● Book Review ●
Name: A Love Catastrophe
Author: Helena Hunting
Genre: Romance
Rating: 3.25 🌟
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● Thoughts ●
This book itself was a cute fast read romance book! However, the romance aspect in the book felt a bit forced and out of place to me. In addition to that aspect, some parts of the book were cringey but I was okay with it! I love cats but the story plot was kinda awkward and the chemistry between Kitty and Miles was a bit lacking. Both Kitty and Miles are great characters but the romance scenes felt a bit forced so it fell a bit flat to me 😭😭
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● Appreciation ●
Thank you to @readforeverpub and Helena Hunting and @netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for a honest review!!!
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● Tags ●
#helenahunting #bookreview #booktok #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booklover #romancebooks #romancebookrecommendation #romancebookreview #alovecatastrophe #foreverpub

3.5 stars

I usually love Helena Hunting, but this one just wasn't the "cat's meow" for me. Pun intended. The dialogue seemed too stiff and the story didn't pack much punch. It was still a fun read, and I'll continue to read her books.
Thanks Forever/Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the digital ARC in return for an honest review.

When I saw the blurb of a cat sitter meets hockey stat nerd, I was interested. I love all three: cats, hockey, and sports stats.
Unfortunately, this one just fell a bit flat for me. I felt like I was reading three books in one. One part an insta-lovey romance, one part a woman finding her own through grief and career setbacks, and one part a man struggling with his family situation. I was not aware nor prepared for the grief and dealing with aging parents, but please be aware that both are very prominent storylines.
As far as the writing, I am someone who loves a good pun, and this one had too many puns for me. I also felt like a lot of this book was telling versus showing. As well, the sex scenes were really cringe and felt more immature instead of sexy. I also took issue with some of the "cat tips and training" the author wrote about, as they were things that are considered harmful to cats and would be easily researched.
I will say, I did like that there was no third act break up, so if you're looking for something without that, this will fit that bill. I have heard that the author's Pucked series is completely different, so I am still considering starting that.

This is Paws-itively one of the worst books I’ve ever read.

I'm all for punny rom-com books, but this one was just too much. It tried to be a heavy book about grief and how to cope with an elderly parent with dementia while at the same time being a punny cat book about a girl named Kitty who is a Kitty Whisperer.

Did Kitty also have a best friend named Kat who loves cats and owns a Cat Cafe? I think you're getting my drift here with the fact that English not being my first language so many similar names become confusing.

This book also had like too many parts that were meant to be funny, but were cringe. Like for example, Kitty is gonna spray the cat with a water gun and Miles tackles her thinking it's a real gun. DO YOU REALLY THINK SHE WAS GONNA SHOOT A CAT SHE IS GONNA GET PAID TO FEED? oh no, then the next time they meet in person Miles is cleaning his mother's home and after months of being inside the house NOW he gets a really bad allergic reaction that he needs to go to the ER.

Just over dramatic, like then she has to stay at his house to make sure he is okay and doesn't have another allergic reaction. Did I mention that she touched the tip of his penis by accident trying to get the keys out of his pocket?

Can I share a quote I hated?

<I><b>Parker is a young, and very, very good on the ice. But he's also a Gen Z kid, and his entire life he's been. told he's amazing by his parents. It's like they showered him in fucking confetti every time he wiped his ass. he's always looking for praise, and constructive criticism needs to be layers carefully with a kid like him; otherwise, we can shoot his game to shit.</b></i>

Fuck the Gen Z hate, and I'm not Gen Z.

Honestly, felt forced and I did not like this book at all. Contains 2 Harry Potter references in the first 9% of this book. It just wasn't for me. (Make it 3 in total)

Honestly this book had some many other horrible quotes, like bingo button, private parts hugging and so on. The third sect was just awful, trauma bounding at its best. I’m giving you enough of a warning so you don’t read this.

I adore Helena Huntings writing style. I couldn’t put this one down. I love that the story takes place in and around Toronto because it’s a place familiar to me and I can picture certain aspects. This book has it all: laughs, awkward conversations, heartstrings being pulled, tears, concern and joy. My biggest challenge with this story is that I’m not a cat person. In fact, I’m very much allergic to cats so I couldn’t really relate to the obsession.

Not for me. When the cats got involved it just lost me. It was a cute read at first but I would’ve preferred more human interaction haha. I think this reflects more on me and not the storyline and book itself.

4.5 stars. What a cute read! It was a bit more cat focused than what I’d have wanted.. would’ve like to to be a bit more about the humans. Other than that, I liked it. Both characters really opened up and grew too. It was a likable, sweet and funny story. I loved the real subjects Helena wrote on too. I’d read it again!

I wanted to love this book so much, but sadly it just didn’t do it for me. The concept is so cute and it sounded like it would be such a good time. Don’t get me wrong, I definitely lol’d a few times while reading, but overall I ended up just kind of powering through it to reach the finish line. I think that if it would’ve been a bit shorter read I would have enjoyed it much much more than I did. The spice was right (besides the mention of a “bingo button” once 🥴🫣) BUT the never ending cat puns were just TOO much for me. Not to mention that both of the main characters were dealing with some pretty heavy family issues/illnesses throughout the entire book. I’m thinking that maybe this just isn’t my style of romance book and that’s ok 🤷🏽‍♀️ I definitely want to give other books by Helena a try because this one had so much potential to be a five star read for me.

Another great rom com from Helena Hunting. I just love her writing and style. Hunting's writing is delightful and funny, with a perfect balance of humor and heart. Overall, "A Love Catastrophe" is a charming and entertaining read that is sure to delight fans of romantic comedies. It's a perfect escape from reality, filled with humor, heart, and just the right amount of steamy romance. If you're looking for a feel-good read that will leave you smiling, this is the book for you.

This one is a wee bit different than the authors usual work. It has the humor, and this one has a lot of, shall we call it, physical comedy. A comedy of errors. But... it is also a little more emotional. Not from the romantic relationship, but from their own personal life events. Lots of guilt and regret. I found myself getting a little teary eyed on several occasions while reading. It's not a heavy read, but both the Hero and Heroine had both lost a family member suddenly while they were young, and it still affects them and the rest of the family today (one side not wanting to move on and the other unable to.) Much of the book is about dealing with those losses and helping each other move forward. Once the two actually started to get along (they had a rough start,) there wasn't all the wishy washy with their feelings. No broken hearts were had. (At least in regards to their relationship,) thus no grand gesture to win the other back.. though, Miles (the Hero) did do some grand scheming to help the Heroine out of a 'funk.' Both characters are likeable. He comes off a little rough around the edges, but really he was just overwhelmed with everything that was going on in his life at the time. He has a tendency to put his foot in his mouth when it comes to Kitty (the Heroine.) Kitty is somewhat introverted, but has a calming presence about her. Her love for cats and her ability to know just what to do when it comes to the animals has made her leave an imprint on most everyone she comes across. The book/story is easy to read. It alternates between POVs. There is some sexual content, but a lot, but not all, of it was just kinda fade to black. There is however, plenty of talk about the cat licking his balls! lol I must say, just from reading this book, I could feel all the cat/dog hair on me. :D

*I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley.

I loved this adorably funny story about a professional cat whisperer, a hockey numbers guy, a sassy hairless cat, and families.

Miles meets Kitty the cat whisperer when he needs help with his Mom’s cat. Their first moments together are hilariously embarrassing. Yet, the need for help with the cat keeps bringing them together.

You will love this story if you like animals, awk-weirdness, laugh out loud times, tender moments with families trying to move past loss, get togethers with the hockey team and finding the right person.

#romcom
#catwhisperer
#animallove
#takingcareofmom
#HEA

If you *really* like cats, this book is for you. I don't think I was the target audience...

I could not get past the cat references. The underlying romance felt off, and the relationship didn't have any tension. If you're looking for a sweet romance and love cats, this book is for you.


Arc provided by publisher for an honest review.

Initial Thoughts
This was fun! This is the first time that I have had the chance to read this author's work and I must say that I am impressed. Kitty and Miles were great characters. I loved the chemistry that they shared and thought that they really had a lot of things in common. The fact that the story was packed with feline (and some canine) hijinx only added to the charm of the story. I will definitely be recommending this one!

ARC provided by the publisher. Full review to be posted.

Received a copy for review.
The blurb was so cute. However, aside from the initial conversation, the book was just not funny.
Miles is a condescending dick who completely disregards Kitty’s job. He’s so dismissive of her.
There was no chemistry between these two and the progression of several of the plot lines was uneven.

Helena Hunting always delivers! This is such a cute rom com with just enough serious moments. A cat lover and a numbers guy have a disaster of a meet cute but bond over similar losses of loved ones. Fantastic side characters of family, friends, and coworkers round out the story. Expect lots of cat cuteness from cover to cover with this adorably sweet romance.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Miles Thorn needs a cat sister fast! His mom is in the hospital, he’s leaving town for a few days, and he has no one to watch his mother’s misbehaving sphinx, Prince Francis. Then he discovers Kitty Hart, The Kitty Whisperer, cat caretaker and small time social media sensation. Miles & Kitty have a disastrous first meeting with Kitty’s embarrassing clumsiness and Miles’ dismissive attitude towards cats leaving them both out of sorts. When Miles’ mom’s dementia diagnosis forces them to spend more time together caring for Prince Francis, they start to realize how much they have in common. Can the kitty whisperer and the dog daddy end up making a love match?

Wrap me in a sweater and place me in front of a toasty fire, because this book sure served up the warm fuzzies. What a soft, sweet romance. Hunting has written such real, relatable characters. The two main characters were so compatible. Both a little awkward, both dealing with guilt after losing a loved one, both loyal and devoted. Miles and Kitty got off on the wrong foot, but ended up being perfect for each other. Each of them is so supportive and helpful to the other. A cute premise, low angst, and wonderfully cozy. A really great read.

Love Catastrophe has all of the signature Helena Hunting humor, quirky characters, romance and steam.. All of the components that made her quickly one of my favorite authors from the first book from her that I read. I absolutely loved Miles and Kitty. She’s the cat whisperer and he’s a hockey nerd who’s not exactly a fan of cats. Their banter in the early chapters kept me laughing and wanting for more! Kitty's and Miles’s relationship unfolds in a slow build from two people who don’t quite like each other and are constantly arguing to friends to lovers. As always, Helena wrote two very engaging characters.. Each having situations in their personal life that I could easily relate to and feel connected to them. Bonus points if you’re an animal lover because the pets in this book are just as much characters in the story as are Kitty and Miles. They seamlessly add to the fun and humor in the story. A Love Catastrophe was a fantastic read that I couldn’t put down and I definitely didn’t want it to end!

** ARC received in exchange for an honest review**

I expected this book to be hokey and cutesy–and it delivered on those fronts. However, I felt that at every turn the plot seemed to veer off from anything interesting. Unfortunately it didn't hook me but if you're in the mood for a story where everyone is generally okay throughout the entire plot, then this one is for you! I did really like the additions of assisted living, but as someone who has dealt with that directly it felt very idealized and off-putting.

I think this book was cute - it definitely fit a "low stakes, wholesome" romance mold, which sometimes, I don't realize I need. I liked the premise, as a cat owner and lover myself, and I think that if you want something that doesn't involve a lot of stakes, then yes, this book is perfect. And I think that's where it fell a little flat for me. Maybe it's because I always expect a third act breakup, and don't read enough books that don't, but to counter, I did like that Miles stuck through it with Kitty while battling his own struggles. I read it fairly quickly and it did warm me up during the time that I had read it.

This wasn't my favorite Helena Hunting, but there's still a lot to love here. I think readers will enjoy the quirkiness of this novel and the different Shenanigans they go through as they fall in love. Definitely if you have a cat you may relate more. Some of these sex scenes were a little awkward which drew me out of the story.