Cheap Heat

Goliaths of Wrestling #3

by Lily Mayne

Rafe
I really, really don’t like my neighbour.

We’ve lived next door to each other for three years, and we couldn’t be more opposite. I’m a quiet, introverted ghoul with a small friend group and a love of true crime podcasts and tabletop role-playing games. Dan Ewen a party boy with an endless string of ‘guests’ who likes to blare country music all night. He’s loud, inconsiderate, messy, loud, a total dudebro… did I mention loud?

And when I start my new job as IT manager at Goliaths of Wrestling, an underground supernatural wrestling organisation, I quickly discover that my terrible dullahan neighbour is now my new colleague. Great.

I still don’t like him. It doesn’t change anything. I can avoid him at work. But when I spot him one night through his living room window doing something that is utterly shocking, obscene, really weird… I find myself thinking about my annoying neighbour. A lot.

All the time, actually.

Oh no.

Dan
That neighbour of mine is a cute, surly ghoul whose pretty green eyes and angry scowl just make me want to rile him up even more.

We’ve never really been buddies, despite living side by side for three years. But when he starts working at Goliaths as our IT manager, helping to bring us into a new digital age, our lives begin to become a bit more entangled.

Mainly because he starts watching me each night while I… relax. So I make sure to give him a good show through my living room window.

I’ve always assumed Rafe Hare is straight, but it quickly becomes clear that I might be wrong. And when I propose a fantastic new way for us to get… ahem… friendlier, he’s as all-in as I am.

Which means I get to show him just how weird it can get with a dullahan. And I can’t wait.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, Enemies To Lovers, Monsters, Monster Romance

505 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 27, 2024

About the author

Lily Mayne writes what she loves to read: achingly sweet yet gritty romances against unusual backdrops—dark, futuristic, dystopian and more. She currently lives in the UK with her husband and several fluffballs, who like to make a lot of noise while she’s writing.

Reviews

[Romantically Inclined Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never wanna read a book where the guy CAN'T take his head off ever again. It's now a requirement for me.

These books are such a delight. And absolutely filthy. Omg.

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lily never ceases to amaze me! I loved this, LOOVED! Dan and Rafe are so good together, the growing feelings, the beautiful character progression, all the awkward moments, all the caring, the overprotectiveness… sigh… everything was just so good
Oh oh and the F&B subplot?! Genius! Hilarious! I loved those two so much!!! “I’m just a little emotional. Beans did a jig on my back” LOLOL

Can’t wait for the audiobook!! I need another reread ASAP

[buket]

i didn’t have the best chance with this series but i’ll never not read a lily mayne book💖 hopefully this is better than the previous books in the series🙏🏻🥹

[Gabriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

No puedo creer lo bien que me la paso y lo poco que se sienten las páginas. Es que no me duran nada. Definitivamente lo que faltaba para esta saga era un buen y apetecido grumpy x sunshine. Al menos yo lo veo así.

Aquí el protagonista (Rafe) que ya fue presentado al final del segundo libro consigue su trabajo en Goliaths y allí descubre que su vecino también trabaja en el mismo lugar como luchador.

Su vecino insoportable que le dañó indirectamente la cerca de su casa, su vecino fastidioso que pasa emparrandado (fiestero), con música a todo volumen y con gente borracha haciendo estragos a su paso, su vecino que lo irrita por cualquier cosa. En definitiva, que no lo soporta.

Y el protagonista es bastante huraño y gruñon. Por lo que parece que a ese mismo vecino (Dan) le gusta provocarlo y burlarse de él. Pero su vecino no es tan malo como parece o como lo quiere pintar. De hecho, a lo mejor el amargado, solitario, poco educado y bastante a la defensiva todo este tiempo ha sido él.

Hay una buena cantidad de coqueteo, confusiones, miedo y mala comunicación, y son cosas que a mí me gustan. Sumado a las pequeñas locuras y aventuras que le dan su plus. Y Neville, el amigo que todos quieren tener.

Da igual, que si yo tengo un vecino que me llama guapo cada dos por tres también me volvería loco, pero si me dice gatito ya ahí si no respondo de mí. Eso sí, podría morir borracho de todas las veces que se dicen esas dos palabras en la novela. Pero no me quejo igual.

Lo peor: los asquerosos de Frank y Beans. Pobre Dan.

[Jane aka Coughy019 (Safety info included) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tropes: nerd/jock, neighbors, hate to FWB to lovers, workplace romance
Feels: 3/5
Steam*: 3.5/5
Kinks: sex toys, kinky sex stuff given one MMC can detach his head
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: Dan was a truly awful neighbor, Rafe comes off as very much on the autism spectrum but it's never acknowledged, a scene that I found was dubcon, Frank and Beans being downright abusive & violating others, sexual harrassment at work (not MMCs), lots of sex with others before they get together, assault, gore that is supposed to be sexy but icked me out, bad communication trope

Rafe is 27, a ghoul, and he works in IT. He's never been with a guy before. He comes off as very much on the autism spectrum even though that's not referenced anywhere in the book. He is very picky about who he's social with, he has very little social battery with people outside his circle. He has lived next door to Dan, 32, pan, another supernatural creature who can disattach his head, for 3 years. They got off to a really bad start and Rafe has hated Dan for the last 3 years. Dan is a truly terrible neighbor - he damaged Rafe's fence and won't fix it, he's loud well into the night and mornings which interferes with Rafe's sleep, he has loud guests over all the time, he brings home different people to f*** all the time and leaves his windows open forcing Rafe to hear him having sex very often. And it's not like Dan is ignorant that he's upset Rafe, Rafe has complained multiple times about how this negatively affects him and Dan just doesn't care.

As someone who has a hell of a lot in common with Rafe and has had horrible neighbors before, I would have moved and I never would have gotten in a relationship with Dan. It wasn't until near the end of the book before I started having any kind of positive feeling about Dan, which isn't good. Dan just wasn't very likeable until he fell in love, he was too casual, selfish, indifferent.

Rafe gets a new job at Goliath wrestling and realizes that Dan is one of the wrestlers, so now they are co-workers as well as neighbors. They start interacting more, and a sexual tension starts building between them, Rafe has a bi awakening, and Dan starts putting on shows of masturbation that Rafe can see, until the tension between them finally breaks and they start a neighbors with benefits arrangement. It takes a very long time, but eventually feelings develop. Dan being a fuckboy nearly wrecks their relationship before it starts, because Dan is very insensitive to Rafe and nuts and runs, they really struggle to go from just sex to more.

There were some things that I liked about this book. Lily had a lot of humor in this book. And I liked that the humor wasn't the gross out toilet humor that we had in book one of the series, it was more enjoyable than that. I loved Neville, he really had some moments where he shone. Looking back at my highlights, in the first 350 pages, most of the moments that I enjoyed were funny Neville moments. I liked that Dan thought of Rafe as a growly kitten, that was cute. Once they started sleeping over at each other's houses after sex, they shared some sweet non-sexual moments, though for me it took way too long for that to come, the first non-sexual moment / thought came at 67%.

Things I didn't like:
- Dan was an awful neighbor. I have moved houses for less.
- I think this book needed more trigger warnings. There was outright assault a number of times. Frank and Beans sexually harassed their colleagues at work by touching them with their questionably clean dicks. They assaulted Dan and did s*** to his severed head repeatedly. They mugged Rafe even though it ended up being a bit lame as an attempt.
- it was unpleasant how different in experience and personality Dan and Rafe were. Because of how long the book was, we spent hundreds of pages, like at least 300 in this uncomfortable zone where they seemed extremely uncompatible and like Rafe was in for a world of hurt.
- I didn't start liking how Dan and Rafe were as a couple until like page 430, which is a f*** ton of pages to read before starting to really enjoy them as a couple. Needed to endear themselves to me earlier!
- I didn't like the scene where Dan put the pumpkin head sex toy back on Rafe's dick without his consent. The sex toy had malfunctioned and Rafe had just had a really scary incident with it, so to me it was dumb of Dan and basically sexual assault to take away his choice and put that on him after he just got free of it. Yeah Rafe ended up enjoying it, but it gave me the ick.
- Page 349 (which crazily enough was only at 55%! This book was so long) - Dan had a moment where he's internal monologuing that Rafe can't even handle the reality of his sexual past, that it would make Rafe run to know his sexual past. That just doesn't sit well with me that Dan thinks he can't be honest, and that their sexual experience differences would be such a wedge. It just makes them seem incompatible long-term.
- I didn't find Dan's severed head a fun kinky sexy thing. To me, it's was gross and not sexy. Really wrecks the mood of reading a romance when you find something that's supposed to be sexy gross. E.g. a headless body getting in the shower with you is the thing of nightmares. I was really struggling with the headless scenes. Especially because the innards of his neck hole have been described as gooey. You know how Rafe couldn't handle the texture of putting his hand in a greasy chip bag, it made him shudder? The severed head was that for me. Other people's cup of tea I guess! But not mine.


Some notable moments:

This scene killed me, this scene alone was six stars! "“It wasn’t a video,” I hissed, grabbing Nev’s arm to tug him down the next aisle. He stared at me in disbelief as I dragged him along. “What? So you saw a guy jerking off… in real life? And your response was a sexual awakening, not calling the cops because there was a creep beating his meat in public?” Nev eyed me like he was truly seeing me for the first time. “What are you into, dude?”" ... "“You spied on a man masturbating in the privacy of his own home? Was he aware?” Oh god. Fuck. “I… uh… He…” I swallowed thickly. “No.” “Oh my good god.” Nev exhaled dramatically and pinched the bridge of his nose, eyes closed. “Rafe, do I need to arrange an intervention?”"

"Swallowing, I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him, ducking my head to bury my face in his neck. I squeezed my eyes shut as I breathed in his familiar scent. How could anyone hurt him? “Seriously, I’m fine,” he repeated for what felt like the tenth time, smoothing his hand up my back. “It was nothing compared to what they did to you.” No, it wasn’t. It was so much worse. Because they’d done it to him. Throat bobbing, I lifted my head and gently cupped his cheek on the uninjured side of his face. The backs of my eyes were burning a little, so I blinked fast. “Are you okay?” I croaked."

"Once more, I held up the pool noodle and breathed, “I got it.” “Uh…” Rafe slowly took it from me, trying to keep his voice gentle as he asked, “What is it, Dan?” “Your apology.” I smiled, somewhat deliriously. “From Frank and Beans.” “What?” His brow creased. “You saw Frank and Beans?” Then his eyes tracked down my frame and hardened. “And I’m guessing they did this?” “At least I still have my pants,” I said solemnly. Rafe stared at me in silence for a moment, then slowly looked down at the pool noodle. “Why did they give me a pool noodle as an apology?” he asked, still sounding perplexed. “No, the apology is on the pool noodle.” I reached over and turned it. “There, see? In lipstick. They wrote you an apology in lipstick on a pool noodle.” He peered at it. “Um… right. That… makes sense. Okay.”"


*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.

**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.

[patrícia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not in a crazy supernatural fest mood but Lily straight me up😅 Because that's what this book is, a crazy smut laugh supernatural fest, with acrobatic sex scenes that gave me neck pain to visualise 😅 🤸‍♀️ while being romantic, sweet🥹 And I love the whole “ I don’t do relationships and at the same time falling in love” or the “ It’s just casual and totally not fall completely in love” 🫶

These guys are so ridiculous omg. Grumpy sunshine to the max. Rafe's stubbornness and Dan flirtiness were a perfect match. This gets crazier as the series moves on, more ott and so ridiculously funny, I had so many awkward moments at work and weird looks, because i was laughing so hard and loudly😅😅😅. Love to see Rafe letting all his inhibitions fall and enthusiastically going all in 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵 the sex scenes just wow, pages and pages of detailed filth, the experiences more complex and hot… god… need.a 🧊 🛁

Because Dan is a wrestler, there’s a lot of scenes with everyone and I kinda lost track of who is who… too many names and characteristics to memorize. It’s also a bit long.. I don’t think this particular couple needed 470 pages. I’ll admit that the whole head off scenes were weird 😅😅😅. Other then that 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Also the F and B Situation👀 duuuudeeeeee W.T.F.we knew they were creeps, but damn!

I’m very curious about the next book, the tension is over the roof 🤌🩶💛


I received an eArc by monstrous queen Lily and this is my honest opinion!

[Mir · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t really like Dan. I hated the Frank and Beans plot. There was way too much sex. There was nowhere near enough feelings. The ending was abrupt. The epilogue wasn’t even about the MCs. The book was over 500 pages, and they didn’t get together officially until the LAST CHAPTER!!!

[Isobel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please tell me Dan is caught doing what I think he's doing

EDIT: I can confirm Dan was indeed doing what I thought he was!!

[Sofia Boquist · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wtf was this? Seriously, what was this? This was truly the worst Lily Mayne book I’ve read. I am in shock. I was not prepared for it being so bad.

I prefer books where the characters talk about consent and make sure both parties are comfortable during the act, and Lily is very good at that. But I don’t know what happened in this book because the consent was nowhere to be seen.
Firstly, Dan have some different pet names for Rafe, like kitten and handsome, and despite Rafe continually telling Dan not to call him that he continues to do so again and again. I already hate kitten as a pet name so the fact that Dan just wouldn’t stop calling Rafe that against his will just gave me the ick. And I really didn’t understand why Lily chose to continue with that. It brought nothing to the story except for making Dan a disgusting person who doesn’t know when to stop.
Secondly, Rafe is peeping at Dan through the window when he is sucking himself off with his detached head and later goes and jack off to it. And he continues to do it multiple times! Like who thought that was a good idea. It’s disgusting behavior and should not be romanticized. And we are supposed to think it’s okay because Dan hints at knowing what Rafe is doing and enjoys it. But Rafe doesn’t know that yet he continues to do it. And this event is also used as some sexual awakening for Rafe. He believes he is straight, then boom he sees Dan’s dick and realize he’s bisexual. Despite having queer friends and having been neighbors with Dan for years he just doesn’t realize anything before he start watching Dan. And this flows together with my other problem with this book.
Parts of this book read like a porn film and not because of the amount of sex, this book contains the least amount of sex so far in the series. But because it was so unrealistic. It’s seriously porn level drama and events happening and I was cringing though it all. Looking through the window on a beautiful day and accidentally spotting your neighbor sucking himself off (this sounds like it belongs in porn). Got a pumpkin sex toy stuck to your dick and because of all the noise you’re making while freaking out your neighbor believes you’re being attacked and runs straight into your house to save you but instead finds you naked, squatting on the floor with a pumpkin stuck on you dick and goes on to have sex (what do you believe, does this belong in a porn video or this book?).

And on to the next problem. Dan is a creep. After he Rafe has a misunderstanding and Rafe refuses to talk to him he just won’t let it go. Rafe makes it clear that he doesn’t want to talk to him but Dan just won’t let him be. It goes so far that Rafe feels the need to hide in the supplies closet at work so he won’t have to confront Dan when he comes to Rafe’s office. Then Dan goes on to harass Rafe’s friend Neville when he is on his way from Rafe’s house. This harassment included chasing after Neville to his car and blocking the car-door so Neville can’t leave and in the end forcing out the reason why Rafe won’t talk to him. Dan just can’t accept that Rafe doesn’t want to have sex with him anymore. Dan also keep Rafe’s spare key without asking, leading to Rafe asking for it back and Dan not wanting to.

And lastly, I can accept that fey, ghouls, unicorns, succubus and more exist. I can even accept that shapeshifters exist. But I will never understand how you can feel when you don’t have a head?
We can feel touch thanks to the nerves sending signals up to the brain. So how is it possible for Dan to detach his head yet feel someone sucking his dick? This is never explained and it bothered me throughout the book. (I’m just ignoring the fact that he can move his body without signals from his brain because my own brain have already fried itself trying to make sense of this).

I want to enjoy this book because Lily is one of my favorite authors and I can look over a lot of flaws and stuff I don’t enjoy in her books, but I have to draw the line somewhere. This was a new level of bad.
And I also have trouble understanding how Lily’s books get longer and longer yet grow less and less eventful. Lily’s first book Soul Eater is 330 pages long and manages to successfully introduce us to a monster invasion and dystopia on earth. It manages to introduce the MCs and bring them into a relationship despite them being enemies and two different spices. Yet this book needs 500 pages to make two characters who already know each other, albeit doesn’t like each other, into a couple. It’s the third book in a series of equally long books and we still don’t know anything about the world of where the supernaturals come from.

But I will lie if I don’t mention that I still have hope and really look forward to the fourth book.

[Bree | breesoleilreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s probably no surprise I’m obsessed with Rafe and Dan (the Charlie and Moth vibes are strong with these two)!! A charming country boy with a very handsome, talented removable head?! A pretty, prickly, anxious introvert that turns into a needy mess when the time comes?! Sign me tf up!!

These books are just so fun! I’ve always loved Lily Mayne’s writing style and humor but she continues to deliver every time she drops a new book in this series! This book was sooo funny I literally LOLed almost every chapter. I’ve loved every book in the series so far and this one is no different ❤️

Rafe was such a sweet character underneath that prickly exterior. Knowing that his anxiousness is the reason why he was so standoffish really made him endearing from the start. There was such great development and the shift from how he started to feel about Dan felt natural. I also loved how his awakening was not a huge deal I love when characters just have this oh I always liked this moment with awakenings. Rafe’s friend group was also so special especially Nev, he was such a great best friend 🥹 I just wanted to protect this growly little kitten as much as Dan did!

Dan! Everyone deserves a Dan! That fact that he was smitten with Rafe from the start was really so Charlie coded. This sweet sexy man had the patience of a saint. I love how he was so protective and understanding of Rafe, how his charm and chill energy eventually help Rafe without pushing or trying to change him. Dan really was the star of this book I didn’t know I was gonna love him as much as I did.

Also not to go unmentioned, the sex in this book was so freaking hot 🥵 I love how weird it got, as it should have with a character that can remove his head 👀 And one of my fave microtropes is when a character is eager and subby and Rafe did not disappoint on either front 😛

This series is just soooo good and gets better with every book! I love that the previous couples never get pushed to the side! We got so much Seb & Lark and Taylor & Holt content (that only helped add to Rafe & Dan’s story) and I was so here for it because I love those couples so much!! This series is just such fun and I hope it has so many more books 😍

[Andrea Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I held off reading this because I wasn’t sure about the headless MC.

But y’all! Ask me why I enjoyed every second of this unhinged story. I laughed through the entire thing.

The queer awakening because of a man sucking himself off with his detached head. Nev being the bestest best friend ever and taking Rafe to a sex shop. The dildo getting suctioned to the floor. The pumpkin head. The hot sauce. THE PUMKIN HEAD!!! Dan showing up in a latex suit and Justin chilling with Rafe’s friends.

My fav part was Dan tripping over his “neighbor with benefits” to care for him. That was adorable.

[Sebby · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I might get tarred and feathered for this but I absolutely love a good miscommunication plot and this book was feeding me real good. I didn’t like it as much as the previous book but I still found it a solid entry that was equally parts entertaining and what the fuck. Honestly could have done without the whole Frank and Beans subplot because they made me wildly uncomfortable and for me didn’t add anything to the book except making me stressed. Also Rafe getting his dick stuck in the pumpkin head is forever imprinted into my mind because that shit was so tragic but so fucking funny and Dan calling the sex toy help hotline for him had me absolutely rolling

[haletostilinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like these have just gotten better as we go along. Who knew that Ms. Mayne could make me *cry* a whole bunch on one hand, but then laugh uproariously on another. That's talent.

Rafe, the grumpy, anti-social Ghoul, lives next door to Dan, the Dullahan wrestler who is usually always upbeat and quick with a smile.

Rafe, I admit, was a bit much at first. Or I should say, a bit hard to like. Buttt, he really is a sweetheart underneath the grumpiness and lashing out he does when he's feeling vulnerable, and once you get past that, it's really easy to adore him. So I didn't give any points off for Rafe being somewhat hard to like at first, because this book really took the time to show that he was more than that, and that he was adorable underneath it all.

Dan is a sweetie too, he's just the opposite of Rafe in disposition. But he also has his serious moments, especially when it comes to Frank and Beans, who are just...fuckin' wild.

And the source for so much hilarity in this book. Especially near the very end. I couldn't take the wild chaos of weirdness those two brought to this book. Thank god they're gone, though and no longer at Goliaths because they're just weird AF, honestly. I'm glad to see the last of them - hopefully! No cameos please Ms. Mayne I beg of you! As funny as they were, they were also just SO fucking WEIRD lmao.

This is also, perhaps a bit too long, but I found myself not minding at all this time around, because their relationship progressed at such a great pace that it never felt like it was overstaying its welcome or anything.

They really had to get past, at first, Rafe's apparent dislike of Dan. It was one sided, but still. Then some miscommunication, and then them starting as "casual" sex, before admitting they both wanted more near the end. It all felt very well paced, and never like there was too much sex (and it took them until around 70% to even have penetrative sex), or anything like that.

These two just had great chemistry, and were so great together. There was also fun things done with Dan's head ;) And also something with a pumpkin that perhaps wasn't sexy at all until it...kinda was.

I LOVE Ms. Mayne with her dramatic books, but she's making a name for herself in the romcom genre too. I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard reading a book. Just wild and unhinged in the best, most hilarious way.

I'm excited for Vince and Crossbody's book next. Hopefully a true enemies-to-lovers book? Because they SO *hate* each other and I'm loving it. I await their book eagerly.

Can't wait! 😊😘

My Ratings for the Goliaths of Wrestling Series:

✩ Impromptu Match: 4 stars (my review)
✩ Clean Finish: 4.5 stars (my review)
✩ Cheap Heat: 5 stars
✩ False Comeback: TBR

[Shelby | Spicy.booknook · Rating 5 out of 5]

MM PNR Romance
Doullahan/Ghoul
Super Grump/F**kboy
Insanely Funny
Weird Ass Side Characters
Trauma Inducing Pumpkin
Very…Interesting Spice

I’ll be honest, I haven’t read a Lily Mayne book I didn’t just devour and adore. The humor, the OTT plots, and the fantastic characters, it just all works for me. This one tested me though. Not because it was bad, but because some of the secondhand embarrassment was… I just felt that shit hard! I had to put it down a couple of times, and just hold my head and groan because it was painful.

Hilarious but oh so painful 😂😂

Rafe and Dan were just an adorable Grumpy / Sunshine pairing. Just too cute, but Rafe stole the story with all his grumping. Where I thought book two was so sweet, to me this was was the funniest. Definitely the most OTT plot, but so fun.

Based on the little peeks we got of the next one, I’m super excited. There is gonna be some hate sex at some point! 😂😂

[Elena Rodríguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

“This is your life. Your life is becoming a nineties rom com.”

Estoy en un punto donde amo todo lo que escribe esta señora. Si es verdad que hay libros que me gustan más, otro menos. La misma historia de siempre.

Esta tenía mis dudas al principio la verdad. Sin embargo, me ha sorprendido para bien. Me ha encantado la dinámica de los protagonistas. Me he reído sobre todo en ciertas escenas.

Solo tengo una pega y es que el libro se me ha hecho muy corto. Siento que nos quedamos in media res de la historia ella podría habernos traído mas aventuras de ellos dos.

A por el siguiente con muchas ganas y expectación.

[Audiobook S1ut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lily Mayne doesn't miss. I've been obsessed since the Soul Eater and Moth. Moth is probably the height of her work but Lily hasn't let me down before or since then. I'm actually incapable of giving her less than 5 stars, on a molecular level.

[Poppy || Monster Lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rafe is just the funniest grumpy ghoul and I may have cried when he thought Dan was mocking him. So much of his grumpiness was defensiveness. Dan was a ray of somewhat oblivious himbo sunshine and was a genuinely kind person. Even if I would’ve hated him as a neighbor too. The story was mostly fluffy silliness, with some semi-harrowing moments compliments of Frank and Beans. Is it wrong of me to still want them to have a book?

Spice: 5/5

Triggers: mugging at (fake) gunpoint, references to bullying, accidental outing, sexual harassment, voyeurism

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lily Mayne writes just really well, and this monster wrestling universe is just so likeable.

But I did not like this as much as the previous books - she seems to be throwing more plot, and more conflict into each new book (up to preview for book 4) which is a change from the so cozy no conflict book 1. But this one, the antagonists if we can call them that seem a bit forced. Possibly a personal bias but grumpy-sunshine stories often do not work for me, because I usually am not seeing/feeling whatever it is the sunshine sees on the grumpy one and again this was a case of me not seeing the motivation for the attraction in that direction, what makes Rafe oh so special for Dan. He is, uh, available?

I never thought I would be reading romance, and explicitly scorching hot scenes romance, about a guy whose head (that head, yeah, bit above the neck where brain and face is) is detachable, but I trusted Lily Mayne enough and I am not sorry, it kind of worked. Kind of, it was still a bit weird mostly.

I am in instaread (ok, instabuy) mode for anything else she publishes on this universe.

[Chloë [at the cottage] · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm…not sure how I feel about this one. Definitely chaotic AF. Don’t get me wrong - there were cute bits, and funny bits, and sweet bits, but something just didn’t totally click for me.

Dan’s a lovely himbo and Rafe a grumpy anxiety-king with the most overactive, spiralling imagination, but I don’t know if I buy their relationship like I have from other couples in Lily’s past works. Also, the story just kind of…ended rather abruptly. While the epilogue was entertaining, I wish more time was focussed on how their relationship had developed.

I really hope that’s the last we get of F&B. Their sub-plot bordered on too much in this one as it was, and I don’t care if I ever see them again.

I am excited after the teaser for book 4 - a true enemies to lovers with some hardcore animosity!

I received a free copy of this book from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Book 1: Impromptu Match - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book 2: Clean Finish - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book 3: Cheap Heat - ⭐⭐⭐
Book 4: False Comeback - TBD
Book 5: Double Shot

[Ashton Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tropes:
~grumpy x sunshine
~neighbors
~workplace romance
~forced proximity
~bi awakening
~rom com
~famous hero (wrestler)
~size difference

I am LOVING this series by Lily Mayne! I'll admit that book 1 was my least favorite and felt a bit over the top, but books 2 and 3 have been absolutely fantastic! I'm also a sucker for the neighbors trope, and the way that Rafe was so utterly annoyed with everything Dan did next door (loud music, messy lawn, frequent one night stands) added to their tension really well. Add in that not only was Rafe stuck listening to Dan's antics when he was at home, but then starts a new job and doesn't realize that they'll be coworkers and stuck at the same place during the day as well, and you have a recipe for the ultimate 24/7 forced proximity situation lol.

There were also some hilarious scenes in this (the jack o' lantern OMG) that perfectly balanced the emotional aspects. These are like smutty, comedic comfort reads to me at this point, and I hope Lily continues the series for many books to come!


If this book was Taylor Swift lyrics

"Is it cool that I said all that?
Is it chill that you're in my head?
'Cause I know that it's delicate"

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lily Mayne is a fountain of pure gold. This book was both hilarious and sweet: everything I’ve come to expect from the Goliath’s of Wrestling series. I went into this kind of skeptical. I wasn’t sure what to think of dullahan Dan. I don’t always like a himbo character in romances, and the fact that he’s essentially a headless horseman freaked me out a bit. BUT I ended up liking this book significantly more than book 2. I really really loved prickly little bb Rafe from the very start. I also enjoyed how his relationship with Dan developed over the course of the book. ALSO. ALSO. FRANK AND BEANS. They stole the freaking show in this book. I was laughing so hard I was crying at points. This series is so ridiculous and so funny. I’m pumped there was an excerpt and a bunch of set up for the next book because I can’t wait for it!

[Megan (feral hearts club) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing but the perfection I’ve come to expect from Lily Mayne. Cheap Heat is low-angst, high spice, nothing but fun and funny moments, mixed with purely absurd scenes, and questionable uses of a pumpkin, cucumber and hot sauce. I loved every moment of reading this as it brought me pure joy page after page.

[Cas ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hilarious hit from the talented Lily Mayne~

When I saw the page count I was a little apprehensive diving into this ARC because longer novels and my attention span have not been friends lately with my health being so wonky... But! Despite this chonker being 500+ pages long it reads really fast because it's such a fun time. Seriously I don’t think I’ve ever laughed while reading as much as I have reading this series, and I think this one (because it was so relatable) was extra funny. I love how irreverent and flat-out goofy the characters are at times and that despite having a LOT of spicy smut and some more serious themes peppered in for flavor, the overall vibes of the book are silly and comedic.

Rafe doesn’t like people, he’s a true introvert with a very small social circle and a slightly jaded and cynical outlook on life in general due to the way he was treated growing up, and dang if that ain’t relatable. The way he would brace himself for being teased or harassed and then be not only surprised but confused when it didn’t come… I think anyone who grew up the weird kid knows what that is like. Then comes Dan, who from the outside really looks like the type that *would* pick on people like Rafe, but is really just a sunshiney country himbo with a super positive outlook on life that just wants to be liked (and what’s wrong with that?). He also hasn't had to take very many relationships seriously in life because of his breezy personality and the way he gets along with almost anyone, so when Rafe dislikes him so severely he doesn't really know what to do. He knows that he wants to befriend him but can't figure out why his usual charms don't work. I find their "enemies" to lovers arc both endearing and entertaining; I love how hard Dan works and how resistant Rafe is. I especially love the way Dan compares Rafe to an angry kitten.

I don't want to spoil anything so I'm just going to say that the spice was spicing in this one with the whole... dullahan thing. It got a little repetitive at times and it felt like Lily was aware of that as she kind of skimmed over things towards the end, but I still really enjoyed it. I love the way her brain works and I love imagining scenarios, like the dullahan ones, that I wouldn't come up with myself.

The Frank n Beans subplot was satisfyingly weird and funny, and I'm not-so-secretly relieved that they will not be getting a book with a romance plot lmao. I am, however, looking forward to the next one very much!! (You'll have to read this one to find out who!)

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some days you just have to read a silly little smutty romcom about an autistic tabletop gamer and a fuckboy wrestler who can remove his head.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, the way I DEVOURED this book!
I have to say, I’ve absolutely adored this series so much so far and this one is definitely included. It was so HILARIOUS and I was highlighting away and cackling the entire time.

After I’d shaken his hand and sat down, he’d swivelled his monitor around to show me an online store selling a bunch of ironing boards and asked, “Which of these would you say is the sexiest?”

Holt and Taylor were still thirsting after each other and being hilariously awkward. Seb and Larkin were adorable and I loved how Seb firmly stood up for Larkin and put someone (I’m trying not to do spoilers!) in their place.

Honestly though, Dan and Rafe were funny as shit together and I loved Rafe being a little grumpy rain cloud and Dan being the bouncy, ray of sunshine that he is. I enjoyed their misunderstandings and bickerings, but I really loved how Rafe let his guard down and went WILD when it was spicy time. I really enjoyed how they did stuff outside of sex too and Dan brushed it off as being friendly while Rafe is over here mentally freaking out, “are we dating?!”
Which, yup. They’re basically dating while trying to be friends with benefits 🤣

I also REALLY enjoyed who broke down first and admitted he liked the other. My only gripe is I wish we’d seen more of them after they admitted feelings!

And yup. All the things you think Dan is doin’ with that head of his, he be doin’

I also loved the return of Frank and Beans and how absolutely BONKERS they were in this story and how TERRIFYING their house was?!
”The perfect head.”

It’s quite easy to pick up on who the next story is about, and I am SO excited for them!!

[☾⋆⁺ Nurse After Dark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fucking Dullahan Dan and his stupid wrestling outfit and tiny shorts and big muscles. He was so annoying. He was the worst.

This was probably the funniest installment yet in the Goliaths series! Literally half my notes are "lol, lmao, OMG- etc". Prickly Rafe and smooth-talking, somewhat-clueless Dan were a great dynamic together.

“I think he’s putting on a show for you,” Nev said with a resolute nod before opening his car door. “Which is hot as fuck, bro.”

A huge part of what made this book so enjoyable was the supporting characters - Dan, being a wrestler, gave us way more insight to the Goliaths crew, and it was fun breaking into the wrestlers inner circle a little! It really helped me start properly defining which wrestler was which character - I barely had to refer to my handy dandy chart this read. We also got a great found-family in Rafe's friend group - and I'm sorry, but why is Humandatory such a fun sounding game that I want to play ASAP? It basically sounds like your role-playing The Office characters and I am here for it!

“It was probably the weirdest thing I’ve ever done.”
He snorted, leaning his head back against the headrest. “That wasn’t weird. You just wait ’til I get you naked again, kitten. I’ll show you how weird it can get with a dullahan.”

Dan's particular brand of monster led to some of the most creative -ahem- scenes I've read in awhile! I also appreciate that a little technical consideration was given to keep you in the worldbuilding - like Rafe questioning where fluids go when Dan swallows without his body being attached, observing his neck hole because it does exist - even how when Dan goes to sleep, his head detaches! It's all fun, little details that build a solid character. Dan was also so so sweet at the end, when he let his cocky swagger go and accepted he felt deeply for Rafe! <3

I seriously can't believe some of the situations that Rafe got himself into, I was face palming and giggling and somehow it still ended up being hot AF when Dan showed up to help him out ;) The pumpkin cock sleeve? I died! Same with the hot sauce incident that almost was. I love a story that can keep me grinning the whole way through.

" Show me,” I told Frank sternly, because they were definitely doing something they shouldn’t.
Then I froze as whatever he was hiding behind his back made a noise.

OMG -the Frank and Beans subplot was entertaining and just the right amount of content to not interfere with the actual plot too much. It was hilarious. I have no words.

I firmly pulled Vince away from the ropes and hissed, “What’s your problem, man?”
“He is,” Vince snarled, jerking his chin forcefully at Crossbody, who now looked pissed off and tense."

The set up for book 4 couldn't be more perfect - I am feeling the enemies-to-lovers vibes that Vince and Crossbody are giving us! I'm also dying to know more about Crossbody - I feel like Vince has been pretty transparent so far, thanks to his friendship in this book with Dan - but Crossbody is an enigma I look forwards to Vince solving!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Cheap Heat” by Lily Mayne

5⭐️/5⭐️
4🌶/5🌶

“It was fucking annoying how hot he was. And how I now couldn’t stop noticing.”

-Ah, another satisfying installment in the Goliaths of Wrestling series. This book focuses on a new character Rafe, the new IT guy for the Goliaths, and one of the side characters featured in previous novels, Dan, the resident dullahan sports entertainer. The two have been neighbors for years, and Rafe can’t stand how loud and obnoxious Dan is. When Rafe joins the Goliaths, he doesn’t realize Dan is a wrestler with the company, and how they’re forced to spend not only their off-time in close proximity, but now their working-time. But Rafe is the only one who seems to mind, Dan has been harboring a little secret: he thinks Rafe is cute, and has always had a bit of a crush on him.

-Oh, this book was GOOD. It was fun, had so many unexpected elements, and a really funny side-plot concerning Frank and Beans. Yup, readers learn all about the fantastic duo. Compared to the previous two books, this is the most angsty yet, but it still holds onto the humor aspect that makes this series so enjoyable. These books are some of the few comedic romances that actually make me laugh out loud while reading; kudos to Lily Mayne!

-I love how prickly and down-right bitchy Rafe can be. Holy shit, the guy is judgemental as hell and moody, but he opens up beautifully in this story. Rafe goes through a pretty major self-realization, and while a little bit scary at first, he embraces it in a really wonderful way. Whereas Dan is this steady force of calm, so self-assured and confident, but not in a cocky way. He’s warm where Rafe is cold, and they balance each other out really well.

-The smut was…my goodness, you can’t write a dullahan romance and not include some headless…uh, ‘action’, and Lily made each of those scenes unique. Every time Dan called Rafe by his pet name (‘kitten’) I about died, it was so damn cute.

-And once again, I’m so impressed by how Lily manages to write an over-the-top paranormal wrestling series that actually stays true to how the industry operates in real life. Wrestlers court?? Excuse me?? I had a perma-smile on my face the entire time I read that scene.

-I’m begging y’all: READ THIS SERIES. It’s so funny, the perfect pick-me-up when you’re in a slump or feeling low. Lily writes the best supernatural characters, they’re all so fleshed out and interesting. And the smut. THE SMUT. You can read “Cheap Heat” (and the rest of the series) on Kindle Unlimited!

[leisce ᓚᘏᗢ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew headless men were hot??

[Mx. T *Chaotic Reader*]

RTC

[Tinii M · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pumpkin 😭😭😭 wowwww this book was hilarious and spicy 🥵🥵🥵 definitely a fun read