters, nothing is hollow but cemented in reality. Real messy feelings and found family that makes this a great read. And can we talk about the cat, Throgmorten. That cat stole every single scene he was in and I am fully lobbying for a spin-off. Or at least a POV in the epilogue. Hint hint.
This one's closed door, no spice, and honestly it works beautifully. I will say bring your tissues, as I was not prepared for all the feels, and I think we need a new rating guide for tissue usage.
Bottom line: grab this one, grab a cuppa, and don't make any plans for the arvo, because you're not putting it down
I'm showing my age and I don't care, but this book gives off huge Notting Hill vibes, where our protagonists are made for each other but life is going to get in the way. Oh, and TMZ.
The setting takes place in Cedar Falls and just like our wide cast of side characters, nothing is hollow but cemented in reality. Real messy feelings and found family that makes this a great read. And can we talk about the cat, Throgmorten. That cat stole every single scene he was in and I am fully lobbying for a spin-off. Or at least a POV in the epilogue. Hint hint.
This one's closed door, no spice, and honestly it works beautifully. I will say bring your tissues, as I was not prepared for all the feels, and I think we need a new rating guide for tissue usage.
Bottom line: grab this one, grab a cuppa, and don't make any plans for the arvo, because you're not putting it down
August 16, 2026
Thank you @Netgalley and @Stormpublishing for the ARC
Ahhhhh Dylan Morrison has done it again! This is the third book from this author I’ve been lucky enough to read. - NetGalley & Storm are blessing me here.
Kit owns a bookshop that is in desperate need of repairs which he can’t afford, in walks Sage Ballard famous actor, who concocts a fake boyfriend plan to help his career and promises to pay for the bookshop repairs. What follows are cute and awkward public appearances (Reading is Sexy!!), Kit being hilariously strange and the two of them falling in love. There are some feet kickingly adorable moments and then the angst and heartbreak hits, while I totally understood and agreed with Sage’s reaction, I wanted to reach into the pages and shake him!! He and Kit are adorable together!! Of course this book promises a HEA and it absolutely delivers.
There’s a host of amazing supporting characters, except for Maggie, I realise she was important for Kit’s development and his emotional growth but I hated her.
The story moves along quickly and I found it difficult to put down, there’s many hilarious moments, you’ll be hugging the book to your chest and sighing contentedly when it finishes.
A follow up book all about Throgmorten needs to happen. Right now, this very minute!!
A sweet low stakes, funny book. Thoroughly recommend.
Ahhhhh Dylan Morrison has done it again! This is the third book from this author I’ve been lucky enough to read. - NetGalley & Storm are blessing me here.
Kit owns a bookshop that is in desperate need of repairs which he can’t afford, in walks Sage Ballard famous actor, who concocts a fake boyfriend plan to help his career and promises to pay for the bookshop repairs. What follows are cute and awkward public appearances (Reading is Sexy!!), Kit being hilariously strange and the two of them falling in love. There are some feet kickingly adorable moments and then the angst and heartbreak hits, while I totally understood and agreed with Sage’s reaction, I wanted to reach into the pages and shake him!! He and Kit are adorable together!! Of course this book promises a HEA and it absolutely delivers.
There’s a host of amazing supporting characters, except for Maggie, I realise she was important for Kit’s development and his emotional growth but I hated her.
The story moves along quickly and I found it difficult to put down, there’s many hilarious moments, you’ll be hugging the book to your chest and sighing contentedly when it finishes.
A follow up book all about Throgmorten needs to happen. Right now, this very minute!!
A sweet low stakes, funny book. Thoroughly recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC of Comfort Read!
Comfort Read is a sweet, heartwarming romcom about a fake relationship, turned not-so-fake, between a bookshop owner and one of Hollywood's hottest stars. Kit meets Sage, a movie star with a tanked reputation, when he comes to film an interview in Kit's soon-to-be condemned bookshop. Sage and his publicist being to form a plan: a fake relationship between the two in which both benefit. Sage's reputation will be bolstered and, in return, he'll fund the repairs needed to Kit's shop. As the two put on the act, they grow close and the line between what's real and what's a performance begins to blur.
I really enjoyed Comfort Read! Both MMCs are well-written and I especially enjoyed reading from the perspective of Kit, who's extremely relatable. I found myself laughing out loud a lot during his internal monologues. Morrison focuses a lot of the central conflict on the ways media affects Kit and Sage and how the absolute loss of privacy is suffocating.
I do wish we had gotten a few more, connection forming scenes between Kit and Sage. There was a lot of telling but not as much showing, in my opinion.
Overall, Comfort Read is exactly as the title implies. It's a comfortable, HEA romcom worth reading if you're looking for something sweet and light.
Comfort Read is a sweet, heartwarming romcom about a fake relationship, turned not-so-fake, between a bookshop owner and one of Hollywood's hottest stars. Kit meets Sage, a movie star with a tanked reputation, when he comes to film an interview in Kit's soon-to-be condemned bookshop. Sage and his publicist being to form a plan: a fake relationship between the two in which both benefit. Sage's reputation will be bolstered and, in return, he'll fund the repairs needed to Kit's shop. As the two put on the act, they grow close and the line between what's real and what's a performance begins to blur.
I really enjoyed Comfort Read! Both MMCs are well-written and I especially enjoyed reading from the perspective of Kit, who's extremely relatable. I found myself laughing out loud a lot during his internal monologues. Morrison focuses a lot of the central conflict on the ways media affects Kit and Sage and how the absolute loss of privacy is suffocating.
I do wish we had gotten a few more, connection forming scenes between Kit and Sage. There was a lot of telling but not as much showing, in my opinion.
Overall, Comfort Read is exactly as the title implies. It's a comfortable, HEA romcom worth reading if you're looking for something sweet and light.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you're looking for a cosy small-town romance with a library, a delightfully devilish cat, and some very cute dates, Comfort Read definitely delivers on the vibes.
Dylan Morrison's writing was the highlight for me — whip-smart, sarcastic, and genuinely funny. I'd happily read more from this author. That said, I did notice that most of the characters seemed to share the same voice and sense of humor. Everyone had that same witty, sarcastic quality, which sometimes made it difficult to distinguish between them. That could also be an aftereffect of the third-person present-tense narration, which I found to be an odd choice and not always the most natural fit for this story.
I really enjoyed Kit and Sage together, although I would've loved more moments of them actually connecting and a little less backstory for some of the supporting characters.
The fake dating trope is usually a tough sell for me, and unfortunately the reasoning behind both starting it and eventually ending it felt a little flimsy. The third-act breakup especially didn't quite convince me.
Still, the cosy atmosphere, quirky library, small-town setting, and sharp writing made this an enjoyable read overall. 3.5⭐️
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the eARC! This review reflects my own honest opinions.
Dylan Morrison's writing was the highlight for me — whip-smart, sarcastic, and genuinely funny. I'd happily read more from this author. That said, I did notice that most of the characters seemed to share the same voice and sense of humor. Everyone had that same witty, sarcastic quality, which sometimes made it difficult to distinguish between them. That could also be an aftereffect of the third-person present-tense narration, which I found to be an odd choice and not always the most natural fit for this story.
I really enjoyed Kit and Sage together, although I would've loved more moments of them actually connecting and a little less backstory for some of the supporting characters.
The fake dating trope is usually a tough sell for me, and unfortunately the reasoning behind both starting it and eventually ending it felt a little flimsy. The third-act breakup especially didn't quite convince me.
Still, the cosy atmosphere, quirky library, small-town setting, and sharp writing made this an enjoyable read overall. 3.5⭐️
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the eARC! This review reflects my own honest opinions.
August 15, 2026
This was so heartwarmingly gooey, I want to forget it so I can read it all over again.
So many of my favourite things are in this book - cozy fall/winter romance, funny and well rounded cast of characters, and main characters who are faceted and interesting.
It would be easy to fall into tropes and stereotypes with a fake dating/celebrity romance plot line, but Morrison made Kit and Sage so three dimensional. They’re so painfully human, it was delightful. And really, I loved how at the heart of all their issues, hang ups, and traumas, Kit and Sage are really twins - both desperately afraid to let anyone close because they think all they do is disappoint.
This is the second book by Dylan Morrison that I’ve read, and I just love his ability to create such rich backstories for his characters without veering into melodrama. I’m immediately going to find whatever else he’s written and read it all like I did this one - in a single sitting, with a few shed tears, and all the joy.
Thank you, Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this eARC!
So many of my favourite things are in this book - cozy fall/winter romance, funny and well rounded cast of characters, and main characters who are faceted and interesting.
It would be easy to fall into tropes and stereotypes with a fake dating/celebrity romance plot line, but Morrison made Kit and Sage so three dimensional. They’re so painfully human, it was delightful. And really, I loved how at the heart of all their issues, hang ups, and traumas, Kit and Sage are really twins - both desperately afraid to let anyone close because they think all they do is disappoint.
This is the second book by Dylan Morrison that I’ve read, and I just love his ability to create such rich backstories for his characters without veering into melodrama. I’m immediately going to find whatever else he’s written and read it all like I did this one - in a single sitting, with a few shed tears, and all the joy.
Thank you, Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this eARC!
August 23, 2026
An actor who needs to help his personal image and a bookstore owner in need of funds to renovate make for a romance worthy fake dating agreement. This was such a fun read. The humor was great and I loved the characters so much throughout this book. While some of Kit’s family felt overwhelming to be around their hearts were in the right place. (Minus Maggie, she was too annoying for me, sorry.) The friendships were also really cute in this book though.
Overall, this was a lighthearted MM romance with an amazing fake dating trope.
(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity.)
POV: Third Person
Spice Level: 🌶️
Sad Level: 💧
Would I Recommend? Yes
Favorite Character(s): Kit and Sage
Emojis Based on Vibes: 🎭📚🐱
⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS
Minor: Addiction, Cursing, Sexual content, Toxic relationship
Overall, this was a lighthearted MM romance with an amazing fake dating trope.
(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity.)
POV: Third Person
Spice Level: 🌶️
Sad Level: 💧
Would I Recommend? Yes
Favorite Character(s): Kit and Sage
Emojis Based on Vibes: 🎭📚🐱
⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS
Minor: Addiction, Cursing, Sexual content, Toxic relationship
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A very funny and light-hearted book of which I hopefully always remember the scene with the mitochondria :) What is not to love about a romantic book that is partially set in a bookstore?! Especially as the characters are down to earth and very much doubt themselves, who doesn’t and even dares to admit this?
That said, let me admit it would’ve been five stars if it wasn’t for the perfect happy ending which is not for me. I prefer books that are more wholesome and include real-life scenarios where not everything is fixed and wrapped in a proverbial bow.
However, this being a new-to-me author, I’ll definitely be looking into other books written by Dylan Morrison so don’t be discouraged by my last paragraph as a reader. Read it for yourself to make up your own mind.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.
That said, let me admit it would’ve been five stars if it wasn’t for the perfect happy ending which is not for me. I prefer books that are more wholesome and include real-life scenarios where not everything is fixed and wrapped in a proverbial bow.
However, this being a new-to-me author, I’ll definitely be looking into other books written by Dylan Morrison so don’t be discouraged by my last paragraph as a reader. Read it for yourself to make up your own mind.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
I am not quite sure what to say about this book. It is an easy book to read, but not particularly special in terms of content. That does not detract from the fact that I really enjoyed reading it.
I find the relationship between Kit and Sage a bit too simplified. And I understand that it is a romans and its purpose is to give it a happy ending. However, I do think that a bit more attention should have been given to Sage's emotions at the end. To me, the ending feels a bit rushed. The author had many options for the ending and clearly went for the easiest one.
Again, I don't think it's a bad book, and the predictability has its charm. But know that if you are going to read this, it is a typical novel. With genres such as fake relationship.
I am not quite sure what to say about this book. It is an easy book to read, but not particularly special in terms of content. That does not detract from the fact that I really enjoyed reading it.
I find the relationship between Kit and Sage a bit too simplified. And I understand that it is a romans and its purpose is to give it a happy ending. However, I do think that a bit more attention should have been given to Sage's emotions at the end. To me, the ending feels a bit rushed. The author had many options for the ending and clearly went for the easiest one.
Again, I don't think it's a bad book, and the predictability has its charm. But know that if you are going to read this, it is a typical novel. With genres such as fake relationship.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Storm publishing for providing me with an early arc!!!
THIS BOOK HAS MY ENTIRE HEART!! I deeply, deeply love and cherish Kitt and Sage. They were so adorable together. Their sweet tension was so good.
I didn't expect to like, let alone love this book(non offense to the author!). THE WAY IT PROVED ME WRONG!
GOD, THESE TWO ARE SO SPECIAL TO ME. I was thinking that I'm going into a disgustingly sweet book, and laugh a lot, BUTTT I WASN'T READY FOR THE EMOTIONAL DAMAGE😭. Both of them were so sad about the way the life had its way with them. Stuck in a life they had no choice but adjust to it. My baby boys, they deserved each other's love and the life they created together.
And Kitt was more relatable than I'm comfortable to admit it🫣.
THIS BOOK HAS MY ENTIRE HEART!! I deeply, deeply love and cherish Kitt and Sage. They were so adorable together. Their sweet tension was so good.
I didn't expect to like, let alone love this book(non offense to the author!). THE WAY IT PROVED ME WRONG!
GOD, THESE TWO ARE SO SPECIAL TO ME. I was thinking that I'm going into a disgustingly sweet book, and laugh a lot, BUTTT I WASN'T READY FOR THE EMOTIONAL DAMAGE😭. Both of them were so sad about the way the life had its way with them. Stuck in a life they had no choice but adjust to it. My baby boys, they deserved each other's love and the life they created together.
And Kitt was more relatable than I'm comfortable to admit it🫣.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGallery and Storm Publishing for letting me read this book! All thoughts are honest and my own!
5 Stars.
Cozy, with a tad of angst that did throw a brick right at my heart.
I loved the writing style and will definetly be picking up more books by Dylan Morrison.
I loved Kit from the very beginning and grew to love Sage VERY quickly also. They were very charming and I liked how they grew as characters. I also feel their romance grew in a very steady and sweet way.
But besides the romance and my love for books that have deeper content within I adored chapter 21. The Ballad was so beautifully written and made me almost fully stop in amazement from what I was reading.
I would recommend this to ANYONE looking for a good (slightly chill) romance.
5 Stars.
Cozy, with a tad of angst that did throw a brick right at my heart.
I loved the writing style and will definetly be picking up more books by Dylan Morrison.
I loved Kit from the very beginning and grew to love Sage VERY quickly also. They were very charming and I liked how they grew as characters. I also feel their romance grew in a very steady and sweet way.
But besides the romance and my love for books that have deeper content within I adored chapter 21. The Ballad was so beautifully written and made me almost fully stop in amazement from what I was reading.
I would recommend this to ANYONE looking for a good (slightly chill) romance.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks #netgalley for the arc. This book was super cute and had all the feels going on. The trope of fake dating and rich guy average guy has been done before many times but it feels like a fresh take here. The characters are vibrant and unique and interesting. And very very real. Their feelings and struggles and relationships felt real as well as the author not feeling like they had to spoon feed you every conversation every character ever had. The author trusts you to relate to the characters and understand. The dialouge is funny and realistic and the setting is charming and unique and well described.
Id have liked to see more of their relationship developing and stuff but thats just me being greedy. This was a fun read and made me interested in their other works as well!
Id have liked to see more of their relationship developing and stuff but thats just me being greedy. This was a fun read and made me interested in their other works as well!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Did not finish: Stopped at 21%
I found this one to be awkwardly written, with hard to like characters. While I understand that it's a fake dating book (one of my favorite tropes!), there was no no relationship build up between the leads before the fake dating is suggested. Not only have they only met once, Sage had more chemistry with Kit's cat than he did with Kit during that meeting.
Small town vibes: Impeccable
Cozy fall vibes: wasn't feeling them
Relationship between Kit and Sage: I didn't see anything at 21% that really gave much in the way of potential for this relationship
Throgmorten the cat: loved the cat
Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for giving me the chance to try this author!
I found this one to be awkwardly written, with hard to like characters. While I understand that it's a fake dating book (one of my favorite tropes!), there was no no relationship build up between the leads before the fake dating is suggested. Not only have they only met once, Sage had more chemistry with Kit's cat than he did with Kit during that meeting.
Small town vibes: Impeccable
Cozy fall vibes: wasn't feeling them
Relationship between Kit and Sage: I didn't see anything at 21% that really gave much in the way of potential for this relationship
Throgmorten the cat: loved the cat
Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for giving me the chance to try this author!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review! I absolutely adored Kit. His issues and insecurities aside, he was smart and funny and willing to help anyone who needed it. When Sage, a movie star, comes along with an offer Kit can’t refuse, they begin fake dating. What could go wrong?
No spice really in the pages. And that’s fine. I was a little sad 😂 But I think I was more upset by the ending. I don’t think Sage showed enough remorse. The third act breakup was alive and well. However, Kit never knowing his worth was kind of exploited I believe.
All in all absolutely a comfort read. A charming book store and children’s imaginative games. The whole scene just made me want to visit and go get some ice cream and watch the falls!
No spice really in the pages. And that’s fine. I was a little sad 😂 But I think I was more upset by the ending. I don’t think Sage showed enough remorse. The third act breakup was alive and well. However, Kit never knowing his worth was kind of exploited I believe.
All in all absolutely a comfort read. A charming book store and children’s imaginative games. The whole scene just made me want to visit and go get some ice cream and watch the falls!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A very cute, but also emotional fake-dating romance that unexpectedly pulled at my heartstrings more than I thought!
Kit owns a bookshop that regrettably was not doing as well as he hoped, when lo and behold Sage offers to step in with a solution. Sage, movie star and celebrity getting constantly papped, proposes he becomes Sage’s boyfriend.
It’s quite slow burn, for a fake-dating and I half expected them to not fall for each other at all. They had some serious emotional barriers (Sage) and the trust is questioned majorly after a night spent together.
Anyways, I didn’t like Maggie to begin with, but if they can forgive her, I guess I can as well… not.
Cute, well-written and engaging.
Thanks for the ARC!
Kit owns a bookshop that regrettably was not doing as well as he hoped, when lo and behold Sage offers to step in with a solution. Sage, movie star and celebrity getting constantly papped, proposes he becomes Sage’s boyfriend.
It’s quite slow burn, for a fake-dating and I half expected them to not fall for each other at all. They had some serious emotional barriers (Sage) and the trust is questioned majorly after a night spent together.
Anyways, I didn’t like Maggie to begin with, but if they can forgive her, I guess I can as well… not.
Cute, well-written and engaging.
Thanks for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5⭐️
This ARC came and I had no expectation: it was a complete surprise even getting it. I literally devoured it! First of all, I’ll say one again that the world needs more queer books, and this cozy MM romance is not exception, I definitely needed it!!
The writing was so fun, I loved the characters, felt very very seen by Kit’s anxiousness at literally everything, and I probably laugh every few pages.
The style was so cute and refreshing, and it’s honestly so, so nice to read such a cozy romance with no disproportionate amount of drama.
I highly recommend this book if you’re looking to fall in love with characters and swoon and smile at yourself like an idiot, it’s perfect for that!
This ARC came and I had no expectation: it was a complete surprise even getting it. I literally devoured it! First of all, I’ll say one again that the world needs more queer books, and this cozy MM romance is not exception, I definitely needed it!!
The writing was so fun, I loved the characters, felt very very seen by Kit’s anxiousness at literally everything, and I probably laugh every few pages.
The style was so cute and refreshing, and it’s honestly so, so nice to read such a cozy romance with no disproportionate amount of drama.
I highly recommend this book if you’re looking to fall in love with characters and swoon and smile at yourself like an idiot, it’s perfect for that!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Most of these five stars are honestly just for the firehouse bookshop, Throgmorten, and Kit's sweatshirt, and I stand by that. The whole premise is a little wild and not something that would ever actually happen, but that's okay, it earns the title for the most part and is very wholesome. I'll also give it credit for actually giving Sage a real reason for coming back at the end (one we sort of already knew about too), even if the leap to happily ever after was still a bit of a stretch. Pacing was a bit slow for the first three quarters and then REALLY picked up in the last quarter, but I had a lovely cozy time regardless.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was nearly a five-star read for me (and I'm stingy with those). I was captivated by both MCs from the start, and some passages were so lovely I teared up. In the end, Sage's backstory wasn't conveyed as effectively as I'd have liked, and I'm not sure I bought all the secondary characters' premises/motivations. But none of that kept me from gobbling this up in a day and wishing for more.
I'll be looking forward to whatever's next from this author!
My thanks to the publisher/NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
I'll be looking forward to whatever's next from this author!
My thanks to the publisher/NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
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