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A Furry Faux Paw
Sometimes Your Best Self Is Your Fursona
Online, MauveCat (a cool, confident, glittering pixie cat) has friends and a whole supportive furry community that appreciates her art. At home, Maeve Stephens has to tiptoe around her hoarder mother’s mood and mess. When her life is at its hardest, Maeve can always slip into Mauve, her fursona, and be “the happy one,” the bubbliest, friendliest artist in her community—it’s even how she made her best friend, Jade.
With graduation around the corner, Maeve is ready to put her lonely school days behind her and move on with her life. And while her father hasn’t been home since the divorce, he does offer her a dream come true: an all-expenses paid trip to the regional furry convention.
Furlympia will have everything Maeve’s been missing—friends, art mentors, and other furries! So when her mother forbids her from going, Maeve decides to sneak out on her own.
Between hitching a ride with Jade, getting a makeover from a young furry she inspired, and connecting with an art idol who could help Her get into her dream school—the furcon is everything Maeve hoped for and more. A single weekend away shows Maeve how wonderful her life could be, but breaking free of the hoard means abandoning her mother, just like everyone else in their life. And Maeve isn’t sure if she can—even if it destroys her, too.
Online, MauveCat (a cool, confident, glittering pixie cat) has friends and a whole supportive furry community that appreciates her art. At home, Maeve Stephens has to tiptoe around her hoarder mother’s mood and mess. When her life is at its hardest, Maeve can always slip into Mauve, her fursona, and be “the happy one,” the bubbliest, friendliest artist in her community—it’s even how she made her best friend, Jade.
With graduation around the corner, Maeve is ready to put her lonely school days behind her and move on with her life. And while her father hasn’t been home since the divorce, he does offer her a dream come true: an all-expenses paid trip to the regional furry convention.
Furlympia will have everything Maeve’s been missing—friends, art mentors, and other furries! So when her mother forbids her from going, Maeve decides to sneak out on her own.
Between hitching a ride with Jade, getting a makeover from a young furry she inspired, and connecting with an art idol who could help Her get into her dream school—the furcon is everything Maeve hoped for and more. A single weekend away shows Maeve how wonderful her life could be, but breaking free of the hoard means abandoning her mother, just like everyone else in their life. And Maeve isn’t sure if she can—even if it destroys her, too.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published July 26, 2022
About the author
Jessica Kara
2 books40 followersJessica Kara is the contemporary pen name of fantasy author Jess E. Owen. Jessica writes quiet, optimistic contemporary stories of teens overcoming their misbeliefs and personal challenges. She is the author of A Furry Faux Paw and Don't Ask If I'm Okay (2023), as well as The Summer King Chronicles and the forthcoming Dragon Star Saga.
Jess currently resides in northwest Montana.
Jess currently resides in northwest Montana.
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April 12, 2022You know, I truly did not know what to expect from a YA with a furry MC, but I am so glad I read it, and I really enjoyed it. It's like all the things I love about fandom novels plus what I thought was really great handling of being the child of a hoarder. Often authors kind of drop the background issue and resurrect it when convenient, and it feels like a device, but here I felt like Kara really cemented the way it was part of Maeve's story and being in an unusually consistent and believable way. Plus, reading about everyone's wardrobes and passions was a lot of fun, as was peeking into the fan art world.
Also, no romance, and an ace-questioning MC!
Also, no romance, and an ace-questioning MC!
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February 5, 2022your eyes are not lying to you. i did read a book about a furry with mommy issues
December 31, 2022
“I don’t think I can save her. And I don’t think I can try anymore.”
I was really excited and interested to see furry repp in YA! Woohoo! Right away I was pulled in by the protagonist and her life with an agoraphobic hoarding mom. I love how they show the disconnect the mom has with her daughter. Too relatable. The situation is very compelling for why she’d have specifically a cat fursona. Fursonas sometimes can connect to one’s life experiences and be a coping mechanism (not all), so it’s interesting to see how the cat connects to living in a hoarder’s house. I'm not a furry so I can’t speak for furries, but as an autistic con-goer/geek, the portrayal seemed authentic and very relatable. I appreciated how authentic and positive the portrayal of fandoms was, especially when there's a lot of false and negative info out there (especially for the furry community).
Kara does a really great job conveying a con, as well as the tension one can feel being obligated to take care of those who should be taking care of them. I especially resonated with: "““It’s not your job,” he says, pointing firmly at me, “to take care of her.”/ “Someone has to,” I cry,"" and how easy it is to feel trapped in an unhealthy dynamic of taking care of someone who doesn't give back. I love the critical point about healthy relationships, and finding give/take dynamics instead of someone who only takes. It's a powerful journey of learning when and how to walk away.
I also appreciated the acknowledgement/exploration of ace identity. The growing friendship with Paige, and seeing her more complexly as the novel progressed was so compelling and relatable. I really resonated with all these characters and how well-rounded they were on the page.
TDLR; I emotionally connected and resonated with several aspects of this book, and found the story well paced narratively. Maeve's struggles are compelling, and model a valuable lesson about setting healthy boundaries while still loving others. I really loved this book. I love how it shows how healing fandoms can be, an how critical fandom communities are. I hope people who aren’t in fandoms will read this and get a better appreciation for why fandoms are critical for identity and community. Highly, highly recommended!
I was really excited and interested to see furry repp in YA! Woohoo! Right away I was pulled in by the protagonist and her life with an agoraphobic hoarding mom. I love how they show the disconnect the mom has with her daughter. Too relatable. The situation is very compelling for why she’d have specifically a cat fursona. Fursonas sometimes can connect to one’s life experiences and be a coping mechanism (not all), so it’s interesting to see how the cat connects to living in a hoarder’s house. I'm not a furry so I can’t speak for furries, but as an autistic con-goer/geek, the portrayal seemed authentic and very relatable. I appreciated how authentic and positive the portrayal of fandoms was, especially when there's a lot of false and negative info out there (especially for the furry community).
Kara does a really great job conveying a con, as well as the tension one can feel being obligated to take care of those who should be taking care of them. I especially resonated with: "““It’s not your job,” he says, pointing firmly at me, “to take care of her.”/ “Someone has to,” I cry,"" and how easy it is to feel trapped in an unhealthy dynamic of taking care of someone who doesn't give back. I love the critical point about healthy relationships, and finding give/take dynamics instead of someone who only takes. It's a powerful journey of learning when and how to walk away.
I also appreciated the acknowledgement/exploration of ace identity. The growing friendship with Paige, and seeing her more complexly as the novel progressed was so compelling and relatable. I really resonated with all these characters and how well-rounded they were on the page.
TDLR; I emotionally connected and resonated with several aspects of this book, and found the story well paced narratively. Maeve's struggles are compelling, and model a valuable lesson about setting healthy boundaries while still loving others. I really loved this book. I love how it shows how healing fandoms can be, an how critical fandom communities are. I hope people who aren’t in fandoms will read this and get a better appreciation for why fandoms are critical for identity and community. Highly, highly recommended!
July 9, 2022
I read an ARC I won via the author’s twitter giveaway. The day it arrived in the mail, I devoured it in under 24 hours because there was finally a YA novel set at a furry convention! The author did a great job capturing the fun, hectic, and supportive environment of a furry convention. I was especially struck by the moment Maeve realized she didn’t have to make the plans for her friends. She was able to be taken care of by her friends rather than have to plan everything to make sure her mother was fed and cared for. While I could argue some subplots and other aspects of the fandom could have been explored further, such as Paige dealing with creepers, it’s unreasonable to expect the author to cover every aspect of the furry fandom, fun or dark, in one novel. Finally, I’m especially thrilled by the implied ace rep through Maeve, along with her platonic love of Jade and Paige. While YA romances are fun to read, this story didn’t need one, and it’s important to show that one can have strong friendships without it leading to dating or sex. I can’t wait to see what the author writes next!
December 17, 2022
Surprising and delightful. At Reading Rants: http://www.readingrants.org/2022/12/1...
January 3, 2023
Honestly, the professional reviews for this one did not communicate anything worthwhile. Kirkus loves to bathe in diversity tag-words to encourage purchases but I think that actually did this book a disservice. A Furry Faux Paw is more about being a child of a hoarder (about to leave for college) and how her fursona developed as an escapist coping mechanism for living in her mom's hazardous filth. I just moved out of a shared house that was probably around hoarding stage 2-3 due to roommates, so I totally understand feeling ashamed of your home because of something beyond your control or capacity to fix. And lying about your home reality to make it seem normal.
If you are thinking of buying this for your library's teen collection and are nervous about Moms for Liberty threatening your life, this paragraph is for you! Personally, that is why I read the book. There is no sex in this book. There is no romance in this book. There is no gender talk in this book. There is no passage that could be taken out of context and read aloud at a board meeting to make you look inept in this book. The absolute maximum of anything that could be considered sexual activity in this book is platonic hugging by internet friends who are meeting in real life for the first time at the convention. Book banning groups will probably overreact to the title without reading anything in it and then claim that public schools include litter boxes in their budgets and books like this only encourage that (not that that is actually happening but that's what they will say).
There is nothing inappropriate for teenagers in this book. That being said, public perception of furries is entirely sexual and you may have to fight that fight if you add it to your collection. As for me, I'll probably just buy it.
If you are thinking of buying this for your library's teen collection and are nervous about Moms for Liberty threatening your life, this paragraph is for you! Personally, that is why I read the book. There is no sex in this book. There is no romance in this book. There is no gender talk in this book. There is no passage that could be taken out of context and read aloud at a board meeting to make you look inept in this book. The absolute maximum of anything that could be considered sexual activity in this book is platonic hugging by internet friends who are meeting in real life for the first time at the convention. Book banning groups will probably overreact to the title without reading anything in it and then claim that public schools include litter boxes in their budgets and books like this only encourage that (not that that is actually happening but that's what they will say).
There is nothing inappropriate for teenagers in this book. That being said, public perception of furries is entirely sexual and you may have to fight that fight if you add it to your collection. As for me, I'll probably just buy it.
May 30, 2022
Maeve is a furry. At seventeen, ready to graduate high school and attend her first furry convention, she understands that she’s at a crossroad, no less dealing with the reality that is her parents’ divorce, her mother’s hoarding, and her own place as a soon-to-be adult. Mauve, however–or Maeve’s feline, pixie-like fursona–is a guiding light, and as Maeve tries to get herself to Furlympia, surrounded by a community of friends that gives her strength, she must decide who she wants to be: Does she ignore her mother’s struggle for control, knowing giving in would only hold her back, or does she enjoy the event of her weekend–maybe life–and be somewhere with those who respect her?
While it would be easy to categorize Kara’s work, here, as “furry fiction,” or a loosely constructed genre encompassing fan works, fantasy, and science fiction interested in anthropomorphic animals, Furry Faux Paw is distinctly a young adult novel that gives language to the power that fandoms and subcultural interests have for youth, particularly queer and neurodivergent youth who find themselves under trying circumstances. The furry fandom has had a history of ostracization due to the amount of adult fans within its field, many of whom are read in ableist, homo- and queerphobic terms that view them in antiquarian ways. Thankfully, Kara takes her experience of writing human-animal, fantasy characters, and applies it to a teenage lens that realizes the agency and community that fandom can offer. Maeve/Mauve never feels like a stereotype of the fan, but an emotional, caring person who wishes the best for herself and her mother, despite the latter’s own tendencies driving Maeve into panic and even anger at times. The novel never feels pedantic, nor does it try to reimagine the furry fandom as something it isn’t.
Parents who might have a child interested in the furry fandom and anthropomorphic characters will be thrilled to know Kara’s story is the perfect book for younger readers new or interested in fan culture, one of the very few works existent at this time that takes fandom as seriously as it does. For older readers, the book is just the thing to read before a convention, if not during one, as Kara elicits the excitement that’s been had by fans surely since the start of the science fiction, even Star Trek community. Maybe the book will even press new fans to consider who or what their fursona might be.
While it would be easy to categorize Kara’s work, here, as “furry fiction,” or a loosely constructed genre encompassing fan works, fantasy, and science fiction interested in anthropomorphic animals, Furry Faux Paw is distinctly a young adult novel that gives language to the power that fandoms and subcultural interests have for youth, particularly queer and neurodivergent youth who find themselves under trying circumstances. The furry fandom has had a history of ostracization due to the amount of adult fans within its field, many of whom are read in ableist, homo- and queerphobic terms that view them in antiquarian ways. Thankfully, Kara takes her experience of writing human-animal, fantasy characters, and applies it to a teenage lens that realizes the agency and community that fandom can offer. Maeve/Mauve never feels like a stereotype of the fan, but an emotional, caring person who wishes the best for herself and her mother, despite the latter’s own tendencies driving Maeve into panic and even anger at times. The novel never feels pedantic, nor does it try to reimagine the furry fandom as something it isn’t.
Parents who might have a child interested in the furry fandom and anthropomorphic characters will be thrilled to know Kara’s story is the perfect book for younger readers new or interested in fan culture, one of the very few works existent at this time that takes fandom as seriously as it does. For older readers, the book is just the thing to read before a convention, if not during one, as Kara elicits the excitement that’s been had by fans surely since the start of the science fiction, even Star Trek community. Maybe the book will even press new fans to consider who or what their fursona might be.
June 19, 2023
4.5 stars
While this definitely was a little weird, I mean the whole furry thing isn’t something I’m really familiar with or know much about, once I got going, I really enjoyed the book. There was a lot to learn about fursonas and the book definitely covered things like LGBTQ+ and even brought out xe and xyr pronouns, which usually it’s just they or them, and I haven’t seen the xe since a book I read probably like 10 years ago. There was a lot of emotional stuff with her mom. Her mom’s hoarding reminded me of another book I read a while back by a favorite author, Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu. Not going into a lot of detail since these are supposed to be mini-reviews anyway, but overall I thought this was a really good book!
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
While this definitely was a little weird, I mean the whole furry thing isn’t something I’m really familiar with or know much about, once I got going, I really enjoyed the book. There was a lot to learn about fursonas and the book definitely covered things like LGBTQ+ and even brought out xe and xyr pronouns, which usually it’s just they or them, and I haven’t seen the xe since a book I read probably like 10 years ago. There was a lot of emotional stuff with her mom. Her mom’s hoarding reminded me of another book I read a while back by a favorite author, Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu. Not going into a lot of detail since these are supposed to be mini-reviews anyway, but overall I thought this was a really good book!
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
August 13, 2022
This book is wild. I do not remember signing up for an insane emotional roller coaster when I've picked it up, but this is exactly what I got. Solid five stars and I am shelving it together with the best books I've read in recent memory.
One of my biggest takeaways that struck me right as I started reading is the stunning accuracy of small details regarding [the life of] furries. As far as I am aware the author did not grow up as a furry, but by the bearded dude in the sky, this thing reads like a genuine furry autobiography. It brushes past the often most publicly controversial, yet internally the least important aspects of furry 'fandom' and touches on the very heart of what it *is*. That is powerful and unexpected to read about.
As if above is not enough, I've found the writing (storytelling?) itself to be just about flawless in terms of character building and pacing. For such a simple plotline - a girl going to a convention - the author somehow manages to make it an extremely emotional and captivating read, in a way that even the most intense action-packed stories I can remember reading didn't make me feel. World building is tight and narrow and somehow just enough - it didn't leave me wishing the story expanded and explained more things in the setting after I was done with it, as is quite often the case for me.
I've finished the book at 3 am yesterday and having slept on it I still can't think of any things I didn't like or would like to see improved. Even the name is just perfect.
This book would make for a pretty good read to recommend someone you want to get a little better understanding of furry 'fandom', I think. The story is not a complex deep-dive in to what it means to be a furry and it doesn't try to be, but it does a pretty good job at it, for a small glimpse.
One of my biggest takeaways that struck me right as I started reading is the stunning accuracy of small details regarding [the life of] furries. As far as I am aware the author did not grow up as a furry, but by the bearded dude in the sky, this thing reads like a genuine furry autobiography. It brushes past the often most publicly controversial, yet internally the least important aspects of furry 'fandom' and touches on the very heart of what it *is*. That is powerful and unexpected to read about.
As if above is not enough, I've found the writing (storytelling?) itself to be just about flawless in terms of character building and pacing. For such a simple plotline - a girl going to a convention - the author somehow manages to make it an extremely emotional and captivating read, in a way that even the most intense action-packed stories I can remember reading didn't make me feel. World building is tight and narrow and somehow just enough - it didn't leave me wishing the story expanded and explained more things in the setting after I was done with it, as is quite often the case for me.
I've finished the book at 3 am yesterday and having slept on it I still can't think of any things I didn't like or would like to see improved. Even the name is just perfect.
This book would make for a pretty good read to recommend someone you want to get a little better understanding of furry 'fandom', I think. The story is not a complex deep-dive in to what it means to be a furry and it doesn't try to be, but it does a pretty good job at it, for a small glimpse.
September 3, 2022
Okay, hear me out. I read this just as a joke. BUT. It really wasn’t bad at all. In fact I thought it was a pretty good reading experience. The author did a great job of conveying MC’s anxieties and abusive relationship with her mom. The story covers heavy topics but was able to balance it out with light, fun scenes as well. I thought the characters were all well-developed, well-written, and believable. Even though it was about a fandom I don’t belong to, I still could appreciate the atmosphere of nerding out with a group of like-minded people (as someone who has attended a Harry Potter con and loved it hahaha). And I learned more about furries than I ever thought I would (and admittedly more than I ever wanted to haha).
I guess my main nit-picks are that the repetition of the word “stuff” got a little bothersome after a while. Also the middle of the book dragged a little, with me feeling very frustrated at how MC was handling her situation (although maybe it was just a realistic way for her to act? Idk). I kept thinking like “girl just turn off your damn phone.”
Anyway, I think I have more compassion for furries now than I used to although I still think it’s strange. Nevertheless. Would recommend to furries and normies alike.
I guess my main nit-picks are that the repetition of the word “stuff” got a little bothersome after a while. Also the middle of the book dragged a little, with me feeling very frustrated at how MC was handling her situation (although maybe it was just a realistic way for her to act? Idk). I kept thinking like “girl just turn off your damn phone.”
Anyway, I think I have more compassion for furries now than I used to although I still think it’s strange. Nevertheless. Would recommend to furries and normies alike.
November 28, 2022
So many people aren't even going to give this book a chance, but they are going to be missing out on a beautiful book. I did not expect to have strong feelings about this book, but here we are.
Maeve does her best to take care of others. Her mother is a hoarder and their home is filled with stuff. Maeve does everything she can to convince others everything is okay. She makes sure her mom eats. She showers at school, so people don't think she smells. From the outside, she makes sure everything seems fine. She keeps herself small and quiet, so as not to attract any attention.
But inside is Mauve, her pixie cat fursona. As Mauve, she can fully express herself. She has online friends, a huge Twitter following, and a budding art career. She's the happy one.
When she gets the chance to go to a huge furry convention, she is so excited! She can finally meet her friends in person-- including her artist idol. She can finally be full Mauve. But she can't help but worry about her mom and all the emotions she's been burying.
Y'all. I seriously loved this book. It wasn't at all what I expected, but that made me love it even more. I thought it was going to be a happy, fun book. But actually, it's a heartbreaking and heartwarming look at the pressures of maintaining a "happy" image and the importance of taking care of yourself first. It's about the importance of found family and a strong support network. It's about finding ways to express yourself.
It's just a really, really good book.
Maeve does her best to take care of others. Her mother is a hoarder and their home is filled with stuff. Maeve does everything she can to convince others everything is okay. She makes sure her mom eats. She showers at school, so people don't think she smells. From the outside, she makes sure everything seems fine. She keeps herself small and quiet, so as not to attract any attention.
But inside is Mauve, her pixie cat fursona. As Mauve, she can fully express herself. She has online friends, a huge Twitter following, and a budding art career. She's the happy one.
When she gets the chance to go to a huge furry convention, she is so excited! She can finally meet her friends in person-- including her artist idol. She can finally be full Mauve. But she can't help but worry about her mom and all the emotions she's been burying.
Y'all. I seriously loved this book. It wasn't at all what I expected, but that made me love it even more. I thought it was going to be a happy, fun book. But actually, it's a heartbreaking and heartwarming look at the pressures of maintaining a "happy" image and the importance of taking care of yourself first. It's about the importance of found family and a strong support network. It's about finding ways to express yourself.
It's just a really, really good book.
September 2, 2025
This was such a cute book. I admittedly know nothing about the furry world. The way this book approaches this topic with a senior in high school going to her first furry-con taught me a lot and made the subject so approachable. The play on words with fursona and the title of the book? Cherry on top of a very well done story that wasn’t just furry, but also dealt with quite a few tough topics. I give it two paws up! Identity! Community! Chosen family! Finding yourself and being proud of who you are and where you’ve come from!
July 3, 2023
I picked up this book because I was curious about the furry community. I loved learning more and seeing the characters’ passion. As a member of certain fandoms, this could relate to the fandom aspect, if not the furry aspect.
The focus on platonic and familial relationships was refreshing, although I wish Maeve’s friendship with Paige was explored more and that Nira had more scenes.
This was a fun, fast-paced, heartwarming read
The focus on platonic and familial relationships was refreshing, although I wish Maeve’s friendship with Paige was explored more and that Nira had more scenes.
This was a fun, fast-paced, heartwarming read
November 19, 2023
This is almost a four star read, but not quite because the proofreading was pretty awful. Also, I wish I'd been keeping track of how many times a character took a breath or held a breath or mentioned something about breathing. I'm sure it would have been over fifty times. Even so, this was very cute.
May 4, 2022
Wow, I didn't mean to read this entire book about young furries. But, despite the terrible title, it's really good! The author is clearly steeped in fandom/convention culture and she does a wonderful job writing a protagonist whose friends are completely online, except for the con, when they aren't. And that's when her very confined and stressful world opens up just a crack. Is it gonna be a crack big enough to jump through?
I learned a lot about furries too -- the author keeps it all squeaky clean, while acknowledging that the fandom has some let's say, image problems. All the kids do is draw, get excited about their fursonas, drink coffee, and meet some kindly adult mentors. If you have a furry family member, this is a nice, accessible way to understand the way they think.
This one will go over in a big way with some kids at your library who never talk to you, or perhaps talk to you a whole lot about their favorite video games, Disney movies, cartoons, etc. etc.
I learned a lot about furries too -- the author keeps it all squeaky clean, while acknowledging that the fandom has some let's say, image problems. All the kids do is draw, get excited about their fursonas, drink coffee, and meet some kindly adult mentors. If you have a furry family member, this is a nice, accessible way to understand the way they think.
This one will go over in a big way with some kids at your library who never talk to you, or perhaps talk to you a whole lot about their favorite video games, Disney movies, cartoons, etc. etc.
October 23, 2022
A heartwarming, enjoyable read. Although there were some plot things that I wished were elaborated on more, I still had a fun time blowing through this book in 2 hours
February 9, 2026
***Mandatory reading for LIS483: Library Collections and Materials for Young Adults***
January 8, 2023
I am so pleased A Furry Faux Paw was my final read of the year, and the final book in my Goodreads reading challenge. I didn't think I was going to be able to complete it, and I'm pretty sure I only managed to because of two long power outages this year that gave me ample time to read. 😂
In the most recent one a few days ago, I blasted through 180 pages of this story, and while that was due in part to suddenly having hours to spare with no electronics to distract me, I have to give credit to the author's writing too. Simple, smooth, and full of heart. I felt so much for the protagonist Maeve and adored her friends (Paige is such a sweetheart, and Jade and Athen made a cute couple. I actually would've loved to see more of them together). It was also really cool to read a book with a focus on the furry community. I've mingled with them myself over the years doing art commissions and such, and they're such a considerate and vibrant bunch <3
Throughout the book, I had this knot in my stomach that actually led to tears being jerked in the last few chapters because Maeve's struggles felt somewhat familiar to me (congrats, Jess, you made me cry!!). While I didn't relate directly to what Maeve was dealing with, there were a few things that hit rather close to home. Some similarities, and many shared feelings.
Overall, this was a feelsy and fun read chock-full of colorful characters (quite literally), and I'm so glad I got the opportunity to read it. Big thanks to Page Street Kids for the ARC! ♥
In the most recent one a few days ago, I blasted through 180 pages of this story, and while that was due in part to suddenly having hours to spare with no electronics to distract me, I have to give credit to the author's writing too. Simple, smooth, and full of heart. I felt so much for the protagonist Maeve and adored her friends (Paige is such a sweetheart, and Jade and Athen made a cute couple. I actually would've loved to see more of them together). It was also really cool to read a book with a focus on the furry community. I've mingled with them myself over the years doing art commissions and such, and they're such a considerate and vibrant bunch <3
Throughout the book, I had this knot in my stomach that actually led to tears being jerked in the last few chapters because Maeve's struggles felt somewhat familiar to me (congrats, Jess, you made me cry!!). While I didn't relate directly to what Maeve was dealing with, there were a few things that hit rather close to home. Some similarities, and many shared feelings.
Overall, this was a feelsy and fun read chock-full of colorful characters (quite literally), and I'm so glad I got the opportunity to read it. Big thanks to Page Street Kids for the ARC! ♥
August 14, 2022
This is a beautiful depiction of the magic of the furry fandom and a powerful story about compelling characters. I had a whole lot of feelings while reading this book, and I'm so glad it exists.
August 6, 2022
Well, Jess has done it again— written something that had me so wholly invested I managed to read it in just a few sittings. And while I was absolutely glued to the pages, caught up in the vivid characters, the excitement of the con, and the underlying tension between Maeve and her mother, a part of me is sad I read this book so quickly. I do admire this writing style.
This story is fast paced, spanning the weekend of the main character Maeve’s first furcon. And while you’d think a con would be all smiles and paws, tails, and wings, Maeve has a rather different experience, because she can’t quite shake the guilt of leaving her hoarder mother alone. Despite all this underlying tension, there’s lots of great moments between Maeve and all her friends, as well as hope for her future. The last line in particular was great!
I’ll read anything that Jess writes, and I look forward to reading more contemporary stories from her in the future, alongside the fantasy tales that first brought me here.
This story is fast paced, spanning the weekend of the main character Maeve’s first furcon. And while you’d think a con would be all smiles and paws, tails, and wings, Maeve has a rather different experience, because she can’t quite shake the guilt of leaving her hoarder mother alone. Despite all this underlying tension, there’s lots of great moments between Maeve and all her friends, as well as hope for her future. The last line in particular was great!
I’ll read anything that Jess writes, and I look forward to reading more contemporary stories from her in the future, alongside the fantasy tales that first brought me here.
March 10, 2022
I loved this novel. As a kid that also grew up with a hoarder mom, Maeve’s struggles are completely understandable and she is a very relatable character. The mother is carefully and realistically written, and I really feel for Maeve and the environment she has grown up in.
At the time of reading this I’d only been to one furry con. Jess’s writing really brings it alive in such vivid fashion. The details were just right to really bring Maeve’s world to life and I cannot rave about this enough. Even though it’s been a couple years since I first read this (as a beta reader) I can still ‘see’ scenes from this novel in my head as if I just read it yesterday.
The pacing is excellent as well. All in all I think this is a beautiful YA book that those within the fandom will adore. Not to be left out, Jess shows the fandom in such a wonderful way that I think even those less familiar with it will find enjoyment in seeing life through Maeve’s eyes.
At the time of reading this I’d only been to one furry con. Jess’s writing really brings it alive in such vivid fashion. The details were just right to really bring Maeve’s world to life and I cannot rave about this enough. Even though it’s been a couple years since I first read this (as a beta reader) I can still ‘see’ scenes from this novel in my head as if I just read it yesterday.
The pacing is excellent as well. All in all I think this is a beautiful YA book that those within the fandom will adore. Not to be left out, Jess shows the fandom in such a wonderful way that I think even those less familiar with it will find enjoyment in seeing life through Maeve’s eyes.
March 6, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a review!
So, I didn’t know much about Furries up until this book, other than some memes that circulate around the Internet. I was very pleased to get this book and learn more about it.
The book learned me that it’s about bringing out your through self with the help of turning yourself into an animalistic character. It’s not about the weird stuff or bizarre things people sometimes mention.
Was this book great? Hmmm, I feel like it provided exactly what it said it was. It was a fun, cute read and I definitely feel like people who are in fandoms will like the convention scene a big part of the book takes place in.
Maeve was an okay main character, although a bit winy from time to time.
All in all, this book was definitely okay and I’m glad I was able to read it.
So, I didn’t know much about Furries up until this book, other than some memes that circulate around the Internet. I was very pleased to get this book and learn more about it.
The book learned me that it’s about bringing out your through self with the help of turning yourself into an animalistic character. It’s not about the weird stuff or bizarre things people sometimes mention.
Was this book great? Hmmm, I feel like it provided exactly what it said it was. It was a fun, cute read and I definitely feel like people who are in fandoms will like the convention scene a big part of the book takes place in.
Maeve was an okay main character, although a bit winy from time to time.
All in all, this book was definitely okay and I’m glad I was able to read it.
August 6, 2022
This book is funny even while it's tearing my heart to pieces! The characters are both sympathetic and authentic, and Mauve's complicated relationship with her mother is especially well done.
The plot is simple on the surface but I never could guess where it was going. It's thoroughly satisfying, though, and a lot of fun!
The book is also the first I've ever seen that portrays furry culture accurately.
I especially like that there's no romance, just a few hints at future possibilities that Mauve acknowledges, while realizing she doesn't have the emotional energy to deal with at the moment. Mauve is smart and insightful. I was cheering for her from page one!
The plot is simple on the surface but I never could guess where it was going. It's thoroughly satisfying, though, and a lot of fun!
The book is also the first I've ever seen that portrays furry culture accurately.
I especially like that there's no romance, just a few hints at future possibilities that Mauve acknowledges, while realizing she doesn't have the emotional energy to deal with at the moment. Mauve is smart and insightful. I was cheering for her from page one!
March 31, 2022
A cute, fun read about a teenager growing into her true self.
Kara’s depiction of a convention and the different relationships you gain within the furry fandom was pretty spot on and it made me yearn for experiencing that again!
I also liked how she conveyed the complex relationship between Mauve and her mom and all the challenges put forth by it. I know how hard it is to “cut the cord” so to speak!
Kara’s depiction of a convention and the different relationships you gain within the furry fandom was pretty spot on and it made me yearn for experiencing that again!
I also liked how she conveyed the complex relationship between Mauve and her mom and all the challenges put forth by it. I know how hard it is to “cut the cord” so to speak!
April 26, 2022
#AFurryFauxPaw #NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher of this novel for the E-Arc copy. I am rating this book based on my own personal opinion and was not given anything in return. I am not leaving a entire review because I read so many at a time that I physically cannot right now.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher of this novel for the E-Arc copy. I am rating this book based on my own personal opinion and was not given anything in return. I am not leaving a entire review because I read so many at a time that I physically cannot right now.
March 14, 2023
I'm undoubtedly being harsh, here, for two reasons: one, the character of Maeve's mother, in her behaviour towards her daughter, cuts very close for me, and two, I prefer storytelling that's restrained, understated, naturalisic, that shows rather than tells, and this book...is the exact opposite of that.
In a progress update I described it as heavy-handed, and I stand by that. This is a book that's not content to just tell, but tell at great length, all the time, persistently being much too on-the-nose, like it doesn't trust the reader to understand things unless they're spelt out with emphasis. This bogs the pace down to the point that every scene takes pages on end to play out, way more than seems necessary, and it's at its worst with the heavier emotions.
I can't think of a better word than angst for it, so much drawn-out, Capital-Letters, beaten-home-with-a-pink-hammer Angst, with barely a breather from it. Every lighter, happier moment is derailed by it. The con, as well-depicted as it is in a practical sense, the themes, the characters, the short story's worth of plot, none of it gets a chance to properly engage, as it's all drowned out by the angst.
It's kind of ironic, actually. A story centred around a person escaping suffocating, hoarded Stuff is itself suffocated by far too much "stuff". I repeat, I'm undoubtedly being harsh, but I also have to be honest: as much as I wanted to, I really didn't enjoy this.
In a progress update I described it as heavy-handed, and I stand by that. This is a book that's not content to just tell, but tell at great length, all the time, persistently being much too on-the-nose, like it doesn't trust the reader to understand things unless they're spelt out with emphasis. This bogs the pace down to the point that every scene takes pages on end to play out, way more than seems necessary, and it's at its worst with the heavier emotions.
I can't think of a better word than angst for it, so much drawn-out, Capital-Letters, beaten-home-with-a-pink-hammer Angst, with barely a breather from it. Every lighter, happier moment is derailed by it. The con, as well-depicted as it is in a practical sense, the themes, the characters, the short story's worth of plot, none of it gets a chance to properly engage, as it's all drowned out by the angst.
It's kind of ironic, actually. A story centred around a person escaping suffocating, hoarded Stuff is itself suffocated by far too much "stuff". I repeat, I'm undoubtedly being harsh, but I also have to be honest: as much as I wanted to, I really didn't enjoy this.
April 15, 2023
A Furry Faux Paw is a beautiful story with a hard hitting message about family, personal struggles, and learning to embrace joy.
I was enticed to read this story from the weaving theme of the furry fandom, as someone who's in the fandom- I wondered how it would mingle into the story and force behind the book. And upon reading, the answer was exactly what the fandom is all about. Love, acceptance, and understanding.
This book is a love letter to people who find comfort in any hobby, any community- Not just furry. Maeve's struggles and journey through the book was so relatable, even if you're not in the exact same situation she is. As the book says, everyone has something going on. The fact that younger audiences- especially ones who just so happen to be furries-Can find this book and see themselves in Maeve, Paige, Jade, or just about any character in this book is wonderful.
The usage of the fandom was excellent in showcasing the wide diversity of people there are. Not just in the fandom, but in the world. With an ace-questioning main character, and several other side characters or mentions of other identities.
I adored this book, and look forward to rereading it again one day!
I was enticed to read this story from the weaving theme of the furry fandom, as someone who's in the fandom- I wondered how it would mingle into the story and force behind the book. And upon reading, the answer was exactly what the fandom is all about. Love, acceptance, and understanding.
This book is a love letter to people who find comfort in any hobby, any community- Not just furry. Maeve's struggles and journey through the book was so relatable, even if you're not in the exact same situation she is. As the book says, everyone has something going on. The fact that younger audiences- especially ones who just so happen to be furries-Can find this book and see themselves in Maeve, Paige, Jade, or just about any character in this book is wonderful.
The usage of the fandom was excellent in showcasing the wide diversity of people there are. Not just in the fandom, but in the world. With an ace-questioning main character, and several other side characters or mentions of other identities.
I adored this book, and look forward to rereading it again one day!
May 15, 2025
If only this book was around when I was younger…Reading this made me realize how little I see books that accurately portray complex mother-daughter relationships. Seeing Maeve struggle with breaking away from her mom while feeling guilty for feeling true happiness hits uncomfortably close to home. Similar to the movie Brave, some mothers and daughters go through this growing apart period that requires both parties to learn how to live alongside one another. This book beautifully explains this and paints a realistic picture. There’s no perfect ending but one filled with hope.
Seeing the furry community in a welcoming, positive light is a wonderful sight! We need more books that shine a light on niche communities. More diversity means that someone sees their story being told. And it helps them heal in ways they didn’t know were possible. You won’t regret reading this book! Take a chance and approach it with an open heart and mind.
Seeing the furry community in a welcoming, positive light is a wonderful sight! We need more books that shine a light on niche communities. More diversity means that someone sees their story being told. And it helps them heal in ways they didn’t know were possible. You won’t regret reading this book! Take a chance and approach it with an open heart and mind.
January 31, 2023
Jessica Kara did a great job capturing Maeve and the furry community at large with this book. The furry elements are of course what gets talked about the most when discussing this book, but the relationship between Maeve and her mother is what kept me gripped to each page. Even more than the teenage impulse to become your own person, I feel like everyone has that one family member that they love but have to deal with a negative aspect that directly hurts them in some way. Hoarding impulses is something I've had to deal with in my own family (and that's not a joke about being a dragon weirdly enough) so this story hit me much harder when discussing all of Maeve's mom's self-destructive tendencies. I had a lot of moments where I had to stop reading and just steep in the scene and I think if a book can do that for me, it's a winner.
July 8, 2025
Part of my 2025 PopSugar Reading Challenge: A book about chosen family
Page 164-165 has a passage specifically referencing chosen family
I definitely wanted to read this one for ages because of my friends in the furry community. I was hoping to get a better insight into something they love so much. Check that one off, but I also received a fabulously wholesome story about someone just there to vibe with their community, stretch their wings on their own for the first time and escape the bonds of family with hoarding issues. It was lovely to watch Maeve grow as a person and yet relatable as she struggles with the anxiety of so many new things at once. Watching her meet (in real life) her people in real life and discover new aspects of people was just so good. There were so many great characters and it's just so overall wholesome, feel good while tackling some big stuff.
Anyone who has any interest in learning more about the furry community, those who ever lived and loved the chaotic convention ride, or a MC who has close family with hoarding disorder, this one will check any or all of those boxes.
Page 164-165 has a passage specifically referencing chosen family
I definitely wanted to read this one for ages because of my friends in the furry community. I was hoping to get a better insight into something they love so much. Check that one off, but I also received a fabulously wholesome story about someone just there to vibe with their community, stretch their wings on their own for the first time and escape the bonds of family with hoarding issues. It was lovely to watch Maeve grow as a person and yet relatable as she struggles with the anxiety of so many new things at once. Watching her meet (in real life) her people in real life and discover new aspects of people was just so good. There were so many great characters and it's just so overall wholesome, feel good while tackling some big stuff.
Anyone who has any interest in learning more about the furry community, those who ever lived and loved the chaotic convention ride, or a MC who has close family with hoarding disorder, this one will check any or all of those boxes.
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