Book: Oh No! There’s a Dragon in My Bookshop! by Ember Holt
Reviewed by Weird | weird.reads.books
Rating: 4.5/5
This is definitely my favorite book of the Getting Cozy with Demons series! Ember Holt delivers the perfect, sweet blend of cozy and spicy.
Our FMC, Cait, felt incredibly relatable. After being overlooked for a much-deserved promotion in favor of her work frenemy, she makes the bold move to quit, cash out her shares, and open her own bookshop in a small Wisconsin town. As a plus-sized woman who deals with PMDD and PMOS (formerly PCOS), Cait’s struggles felt profoundly authentic. Holt beautifully portrays the vulnerability and the sudden, overwhelming mental shifts that come with these conditions. Having been in those exact shoes myself, seeing Cait's frustrations and self-doubt on the page was incredibly validating. It made me feel less alone, and her finding her strength was truly touching.
And then there is our dragon MMC, Bastian. I loved him so much. He is exactly who Cait needs in her corner, constantly lifting her up and reminding her of her worth. He’s a classic grumpy book dragon who prefers his hoard to human company and resents anyone messing with the shop he lives in and Cait now owns. Watching him come out of his shell, show his own vulnerability, and reveal his massive heart was beautiful. Their relationship is a heartwarming slow-burn featuring reluctant forced proximity and a friends-to-lovers arc. And the buildup to the spice scenes is well worth the wait!
Holt always excels at creating stellar side characters. Cait’s growing friendship with Renee and her husband Andrew brought all the best found-family vibes. We also have Oscar, Cait’s cat, who rounds out the group with hilarious, relatable behaviors that every cat owner will immediately recognize and appreciate.
With its perfect mix of cozy comfort and spice, this is an absolute top recommendation. Holt masterfully balances the weight of real, serious personal topics while cheekily reminding us that we are, at the end of the day, reading monster smut. And the monster smut absolutely delivers on the feel-good vibes.
Thank you to Ember Holt for the eARC. All opinions are my own.