Reviewed by: Sue Eaton
TITLE: Perilous Cuties
SERIES: Bucket List Buddies
AUTHOR: JP Sayle & Lisa Oliver
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 207 Pages
RELEASE DATE: July 4, 2025
BLURB:
When Morty and Hector can’t say no to their friends’ encouragement to attend a Bucket List Buddies event, they discover Fate is on their side. But will that be enough to thwart an interfering mother who always knows best?
Hector just wants a quiet life where he gets to decide whom he’ll mate with. Unfortunately, his mother has other ideas, ones that don’t involve Hector being gay.
Then Fate steps in.
Except it’s more a case of Hector’s fated mate stepping on his toes. Once Hector claims Morty, he must do what he’s never done in his life—stand up to his mother.
Morty—the clumsiest meerkat who ever lived—runs a small café with his two friends. When he’s encouraged to go to an old-fashioned dance—except forced is a much better description—Morty literally steps on his mate. And when Morty’s enthusiasm reaches an all-time high, things go a little awry. Okay, maybe a little is an understatement.
Can the two mates survive Morty’s clumsiness and Hector’s mother? We’re about to find out.
REVIEW:
If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if a clumsy meerkat shifter with a heart of gold collided, literally, with a dancing warthog shifter, who just wants to live his best life, then Perilous Cuties, is your next must-read. This book is a sparkling cocktail of fated mates, meddling mothers, and magical mayhem, shaken (not stirred) with sass and sweetness.
Hector is the kind of guy who just wants to live his peaceful and orderly life and maybe find a nice guy to spend his life with. Unfortunately, his mother has other plans, and none of them involve Hector being gay, happy, or in control of his own life. Cue the dramatic sighs and years of repressed rebellion. It’s been easier to go along to get along but that’s about to change.
When Fate (and a very enthusiastic meerkat) quite literally crashes into his life, Hector is forced to make a choice: keep living under his mother’s perfectly manicured thumb, or claim the mate who just stepped on his foot and into his heart.
Morty is a Meerkat he is clumsy and uncoordinated but has a huge heart and longs for someone of his own. Morty is the kind of character who could trip over a shadow and still make you love him for it. He runs a cozy café with his besties, radiates chaotic sunshine, and has the kind of enthusiasm that could power a small city. When he’s “encouraged” (read: dragged) to a Bucket List Buddies dance event, he’s just hoping to survive the night without breaking anything. Instead, he finds his fated mate. And then breaks a few things anyway.
Morty’s clumsiness is legendary, but so is his heart. Watching him try to navigate new love, magical mishaps, and Hector’s terrifyingly elegant mother is both hilarious and heart-melting.
Morty and Hector are the ultimate odd couple, one’s a glittery whirlwind of chaos, the other has self-esteem issues and a boring life. But somehow, it works. Their chemistry is instant, their banter is sharp, and their journey from awkward toe-stomping to true love is full of laugh-out-loud moments and genuine emotional depth.
There’s a scene involving a dance floor disaster, a flying tray of cupcakes, and Hector realizing he’d burn the world down for Morty’s smile. It’s everything.
At first glance, Morty and Hector couldn’t be more different. Hector is the epitome of control, who’s used to keeping his emotions, and his life, neatly buttoned up. He’s dignified, reserved, and deeply burdened by the expectations of his overbearing (and wildly homophobic) mother.
Morty, on the other hand, is a whirlwind of clumsy limbs, unfiltered enthusiasm, and boundless affection. He’s the kind of guy who spills tea, trips over his own feet, and still manages to light up every room he enters.
But that’s what makes their connection so compelling. Morty doesn’t just shake up Hector’s world, he liberates it. And Hector, in turn, gives Morty the kind of grounding and unconditional acceptance he’s never had before.
Hector’s journey is one of the most satisfying arcs in the book. For so long, he’s lived under the shadow of his mother’s expectations, denying his own desires and hiding who he truly is. Meeting Morty forces him to confront all of that. Claiming Morty isn’t just about romance, it’s an act of rebellion, of self-assertion, of finally choosing himself. His love for Morty gives him the courage to stand up to his mother, to reject the toxic control she’s wielded over him and to embrace his identity as a fated mate. It’s tender, powerful, and deeply affirming.
Morty may be clumsy, but he’s no fool. Beneath the slapstick and sparkle is a character with immense emotional intelligence and a heart that loves fiercely. He sees Hector, the man beneath the years of repression and he loves him without hesitation. Morty’s vulnerability is his strength. He doesn’t try to be perfect; he just tries to be present. And that’s exactly what Hector needs.
Their relationship is full of laughter and mishaps, but it’s also deeply nurturing. Morty gives Hector joy. Hector gives Morty safety. Together, they create a space where both can be fully themselves. What makes Morty and Hector’s relationship so special isn’t just the fated-mate bond or the magical setting, it’s the emotional intimacy they build. They talk through their fears; support each other through awkwardness and adversity; choose each other, again and again, even when it’s hard. It’s not a perfect romance—it’s better. It’s real, messy, and full of heart.
Morty and Hector are the kind of couple that makes you believe in soulmates, not because they’re flawless, but because they grow together. Their love is a celebration of authenticity, acceptance, and the beautiful chaos of finding your person in the most unexpected way.
No review would be complete without mentioning Hector’s mother, a masterclass in passive-aggressive manipulation and high-society horror. She’s the kind of villain you love to hate, and watching Hector finally stand up to her is as satisfying as a perfectly brewed cup of Morty’s enchanted tea.
Perilous Cuties is a delightful romp through a world where love is messy, magic is unpredictable. Morty and Hector’s romance is sweet, spicy, and side-splittingly funny. If you like your paranormal love stories with a side of slapstick and a whole lot of heart, this one’s for you.
RATING: 
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