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Love Beyond the Veil
When a cozy streamer with a cult following meets a brooding game producer under corporate fire, sparks fly—in and out of the dungeon.
Lucy “LucetheGoose” Anderson has built a safe haven online, streaming the MMORPG The Veil with her best friend and a mug of tea in hand. But when she’s invited to join the game’s official Expansion Hype Team™, her quiet world collides with the high-stakes chaos of game development.
Elgin Meadows is barely holding it together. As a senior producer at Necromance Studios, he’s juggling a hostile corporate takeover, a make-or-break expansion, and a team on the verge of burnout. The last thing he expects is to find solace in a streamer’s voice—or to fall for her, one beta test at a time.
As the expansion nears launch, Wonder Studios threatens to monetize everything the devs love about The Veil. With the future of the game—and their connection—on the line, Lucy and Elgin must decide what they’re willing to risk for creative freedom, community, and each other.
A slow-burn, dual-POV romance for anyone who’s ever fallen in love through a headset.
Lucy “LucetheGoose” Anderson has built a safe haven online, streaming the MMORPG The Veil with her best friend and a mug of tea in hand. But when she’s invited to join the game’s official Expansion Hype Team™, her quiet world collides with the high-stakes chaos of game development.
Elgin Meadows is barely holding it together. As a senior producer at Necromance Studios, he’s juggling a hostile corporate takeover, a make-or-break expansion, and a team on the verge of burnout. The last thing he expects is to find solace in a streamer’s voice—or to fall for her, one beta test at a time.
As the expansion nears launch, Wonder Studios threatens to monetize everything the devs love about The Veil. With the future of the game—and their connection—on the line, Lucy and Elgin must decide what they’re willing to risk for creative freedom, community, and each other.
A slow-burn, dual-POV romance for anyone who’s ever fallen in love through a headset.
- GenresRomance
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 23, 2025
7 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
June 24, 2025
3 ⭐️ Thank you Tales & Teacups for this ARC! (@talesandteacupspr) I truly know fuck all about gaming, but I felt like a pro reading this!!! This was absolutely adorable and I felt like I was a part of the story the whole read. Also the connection between the FMC & MMC was fantastic! Two nerds falling in love? HELL YEAH
June 23, 2025
3.75 ☆ I think?
The gaming aspects of this book are so well done that it's clear the author either is a gamer, or has done extensive research into streaming. I used to stream games online and even though I never got as big as LucetheGoose, some of the aspects of streaming really hit home to me!
The gaming and community aspects are easily my favourite parts of Love Beyond the Veil. The reference to the real life "Skyrim Grandma" was also so precious! The sense of community, both in the streamer/fan dynamic, and the streamer/streamer dynamics are so fleshed out that it feels real. The type of connection that comes from gaming together and working on projects together is really like no other, and I was really glad to see this represented in a book.
I also loved the sweet relationship between Lucy & Elgin, their online relationship was really wholesome and, like I said, sweet. My issue is... it really doesn't feel like a slow burn (which is what was advertised). The jump between the more sweet, beginning-of-a-relationship stage and the instantly sexual out of nowhere scenes felt a bit jarring at times.
Overall, I liked this book, thought it was really sweet, and I don't think I've seen a romance set in the gaming world in quite some time. The only thing that brought my rating down was the jarring suddenness to the sexual scenes. I don't mind sexual scenes in general, but the suddenness felt a little off-putting to me.
Disclaimer: Thank you to Tales and Teacups and Emerie Spark for this e-ARC. I was provided this ARC for review only, I was not paid for this review. All opinions are my own.
The gaming aspects of this book are so well done that it's clear the author either is a gamer, or has done extensive research into streaming. I used to stream games online and even though I never got as big as LucetheGoose, some of the aspects of streaming really hit home to me!
The gaming and community aspects are easily my favourite parts of Love Beyond the Veil. The reference to the real life "Skyrim Grandma" was also so precious! The sense of community, both in the streamer/fan dynamic, and the streamer/streamer dynamics are so fleshed out that it feels real. The type of connection that comes from gaming together and working on projects together is really like no other, and I was really glad to see this represented in a book.
I also loved the sweet relationship between Lucy & Elgin, their online relationship was really wholesome and, like I said, sweet. My issue is... it really doesn't feel like a slow burn (which is what was advertised). The jump between the more sweet, beginning-of-a-relationship stage and the instantly sexual out of nowhere scenes felt a bit jarring at times.
Overall, I liked this book, thought it was really sweet, and I don't think I've seen a romance set in the gaming world in quite some time. The only thing that brought my rating down was the jarring suddenness to the sexual scenes. I don't mind sexual scenes in general, but the suddenness felt a little off-putting to me.
Disclaimer: Thank you to Tales and Teacups and Emerie Spark for this e-ARC. I was provided this ARC for review only, I was not paid for this review. All opinions are my own.
June 19, 2025
If you’re fond of the gaming world and streaming platforms this light read is definitely for you. I enjoyed the fast pacing and The Veil’s game descriptions, it felt unique for me, as I never read a cosy and nerdy romance story like this before. Games really can be an online community space with genuine connections. The characters and friendships felt realistic and fun!
Thank you for the advance copy.
Thank you for the advance copy.
July 1, 2025
Thank you to Tales & Teacups and Emerie Spark for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.
My thoughts:
This novel is a love letter to online gaming and streaming. We have Lucy - a popular streamer who has been able to come out of her shell as a person due to streaming a video game called The Veil and Elgin - a creator and developer of The Veil whose studio was recently bought out by a bigger studio. They meet and begin to work together, slowing falling in love as they test The Veil's next expansion. Things get bumpy when The Veil's new studio threatens to pull the new expansion due to it not fitting the path they want to go down.
I really liked the way that Lucy and Elgin supported each other. He helped her find her "spark" in the gaming community and she helped him to believe in himself and The Veil again. I also liked the way that the group found a way to stick to the man and get out from under the thumb of the new big studio.
It took a majority of this novel for me to realize what was off about it to me - it is very dialogue and action based with very little internal thoughts from the narrating characters. Like we were told what they were saying and what they were doing but we never really got into their heads which made it harder to root for them. I also felt like the first sex scene was quite abrupt - they went from not talking about their feelings to having phone sex real fast. The short sections of this novel also made it feel very choppy. I think overall, the author has potential but needs to find a way to flesh things out a bit to take things to the next level.
My thoughts:
This novel is a love letter to online gaming and streaming. We have Lucy - a popular streamer who has been able to come out of her shell as a person due to streaming a video game called The Veil and Elgin - a creator and developer of The Veil whose studio was recently bought out by a bigger studio. They meet and begin to work together, slowing falling in love as they test The Veil's next expansion. Things get bumpy when The Veil's new studio threatens to pull the new expansion due to it not fitting the path they want to go down.
I really liked the way that Lucy and Elgin supported each other. He helped her find her "spark" in the gaming community and she helped him to believe in himself and The Veil again. I also liked the way that the group found a way to stick to the man and get out from under the thumb of the new big studio.
It took a majority of this novel for me to realize what was off about it to me - it is very dialogue and action based with very little internal thoughts from the narrating characters. Like we were told what they were saying and what they were doing but we never really got into their heads which made it harder to root for them. I also felt like the first sex scene was quite abrupt - they went from not talking about their feelings to having phone sex real fast. The short sections of this novel also made it feel very choppy. I think overall, the author has potential but needs to find a way to flesh things out a bit to take things to the next level.
June 30, 2025
Love Beyond the Veil by Emerie Spark
Thank you to Tales & Teacups and Emerie Spark for a chance to read this ARC.
Emerie Spark’s Love Beyond the Veil is like hopping into a cosy gaming stream—fun and full of heart.
Lucy is a cosy streamer who’s all about chilled vibes, storytelling, and her love for The Veil. This indie game, created by Elgin is more than just pixels; it’s a gateway to something bigger. When Lucy is asked to beta test the new game expansion, she soon finds more than she is expecting – love. Lucy and Elgin’s connection is instant, seen from both POVs the spark is there the moment Elgin watches Lucy stream for the first time. It feels like home for him and though they are separated by distance the bond grows, cue late-night chats, cosy questing and more.
One of the coolest things about the book is how it explores the human need for connection even in an online platform and how communities can grow from the online gaming world. Lucy’s cosy streams and Elgin’s dedication to his craft embody creativity and connection and their journey feels as much about discovering themselves as much as it is playing and creating this game.
Lucy and Elgin are an absolute delight. Lucy’s cosy streamer vibes are so relatable—she’s the kind of person you’d want to tune into while you sip your cup of tea and wind down after a long day. Meanwhile, Elgin has this quiet, intense energy. He’s one of the founders of The Veil and grapples with balancing his passion for the game and the new corporate structure. I loved the comments about corporate speak, knowing I have my own corporate buzz word bingo card at work. The other members of the hype team and the creative team round out the story giving it depth and emotional stakes. The bad guy in the story are the corporate overlords for the game and their need for profit over the enjoyment of the users. This actually made me cry when they “sunset” the expansion, the emotion and reactions of the characters really resonated with me as a person who does enjoy narrative driven video gaming.
Emerie Spark’s writing is the equivalent of snuggling up with a blanket—it’s comforting. The dialogue between Lucy and Elgin feels natural and funny, and the descriptions of The Veil and the gameplay are immersive, making you wish the game existed IRL.
Where Love Beyond the Veil shines is in its ability to blend gaming culture with heartfelt storytelling. The relationship between Lucy and Elgin is adorable, and the connection to The Veil adds a unique premise to the story within the crowded genre. The emotional moments hit hard without feeling too ‘heavy’—the kind of balance that makes this a great weekend read.
Emerie Spark’s Love Beyond the Veil is like discovering your favourite streamer has dropped a collab with the indie game of your dreams—it’s heartfelt, cosy and a little bit spicy. Lucy and Elgin’s story is about finding connection, purpose, and love.
Thank you to Tales & Teacups and Emerie Spark for a chance to read this ARC.
Emerie Spark’s Love Beyond the Veil is like hopping into a cosy gaming stream—fun and full of heart.
Lucy is a cosy streamer who’s all about chilled vibes, storytelling, and her love for The Veil. This indie game, created by Elgin is more than just pixels; it’s a gateway to something bigger. When Lucy is asked to beta test the new game expansion, she soon finds more than she is expecting – love. Lucy and Elgin’s connection is instant, seen from both POVs the spark is there the moment Elgin watches Lucy stream for the first time. It feels like home for him and though they are separated by distance the bond grows, cue late-night chats, cosy questing and more.
One of the coolest things about the book is how it explores the human need for connection even in an online platform and how communities can grow from the online gaming world. Lucy’s cosy streams and Elgin’s dedication to his craft embody creativity and connection and their journey feels as much about discovering themselves as much as it is playing and creating this game.
Lucy and Elgin are an absolute delight. Lucy’s cosy streamer vibes are so relatable—she’s the kind of person you’d want to tune into while you sip your cup of tea and wind down after a long day. Meanwhile, Elgin has this quiet, intense energy. He’s one of the founders of The Veil and grapples with balancing his passion for the game and the new corporate structure. I loved the comments about corporate speak, knowing I have my own corporate buzz word bingo card at work. The other members of the hype team and the creative team round out the story giving it depth and emotional stakes. The bad guy in the story are the corporate overlords for the game and their need for profit over the enjoyment of the users. This actually made me cry when they “sunset” the expansion, the emotion and reactions of the characters really resonated with me as a person who does enjoy narrative driven video gaming.
Emerie Spark’s writing is the equivalent of snuggling up with a blanket—it’s comforting. The dialogue between Lucy and Elgin feels natural and funny, and the descriptions of The Veil and the gameplay are immersive, making you wish the game existed IRL.
Where Love Beyond the Veil shines is in its ability to blend gaming culture with heartfelt storytelling. The relationship between Lucy and Elgin is adorable, and the connection to The Veil adds a unique premise to the story within the crowded genre. The emotional moments hit hard without feeling too ‘heavy’—the kind of balance that makes this a great weekend read.
Emerie Spark’s Love Beyond the Veil is like discovering your favourite streamer has dropped a collab with the indie game of your dreams—it’s heartfelt, cosy and a little bit spicy. Lucy and Elgin’s story is about finding connection, purpose, and love.
June 18, 2025
To all the nerds in love who level up together… may the journey always be worth the grind.
Love Beyond The Veil by Emerie Sparks follows Lucy - aka LuceTheGoose - a cozy streamer with a cult following, as she meets Elgin - aka DevMaster3000 - a brooding game producer under corporate fire. Naturally, he's a total cinnamon roll hero, so sparks are bound to fly - both in and out of the The Veil.
This was a short, cozy, feel-good read - a bit of a palette cleanser, I’d say.
At just 200 pages, it was sweet, delightfully nerdy, and absolutely full of heart. The cast of charming, quirky characters added real flavour to the story. The friendship dynamic between Lucy, Charlotte, Francis, Blake, and Florian was a highlight - wholesome, supportive, and full of chemistry. It gave readers that beloved “found family” feeling we all crave.
Though it’s set in the world of streaming and gaming, don’t let that put you off if it’s not usually your thing.
This is a bingeable romance for anyone who enjoys mutual pining, forced proximity, instant connections, and long-distance love with a nerdy twist.
The gaming and streaming elements were well-written, offering a behind-the-scenes look that felt authentic and immersive.
Sparks captures the intimacy of gamer romance beautifully - the trust built beyond the keyboard.
Beneath the cozy romance is a life lesson about the importance of building a support network and community. It’s a touching reminder that connection can come from anywhere - even a high school video game - and that your sparkle can still shine through a screen, with your chosen family cheering you on.
The story also includes modern touches - mentions of TikTok, Starbucks, and COVID -which made it feel current and highly relatable. While the fast pace worked well for a light, engaging read, the plot and characters had enough depth that it could’ve easily expanded into a longer novel. That said, it didn’t need to. It delivered exactly what it promised.
Overall, if you’re looking for a short, sweet, and unique romance with a geeky twist, Love Beyond The Veil is the book for you.
---
Thank you to both Emerie Sparks and Tales & Teacups for sending me an early copy to read and review.
Love Beyond The Veil by Emerie Sparks follows Lucy - aka LuceTheGoose - a cozy streamer with a cult following, as she meets Elgin - aka DevMaster3000 - a brooding game producer under corporate fire. Naturally, he's a total cinnamon roll hero, so sparks are bound to fly - both in and out of the The Veil.
This was a short, cozy, feel-good read - a bit of a palette cleanser, I’d say.
At just 200 pages, it was sweet, delightfully nerdy, and absolutely full of heart. The cast of charming, quirky characters added real flavour to the story. The friendship dynamic between Lucy, Charlotte, Francis, Blake, and Florian was a highlight - wholesome, supportive, and full of chemistry. It gave readers that beloved “found family” feeling we all crave.
Though it’s set in the world of streaming and gaming, don’t let that put you off if it’s not usually your thing.
This is a bingeable romance for anyone who enjoys mutual pining, forced proximity, instant connections, and long-distance love with a nerdy twist.
The gaming and streaming elements were well-written, offering a behind-the-scenes look that felt authentic and immersive.
Sparks captures the intimacy of gamer romance beautifully - the trust built beyond the keyboard.
Beneath the cozy romance is a life lesson about the importance of building a support network and community. It’s a touching reminder that connection can come from anywhere - even a high school video game - and that your sparkle can still shine through a screen, with your chosen family cheering you on.
The story also includes modern touches - mentions of TikTok, Starbucks, and COVID -which made it feel current and highly relatable. While the fast pace worked well for a light, engaging read, the plot and characters had enough depth that it could’ve easily expanded into a longer novel. That said, it didn’t need to. It delivered exactly what it promised.
Overall, if you’re looking for a short, sweet, and unique romance with a geeky twist, Love Beyond The Veil is the book for you.
---
Thank you to both Emerie Sparks and Tales & Teacups for sending me an early copy to read and review.
July 18, 2025
If you’ve ever stayed up too late grinding in an MMO, screamed into a headset with your online besties, or just felt things when a fictional ship finally kissed, this book is for you. When a Cozy Streamer Meets a Brooding Game Producer is like if Legends & Lattes had a baby with a workplace rom-com, and that baby grew up to be a Twitch streamer. I DEVOURED it.
The Vibes:
Lucy "LucetheGoose" Anderson is your favourite comfort streamer, the kind who plays The Veil (a fantasy MMORPG) with a giant mug of tea, cracks terrible puns, and makes you feel like you’re hanging out with a friend. Then there’s Elgin “Devmaster3000” Meadows, the grumpy-but-hot senior game producer who’s this close to setting his office on fire because of corporate nonsense. When Lucy gets hired to hype up the new expansion, their worlds collide, and ohhhh boy, it is delicious.
• Slow Burn™ Excellence: These two go from "professional acquaintances" to "sitting in the game late at night to talk about life" in the most satisfying way. Every beta test session, every accidental flirtation, every "wait, do we actually like each other?" moment had me kicking my feet.
• Gamer Authenticity: The book gets gaming culture. The chaos of development crunch, the way online friends become family, it all feels real. (Also, Lucy’s chat is 100% how Twitch chats actually are, and I cackled.)
• Elgin, My Tired King: This man is overworked, under-caffeinated, and somehow still a simp for Lucy. Watching him fall for her as she drags him into her cozy chaos? Chef’s kiss.
• Stakes That Matter: It’s not just romance, the fight to save The Veil from corporate greed gives the story heart. You’ll be ready to riot alongside the dev team.
Read If You Love:
• Banter that makes you grin like an idiot
• Found family vibes
• The emotional damage of loving a game that’s being ruined by The Man
Final Verdict:
This book is a warm hug with just the right amount of angst. It’s for anyone who’s ever fallen in love through a screen, whether with a game, a person, or both. I finished it and immediately wanted to play The Veil (which, sadly, isn’t real… yet).
Pairs well with: Your comfiest blanket, a giant mug of tea, and the sudden urge to DM your gaming crush.
The Vibes:
Lucy "LucetheGoose" Anderson is your favourite comfort streamer, the kind who plays The Veil (a fantasy MMORPG) with a giant mug of tea, cracks terrible puns, and makes you feel like you’re hanging out with a friend. Then there’s Elgin “Devmaster3000” Meadows, the grumpy-but-hot senior game producer who’s this close to setting his office on fire because of corporate nonsense. When Lucy gets hired to hype up the new expansion, their worlds collide, and ohhhh boy, it is delicious.
• Slow Burn™ Excellence: These two go from "professional acquaintances" to "sitting in the game late at night to talk about life" in the most satisfying way. Every beta test session, every accidental flirtation, every "wait, do we actually like each other?" moment had me kicking my feet.
• Gamer Authenticity: The book gets gaming culture. The chaos of development crunch, the way online friends become family, it all feels real. (Also, Lucy’s chat is 100% how Twitch chats actually are, and I cackled.)
• Elgin, My Tired King: This man is overworked, under-caffeinated, and somehow still a simp for Lucy. Watching him fall for her as she drags him into her cozy chaos? Chef’s kiss.
• Stakes That Matter: It’s not just romance, the fight to save The Veil from corporate greed gives the story heart. You’ll be ready to riot alongside the dev team.
Read If You Love:
• Banter that makes you grin like an idiot
• Found family vibes
• The emotional damage of loving a game that’s being ruined by The Man
Final Verdict:
This book is a warm hug with just the right amount of angst. It’s for anyone who’s ever fallen in love through a screen, whether with a game, a person, or both. I finished it and immediately wanted to play The Veil (which, sadly, isn’t real… yet).
Pairs well with: Your comfiest blanket, a giant mug of tea, and the sudden urge to DM your gaming crush.
June 16, 2025
Edit: The more I think about this book, the more I think I liked it. Not quite a 4, but upgrading to 3.5 stars. Maybe someday GoodReads will let us do halves.
—
If you’re a gamer, this one is for you. If you’re not a game, like me (seriously, my gaming ended with side scrolling Super Nintendo games), still give it a chance if you just want an endearing, pallet-cleanser that will make you chuckle.
I received this book as an ARC, which I signed up for because it seemed like a really unique premise for a nerdy romance: Game developer and a streamer hit it off in-game when the latter becomes part of the latest expansion Hype Team.
Yes, that happens in the sweetest way that feels incredibly organic for a short novel, but the story is about a lot more. You get to meet Elgin’s close-knit production team that is dealing with a recent buy out by a conglomerate that only cares about money, the other streamers that make up the Hype Team, and Lucy’s producer/BFF. This zany cast of authentic characters teach us that this gaming world is really about finding your sparkle and being around those that see it.
Emerie Spark manages to give us complex characters and a story that connects not only them, but conveys a connection I think we can all relate to in under 200 pages without any of it feeling rushed or out of place. Admittedly, I got a little lost in the gaming speak and kind of wish Spark explained that a little more, but by the halfway point I couldn’t put it down—I have the sunburn to prove it.
—
If you’re a gamer, this one is for you. If you’re not a game, like me (seriously, my gaming ended with side scrolling Super Nintendo games), still give it a chance if you just want an endearing, pallet-cleanser that will make you chuckle.
I received this book as an ARC, which I signed up for because it seemed like a really unique premise for a nerdy romance: Game developer and a streamer hit it off in-game when the latter becomes part of the latest expansion Hype Team.
Yes, that happens in the sweetest way that feels incredibly organic for a short novel, but the story is about a lot more. You get to meet Elgin’s close-knit production team that is dealing with a recent buy out by a conglomerate that only cares about money, the other streamers that make up the Hype Team, and Lucy’s producer/BFF. This zany cast of authentic characters teach us that this gaming world is really about finding your sparkle and being around those that see it.
Emerie Spark manages to give us complex characters and a story that connects not only them, but conveys a connection I think we can all relate to in under 200 pages without any of it feeling rushed or out of place. Admittedly, I got a little lost in the gaming speak and kind of wish Spark explained that a little more, but by the halfway point I couldn’t put it down—I have the sunburn to prove it.
August 2, 2025
A Wholesome Romance for the Gamer Heart
Love Beyond the Veil had me smiling from page one with its incredibly well-done gaming and streaming elements. As someone who used to stream games online, I really appreciated how authentic everything felt—it’s clear the author is either a gamer themselves or did some serious research. From platform dynamics to community interaction, it felt real.
The streamer/fan and streamer/streamer relationships were some of my favorite parts of the story. There’s something really special about the kind of bonds that form through gaming, and this book captured that perfectly. I also loved the nod to the real-life “Skyrim Grandma”—it was such a sweet and unexpected touch.
Lucy and Elgin’s relationship was heartwarming and wholesome, especially in the way their connection bloomed online. That said, I wouldn’t really call it a “slow burn,” as it’s marketed. The progression from soft and sweet to full-on steamy happened very suddenly, and it threw me a bit. I don’t mind spice in books at all—but the pacing of those moments just felt a little off.
Still, this was a super enjoyable read, and I can’t remember the last time I read a romance set in the gaming world that felt this cozy and grounded in community. If you’re a fan of streaming culture, wholesome online friendships, or just want something a little different in your romance reads, this one’s worth checking out.
Disclaimer: Thank you to Tales and Teacups and Emerie Spark for providing me with an e-ARC of Love Beyond the Veil in exchange for an honest review.
Love Beyond the Veil had me smiling from page one with its incredibly well-done gaming and streaming elements. As someone who used to stream games online, I really appreciated how authentic everything felt—it’s clear the author is either a gamer themselves or did some serious research. From platform dynamics to community interaction, it felt real.
The streamer/fan and streamer/streamer relationships were some of my favorite parts of the story. There’s something really special about the kind of bonds that form through gaming, and this book captured that perfectly. I also loved the nod to the real-life “Skyrim Grandma”—it was such a sweet and unexpected touch.
Lucy and Elgin’s relationship was heartwarming and wholesome, especially in the way their connection bloomed online. That said, I wouldn’t really call it a “slow burn,” as it’s marketed. The progression from soft and sweet to full-on steamy happened very suddenly, and it threw me a bit. I don’t mind spice in books at all—but the pacing of those moments just felt a little off.
Still, this was a super enjoyable read, and I can’t remember the last time I read a romance set in the gaming world that felt this cozy and grounded in community. If you’re a fan of streaming culture, wholesome online friendships, or just want something a little different in your romance reads, this one’s worth checking out.
Disclaimer: Thank you to Tales and Teacups and Emerie Spark for providing me with an e-ARC of Love Beyond the Veil in exchange for an honest review.
June 10, 2025
If you’ve ever fallen in love through late-night raids, cozy co-op games, or chaotic voice chats—you’ll feel right at home in Love Beyond the Veil. This is a story that celebrates gaming not just as a hobby, but as a real space for connection, community, and even love.
At its heart, this is a romance between Lucethegoose, a cozy streamer with a heart of gold, and Elgin a head game developer fighting to preserve the soul of his creation amidst corporate KPIs and cold monetisation models. Watching them fall for each other (both in and out of game) was genuinely heartwarming. As someone who games with my partner, I felt so seen by this story. It captures that sweet, screen-lit intimacy only gamers know: shared quests, inside jokes, and building trust pixel by pixel.
The pacing is quick, perfect if you’re in a slump or just need something to sweep you off your feet, but I can see how others might wish it lingered a little longer in certain moments. That said, the fast pace never dulled the emotional beats..
✨ Thoughtful, nerdy, and full of heart, Love Beyond the Veil is for the romantics who find magic in loading screens and love in co-op campaigns.
At its heart, this is a romance between Lucethegoose, a cozy streamer with a heart of gold, and Elgin a head game developer fighting to preserve the soul of his creation amidst corporate KPIs and cold monetisation models. Watching them fall for each other (both in and out of game) was genuinely heartwarming. As someone who games with my partner, I felt so seen by this story. It captures that sweet, screen-lit intimacy only gamers know: shared quests, inside jokes, and building trust pixel by pixel.
The pacing is quick, perfect if you’re in a slump or just need something to sweep you off your feet, but I can see how others might wish it lingered a little longer in certain moments. That said, the fast pace never dulled the emotional beats..
✨ Thoughtful, nerdy, and full of heart, Love Beyond the Veil is for the romantics who find magic in loading screens and love in co-op campaigns.
June 16, 2025
Love Beyond the Veil is a story about love, gaming, friendship, and following your dreams.
I enjoyed the overall concept, especially the focus on streaming and the gaming world—it felt fresh and fun. The friendships between the characters were definitely the highlight for me. I loved the dynamic between Lucy, Charlotte, Francis, Florian, and Blake. Their chemistry was great, and I really appreciated how they supported each other instead of competing. That positive, hype-each-other-up energy gave the book a lot of heart.
That said, the pacing felt a bit rushed, and at times the timeline jumped in a way that left things feeling slightly disjointed. The romance had potential and some lovely moments, but the spice mid-way through felt a bit out of the blue and didn’t quite match the build-up.
Overall, it’s an enjoyable read if you’re into stories that explore gaming, streaming, and behind-the-scenes friendships. While I think the plot could have benefited from a bit more development, it’s still a light and engaging read for fans of online connection and creator culture.
Thank you to Tales and Teacups for sending over an ARC for me to read!
I enjoyed the overall concept, especially the focus on streaming and the gaming world—it felt fresh and fun. The friendships between the characters were definitely the highlight for me. I loved the dynamic between Lucy, Charlotte, Francis, Florian, and Blake. Their chemistry was great, and I really appreciated how they supported each other instead of competing. That positive, hype-each-other-up energy gave the book a lot of heart.
That said, the pacing felt a bit rushed, and at times the timeline jumped in a way that left things feeling slightly disjointed. The romance had potential and some lovely moments, but the spice mid-way through felt a bit out of the blue and didn’t quite match the build-up.
Overall, it’s an enjoyable read if you’re into stories that explore gaming, streaming, and behind-the-scenes friendships. While I think the plot could have benefited from a bit more development, it’s still a light and engaging read for fans of online connection and creator culture.
Thank you to Tales and Teacups for sending over an ARC for me to read!
June 17, 2025
A cozy streamer is chosen to be part of a Hype Team for a game expansion and is paired with the developer and sparks fly online, but things go wrong and they don’t know if it is going to last…
Lucy and Elgin’s story is super cute, but I have to say I was a little lost at some points. I am apparently not as deep into gaming as I thought I was. The first couple of (short) chapters are a little technical, I know nothing about coding, I just play lol. The book is a little shorter than I’d like, as there isn’t really much time to build the tension between the two with all that’s going on with everything else. I actually really did end up hoping (as ever) that everything worked out and loving everyone that was involved in this story. I just wish there was a little more of the conversations, or the hangouts, or the backgrounds. Anything to flesh them out a little more! Thank you Emerie Spark and Tales and Teacups Pr for allowing me to review the advanced copy for you!
Lucy and Elgin’s story is super cute, but I have to say I was a little lost at some points. I am apparently not as deep into gaming as I thought I was. The first couple of (short) chapters are a little technical, I know nothing about coding, I just play lol. The book is a little shorter than I’d like, as there isn’t really much time to build the tension between the two with all that’s going on with everything else. I actually really did end up hoping (as ever) that everything worked out and loving everyone that was involved in this story. I just wish there was a little more of the conversations, or the hangouts, or the backgrounds. Anything to flesh them out a little more! Thank you Emerie Spark and Tales and Teacups Pr for allowing me to review the advanced copy for you!
September 20, 2025
Review Copy – This book was sent to me by Tales and Teacups. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
oh boy, where on earth do i even start?
i really hated it. i didn’t want to – the premise sounded so good. but honestly it was just so dull and poorly written and frustrating that i kept going just to see how bad it could get.
i’ll start with the characters. neither elgin nor lucy have anything going for them outside of this game. they appear to have no lives, friends, family, or personalities – nothing. everything – even their romance (if you can call it that) revolves around this game. they are dull as ditchwater, almost indiscernible from each other. they go from barely dating to phone sex within a matter of pages. they have no chemistry. there is nothing interesting about them – as individuals or as a couple.
i can’t really speak to the gaming aspects – i’m not an expert, so i have no idea if anything is accurate or not. but the entire book revolved around this game called The Veil, and i read it through to the end, and i still don’t think i understand entirely what the plot of this game is. there’s a supposedly really emotional scene where we get all these big reveals about the game and all the characters are awed and tearful.
i felt nothing. i have no stakes in this game. i have no context for these reveals. i think perhaps it would’ve been better if the game had only just been released because the characters kept going on about the ‘lore’ but as readers who have been dropped in when an expansion pack is being released, it means nothing.
worldbuilding – more like what worldbuilding. most of the action takes place in the game. there were two settings outside the game – lucy’s apartment and elgin’s office. i have no idea as to what either of these places looked like. there’s barely any description, and most of that description is used on the game settings.
honestly, everything in this book is bizarre. the studio that elgin runs with his friends (are they even friends – he knows nothing about them?) was taken over by a bigger company even though they don’t like the bigger company or any of its decisions. and this tiny studio is getting a convention just for one game? and apparently it’s hugely popular?? and in the end the company decides not to go with the wildly popular expansion pack that they’ve spent all of their money making because it’s too popular and they think it won’t make enough money??? and they want to start over with something entirely different because it will make them money????
and you’re telling me that this game is insanely popular, but that these people running the studio have never considered sponsored content or using influencers before? and the only person who did, quit and told them over a post it note.
and we don’t even have any real context for this evil company because all we get are three random chapters where three people interact over a teams chat type thing.
like what even is happening??
look, if i’m having a good time reading a book, i’ll excuse anything. but i wasn’t having a good time, so i’m picking at everything.
there’s a scene where elgin gets to work and finds out that one of his employees has been working ‘around the clock’ on the expansion because it was decided they had unlimited overtime. i’m sorry, but your characters are incompetent and they run a poor ship – no wonder they got taken over by a bigger company, they clearly have no idea what they’re doing. i should think the studio’s employees were thrilled when elgin and crew all walked because finally they could have some semblance of a normal work-life balance.
the writing was shockingly poor and repetitive. a very similar sentence structure and style was used over and over again throughout the book. here are some examples so you can see what i mean:
1. “Back then, we weren’t just making a game. We were making magic.” – pg. 7
2. “But for the first time in weeks, I felt like a developer again.” – pg. 46
3. “And for the first time in weeks, I felt something I hadn’t in a while – hope.” – pg. 57
4. “And for the first time in a long time, I felt like I wasn’t just playing a game – I was part of something real.” – pg. 80
5. “This wasn’t just a game anymore. It was a world. A community. A family. And we were just getting started.” – pg. 95
6. “The stars shifted above us again, but for the first time, I didn’t mind.”
7. “And just like that, I felt a little closer to finding it. My sparkle.” – pg. 122
8. “And for the first time all day, I felt steady. Maybe, just maybe, we were going to be okay.” – pg. 129.
it does carry on throughout the book, but i feel like that’s enough to give you an idea. there was also frequent use of internet or gen-z slang throughout the book, which i think will age the book poorly and feels unprofessional. i personally was cringing constantly. here are some examples so you can see what i mean:
1. “Okay, boomer.” – pg. 14
2. “Are you having a menty b?” – pg. 30
3. “Namedrop” – pg. 41
i want to be clear, i’m not saying it was ai, or that the author used ai to generate the story / edit the writing. i’m not making accusations. but the repetitiveness of the writing did make me feel like it could’ve been written by ai, and i wouldn’t be surprised if it was.
i’m afraid this has turned into a bit of a rant review, but honestly i felt it needed to be said.
oh boy, where on earth do i even start?
i really hated it. i didn’t want to – the premise sounded so good. but honestly it was just so dull and poorly written and frustrating that i kept going just to see how bad it could get.
i’ll start with the characters. neither elgin nor lucy have anything going for them outside of this game. they appear to have no lives, friends, family, or personalities – nothing. everything – even their romance (if you can call it that) revolves around this game. they are dull as ditchwater, almost indiscernible from each other. they go from barely dating to phone sex within a matter of pages. they have no chemistry. there is nothing interesting about them – as individuals or as a couple.
i can’t really speak to the gaming aspects – i’m not an expert, so i have no idea if anything is accurate or not. but the entire book revolved around this game called The Veil, and i read it through to the end, and i still don’t think i understand entirely what the plot of this game is. there’s a supposedly really emotional scene where we get all these big reveals about the game and all the characters are awed and tearful.
i felt nothing. i have no stakes in this game. i have no context for these reveals. i think perhaps it would’ve been better if the game had only just been released because the characters kept going on about the ‘lore’ but as readers who have been dropped in when an expansion pack is being released, it means nothing.
worldbuilding – more like what worldbuilding. most of the action takes place in the game. there were two settings outside the game – lucy’s apartment and elgin’s office. i have no idea as to what either of these places looked like. there’s barely any description, and most of that description is used on the game settings.
honestly, everything in this book is bizarre. the studio that elgin runs with his friends (are they even friends – he knows nothing about them?) was taken over by a bigger company even though they don’t like the bigger company or any of its decisions. and this tiny studio is getting a convention just for one game? and apparently it’s hugely popular?? and in the end the company decides not to go with the wildly popular expansion pack that they’ve spent all of their money making because it’s too popular and they think it won’t make enough money??? and they want to start over with something entirely different because it will make them money????
and you’re telling me that this game is insanely popular, but that these people running the studio have never considered sponsored content or using influencers before? and the only person who did, quit and told them over a post it note.
and we don’t even have any real context for this evil company because all we get are three random chapters where three people interact over a teams chat type thing.
like what even is happening??
look, if i’m having a good time reading a book, i’ll excuse anything. but i wasn’t having a good time, so i’m picking at everything.
there’s a scene where elgin gets to work and finds out that one of his employees has been working ‘around the clock’ on the expansion because it was decided they had unlimited overtime. i’m sorry, but your characters are incompetent and they run a poor ship – no wonder they got taken over by a bigger company, they clearly have no idea what they’re doing. i should think the studio’s employees were thrilled when elgin and crew all walked because finally they could have some semblance of a normal work-life balance.
the writing was shockingly poor and repetitive. a very similar sentence structure and style was used over and over again throughout the book. here are some examples so you can see what i mean:
1. “Back then, we weren’t just making a game. We were making magic.” – pg. 7
2. “But for the first time in weeks, I felt like a developer again.” – pg. 46
3. “And for the first time in weeks, I felt something I hadn’t in a while – hope.” – pg. 57
4. “And for the first time in a long time, I felt like I wasn’t just playing a game – I was part of something real.” – pg. 80
5. “This wasn’t just a game anymore. It was a world. A community. A family. And we were just getting started.” – pg. 95
6. “The stars shifted above us again, but for the first time, I didn’t mind.”
7. “And just like that, I felt a little closer to finding it. My sparkle.” – pg. 122
8. “And for the first time all day, I felt steady. Maybe, just maybe, we were going to be okay.” – pg. 129.
it does carry on throughout the book, but i feel like that’s enough to give you an idea. there was also frequent use of internet or gen-z slang throughout the book, which i think will age the book poorly and feels unprofessional. i personally was cringing constantly. here are some examples so you can see what i mean:
1. “Okay, boomer.” – pg. 14
2. “Are you having a menty b?” – pg. 30
3. “Namedrop” – pg. 41
i want to be clear, i’m not saying it was ai, or that the author used ai to generate the story / edit the writing. i’m not making accusations. but the repetitiveness of the writing did make me feel like it could’ve been written by ai, and i wouldn’t be surprised if it was.
i’m afraid this has turned into a bit of a rant review, but honestly i felt it needed to be said.
January 26, 2026
This book felt real. It felt like I was peaking in at people’s lives at a crucial moment and got to follow along for the highlights. It definitely moved a little fast, but it felt right when I viewed it as more of a window. I wasn’t seeing all of their life and story. So I didn’t need all of the details.
The story had a lot of heart to it, and I loved the character dynamics. I especially loved Charlotte. She and Lucy are exactly the kind of streamers I love to watch when I want to learn more about a game. From a gamer’s perspective, this book was a lot of fun and felt very relatable. This story is about connections and passion, and the author had a beautiful way of writing that communicated that very well. It was a perfect length for the story that was told, and I really enjoyed the adventure!
The story had a lot of heart to it, and I loved the character dynamics. I especially loved Charlotte. She and Lucy are exactly the kind of streamers I love to watch when I want to learn more about a game. From a gamer’s perspective, this book was a lot of fun and felt very relatable. This story is about connections and passion, and the author had a beautiful way of writing that communicated that very well. It was a perfect length for the story that was told, and I really enjoyed the adventure!
June 13, 2025
ARC review: I enjoyed the story, I felt it was very unique in the storyline but for me the romance was not my favorite. I felt connected to the characters and I loved the corporate gaming struggles and the gamer community aspects and seeing how that part of the story played out!
The plot for the characters was amazing and unique, the romance was not paced well in my opinion. Felt like there was spice too soon and it could have been an amazing slow burn leading up to the right moment when they were together. But even then that part felt rushed.
The writing style while unique felt clunky in some parts as well as I did not like reading “the banter was great” then going into the banter of the characters. I would have preferred the banter speak for itself.
The plot for the characters was amazing and unique, the romance was not paced well in my opinion. Felt like there was spice too soon and it could have been an amazing slow burn leading up to the right moment when they were together. But even then that part felt rushed.
The writing style while unique felt clunky in some parts as well as I did not like reading “the banter was great” then going into the banter of the characters. I would have preferred the banter speak for itself.
June 24, 2025
I’d give this book a 3.75. I loved how the gaming sections of the book was written very vivid and I loved it. Felt like pretty much inside the game.
I loved how they talk about community and the streaming community as well. It was too sweet and warm and cozy.
Also I loved the equation between Lucy and Elgin - it was a love at first sight and all they’re meeting were virtual. But I felt like their relationship picked up pace too quickly… even before their first in person meet they had sexual encounters which were a little questionable. But otherwise I did like the book for the dynamics of the story. How they save the game from being eaten up by corporate giants.
Thanks to Tales and Teacups for the review copy. It was a sweet read
I loved how they talk about community and the streaming community as well. It was too sweet and warm and cozy.
Also I loved the equation between Lucy and Elgin - it was a love at first sight and all they’re meeting were virtual. But I felt like their relationship picked up pace too quickly… even before their first in person meet they had sexual encounters which were a little questionable. But otherwise I did like the book for the dynamics of the story. How they save the game from being eaten up by corporate giants.
Thanks to Tales and Teacups for the review copy. It was a sweet read
June 29, 2025
This was a light read for anyone who is into gaming and knows about some aspects of the gaming community. The different dynamics in the hype team was so true to how many forms of streamers there are. The world building in the game was also truly fascinating, it helped me understand why they would love The Veil as much as they did. I loved Lucy’s character as a shy person who finds her voice I found that inspiring.
Lucy and Elgins online relationship that started as a pure appreciation of gaming was a nice aspect, as it didn’t really rush into their romantic relationship. But I did find that some of the spicy scenes were a bit rushed or they popped out of no where.
I think that this was really well written for the gaming community and if you want a nice cosy pure hearted read this is the one for you.
Disclaimer: A big thank you to Tales and Teacups and thank you to Emerie Spark for this e-ARC. I was not paid for this review and all opinions are my own.
Lucy and Elgins online relationship that started as a pure appreciation of gaming was a nice aspect, as it didn’t really rush into their romantic relationship. But I did find that some of the spicy scenes were a bit rushed or they popped out of no where.
I think that this was really well written for the gaming community and if you want a nice cosy pure hearted read this is the one for you.
Disclaimer: A big thank you to Tales and Teacups and thank you to Emerie Spark for this e-ARC. I was not paid for this review and all opinions are my own.
July 5, 2025
ARC REVIEW
4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to the author and Tales and Teacups team for early access.
Love Beyond the Veil is a fun cozy gamer romance. the storyline for the full cast of characters is giving such wonderful, found family and cozy vibes. I really loved where the story went with the game development.
I really enjoyed Lucy and Elgin's stories but I don't know that I connected to their love story as much as I would have liked to. I think it needed more time to marinate and let me feel their feelings to truly believe and catch on.
Overall this was a really fun read as a cozy gamer who loves to co-op play with her partner too 💜
4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to the author and Tales and Teacups team for early access.
Love Beyond the Veil is a fun cozy gamer romance. the storyline for the full cast of characters is giving such wonderful, found family and cozy vibes. I really loved where the story went with the game development.
I really enjoyed Lucy and Elgin's stories but I don't know that I connected to their love story as much as I would have liked to. I think it needed more time to marinate and let me feel their feelings to truly believe and catch on.
Overall this was a really fun read as a cozy gamer who loves to co-op play with her partner too 💜
June 11, 2025
I loved reading this book! I am grateful to have been gifted an ARC from Tales & Teacups. It’s a sweet cozy contemporary romance. I love each of streamer and game dev characters. Especially Charlotte, Lucy, and Elgin. I haven’t read a streamer MC book in a while and I really enjoyed this one. I also liked the grumpy x sunshine trope. That’s a trope that never gets boring for me. The book really focused on community and that every person matters, I think that’s sweet and a good message to put out. I need more books like this one and I’m highly recommending it!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ out of 5 stars ⭐️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ out of 5 stars ⭐️
June 12, 2025
Thank you to Tales & Teacups for sending me an Arc! With the main theme of the book being gaming I knew I’d enjoy this! I enjoyed going through both perspectives of the characters and seeing things from their ‘side of the screen’ my only critique would be the book is so fast paced I wish it could’ve been longer and slowed down so we could see more of these characters together and draw out other plot points too. Other than that though this was an enjoyable read and a nice change of scenery to what I usually read!
June 13, 2025
Thank you Tales and Teacups for sending me an ARC.
I instantly loved the cosy storytelling in this book. I also loved the detail and depth of the game play and I got so sick into the story of the game as well as the actual book.
I loved Lucy, I thought she was such a lovely and wholesome character. And I really liked dark and broody Elgin too.
The whole book had such a wholesome vibe that it was the perfect feel good read 🥰
Sometimes I felt the gaming terminology left me a little behind or we’d see too much of a jump in narrative which felt like I missed something.
I instantly loved the cosy storytelling in this book. I also loved the detail and depth of the game play and I got so sick into the story of the game as well as the actual book.
I loved Lucy, I thought she was such a lovely and wholesome character. And I really liked dark and broody Elgin too.
The whole book had such a wholesome vibe that it was the perfect feel good read 🥰
Sometimes I felt the gaming terminology left me a little behind or we’d see too much of a jump in narrative which felt like I missed something.
August 11, 2025
I picked this up at a local bookshop and the author is local to my area. Maybe this resonates with me so much because I’ve played so much MMPORG or work in the world of big corp, but I loved this. It was funny to the point I laughed out loud, it was a quick, cozy read. It’s a closed door, sweet romance and it didn’t have conflicts that triggered my own anxiety or eye rolls (I hate the miscommunication trope). Next time I read through this, I’m annotating it. There were so many good quips! This is a great pallet cleanser for between those heavier or smuttier titles ♥️
June 16, 2025
Love Beyond the Veil reminded me of long nights questing and grinding to level up. The moments of fun and excitement laughing with friends (in game and IRL) as well as solo-ing missions with my Huntress’ pet when others had gone to bed.
This story shows that there’s more to life than the daily grind and to look for the moments that make life sparkle.
Find the people that make the journey worth the grind and add the sparkle to your life.
This story shows that there’s more to life than the daily grind and to look for the moments that make life sparkle.
Find the people that make the journey worth the grind and add the sparkle to your life.
June 14, 2025
Thank you to Tales And Teacups for sending me an arc. I enjoyed this. I liked the in game descriptions, the thought behind the game and the coziness it gave.
The friendships in this were the real star in my opinion. They felt realistic, reminded me of people in my life and made me laugh a lot
I wouldn’t have minded if this had been a closed door romance. I found the spicy scenes to be a little out of place, sometimes coming out of nowhere.
The friendships in this were the real star in my opinion. They felt realistic, reminded me of people in my life and made me laugh a lot
I wouldn’t have minded if this had been a closed door romance. I found the spicy scenes to be a little out of place, sometimes coming out of nowhere.
June 18, 2025
Love beyond the Veil is a modern love story about a video game producer and a streamer, navigating their lives through work, pressures of commitments and trying to achieve their dreams.
This book is engaging and well thought out. I enjoyed all the characters little subplots and the epilogue was a great finish.
Nice little read that I finished in a day.
This book is engaging and well thought out. I enjoyed all the characters little subplots and the epilogue was a great finish.
Nice little read that I finished in a day.
July 1, 2025
I greatly enjoyed this book and it made me want to jump back into gaming again, it fast-paced with a great cast of characters that made me laugh particularly loved Charlotte and the rest of the Hype Team. I definitely related to Lucy’s spiralling and loved her aesthetic. I truly wished The Veil was a real game now to play because I got that invested into that particular bit of the book!
July 6, 2025
Thank you to the author for the ARC.
This was a short and sweet love story. I’m not very familiar with the world of gaming, so a lot of the gaming speak was a little outside of my understanding. However, it didn’t get in the way of enjoying the story. I loved the overall message of connection and finding your place and people in the world.
This was a short and sweet love story. I’m not very familiar with the world of gaming, so a lot of the gaming speak was a little outside of my understanding. However, it didn’t get in the way of enjoying the story. I loved the overall message of connection and finding your place and people in the world.
July 7, 2025
I love gaming, so I was definitely looking forward to this read... Perfect read for gamers!
You don't find too many gamer books, let alone about falling in love. I thought that this was cute. And a nice change of pace for me.
It definitely gave off gamer vibes! so either the author is a former gamer or they did some research. I applaud them for that.
You don't find too many gamer books, let alone about falling in love. I thought that this was cute. And a nice change of pace for me.
It definitely gave off gamer vibes! so either the author is a former gamer or they did some research. I applaud them for that.
November 5, 2025
This was a super cute story that delves into the world of MMORPG game developers and their streaming counterparts. If you’ve dabbled in either one of those things, you’re likely to enjoy this. The romance enfolds almost entirely online, with a fairly quick insta-like from both parties. It’s sweet and cozy, with lots of dialogue and a snappy pace. Overall, an easy, cozy read.
June 19, 2025
This was a cute story of not only romance but also finding yourself. I have to admit that the romance felt rushed but it wasn't forced. I loved the characters! They all had their own personality and it was a heartwarming read. I did like the style of writing.
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