Escaping the Friendzone: Monsters of Moonvale Author Emily Antoinette
Book Review
5 out of 5 stars!
"I’m about to be locked in a room for an hour, alone, with the hottest, most unattainable person I’ve ever met." - Ariana
Stressed out by the ins and outs of life along with the not so fun side of running her own business Ariana really needs a night out. Even if guilt and doubt eat at her about taking time away. I night out with her brother and some of their friends but due to call outs and cancellations Ari is stuck with Wesley for an hour. Wesley the very hot, totally off limits and not crushing on, minotaur who just so happens to be her brother's best friend. . .
A night with tight quarters, frustrating puzzles, legging mishap, and tension galore turns into verbal confessions. But will the put-together Wesley want to be with Ari who's a total stressed-out mess at the moment? Is what happens in the escape room going to stay in the escape room? Will Doug be feasting on steak for a while after he finds out what happens between his best friend and younger sister?!
“Careful, baby girl,” he rumbles, trailing off in a low chuckle. Baby girl? Is he trying to torture me? - Ariana
So, you know how you pick up a book because it looks like a fun, light, whatever read? Yeah, this book had me crying multiple times because of things said, situations, and the MCs. Wesley is very much a new, special, book boyfriend that has a place in my heart! This read had me feeling so many emotions, I just can't!
Let's be honest, everyone wants to work from home. The problem is, we forget or don't understand just how much goes into working from home. Especially, if you're your own boss and the business is your child. Ariana's struggling to stay above water. Admin work and having to work with vendors to have products to ship out is more than overwhelming and exhausting! Ari has no time for a social life and hates having to bail out and don't even mention the words "love life".
Wesley sees Ari's struggles and how things are affecting her. He's been in love with her since the first time he saw her. But the "bro-code" has prevented him from doing anything about it. He also doesn't want to come off as a creep. There's just something about the very curvy, sassy, and bratty woman that has him wanting to be around her all the time. He wants to help Ari and be her rock along with a power dynamic that he knows would work with her if she would only ask.
"If I were your daddy. God, why does that sound so good? I don’t need a man to take care of me. I can do it on my own…but fuck, it would be so nice to let him help me. To know that someone else has things under control." -Ari
I loved the banter between the two MCs and having dual POVs helped to give insights on how they really felt. Ari's used to being the caregiver and the "responsible" one. Being there for everyone else but ultimately forgetting about herself or that it's okay to ask for help. I could relate to her so much in many ways and I was tearing up with some--all of Welsey's words toward Ari. Good/happy tears! Just the dynamic between them throughout the entire book was perfect!
Check CWs. There's language spread throughout. Moments of past remembrance of "men" body shaming the FMC because of her plus size. (Wesley LOVES Ari's body!) Anxiety, moments of being overwhelmed, doubt talking the FMC into things and playing out fake scenarios in her heard. Doubt and that little toxic voice criticizing everything.
"You’re brilliant, Ari. So, when I say I want to spoil you, it’s because I want to help you shine even brighter.” - Wesley
This line right her sums it all up! Wesley wants to be Ari's Daddy Dom, her being the Bratty Sub. The dynamic was already there to begin with, but Welsey wishes to take it to another level. (No weird age play.) I really respected and applauded how the dynamic was written. Welsey understanding that Ari doesn't need him and can do things perfectly fine on her own. Ari stating if it was anyone else, she would likely slap them but with Wes it's different. He wants to have control, and she wants to be able to give it up, but only with Wes.
There were very intimate and personal scenes along with spicy, "I need a moment" scenes. MF action, one of the major things the two have to deal with is size difference. Refreshing to have an FMC in a monster romance novel who wants the monster "eggplant" but also doesn't want to end up in the emergency room. Wes also understanding their differences and doesn't want to hurt Ari. Wes is pierced! We have Daddy Dom/Bratty Sub, praise, aftercare, COMFORT, and so much more. Love that the MCs are older, Ari's thirty and Wes is forty-one! HEA for main couple!
I definitely found a new favorite author and I'm going to go back to read the other Moonvale books! This book is set within the Moonvale verse but can be read as a standalone. You will just have cameos of the previous MCs within this read. Makes me just want to read their stories! I'm also going to pack my bags and go to Moonvale because I have a wolf to catch! Absolutely loved Doug!
Enjoy the emotional ride, with spice, a new minotaur book bf, and so much more! Don't forget to give the author some stars!
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