Cat’s Got Your Heart by Jem Zero

Who knew two men could form such a bitter rivalry over adopting a cat? Jericho Adams is in need of a cat. Doesn’t sound too difficult, even for a reclusive artist like him. People adopt cats all the time. Those people clearly never met Harlan Vardanyan, the world’s surliest pet shop employee. Harlan’s love for animals is matched only by his disdain for customers. Too much experience tells him they can’t be trusted. When Jericho sets his sights on Dumpling, an aloof-but-lovely young cat, Harlan vows the man will never have her. However, he can’t outright refuse without risking his job. What he can do is fabricate a series of absurd adoption requirements that Jericho can’t possibly meet. Unfortunately for Harlan, the more his demands escalate, the more determined Jericho becomes to free Dumpling from her short, fire-breathing gatekeeper. Then Harlan is unexpectedly evicted from his apartment, and Jericho ends up rescuing him instead. Now Jericho and Harlan are forced to continue their battle of wills in tight quarters. Except living together unveils vulnerability on both sides, and soon trading verbal jabs begins to feel… wrong. The weeks-long rivalry sputters, and in its place, a fragile intimacy begins to grow. But the secret deadline for Jericho’s cat acquisition is rapidly approaching. He can’t let his feelings for Harlan get in the way of his ultimate goal, even if the betrayal will destroy whatever they’ve been building.

Adult • Diversity Representation/LGBTQ+/Own Voices • Contemporary Fiction • Romance