It was a great experience for me as a first-time ALC reader/listener and as a first-time reader/listener to something from Amy. I knew how body-positive this book and other books from this series are, but as a plus-size-body woman, I was surprised (in a great way) about how much of a positive vibe it was. The way not only Everett treated Penelope, but also how other Kingman brothers were treating their girls, and of course how all the girls were supportive of each other. I like spicy books, but I was surprisingly glad about the spice level and how much it was in this book. The found family and love between all the characters did hit in the right place, and not only that but also as I mentioned about body-positivity, it made me a bit emotional, since body-positivity is important to me too.

For lovers of large families and romance.

📚 insta love
📚 friends to lovers
📚 dating coach
📚 secret romance
📚 football player x influencer
📚 body positive
📚 found family
📚 dual POV/ narration

🌶️🌶️🌶️

“So I had a crush on Penelope. She wasn’t the one. I’d have known…”

|Thoughts|
Enjoyed this for the light hearted romance that it is. However, found parts a little too immature and some of the messaging a little too on the nose for my taste.

“Everyone knows the Kingman boys play better when they’re in love”

Enjoyed the friends to lovers aspect of this romance. Glad it wasn’t too much of a slow burn either. There were times though where decisions made by Penelope just seemed a bit too far fetched, suppose that added to some of the conflict in the story at least.

‘I was on a roll now. Words tubbling out of me like a broken dam. “Speaking of tall things, did you know giraffes have the same number of vertebras as humans…is this a foot long. I don’t think I can fit a foot long in my mouth”

This is book 4 in the Cocky Kingsman series. I haven’t read the previous books in the series and was generally able to follow along. May have benefited from a family tree at the beginning to assist with getting your head around all the siblings (or just read in order).

Listened to the audiobook and found the narration enjoyable to listen to.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.5* - Rounded up to 5...

I loved Penelope when we first met her, and I truly loved her and Everett's story... Poor Everett couldn't even go to the Love Guru! lol... Until he realised that all he really needed was his family... I really enjoyed Penelope and Everett's story, and loved how they came together. I love the dating coach trope, and this one did not disappoint in any way... I love the Kingman family, and how they bring people into the fold, and truly accept them for who they are, and celebrate them.

Oh gosh, and I LOVED Lady Bananaconda Hisstledown, and her affiliation for Everett's apartment. This made for SO many laugh out loud moments...

Aaron Shedlock voiced Everett perfectly! And Juniper Young also did a fabulous job as Penelope... They truly brought the characters to life, and made the book really enjoyable.

There were a couple of difficult topics covered in this story, part of which was also a continuation of body positivity pulling forward from the previous books in this series. I loved how Amy Award makes the point that everyone should be able to feel positive and happy in their bodies.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and Dreamscape Media and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Amazingly sweet a contemporary version of Bridgerton favorite Colin and Penelope! it’s Penelope as a social media guru and Everett as a football hunk! Absolutely loved every minute of the narrators and story! 10/10 is not enough

I listened to the audiobook version of this novel, narrated by Aaron Shedlock and Juniper Young. Their voice acting capabilities brought all the emotion, drama, and humor up close, as if I was a fly on the wall watching and listening in person. So well done!

And Ms. Award gave them a great story to work with. Having an animal "theme" to the book is so entertaining, and I enjoyed how the anaconda of the title was a source of jokes, a cause for fear, and also in on the action. Dogs and cats get plenty of attention in fiction, and it's interesting to see a different pet creature join the crowd. This story was both a lot of fun and at the same time emotionally gripping. Main characters Everett and Penelope both have some major emotional baggage concerning relationships, and find themselves in a mentor/student situation as Penelope tries to get past her dating issues. Plenty of sparkly, sassy banter ensues between these two characters, as well as with the ensemble cast of Kingman family members and Penelope's colleagues and friends. The story carries a modern body positive vibe, and there is plenty of spice as well. I am definitely looking forward to future installments in this amusing, charming, honest series!

I was given an ALC of this novel and volunteered to provide a review. Thank you, Netgalley.

This was my first read or listen by the author and I enjoyed it. The narrators did a good job so it was very easy to listen to and moved along quickly. The story flowed and kept my interest. The side characters were also an interesting group so I'll probably add the previous books in the series to my TBR. I think that would help give more sense of how Everett could be considered a love guru as he was a pretty terrible one for Pen! And it will help a little keep everyone straight in my head as I did struggle at times to remember who everyone was.

There was a big focus on body positivity throughout and how it's a journey and not as cut and dried or easy as it might appear. That point was stressed quite a bit so it was possibly a little repetitive. This is a 3 or 3.5 star read for me overall as I don't think it really stood out for me and I kept forgetting what had happened after a break in listening.

Loved this book. It was nice to get more of Everett. He’s come off as a (supposedly) shallow womanizer type in other books. It was nice to know there was more to him that was only hinted at in the others. The body positivity in this one has started to become a little heavy handed and borderline preachy. But that is my only complaint. It is otherwise *chef’s kiss*. Loved seeing his brothers help him out. Plus more Penelope. So glad she was the FMC in this one as I have loved her so hard. Glad she got her story and HEA. The narration was spot on. Glad I held out for the audiobook like with the others. Cause it was perfect. Now to get a shelf trophy…..

This is both hot and wholesome, somehow. It is wholesome smut. I love it so much! It is so cute. These two! The narrators are wonderful! I don't like football, I am old, and I am not all that chubby, and yet I still had a blast with this one! Yes body positivity.

Ok. It was VERY heavy on the body positivity plot which isn’t a problem but when paired with kind of an uninteresting romance it just left the whole thing falling a bit flat for me.

I loved this read. Everett is such a sweetheart cinnamon roll, and boy has he got it bad for Penelope.

I found myself relating to Penelope throughout this read. She's struggled with confidence and vulnerability. I love her support system, and the way Everett is able to show her how he feels and how he sees her is so refreshing. He recognizes her feelings and shares his perspective without diminishing or dismissing hers.

This is a well developed book with a lush cast of characters, hilariously punny pets, swoony men and all the sassy women they love.

The audio version of this book is absolutely fantastic. The narrators add such a wonderful depth that make this story come alive. I received an ALC copy via Netgalley and all opinions are my own.

I love this whole series! The kingman are the perfect men! The journey of Penny loving herself and accepting how beautiful she is in and out was perfection. Every time I read the next book, I have a new favorite. I don’t know how they continue to top Each other. Penny asked Ev to help her with his love guru formula to find a date. She has no idea how he has been crushing on her for so long, but he is a good friend and accepts. Until the lessons turn to something more. Still, as much as Ev would like to help her, Penny needs to find her acceptance in her own. This book is so real, SM can be so hard on people these days. We need more #loveyourself. I laughed, cry and enjoyed every single page. I love their dad and hope he gets a second HEA. Absolutely, continue to recommend this series!

Thank you NetGalley and Amy award for letting me listen to this audio in advance. These narrators were amazing juniper young and Aaron Shedlock

🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

ARC review! 4 stars. I love this series. Amy Award writes wonderfully funny, body positive romances. Each of the books in this series also has a funnily named animal involved in the plot. Obviously this book's animal was an anaconda. This story focuses on the connection between Penelope, who is a popstar's assistant, and Everett, who is a pro football player and romance guru. I really enjoyed the narration for this book. Both narrators did a great job! Tropes/themes for this book include sports, body positivity, found family, dating lessons, slightly forbidden romance, plus size FMC and a golden retriever MMC. My favorite funny part was when the called the anaconda a "danger noodle"

Review of The Anaconda Downstairs by Amy Award (Audiobook)

Amy Award delivers another heartfelt gem with The Anaconda Downstairs, blending laugh-out-loud moments with a romance that feels deeply personal. Everett’s journey from charming playboy to devoted partner and Penelope’s growth into her most authentic self make this book unforgettable.

This story is more than just a swoony forbidden romance; it’s a celebration of self-love. Kelsey Best’s poignant advice to Penelope hits home: “Body positivity isn’t about feeling confident every day, it’s about showing the world you are beautiful from the inside out, no matter what beauty standard of the day society says we’re supposed to fulfill. It’s about loving yourself enough to believe it and be your most authentic self even when the world doesn’t like it.” This message is beautifully woven into Penelope’s journey, making her not just a relatable FMC but a truly inspiring one.

🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧
The narration adds extra magic. The narrators perfectly capture Everett’s golden-retriever charm and Penelope’s strength and vulnerability, bringing every banter-filled and emotional moment to life.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC. This book is an empowering and entertaining romance that will have you laughing, swooning, and cheering for its characters. ★★★★

Amy Award delivers a swoon-worthy mix of hilarity, heart, and heat with The Anaconda Downstairs. Featuring tropes like forbidden romance, love lessons, a plus-size FMC, and a golden retriever MMC, this audiobook is a delight for fans of feel-good romance.

Everett, the self-proclaimed “love guru,” is thrown off his game when Penelope—curvy, confident, and totally off-limits—asks for dating advice. Their slow-burn chemistry and laugh-out-loud banter are perfectly paired with deeper, emotional moments as the story tackles issues like body positivity and self-worth. Penelope’s journey to embracing her value, with Everett cheering her on, is both empowering and touching.

🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧
The dual narration was a highlight! The narrators captured Everett’s playful charm and Penelope’s sass and vulnerability with ease. Their performances brought the characters to life, making this audiobook impossible to pause.

Thank you, NetGalley and Dreamscape Media, for the ALC. If you love sweet, spicy, and laugh-out-loud romance with a message, this one’s for you! ★★★★

3.5 ⭐️

When I received this audiobook ARC for Amy Award's The Anaconda Downstairs, I was so happy. I read the book last September, and I loved it so much. This fourth book was my favorite among all the books in this series.

Having read it, I already knew the story, and I knew how emotional and heartbreaking this fourth book was compared to all the others. I especially loved this book so much because I related to Pen on such a different level, and her experiences hit close to home. Being a plus-size girl comes with insecurities, and those were written so well into this story. I've mentioned this in all my reviews of the Cocky Kingman series, but Amy Award is the best at writing the plus-size rep. All of the women characters in her books - not just the FMCs - have been so relatable, and such strong figures that I would like to have in my life. And to find those kinds of people in books are just wonderful to read. Amy Award has easily become a favorite author for me, and I will always be waiting for any new books she'll put out.

As for the audiobook, I thought the narration was done well. However, the female narrator's voice just threw me off. There were times when I questioned whether she was an AI voice because of how "robotic" and, dare I say, almost monotonous her voice seemed to sound. I also just didn't imagine Penelope's voice to sound like she did, but it might just be me. As I mentioned, this story was the most emotional one of the four books for me, but because of Pen's and Everett's voices, the feelings got lost on me. In my opinion, it was the way they read out the lines - like they read it in a way that felt disingenuous and disconnected from the actual emotions of the characters. However, I thought the female narrator did do a good job at switching voice tones for the different characters that would pop up in the chapter. The flow of the narration was really good, too. It was easy to listen to during the first half, maybe. But once it got to more serious/emotional moments, I had to read along with the ebook so I could keep track of the feelings myself.

With all that said, I'm still so happy to have been given the opportunity to review this audiobook in advance. I highly recommend this story, and all the other books in the Cocky Kingmans series. If you have time to read the actual book, I’d suggest going for it. However, if you’re in a time crunch and don’t have much free time, and you’re not as picky as I am with details I mentioned above, then the audiobook will do.

Thank you so much to Amy for inviting me to review this audiobook ARC, and to NetGalley for providing it.

I read “The Anaconda Downstairs” in an ARC earlier this year and loved it!! The whole series is amazing, but this one has the biggest emotional punch of them all!! Amy really outdid herself with this book, and it very quickly became my favorite of the series!!
I couldn’t wait for the audiobook to release, but as soon as I saw Aaron Shedlock was narrating Everett, I knew this would be amazing!! He really captures Everett’s humor, intensity, and love for Penelope so well!!
I have never heard Juniper Young narrate before, but after hearing her bring life to Penelope, I will definitely be seeking her out again!! She did an amazing job making Penelope vulnerable and believable without being whiny or annoying!
I loved it and will recommend it to anyone and everyone who wants a fun, fluffy, emotional story of self acceptance and love!

Sickly sweet romcom featuring a drop dead gorgeous football player and a plus size assistant to a pop star. The message is pretty heavy handed at times - being fat is OK and people will love you for you! Would be interested to read the rest of the series though, it was a nice cosy story with problems and "villains" that were quickly taken care of and all the main characters were nice - sometimes that's all you need!

The narrators were both really good but as usual the male narration of a female voice and vice versa was ever so slightly cringe.

I love this book. Listening to it had me laughing out loud. The two narrator, Aaron Shedlock and Juniper Young, were great. I admit that Shedlock seemed a bit older than the age of Everett, but honestly his voice was s*xy so I didn’t really mind. Young had a couple of vocalizations for the women that weren’t Penelope that I felt made those women seem kind of annoying. Very judgmental, mean girl tones. And since I had rad all of the books in this series, it just didn’t match for me. Over all though great listen. Great book.

Absolutely AMAZING! Amy always delivers. This book was so cute and the audio, even better! Loved listening!

I got an early copy of the audiobook on NetGalley to review.
I really enjoyed this book, but I could have done without the snake !!! I totally agree with Everette. I do not like them. Besides that the book was so cute and so fun!
The audiobook was enjoyable, I loved that it was a duel narration! Both of the narrators were so engaging and easy to understand. I really felt like I was a part of the story by how well they read the story. I can see myself listening to this audiobook and reading the book again.