I went into this one with zero expectations and I was really pleasantly surprised. Given the name, there were many snake to male anatomy jokes in this book and some other cheese factor bits of dialog and jokes to follow suit. But don't let that deter you, it has many good qualities!

Basically, this is like a plus sized Taylor Swift + Travis Kelce story from the perspective of the pop star's best friend. It emphasizes body positivity throughout, and focuses on overcoming insecurities and good triumphing over evil.

The main FMC Penelope is awkward but really cute and I love how she's organized and talented in her own right, she isn't just in the shadow of her famous best friend.

The Main FMC Everett is kind of a stereotypical jock dude, but his story and his family's story over time give him more depth.

The banter is really cute in this one, and it has a satisfying ending.

Both narrators did a great job with the dialog.

For sure this audiobook was entertaining, if not a little long, but I would totally recommend this one if you're looking for an entertaining rom-com.

🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

I actually really joined this book more than the others tbh. I loved seeing how Everett was different than how his brothers viewed him in the other books and we got to see behind the armor he hides behind. LOVE Penelope I feel like she’s written so well where she shows how someone can say the words to inspire others about loving her body but also feeling self conscious about her body. A lot of women struggle with their appearance, they can seem like they have all this confidence to everyone around them but deep inside she’s having self doubt.

I read this book when it first came out but oh man the audio!?!?! The audio brought a whole new level and depth to this story. I felt like I was listening to a whole new book. The narrators were fantastic. I was very impressed with how well the narrators varied their voices for all the other characters. There were times when I forgot this was a duel narration and not a duet. They brought such life and emotion to the story.

This is Everett’s story, Mr. love Guru himself. I loved seeing him slowly realize how in love he was with Penelope. The camaraderie between all the characters makes me want to dive head first into this world. Seriously, how do I get a Kingman!? I cannot get enough. If you are looking for a feel good story that gives you all the squeals, this book is for you.

Holy sweet mother of tongues, douche potatos. We absolutely love a plus size romance! This book is absolutely everything I thought it could be. I love hearing each brother’s story of falling for Pen. The voices are great for their characters and kept the flow going. Hopefully one day we’ll get a love story about the sister finding her own love story!

This audiobook was amazing! It couldn't have had better narrators than these two! The emotion and depth their voices added to this amazing story really brought everything to life! Amy Award's writing style is soo good and easy to digest, being this is the first book I have read from this series, she gave us just enough information to follow along and not get lost. Books that cover the topic of living in a larger body and dealing with fatphobia mean the world to me and Amy handles it with so much love and care! I can not wait to get my hands on the rest of this wonderful series, 5 stars!

I have this thing for snakes, so, I mean, how could I NOT read The Anaconda Downstairs by Amy Award? Her Cocky Kingmans Series instantly captured my attention, because I also have this thing for roosters, as it turns out! Again, how could I NOT read book number four of this series?

Okay, so, flip-flopping emotions incoming:

The opening scene immediately lays the steamy ground work, but then I was a little shocked that the romance actually started around the 50% mark. It just felt slightly too soon, and I was left longing for that building tension to return.

Award's focus on body positivity was so amazing and well represented, making this story so much more than I had anticipated! The strong message that we all have insecurities (mostly body related) and fears, no matter who we are, was so refreshing and reassuring to read!

The found family, love and camaraderie of this Kingman family is second to none making this romance feel so grown-up and sweet. No miscommunication, lack of understanding or third act break-up here!

And with all that... this book really missed the mark for me. I expected a steamier read, in all honesty. Don't get me wrong, I am all about what this book is and what it represents (and that theme is ever-present, in a much needed, reminder of a way)... but I was expecting more steam and less theme; something more in line with Charlotte Stein's When Grumpy Met Sunshine, especially with these cheeky and eye-catching covers!

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the complimentary audio copy to read and review.

Another hit! Amy Award knocked it out of the park yet again with another Kingmans book. This book is ripe with the usual awesome pet names and cute renamed social media monikers and I loved the Grampies setting. The love yourself themes are absolutely beautiful and I love how the characters always have a HEA!! Already I am salivating for the next book! ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Absolutely loved this book even more than the others!!! The body positivity was emotional and I can’t wait see the next book and which family member it is. We also want to hear bridger’s story

I love this series and this was another easy, cheerful rom com read. I love the way these books tackle difficult topics like fatphobia, body positivity, confidence and mild anxieties, but do so in a way that the general book is still light-hearted and upbeat. The message in this story to fight against negativity with positivity was so lovely, and hits especially hard in the world we are living in currently.
The audio is such an easy listen, and a real comfort story to pick up.

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of The Anaconda Downstairs and let me tell you… Amy Award never misses! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Penelope and Everett’s story might be my favorite of all the Kingman Brothers (and that’s saying something because I’ve loved all the Kingman bros books). The story was so heart warming and I LOVE how sweet Everett and Penelope’s relationship is.

Without giving too much away I will say Penelope’s journey is inspiring and Everett the sweetest most supportive partner around. You will adore not only their relationship but the relationship between the rest of the Kingman gang💕

Highly recommended for readers who enjoy sweet, fun, and spicy books! You will not only hehe but haha reading this!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Amy's writing is so fun to read and I LOVE the body positivity messages she gives us. Really enjoyed that this time it was for women AND men.

I liked both narrators a lot - they brought the story to life in a great way! Would definitely recommend the audio!

I thoroughly enjoyed yet another installment in this series. The author clearly knows what she is doing!

The fun nods to the Bridgerton books and the parade of characters from the other novels in the series were lovely additions to the story itself. Pen was immediately a favourite, and if Ev had me rolling my eyes a little at the start he also ended up growing on me. Their story progresses at a perfect pace, their feelings (already suggested at the start) blossom chapter by chapter and they work wonderfully as a team.

The themes of the book, with its strong message of self acceptance - even on the hard days - found me at the right time.

I absolutely loved this book! Amy award always writes something that I can take away and apply to my own life. I love the body positivity and I love watching these two fall in love. Narrators were also amazing and made this entire audiobook complete. Amy's words and their interpretation of them was so much fun to listen to. And I love how much she continues to bring in characters from the former books. It's fun to see where they are at in their love story and I just love the big family feel.

Each time I think that Amy Award cannot make me love another Kingman brother more than I possibly already do, another book in the series comes out and she punches through my wall like the Kool-Aid man, going "witch, you thought?!" and proves me wrong (and my love for her and her writing intensifies even more. We're talking "the limit does not exist" level at this point, people).

To start on a few general notes, Amy has always written stories about plus-sized people finding their happily ever afters WITHOUT HAVING TO CHANGE, and there needs to be SO MUCH MORE OF THIS IN THE BOOK WORLD. It is so refreshing to identify with a main character who finds a love interest and then NOT BE LET DOWN because the love interest wants the FMC to change how she looks. Society has always shouted as us that we need to be thinner, taller, less of what we are now in order to be found attractive and find love. Amy has my deepest thanks for reminding me that society isn't always right and we're worthy of love, just as we are.

Second, Amy has always picked the most AMAZING audiobook narrators, and again, she has not let her readers and listeners down. Reading these books gives me feelings. Listening to these books makes me silently happy cry at my desk at work. The actors give Amy's words more power, and it hits harder for me, and I love every moment of it. To me, it makes to story feel even more personal.

ESPECIALLY if you loved "The Wiener Across the Way," this book will likely become a top fave. It almost feels like a continuation of that story - and, in a way, it is - but on a more relatable level because the FMC isn't a famous pop star; she's just the girl next door who happens to be besties with one. We get the firsthand picture of what it's like to be a plus-sized woman attempting to find her people and promote body positivity and how society reacts when you don't have fame behind you to solidify your message. (Not that The Wiener Across the Way didn't feel real, because it ABSOLUTELY DID. This was just personally more relatable.)

This book was a love letter to plus-sized people of all genders, sexualities, and walks of life to remember that you have to love yourself first, and love yourself as you are, right in this moment. The romance and happily ever after with the man of the FMC's dreams was the icing on the cake.

I can't pick a favorite book in this series because I love them all so much, but this one was just SO SPECIAL to me. I hope that everyone who reads/listens to it takes away that same message of loving yourself first, the positivity of friendship, and that you're worthy of love JUST AS YOU ARE.

Thank you again, Amy Award, and fantastic audiobook narrators Aaron Shedlock and Juniper Young, for bringing this book to life on a whole other level I didn't realize I needed. Easiest five-star rating I've ever given to a book.

3.5 rounded up because I still adore the Kingmans and want more of their stories. I so want to rate this higher, as this series is one of my favorite in the contemporary rom com genre, but sadly, this one just fell flat.

First the positives- as always, Amy Award does a great job inserting Plus Size women until a space where until recently they’d been either relegated to a secondary character or been the butt of the joke for the main characters. Instead, Amy allows them to exist- to shine and thrive, while remaining true to themselves.

As always, the banter between all the characters, but especially the Kingman family, is top tier, laugh out loud amusing, and the genuine affection between the family members never feels overdone (not in that family dynamic in a moment).

I was eager for Pen and Everett’s story cause it felt like there was so much potential and the characters were already favorites after their appearances in the other books in the series. Sadly, their portrayal in this book felt almost two dimensional at times, and the story of their blossoming relationship was overshadowed by the message the author was attempting to convey.

Online bullying and the anonymity the Internet affords those bullies is a very real problem that absolutely should be addressed. I don’t even mind it having been broached in the story, as the body shaming that occurs on social media is next level brutal and the emotional toll it takes in it’s victims gets largely brushed aside until it devolves into so much worse. Unfortunately the way it was tackled became overwrought and overarching, casting an unnecessary shadow over the rest of the story.

On top of that, Pen and Everett’s personal fears about how their relationship would be received by family and friends felt blown out of proportion, especially Everett’s fear of Declan.

Regardless of the reputation Everett had as a “playboy”, the brothers were all raised by the same parents, with the same values. For Declan to ignore that seemed contrived, even more so in the face of Kelsey’s early suspicions about Everett’s feelings for her assistant, and also her having encouraged Pen ti acknowledge her feelings for Everett and to be open to the possibility of them having a chance together.

So yes, I still enjoyed the book, but it just wasn’t as good as the previous three. Nonetheless, there’s still a passel of Kingmans left, and I’m still willing to read about the rest of the family.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an advanced listeners copy of this audiobook!

Really enjoyed this book and the inspiring messages. Cute, relatable, real, happy, fluffy, positive read!

First of all, I want to say a big "thank you" to Amy Award for allowing me the chance to listen to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review! I had a great time with it and I always appreciate the opportunity!

I rated The Anaconda Downstairs 4.5/5 stars and rounded up for the sake of my review! I really loved Everett and Penelope's story both as individuals and together. I love that the book showcased both of their nerves surrounding dating the other and being good enough for each other. I love all of the Cocky Kingman books and how they give representation to plus-sized women in a very realistic and loving way. I love the fluff and spice that Amy brings to the table even when tackling heavier topics, like body positivity and online bullying.

Something I really enjoyed about this book was the overlap the story had with "The Pussy Next Door" (book 3 of the series). When reading "The Pussy Next Door" I thought we were just getting teasers and hints of what was to come for Everett and Penelope (and I also thought we would be waiting a while - not that it would be the very next book!) so it was really cool to see some of those key plot points between Hayes and Willa as told from Everett and Penelope's POV.

I can't wait to read book 5 and see what is up next for the Kingman boys!

Tropes/Tags: friends to lovers, dating lessons, playboy x good girl, found family, he's afraid of snakes, there's an anaconda in his pants & no that's not a euphemism, plus-size representation

Triggers/content/sensitivity warnings: body shaming, online bullying, death of a parent in childhood, childhood bullying

I love the kingsmen 😍 and everett is the cutest and pen is amazing. I had a big worry going into this book because I hate snakes more than Everett does. I made it through but phobias are not something to kid about. I can’t wait for the next instalment. The twins are going to be a great story

I genuinely love this entire series. The ebooks are good, but the audio narrations are even better. They manage to capture each character and the depth of emotion perfectly. This one might be my favorite of the series with the exploration of what body positivity means and how it so often gets exploited in the media. As always, an amazing story by Amy Award.

The Anaconda Downstairs is the fourth book/audiobook in the Cocky Kingsman series by Amy Award and is a delight.

Narrators Aaron Shedlock and Juniper Young bring the characters Everett and Penelope alive and make them believable in every way. They give the secondary characters their own voices too and seamlessly go between them with no disruption.

The story is of the "love guru" Everett Kingsman, professional football player, and Penelope, the personal assistant of popstar Kelsey Best, the fiancee of Everett's brother, Declan, Both Ev and Pen have crushes on each other and aren't aware how the other feels, and when Ev thinks he's saving Pen from snakes (he's terrified of them) it starts our book and shows us how he feels. Pen is dealing with her crush on Everett, trying to be body positive for herself and for the Besties, Kelsey's fans all the while trying to hide her feelings, deal with behind the scenes issues, and hide their feelings from Declan, who they think will be mad about it.

All of Amy Awards books are fun to read and the puns in the title always make me giggle a bit. The characters are fun, easy to like and you're invested in them.

I can't wait to read the next book and I always enjoy catching up with the other brothers in each subsequent book - it's like seeing old friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced audiobook. I really enjoyed listening to it and look forward to the next in the series.