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Peanut

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**UNPUBLISHED 2022**

Kindle Edition

Published March 25, 2022

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Lucy Watson

2 books853 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
Profile Image for Isabella. R.
1,007 reviews2,189 followers
May 19, 2022
5 MyIssuesHaveIssues Stars ⭐

Break out the Champagne because I finally found a book that completes me. Former best friends who get reunited after their friendship fizzled years prior. Yet all it takes is being in each other's presence and all is right in the world again.

On the outside, I’m picture-perfect.
On the inside, I’m a flaming ball of shit hurling through the universe.
Yep. That’s me: a shit comet.


I adored everything about this book. The quirky characters, the dejection of unrequited love, the standout quips and that feeling of something amazing between these two that neither are ready to acknowledge. I can't even tell you the amount of times I found myself smiling. I'm going to call it. This is slow burn romance at its finest...

Riley and Nick were childhood friends. Yet asking for one kiss, was unfortunately the kiss of death. After that, Riley left to pursue her ballet career, never to look back. However when her life crashes and burns, she's back in her hometown eating the weight of her feelings in Tacos.

After I left, Nicolas MacGregor went from a cute-but-awkward teen to a Viking god with Golden Ratio perfection. And I went from a majestic white swan to a gray speckled pigeon with matted feathers and a limp.
Go figure.


Nick knows Riley is back, he just doesn't know why. But with a lot of persistence, he's got her unravelling at the seams, in a good way. With the help of Nick's entourage of kooky pets and a job opportunity, this was the best therapy any person could ask for.

Do you know when you know that two people are dating but they don't know it? And you're just waiting for the penny to drop. Yet in the meantime you get to be a spectator whilst the most fantastic romance is unfolding.

“You and me. We’re forever.” He peers into my eyes. “You’re my forever, Peanut. Deal?”

Nick was this gorgeous tattooed knockout with the most dependable and tender demeanor. While Riley used rigidity as armour against all the pressure and disappointment she's faced. Put these two together, and it was dazzling. I was a complete sucker for these two and Daisy, the most loyal hellhound. ❤️🐕
Profile Image for Pinky.
641 reviews669 followers
Read
February 22, 2022
Trigger Warnings:

Thank you to Lucy Watson for providing trigger warnings, I don’t get triggered easily but I keep track for my reviews so this helped. And thank you for being such a kind and generous author by giving me an arc, I can never thank you enough, I honestly can’t believe I got this.


WE FINALLY GOT NICK’S BOOK!!!

This comes out on March 25, 2022, so IN ABOUT A MONTH Y’ALL CAN READ THIS AND EXPERIENCE NICK’S STORY. I highly recommend reading Shortcake before reading this because a lot of the characters show up in this book and you will be confused. There are a lot of references to Shortcake, I kinda view this as a sequel despite it following other characters. This is a second chance, childhood friends to lovers story. It’s a grumpy sunshine book in reverse because Riley was kinda a grump whereas Nick was the sunshine which I LOVED. Riley is so relatable, the girl talks about zits, eating stuff, and getting her lip gloss mixed in and stuff. She is the girl that wears random outfits that are comfy and cute, which I found super relatable. This book deals with heavier topics, it is funny but it is more serious as well. I love the matching covers Lucy has, I’m excited to see the future covers!


It was nice revisiting the wonderful world that Lucy Watson created with amazing characters. Every time she introduces a new character, I just want them to have a book. Lucy’s writing style is impeccable, I don’t know how she does it. The thing about Lucy’s books though is that I am always left wanting more. I’m always left with questions and wishing for certain scenes with the characters. I would be down to read a book with 100K pages by her, I’m not even joking, that’s how much I love her writing and characters. I feel like this book could’ve been 600-800 pages but if it was longer than that, it would be even better. There were so many moments where I fangirled, I even cried at one point and got teary-eyed at other points. Nick is someone I hold dear to my heart, he won me over in book one, which is why I was expecting a bit more in this book despite me liking it.


So this book is about Riley, she is broke and has nowhere to go and her life is slowly falling apart. She decides to stay at her grandpa’s place while he’s gone on vacation. Nick lives in her grandpa’s guest house and can’t seem to leave Riley alone once she’s back. Nick, Riley’s childhood crush and best friend, who she thought she got over. And as she continues to meet with Nick, she’s not so sure anymore.


I really loved Nick but we didn’t see enough of him in this book. It felt like this was centered around Riley and I loved her but honestly, I care more about Nick. I adored Nick but there was so much going on, there were a ton of pages focused on things I didn’t care about rather than Nick and Riley. And Nick and Riley didn’t have enough alone time and I was left wanting more. The ending is a bit abrupt and there were so many things that I was curious about that weren’t really addressed. All I kept thinking was that I wished the book were longer, lol I’m just greedy for more when it comes to Lucy’s books, I felt the same way with Shortcake.


I feel like childhood friends to lovers, especially second chance, is a trope that I’m not a huge fan of unless it’s done right. The romance development just felt kinda one-sided, maybe it’s because we only read this from Riley’s POV. I like following Riley’s POV because it adds a layer of mystery to Nick, but I eventually want to learn more about the characters. I want moments where they actually sit down and talk, have a long conversation about their lives and their feelings. I wanted more “couple moments” between the characters. There were so many other storylines that could have been explored more but were kinda abandoned. I expected more, I did enjoy this but I had higher expectations.


I am grateful for having the chance to experience Nick and Riley’s journey. And I am looking forward to Mara’s book, which is coming up next!!!! Mara is a bookworm just like us and I cannot WAIT to see who she ends up with. Will it be one of the guys that we know of? Derek? Winston? Jesse? And if it isn’t a book with one of these guys, I gotta see all of their happy endings. Like bruh, I WANT TO SEE IT ALL OKAY. I think I’m really looking forward to Jesse’s book though cuz the guy is a quiet grump but so funny too. Okay, I’m gonna shut up cuz my fangirling is gonna take over, but I recommend you give this a go. But only AFTER you read Shortcake, cuz I ADORED THAT BOOK. If you don't read it you're missing out, just sayin. Y’all hit me up if you wanna talk/fangirl about Shortcake or Peanut (once it comes out) because I would love to gush about these books. Thank you again Lucy, you’re bloody amazing, please continue to create these amazing gems, I will read anything you write.

Stay safe folks!
Profile Image for ❁ lilyreadsromance ❁.
2,035 reviews1,152 followers
May 28, 2023
Now, I'm having trouble deciphering my own feelings about this book.

At one point, it was a 5-star read for me. Hands down, one of the best reading experiences for me, especially when I could relate too well to the heroine's feelings and experiences. Because damn it, I've been there and I'm sure I'm not alone. Though almost all of the highs and lows of this book happened in the heroine's head and through her perspective, I actually found it a better story to be told.

I spent my childhood imagining what it would be like to be Win. To be loved just as I am. I thought maybe if I smiled like him or joked like him… But none of it worked. I understood then that some people are easy to love. And I’m just not one of them.

But taking my personal bonding session with Riley aside, I realized the rest of the book was pretty unsatisfying. The whole thing with the mom was not really fleshed out in the end. Riley's knee. Nick's issues.

Talking about Nick... He was painted as an almost dream guy initially to me. Great humour, lovable, has a menagerie of animals in his house, artistic, reliable and the list goes on. I'm half in love with him the moment he pulled Riley out of her den of depression. He was the perfect balance for our sweet broken Riley. But as the story progressed, the more annoyed I found myself over him. I hate the pain he caused her. I hate his double standard (women can throw themselves at him but catch her talking with some other guy too friendly and he flipped out) especially when he refused to reciprocate her feelings. I was like, fuck you dude, you suck.

All in all, Riley is the best. I love her.
Profile Image for Ashley.
372 reviews132 followers
March 9, 2022
"I feel like I've spent my life driving in the slow lane on the Autobahn. My hands firmly at ten and two on the wheel while life zoomed past me."

4.5 STARS!



Thank you Lucy for gifting me a Netgalley ARC, forever in your debt!!!

My obsession with Lucy Watson's debut novel, Shortcake, began in 2019 when I found myself, at 2AM, on page 100 of the newest romance releases in the kindle store, and I thought to myself, I love a good enemies to lovers with a forced proximity plot, let's take a chance on this one. Oh man, oh man, oh man, bless my past self for taking that chance because Shortcake and Lucy Watson's writing style became an instant favorite. So much so that I have been frequently stalking Lucy's website for any bit of information on her next book.

Some fans of authors say they will read a certain author's grocery list with enthusiasm. That's me. I'm that fan. I will read Lucy's grocery list with enthusiasm. I'm wholly convinced Lucy could write an adventure about traveling to the dump to dispose of waste and it would be an experience because Lucy is that good.

Lucy is truly the queen of showing not telling when it comes to writing, and her books are truly a T-R-E-A-T. Reading a Lucy Watson novel is like the special occasion dinner at the Japanese Steakhouse that happens only once or twice a year, so you wine and dine on that fine piece of steak that's fired and seasoned before your eyes because you know this opportunity is rare. As your sitting there, savoring that piece of steak, you keep asking yourself: how can I go back to eating questionable hamburger meat from McDo's when I've tasted this greatness? This is how I feel during and after a Lucy Watson book. There is the before a LW book and there is the after a LW book. Truly, I'm cursed to go into a rut after a Lucy Watson book because everything reads like unseasoned chicken or questionable McDo hamburger meat. So, thanks Lucy for upping my already unrealistically high standards for my bookish entertainment!

OKAY. Now onto Peanut. I'm not an obsessive fan of the friends to lovers trope in the same way that I am with my enemies to lovers trope, but, Nick and Riley DELIVERED in Peanut. If you're like me, then you absolutely 110% adored Nick in Shortcake and I can confidently confirm that Nick is the same precious cinnamon roll that we all loved in Shortcake. He gives me such dad energy in the way he loves his cardigan-wearing ferret, his rescue cat and dog, and his sassy asshole parrot. It's not just Nick that Riley has to accept in the relationship, it's Nick and his animal gang, or none of them at all. Package deal.

However, overall, I prefer Ben and Emmy's story in Shortcake to that of Nick and Riley in Peanut, because, I didn't obsess over the build-up of Nick and Riley's relationship in the same way that I did with Ben and Emmy. Partly, I believe this is because I found the tension in the transition between friends to lovers to be lacking. If you're like me, then you were DYING between the 60-85% mark in Shortcake with escalating tension of whether this will or won't be the moment Ben and Emmy FINALLY get together. Oh, Ben and Emmy, I LOVED their cameos. I miss them. I want to re-read their story again. Maybe after this review. Although I really need to move on. Yes, I recognize I have a problem. No, I am not willing to change.

okay. okay. okay. back on track.

I love how Nick felt so different from Ben. I've read books by the same author where the author seems to copy pasta her men from one book to the other and do a little flip and switch of the name and profession, but it's still the same guy popping around from book to book. He reads the same. Here, Nick and Ben are complete opposites but I adore them both. Ben is the reserved, grumpy marine whereas Nick is the playful caring i'll do anything for you best friend.

I'm so interested in seeing Winston and Jesse's personalities continue to develop, hopefully in their own books. Mara, Emmy's best friend, is next, and I'm on pins and needles waiting to find out who is gonna be her man. Is it my reserved lumberjack Jesse? My prince Winston? or even Derek??? The people need answers Lucy!!!

If you adored Shortcake, then you are 100%, well hopefully, going to adore Nick and Riley's friends to lovers story, a perfect addition to the Shortcake universe.
Profile Image for Ashleyjo.
826 reviews522 followers
April 14, 2022

If you haven’t read SHORTCAKE, I’m not sure WTF you’re waiting for. Anyhoo, PEANUT is this author’s second book, and it follows the same characters + the FMC addition.

WRITING

A curse and blessing.

This author is witty. The voice is sharp, cute, and it reads with an easy naturalness.

His warm touch unlocks a dusty treasure chest of teenage wishes. They dance through my body like fireflies, lighting a jagged pixie-dust path as they go.

After I left, Nicolas MacGregor went from a cute-but-awkward teen to a Viking god with Golden Ratio perfection. And I went from a majestic white swan to a gray speckled pigeon with matted feathers and a limp. Go figure.

My shoulders deflate when I realize the heat crawling up my neck isn’t fear. It’s jealousy. Yep, I’m jealous of a freaking dog. Please, let this be my rock bottom.

This author excels at bringing the reader into the FMC’s head to see the scenes from her perspective.

BUT….

Here’s the problem….

You got this gigantic slab of pure chocolate cake that is the witty voice. It’s rich and decadent, and it just melts in your mouth. However, as good as it is, you can’t just eat this entire cake alone all day, everyday.

^^ This story has no meat and potatoes to go with the whole damn cake:(

The writing, storyline, and characters become overpowering, stagnant, one-dimensional as this whole thing goes full throttle toward nothingness.

The entire storyline is based on witty internal reflections and dialogue, and its charm fails after 25-30% of the same old same old.

Cute animal scenes. Cute friend scenes. But, there’s no emotional shit, angst, anger, happiness, action, mystery, or anything to make that wave 🌊 of storyline crest. It’s flat all the way until the end.

Up until 80%, nothing is happening, leaving me full of chocolate cake and craving a damn steak, salad, broccoli, something. It’s almost entirely inside the FMCs head.

At 80%, you think the storyline might FINALLY start moving since they’re in Vegas. Nope. This is still random scenes that revolve around the dying witty musings of the FMC.

WHERE’S THE MONEY?

So, ya know the MMC cares. You know he’s attracted to her. You also know he has his reasons why he won’t act on that attraction and wants to remain friends. But, this wouldn’t be a romance if he doesn’t eventually change his mind, right?

Problem….

At 80%, a woman leaps into the MMC’s arms…

Nick’s powerful arms fly around her waist to catch her, the sound of his rich laugh rubbing against my skin like diamond…

she lays her red-manicured hand on his chest. She splays her fingers on the spot I like to rest my head when we hug.


And, he calls said woman “babe,” which is the same thing he often calls the FMC.

^^^ So, at EIGHTY f’ing percent and the MMC having no problems touching other women and calling them “babe,” am I really supposed to believe the FMC is some special woman to him?

And at 84%, we have yet another woman touching and flirting with the MMC while attempting to embarrass the FMC….

What I am is a twenty-six-year-old shield-maiden in love with the Viking this mermaid is shamelessly flirting with. I also have a few newly acquired cavewoman instincts, so she should probably stop touching him. Just saying.

What follows is supposed to be cute, but it comes off eeky at this point. By 85%, I expect the climax to be crested and coming for the shoreline. Not floundering in the Abyss with night goggles.

It’s 90% before this storyline ever sees a climax, and that climax is like a blip on a straight line. It comes too late. It lacks anything special.

There is ONE sex scene near the end. One. After all that waiting, I’m expecting a nuclear explosion. Nothing explosive nor nuclear ever occurs.

I get that the author is going for imperfect characters finding that perfect is an illusion….

I wanted perfect but ended up with something flawed. Broken and battered. And real. And beautiful. And ours.

But I just don’t feel it. I don’t feel the chemistry I’m being TOLD is there. I’m not feeling how special I’m being TOLD this is.

TAKEAWAY

What I got was clever, witty, sometimes funny thoughts by the FMC. Cute animal stuff. I

But, I did not get some tragically beautiful love story. The author made the MMC into this character who friendzones too many women, including the FMC…. And the result between the FMC and any other woman in his life was indistinguishable.

It didn’t help that the shift from friends to lovers only takes place within the confines of ONE SINGLE CHAPTER during the final 10% of the book.

It didn’t help that the epilogue is mostly about the FMC and an old lady character from the book… with the FMC just mentally telling us she got married and adopted another fur baby. So, the epilogue is both rushed and off topic from what the reader wants.

Plus, there are dozens of threads life dangling in the wind. Why spend sooooo much time bitching and moaning about the mom only to just leave it with zero closure? Hell, the body shame thing was even a “trigger” listed, and the entire mom/daughter relationship was just left hanging with its ass out in the wind:( Why tell us all about her ex and make it mean nothing? Why tell us about all the MMCs problems (aka why he wouldn’t go for the FMC) only to have zero closure or development on how those problems are being handled once they do hook up?

BOTTOMLINE

Read for the wit, not romance or storyline.

Talented writer who took a storyline and stretched it out to the point of pain before allowing it to SnapBack with no real moments and only half-ass to zero closure.

I was impressed by Shortcake, but this is a flop.









Profile Image for Readaholic Book Reviews.
612 reviews1,408 followers
February 21, 2022
I just finished binge reading Peanut and this book...this book took my whole heart and ripped it apart and then put it back together again. Seriously I was sobbing into my pillow while staying up way too late reading this amazing book. I knew after reading and loving Shortcake that I needed the next book in the series ASAP and Lucy did not disappoint!

Peanut follows the story of Riley and Nick. These two group up together and shared their deepest darkest secrets with one another...until they didn't anymore. Riley up and left to LA to pursue a dancing career and Nick stayed back to become a prolific tattoo artist. Riley is back after being gone for over a decade. Broke and needing a place to stay she ends up crashing at her grandfather's house only to find out that her neighbor is - yep you guessed it - Nick. Will these two pick up their easy friendship? Even though Riley has always longed for more than that from Nick and he's always shot her down.

I honestly cannot put into words how much I loved this book. I binge read it and every time I would look down to see what percentage I was at I wished there was more to this book. More Nick and Riley. More of the crew together again. More angst and swooniness and lovely lovely words written by the talented Lucy Watson.

At times, Peanut was not an easy read. But the writing was always beautiful and really tugged at my heartstrings. The love that Riley and Nick had for one another was so damn sweet and I was rooting for these two to get together right from the beginning. Their journey was filled with so much emotion.

Not only did I love Riley and Nick's journey, but every single secondary character had an important part of the story. Nick's co-workers and friends at the tattoo parlor were so much fun! When they were on the page I was guaranteed to be laughing. It was also a treat to see Nick's friends from Shortcake including a few scenes featuring Ben & Emelia who I loved!

If you love a swoony, angsty, second chance, slow burn romance I would highly recommend you pre-order Peanut!

CW(from Lucy herself): childhood abuse (not shown); mentions of weight (no sizes or scale numbers); discussions of mental health, including PTSD and anxiety; cheating ex (not shown); violence (in flashback); body shaming (by parent); cursing and vulgar language; explicit sexual content

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.
Profile Image for Joee (booksandacupofjoee).
1,390 reviews181 followers
February 3, 2023
Reread 2/1/23: ABSOLUTELY loved it again! Lucy's writing is just so easy and addictive! I love Nick and Riley (aka Peanut!)

Original review:

<>"My caveman instincts demand that I hunt and feed you. Protect you from saber-tooth tigers . Build fires to keep you warm while I pick lice out of your hair.”

“That night you showed up, Nick, you grabbed my hand and pulled me out of that darkness and into your world. You gave me color.”

When I heard this author had a new story coming out I was ECSTATIC because I LOVED her first book, Shortcake (which I was so happy about their appearance in this book!)

I absolutely LOVED this! I mean it was the
sweetest and funniest childhood best friends with a SLOWBURN full of angst and butterflies! Nick is a tattooed, Viking/Hemsworth-isc cinnamon roll😍 and not to mention a pet dad. There is an adorable ferret, dog, cat and parrot. 😂 This was just so adorable!! It starts off right away with a bang and keeps you hooked the whole time! It made me SO happy and I had the biggest grin on my face!

Highly recommend it and while you wait for it come out, you should read Shortcake so you can fangirl over this camo appearance !

What I loved:
•childhood friends trope
•brothers best friend trope
• tattoo artist
•NICK! Tattooed, Viking/Hemsworth-isc Cinnamon roll
•all the freaking adorable pets
•the witty humor
• Caveman Nick
•the slowburn/angst, build up
•all the little touches /nicknames, babe and Peanut never seemed so cute!

I need Lucy to write a billion more books and can Winston please be next!!!! Love her writing!! It's funny and captivating!
Profile Image for benevolent bastard.
528 reviews303 followers
July 15, 2022
This was a tough one to rate because I truly enjoyed it. The humor made me giggle, I smiled at their moments. I could relate to Riley. I saw Nick being an amazing guy. What’s not to love? Well….I felt like there was a lot of filler moments to be honest. The ending was a bit rushed and then I wanted her mother and her to have some closure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Katie Prouty.
604 reviews156 followers
June 11, 2022
”Neanderthals.” He picks up his beer, raising sharp brows. “I’m part caveman.” Hello, weird turn. My lips twitch. “You’re part caveman?” I repeat in a flat tone that lets him know he’s ridiculous. He gives a caveman grunt and takes a swig of his beer, his eyes glinting with something that frees my trapped smile. “Fine.” I play along with an exaggerated sigh. “What does being a caveman have to do with force-feeding me your steak?” He sets down his beer, wiping his mouth and grinning, and I instantly regret asking. “Simple. My caveman instincts demand that I hunt and feed you. Protect you from saber-tooth tigers. Build fires to keep you warm while I pick lice out of your hair.” He cuts into another piece of steak like he didn’t just say all that. I can’t help but laugh. “Pick lice out of my hair?”

Riley and Nick. I LOVE THIS BOOK. I’m going to read it 500 times. Consecutively. It was hilarious. SO swoony. Nicholas, the sweet boy who saves snails from the sidewalk. GOO. If you’re a fan of Sarah Adams’ humor and a good slow burn a la Mariana Zapata, you MUST read Peanut.

Lucy Watson’s sophomore novel (and Nick) did a double pirouette on my heart!

THINGS AND STUFF
-stepbrothers best friend
-childhood crush
-friends to lovers
-ballet dancer x tattoo artist
-underneath his tough tattooed exterior is a soft marshmallow (he also wears Clark Kent glasses!!!)
-Daisy the pit bull, hellhound who rivals a silverback gorilla
-a family of fur babies
-sugar coffee & Cocoa Puffs
-Taco Bell
-#IsThisAKissingBook: open door. “It wasn’t an accidental lip brush—it was a lip-brush kiss. I think.” And we got nose boops people!!!

🎶 Song: River by Bishop Briggs 🎶
Profile Image for phoebess.
1,521 reviews98 followers
May 29, 2023
This was an angsty read I hadn’t known I’ve been missing in my life. It was a slown-burn too. I really liked it. Characters were so flawed it made the story feel so real.
Only thing I was not a fan of was the fact the book basically ended when the main characters got together. I would be way more happier if got to see how they managed to overcome their own insecurities within their relationship. It would make this book 100 % re-read for me if it was included.
Profile Image for Mony.
196 reviews
April 23, 2025
5+⭐

This book was a crazy wonderful surprise! I didn't know how things would go. I'm always wary of cartoonish book covers and if it's got too much pink, I'm doubly unsure. And with a title like Peanuts? Come on. (And I hadn't enjoyed Shortcake, book #1 in the series.)

Nevertheless, I began to read it and within the first chapter, I knew it was very special. A warm well written story, a quirky world, offbeat characters, emotions & depth, tears & laughter, and such a sweet slow burn. I ended up binging all night. Then, a BFF to top it all off.

Loved loved this book!
Profile Image for Alina.
111 reviews6 followers
February 15, 2022
First of all, thank you Lucy Watson for the e ARC on NetGalley.

There aren’t many books out there that can make me laugh out loud, and also shed tears for the characters. This book really gave me all the feels.

Every time I read one of Lucy Watson’s books I feel like I just watched a movie in my head. Cause her descriptions and portrayals filled with so many fun references are so vivid that it makes you feel like you’re there. In the book.

I adored the theme of friendship, both old (when the MC are teenagers) and new (as adults) along with the character arc of Ry. She comes a long way in the book.

Didn’t take me long to fall in love with the new heroine, Riley. Her inner monologues are hilarious most of the time and very real and honest.

“I glance up at the scattered-diamond and black-velvet sky, sending out a call for help. If there was ever a time for an alien abduction, it’s now.
They send my call straight to voicemail as we step into the den.
Green bastards.”

Nick - the hero - is the most lovable, goofy and kind male character I’ve ever read. I was already in love with him from the first book, but his story made me love him even more.

If you loved Shortcake, you will absolutely love Peanut (ps: Em and Ben from Shortcake make a couple of appearances and those scenes are just perfect).

Not only did this second book by the author not disappoint, but I feel like it got on a higher level of awesomeness.

It has all my favorites tropes: close proximity, second chances and friends to lovers.

It’s on my “read again” list indefinitely. No other author has made me want to read the book again just as I finished.
Profile Image for Sheena ☆ Book Sheenanigans .
1,522 reviews436 followers
July 30, 2022


“Peanut” is the much anticipated sequel to “Shortcake” and this time around, with the primary focus on childhood best friends, Nick and Riley. Did Lucy Watson deliver the humor and banter? Absolutely. She has a way with words and can definitely bring out the giggles, and of course her writing style is right up my alley. Did the sequel live up to my expectations? Sadly no. I liked the novel, but I just didn't love it.

I felt as though the ‘romance’ was focused too much on Riley’s POV and her journey with rare glimpses of Nick in between. I would agree with other readers in regards to the plot deteriorating towards the end. Also their lack of chemistry didn’t do it for me. I don’t know, it was missing that something something Nick and Em had in “Shortcake”.

Lastly, I must confess… In my heart of hearts, I was really rooting for Mara and Nick to get together. Sure their interaction was very very brief in the prequel but please tell me I wasn’t the only one feeling the oozing tension (more so potential) bleeding through the pages between them?

Nonetheless, call me a simp—I will always read whatever the author spits out. Now I will have to sit impatiently until Mara’s book comes out. Who will she end up with— Jesse or Winston? The possibilities are endless.

Profile Image for Snow.
2,323 reviews727 followers
March 31, 2022
This was lovely, a slow burn long lost "friends-to-lovers" trope will give you what you need in the end, a long awaited HEA! Yaaaay!!!

Even though, it took me awhile to fully like the heroine...*sigh* there was just something off with her characterisation, it seems that she just had to grow on me, gradually...ah, well

I liked Shortcake (the first book by this author) better, though *shrugs*
960 reviews36 followers
April 25, 2022
Remember how I was gushing about Watson's first book and lamenting the fact that it was her only book till date? Well she recently released a new one, and let me tell you that she is not a one-hit wonder.
Peanut is a slow-burn à la Mariana Zapata. Nick with his charming personality and his love babies, and how adamant he was about his friendship with Riley, like that was his one life-line. Riley and her strength at facing the hardest moments, and learning to lean on Nick when he offers help.
I absolutely enjoyed Peanut, and I'm looking forward to Mara's story.
Profile Image for jessica.
972 reviews44 followers
July 7, 2025
i cried like 4 times. i have no idea how to rate this. it needed another round of editing and less pop culture references. but the relationships? crazy good. “You’ve made it impossible for me to love myself, Mom.”
Profile Image for Ajla Reads.
230 reviews23 followers
November 4, 2024
Update 08.09 - saw this update from Lucy Watson - what happened???
“NOTE: I've been receiving strange messages (that have overwhelmed me), so I've unpublished Shortcake and Peanut until I can figure out how to handle them. “



03/27 - Review: 4.5/5 - Very well written and funny. Recommend for those looking for Zapata-levels of slow burn.
Profile Image for Isa .
376 reviews15 followers
June 27, 2022
3.5 ⭐
Me pasó con el libro anterior y me volvió a pasar con éste, necesito más desenlace 😭
la introducción y desarrollo del libro es muy genial, las cosas no suceden a los apuros y te entretiene al 100% PERO a la hora de crear el desenlace quedan pendientes algunas cosas y eso me frustra un montón, por ejemplo lo de la mamá de Peanut que no sabemos si al fin se dio cuenta de lo mierda que fue con su hija.
En fin, me gustaron mucho Nick y Peanut y la tensión que había entre ellos fue preciosa
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Yael Shalom.
645 reviews38 followers
April 14, 2023
I liked this book .
It was light and fun too read .
Rylee was great ( although a liiiitle bit too much use of metaphors regarding her feelings and her body ) And Nick was just dreamy , I wish I could sometimes hear his pov too .
Profile Image for Kindred Reader (lilastrings).
303 reviews34 followers
Read
April 28, 2022
Slow burn, fun read. I like the main characters, and I want to hug them and the pets. I did get teary-eyed at some moments in the book. I found how they got together a bit flat for my taste.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
235 reviews44 followers
April 27, 2022
Slow burn goodness 🔥

3.5 stars.
This was a good read - I loved Nick’s character. He was such a softy but also 🔥 *fans self*
Riley was a little weak for me. I think her character should be a TW for eating disorders. There was a lot of inner dialogue regarding food and body image. She was a little awkward but I did enjoy her quirky inner dialogue. I just felt like she was a little flat overall.

I wish we could have read more about what happens *after* the MMCs get together. What was Winston’s reaction?? I wanted to see more of their relationship but I did enjoy the slow burn. There is only one sex scene in the book at 90-some%. Things felt a little unresolved between Riley and her mom. **spoilers***

Riley finally tells her mom that she made it impossible to love herself.. and the moment gets interrupted. The mom leaves the dinner table and comes back with a story about Riley being born. She makes it about her fear of inadequacy as a young mother. She never directly addresses Riley’s statement.

Overall, it was a good read and I look forward to the author’s other works!
Profile Image for Camilla .
176 reviews10 followers
April 10, 2022
DNF@22%

I could not keep going.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Reading Mom.me.
595 reviews36 followers
March 22, 2022
Oh Nick you Sexy Viking Man! I adored this book so much And I swear Lucy Watson lives in my head because her characters and their inner dialogue is always so relatable. I laughed a lot, I swooned and I even shed some tears. This book is slow burn with so much angst when that final moment hits I think I felt as much sexual relief as the characters 🤣. I will forever read anything this woman writes so to say I’m excited about Maras story is an understatement
Profile Image for Conny &#x1065a;₊˚⊹♡.
137 reviews4 followers
October 26, 2023
i cannot believe y’all really bullied my girl lucy watson. she is a GEM of an author and she deserves an apology bc i can’t even think of anything bad about her books 😭 COME BACK LUCY 🙏🏽

anyways…y’all i ate tf outta this book. seeing ben and emmy?! ohhhh my god i miss and love them. and nick?!? yes pls. i’ll have him in a silver platter any day. any hour.
Profile Image for Lindsay’s Little Library &#x1f940;.
528 reviews10 followers
April 12, 2022
I read Lucy Watson’s debut novel, Shortcake, last year and it instantly became one of my favorite comfort reads. My greatest wish after finishing was for it to be made into a series following this lovable friend group. Well, @lucywatsonbooks must have decided to grant my wish because she surprised me and wrote Peanut! (I know she did it just for me, thanks so much!) The other day I was just casually reading Shortcake reviews on Goodreads, and my eyes practically bugged out of my head in a cartoon-like fashion when I saw that Peanut did not only exist, but was also just recently released! I read it immediately and literally could not put it down.⠀⠀
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Somehow I loved Peanut even more than Shortcake. I freaking loved Riley. She was so relatable and she had me cracking up every 5 seconds. I loved reading from her POV. I also loved Nick. I mean it, I’m in love. Who doesn’t love a tattooed cinnamon roll? He was so goofy and charming. And damn, he was hot. So glad we finally got a book about the beloved viking.⠀⠀
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Friends to lovers isn’t usually my favorite trope, but it made so much sense for Nick and Riley’s story. I like that Riley and Nick were kind of a reverse grumpy x sunshine duo. This was the slowest slow burn romance ever, but that ending was worth it!⠀
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This author does an amazing job sucking me into every moment with her characters. She is the queen of showing instead of just telling through her writing. This book was also able to balance some heavy topics and humor really well. There were some intense and sad moments, but the story overall was lighthearted and so fun to read. ⠀⠀
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I seriously cannot wait for Mara’s book! I’ll be holding my breath until it’s released! Since these books are named after the nicknames the guys give to their ladies, I’m anxious to find out what the next book will be called! This series is on KU. Check TWs before reading this book.
Profile Image for Marisol Barrera.
347 reviews50 followers
April 17, 2022
“I want to tell him that even when forever’s over. That even after this world goes dark, I’ll still be his and he’ll be mine. That we’ll always find each other.”

Note to self: Lucy Watson is an auto buy author always and forever.

Peanut was an absolute joy to read. It was filled with witty humor, furry babies, families, friendships and the most delicious of slow burns.

Butterflies and fireflies danced and battled for space in my body throughout the whole book.

Nick was sugar and sin wrapped up in a complex tattooed cinnamon roll body. I absolutely adored him and Riley aka Peanut. Her journey toward loving herself was extremely relatable. Her inner monologue was so witty and L-O-L funny yet so vulnerable and real.

Sometimes it helps seeing yourself through a different set of eyes to believe you are worthy of love.

“I want the sweet skater boy. The arrogant pirate bastard. The devilishly handsome Viking. The goofy Highlander. The grunting cowboy-caveman. The beautiful keeper of my secrets. I want them all. I want him.”

Read if you like✨
•Shortcake
•Childhood friends to lovers
•Second chance
•Slow burn
•Step brothers best friend
•Taco Bell
•VW bugs
•Tattoos
•The sexiest Hemsworth brother with a kilt
•Lord of the rings
•Sexy Spock
•Foster pets. A grumpy cat, a sweater wearing ferret a singing parrot and a hellhound with a heart of gold.

“You saved me once too… pulled me out of the black fucking hell I was living in…..“You gave me color when I didn’t even know what that shit was, Riley. You gave me that.”
Profile Image for Addie Yoder.
1,087 reviews88 followers
March 21, 2022
Lucy Watson writes stories with characters that you LOVE. It has been a while since I read her first book, Shortcake, but I knew that when I sunk into Peanut it would be an all in situation. I binged it in an afternoon.

This story of Riley and Nick is filled with fun, pets, deep emotions, peeks at Ben and Emmy, friends you want to hang out with and all of the BEST tension. This story of two childhood besties finding their way through hurt and growth to come together is so addicting that you won't be able to put it down. I can't wait to read more from Lucy and to see what comes next for this group of friends.

I am obsessed with series including overlapping friend groups and characters and these books give me all of that connection and community that I love.
Profile Image for SheReads.
426 reviews18 followers
April 20, 2022
4 stars

Ahh finally out of a bad book slum and I knew only a slow burn romance, which I was after, would be the one to do it. This book had a lot of interesting characters, even the main characters had a very unique story line. I liked it a lot, it's rare to see a friends to lovers delivered well, especially when it contains the second chance trope. Super glad I didn't have to sit through any flashbacks.
Profile Image for Laura Baird.
Author 49 books1,357 followers
April 3, 2022
Having read Lucy's debut romance, Shortcake, and LOVED it, of course I was going to get Peanut! I love Lucy's writing; from the snarky banter and the heroine's internal dialogue I can relate to, to the emotional ride the characters go through that lead to their HEA. Lucy's become a 1-click author for me.
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