As a chicken and duck owner, I was immediately intrigued by this book! It was adorable! It felt rushed in some parts, but overall it was enjoyable! I loved the characters, especially William! I would have liked to have more information on when George started falling for Mads. What was the catalyst for his attraction? Was it before or after her accident?

On a different note, I now want to show my birds.

In Kasey Morris's humorous and heartwarming novel, Love & Chickens, Madeline Bennett, a passionate and skilled chicken shower, embarks on a journey of resilience, second chances, and unexpected love amidst the setbacks and rivalries of the competitive poultry circuit. Three years after a devastating accident shattered her dreams and decimated her prize-winning flock, Madeline returns to the show circuit with a renewed determination to rebuild her life and reputation. However, fate has a quirky sense of humor as she finds herself face-to-face with George Cooper, the arrogant English poultry judge who had once unjustly disqualified her prized rooster. Despite their initial animosity, an undeniable attraction begins to simmer between them, further complicating their already tumultuous relationship. As the investigation into a corrupt poultry judge unfolds, Madeline and George are forced to set aside their differences and work together. Along the way, they discover hidden depths within each other, challenging their preconceived notions and finding common ground in their shared passion for chickens. Through laughter, tears, and a shared love for poultry, Madeline and George learn to navigate the ups and downs of life, embrace second chances, and find healing and happiness in the unlikeliest of places. Love & Chickens is a delightful and heartwarming tale that celebrates the power of forgiveness, resilience, and the unexpected paths that love can take.

Ms Morris is clearly an interested person, that thinks beyond her role as a writer.

Her ability to help us readers navigate a life woven in the intricacies of the poultry community is clearly grounded in her passions - her passion is expressed in other forms too such as passionate hate and passionate loyalty which may be more familiar to us non-chicken-people who do not know this world quite like she does.

I read through this book very fast, finishing chapters in every night, and even sneaking in a few at work. All round pleasant read, consistent, flowing and cohesive.

3.5⭐

I had the opportunity to read this ARC thanks to Netgalley and publishers!

I thought the story was adorable! I'm not a huge Romance reader but I wanted to just read something light and this book hit the spot! The perfect amount of love, hate, chickens, and comedy! I did find Mads a bit annoying at times finding her hate for George kind of unjust! The book was very well paced along with the over story. Overall I super Rom-Com that took me 2 days to read that I would definitely recommend to someone who like me was just looking for a small mind break in-between fantasy novels!

I will definitely be keeping my eye out for more of Kasey Morris' work!

📖: Love & Chickens
✍️: Kasey Morris
⭐️: 5 of 5

Troupes & Themes:
- Enemies To Lovers
- Disability Rep
- Found Family

Trigger/Content Warnings:
- Language
- Brief mention of domestic abuse, overdosing, and self-harm (Non descriptive)
- Sexual Content (1 scene, non explicit)

My Thoughts:

You had me at chickens! 🐓 As a farm girl who loves her chickens and dabbled into some silkie breeding for a while, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this! This was done so well! Even in the first chapter, you could just tell that the author is a fellow country/farm girl and just gets it. It was so refreshing to read a fictional story about one of your passions, and it felt real. Yeah, some authors can write a scene well after lots of research, but you can't write about the satisfaction of level pine shavings and the aroma of a fresh coop without having lived that out. I loved the witty banter between Madeline and Patricia. I laughed out loud multiple times during their conversations. Their friendship was top teir for me. I could have done without the many f-bombs, but I was enthralled from the beginning nonetheless and ate this up, every last morsel. I hope to see more farm girl romances from this author in the future.
Thank you to the author Kasey Morris and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful advanced copy!

Love & Chickens 🐔
By Kasey Morris
Release Date: February 27, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

How can anyone pass up a book with a cute cover? I took one look and said I want to read it. Had no idea what the book was about. I’m so glad I gave it a go.

I loved the chemistry between the FMC and MMC. I was rooting for them from the beginning. Also loved side characters, especially the animals, Elsie and Sir Lancelot. The story captivated me and kept my interest throughout.

If you are looking for a light read, enemies to lovers, drama sub-plot, and funny romcom, then definitely give this book a read. I simply adored it!

Thanks to author Kasey Morris and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to ARC read in exchange for my honest review.

A promising debut! The author lets her love of the topic (fancy poultry) shine through, which is charming, and the disability representation is welcome and treated with sensitivity and respect. The characters would have benefitted from some more development, as the romance seemed to sprout sort of out of nowhere, and the plot was a bit rushed, but for a shorter novel a lot was packed in. A fun P&P-inspired romp that will ruffle some feathers. Thank you NetGalley and Kasey Morris for the ARC!

Love & Chickens
By Kasey Morris

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars

I’m going to be completely honest with y’all, I seen this cover and just HAD to read it. I mean could it be any Cuter!?! I literally commented on Kasey’s post saying I’d love to read and review for her. I did all of that without ever reading the Blurb, I don’t even think she knew that. lol Yes! I am a total cover snob. BUT.. I absolutely LOVED this book.

This was a Rom-Com mystery of sorts, and I was 100% here for it. I was giggling at the witty dialogue and swooning over the MCs George and Madeline. Even cackling at Patricia, the MC Madeline’s best friend. Everyone needs a Patricia in their life. George and Madeline were textbook enemies to lovers and I was rooting for them the entire time. Each and every character in this book played a perfect part to weave this story together.

The chickens and geese and well the chickens added so much to the book. They were the glue that held everything together. I love chickens and livestock judging so this just added to the fun for me.

The author Kasey Morris also used the CUTEST chapter breaks, chicken footprints! It was the cutest thing, I love it when an author throws in a little something special. Even the chapter numbers had a chicken behind it, very subtle but it’s there.

It’s quite a good debut book. A love story involving poultry pageants is a rather unusual book topic, yet it worked quite well. The way the author describes the shows world is quite captivating and well written, there is a visible level of knowledge about it. That, and nice descriptions of the birds, makes the book easy, but also fun to read.

Unfortunately the characters are a bit cliche, there is not much depth and development. We don’t really know why George likes Mads. There is also a bit of inconsistency with the writing, for example the indecisiveness by the author about if Madeline calls her nemesis by his name, full name or name including expletive (the beginning of the book gives her inky use his name, then in the middle of it we are told she never mentions his by his name only, it’s always the full thing). Maybe some editing would help.

Overall I think it’s a strong debut, perhaps a better focus on characters’ development would improve the experience.

"Some men like to send a dozen roses. I prefer a dozen chickens!" Love & Chickens

Thank you so much NetGalley and Kasey Morris for the chance to read this ARC!

The title and cover grabbed my attention first but the words and pages didn't take long to suck me in! I loved the unique plot and setting of this Love & Chickens . I loved following the drama inside and outside of the bird show in this adorable rom-com!

I feel like the characters could have used a tad more development and a few of the transitions were a bit choppy. However, over all I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it! 3.5 ⭐️

NetGalley ARC -
I was instantly drawn to the book by the description, especially all things pride and prejudice. The chicken show background was a surprise and I enjoyed it. The book dragged me in quickly and i could not put down. Some of the story and the plot felt too rushed or not fleshed out enough. I loved side characters Patricia and Sarah. Overall enjoyable and different!

Thank you so much Kasey for this gifted arc.
I absolutely adored this story. I loved the chickens. I love the banter. I loved the storyline and the little mystery aspect. The romance was on point. I felt like this was a very well rounded and well written book. I will definitely be recommending it to all my chicken friends. (and non chicken friends who love romance and a good competition!)

I am SO HONORED that Kasey Morris reached out to me on Insta to ask if I would read her debut ARC. And I was TICKLED PINK (PUN INTENDED) to read this lil rom com!!

It’s giving the STEMinist novels but with CHICKENS!!! A tidbit of Maddy lore is that my last job involved taking care of wild birds for educational purposes, so as a result I am an enormous bird nerd. Plus Kasey owns a snake (like I do as well) so I know she’s great.

I ✨literally✨ don’t know anything about poultry though - that did not hinder my experience with this book, and in fact TAUGHT me a lot 🐓

Kasey gave us DISABILITY representation. She gave us FOUND FAMILY. She served up RIVALS TO LOVERS. The vibes were immaculate here.

Do a debut author a favor and preorder this book!! You will chuckle and you will be HAPPY ABOUT IT 🫵

Thank you to Kasey Morris and NetGalley for an ARC and eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I picked this up purely based on the fact it was about show chickens. I know right!!!!

LOVE AND CHICKENS was such an adorable read. I'd picked up something heavy previously, and really needed a light, fluffy (ha!) read to make me feel in a good mood again. LOVE AND CHICKENS certainly did that! I thoroughly enjoyed the disability rep (Madeline uses a cane), and checking out some other reviews, it seems to have been done really well.

If you're looking for a clucking good time of a book, don't pass up on this one just because of the cover (it's a little...black and pink? for my liking). It's a fantastic read!

Omg, why am I crying about chickens? I’ve never cried about chickens in my life. What is this witchcraft?? (She said endearingly) Seriously though, Love & Chickens is an absolute delight, albeit an emotional one. I was welcomed into a world I didn’t even know existed, and Kasey Morris has so carefully put her heart and passion throughout every page.

I truly loved this book, and the characters in it. Especially Sir Lancelot, the ruthless goose, who ferociously bit a judge. You are my spirit animal.

Oh and did I mention? THERE IS CHICKEN ESPIONAGE. I REPEAT: CHICKEN ESPIONAGE

you had me a Love and Chickens. That was it for me. It was a good book and really enjoyed it all and rooted for this couple to make it. Love it all. read it today you will not be disappointed.

Overall rating: 3.5 stars

This was a fun, cute read! As a chicken & duck owner, it’s always fun to see them appreciated by others. If you don’t have birds, you may be surprised just how much personality they have! So diving into the world of poultry shows with romance & a dose of mystery made for a cozy book.

I do wish there had been more on page interactions between the two main characters, there were times that seeing more of their conversations & history would have made their feelings towards each other, good or otherwise, feel more authentic to the reader.

I would recommend this book for anyone interested in a relatively lighthearted & quick read, with romance, cute friendship, and of course, chickens!

I really really liked this book! I don't care about chickens and poultry at all but found myself strangely invested in this story!

I came for the disability rep (the FMC uses cane) and stayed for the chicken drama. Who knew chickens and geese had such personality and the poulty showbizz was so nervewrecking!

I was absolutely rooting for Madeline and her prized chicken Elsie. I wanted them to win. Same goes for Patricia and her goose Sir Lancelot (or "Patrice and her geese" as I call them in my head). I also loved the friendship between Patricia and Madeline and the chaotic happy energy Patricia brought to the story. I would like to see more of her in a future book!

As I said, Madeline uses a cane. She had been in a car accident. She can still walk but when she is tired or has to walk longer distances she uses a cane. And I absolutely loved the rep! She is pretty confident with the cane but also knows people sometimes treat her differently because of her aid. Or underestimate her. Think she isn't as capable or smart just because she uses a mobility aid. And as sad as that is, it is the reality for many people. And I was glad to see it reflected in the story! Her disability is not a plotpoint nor the centre of the story. It is just a part of her and another dimension in how she navigates and views the world! We love to see it!

The romance was very cute. A real enemies-to-lovers á la Pride & Prejudice. Instead of Darcy insulting one of Jane's sisters, George (the MMC) insulted one of her chickens and she is MAD about it! Thoughout the whole story are Pride & Prejudice hints. Either in names, behavioural things or storylines. And I loved it. Pride & Prejudice (2005) is one of my favourite films so this was a real treat!
It is an open door story but the spice is very mild and more leaning toward the sweet side. So perfect for closed door readers wanting to dip their toes into the open door side of romance!

The first half of the story is pretty low stakes. But the second half had more tension & drama. A new character is introduced and he is a walking read flag. I cannot stand him!! I loved the conflict it brought to the story. It kept things interesting and me invested. I was in full detective mode trying to figure out what was going on.
This character also made very ableist comments and ugh I really want to smack him in the face for his comments and behaviour towards Madeline!
(I would have liked Madeline to stand up to the ableist behaviour of Mr Walking Red Flag. But in the context of the story it made sense she didn't say anything. She was too stunned to speak. But it would have been nice to see her talk to Patricia about it later and for them to talk about how wrong that comment was.)

So if you want a super fun story with Pride & Prejudice hints, and amazing disability rep. I highly recommend this book!

Ps. One time HP is mentioned. Madeline wanted to see some film locations. But she ended up not seeing them because of other commitments. So the whole mention could be skipped honestly. It is 2024, there is really no excuse for mentioning HP in books. #TransLivesMatter

this was such a cute, light, and fluffy rom com. it was different from the romance books i typically read, and i don't know much about chicken shows, but i loved it so much!! i'm so thankful to have received an arc copy

I DNFed this book at 68% as it was not holding my interest. I requested the arc and was intrigued by the description (Chicken People meets Best in Show!) as it was a unique concept that I hadn’t read before. Once the plot turned in the direction of espionage on the internal workings of the chicken judge association, I lost interest. There wasn’t enough spark between the two main characters to encourage me to keep going. I might have preferred this more if I knew it was general fiction and not had the idea it was a romance novel.