Ellie Hayes and the Himbos by Vanessa King (Nov 4, 2025) Thank you, @readforever and @hachetteaudio for the #gifted print and audio copies of this found family gem!
Ellie Hayes had a lot on her plate – starting a small business, a lifetime of endometriosis, and now facing a terrifying wait to determine if an MS diagnosis is in her future. Then, her long-term live-in boyfriend dumps her because all of that is too much for him. Which is when one chaotic, ill-conceived decision changes the trajectory of Ellie’s life. She rents a room in a house where her roommates are three early twenties “himbos” – they are a combination of gym workers and models. And she decides to teach them to adult. Cooking, cleaning, budgeting. But she also has a really intense attraction to Ian, the older brother of one of her roommates and local gym owner. She also accepts a temporary job as his front desk manager. As their connection grows, so does Ellie’s fear that someone like Ian doesn’t deserve to be saddled with everything she hasn’t shared about her life.
If you love found family, you are going to adore this book. ADORE. It is so funny – in the most disarming way. Ellie thinks she has these “himbo” roommates all figured out as vapid gym rats but the more time she spends with them, the more she realizes that they are each unique, with goals, feelings, aspirations and baggage – just like her. And as she brings her type-A, hyper-organized personality to their home, she learns as much from them as they do from her. And her relationship with Ian – she goes through a lot going from her ex who wanted her to be less to Ian who believes she she be whatever she wants. Fitness, health, and healthy body management (as well as the community that fitness brings) are a really important part of this charming story. The way King handles both MS and endometriosis is thoughtful and emotional – and the way she has Ian handle those discussions is a lesson for all men.
🎧 Audiobook Thoughts: Ellie Gossage (who was so great this year narrating Mate) does an OUTSTANDING job with this one. I loved the laughter and tears you can hear in her voice as she narrates particularly emotional moments. (11 hrs and 5 mins)
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
🎧 Audio performance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🔥 Spice: 🌶️
Book Smart Kate 