bookaholicalways's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this book! It gave Legends & Lattes vibes which shouldn’t surprise me as in the acknowledgements, in the back of the book, I found she had been mentored by Travis Baldree.
I love the idea of two strangers unwittingly becoming foster dads of an adorable baby gargoyle. Gus was extremely cute and made me want to cuddle up to my own little gargoyle - Graham.
Remi was my favourite character. I liked that he knew the answers but also that an experience is about living through something instead of getting the correct answer first time.
I cannot wait to read more!
I love the idea of two strangers unwittingly becoming foster dads of an adorable baby gargoyle. Gus was extremely cute and made me want to cuddle up to my own little gargoyle - Graham.
Remi was my favourite character. I liked that he knew the answers but also that an experience is about living through something instead of getting the correct answer first time.
I cannot wait to read more!
magnoliapigeonbookblurbs's review against another edition
5.0
✨ Not to be dramatic - but I would go to battle for Gus! ✨
What do a bonsai bodyguard, a cookie guard, a sassy vampire, a cheese guard and a “Manly Cup” championship hockey team have in common? Love for Gustopher the adorable baby gargoyle of course!
Nico and Brant are ordinary guys living ordinary lives…until one unbelievable night brings them together and changes their lives forever. When gunfire erupts on a nearby street both Nico and Brant (strangers) race to the scene and make the discovery of a lifetime! Sitting in an abandoned car and buckled into a car seat is an adorable baby gargoyle! Instantly forming a bond with the lovable creature they pledge to help reunite Gus with his owners. Setting them off on a hilarious adventure with the help of friends who become family along the way!
Guarding Gus is absolutely charming and wickedly cozy! I was drawn in by the adorable cover and stayed for the fantastic read full of found family, love, adventure, fantastical world building, romance, laughter, self-love, character growth, witty dialog and of course - all of the adorable Gus content! 10/10 recommend this feel-good cozy fantasy!
Thank you Karryn Nagel for the ARC!
What do a bonsai bodyguard, a cookie guard, a sassy vampire, a cheese guard and a “Manly Cup” championship hockey team have in common? Love for Gustopher the adorable baby gargoyle of course!
Nico and Brant are ordinary guys living ordinary lives…until one unbelievable night brings them together and changes their lives forever. When gunfire erupts on a nearby street both Nico and Brant (strangers) race to the scene and make the discovery of a lifetime! Sitting in an abandoned car and buckled into a car seat is an adorable baby gargoyle! Instantly forming a bond with the lovable creature they pledge to help reunite Gus with his owners. Setting them off on a hilarious adventure with the help of friends who become family along the way!
Guarding Gus is absolutely charming and wickedly cozy! I was drawn in by the adorable cover and stayed for the fantastic read full of found family, love, adventure, fantastical world building, romance, laughter, self-love, character growth, witty dialog and of course - all of the adorable Gus content! 10/10 recommend this feel-good cozy fantasy!
Thank you Karryn Nagel for the ARC!
ryann2011's review against another edition
4.0
Remember that movie 3 men and a baby? Now imagine the baby is a gargoyle and that the 3 men are actually 2 men; a trans body guard and a veteran who’s dream is to bake cookies. That’s the vibe. And I LOVED IT.
The adventures and shenanigans these bumbling guys found themselves in were exciting and hilarious. The way they faced it all together was so endearing and I loved the found family/band of misfits group they assembled all on behalf of keeping little Gus safe.
Such a sweet, fun and cozy read!!!
The adventures and shenanigans these bumbling guys found themselves in were exciting and hilarious. The way they faced it all together was so endearing and I loved the found family/band of misfits group they assembled all on behalf of keeping little Gus safe.
Such a sweet, fun and cozy read!!!
nicoledean's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
3.0
📖Nico likes his quiet life. One day, after finding himself in the middle of a territory dispute, his life suddenly becomes very unquiet. He meets Brant and together they find an abandoned baby gargoyle. They team up on quite the adventure to get the baby back with his rightful owner.
💭This was a super cute cozy fantasy. I liked the found family aspect of the story and how the characters all came together to help Gus. There was a lot of positive masculinity and I liked how the men supported one another. It was nice to read! Plus how adorable is this cover?! Overall, a very fun read.
📚Read this if you like…
Found family
Supernatural characters
LGBTQ+ representation
Positive masculinity
Adventure stories
❤️Shout out to @magnoliapigeonbookblurbs for putting this book on my radar!
💭This was a super cute cozy fantasy. I liked the found family aspect of the story and how the characters all came together to help Gus. There was a lot of positive masculinity and I liked how the men supported one another. It was nice to read! Plus how adorable is this cover?! Overall, a very fun read.
📚Read this if you like…
Found family
Supernatural characters
LGBTQ+ representation
Positive masculinity
Adventure stories
❤️Shout out to @magnoliapigeonbookblurbs for putting this book on my radar!
goatsinspace's review
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
Guarding Gus is a heartwarming contemporary fantasy that reminds me of the old movie Three Men and a Baby. The story follows the journey of three strangers: Nico (a transgender man), Brant (an ex-military baking enthusiast), and Remi (a vampire). They soon find themselves unexpectedly taking on the role of foster parents to an adorable baby gargoyle named Gustopher. What follows is an adventure that showcases the power of friendship and unconventional families.
The story captures the essence of positive masculinity, portraying the endearing dynamic of three men dedicated to nurturing and protecting their newfound charge. The author's commitment to inclusivity and representation shines through, evident in the nuanced portrayal of Nico's transgender experience, and the thoughtful inclusion of several sensitivity readers. The heart of the story lies in the tender moments shared among the characters, underscored by their individual complexities and hidden depths.
With its delightful blend of fantasy and humor, this book is a delightful addition to the genre. Thank you to the author for the eARC. This is an honest review.
The story captures the essence of positive masculinity, portraying the endearing dynamic of three men dedicated to nurturing and protecting their newfound charge. The author's commitment to inclusivity and representation shines through, evident in the nuanced portrayal of Nico's transgender experience, and the thoughtful inclusion of several sensitivity readers. The heart of the story lies in the tender moments shared among the characters, underscored by their individual complexities and hidden depths.
With its delightful blend of fantasy and humor, this book is a delightful addition to the genre. Thank you to the author for the eARC. This is an honest review.
serylis's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This was a fun read. Honestly, there were some things that annoyed me in the beginning, but they actually turned out to be part of the whole plot, so all my annoyances disappeared! And I'm saying it that way because I don't want to give that part of the plot any spoilers haha.
Overall, the story was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed all the characters, Nico and Brandt were super cute, and Gus was adorable. The setting was well done, and I really liked the information at the end that showed the research that went into writing the story. Also, I want to try the recipe included at the end haha. It was a nice quick read, not heavy on romance or anything like that, but really good representation throughout.
The reason its not quite a 5 star for me, is that I wish there were parts of the story that were a bit more flushed out. I am looking forward to the next installment of this story!
And yes, I did arc read this book, but all the opinions are mine.
Overall, the story was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed all the characters, Nico and Brandt were super cute, and Gus was adorable. The setting was well done, and I really liked the information at the end that showed the research that went into writing the story. Also, I want to try the recipe included at the end haha. It was a nice quick read, not heavy on romance or anything like that, but really good representation throughout.
The reason its not quite a 5 star for me, is that I wish there were parts of the story that were a bit more flushed out. I am looking forward to the next installment of this story!
And yes, I did arc read this book, but all the opinions are mine.
es_reading_corner's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
hollysbookadventure's review
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I had the absolute pleasure of receiving thr ARC for Guarding Gus. It's a cozy, found family , fantasy with LGBTQ characters and positive masculinity.
I really found this story so endearing. Noco, Brant, Gus, Remi, and Jasper are all such interesting characters who bring a smile to my face. Though I do believe my favorite character was "The hockey team", they just always made me laugh.
I thought there was great world building in this low fantasy world. The way things unravel to Nico is a very natural [although overwhelming I'm sure if you're actually experiencing it] way.
My only thought is that the books two short 😅 I could've read about this groups antics for several more hours. I look forward to the nextbook hinted at, at the end of the book!
I really found this story so endearing. Noco, Brant, Gus, Remi, and Jasper are all such interesting characters who bring a smile to my face. Though I do believe my favorite character was "The hockey team", they just always made me laugh.
I thought there was great world building in this low fantasy world. The way things unravel to Nico is a very natural [although overwhelming I'm sure if you're actually experiencing it] way.
My only thought is that the books two short 😅 I could've read about this groups antics for several more hours. I look forward to the nextbook hinted at, at the end of the book!
yleija's review
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Where can I get a Gus😂? This was a fun book to read. Each character had different hurdles to deal with, but ultimately it’s a story that reminds you that family doesn’t necessarily mean of blood. It’s wholesome and comforting, at least for me. Will it remain that way for the rest of series 🤷🏻♀️. All in all it was worth the read.