Cherry Ice

by Addison Beck

Levi

I've never been anything special. I'm just your typical nerd, happy with myself, but inexperienced in every way. That is until the king of college football asks me out on a date and my clueless self has no idea what to do. So, I turn to the only person who's always been able to help me through anything.

Mav is just like me. A nerd deep to the core. When faced with problems we don't understand, research is always the best option, right?

All it will take to win over my dream guy is Mav's help, some instructional videos, and a lot of cherry slushies.

Mav

My best friend and I aren't exactly what you'd consider 'cool'. We like video games, studying, and doing well in school. That all changes when the most popular guy on campus asks Levi out on a date. Now he wants my help in making sure he's ready for his first time which means giving him mine too.

What happens when first times lead me to having forever-eyes for my best friend? The same best friend who only sees me as a research partner?

But Levi has always been mine and I'm going to make sure he sees that.


Cherry Ice is a 16k MM romance that was previously a part of the Popped Anthology. Stay tuned for two adorkable best friends trying to figure out their first times.

Genres: M M Romance, Friends To Lovers, Novella, Romance, Contemporary, College, LGBT

67 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 27, 2024

Reviews

[♡ cal ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda cute or whateverrrr

[klinta · Rating 3 out of 5]

nerd x nerd best friends “just practicing” say less i am THERE

[kaye taz · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2 ⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5/5
Format: ebook

The cutest cuties!

Levi and Mav were so sweet and adorable. Awkward, nerdy, inexperienced best friends who somehow find themselves “practicing” sex together. Love that.

The way Mav had this hidden dominant side and the filthiest mouth. And Levi was so naturally submissive to him and eager to please. The spice and chemistry were everything.

I wish we had a full novel of them because they were amazing and I wanted so much more.

[nitya · Rating 3 out of 5]

- best friends to lovers
- they're both nerds
- kissing lessons become more 👀
- short and sweet!
- pining!!

Content warning: sexual content

[lakshmi · Rating 4 out of 5]

nerd love for the win 🏆



“I lied.”
“What?” I ask, rearing my head back a little. “Why did you do that?”
“Because you liked it and I’d give you anything you wanted, Levi. Then and now.”

[Tonya ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Levi + Mav 🥹🥹🥹

I definitely could of read like 10 more chapters of these two!!

-virgin MCs
-nerd x nerd
-best friends to lovers
-let's practice

[Peppa · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was so freaking cute I can’t!!! I enjoyed this little novella so do much :,D
MaV and Levi were absolutely adorable and the whole realizing that they were in love scenes, were so well done!! I also was a sucker for how they discovered sex for themself haha got this was hot and sweet at the same time (I also didn’t expected them to be that kinky lol).

[Zainab · Rating 3 out of 5]

Give me a 'nerdy dorks who are in love with each other but are too oblivious to figure it out' romance any time of the day and i. will. eat. it. up. every. single. time!

[kaleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

- MM childhood best friends to lovers (both are 20 now)
- dual virgin (both have never been kissed, each others first everything)
- no OW
- OM- H1 is asked out on a date by OM and is shy because of his inexperience. He turns to his best friend (H2) and together they learn how to kiss, give BJs, ect.. H1 is practicing with H2 in preparation for OM, but when H2 confronts H1 that he has feelings for him, H1 doesn’t see OM again. OM and H1 never went on a date or did anything aside from dance one time and OM groped H1’s ass over his clothes. They texted back and forth too but nothing sexy. Nothing else happened between them.
• strict top-bottom but top is open to switching (forgot to add this in original review so had to edit!)

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

This was so cute, a perfect little novella! I would love it if this ever became a full blown book. Nerds in love is one of my favorite tropes ☺️☺️

[BelleLovesRomance · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 5/5  🌶 4/5

Cherry Ice by Addison Beck is the kind of book that makes your heart melt and your face burn at the same time! Levi and Mav are two nerdy best friends who fumble their way through every first together—first kiss, first sexual touch, first date—and it's absolutely adorable. Their chemistry is off the charts, blending sweet, awkward, and downright scorching moments seamlessly. 😍🫶🏻

This book has so many tropes and kinks I love: best friends to lovers, both MCs are virgins, Levi in pretty lace panties (yes, please!), and Mav's filthy, filthy mouth. And let's talk about Mav's duality—a blushing, nerdy virgin one second, and a smooth, dominant, dirty-talking Daddy the next? Sweet baby Jesus, I folded so fast. 🥵🔥

I didn't expect Mav to be all possessive towards Levi and the way he took care of Levi? How he's so good at calming him down, and don't even get me started on the amount of praises and reassurance he poured onto Levi. Gah!!! 😫

God, it's me. Again. Seriously though—when? 😭
Sorry, I got sidetracked for a bit. Back to the review. 😅 

Add in some sneaky public hand action, endless praise, and top it all off with a touch of Daddy kink, and this book became an instant favorite of mine. If you love a mix of cute, sexy, and ridiculously satisfying romance, Cherry Ice is a must-read! ✨️

🎮🍒 MM college romance
🎮🍒 Best friends to lovers
🎮🍒 Virgin MCs
🎮🍒 Pretty lace panties
🎮🍒 Dirty talks
🎮🍒 Praises...so many praises it soothes my soul ☺️
🎮🍒 Sneaky public handjob
🎮🍒 Good boy & Daddy (teeny tiny bit)
🎮🍒 Low-angst, funny, sweet, surprisingly hot and steamy 😏
🎮🍒 HFN
🎮🍒 Epilogue

[dj&books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was absolutely adorable and I love them so much omg! Such a cute little nerdy love story 🥹😍

[Courtenay (ceelovesbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect little short story of two nerdy bff’s who decide that if they’re going to get out into the dating world, maybe they should gain some experience before they do. And who better to gain experience with than each other?

Mav and Levi have been besties forever and when Levi gets asked on a date by a football star, he decides he wants to gain some sexual experience by practicing on his bestie. And Mav? Well he’s ABSOLUTELY DOWN.

These two were so cute, and really left me wanting more of their story! This is just the beginning for them, and I loved every minute. Short, sweet, and deliciously spicy.. as usual, for Addison.

🍒 Novella
🍒 “Teach Me”
🍒 BFFs to Lovers
🍒 Nerdy Boys
🍒 Pining

[readingwithmiaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️
2🌶️



Y’all This Book Is Absolutely Adorable, I Just Wish We Got More Time With Levi And Mav Because They Are ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE Together But Overall Such An Adorable Novella I Highly Recommend If You Need A Really Quick Read. I Cannot Wait To Read More By Addison Beck Because She Is Such An Amazing Writer And I Love Her Books So Much💕🫶

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fricken cute!! I need like 12 more chapters of these boys 🥹

[Sofi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This novella wasn’t for me. Was it cute? Sure, but that’s all it had going for it. I liked the whole friends to lovers aspect, but I really didn’t like Levi, and it came across as stereotypical—in a cringey way. That said, I did love this line: “He's perfect, I realize, as I read the story of his life written on his skin. A story I've been a part of.”

[Marissa Woodward · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this would be a cute little novella, but it was kind of cringey.

[Danielle Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Levi is out getting his daily cherry icee when the unexpected happens, the hottest football player at school has just asked him out on a date. Unsure why, or how but he rushes home to tell his best friend because he’s in pure shock. But when reality set in he remembers he’s a 20 year old vïrgin. Never been on a date, never been kissed so when he turns to his best friend to help him practice so he doesn’t embarrass himself in front of the hunky football player. The blind leading the blind.

Mav has never thought anything about needing physical touch, but the moment his best friend’s lips touch his the world is turned on its axis. Also never expected to have the giant green monster also known as jealousy rearing its head when his best friends in the arms of another man. Finding these hidden feelings that have been there all along they just needed the right moment to surface.

Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Addison could you have written these 2 any cuter? Who doesn’t love a nerdy mmc, but making it 2 nerdy mmcs that fall for each other, yes please. I was taken back by Mav ma’am 🤌🏻 with his “research” and his dirty talk.

[Laura Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

This nerdy best friends to lovers story is about Levi and Mav. They are college students that are innocent and inexperienced. When Levi's crush asks him out, he asks for Mav's help to practice for his upcoming date. Although Mav has feelings for Levi, he agrees to help because he will do anything for Levi. Things get heated pretty quickly between Levi and Mav, and I just ate up Mav's dirty talk. These two were perfect for each other. I definitely would have loved this to be a full length novel.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute but physically recoiled at the uh choice of nickname in the epilogue

i felt bad for asher the whole time tbh hoped he would find another femboy bf or whatever but teammate works too lol good for him

cheating my reading goal by reading a novella 💅

[el :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh how i love (best) friends to lovers 🥹
this was so adorable omg, i just couldn’t stop reading till i finished it. i’m definitely gonna read more of Addison Beck’s backlist 🩷

[Kenzie]

⛲️

[B.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and cute

[ashlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Levi + Mav

-mm romance
-friends to lovers
-double virgin mmcs
-lets practice....

this is seriously just always a recipe for disaster...but these cute little baby gays were soooo so cute!!

[Marilla ☘︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet.
Two adorkable besties falling in-love. So cute!🍒

[Sirena · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 27% Honestly, I just should’ve known better. My bad.

[Caffs37 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Addison Beck's "Cherry Ice" is a delightful exploration of friendship, self-discovery, and the nuanced complexities of first love. The story centers around Levi, an endearing nerd who finds himself unexpectedly pursued by the campus's football king, and Mav, his equally nerdy best friend who stands steadfast by his side. The premise is both relatable and charming, as it taps into the experience of feeling out of one's depth in the dating world, particularly when it involves someone as popular as Levi’s dream guy.

Beck’s writing shines as she navigates the budding relationship between Levi and Mav. Their dynamic is refreshing, filled with humor, honesty, and undeniable chemistry. Mav’s willingness to help Levi prepare for his date showcases the depth of their friendship, while also subtly hinting at Mav's deeper feelings. The focus on research and instructional videos adds a light-hearted touch, making the awkwardness of their situation relatable and entertaining.

As the story unfolds, readers are treated to a delightful blend of witty banter and heartfelt moments. The cherry slushie motif serves as a sweet symbol of their friendship and shared experiences, contrasting with the brewing romantic tension. Levi’s journey of self-acceptance and realization that love can be found in unexpected places is beautifully portrayed, while Mav’s longing for recognition of his feelings adds an emotional layer that resonates deeply.

"Cherry Ice" is not just a story about first dates and crushes; it’s a celebration of the importance of friendship, the awkwardness of growing up, and the courage it takes to embrace one’s true feelings. Addison Beck has crafted a sweet and engaging narrative that will leave readers cheering for Levi and Mav, hoping that they can recognize the love that has been in front of them all along. This contemporary romance is a must-read for anyone who enjoys stories about friendship blossoming into something more.

[369Pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

This somehow managed to be a short novella that was both extremely spicy and also gave me butterflies? So cute!!!!

Two nerdy friends discover a lot of firsts with each other, as one of them tries to “practice” 😏 for popular guy that just asked him out. The author somehow executed this without making Levi seem like an asshole for using his best friend, while also somehow portraying Mav’s pining. How do you get pining in a 60 page novella that’s mostly smut? I don’t know, but the author did it.

These two were super cute, and the sexy parts were also sexy! My only issue is that Mav’s dirty talk was too good.. how does he go between being awkward to somehow being a sex god? 🤣

Tbh this was so good that I found myself like, writing fan fiction about it in my mind. Like what if the author made it a full length novel and actually MMM so that the popular guy somehow got involved. That would be crazy…
Okay now that I’m done sounding insane, please have my final thoughts: the novella was fun and you can read it in like 30 minutes. Just read it!!
Bout to start a full length book by the same author after enjoying this novella so much!

[Daryn Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cherry Ice ARC Review:

Levi and Mav♥️

This novella is about two best friends, both are rather adorkably nerdy and love spending their time gaming. Levi is a bundle of nerves and can be bubbly when he feels comfortable. Mav is willing to help Levi with his fears of being awkward while on a date, and Levi has some ideas!

These two were the definition of adorkable! I loved seeing their transformation over the course of this story! Mav surprised me the most, and it was fun to witness. I also want to know about the other couple in this story! The characters were lovely and all very sweet, and sometimes territorial! Overall, I had a blast reading this! Just so adorable and dorky in the best ways!

5/5🌟

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally read this novella when it was in the Popped Anthology and thought it was adorable! And I loved rereading it now and getting some bonus content after the story! This is just an adorable story about Levi and Mav. Two best friends who have no experience when it comes to dating. But when Levi is asked out by a popular football player, he suddenly becomes nervous about having zero experience. In order to get ready to have a first date, Levi asks Mav for his help. But for every first they have together, it just brings them even closer together. Opening their eyes to what has been between them all along. Such a cute best friends to lovers story! These guys were just adorable as they figured out how they truly felt about one another. And the bonus content was definitely worth it!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.