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.

This book js excellent! It’s the best surprise pregnancy story I’ve ever read!
Ash and Zeta are such amazing characters. Their chemistry was so awesome and I love how well written they are. They feel like real people who actually exist and not overly fictional. Ash is rich but he’s not your typical book multimillionaire. You can see him actually working and being extremely busy. Zeta is well adjusted and mature and I loved that. The story isn’t exciting but it’s a page turner nonetheless and I loved every minute of this book.
I’m rooting for the author and I can’t wait to see what else she has to offer to the romance book world.

It release September 5th, and if you’re into surprise pregnancy, opposites attract, he falls first/ boy obsessed and friends to lovers I highly recommend checking this out! This was so fun and such a quick read!

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I thought this had an interesting premise, and it delivered! While I thought some spots could use a but more work, it was an enjoyable read.

I should've known going into this that this book wasn't going to be for me. I couldn't help myself though as this cover is TOO CUTE. I'm obsess with this art and wanted to know everything about these two beautiful people and their world. I am not a fan of the pregnancy troupe, or really anything surrounding it so hello, that should've been enough to stop me. Between that and the main characters feeling, off? to me? I can't explain it they just didn't feel authentic. So this was sadly not a new fave. The cover still is tho!

I got this as an arc on Netgalley and it will come out in November. Yeah pretty solid, I enjoyed it immensely! Ash was a bit too intense for my liking but I like that the relationship was genuinely caring and the book didn't lean too heavily into the miscommunication trope.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC

This book had me invested and had so much potential. I love any sort of second chance romances - even if its sort of a meet again after a few months - and I'm a sucker for a golden retriever mmc however, I felt like there wasnt enough payoff here.
Ash was so vulnerable, and hesitant, and awkward in his personal life which was in conplete contrast to his working persona mostly I believe because he didnt care what his father thought of his personal life vs how his father was all over his professional life.
Zeta's attitude was very much, everything was a problem for future Zeta. While we kind of saw Ash's two worlds collide, we never saw future Zeta deal with anything she put off, except dishes and the whole not getting Plan B (I mean, I guess you can say the whole book was future Zeta dealing with something she put off but she never seemed to learn from it.)

I wanted to see less if Zeta's hot and cold towards Ash and more of her warming to him, less pushing him away.

There was a ton of detail to this book and you can tell the author got lost in the world she created. While I loved the descriptions of their homes and apartments becaus they helled flesh out the characters, I could have used less details to every outfit but overall it was a nice read.

Zeta Rodgers Needs to Relax is a romance with a surprise pregnancy, second chances, and disability representation.

Right away I really liked the cover! The only thing that threw me off a bit is that it does make Ash look like he is possibly a vampire or supernatural somehow. However, Pixie does jokingly say he is a vampire at one point so I thought that was funny.

I enjoyed the plot a lot. I thought Zeta and Ash were both interesting characters and liked that we got to see their quirks and flaws. Ash was my favourite character and I thought the author did such a great job with showing how dedicated he was to Zeta, while also giving her struggles and character development outside of his relationship. There were times were the timeline or writing skips around in a not clear way. I feel like this story is really good, but could have benefited from maybe a bit more editing or advanced reader feedback.

One little thing I absolutely loved was that it mentions that Zeta changed her name at one point. She points out that Ash never asked what it was before and he basically says he doesn’t need to know, since this is her name. I thought this was going to lead to her old name being brought up and revealed, but it didn’t. I really appreciated that!

Overall I did really enjoy the book and would absolutely read more from this author.

Thank you Independent Publishers Group for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own

Zeta may need to relax, but so does Ash! This is the love story of two people who are in their head a little two much. But the neurotic personality trait adds an element of quirkiness to the story. When the heroine and her beau finally figure it out, it’s beautiful bliss.

There is a small element of opposites attract, but I love how Ash is so accommodating and always thinking of Zeta.

Great read where you can get ensconced in the push and pull of attraction.

This was such a a cute and cozy read. It made a little lighter and giddy. I like the approach the author took to writing out their detailed first encounter. It made the feelings makes more sense and thus more believable. Just two people having a baby trying to figure it out. I have 3.75 stars only because I wish there was more character development. A lot of issues but no talking. However, I would gladly re-read this myself or recommend to anyone who wants a cute pick me up with life drama which I love.

I want a physical copy of this book so much.. I knew from the moment I’ve started that this was going to be one of my favorite reads this year and I can’t spoiler because people need to dive in without knowing much of it but personally I’m obsessed with this two, Ash and Zeta are just the sweetest

Ash was very caring and considerate towards Zeta and all her emotions. This book does the accidental pregnancy trope really good and doesn’t make the relationship feel forced. One dislike that had me a bit disconnected from the story was how there was no growth in their emotional relationship. Still this was a fun and cute read. I loved how the pregnancy was highlighted and was skipped over. Also glad that Zeta’s condition was talked about a lot and wasn’t just come one off topic.

Zeta Rodgers Needs to Relax* by Elanna Moon is an engaging blend of romance and emotional depth that truly stands out. Zeta, a freelance programmer with a unique medical condition, is a character who immediately resonates. Her journey from a carefully controlled life to one filled with unexpected challenges is heartwarming and relatable. On the other hand, Ashford Cross is the epitome of a man moulded by pressure, living a life far removed from the relaxed, spontaneous world Zeta has created.

Their initial encounter is charged with chemistry, and the twists that follow—significantly, Zeta’s unexpected pregnancy—add complexity to the story. The dynamic between Zeta and Ash is compelling, particularly when they discover each other’s true identities in the workplace. The tension between their professional and personal lives keeps the narrative gripping, and the development of their relationship is both tender and realistic.

Elanna Moon expertly navigates themes of stress, disability, and unexpected parenthood while crafting a genuine and earned romance. The story balances the heavier moments with light-hearted and steamy interactions, making it a delightful and memorable read.

Zeta, a freelance programmer, crosses paths with Ash during a night out drinking with friends. Seeking a break from the vibrant scene, they find solace in a quiet corner and begin to form a bond after Zeta introduces Ash to her love for video games. What starts as a connection in the midst of the evening evolves into a one-night stand and they unfortunately lose contact with one another after Ash has to rush out due to a health scare with his father.

Ash is the son of a successful construction company CEO. He has been molded from a very young age to take over the reins from his father and follow in his footsteps despite this being the exact opposite of what he wants to do. When an unexpected event throws him into the role early, he has a chance encounter of meeting the woman he had to walk away from a few months earlier. Only to find out she is pregnant with his child.

I had a few issues with the writing. The descriptions often felt excessive; details about what the characters were wearing were unnecessary and detracted from the story. Rather than focusing on insignificant details, it would have been more effective to use that space to provide background on both the main and supporting characters. For example, in the first chapter many side characters are introduced in conversation but I found myself confused about who they were and their relationship to the main character. The author seemed to prioritize superficial details over crucial information about the characters and their connections.

Surprise pregnancy books are really not my vibe but I went into this book open minded. In my opinion, there could have been a more convincing reason for her to forget to get a damn plan B from the pharmacy other than what was written. Because while she was temporarily indisposed & in a hotel, I felt that there was plenty of time for her to take care of her business. But the pregnancy seemed to be something she wanted anyways so this is something I was able to move past.

There were noticeable inconsistencies in Ash's character development. At the beginning, he is portrayed as a grumpy, work-focused individual, but this persona seems to vanish once he meets Zeta. He quickly shifts into a more submissive role, losing much of his original edge. Additionally, a significant and potentially emotional part of Ash's character arc occurs off the page, which is quite disappointing and feels like a missed opportunity for deeper storytelling.

The pacing of their relationship felt uneven and disjointed. Zeta's demeanor felt hot & cold at times, creating a fluctuating dynamic that was hard to follow. While there were a few charming dates scattered throughout the book, the romance itself failed to truly come alive or captivate me as a reader.

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amberjack Publishing for approving this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Though intimacy scenes aren’t my thing (being ace), and I don’t think they need to be multiple pages long (like is that a lot or is it just that I’m ace lolll) I really enjoyed all the other parts of this story!

It was a super sweet romance, and I loved the disability (brain damage) rep!

I highly recommend checking this out, if you’re looking for a sweet romance, full of heart and green flags!