Cosplaying as Cupid : A slow burn, rivals to lovers and fake dating cosplay romance (Cosplay Romance Book 1)

by Kirilee Lennerts

312 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 29, 2026

About the author

Kirilee is a cosplayer and author based in Perth, Western Australia. She lives with her amazing husband Terry and two pomapoos - Lacey and Taffeta.
She is known as ‘Kirilee Cosplay’ to the cosplay community, and has represented Australia in competitions in Japan, France and USA. She has won numerous awards locally, nationally and internationally for her cosplays since 2014. Additionally, along with competing, she adores judging cosplay competitions and running local events to help foster a sense of community. When she is not involved with cosplay events or competitions, she is busy running a successful YouTube channel that focuses on all things cosplay - from creation vlogs, to tutorials, to talking about cosplay related topics.
Aside from cosplay, Kirilee is an avid romance reader and from the age of nine dreamt of being an author.

Reviews

[Mickey]

I was so excited to receive an ARC of this book! I have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to read.

This is such a wonderfully written debut novel - the characters are very likeable with good depth and heart. The romance is done so well, with just the right amount of spice. As a cosplayer, I really appreciated all the references to cosplay - the real life references were very clever and it was so fun to read about the competitions! The perfect book to settle in on the couch with a blanket and warm drink.

I cannot wait for the next in the series!! The preview was such a tease!

[milk]

Review of advanced copy received from author.

I have been eagerly awaiting for this book to come out ever since Kirilee had stated that she was writing it and I’m so thankful to have this book be my first ever ARC. I love how accurately the cosplay world is represented, whether that be with the competitions, terms, or even attitudes surrounding it. Kirilee did not disappoint and showcased both the positives and downsides concerning the hobby.

It’s a fun and easy read, it can be completed in a day. It was super fun how Poppy was experienced in the sewing aspect of it but still needed to learn as a cosplayer and I think it’ll be easy for even people who don’t cosplay to follow her story. I will admit I’m not a huge romance novel person but I still enjoyed the story! I love that there wasn’t anything as far as miscommunication goes and I enjoy how even some of the tropes that are classic in fandom spaces could pop up.

Very excited to see how Kirilee develops as an author!

[Juniper]

As someone who grew up going to San Diego Comic Con when you could still get tickets same day, this story captures the wonder and fun of going to cons. It's also fun to see how the niche nerdy activity has become so popular around the world.

A sweet romance where the impact of past trauma is explored respectfully and new adventures abound.

The only problem with receiving an ARC is that I have to wait even longer for the next book.

Poppy is a lonely seamstress who copies a fun design she saw online. Her grandmother forces her to compete in this weird local costume competition. This is Jacob's first competition since he split with his girlfriend and cosplay partner... winning is supposed to show he doesn't need her, he can win on his own. When he loses to the newbie he accidentally insulted he wants to show he's better than the grumpy asshat he's been acting. He helps her prepare for the next competition.

[Ashley (Red-Haired Ash Reads)]

Series: The Cosplay Romance Series #1
Rating: 5 stars - I loved it!

When Poppy decided to sew a cupid design she saw online, she never expected it to lead to her attending her first cosplay competition. It’s a lot more involved than she expected, but she is determined to see it though, especially since a self-absorbed man in a space suit seems to be judging her. But Jacob isn’t who she initially thought he was and quickly finds herself leaning on him for help for the next stage of the cosplay competition circuit.

As a former cosplayer and avid romance reader, this book was right up my alley. From the beginning, I was hooked on Poppy and Jacob’s story. Their relationship is slow building, going from rivals to friends, to fake dating, then to lovers. All of which are tropes I really enjoy so of course this worked for me.

Poppy is a woman who has turned her life around but doesn’t realize until this competition that she was also looking for friends and a hobby. As her friendship with Jacob grows, she learns to have fun again and eventually, after admitting her feelings for him, let go of the past that made her think she couldn’t have a relationship. I really enjoyed Poppy and how cosplay changed her life.

Jacob was sweet, charming, and a great guy, but he also had some arrogance issues which ended up biting him in the butt. Jacob really grew as a character in this. He is overcoming his grief over his breakup, dealing with being a solo cosplayer again, and still struggling with body dysmorphia. I really enjoyed his character, especially how supportive he was with Poppy and how hard he worked to help her with her prop.

Like I said, Poppy and Jacob were really cute together. I really enjoyed their friendship and how it eventually led to them being a couple. There was a third act break up in this but it’s not drawn out and honestly was logical after Poppy tried so hard to get Jacob back with his ex. I did really enjoy their relationship overall, and how they both were able to heal from their pasts to be together.

On the cosplay end of this story, it felt very realistic. I am from the USA but cosplay contests don’t seem to be too different in Australia. It was easy for me to follow along with Poppy’s journey with cosplay and conventions. I do think some of the aspects of cosplay and cosplay competitions might be a little hard for some people to grasp if they have never done cosplay or a competition, but it wasn’t enough to ruin the enjoyment of the story and have a general understanding of what was happening. But the best part of this was reiterating that cosplay is supposed to be fun, even when you are doing big level competitions with it, and if you take it too seriously you lose the whole purpose of the cosplay.

Overall, this was a great cosplay romance and I look forward to reading the next book in the series, especially since it seems like it will involve Brook, who was a surprisingly great character since she was the ex.

TW: body dysmorphia; death of friend in car accident (past); references to drug and alcohol use;

*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.*

[Evie]

Review of advance copy received from Author
Poppy, a sewist, enters a cosplay competition as an amateur and Jacob, a seasoned cosplayer, is her competition. After they have an (adorably) awkward meet cute, they go from rivals to friends, but after spending more time together other feelings begin to surface

If you’re looking for an easy, sweet, contemporary romance with a sprinkling of spice, this may be the book for you. <3

includes: rivalry to friends, friends to lovers, fake dating, sweet and fluffy romance, 25+ FMC, slow burn, crafting, sewing, competition

What I liked:
- The sassy Nan! Definitely a highlight <3
- The diversity and inclusion reflected my experiences within the cosplay community
- It’s clear that the cosplay craft and world is known and loved by the author
- The kissing scenes made me swoon
- The positive talk about the ex <3 it’s so rare and I loved the lack of villains in the story
- As a cosplayer, but not a competitive one, I loved the insight and inclusion as well as appreciation of photographers, cosplay handlers, friends and all the behind the scenes individuals and community that are a part of the experience.

What I didn't like:
- I did get frustrated with how lukewarm their feelings felt to me for most of the read, especially as it progressed and Jacob kept flip flopping between Poppy and Brooke. I think if the yearning for Poppy had been more of an intense internal battle in Jacob's chapters, this would not have been as much of a sticking point for me.
- Some of the sentence structures were a tad clunky
- I would have enjoyed more immersive descriptions, I felt like I was being told how to feel rather than the writing coaxing those feelings out on their own.

Memorable Quotes:
‘Sabotage!’ Jacob yelled out, dramatically flicking his head back.
‘Shhhh! The neighbours might hear.’
‘I play video games, they’ve heard worse.’ (So relatable)

‘And for you Cherub?’ (Adorable!)

Final thoughts
I enjoyed the plot, the characters, and the world, I just struggled a little with the writing style as I prefer less telling and more showing, especially in a third person style when you have so much freedom to examine, describe and build the world not just from the MC's own point of view.
Not every book is for every reader, though it was a nice read, this just wasn’t for me.


Would recommend
Would not reread
Would not consider buying special edition

Might read more by author

🌶️ (one explicit scene)

[Shiwasu]

This was such a nice book!!
Finally a cosplay themed romance!

Downsides :
- the beginning was a little long
- I'm not too fond of the 3rd person writing, I was sometimes lost as to who was speaking
- I would have liked a bit more personnality details and character development for both main characters
- not really a downside but maybe the convention/cosplay world was not as accessible for a non cosplayer reader as it could have been (there were a few things where I was like "okay I thankfully understood this situation since I'm a long time cosplayer" for example all the references to the cosplay competition or photography, even though the female lead is herself a bit lost in this world, it felt like even to her it wasn't quite explained in the story)

Upsides :
- it is nicely written I read it in one go
- relatable characters (I mean hot billionaires are cool too but sometimes it feels nice to relate to what you read)
- the depiction of the cosplay world is so so so good and realistic, cool and uncool parts inclueded, thank you for that!!
- no misunderstandings, nice communication, third act breakup not too chaotic
- one of the best slow burn I've ever read!! I always worry when I get into slow burns because it's often heart/mindwrecking and, but this one was really well paced and not frustrating at all, you don't feel like you go two steps front ten steps back
- for once the book was not exploding with curse words every two sentences and I really appreciated the change
- the side characters are present but not taking up entire chapters for uneventful daily conversation. I personnaly find it a little boring since half the time it doesn't really add to the story, and here it was just great! We get to know other people around the MCs without losing track of the story
- the banter, the fun, the wholesomeness between the characters
- and I loved the moral of the story about how cosplay should always be fun even if you're on the competing side of it, don't be salty it will not end well, you'll enjoy the hobby even more if you get to have fun

Thank you Kirilee for this amazing book, I cannot wait for the next one :)

[Chaboffle]

Kirilee put a lot of love into writing Cosplaying as Cupid. You can tell that she speaks from experience when it comes to cosplay, cosplay competition, the Australian cosplay scene, friendships and family. You can also see heartbreak as well and how it can linger no matter the stretch of time since.
When it comes to the writing, the style is very familiar with most contemporary romance writing styles, simple and easy to digest but I love that Kirilee chose to put it in a third person POV and that we were able to see both of the main characters' sides of the story. I will admit that it did take me a little while to get into Jacob and Poppy's beginning but once the EVA foam and PVC were out and they were crafting (Troy sounds AMAZING, BTW!) I finally found my reading groove.
The story brought in familiar fandom tropes as well as multiple romance descriptions that was almost like a scavenger hunt to find and check off the list. (You'll have to seek them out yourself, it's no fun to give away the answers.) I will give props to Kirilee for not using ongoing miscommunication as one of them.
Now to address "culture shock". I am reader from the USA and I had no issues reading the Aussie terms/slang. The context of the scene or dialogue pretty much gives you what you need to know. (I loved PlayByProxy and The View, I wish I had similar locations in my area!) The convention experience was relatable and I may have never set foot in an Australian convention space but I have been to a fair number of large and small cons in the US and I felt that they're very similar, down to the urge to buy all the things in Artist Alley.
Overall, I will give Kirilee's debut novel four stars out of five. It was a slow start and I had my hangups on a few things but she had a way of telling you: "Come along on this cosplay journey, it's a good time!"
Also, no fabric scissors were harmed in the writing of this novel (or review).

[Hailey Porter]

When I heard that there was going to be a romance novel that took place within the realm and subculture of cosplay, I was incredibly excited to read this ARC! And was even more excited to be selected to read it!

I have been submerged in the culture of cosplay for over 11 years, many of my close friends are competitive cosplayers, winners and even judges, so to get a romance perspective in the competitive cosplay scene was very unique. Having our main character be completely unfamiliar with that world was an excellent way to explain parts of that world to a reader who isn't as familiar. I do feel that more subtle parts of con culture weren't explained as well and could potentially be confusing or missed by the reader.

Poppy and Jacob were adorable and really enjoyed their chemistry throughout! The rivals to friends to lovers really worked for me. I loved seeing the camaraderie and stewardship of two people who share a passion for something and enthusiastically sharing knowledge with each other to help the other improve. I've met so many cosplayers who are so eager to talk about how they made something and excited that someone wanted to learn about their process and to share those resources. It was also something with Brooke later in the book that I enjoyed a lot. The undercurrent of supportive friendship in the cosplay community throughout the novel was great and really well represented.

The biggest drawbacks for me are within the writing style itself? It was clunky and clichéd at times, something that I think can be improved simply by writing more. To know that this is the first in a series, I'm excited to see how Kirilee continues to improve!

I enjoyed my time with Cosplaying as Cupid! It was an easy, fun read immersed in a hobby and culture that I hold very near and dear to my heart. I don't think I would read it again, but I'm looking forward to reading more from the Cosplay Romance series! (Hopefully more queer representation!)

[Nat]

This book was cute as heck and such a good time (I finished it in a day). Great combo of cosplay, Aussie-isms and great characters made this so fun.

Plot: Poppy, an avid sewer, is convinced to cosplay and enter a comp for the first time by her nan.
Jacob, an experienced cosplayer, is still getting over breaking up with his cosplay and romantic partner when he enters the same comp.
After a poor first meeting (aka Jacob was an arsehat), they begin to work together.

Look, I'm obviously a fantasy/romantasy/historical girlie, so I wont lie that I didnt have some reservations when I signed up for this ARC in support of fellow cosplayer and acquaintance Kirilee for a romance book. But damn if this didnt completely exceed my expectations and give me a really good time reading it.

The Aussie-isms throughout this book made me really damn happy. Will everyone understand them? Possibly not. But i did. And I appreciated them a lot. Also made me release how weird some our phrases are.

I didnt know how I'd feel about a book about cosplay. Sure theres always "dramu" in the cosplay community. But that catty behaviour didnt rear its ugly head in this book. Instead there were cosplayers supporting each other beautifully, just as Ive witnessed myself in the competitions Ive ran and also entered. Its honestly what makes the cosplay community such an amazing community, and Kirilee captured it beautifully: we do a weird little hobby and come together a couple of times a year to celebrate it with each other.

And of course I can't not mention the main point of this book: the romance between Poppy and Jacob. It was so fricking cute. It felt very organic and not manufactured at all. Loved how they helped each other through their past traumas and supported each other and they better win WCS 😂

I received an advance review copy of this book and am leaving a voluntary review

[Jess]

I feel so lucky to have been able to be an ARC reader for a fellow cosplayers debut novel AND it being a cosplay romance? Amazing!

I was cracking up with laughter through the majority of the book—Poppy was HILARIOUS and Jacob was so sweet (also I may have to ask for reference photos of his Galactic Marine XX3 csoaply, it may not be what my partner thought he was cosplaying based off the cover art but hey, if I make Cupid? And he does the foamsmithing for his own? I'm just saying).

I will also maintain that Flo is unapologetically my favourite character and god would I love to hang out with her and talk major shit and gossip. I love Brooke as well.

My only issue may come with the pacing of it being a 'slow burn' but still had our leads together by the end of the book, however as it is part of a series where it seems each book will focus on a different pairing each time, I don't think it's terrible pacing, in that context of the extended series I do like it.

Also whilst I've never been IN a cosplay competition, I've mostly bought cosplays for the last few years after getting into the hobby, I did make my first pretty much from scratch for PAX Aus last year (with my own mothers help for figuring out patterns and making bias binding out of satin, god help me if/when I need to remake the cosplay) and honestly her panic and fear and nerves for the on stage part of the competition and unawareness of how to stand for photos? COMPLETELY understandable. I myself am still not entirely sure of how to stand at best many times but when I was in the cosplay parade at PAX? And was first up? I retroactively realised I could've been out there a touch longer, but it was still SO much fun.

I am also looking forward to the second book with that preview at the end so bet your rears that I'm gonna be keeping an eye out for ARC applications for that one when it comes!

[Reader]

This was a pleasure to read! I was feeling so happy the entire time. The writing style is easy to follow and the characters feel alive and real. This story is full of emotions and represent the best part of cosplay!


I have some little comment that came to my head while reading and I need to mention them:


-Even if the majority of the community call “the outfit” a cosplay, it always ring wrong in my head. Cosplay is “the activity”, not the outfit. “Cos for costumes”, and “play for playing”. Am I a purist for thinking that? Maybe! But I stick to my guts! And not diminish the “playing” aspect in the activity.


- it is a great representation of the cosplayer noob reality and also veterans ones.


- a certain person said: “Who enter cosplay competition without a complete costume?” Well …plenty! 😅 but indeed, it represent well how many competitive cosplayer may think. But the key about cosplay is always freedom 🤗

- I need to know if Troy a store actually exist in Perth .. if so, plz someone in Canada create that? 😵‍💫

- I would have wanted more of those detailed crafting days that create their friendship , like that first one. Relationships feels real with actual bounding moments that reader can live with the characters. Those first moments are crucial ^^ would have wanted more.

-I found it hard myself to relate to Poppy at first. With how confident she is with her sexuality … and that came from trauma… I see how it can play, but hopefully, not many had to live that hard of a live to feel that situation as her. My own feelings were not able to match her. But that also makes her unique and I respect that.

-Brooke throwing her styrofoam head to Jacob had me smile way too wide XD that visual is so SO perfect 😂

Thank you Kirilee for writing so nicely a world about cosplay! Can wait to read what is next!

[R.K. Winters]

I was lucky enough to gain early access to this book and wow! It does not disappoint. Kirilee has done an amazing job at balancing the cosplay side of this journey to the romance and tropes that I love as a reader. As someone who didnt know a thing about the cosplay world, this story made me fall in love with the cosplay community through Poppy, Jacob and their friends. I was immersed from the beginning as we entered the competition and loved the atmosphere that Kirilee created.

Not only are we surrounded by fun costumes and competition but we also see depth to these characters and their romance. They are flawed. Not in the stereotypical way either, they have flaws that we can understand and relate to or know of someone who has struggled with these issues and their romance grounds each other in a real life way that I think is so beautiful. The story is deep and covers some challenging emotions but its also funny and endearing and we get to see a healthy relationship bloom.

I will admit that I was hesitant at first to read this story because I had no understanding of cosplay but I am so glad that I didnt let that stop me because although cosplay is the heart of this book and I think Kirilee did an incredible job at showcasing cosplay and the community, there is SO much more to the story. It really embodies friendship, romance and finding yourself within your passions. Plus who cant resist a fake dating trope!! This is a sloowww burn too but when we finally get there… theres some surprises and its HOT!

If you love fake dating, one bed, rivals to lovers, banter and spice you will love this! If you are a romance lover who loves cosplay… you will also love this! Its a wholesome, fun read and you wont regret giving it a chance.

[Axel Rose]

This is my first time being an ARC reader, and honestly, this is the best book to start with. I'm rating it five stars because I was engaged from the very beginning. Not only did I relate to Poppy from the cosplay side, but if you're a cosplayer and you remember the first competition you did, you might also giggle as I did in the first chapter because it is very relatable.

You can easily connect with the characters, and that's what I love when it comes to narrative. I love it when authors- anyone who is in charge of making a narrative in any shape and form- make characters which we as readers can connect with, bringing the immersion and storytelling to the next level.

The emotions through the book come across nicely. I cried, and I laughed, I cheered, and I am going to say it: the nan is hands down my favourite character; she reminds me of my nan and her joking ways, so there is another level where the characters remind you of people you love.

It had its moments where it was hard-hitting, but it was done in a way that had smooth transitions from hard-hitting to light-heartedness, and it was done in a way that you would want to hug the character and tell them it's okay, but then also have a laugh with them afterwards.

When it comes to the romance, I was rooting for them from the beginning because not only was it wholesome, but it had that cute awkwardness to it, and I think what was brilliant about it was the pace; it was not too slow and it wasn't too fast for me, it was just right for a slow burner and made me more invested and hooked to see where it was going.

Overall, I love this book and recommend it to anyone who loves slow-burn romances and cosplay or either, because there is something for everyone when it comes to Cosplay as Cupid and Kirilee. You should be so proud of what you achieved, and I cannot wait to see what you do next with this series

[Kass]

I'm not a romance reader.
I am a cosplayer.

I'm very thankful to have received an ARC of this book, and I read it as quickly as I could! (Also will say, this got me out of a reading slump!!!)

I LOVE all the cosplay elements in it. From explaining prejudging to crafting to build books, Kirilee was able to take the hobby she cherishes and put it in a book. That was the aspect that drew me into the story in the first place, and every little reference that reminded me of my favourite hobby put a smile on my face. As a cosplayer, it's nice to have a story about us.

I don't usually read romance, pick it up on occasion, but it's not usually something I gravitate towards. This book had a love story that I found myself rooting for. The characters aren't perfect and they make mistakes, which makes it feel more real. Humans are flawed, so having a flawed character makes it easier to see yourself in it.

All the romance tropes were there, and it was fun to try to pick them out. That being said, as someone who doesn't read a lot of romance, it felt sort of predictable to me what would happen. Obviously romance usually has an end goal, but I found myself expecting things when a trope was introduced and getting exactly that. Maybe that's something that an avid romance reader would love, but as a fantasy reader myself, I like being surprised.

I will say, despite the predictable nature of the story, I still absolutely enjoyed it and am eagerly awaiting the next book. (There's a sneak peek in the back of this book!!!!!!!)

Congrats on your debut novel, and I can't wait to read what you create next.

[Minty]

As both a romance enjoyer (though not typically contemporary) and a cosplayer as well as a fan of Kirilee's work, I had to get my hands on this. I'm so happy to have gotten this ARC copy!

This was a great example of the dirty parts of cosplay (crafting wise) and a fantastic look into the less drama filled side of competition. Even being a US competitor, the culture is very much the same and I'm glad we have an overall positive look into it! I promise the drama is not typically part of it...

That said, I did enjoy the drama. There was some wandering with the plot, and I'm glad Kirilee took the time to explain that cosplay can be dirty work behind the scenes even if it dragged the pacing down a tad at times. It's not all pretty outfits and fancy props after all. It was a breath of fresh air not to have the drama be related to the contest but instead interpersonal, even if I wanted to thrash the main pair for being denser than bricks at times. But they felt like real people which was also very refreshing.

Some of the body issues were very touchy for me personally. It's a big thing within the cosplay scene and can get down right vicious in competition crowds. Some of the comments from side characters and even main ones leaned more in the fatphobia route that I wish were more explored, but there is only so much one can focus on in one novel. Overall it wasn't completely fumbled, but definitely something to look out for.

This was an overall fun romp though the AU comp scene, a cute love story, and adding cosplay on top just makes me want to bust out my sewing machine and get going on a new build. I'm definitely looking forward to more stories!

[Nori]

I had the pleasure of being an Advanced Reader for this novel, so I would first like to thank Kirilee for giving me that opportunity.

With that out of the way: This story, in a word, is delightful.

Actual rating would be a 4.5, and that is solely for some editing errors that will likely have been fixed in the ebook version but will exist in the first print run.

As a competitive cosplayer myself, I really enjoyed this book. It was quite funny, and introduces the world of cosplay competitions in a way that makes it easy to understand to both folks within the community and those who have no idea what it entails. Kirilee brings her extensive knowledge of the hobby to make it that much more immersive, and all around pleasurable to read. She uses plenty of fun IYKYK nods and references that don't detract from the story if you're unfamiliar with their real life origins, and that was a fun scavenger hunt ;).

Poppy's journey, in both her personal and cosplay life, is well written and brings in the human realness that many of us feel at different points in our lives -- loss, hopelessness, acceptance, love, and healing -- without feeling formulaic. Poppy and Jacob's relationship has its twists and turns and manages to avoid being too predictable while also containing some of my personally beloved romance tropes.

I highly recommend this book to both romance lovers and fans of cosplay.

[Dani Coulsen]

This book managed to hit so many things for me, I was like a kid in a candy store. A nerdy slow-burn romance in an authentically Aussie setting. What more could you ask for?

Cosplaying as Cupid takes you behind the scenes into the world of Cosplays and Conventions, the details and the drama, through the dual POVs of Poppy and Jacob. She’s a talented seamstress, new to the world of competitive cosplay. He’s a veteran with something to prove to himself and everyone else. But perhaps they are exactly what each other needs … SQUEEEEE!

I won’t spoil anything here as the book is not officially out yet, but I consumed this book over the course of a weekend; did not want to put it down and grumped severely when life obligations forced me to. I recommend putting yourself on Do Not Disturb while reading this one folks.

I was fortunate enough to receive an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel. Other than having an appreciation for Kirilee’s other creative endeavours and knowing the standard of her work in those areas (um, hello multi-time Australian Cosplay Representative), I had no expectations going in of her writing ability. I have come out a fan of her writing just as much as any of her other creative works, and sincerely look forward to what comes next!

[Gabrielle]

This book wonderfully combines many of my favourite things: angst, trauma, creativity, romance, and of course, cosplay! Especially cosplay competitions.

As a competitive cosplayer myself, who has a specialty for sewing, I really connected with Poppy in wanting to always learn new things. Especially the aftermath of the contest. Heck I even learned a few things!

I've seen many "arsehats" that have Jacob's attitude when we first meet him, so I was so happy to see the shift and his realization of his actions. Seeing his growth, how he is with Poppy and learning why he behaved the way he did, and without justifying it was so refreshing.

Their growing friendship eventual romance felt so real, so easy to connect to. The friends were people I could recognize in my own life, including Brooke.

This is a story I can see myself revisiting over and over again. It's one of the few books I've binged in a very long time and I think it will be one I frequently do that.

Bonus: even though I've never been to Australia, I understood all of the slang terms easily! And I could easily picture the locations mentioned.

[Sarahbeth Williams]

Omg… this book is so so good. It’s definitely a good read for pretty much anyone. This book has sparked my love for reading all over again. You can feel how much love was put into this story. The characters, the story itself self is wonderful. Also for me coming from the US and this being an author from Australia I learned a bit of Aussie lingo while drinking an Ale8 one.
I definitely think Poppy is such a great main protagonist, her sort of becoming her own person and growth as a cosplayer is such a wonderful reminder that everyone starts somewhere. I also appreciate how real life artist and people (Sunsetdragon ) are shown showing off a real connection to a somewhat fictional world. It creates a more personal connection to the characters. Now Jacob is also such a wonderful character, he’s a nice guy and he truly has a passion for Cosplay and is working through his own issues with his body image is so relatable. Being able to relate to the characters has helped me feel more confident in my postpartum body. Kirliee you did an amazing job!

[Joy]

[ARC Reader Copy]
I do want to start by saying that I don’t normally read a ton a romance but I do cosplay and have found that largely any sort of media that features cosplay and con culture really doesn’t capture the scene in a way that feels true. If anyone can capture being a cosplayer, it’s a cosplayer! This book really captures the cosplay community in a way that feels true to life, which I loved.

The romance between Poppy and Jacob was so sweet (even if I thought at the beginning that I would never like Jacob—a male foamsmith cosplayer who is arrogant? Not my cup of tea, but he grew on me a lot). One of the things I really appreciated about the book was how kindly it portrayed cosplay competitions. I know Kirilee knows competitions, but I loved seeing all the characters hype each other up and support one another (especially Brooke, can’t wait to see more of her in the sequel), because that was the part that felt most true to what I have experienced in competitive cosplay.

I’m gonna need a romance like Jacob and Poppy rn and also looking at flights to Australia brb.

[Jared Ellwood]

This is a great debut novel by Kirilee.

Centred around a fresh faced cosplayer on the scene and a grumpy experienced veteran, sparks certainly fly. We are entering a world, you can tell Kirilee has experienced in real time, from the con crunches, to the nerves on stage, to the rush of endorphins from a job well done, it has all been captured in detail.

This book made me feel seen. Kirilee doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable topics, but rather brings with a certain gravitas that can only come from experience and knowing her characters. Poppy and Jacob feel like real people that walk down the street every day, they feel like people I want to be friends with.

Also the spice at the end.. Chefs kiss Kirilee… the perfect cream on the cake if you will.

This book is filled with Fake Dating, Grumpy/Sunshine, loss, found family, and finding self-love, what more could you ask for from this novel.

Congratulations Kirilee on your debut novel, thank you for letting me be an ARC… and I can’t wait for book 2.

[Heloise]

From the first lines, I was totally hooked, and what can I say? I loved it from beginning to end.

I loved how it spoke to me as a beginner cosplayer who entered a competition not so long ago, how it talked about the ups and downs of life, and how I could sometimes relate to Poppy. It was as if Kirilee had written it for me. It really makes me want to compete again because she was so spot-on on how you can feel during your first competition.

I loved how authentic the language was and loved the slang.

I loved the cosplay tips and the story itself it's a story about Poppy and Jacob, about cosplay and so much more. I was so happy that it talked about difficult topics and that it's not just poppy and roses. It was authentic, and I was so invested in the story and wanted to know the outcome that I couldn't put it down.

I can't wait for the next book.

You did an amazing job, Kirilee. You can be proud of yourself! <3

[TJ]

Definitely a delight for cosplay and romantic hearts!

This book was an absolute treat! I loved Poppy and Jacob's romance! It felt very organic and genuine!
I loved how real they both felt and how accurately the book represented the cosplay competition experience.

Of course as a cosplayer myself I had a bias for this book but I was genuinely surprised that the most endearing part of the story for me was how both characters valued their friendship first and learned to support one another!

Spoilers:
My favorite scenes as a cosplayer were definitely the pre-judging room scenes and the last minute prop pre-competition hotel fix (been there many times myself)

But... my favorite romance scene was the photo shoot where Jacob catches Poppy. Anddd the sleepy acidental snuggles.

All in all a lovely read and I can't wait for what Kirilee has in store for us next! Thank you for letting me be an ARC reader

[Clover]

Two of my favourite things in life are reading and cosplay so as soon as I heard about the concept for this book I was sold. These two worlds - cosplay and reading - have been united so beautifully in this book. Cosplay is not just a vessel to push the story forward (though it does do that!) but is instead the heart of this story. This is a love story in many different ways, for the characters learn to love themselves, fall in love with the art of cosplay, and of course with each other.

Everything about this story was wonderful. The characters were compelling and relatable, the journey of the story was engaging and the cute moments made me want kick my feet while giggling (the ideal response to romance novels in my opinion). This truly was such a delightful reading experience and I feel so fortunate to have been chosen as an ARC reader for it.

[Judy Raquel De Sousa]

As Someone who is a cosplayer and a romantic novel lover I was soooo happy that a book with these two tropes is being released.

The story is well written and catched me after the first chapter. The introduction of the cosplay world through the eyes of someone getting freshly into it allows the reader to enter this world even if they haven’t had any contact with the Cosplay world.

Big fan of the characters and it is astounding how relatable and true they are. Plus the cosplay world is being very accurate represented ( as you would think of kirliee)

As a person from Germany it’s interesting to see how somethings change wherever you are in the world.

I liked the typ of writing with a light touch to it that made it easy to fall in love with the Story

Thank you that I was chosen to be one of the readers in advance and i can’t wait to read part 2

Xoxo Judy

[Emma]

This was such an enjoyable read, it had all my favourite romance tropes, rivals to lovers, fake dating, oh-no-there's-only-one-bed, and that made it really enjoyable. The Author did an excellent job of making the main male character just dislikeable enough at the beginning while leaving plenty of room to come round to him pretty quickly. Poppy is a very sweet character, with a well written background and a very likeable personality. The Cosplay elements are well explained and easy to follow along even for someone like me who doesn't really get the world of cosplay. There is one open door spicy scene which is well written and classy, but also skip-able if that's not your thing. I found myself laughing out loud and screaming "Just kiss already!!!" Which to me is the mark of a good romance. All in all an excellent read, and I look forward to the next one!

[Bee]

I liked reading this book so much that I was sad when I got to the last page because I wanted to keep reading more of the story between Poppy and Jacob.

Kirilee has a way of immersing the reader into the story from her detailed and descriptive dialogues. The fake dating to real couple trope is one of my favorites and Kirilee did a very good job. I’m so excited and can’t wait for the next book.

The first chapter caught my heartstrings, mainly because of Poppy’s Nan and their close relationship. The character reminded me of my grandma in terms of her personality.
I am also a sewist, but I have been wanting to get into prop making, so I really like how detailed the sewing and prop making chapters are. My other favorite thing about this book is that it’s told in dual pov so you get a better look into both Poppy and Jacob’s side and inner thoughts.

[Renae Carter]

Ok, I loved loved loved this.

I found the start a bit of an adjustment, mostly getting used to reading Australian English, but as soon as I adapted I was locked in.

As someone who has a limited history with sewing and cosplaying, it was an easy read. Some references were lost on me but I loved that the MC was also learning. And despite being brought up with video games and general nerdy media, I felt so much comraderie with Poppy and our shared gaps of knowledge.

Kirilee had me staying up far too late and sneaking glances at work. I was honestly reading any free moment I could find. You hooked me in and made me love, hate, cringe, laugh and cry for these people.

I almost regret volunteering to read Cosplaying as Cupid early...how long will I need to wait for book 2 😭.

[Melissa]

Such a cute debut novel!

This novel was on my Instagram feed with quite a bit of overlap from my cosplay and author algorithm. A friend and I were talking about writing cosplay related romances and -- voila! This one appeared!

Kirilee graciously awarded me an ARC and I have spent every spare minute absorbing it.

The characters are multidimensional! The world feels lived in (lol -- it's Australia so it's real but I adore the local flavor of PlaybyProxy and the commentary about Perth's isolation)! And the cosplay notes are spot on.

This book is also so unapologetically Australian -- the vernacular and attitude and single quotes just ooze through the pages and I felt like I was back in Cairns, giggling at the neighbors.

It's delightful! I'm so excited for book 2!!

[Kendall J C]

I was not ready to fall in love with this book, but here I am. Cosplaying as Cupid has honestly become my favorite book of this year. I'm picky with my romance but I wanted to give this a try and I'm glad i did. I was not expecting to relate to both Jacob and Poppy which, to me at least, made very good characters. You see theor struggles and you just wanna seem them win. I've also learned a thing or two about cosplay and I may or may not be planning now. Another thing I loved about the book was all the Aussie-isms lol. It made the characters feel grounded in reality as aposed to just saying "they live in Australia" and not showing they do, if that makes sense. Overall I recommend Cosplaying as Cupid for everyone for the romance lovers to the cosplayers.