First, thanks to Independent Publishers Group | Amberjack Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this. book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I came into this book with really high hopes, but I ended up a bit disappointed!

But let's start with the positives:
I love books with representation, and this book had plenty, especially on the spectrums of race and disability.
As a woman computer scientist, I love books with FMCs in STEM!
The book was a quick and cozy read, and perfect for a cold autumn weekend!
The book title is extremely interesting (and on point), and the cover art is very pretty!

However, I found the flow of the book to be a bit stilted. I felt that maybe some information was held back with the intent of creating intrigue, like Zeta's medical history and her original name, but it left me wondering if I was missing something (the medical history thing gets revealed a few chapters in, the original name felt like it could be a plot point, but it was never persued or resolved).
The switches in POV between Zeta and Ash were often confusing and had me reread paragraphs to figure out what was happening.
The characters didn't feel mature given their ages and their respective work positions.
I also didn't like the way that Zeta in particular treated Ash - it felt like he couldn't win whether he was showing her affection or giving her space.
But I also couldn't figure out how Ash's gentle character mixed up with his grumpy, tough boss persona and his dominant bed partner attitude. I'm not saying that these characteristics don't exist together, but they didn't feel that they belonged to the same person on page.

At the end of the day, I wouldn't dissuade anyone from reading this book. It's fun, cute, and quick. Just set your expectations so you don't leave disappointed!

TLDR: it’s cutie but the characters don’t really go anywhere. There is a classic miscom and it was fine in general.
Slight spoilers ahead.
Zeta is out and about with her friends when she bumps into Ash. They have a one night stand and oopsie daisy… she’s pregnant. And she has no way of contacting the baby daddy. She starts doing stay at home independent contractor coding work for a large business. Her boss is extremely strict and grumpy. She doesn’t like him, and decides she’ll have a meeting with him in person.
Ash is the head of a large business and he’s got a meeting on schedule, whoever could it be!? After a hospilazation and a realization that the baby is his, they start an almost relationship. It’s rocky and complicated but they both have feelings for eachother and what to see if it’ll work, not just because they have a baby on the way.

What I liked about this book was its flow. It was pretty easy to read. It was a little cozy and cute.
I didn’t like some of the loose ends or the way some things were tied. For example, they don’t talk about ash being a grumpy boss really. There is no resolution to that issue. Also zeta says she changed her name and makes an illusion to telling him her original name and then never does. Both characters are pretty flat but likable enough. They don’t really grow or change in my opinion. One thing that bothers me is that Ash has to talk to his dad about what he really wants to do the whole book and it doesn’t happen until the very end and it’s so cut and dry and done with there is not really any satisfaction in it.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was absolutely adorable, and I loved it! Zeta and Ash had amazing chemistry that totally gave me butterflies, especially seeing how Ash felt about her and the way he talked about her. They were wonderful together, but they let fear hold them back from confessing their feelings. It was so satisfying when they finally overcame that fear.

This was a really good surprise pregnancy moment. Each character was super layered and I loved the chemistry between them. I adored how they interacted and their softness towards each other had me melting from the start. The pacing got a bit off around 75%, it felt like things were rushed and I wished that we got to see a lot of the "confrontations" be flushed out some more. The epilogue was adorable and I just loved these two together, I think they balanced each other out so well I couldn't get enough!!!

*3.5

I enjoyed this but it just needed a little bit more work. They are both in their thirties but don't seem to actually talk about any of their issues which is annoying. Also who cares if he hasn't told his parents about you, you don't even want to say that you're his girlfriend. They were cute together, when they actually spent time together. Lastly, who names a kid epsilon with a nickname of epi?

I received an arc through netgalley.

A cute read that give out som shyness. The writing would need a round of editing to make it smoother. Enjoyable! Thank you to the author, the publisher and to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for my honest review.

This was quite a gentle read. The writing was a little clunky in parts, but overall I found it quite readable and the characters were likable. Their chemistry was good, especially in the beginning, and I thought the sex scenes were sensual and well-written.

However, I thought the pacing was off, the beginning was quite strong but then it went a bit slow and it felt like there was a lot of filler to me. I didn’t really get what was keeping the characters from entering an actual relationship as it was so clear they cared about each other. Then the ending was incredibly blunt and wasn’t very satisfying to me.

Overall though this was quite a gentle and easy read, and I think if you like the tropes this is worth checking out. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book.

Content Notes: Heart attack (MMC’s father, off-page), hospital scenes, head injury (both in past and on page), blood, chronic illness, references to abortion, difficult relationship with parent, death of a parent (in past), on-page sex, unprotected sex, pregnancy.

Cute. cute, cute!!!
UGH i want a relationship like this!! I loved how infatuated Ash was with Zeta from the very beginning. Their chemistry was a delight to read!!
I love second-chance romances
I really enjoyed the plot, especially the depth of Zeta and Ash as characters. It was great to see their quirks and flaws come through. Ash was my favorite—his dedication to Zeta was portrayed so well. I also appreciated that Zeta’s struggles and character development were given focus beyond just her relationship with Ash. However, there were moments when the timeline or writing jumped around in ways that felt a bit unclear.
Overall, super enjoyable with so many cute moments!

Okay, this was so overly cute. I want a man to take care of me like this sooooo much. Obsessed with these two.

The surprise pregnancy in this. I loved how when he found out about the baby he wanted to make it so much easier for her and to be there for her. I mean it, this was so great. This was overall one of the best books I've read this year.

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I felt like this was a let down for me. The writing wasn’t bad but the storytelling wasn’t there. I had high expectations from the way this was marketed.

Thank you so much NetGalley for letting me read this book. The cover Jeremy into this book, but once I started reading it, I quickly got disappointed. there were quite a few misspellings, which was a little distracting, and I feel like each scene ended to abruptly For my liking. overall, everything felt a little too choppy for me and the transitions from one scene next didn’t always make sense.

<i>Thank you to Amberjack Publishing for a chance to read an arc of this book! 🖤 </i>

<i>3⭐️</i> Cute but didn't love the conflict resolution. tropes: one night stand, pregnancy, office romance | medium steam | digital

<i> characters </i>
🩶 Zeta is a black programmer vasovagal syndrome. I loved how nerdy she was. She was also an overthinker which I definitely relate to.
🩶 Ash is the son of a CEO. He was so sweet throughout this book! His struggles between what he wants and what his parents want.

<i> favorite bits</i>
🖤 Zeta and Ash's relationship was so sweet and fluffy. Even the angstier bits when they were meeting again and talking it though, they both had a lot of care and chemistry between one another.
🖤 The one night stand pregnancy trope came oftentimes get frustrating but Zeta and Ash handled everything so well.
🖤 There also was a realism factor that I liked in this story. Zeta and Ash had a lot of real life issues they had to solve and think about and it was tough balancing both of their wants.

<i> issues </i>
❌ I found myself frustrated with Zeta a bit in this story because I couldn't figure out what she wanted from Ash. When Ash was being super attentive she didn't like that and it made her feel uncomfortable. But when Ash pulled back, she started doubting his character and became super anxious. I felt like he could never win and that felt unfair to me because I don't feel like Zeta's hot and cold behavior was ever really addressed. Her making Ash feel like she didn't even like him romantically was a big deal but it was brushed over at the end.

<i> final thoughts: </i>
I liked this book! It was cute, fluffy and angsty. I just feel as though not enough time was spent addressing Zeta's character development and issues, only Ash's.

Check out my socials <a href="https://linktr.ee/buffyreads here</a> for more reviews!

I really enjoyed this book. it wasn't too faced paced and the plot was well written. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this !

Cover is adorable and the premises sounded interesting. I did find Zeta a little immature/short term focused at times but overall her and Ash were cute together and it was interesting to see them navigating their way to being parents and more with each other. 2.75 🌟 stars rounded up.

Zeta Rodgers Needs to Relax is a dual POV surprise pregnancy romance. Zeta and Ash meet one night and spend the night together, but circumstances keep them apart and unable to contact one another for 4 months. During that time Zeta learns that she is pregnant and when she reconnects with Ash they have to decide how to proceed as essentially strangers AND a family all at once.

This one was cute! I felt like the ending was rushed, but the story was enjoyable. I liked that Zeta was determined to figure out who they were to each other outside of the pregnancy, and that Ash was willing to meet her on her terms.

Read dates: 09/28/2024 - 09/29/2024
Goodreads review: 09/29/2024
Instagram review: 09/30/2024
Blog review: 11/05/2024

Overall, I enjoyed! It wasn’t the most memorable book I’ve ever read, but it was fun! I think the romance was cute, and Ash was a really sweet boyfriend to Zeta, and didn’t run away from being a Dad, and was actually super excited to be having a baby.

My only issues were:
- pacing. It felt like they were dragging out their “dating” period of time even though they obviously liked each other, simply because they were scared of what other people would think. Which i know is realistic but is also kind of annoying to read?

- she calls him “puppy.” and not in a bdsm pet play way. in a completely unironic pet name way that is incredibly awkward and cringey (to me! others might not be bothered by this!) he also calls her “kitten” which is a little less weird bc she was wearing a cat shirt/outfit when they met so i can see where that comes from, but puppy was OUT OF THE BLUE.

- Zeta was so unwilling to accept help to the point that at times it seemed like she was pushing Ash out of her life and didn’t even want him helping with the baby when he was so clearly excited and down to do anything for her and the baby to be safe, even if she didn’t want to date him because he always told her she didn’t have to date him he just wanted to be in her life and the baby’s.

Like I said, not a bad book at all. A solid 3 star read for me with those above issues being the reason I knocked off two stars. I liked the writing and I thought the characters were cute and funny! It was nice to see anxiety rep in the MMC because normally we only see that in the FMC in contemporary romance!

2⭐️

First, thank you NetGalley and Independent Publishers Group for the ARC.

Zeta Rodgers Needs to Relax by Elanna Moon is a pretty fast-paced romance novel.

I was immediately drawn to this book due to its cute cover, but unfortunately, it didn't work for me.

I didn’t feel any particular attachment to the characters or their relationship in general. I was not a fan of the nicknames either.

Thank you to Netgalley for proiding me with an ARC of this story.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW

This was a really cute story. I loved how infatuated Ash was with Zeta from the very beginning. I thought that they were really good together too. He was attentive and a great listener and she was too. They both could sense when something was upsetting the other person and would always try to help make them feel comfortable again. It was a very nice dynamic. The epilogue confused the HELL out of me though. I think it should have said like 2 years later or something instead of just saying "Epilogue" because showing Zeta in the hospital with a baby and then saying that Epsilon (their daughter) was already walking and learning to talk made me feel like I'd missed something but nope! The epilogue was from two years later when they were having their second kid. Anyways, the last like fifty pages or so felt so rushed like the author was trying to finish the story really quickly all of a sudden. I don't even know who Scott is (the person who took over being CEO after Ash??) and we never got closure over Ash's family truly accepting Zeta. I didn't even get to see Ash meet any of Zeta's friends and Zeta never even got to meet Brandon who is Ash's best friend. Anyways, it was still really cute and I enjoyed reading it!

When I read the description of this book I just had to read it. However, I found this book hard to get into. Let start off by saying I like the plot a lot. I just didn’t care too much for either character. I couldn’t connect with either of them. This is a me thing and not an author thing. I might have read it at the wrong time or something. I do feel there a lot of people that will enjoy this book.

I love the secret baby thorp!

I’ll just say this one wasn’t for me. However, don’t let me stop you from reading your next great read

Elanna Moon’s Zeta Rodgers Needs to Relax offers readers a heartfelt, engaging romance that deftly balances emotion, humor, and real-life challenges. With a premise rooted in the complexities of disability, unexpected parenthood, and workplace tension, Moon crafts a refreshing and charming love story that’s both thought-provoking and lighthearted.

Zeta Rodgers, the novel’s protagonist, is immediately likable. A freelance programmer with a cozy, introverted life, Zeta manages her disability—an ultrasensitive vasovagal syncope response, which causes her to faint from stress—with a combination of humor and determination. The novel does a great job of portraying how Zeta navigates her condition, making her a compelling and relatable character. Her desire for control over her life is clear, and her vulnerability after meeting Ashford Cross, a high-powered, stressed-out businessman, creates an emotional depth that resonates throughout the novel.

The chemistry between Zeta and Ash is strong from their first meeting, which is cut short but remains pivotal to the rest of the story. Zeta’s unexpected pregnancy and her struggle to contact Ash injects tension into the narrative, but it’s the moment when she realizes that her difficult new boss is none other than Ash that truly ramps up the stakes. The forced proximity and workplace conflict add an enjoyable layer of complexity to their budding relationship, giving the novel both romantic and dramatic tension.

Ash is a well-drawn character, dealing with immense pressure from his father’s sudden health crisis and his unexpected inheritance of the family business. Moon effectively conveys his internal conflict: the tension between the caring man Zeta meets and the corporate leader who is increasingly consumed by stress. His gradual realization of what truly matters—Zeta, their baby, and a life beyond the corporate grind—is satisfying, even if it’s a bit predictable.

One of the strengths of Zeta Rodgers Needs to Relax is its portrayal of real-life struggles alongside the romance. Zeta’s disability is treated with care and nuance, and her determination to provide for her child despite her challenges is inspiring. Moon doesn’t shy away from the difficulties Zeta faces, but she also infuses the story with moments of humor and warmth, making it a joy to read.

The romance itself is well-paced, with plenty of tension as Zeta and Ash navigate their personal and professional lives. Their banter is witty, and the emotional stakes are high as they grapple with the fallout of their one-night stand and the impending arrival of their child. The novel’s emotional core lies in their gradual understanding of each other’s struggles and the realization that love, support, and compromise are necessary to build a future together.

However, the novel does have a few minor drawbacks. Some of the plot points—such as the unexpected pregnancy and workplace romance—are familiar tropes in the romance genre, and while they are handled well, they don’t necessarily break new ground. Additionally, Ash’s transformation from stressed corporate heir to caring partner feels a bit rushed toward the end, leaving readers wishing for a bit more exploration of his personal growth.

Final Thoughts:
Zeta Rodgers Needs to Relax is a delightful, emotionally rich romance that offers readers a blend of humor, heart, and real-life challenges. Elanna Moon creates a cast of relatable characters, particularly in Zeta, whose journey toward love and self-acceptance is both heartwarming and inspiring. While the novel leans on some familiar tropes, the nuanced portrayal of Zeta’s disability and the tender romance with Ash make it a standout read. A well-deserved 4-star rating for this thoughtful and enjoyable love story.