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Ellie Hayes and the Himbos
In this hilarious romantic comedy, a single woman moves in with three buff gym sharks after a medical scare—perfect for fans of Lynn Painter and Hannah Bonam-Young
“A smart, big hearted, and unbelievably funny book.” — Cara Bastone, USA Today bestselling author of Promise Me Sunshine
Thirty-something Ellie Hayes is generally prepared for the worst—living with endometriosis will do that—but when a new medical flare-up points to a possible MS diagnosis, all her careful plans fall apart. Suddenly, Ellie needs a new lease (literally) on life and unexpectedly lands on the doorstep of a house shared by a trio of collegiate beefcakes.
Grant, Alistair, and Diego are toned, beautiful, and woefully short on practical skills. But type-A Ellie thinks living with them could be just the break she needs. She’ll teach them how to adult, and they’ll help her take charge of her fitness and embrace life in all its beautifully spontaneous glory.
Grant’s older brother Ian is the gorgeous man mountain she made out with the night she moved in. But as Ellie and Ian get closer, he feels less like a break from reality and more like an excellent life choice. Could a real relationship be possible, or will her traitorous body be a dealbreaker once again?
“A smart, big hearted, and unbelievably funny book.” — Cara Bastone, USA Today bestselling author of Promise Me Sunshine
Thirty-something Ellie Hayes is generally prepared for the worst—living with endometriosis will do that—but when a new medical flare-up points to a possible MS diagnosis, all her careful plans fall apart. Suddenly, Ellie needs a new lease (literally) on life and unexpectedly lands on the doorstep of a house shared by a trio of collegiate beefcakes.
Grant, Alistair, and Diego are toned, beautiful, and woefully short on practical skills. But type-A Ellie thinks living with them could be just the break she needs. She’ll teach them how to adult, and they’ll help her take charge of her fitness and embrace life in all its beautifully spontaneous glory.
Grant’s older brother Ian is the gorgeous man mountain she made out with the night she moved in. But as Ellie and Ian get closer, he feels less like a break from reality and more like an excellent life choice. Could a real relationship be possible, or will her traitorous body be a dealbreaker once again?
374 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2025
17 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 233 reviews
October 24, 2025
4.25 ★— Did I expect a book with a title like this to make me cry while washing dishes as I was listening to it?
No, but I should have known better by now.
Ellie Hayes is a woman who’s just left her unsupportive, shitty boyfriend after going blind in one eye. The condition might be temporary, but she’s waiting out a six-month period to see whether a potential MS diagnosis will be confirmed. So, she moves into the first free apartment she finds — one inhabited by a group of early-twenties guys, the titular Himbos — and ends up tangling her life with theirs, especially Ian, the older gym-owner brother of one of the guys.
This book really was the perfect mix of lighthearted, fun, and genuinely touching moments, with plenty of New Girl-coded humor. Ellie gets swept up in all kinds of shenanigans with her new roommates, who are all surprisingly lovely. I’ll admit I was a little worried it would veer into weaponized incompetence territory because the whole man-baby thing puts me off in fiction as much as it does in real life. But thankfully, King manages to show that these guys are just a bit overwhelmed and makes their himbo cluelessness actually come off as endearing (though, let’s be honest, this would NOT be charming in real life, lmao).
Ellie herself was such a joy to follow! I really felt for her and her guardedness around her potential diagnosis and health issues. She also has endometriosis, and as someone who’s dealt with debilitating period pain since my teens but never quite had the guts to ask about potentially having endometriosis, that aspect hit close to home. It was genuinely heartening to see that represented in such a realistic and compassionate way.
Her relationship with the guys was sweet and fun to watch unfold, and her growing closeness with Ian, the MMC of this book, felt believable and grounded. I appreciated that their disagreements didn’t drag on unnecessarily and that they actually communicated as they learned more about each other’s boundaries. Ellie’s secrecy around her illnesses was understandable, but there was definitely a moment near the end where I thought the way she handled things with Ian was a bit messed up.
While it was eventually resolved and I understood her fears and reasoning, Ian’s own trauma being so closely tied to Ellie’s situation made me uncomfortable. The more I thought about it, the more it stood out to me.
The ending, which I thought was very fitting and heartwarming, redeemed a lot of that for me, and I’d definitely recommend this to anyone wanting a bit of mindless fun while also having their heartstrings pulled a little.
_____________
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
No, but I should have known better by now.
Ellie Hayes is a woman who’s just left her unsupportive, shitty boyfriend after going blind in one eye. The condition might be temporary, but she’s waiting out a six-month period to see whether a potential MS diagnosis will be confirmed. So, she moves into the first free apartment she finds — one inhabited by a group of early-twenties guys, the titular Himbos — and ends up tangling her life with theirs, especially Ian, the older gym-owner brother of one of the guys.
This book really was the perfect mix of lighthearted, fun, and genuinely touching moments, with plenty of New Girl-coded humor. Ellie gets swept up in all kinds of shenanigans with her new roommates, who are all surprisingly lovely. I’ll admit I was a little worried it would veer into weaponized incompetence territory because the whole man-baby thing puts me off in fiction as much as it does in real life. But thankfully, King manages to show that these guys are just a bit overwhelmed and makes their himbo cluelessness actually come off as endearing (though, let’s be honest, this would NOT be charming in real life, lmao).
Ellie herself was such a joy to follow! I really felt for her and her guardedness around her potential diagnosis and health issues. She also has endometriosis, and as someone who’s dealt with debilitating period pain since my teens but never quite had the guts to ask about potentially having endometriosis, that aspect hit close to home. It was genuinely heartening to see that represented in such a realistic and compassionate way.
Her relationship with the guys was sweet and fun to watch unfold, and her growing closeness with Ian, the MMC of this book, felt believable and grounded. I appreciated that their disagreements didn’t drag on unnecessarily and that they actually communicated as they learned more about each other’s boundaries. Ellie’s secrecy around her illnesses was understandable, but there was definitely a moment near the end where I thought the way she handled things with Ian was a bit messed up.
While it was eventually resolved and I understood her fears and reasoning, Ian’s own trauma being so closely tied to Ellie’s situation made me uncomfortable. The more I thought about it, the more it stood out to me.
The ending, which I thought was very fitting and heartwarming, redeemed a lot of that for me, and I’d definitely recommend this to anyone wanting a bit of mindless fun while also having their heartstrings pulled a little.
_____________
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
October 24, 2025
This was adorableeee. I loved the found family in here 😭 and the romance was so cute.
The fmc was kinda annoying bc her inner monologue felt like it went on forever. Other than that I liked her personality.
The himbos - I just wanna pinch their cheeks lmao I initially thought this was going to be reverse harem but it’s not lol. It’s definitely MF but I was pleasantly surprised with how it turned out.
ೃ⁀➷ Thank you NetGalley and Forever for the ARC! ♥︎
The fmc was kinda annoying bc her inner monologue felt like it went on forever. Other than that I liked her personality.
The himbos - I just wanna pinch their cheeks lmao I initially thought this was going to be reverse harem but it’s not lol. It’s definitely MF but I was pleasantly surprised with how it turned out.
ೃ⁀➷ Thank you NetGalley and Forever for the ARC! ♥︎
October 21, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️ moderate
Ellie Hayes is already living with chronic pain from endometriosis, but when a medical scare threatens to reveal another scary diagnosis, her boyfriend decides he just can’t deal with it. Devastated, Ellie acts fast to find a new living arrangement, and somehow walks into a Dude Den with three college guys: Grant, Alistair, and Diego. She quickly learns that there’s more to these guys than meets the eye and starts to fall for Grant’s brother Ian. She’s rebuilding a new life for herself, but will her chronic illness(es) be a dealbreaker again?
I’ll admit: I picked up this book because of the cover and its inclusion of “himbo” in the title, but I have to say that I was thoroughly impressed and entertained! Yes, the three himbos are somewhat stereotypical to begin with (though probably more jock/meathead than himbo), and that’s just Ellie’s preconceived notions before she discovers their depth. Vanessa King does a great job of ensuring that each of them have their own unique dreams and personality beyond just their love of the gym. The romance between Ian and Ellie is tender and steamy, and honestly I was SO impressed with their conversations around intimacy with a chronic pain condition like endometriosis. I’ve never seen that in a romance novel before, and I was pleasantly surprised at just how moving it was. Ellie Gossage does such a phenomenal job of narrating all the emotions: despair from a breakup, anger at a traitorous body, comedy of living with three jocks, and of course the romance between the two main characters (not to mention capturing three different himbos so well!) It’s a story that made me excited to keep coming back to and I’ll definitely recommend this one!
Reviewed as part of #ARC from #NetGalley. Many thanks to Hachette Audio for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
Read this book if you:
🏋love the idea of fitness for improving what a body can do, not what it’s limited by
🧠want an unfiltered look at love and relationships with chronic illnesses like endometriosis or multiple sclerosis
⚽️ appreciate the original himbo Channing Tatum in She’s The Man
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
🌶️🌶️🌶️ moderate
Ellie Hayes is already living with chronic pain from endometriosis, but when a medical scare threatens to reveal another scary diagnosis, her boyfriend decides he just can’t deal with it. Devastated, Ellie acts fast to find a new living arrangement, and somehow walks into a Dude Den with three college guys: Grant, Alistair, and Diego. She quickly learns that there’s more to these guys than meets the eye and starts to fall for Grant’s brother Ian. She’s rebuilding a new life for herself, but will her chronic illness(es) be a dealbreaker again?
I’ll admit: I picked up this book because of the cover and its inclusion of “himbo” in the title, but I have to say that I was thoroughly impressed and entertained! Yes, the three himbos are somewhat stereotypical to begin with (though probably more jock/meathead than himbo), and that’s just Ellie’s preconceived notions before she discovers their depth. Vanessa King does a great job of ensuring that each of them have their own unique dreams and personality beyond just their love of the gym. The romance between Ian and Ellie is tender and steamy, and honestly I was SO impressed with their conversations around intimacy with a chronic pain condition like endometriosis. I’ve never seen that in a romance novel before, and I was pleasantly surprised at just how moving it was. Ellie Gossage does such a phenomenal job of narrating all the emotions: despair from a breakup, anger at a traitorous body, comedy of living with three jocks, and of course the romance between the two main characters (not to mention capturing three different himbos so well!) It’s a story that made me excited to keep coming back to and I’ll definitely recommend this one!
Reviewed as part of #ARC from #NetGalley. Many thanks to Hachette Audio for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
Read this book if you:
🏋love the idea of fitness for improving what a body can do, not what it’s limited by
🧠want an unfiltered look at love and relationships with chronic illnesses like endometriosis or multiple sclerosis
⚽️ appreciate the original himbo Channing Tatum in She’s The Man
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
![Profile Image for Jessi ❤️ H. Vojsk [if villain, why hot?].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1746468325i%2F66224803._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
November 4, 2025
✅ living with three muscular young man that are a little dumb but have a lot of heart
✅ their big Buffy brother you make out on your first night there (and have a heavy crush on)
✅ lovely supportive gym people
✅ MS rep
✅ endometriosis rep
This was so entertaining.
Only thing I didn’t like was the smut, for me it was a bit cringey. Also I didn’t like how they portrayed the boys like their minors, not full on adult.
✅ their big Buffy brother you make out on your first night there (and have a heavy crush on)
✅ lovely supportive gym people
✅ MS rep
✅ endometriosis rep
This was so entertaining.
Only thing I didn’t like was the smut, for me it was a bit cringey. Also I didn’t like how they portrayed the boys like their minors, not full on adult.
October 23, 2025
Overall, I'd give this book 4.25 stars. At first, I really wasn't sure about this book title, I had to google the term "himbo", but the story sucked me in immediately! This book was fun, uplifting, funny, heartfelt, and is a gentle reminder for people to look beneath the surface. I loved the dynamic between Ellie, Diego, Grant, and Allister so much. Diego and Allister were my favorites. The community of people that Ellie stumbled into was absolutely incredible. This story is about friendships, community, love, and overall, about Ellie finding herself.
*Friendship
*Endometriosis and multiple sclerosis
*Strangers to friends to lovers
Format: audiobook narrated by Ellie Gossage
Thank you NetGalley, Vanessa King, and Hachette Audio for the ALC!
*Friendship
*Endometriosis and multiple sclerosis
*Strangers to friends to lovers
Format: audiobook narrated by Ellie Gossage
Thank you NetGalley, Vanessa King, and Hachette Audio for the ALC!
November 25, 2025
I need this to be made into a movie. all those hot bodies need to be on screen and not just in my imagination.
Ellie has a medical history that is ongoing and severe and her boyfriend is a selfish man boy that deserves a lesson.
after the break up she needs a place to stay and a somewhat unconventional living arrangement is struck.
the friendships between the "himbos" and Ellie are so cute and heartwarming.
they are trying so hard to make her feel comfortable.
the romance is hot and spicy I love those two together.
Ellie has a medical history that is ongoing and severe and her boyfriend is a selfish man boy that deserves a lesson.
after the break up she needs a place to stay and a somewhat unconventional living arrangement is struck.
the friendships between the "himbos" and Ellie are so cute and heartwarming.
they are trying so hard to make her feel comfortable.
the romance is hot and spicy I love those two together.
October 29, 2025
I honestly thought this was gonna be a reverse harem type of story and was awfully hoping to debut with this book but when you get to Ellie Hayes and her eventful life, you are just glad that she found people that could get her through some of the shitty cards she got dealt with.
I got the audiobook version of this story and I think it really made me immerse myself in the story. The way it was narrated helped me build up the world around Ellie and the characters. I liked that the narration was paced and actually connected with its characters.
Ellie Hayes and the himbos is absolutely a slice of life, cheeky and heartwarming story, with layered emotions as we follow a protagonist with an ongoing diagnosis that could change everything for her. After leaving her shitty relationship, Ellie found an available room inside Himboland, or well, she has to room with three other men that are harmless and actually really good friends.
What follows next is a story full of shenanigans and funny moments that make you see the foundation of a family being built. It's a trust system that works for them because they wanna make it work. Then Ian comes into the picture, brother of one of the himbos.
Ian fights Ellie on most things, he wants to get to know the real Ellie and falls in love with her too. I think what Vanessa did with their story was real and raw, I wouldn't see it working either way for anyone but them. I think the way they handled their past and their trauma was understandable but it kinda felt dragged by the end of the book. I wanted a little less complicated and maybe more love-touching moments.
I feel like after all, Ellie deserved to be shown love and patience.
Overall, this is a great book. And would recommend anyone to read it, especially those who love found family.
Thank you NetGally and HachetteAudio for giving me the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
I got the audiobook version of this story and I think it really made me immerse myself in the story. The way it was narrated helped me build up the world around Ellie and the characters. I liked that the narration was paced and actually connected with its characters.
Ellie Hayes and the himbos is absolutely a slice of life, cheeky and heartwarming story, with layered emotions as we follow a protagonist with an ongoing diagnosis that could change everything for her. After leaving her shitty relationship, Ellie found an available room inside Himboland, or well, she has to room with three other men that are harmless and actually really good friends.
What follows next is a story full of shenanigans and funny moments that make you see the foundation of a family being built. It's a trust system that works for them because they wanna make it work. Then Ian comes into the picture, brother of one of the himbos.
Ian fights Ellie on most things, he wants to get to know the real Ellie and falls in love with her too. I think what Vanessa did with their story was real and raw, I wouldn't see it working either way for anyone but them. I think the way they handled their past and their trauma was understandable but it kinda felt dragged by the end of the book. I wanted a little less complicated and maybe more love-touching moments.
I feel like after all, Ellie deserved to be shown love and patience.
Overall, this is a great book. And would recommend anyone to read it, especially those who love found family.
Thank you NetGally and HachetteAudio for giving me the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
November 4, 2025
This book was so much fun! Definitely New Girl vibes with the FMC living with three guys. The banter was next level and I might have also learned a bit about weights too. Loved the secondary characters, both the Himbos themselves and the gym ladies, the romance between Ian (book boyfriend material for sure) and Ellie was both sweet and sexy, and the MS rep was something I'd never read about before.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
October 4, 2025
I never would have expected a book with the word 'Himbos' in the title to have such an incredible, emotional impact on me!
Ellie has endometriosis, is working with a neurologist to see if she has MS, and her long term boyfriend just decided it was too much for him now.
Despite being in her 30s, a self proclaimed 'do-er', and someone who needs organization, she ends up moving in with three college boys who are 'himbos', golden retreiver-esque personalities with beautifully sculpted physiques.
What follows is an incredibly beautiful, emotional, and funny journey as Ellie navigates her new life of living with Grant, Diego, and Alistair, working at the gym with the gorgeous hunky owner, Ian, building her strength and understanding of her body even as she struggles with its possible eventual deterioration, and everything else that comes along.
I laughed out loud, I cried, I truly felt the journey of this book and am ecstatic over how beautifully represented chronic illness is throughout and just how authentic every character felt.
Thank you for this ARC; all opinions are my own.
Ellie has endometriosis, is working with a neurologist to see if she has MS, and her long term boyfriend just decided it was too much for him now.
Despite being in her 30s, a self proclaimed 'do-er', and someone who needs organization, she ends up moving in with three college boys who are 'himbos', golden retreiver-esque personalities with beautifully sculpted physiques.
What follows is an incredibly beautiful, emotional, and funny journey as Ellie navigates her new life of living with Grant, Diego, and Alistair, working at the gym with the gorgeous hunky owner, Ian, building her strength and understanding of her body even as she struggles with its possible eventual deterioration, and everything else that comes along.
I laughed out loud, I cried, I truly felt the journey of this book and am ecstatic over how beautifully represented chronic illness is throughout and just how authentic every character felt.
Thank you for this ARC; all opinions are my own.
October 23, 2025
With a cover and a title like that how could I not pick this up? With that said, this is probably more of a 3.5 than a solid 3. I wanted to rate it higher, truly, but I will get into why I couldn't.
What I absolutely loved about this book were the three aforementioned "himbos" that Ellie moved in with. Grant, Alistair and Diego were a delight to read. I almost bumped this rating up to a 4 for them alone. However, I wish there was more of them in this book! They're such a prominent part of this novel in the beginning but they take a backseat to the romance in the latter half and I desperately wanted to get back to them the entire time. I wanted these characters to be more fleshed out than they were. The author does try to add more depth to these boys, and she doesn't fail necessarily, but it was clear that they were not the focal point of the story anymore and that was a disappointment. To be perfectly honest, they were 90% of what I liked about this book and if it weren't for them I could have easily DNF'd.
I found Ellie and Ian's romance to be really boring. Not that they weren't a great couple, because I found Ian to be really sweet and Ellie's fortitude inspiring. I just didn't find them very compelling to read about. Once this book hits the 40% mark and the story takes a shift to focusing almost entirely on them, this became a slog to get through. When I first started I thought this was for sure going to be a 5 star read, then I was like oh maybe it's a 4, but I started not really wanting to pick this book up again and that is why I settled on a 3.5. Also, the fitness stuff was a bore, too. It went into so much detail and for what.
I would be amiss to not mention that I think Ellie's health story, her struggles with endometriosis and subsequent diagnoses is an important story to be told. I thought it was handled very well and with a lot of care. It's very important for women to be able to see themselves and relate to women in romance novels and I'm glad this exists here.
So, to conclude, I think the front half of this book is really fun and the back half is kind of a slog. I guess I just didn't need this to be a romance, ya know? If it focused more on Ellie's dynamic with the boys and her time at the "dawghouse" and less on her romance with Ian, I think this would have been a 5 star read for me. The romance just didn't do anything for me.
Would still recommend this, though. I think for a lot of people this still could be a higher rated novel.
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for this advanced copy.
What I absolutely loved about this book were the three aforementioned "himbos" that Ellie moved in with. Grant, Alistair and Diego were a delight to read. I almost bumped this rating up to a 4 for them alone. However, I wish there was more of them in this book! They're such a prominent part of this novel in the beginning but they take a backseat to the romance in the latter half and I desperately wanted to get back to them the entire time. I wanted these characters to be more fleshed out than they were. The author does try to add more depth to these boys, and she doesn't fail necessarily, but it was clear that they were not the focal point of the story anymore and that was a disappointment. To be perfectly honest, they were 90% of what I liked about this book and if it weren't for them I could have easily DNF'd.
I found Ellie and Ian's romance to be really boring. Not that they weren't a great couple, because I found Ian to be really sweet and Ellie's fortitude inspiring. I just didn't find them very compelling to read about. Once this book hits the 40% mark and the story takes a shift to focusing almost entirely on them, this became a slog to get through. When I first started I thought this was for sure going to be a 5 star read, then I was like oh maybe it's a 4, but I started not really wanting to pick this book up again and that is why I settled on a 3.5. Also, the fitness stuff was a bore, too. It went into so much detail and for what.
I would be amiss to not mention that I think Ellie's health story, her struggles with endometriosis and subsequent diagnoses is an important story to be told. I thought it was handled very well and with a lot of care. It's very important for women to be able to see themselves and relate to women in romance novels and I'm glad this exists here.
So, to conclude, I think the front half of this book is really fun and the back half is kind of a slog. I guess I just didn't need this to be a romance, ya know? If it focused more on Ellie's dynamic with the boys and her time at the "dawghouse" and less on her romance with Ian, I think this would have been a 5 star read for me. The romance just didn't do anything for me.
Would still recommend this, though. I think for a lot of people this still could be a higher rated novel.
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for this advanced copy.
November 6, 2025
ALC 4 Stars!
Chronic Illness/Disability Rep + Found Family + Health and Wellness + Spicy
This book follows Ellie Hayes, who experiences a medical crisis and a pending MS diagnosis. After expressing her possible diagnosis to her boyfriend, he decides he isn't ready to be apart of her new life change. Ellie quickly packs her bags and moves into an apartment she finds an ad for that happens to be preoccupied by 3 handsome hunks. They don't appear to be the brightest at first, but Ellie learns to not judge a book by its cover.
Ellie gets a job working reception at a gym that is owned by one of her roommate's brother. Who she had a steamy make out sesh with before finding out who he was. They have an instant connection but Ellie is traumatized by ger previous relationship and what she experienced when she revealed her medical information, therefore she doesn't let their relationship go any further than friendship. Along the way she forms such a strong bond with her roommates and they become a found family, along with the gym staff.
The third act conflict was a tad annoying to me, especially because of Ian's experiences with his own mother's health. And I felt like while Ellie was guarding her own heart, she had no empathy or sympathy for what would happen if she was not up front and honest with Ian. They felt a little out of character for her because she was so kind throughout the book with her roommates. But I did enjoy the spicy scenes and the discussion of sex with endometriosis.
The audio narration was great and such an enjoyable experience! I am definitely interested in reading more from this author in the future.
This book was sent to me from NetGalley for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Chronic Illness/Disability Rep + Found Family + Health and Wellness + Spicy
This book follows Ellie Hayes, who experiences a medical crisis and a pending MS diagnosis. After expressing her possible diagnosis to her boyfriend, he decides he isn't ready to be apart of her new life change. Ellie quickly packs her bags and moves into an apartment she finds an ad for that happens to be preoccupied by 3 handsome hunks. They don't appear to be the brightest at first, but Ellie learns to not judge a book by its cover.
Ellie gets a job working reception at a gym that is owned by one of her roommate's brother. Who she had a steamy make out sesh with before finding out who he was. They have an instant connection but Ellie is traumatized by ger previous relationship and what she experienced when she revealed her medical information, therefore she doesn't let their relationship go any further than friendship. Along the way she forms such a strong bond with her roommates and they become a found family, along with the gym staff.
The third act conflict was a tad annoying to me, especially because of Ian's experiences with his own mother's health. And I felt like while Ellie was guarding her own heart, she had no empathy or sympathy for what would happen if she was not up front and honest with Ian. They felt a little out of character for her because she was so kind throughout the book with her roommates. But I did enjoy the spicy scenes and the discussion of sex with endometriosis.
The audio narration was great and such an enjoyable experience! I am definitely interested in reading more from this author in the future.
This book was sent to me from NetGalley for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 21, 2025
2.5 Stars.
If anyone knows me in real life, they know that himbos are 100% my type, so I was verrryyy intrigued and excited for this book. So why weren't they the center of this novel! In the beginning, the story was going off well, with Ellie moving into a house of adorable himbos who instantly love her. Very classic New Girl situation! However, once things kick off with the love interest, Ian, the other characters take a backseat, and sometimes it felt like they were forgotten. I wouldn't have minded this if was really feeling the romance, but unfortuantely I found it lackluster. It was a nice romance on paper, but I really didn't feel any connection or spark between them, which ultimately made this book drag for me. I thought the depiction of endometriosis was done with so much care, and it's so important to address and understand, so I really applaud the author for that! Overall, I really loved the idea of this novel, but didn't conenct with it as much as I'd hoped.
Thank you so much to Hachette Audio and Forever for the advanced audio copy! The narrator did a wonderful job.
If anyone knows me in real life, they know that himbos are 100% my type, so I was verrryyy intrigued and excited for this book. So why weren't they the center of this novel! In the beginning, the story was going off well, with Ellie moving into a house of adorable himbos who instantly love her. Very classic New Girl situation! However, once things kick off with the love interest, Ian, the other characters take a backseat, and sometimes it felt like they were forgotten. I wouldn't have minded this if was really feeling the romance, but unfortuantely I found it lackluster. It was a nice romance on paper, but I really didn't feel any connection or spark between them, which ultimately made this book drag for me. I thought the depiction of endometriosis was done with so much care, and it's so important to address and understand, so I really applaud the author for that! Overall, I really loved the idea of this novel, but didn't conenct with it as much as I'd hoped.
Thank you so much to Hachette Audio and Forever for the advanced audio copy! The narrator did a wonderful job.
November 14, 2025
I'd like to thank Netgalley for the audio ARC.
3.5/5 stars
This was so much for the most part! I had loads of fun in the beginning. Despite the decidedly comedic side of it, it touches on several very serious issues such as endometriosis.
The characters are well written and the plot was fun, though it felt a bit long winded by the end. The miscommunication-like trope was unnecessary.
Overall, it was enjoyable.
3.5/5 stars
This was so much for the most part! I had loads of fun in the beginning. Despite the decidedly comedic side of it, it touches on several very serious issues such as endometriosis.
The characters are well written and the plot was fun, though it felt a bit long winded by the end. The miscommunication-like trope was unnecessary.
Overall, it was enjoyable.
October 26, 2025
This book completely surprised me but in the best way. I went in expecting something light and funny (I mean, look at that title!), and while it definitely delivered on humor and heart, it also had a lot more emotional depth than I anticipated.
Ellie’s story felt honest and vulnerable. The representation of chronic illness especially endometriosis and the possibility of MS, was handled with genuine care. It never felt forced or overly dramatized, and I really appreciated that balance. Watching Ellie navigate her diagnosis, her independence, and this chaotic new living situation gave the story so much warmth and realism.
The “himbos” were honestly a highlight for me. Each one brought their own charm and humor, and I loved the found family dynamic that developed. It had major New Girl vibes in the best way funny, messy, and full of heart. Ian, the older brother/gym owner, was a standout, and his connection with Ellie was sweet and steady without overshadowing her personal growth.
It’s lighthearted and heartfelt, with a story that’s about learning to let people in even when life feels uncertain. If you love rom-coms with genuine emotion, community, and a bit of chaos, this one’s worth the read. Thanks to Forever Grand Central Publishing for the gifted arc.
Ellie’s story felt honest and vulnerable. The representation of chronic illness especially endometriosis and the possibility of MS, was handled with genuine care. It never felt forced or overly dramatized, and I really appreciated that balance. Watching Ellie navigate her diagnosis, her independence, and this chaotic new living situation gave the story so much warmth and realism.
The “himbos” were honestly a highlight for me. Each one brought their own charm and humor, and I loved the found family dynamic that developed. It had major New Girl vibes in the best way funny, messy, and full of heart. Ian, the older brother/gym owner, was a standout, and his connection with Ellie was sweet and steady without overshadowing her personal growth.
It’s lighthearted and heartfelt, with a story that’s about learning to let people in even when life feels uncertain. If you love rom-coms with genuine emotion, community, and a bit of chaos, this one’s worth the read. Thanks to Forever Grand Central Publishing for the gifted arc.
October 20, 2025
4.5⭐️
I came for the chronic illness rep—and stayed despite the himbos.
When I first picked this up, I wasn’t sure I’d connect with it. A story featuring himbos as major characters isn’t exactly my go-to, and honestly, the title gave me pause. But I was pleasantly surprised. To be fair, I don’t even think these guys qualify as true himbos. They’ve got that “meathead charm,” sure, but when one’s aiming for medical school and has the intelligence to back it up, that pretty much cancels out the “unintelligence” part of the himbo definition.
The book really shines in the first 40% and again in the last 15%. The middle does lose a bit of momentum with a slower-burn romance and more gym banter than I cared for, but the strong start and heartfelt finish easily won me over and had me rounding my rating up to 5⭐️ on Goodreads.
The chronic illness representation is what drew me in, and it didn’t disappoint. I would’ve loved for it to dig a little deeper, but it still captured the emotional reality beautifully—the unpredictability, the frustration, and that quiet hope that things will get better, even when you know they might not. It felt authentic, and I appreciated that.
I did this one as an immersion read with both the physical ARC and the audiobook, narrated by Ellie Gossage. She nailed the FMC’s voice and pacing (I did speed it up a touch), but her take on the himbos’ voices just didn’t land for me. I ended up switching to the print copy during those sections.
In the end, this story has far more heart than hype—and I’m really glad I gave it a chance.
I was fortunate to receive a complimentary ALC from Harper Audio via NetGalley as well as a physical ARC from Forever, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
How I Rate
Because I mostly read ARCs, I focus on how I think fellow readers with similar tastes will respond. I sometimes round up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, and I try to keep my personal preferences from weighing too heavily.
⭐️ 1 Star – Finished, but not for me; I never DNF ARCs.
⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars – Struggled due to writing, content, or editing issues.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars – Decent read with untapped potential; recommend with some reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars – Really enjoyed it and would recommend for several reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – Exceptional; lingers in my mind well after reading. A story I’d gladly revisit.
I came for the chronic illness rep—and stayed despite the himbos.
When I first picked this up, I wasn’t sure I’d connect with it. A story featuring himbos as major characters isn’t exactly my go-to, and honestly, the title gave me pause. But I was pleasantly surprised. To be fair, I don’t even think these guys qualify as true himbos. They’ve got that “meathead charm,” sure, but when one’s aiming for medical school and has the intelligence to back it up, that pretty much cancels out the “unintelligence” part of the himbo definition.
The book really shines in the first 40% and again in the last 15%. The middle does lose a bit of momentum with a slower-burn romance and more gym banter than I cared for, but the strong start and heartfelt finish easily won me over and had me rounding my rating up to 5⭐️ on Goodreads.
The chronic illness representation is what drew me in, and it didn’t disappoint. I would’ve loved for it to dig a little deeper, but it still captured the emotional reality beautifully—the unpredictability, the frustration, and that quiet hope that things will get better, even when you know they might not. It felt authentic, and I appreciated that.
I did this one as an immersion read with both the physical ARC and the audiobook, narrated by Ellie Gossage. She nailed the FMC’s voice and pacing (I did speed it up a touch), but her take on the himbos’ voices just didn’t land for me. I ended up switching to the print copy during those sections.
In the end, this story has far more heart than hype—and I’m really glad I gave it a chance.
I was fortunate to receive a complimentary ALC from Harper Audio via NetGalley as well as a physical ARC from Forever, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
How I Rate
Because I mostly read ARCs, I focus on how I think fellow readers with similar tastes will respond. I sometimes round up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, and I try to keep my personal preferences from weighing too heavily.
⭐️ 1 Star – Finished, but not for me; I never DNF ARCs.
⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars – Struggled due to writing, content, or editing issues.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars – Decent read with untapped potential; recommend with some reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars – Really enjoyed it and would recommend for several reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – Exceptional; lingers in my mind well after reading. A story I’d gladly revisit.
November 24, 2025
I was initially sold on this book by its new girl-coding jumping off point, but I was not expecting such a heart-warming story that had me crying my eyes out.
What do the last two romance books that have blown my socks off have in common? One of the romantic leads has MS, and one of the themes has been learning to live with chronic illnesses and still find love. Ellie not only has MS but also endometriosis, which hits close to home because I also have it. As cute and fun as this book is, it also does not shy away from the conditions Ellie suffers from. So much so that I found myself learning more about a condition I have from a romance book than I have from any doctor.
This book doesn't just focus on the fun new girl plot and chronic pain. The Himmbos and MMC work at a gym, and lots of the book focuses on learning how to move your body with purpose. Ellie learns the joy of feeling sore because of a good workout, not because her body is rebelling. Learning to embrace and enhance what you can do. The guys are all intimately knowledgeable about how the body works. I found myself learning a lot through them, too.
I was having such a good time that I had to forgive the third-act breakup from miscommunication. Which, to be fair, was purposeful miscommunication, and it was a "shove anyone who cares away" kind of break-up.
I did read along with an audiobook, and the narration style is a little stream of consciousness at times, which was amusing in audiobook form, but might not be your cup of tea when reading.
This book is cute, fun, heartwarming, and unflinching. I laughed, I cried, and learned so much about my body. For how much of it feels like a sitcom/romcom, the characters go through so much, and they are messy in a way that makes them feel real.
What do the last two romance books that have blown my socks off have in common? One of the romantic leads has MS, and one of the themes has been learning to live with chronic illnesses and still find love. Ellie not only has MS but also endometriosis, which hits close to home because I also have it. As cute and fun as this book is, it also does not shy away from the conditions Ellie suffers from. So much so that I found myself learning more about a condition I have from a romance book than I have from any doctor.
This book doesn't just focus on the fun new girl plot and chronic pain. The Himmbos and MMC work at a gym, and lots of the book focuses on learning how to move your body with purpose. Ellie learns the joy of feeling sore because of a good workout, not because her body is rebelling. Learning to embrace and enhance what you can do. The guys are all intimately knowledgeable about how the body works. I found myself learning a lot through them, too.
I was having such a good time that I had to forgive the third-act breakup from miscommunication. Which, to be fair, was purposeful miscommunication, and it was a "shove anyone who cares away" kind of break-up.
I did read along with an audiobook, and the narration style is a little stream of consciousness at times, which was amusing in audiobook form, but might not be your cup of tea when reading.
This book is cute, fun, heartwarming, and unflinching. I laughed, I cried, and learned so much about my body. For how much of it feels like a sitcom/romcom, the characters go through so much, and they are messy in a way that makes them feel real.
October 31, 2025
With Ellie Hayes and the Himbos, you get found family, you get chronic illness rep, you get redefining yourself, you get romance, and best of all, you get himbos.
First off, this is a really sweet story, with New Girl vibes. Ellie just got dumped after a health scare (featuring her boyfriend saying he wasn't strong enough to deal with her health anymore), so she decides to move out and check out the rental she's been seeing. Turns out, that rental contains 3 college-aged dudebros, but they seem nice enough, and she's kinda desperate, so she moves in. Needing a small job, the guys take her to their gym, conveniently owned by one himbo's brother, who hires her as secretary-style help. Oh, and you know he's hot and ripped and actually she cried on his shoulder the other night...
So what I thought was so wonderful about this book is also sort of spoiler-y, but not really. So skip the rest of this paragraph if you want everything in the book to be new to you. I loved how the himbos were really just himbo in name only, and how just because they love to work out, doesn't mean they aren't super smart, caring, or ambitious in their lives and business. Each guy had a good personality and good emotional intelligence, and that's what made them so great. Then, at the end, I thought it was really important that Ellie actually does end up having MS. Sometimes we don't get to have our hopes happen, and sometimes life just sucks. But having a chronic illness and knowing that people care for you and want to be in your life is a big deal, and I'm glad that the author didn't shy away from this ending. End of sorta-spoilers!
In conclusion, I liked it a lot! I would totally read more books about the himbos. I needed a heart-warming read and this delivered!
Thanks to Forever and Hachette Audio for the e-ALC!
First off, this is a really sweet story, with New Girl vibes. Ellie just got dumped after a health scare (featuring her boyfriend saying he wasn't strong enough to deal with her health anymore), so she decides to move out and check out the rental she's been seeing. Turns out, that rental contains 3 college-aged dudebros, but they seem nice enough, and she's kinda desperate, so she moves in. Needing a small job, the guys take her to their gym, conveniently owned by one himbo's brother, who hires her as secretary-style help. Oh, and you know he's hot and ripped and actually she cried on his shoulder the other night...
So what I thought was so wonderful about this book is also sort of spoiler-y, but not really. So skip the rest of this paragraph if you want everything in the book to be new to you. I loved how the himbos were really just himbo in name only, and how just because they love to work out, doesn't mean they aren't super smart, caring, or ambitious in their lives and business. Each guy had a good personality and good emotional intelligence, and that's what made them so great. Then, at the end, I thought it was really important that Ellie actually does end up having MS. Sometimes we don't get to have our hopes happen, and sometimes life just sucks. But having a chronic illness and knowing that people care for you and want to be in your life is a big deal, and I'm glad that the author didn't shy away from this ending. End of sorta-spoilers!
In conclusion, I liked it a lot! I would totally read more books about the himbos. I needed a heart-warming read and this delivered!
Thanks to Forever and Hachette Audio for the e-ALC!
November 7, 2025
I LOVED ELLIE AND HER GROUP OF GUYS!! Her roommates are a group of guys who fully accept and appreciate her from day one. They vow to help make her strong, physically and otherwise. In turn, Ellie helps them learn how to cook, do laundry, etc. Honestly, I learned a lot about food and exercise. I think a foodie or a gym rat would really appreciate this book!
The guys are all so charming, lovable, innocent, and selfless. I went into this thinking it would be a reverse harem, but it’s not! Ellie’s love interest is actually the older brother of one of the roommates.
The book heavily covers chronic illness. The book captured the anxiety of what it’s like to wait for the results on a scary potential diagnosis, what’s it’s like to deal with daily symptoms, and what it’s like to have to explain these symptoms to your significant other. Sadly I know all of these feelings, and I appreciated being able to relate to Ellie in these ways.
💞 “It’s hot, Ian. Like, everything you do. It’s annoying.”
The guys are all so charming, lovable, innocent, and selfless. I went into this thinking it would be a reverse harem, but it’s not! Ellie’s love interest is actually the older brother of one of the roommates.
The book heavily covers chronic illness. The book captured the anxiety of what it’s like to wait for the results on a scary potential diagnosis, what’s it’s like to deal with daily symptoms, and what it’s like to have to explain these symptoms to your significant other. Sadly I know all of these feelings, and I appreciated being able to relate to Ellie in these ways.
💞 “It’s hot, Ian. Like, everything you do. It’s annoying.”
November 8, 2025
Having dealt with Endometriosis for a significant part of my life, author Vanessa King provided an accurate portrayal in the story Ellie Hayes and the Himbos. I could relate to Ellie’s everyday life challenges that are woven into the story. I loved that it’s a romcom as well. Ellie is shown to be moving on with her life, from her ex, who couldn’t handle her condition or the medical scare that she was going through. Her new roommates are a group of “Himbos”. Ellie is in her early 30s, whereas the Himbos are college-aged. They need to learn how to “adult,” and Ellie is more than happy to teach them. They are so sweet to her, and one has an older brother, Ian, with whom she becomes involved.
The communication is great with her and Ian about her condition. Ian is vastly different from her ex, like comparing apples to oranges. The story is light-hearted and fun in many ways, while balancing a fairly serious condition that affects many women. I enjoyed the story.
Thank you to @readforeverpub and Author Vanessa King for the gifted copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily
The communication is great with her and Ian about her condition. Ian is vastly different from her ex, like comparing apples to oranges. The story is light-hearted and fun in many ways, while balancing a fairly serious condition that affects many women. I enjoyed the story.
Thank you to @readforeverpub and Author Vanessa King for the gifted copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily
November 2, 2025
This was such a silly goofy premise to convey such a real story and I loved it. I was instantly drawn in and connected with Ellie on such a deep and emotional level. I absolutely loved how this was written. There were so many good/lighthearted/sweet moments balanced with the bad/scary/uncertainty and it was very well done. There was also great info sprinkled in here for women who suffer from endo, MS, or other conditions that just make living harder.
As far as the book itself, it was fast-paced and an easy, fun read! I giggled so many times, adored Diego, Grant, and Alistair, and was in love with Ellie and Ian (Ian may actually be my new favorite MMC). The found family dynamics between all the characters were so sweet, too. I enjoyed every moment of reading this!
As far as the book itself, it was fast-paced and an easy, fun read! I giggled so many times, adored Diego, Grant, and Alistair, and was in love with Ellie and Ian (Ian may actually be my new favorite MMC). The found family dynamics between all the characters were so sweet, too. I enjoyed every moment of reading this!
November 15, 2025
I don’t think I would have ever picked this book up based on the cover or title, but guys I LOVED EVERY SINGLE THING ABOUT THIS. 🥹 Full review to come.
October 19, 2025
"Don't judge a book by its cover... or a dude by his delts."
Okay but actually, I 100% judged this book by its cover - AND surprise, I ended up totally falling for everyone in it by chapter 2 (the cheese offering - iykyk). Vanessa even warned me that I'd cry and my competitive side was like "hold my beer, I'm not crying". Fast forward: she got me. I got teary eyed 3 different times while reading.
Ellie Hayes and the Himbos is overly heart-warming in all the best ways. While the first few chapters are all Himbos and cuteness, this book really dives into what living with a chronic illness does to someone mentally. The way Ellie navigates the doubts, guilt, and all the unspoken stuff? It hit. Hard.
Even with the heavier themes, Ellie’s inner monologue and first-person jokes had me LOLing and
kept the book upbeat and endearing.
Thank you Forever for this early ARC and for introducing me to author Vanessa King.
Okay but actually, I 100% judged this book by its cover - AND surprise, I ended up totally falling for everyone in it by chapter 2 (the cheese offering - iykyk). Vanessa even warned me that I'd cry and my competitive side was like "hold my beer, I'm not crying". Fast forward: she got me. I got teary eyed 3 different times while reading.
Ellie Hayes and the Himbos is overly heart-warming in all the best ways. While the first few chapters are all Himbos and cuteness, this book really dives into what living with a chronic illness does to someone mentally. The way Ellie navigates the doubts, guilt, and all the unspoken stuff? It hit. Hard.
Even with the heavier themes, Ellie’s inner monologue and first-person jokes had me LOLing and
kept the book upbeat and endearing.
Thank you Forever for this early ARC and for introducing me to author Vanessa King.
December 25, 2025
(4.5 stars) Thank you, @readforever and @hachetteaudio for the #gifted print and audio copies of this found family gem!
Ellie Hayes had a lot on her plate - starting a small business, a lifetime of endometriosis, and now facing a terrifying wait to determine if an MS diagnosis is in her future. Then, her long-term live-in boyfriend dumps her because all of that is too much for him. Which is when one chaotic, ill-conceived decision changes the trajectory of Ellie’s life. She rents a room in a house where her roommates are three early twenties “himbos” - they are a combination of gym workers and models. And she decides to teach them to adult. Cooking, cleaning, budgeting. But she also has a really intense attraction to Ian, the older brother of one of her roommates and local gym owner. She also accepts a temporary job as his front desk manager. As their connection grows, so does Ellie’s fear that someone like Ian doesn’t deserve to be saddled with everything she hasn’t shared about her life.
If you love found family, you are going to adore this book. ADORE. It is so funny - in the most disarming way. Ellie thinks she has these “himbo” roommates all figured out as vapid gym rats but the more time she spends with them, the more she realizes that they are each unique, with goals, feelings, aspirations and baggage - just like her. And as she brings her type-A, hyper-organized personality to their home, she learns as much from them as they do from her. And her relationship with Ian - she goes through a lot going from her ex who wanted her to be less to Ian who believes she she be whatever she wants. Fitness, health, and healthy body management (as well as the community that fitness brings) are a really important part of this charming story. The way King handles both MS and endometriosis is thoughtful and emotional - and the way she has Ian handle those discussions is a lesson for all men.
🎧 Audiobook Thoughts: Ellie Gossage (who was so great this year narrating Mate) does an OUTSTANDING job with this one. I loved the laughter and tears you can hear in her voice as she narrates particularly emotional moments. (11 hrs and 5 mins)
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
🎧 Audio performance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🔥 Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️
Ellie Hayes had a lot on her plate - starting a small business, a lifetime of endometriosis, and now facing a terrifying wait to determine if an MS diagnosis is in her future. Then, her long-term live-in boyfriend dumps her because all of that is too much for him. Which is when one chaotic, ill-conceived decision changes the trajectory of Ellie’s life. She rents a room in a house where her roommates are three early twenties “himbos” - they are a combination of gym workers and models. And she decides to teach them to adult. Cooking, cleaning, budgeting. But she also has a really intense attraction to Ian, the older brother of one of her roommates and local gym owner. She also accepts a temporary job as his front desk manager. As their connection grows, so does Ellie’s fear that someone like Ian doesn’t deserve to be saddled with everything she hasn’t shared about her life.
If you love found family, you are going to adore this book. ADORE. It is so funny - in the most disarming way. Ellie thinks she has these “himbo” roommates all figured out as vapid gym rats but the more time she spends with them, the more she realizes that they are each unique, with goals, feelings, aspirations and baggage - just like her. And as she brings her type-A, hyper-organized personality to their home, she learns as much from them as they do from her. And her relationship with Ian - she goes through a lot going from her ex who wanted her to be less to Ian who believes she she be whatever she wants. Fitness, health, and healthy body management (as well as the community that fitness brings) are a really important part of this charming story. The way King handles both MS and endometriosis is thoughtful and emotional - and the way she has Ian handle those discussions is a lesson for all men.
🎧 Audiobook Thoughts: Ellie Gossage (who was so great this year narrating Mate) does an OUTSTANDING job with this one. I loved the laughter and tears you can hear in her voice as she narrates particularly emotional moments. (11 hrs and 5 mins)
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
🎧 Audio performance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🔥 Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️
January 16, 2026
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Format: 📖 & 🎧
I fear I may be turning into a bit of a romance girlie, guys! This books was so cute, and had amazing chronic illness/unconfirmed diagnosis/disability representation (Endometriosis, Multiple Sclerosis & symptoms).
Vanessa King’s writing style is very reminiscent of the same vibes I get from an Ali Hazelwood book - strong, intelligent FMC and an MMC with depth and compassion. Her himbos made me giggle and kick my feet (literally, my office chair is really high and my feet don’t touch the ground and my lil leggers were just goin’) and Ian was just the most delicious MMC from the first debut scene until the epilogue!
Ellie has so many difficult things happen to her in the span of a week, I love how Vanessa wrote her character and how she describes the back-of-her-head panic about her diagnosis while she deals with the realities of a long term relationship break up, moving out of her home, living with 4 dudes in their early twenties, a new job and hobby, AND sorting through her trauma enough to consider a new chance at love. It was sad, entertaining, funny, heartbreaking, and healing all in one cute contemporary romance.
The entire book gave me New Girl vibes, which I LOVED.
The audio — Ellie Gossage did a phenomenal job. Sincerely. Her voices for the himbos were PERFECT and she made the boys so endearing 😭 She gave Ellie the most authentic voice that helped me fall in love with her straight away. I’ll be on the lookout for more of her audios in the future.
Notable tropes & themes ——
🏋🏻♀️ Chronic Illness/Unknown Diagnosis rep
💪🏼 Giant teddy bear MMC 🧸
🏋🏻♀️ Complex, funny, resilient FMC
💪🏼 “New Girl” vibes
🏋🏻♀️ Found Family
💪🏼 Work Place Romance
🏋🏻♀️ Fitness focus (I learned a few things, ngl)
💪🏼 Set in Austin, TX
🏋🏻♀️ Empathy, Compassion, finding new love after a tough long term breakup
I received this gifted ARC and ALC from Forever and Hachette Audio to read, listen and give my honest review. All opinions are my own. #EllieHayesandtheHimbos #NetGalley
Spice: 🌶️
Format: 📖 & 🎧
I fear I may be turning into a bit of a romance girlie, guys! This books was so cute, and had amazing chronic illness/unconfirmed diagnosis/disability representation (Endometriosis, Multiple Sclerosis & symptoms).
Vanessa King’s writing style is very reminiscent of the same vibes I get from an Ali Hazelwood book - strong, intelligent FMC and an MMC with depth and compassion. Her himbos made me giggle and kick my feet (literally, my office chair is really high and my feet don’t touch the ground and my lil leggers were just goin’) and Ian was just the most delicious MMC from the first debut scene until the epilogue!
Ellie has so many difficult things happen to her in the span of a week, I love how Vanessa wrote her character and how she describes the back-of-her-head panic about her diagnosis while she deals with the realities of a long term relationship break up, moving out of her home, living with 4 dudes in their early twenties, a new job and hobby, AND sorting through her trauma enough to consider a new chance at love. It was sad, entertaining, funny, heartbreaking, and healing all in one cute contemporary romance.
The entire book gave me New Girl vibes, which I LOVED.
The audio — Ellie Gossage did a phenomenal job. Sincerely. Her voices for the himbos were PERFECT and she made the boys so endearing 😭 She gave Ellie the most authentic voice that helped me fall in love with her straight away. I’ll be on the lookout for more of her audios in the future.
Notable tropes & themes ——
🏋🏻♀️ Chronic Illness/Unknown Diagnosis rep
💪🏼 Giant teddy bear MMC 🧸
🏋🏻♀️ Complex, funny, resilient FMC
💪🏼 “New Girl” vibes
🏋🏻♀️ Found Family
💪🏼 Work Place Romance
🏋🏻♀️ Fitness focus (I learned a few things, ngl)
💪🏼 Set in Austin, TX
🏋🏻♀️ Empathy, Compassion, finding new love after a tough long term breakup
I received this gifted ARC and ALC from Forever and Hachette Audio to read, listen and give my honest review. All opinions are my own. #EllieHayesandtheHimbos #NetGalley
November 4, 2025
Ellie has just left her terrible, unsupportive boyfriend after going blind in one eye, a condition that may be temporary or could become another chronic illness on top of her endometriosis. Needing both a place to stay and a fresh start, she moves into the first apartment she can find—with three college-aged roommates affectionately nicknamed the “himbos”: Grant, Alistair, and Diego. As Ellie adjusts to her new reality, she begins to realize there’s more to these guys than meets the eye—especially Grant’s older brother, Ian.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect much going in based on the title and cover, but I was so pleasantly surprised! This story is funny, refreshing, and full of heart. It also provides a wonderful, realistic representation of living with endometriosis and chronic illness, handled with both honesty and compassion. I particularly enjoyed how the author initially stereotypically portrays the guys as typical “himbos”, but that evolves into something more when Ellie’s own preconceived notions about them start to shift! The writing is fantastic, and the romance feels grounded and well-paced, blending humor, swoon-worthy chemistry, and meaningful discussions—especially around intimacy while dealing with chronic pain. The found family dynamic was also beautifully done, adding both warmth and humor.
The audiobook narration by Ellie Gossage was excellent! She brought Ellie’s personality and emotions to life, and her performance really enhanced my connection to the story. This was one of those audiobooks that made me want to keep listening nonstop!
Think New Girl meets She’s the Man—if all the roommates were different versions of Channing Tatum and invited Ellie into their chaos! It’s the perfect mix of hilarious, lighthearted fun and genuinely heartfelt, uplifting moments. At its core, this is a story about not judging a book by its cover—literally and figuratively—and about finding your place in the world with people who love and cherish all of you, perceived flaws and challenges alike.
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing), Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the ARC and ALC. All opinions are my own.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect much going in based on the title and cover, but I was so pleasantly surprised! This story is funny, refreshing, and full of heart. It also provides a wonderful, realistic representation of living with endometriosis and chronic illness, handled with both honesty and compassion. I particularly enjoyed how the author initially stereotypically portrays the guys as typical “himbos”, but that evolves into something more when Ellie’s own preconceived notions about them start to shift! The writing is fantastic, and the romance feels grounded and well-paced, blending humor, swoon-worthy chemistry, and meaningful discussions—especially around intimacy while dealing with chronic pain. The found family dynamic was also beautifully done, adding both warmth and humor.
The audiobook narration by Ellie Gossage was excellent! She brought Ellie’s personality and emotions to life, and her performance really enhanced my connection to the story. This was one of those audiobooks that made me want to keep listening nonstop!
Think New Girl meets She’s the Man—if all the roommates were different versions of Channing Tatum and invited Ellie into their chaos! It’s the perfect mix of hilarious, lighthearted fun and genuinely heartfelt, uplifting moments. At its core, this is a story about not judging a book by its cover—literally and figuratively—and about finding your place in the world with people who love and cherish all of you, perceived flaws and challenges alike.
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing), Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the ARC and ALC. All opinions are my own.
September 21, 2025
4.5 stars! Such a fun and entertaining read, with a surprising amount of depth. I was completely charmed by the titular himbos Grant, Diego, and Alistair. These guys were so sweet and fun, and written in such an endearing "young gym bro/little brother" kind of way. I loved Ellie's relationship with them, and it's written in such a way that a lot of affection comes through. The culture clash between Ellie and the bros was entertaining and their dynamic was humorously sweet. (The roommate hijinks have a delightfully strong "New Girl" feel to them. I would love for each of the himbos to get individual stories in the future.) And of course, Ellie's and Ian's relationship was a wonderful blend of learning to appreciate what you have and also recognizing that "just for fun" can turn into the exact thing that is perfect for you. (There's predictable conflict about Ellie's handling of disclosing her health details, but don't worry because this is the type of romance with an HEA.) I really didn't expect to like this book as much as I did, because so many rom-coms feel formulaic and shallowly written. This one had a wonderful amount of depth, not just with regards to some of the subject matter but also in many of the interpersonal interactions as well as the strong found family vibe. There's a large cast of characters, but they're all written with such personality that they complement the story rather than complicate it. I very much enjoyed the author's writing style. It's heavy on the observational details and asides, making Ellie's 1st-person POV that much more enjoyable to read. (There were times I literally LOL'd.) This is a new-to-me author, and I enjoyed this book so much I would enthusiastically read whatever she writes next! Publishes November 4, 2025. This review was based on a complimentary eARC of the book, all opinions are my own.
December 15, 2025
This book was amazing. Like drop everything and go read and/or listen to it right now amazing. It was funny and sweet and full of super fun characters you can’t help but love. Ellie is a great representation of strength despite circumstances. She finds herself faced with the possibility of a health crisis that her boyfriend just can’t handle so when he breaks up with her she has to find a place to live and a place to take a break for a bit while she waits to find out if her life is going to completely change due to a diagnosis.
Ellie goes to look at a room for rent and finds it full of young muscular guys. She moves in and shenanigans ensue. The himbos are all hilarious characters and Ellie starts to rub off on them just as much as they start rubbing off on her. She also meets Ian, Grants super hot older brother and there is instant chemistry. She starts working on Ian’s gym and for a while forgets what’s possibly coming her way.
Let me start by saying as a chronically ill girlie I love a man like Ian. Someone who is supportive and caring and works hard to make sure you’re okay and taken care of. If there are men like this out there that aren’t fictional someone please send one my way. I loved all of the relationships in this book from Ellie and the boys, to Ellie’s friends, the gym members and of course Ian. I can’t recommend this book enough.
I listened to an ALC of this book narrated by Ellie Gossage. She did an excellent job and held my attention while keeping me entertained all the way. Thank you Forever and Vanessa Kin for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Ellie goes to look at a room for rent and finds it full of young muscular guys. She moves in and shenanigans ensue. The himbos are all hilarious characters and Ellie starts to rub off on them just as much as they start rubbing off on her. She also meets Ian, Grants super hot older brother and there is instant chemistry. She starts working on Ian’s gym and for a while forgets what’s possibly coming her way.
Let me start by saying as a chronically ill girlie I love a man like Ian. Someone who is supportive and caring and works hard to make sure you’re okay and taken care of. If there are men like this out there that aren’t fictional someone please send one my way. I loved all of the relationships in this book from Ellie and the boys, to Ellie’s friends, the gym members and of course Ian. I can’t recommend this book enough.
I listened to an ALC of this book narrated by Ellie Gossage. She did an excellent job and held my attention while keeping me entertained all the way. Thank you Forever and Vanessa Kin for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
November 24, 2025
This book was really surprising! I'm not going to lie, I didn't go into this really understanding the premise, and I was a bit turned off by the premise. As a fat body that has had many negative experiences with gyms and working out, I tend to stay away from that in books. But as I said, King surprised me. This was a truly heartfelt story that I think all readers could relate to.
Ellie is down on her luck. Health issues and a recent breakup have left her needing a new place to live. When she ends up rooming with 3 undergrad himbos (and gym rats!), she isn't sure what's in store. But through her new job at a gym run by a sexy former weightlifter, getting to know her new roommates, and feeling the strongest she's ever felt-- she learns that maybe she's enough to turn her own luck around.
This book was hysterical! I loved the characters, especially Ellie's roommates and all of the meddling gym members. While I really thought that I'd be turned off by the plot, I ended up really loving it. I also appreciate how King did a good job of combating fatphobia in the book and discusses how weight isn't the most important aspect of health. So, while it's a book about a gym and working out...it's definitely not the stereotype.
The narrator, Ellie Gossage, did a fantastic job of creating dynamic personalities for the many different characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette for this ALC. This is my personal review.
Ellie is down on her luck. Health issues and a recent breakup have left her needing a new place to live. When she ends up rooming with 3 undergrad himbos (and gym rats!), she isn't sure what's in store. But through her new job at a gym run by a sexy former weightlifter, getting to know her new roommates, and feeling the strongest she's ever felt-- she learns that maybe she's enough to turn her own luck around.
This book was hysterical! I loved the characters, especially Ellie's roommates and all of the meddling gym members. While I really thought that I'd be turned off by the plot, I ended up really loving it. I also appreciate how King did a good job of combating fatphobia in the book and discusses how weight isn't the most important aspect of health. So, while it's a book about a gym and working out...it's definitely not the stereotype.
The narrator, Ellie Gossage, did a fantastic job of creating dynamic personalities for the many different characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette for this ALC. This is my personal review.
November 1, 2025
4/5 Stars | I, Myself, am Down Bad Crying at the Gym TYSM 💪💞😭
What I liked: Was I expecting this book to reach into my chest, rearrange my organs, and whisper “you are enough” while I ugly cried on a Saturday morning? No. And yet, here we are. This book is an absolute love letter to anyone living with chronic illness — especially endometriosis and MS — and to every person who’s ever thought they had to earn love by being useful. The eldest daughter energy? IMMACULATE. The emotional insight? Off the charts. This story is a huge, glaring, neon light reminder that I don’t need to provide value to be loved — that I am, in fact, enough. And yes, it made me want to stand on a table and yell about how ROMANCE NOVELS ARE IMPORTANT, ACTUALLY. They are not ruining literature; they’re teaching people their worth and giving us all a soft place to land. I will die on this sparkly, himbo-shaped hill.
What I didn’t like: There is a third-act breakup, and while it made sense thematically, the resolution felt a little too neatly tied for my taste. It did, however, beautifully highlight the found family and community that surrounded Ellie — the gym himbos and beyond — so I’ll allow it. Still, my heart remains mildly grumpy about it (as is law).
Thank you to Forever for the finished copy of this story, as I will treasure it.
What I liked: Was I expecting this book to reach into my chest, rearrange my organs, and whisper “you are enough” while I ugly cried on a Saturday morning? No. And yet, here we are. This book is an absolute love letter to anyone living with chronic illness — especially endometriosis and MS — and to every person who’s ever thought they had to earn love by being useful. The eldest daughter energy? IMMACULATE. The emotional insight? Off the charts. This story is a huge, glaring, neon light reminder that I don’t need to provide value to be loved — that I am, in fact, enough. And yes, it made me want to stand on a table and yell about how ROMANCE NOVELS ARE IMPORTANT, ACTUALLY. They are not ruining literature; they’re teaching people their worth and giving us all a soft place to land. I will die on this sparkly, himbo-shaped hill.
What I didn’t like: There is a third-act breakup, and while it made sense thematically, the resolution felt a little too neatly tied for my taste. It did, however, beautifully highlight the found family and community that surrounded Ellie — the gym himbos and beyond — so I’ll allow it. Still, my heart remains mildly grumpy about it (as is law).
Thank you to Forever for the finished copy of this story, as I will treasure it.
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