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Kiss Me #1
Strawberry kisses - Edizione Italiana (Kiss me serie Vol. 1)
Lista delle cose da fare di Patrick:
1. Dire alla mia famiglia che sono gay
2. Preparare una torta gigantesca per la festa dell’anniversario dei miei genitori
3. Convincere Connor a fingere di essere il mio ragazzo per tutto il fine settimana
4. Cercare di tenere a posto le mani in presenza di Connor
5. Assicurarmi che Connor scopra che lo amo da tre anni
I passi da fare per un successo assicurato secondo Connor:
1. Creare un’esibizione di pole perfetta per Chrome Stars
2. Continuare a cercare la musica più adatta
3. Sopravvivere al fine settimana con la famiglia di Patrick ed evitare di saltargli addosso mentre dormiamo nello stesso letto
4. Evitare che i miei sentimenti esplodano come una bomba di brillantini
5. Assicurarmi che Patrick scopra che lo amo da sempre
1. Dire alla mia famiglia che sono gay
2. Preparare una torta gigantesca per la festa dell’anniversario dei miei genitori
3. Convincere Connor a fingere di essere il mio ragazzo per tutto il fine settimana
4. Cercare di tenere a posto le mani in presenza di Connor
5. Assicurarmi che Connor scopra che lo amo da tre anni
I passi da fare per un successo assicurato secondo Connor:
1. Creare un’esibizione di pole perfetta per Chrome Stars
2. Continuare a cercare la musica più adatta
3. Sopravvivere al fine settimana con la famiglia di Patrick ed evitare di saltargli addosso mentre dormiamo nello stesso letto
4. Evitare che i miei sentimenti esplodano come una bomba di brillantini
5. Assicurarmi che Patrick scopra che lo amo da sempre
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2020
333 people are currently reading
1081 people want to read
About the author
Charlie Novak
61 books585 followersCharlie lives in England with her husband and a dachshund named Biscuit. She spends most of her days wrangling other people’s words in her day job and then trying to force her own onto the page in the evening.
She loves cute stories with a healthy dollop of fluff, plenty of delicious sex, and happily ever afters – because the world needs more of them. Charlie also believes that love comes in all shapes and sizes.
Charlie has very little spare time, but what she does have she fills with cooking, pole-dancing, reading and ice-hockey. She also thinks that everyone should have at least one favourite dinosaur…
She loves cute stories with a healthy dollop of fluff, plenty of delicious sex, and happily ever afters – because the world needs more of them. Charlie also believes that love comes in all shapes and sizes.
Charlie has very little spare time, but what she does have she fills with cooking, pole-dancing, reading and ice-hockey. She also thinks that everyone should have at least one favourite dinosaur…
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews
March 29, 2022
Audiobook - 4 stars
Story - stars
Fluff, Fluffity, Fluff-Fluff. 🤩🤩🤩
Story - stars
Fluff, Fluffity, Fluff-Fluff. 🤩🤩🤩
July 31, 2023
I float on a cloud of fluffiness 🌟 My this was cute. And cake, have I actually read two cake books in a week now.... no wonder I have cravings.
The fake boyfriends theme was logically doomed to become somewhat annoying. As usual, communication is lacking here. That's also the only reason it's not 5 stars for me. The inner monologues drag a bit and are a bit repetitive.
I still wasn’t convinced Connor wanted me. Not permanently. Why would he? I could write a list as long as my arm of reasons why I wasn’t good enough for him. 🙄
However, I think it's very well done overall. Yes, it felt a bit drawn out, but the book couldn't have been very much shorter. It would have been wrong for it to get too rushed.
And there is no third act melodrama, a thousand thanks for that. Patrick and Connor just need a little longer before they can confess their feelings to each other.
What I liked most is the mutual support/affirmation they have for each other. Their friendship is beautifully written.
“You are perfect, Connor, and I want everyone to see you just the way you are. So wear the bright colours. I know you’ll look fabulous.” 😍
And it’s steamy:
Connor grunted and stilled, and I felt his cum splattering my skin. It felt almost possessive, like he was making me his, even though I knew I was only projecting. I wanted to be his more than anything. 😋
And it’s funny:
“Are you a top or bottom, babe?”
“What?” Patrick stared at me in horror like I’d just asked him if he preferred to eat cats or dogs. 🤡
Shit. No. Bad dick. Very bad. We were not allowed to imagine Patrick naked, and we were not allowed to try to sneak peeks at him over the weekend either. 😂
The fake boyfriends theme was logically doomed to become somewhat annoying. As usual, communication is lacking here. That's also the only reason it's not 5 stars for me. The inner monologues drag a bit and are a bit repetitive.
I still wasn’t convinced Connor wanted me. Not permanently. Why would he? I could write a list as long as my arm of reasons why I wasn’t good enough for him. 🙄
However, I think it's very well done overall. Yes, it felt a bit drawn out, but the book couldn't have been very much shorter. It would have been wrong for it to get too rushed.
And there is no third act melodrama, a thousand thanks for that. Patrick and Connor just need a little longer before they can confess their feelings to each other.
What I liked most is the mutual support/affirmation they have for each other. Their friendship is beautifully written.
“You are perfect, Connor, and I want everyone to see you just the way you are. So wear the bright colours. I know you’ll look fabulous.” 😍
And it’s steamy:
Connor grunted and stilled, and I felt his cum splattering my skin. It felt almost possessive, like he was making me his, even though I knew I was only projecting. I wanted to be his more than anything. 😋
And it’s funny:
“Are you a top or bottom, babe?”
“What?” Patrick stared at me in horror like I’d just asked him if he preferred to eat cats or dogs. 🤡
Shit. No. Bad dick. Very bad. We were not allowed to imagine Patrick naked, and we were not allowed to try to sneak peeks at him over the weekend either. 😂
January 28, 2024
The perfect book for anyone who is a fan of “best friends who are in love with each other and basically already dating but neither realize it”. Very sweet & no angst.
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February 20, 2022
MM Romance
Friends To Lovers/Fake Relationship
2 stars ⭐️
I usually love best friends to lovers but this didn’t quite work for me. I wanted to read book two in this series because it’s an enemies to lovers second chance but I like reading series in order if I can. These two just made a really lackluster boring couple and that’s hard to do considering one of them is a pole dancer. Connor has such a big sparkly personality that I was expecting a lot more than this gave me.
First of all, this was over the top fluffy like this book gave me cavities and I’ve never had one before. (Thanks mom for all the fluoride treatments! Not that she’ll ever read my reviews. Thankfully 😅) I like fluffy, sweet books sometimes but this was OTT to the point it made the sex scenes cringy. This is one of those books where the friends are already dating without realizing they are even doing it. They had this sweet, close friendship and the reader is thrown into a no angst, lovey dovey situation right away. And while that’s nice, I needed more.
Yet…For both of them being in love with each other, their relationship felt a bit weird. For instance, they’ve been close, cuddly friends for over 3 years having sleepovers, watching romcoms and snuggling on the couch but I’m supposed to believe Connor had no idea the type of person Patrick was attracted to until he comes out in this book? Really?? I’m supposed to believe that Connor who is written as unapologetically himself, an extrovert who is so extra that his exes have told him he’s too much and has no boundaries, never asked Patrick about his relationships or lack there of? Really? They never talked about sex or what they were into? It just seemed so odd for these supposedly super tight best friends. But okayyyyy.
When Patrick comes out to his family, they assume Connor is his boyfriend because he basically is lol 😂 They want Patrick to bring him to the family party next weekend so next thing you know these two are in a fake relationship. After kissing at this party, both of them admit they want more but then both of their inner monologues say they aren’t going to pursue it because they aren’t each other’s types. “How could they want someone like me when they can have anyone?” type BS. WHAT? But that doesn’t stop them from exploring each other’s bodies. Did I mention Patrick is a 30 year old virgin and really awkward in bed? Asking permission is hot sometimes but not when stammering awkwardly while blushing like in this scene:
“Do you like my cock?”
“Yeah.” I nodded. “Can I… can I suck you?”
“Yes, but only a little. I have plans for you.”
During these awkward scenes, Connor keeps mentioning via inner monologue how he prefers topping but is also vers yet nothing comes of it. If being vers is mentioned often then I want a vers scene instead of ridiculous inner dialogue that goes nowhere. Just like when Connor’s pole dancing is mentioned tons of times, how sexy he is in makeup and stilettos to the point shy Patrick is asking to be fucked while Connor wears them, I want to read that sex scene instead of the awkward ones of Patrick asking to suck cock. But no, we get moving day on the next page instead.
Just overall bland and not the friends to lovers I was looking for. While they talked internally about how much they wanted each other and their dicks constantly twitching, it felt like they had no chemistry and I was quite bored. Luckily the sample from the next book is wayyy better and angstier than this one.
Friends To Lovers/Fake Relationship
2 stars ⭐️
I usually love best friends to lovers but this didn’t quite work for me. I wanted to read book two in this series because it’s an enemies to lovers second chance but I like reading series in order if I can. These two just made a really lackluster boring couple and that’s hard to do considering one of them is a pole dancer. Connor has such a big sparkly personality that I was expecting a lot more than this gave me.
First of all, this was over the top fluffy like this book gave me cavities and I’ve never had one before. (Thanks mom for all the fluoride treatments! Not that she’ll ever read my reviews. Thankfully 😅) I like fluffy, sweet books sometimes but this was OTT to the point it made the sex scenes cringy. This is one of those books where the friends are already dating without realizing they are even doing it. They had this sweet, close friendship and the reader is thrown into a no angst, lovey dovey situation right away. And while that’s nice, I needed more.
Yet…For both of them being in love with each other, their relationship felt a bit weird. For instance, they’ve been close, cuddly friends for over 3 years having sleepovers, watching romcoms and snuggling on the couch but I’m supposed to believe Connor had no idea the type of person Patrick was attracted to until he comes out in this book? Really?? I’m supposed to believe that Connor who is written as unapologetically himself, an extrovert who is so extra that his exes have told him he’s too much and has no boundaries, never asked Patrick about his relationships or lack there of? Really? They never talked about sex or what they were into? It just seemed so odd for these supposedly super tight best friends. But okayyyyy.
When Patrick comes out to his family, they assume Connor is his boyfriend because he basically is lol 😂 They want Patrick to bring him to the family party next weekend so next thing you know these two are in a fake relationship. After kissing at this party, both of them admit they want more but then both of their inner monologues say they aren’t going to pursue it because they aren’t each other’s types. “How could they want someone like me when they can have anyone?” type BS. WHAT? But that doesn’t stop them from exploring each other’s bodies. Did I mention Patrick is a 30 year old virgin and really awkward in bed? Asking permission is hot sometimes but not when stammering awkwardly while blushing like in this scene:
“Do you like my cock?”
“Yeah.” I nodded. “Can I… can I suck you?”
“Yes, but only a little. I have plans for you.”
During these awkward scenes, Connor keeps mentioning via inner monologue how he prefers topping but is also vers yet nothing comes of it. If being vers is mentioned often then I want a vers scene instead of ridiculous inner dialogue that goes nowhere. Just like when Connor’s pole dancing is mentioned tons of times, how sexy he is in makeup and stilettos to the point shy Patrick is asking to be fucked while Connor wears them, I want to read that sex scene instead of the awkward ones of Patrick asking to suck cock. But no, we get moving day on the next page instead.
Just overall bland and not the friends to lovers I was looking for. While they talked internally about how much they wanted each other and their dicks constantly twitching, it felt like they had no chemistry and I was quite bored. Luckily the sample from the next book is wayyy better and angstier than this one.
November 14, 2020
If you like:
✔️Fake boyfriends
✔️both in love with one another/both are clueless
✔️Sweetness
✔️first time
You will love this book. Connor and Patrick are love personified. This book is low angst but high heat. It will make you smile a lot. Loved it from start to finish. This is how you write a friends to lovers book!
**Side note I’m going to need an Aaron and Josh book too. Just saying 😬
✔️Fake boyfriends
✔️both in love with one another/both are clueless
✔️Sweetness
✔️first time
You will love this book. Connor and Patrick are love personified. This book is low angst but high heat. It will make you smile a lot. Loved it from start to finish. This is how you write a friends to lovers book!
**Side note I’m going to need an Aaron and Josh book too. Just saying 😬
December 7, 2024
I’ll review this later but super cute friends to lovers!
November 24, 2020
Patrick, twenty-nine, works as head party chef at The Pear Tree, his friends Aaron and Ben’s
pastry restaurant.
Weekly he has movie nights with his best friend Connor. They were best friends from first sight.
After a long day of work Conner is there waiting, he cooked, they can eat, talk and watch movies
together. Patrick is hopelessly in love with Connor and thinks he’s far out of his league.
Connor, twenty-eight, works at a dance studio teaching pole dancing. Conner is rainbow, glitter,
makeup, heels, and joy. Conner is in love with Patrick from the very first he lead his eyes on
him.
They never told the other, they will never want to risk or lose their friendship, ever!
With a video call Patrick finally told his family he was gay, there is some confusion, they all talk
through the other, and in the end, Patrick has to bring his boyfriend Connor to the long weekend
family celebration party. Before Patrick knows they hang up.
Connor will go with him as his fake boyfriend. Their friendship is of big value.
A relationship is out of the question, even when they screw around a bit at the family weekend.
Patrick doesn't dare to hope Connor wanted him for real. Little does he know.
An absolutely adorable narrative, a feeling good story with no drama or angst. There is just joy
to find and fun, friendship, cute kisses, love, and later on some delicious steamy encounters.
The nosy family felt like a warm blanket, all the food and cake made me hungry, let’s not forget
a silly furball who lied about feeding.
The story breathed a delightful joy, with humour and snarky comments. The family, the
weekend, the pastry, and pole business were all great to read about and completed the whole
story.
Beautifully and widely written story, thoroughly developed with a delightful uplifting vibe.
Read and Reviewed for LoveBytesReviews
pastry restaurant.
Weekly he has movie nights with his best friend Connor. They were best friends from first sight.
After a long day of work Conner is there waiting, he cooked, they can eat, talk and watch movies
together. Patrick is hopelessly in love with Connor and thinks he’s far out of his league.
Connor, twenty-eight, works at a dance studio teaching pole dancing. Conner is rainbow, glitter,
makeup, heels, and joy. Conner is in love with Patrick from the very first he lead his eyes on
him.
They never told the other, they will never want to risk or lose their friendship, ever!
With a video call Patrick finally told his family he was gay, there is some confusion, they all talk
through the other, and in the end, Patrick has to bring his boyfriend Connor to the long weekend
family celebration party. Before Patrick knows they hang up.
Connor will go with him as his fake boyfriend. Their friendship is of big value.
A relationship is out of the question, even when they screw around a bit at the family weekend.
Patrick doesn't dare to hope Connor wanted him for real. Little does he know.
An absolutely adorable narrative, a feeling good story with no drama or angst. There is just joy
to find and fun, friendship, cute kisses, love, and later on some delicious steamy encounters.
The nosy family felt like a warm blanket, all the food and cake made me hungry, let’s not forget
a silly furball who lied about feeding.
The story breathed a delightful joy, with humour and snarky comments. The family, the
weekend, the pastry, and pole business were all great to read about and completed the whole
story.
Beautifully and widely written story, thoroughly developed with a delightful uplifting vibe.
Read and Reviewed for LoveBytesReviews
May 26, 2022
Actual rating: 3,5
This was a cute best friends to lovers / fake dating on accident and a very quick and easy read without much drama.
I liked that this one had an MC with an “average body”, because most MM romances only focus on guys who all look like they spend 2 hours in the gym each day without actually ever mentioning them doing so. Most dominant guys are the big, muscly ones. Not here.
I also love seeing MCs only starting to live out their sexuality later in life. Sometimes it takes a while to figure it out and not everyone is so focussed on it. I hate this stigma that everyone is super experienced by the time they turn 20.
I also loved the strong, shy baker x tiny pole teacher who wears makeup romance!
A few things were kinda dragging and…maybe a bit too unrealistic or convenient for me.
They’ve been best friends for 3 years and never talked about Patrick’s love life? They’re super touchy and cuddly! They didn’t seem to know that much about each other somehow. And for me they went from friends to just kissing casually way too smoothly when they were both pining for so long.
Over all it’s worth a read though if you just want a cute romance without angst or unnecessary hurdles.
This was a cute best friends to lovers / fake dating on accident and a very quick and easy read without much drama.
I liked that this one had an MC with an “average body”, because most MM romances only focus on guys who all look like they spend 2 hours in the gym each day without actually ever mentioning them doing so. Most dominant guys are the big, muscly ones. Not here.
I also love seeing MCs only starting to live out their sexuality later in life. Sometimes it takes a while to figure it out and not everyone is so focussed on it. I hate this stigma that everyone is super experienced by the time they turn 20.
I also loved the strong, shy baker x tiny pole teacher who wears makeup romance!
A few things were kinda dragging and…maybe a bit too unrealistic or convenient for me.
They’ve been best friends for 3 years and never talked about Patrick’s love life? They’re super touchy and cuddly! They didn’t seem to know that much about each other somehow. And for me they went from friends to just kissing casually way too smoothly when they were both pining for so long.
Over all it’s worth a read though if you just want a cute romance without angst or unnecessary hurdles.
November 14, 2020
An easy, enjoyable read but just bit toooo fluffy and sweet for me 💕
January 19, 2024
Fake boyfriends and friends to lovers is a winner
I love the relatively low angst books Charlie writes, there's usually plenty of spice and a lot of humour and this is no exception.
Clueless best friends in love with each other can get a bit wearing if it goes on too long, but here it's pitched just right.
Connor and Patrick are a perfect match and I adored Patrick's family and how much they opened their hearts to Connor.
I love the relatively low angst books Charlie writes, there's usually plenty of spice and a lot of humour and this is no exception.
Clueless best friends in love with each other can get a bit wearing if it goes on too long, but here it's pitched just right.
Connor and Patrick are a perfect match and I adored Patrick's family and how much they opened their hearts to Connor.
November 12, 2020
Strawberry Kisses is so freaken sweet; I think I got cavities from it.
Patrick and Connor are best friends and head over heels for each other, but they've no clue. How I don't know with as affectionate and thoughtful, they were with each other.
This story has:
· Adorable main characters; I love Patrick and Connor.
·UST
·Lovely secondary characters. You'll love everyone in this book.
·HAWT.
·Desserts, this book made me hungry for dessert.
·Low angst, feel good.
·Fake Boyfriend- which I'm generally not a fan of and will often skip books because of it; I found myself completely caught up in the romance and didn't mind it.
·Opposites attract
·As mentioned above, it's also got best friends to lovers.
This book was a joy to read, and I'm very much looking forward to the next book.
4.5 Stars
April 18, 2022
I didn’t think I ever say that, but: there actually is such a thing as too much fluff.
I made several attempts to finish it, but in the end I gave up at around 70%. I just wasn’t invested enough in the characters, and there was no character development or any kind of plot left to keep me on the hook.
Patrick is a (virgin) pastry chef, who’s just coming out to his boisterous, happy family. Connor, the friend he’s in love with (and who secretly loves him back) is a twink/femme/ballet-dancer/pole-dance-instructor, as outgoing and openly gay as Patrick is not.
They pretend being boyfriends for a weekend, end up in bed - and tbh even the sex scenes didn’t keep my attention. I can’t put my finger on the reason why, they just felt a bit… awkward.
No idea if there’s a bit of 80% drama coming up, as mentioned, I quit around 70%.
If you’re looking for a fluffy read, there are better books out there I’d recommend.
I made several attempts to finish it, but in the end I gave up at around 70%. I just wasn’t invested enough in the characters, and there was no character development or any kind of plot left to keep me on the hook.
Patrick is a (virgin) pastry chef, who’s just coming out to his boisterous, happy family. Connor, the friend he’s in love with (and who secretly loves him back) is a twink/femme/ballet-dancer/pole-dance-instructor, as outgoing and openly gay as Patrick is not.
They pretend being boyfriends for a weekend, end up in bed - and tbh even the sex scenes didn’t keep my attention. I can’t put my finger on the reason why, they just felt a bit… awkward.
No idea if there’s a bit of 80% drama coming up, as mentioned, I quit around 70%.
If you’re looking for a fluffy read, there are better books out there I’d recommend.
February 3, 2024
This is a re-read after 3 1/2 years since my first read. Unfortunately like many books from 2020-21, it doesn’t hold up. It’s a sweet story but this author loves her endless internal dialogue and I end up skimming half the book. I also hate fake boyfriend but that’s a me thing. I do love me some oblivious boys though.
May 16, 2025
Dulce, rosado, delicado
Patrick siempre ha sido muy introvertido, tiene pocos amigos y normalmente trabaja solo como chef pastelero en un restaurant. Por esa razón nunca le ha dicho a su familia que es gay. Cuándo por fin le dice, su familia quiere que lleve a su "novio" con el, quien es realmente su mejor amigo. Pero serán capaces de seguir la mentira durante todo el fin de semana? Será capaz de ocultar sus verdaderos sentimientos?
Este es lo que llamamos una lectura reconfortante. Es sencilla, dulce, romántica, rosada y con casi nada de drama. Las escenas eróticas bastante hot, y bien ubicadas. Cuándo terminas el libro quedas suspirando con su final feliz.
En fin, me gustó para esos momentos que se quiere leer algo sencillo, así que es seguro que leeré otros libros de este autor más adelante.
Patrick siempre ha sido muy introvertido, tiene pocos amigos y normalmente trabaja solo como chef pastelero en un restaurant. Por esa razón nunca le ha dicho a su familia que es gay. Cuándo por fin le dice, su familia quiere que lleve a su "novio" con el, quien es realmente su mejor amigo. Pero serán capaces de seguir la mentira durante todo el fin de semana? Será capaz de ocultar sus verdaderos sentimientos?
Este es lo que llamamos una lectura reconfortante. Es sencilla, dulce, romántica, rosada y con casi nada de drama. Las escenas eróticas bastante hot, y bien ubicadas. Cuándo terminas el libro quedas suspirando con su final feliz.
En fin, me gustó para esos momentos que se quiere leer algo sencillo, así que es seguro que leeré otros libros de este autor más adelante.
May 3, 2023
3.5 stars
Sugar-sweet, low-angst friends-to-lovers story with a pair of dingdongs.
When Patrick finally tells his family he's gay at 29, they're very supportive and insist he bring his boyfriend to the big family get-together they're having the following weekend. Unfortunately, his "boyfriend" Connor is actually just his best friend, and Patrick doesn't have the heart to correct the assumption.
Little does he know, the friend he's been lusting after has also had a huge crush on him and agrees to be his fake boyfriend for the weekend, hoping that he'll recover from the hurt when Patrick wants things to go back to normal afterwards.
______________
These guys are massive dingdongs/obliviots, but while there's a blatant lack of communication about their feelings, it really doesn't create any angst. They already know each other well and have a cute AF domestic vibe going and I totally buy them as a couple.
I loved the family aspect, it felt so nice and welcoming and I thought the funny stories and jibes were super relatable. It's a pity we didn't get to meet Connor’s mum, especially as she was obviously important to him - I'm wondering now if I may have skimmed over her name in the epilogue? She does feature in the bonus chapter on the author's website.
I thought the love-you-for-who-you-are theme was gorgeous. Patrick encourages Connor to wear his bright make-up and cute clothes, and reassures him when he feels nervous. There's no judgment whatsoever from any characters about Connor being a pole-dance teacher and performer of sexy routines (and why would there be!). Connor is also very understanding of Patrick's lack of experience and always makes sure he knows how attractive he finds him.
I unexpectedly found myself won over by
I do think it's strange that Connor said it was important to him that he was vers but it was never even discussed in their relationship.
So why didn't I rate this higher? I think it was just a bit too low stakes in the end. The not-talking went on for so long - - that I was getting pretty frustrated because it also wasn't really creating any tension - except for me because I was grumbling at them through my Kindle.
Sexual content: Explicit.
Sugar-sweet, low-angst friends-to-lovers story with a pair of dingdongs.
When Patrick finally tells his family he's gay at 29, they're very supportive and insist he bring his boyfriend to the big family get-together they're having the following weekend. Unfortunately, his "boyfriend" Connor is actually just his best friend, and Patrick doesn't have the heart to correct the assumption.
Little does he know, the friend he's been lusting after has also had a huge crush on him and agrees to be his fake boyfriend for the weekend, hoping that he'll recover from the hurt when Patrick wants things to go back to normal afterwards.
______________
These guys are massive dingdongs/obliviots, but while there's a blatant lack of communication about their feelings, it really doesn't create any angst. They already know each other well and have a cute AF domestic vibe going and I totally buy them as a couple.
I loved the family aspect, it felt so nice and welcoming and I thought the funny stories and jibes were super relatable. It's a pity we didn't get to meet Connor’s mum, especially as she was obviously important to him - I'm wondering now if I may have skimmed over her name in the epilogue? She does feature in the bonus chapter on the author's website.
I thought the love-you-for-who-you-are theme was gorgeous. Patrick encourages Connor to wear his bright make-up and cute clothes, and reassures him when he feels nervous. There's no judgment whatsoever from any characters about Connor being a pole-dance teacher and performer of sexy routines (and why would there be!). Connor is also very understanding of Patrick's lack of experience and always makes sure he knows how attractive he finds him.
I unexpectedly found myself won over by
I do think it's strange that Connor said it was important to him that he was vers but it was never even discussed in their relationship.
So why didn't I rate this higher? I think it was just a bit too low stakes in the end. The not-talking went on for so long - - that I was getting pretty frustrated because it also wasn't really creating any tension - except for me because I was grumbling at them through my Kindle.
Sexual content: Explicit.
January 2, 2021
This should be a perfect read for me. It contains everything I love. A sweet story, fake relationship. Great characters. Yet I couldn’t connect to it. It’s totally me, not the book.
d-n-f
December 7, 2020Time of death 57%.
Not my cup of tea. It bored me. It was rife with clichés and overused tropes (worst of which was the thorough lack of communication)
Not my cup of tea. It bored me. It was rife with clichés and overused tropes (worst of which was the thorough lack of communication)
November 20, 2020
This is the second book I've read by this author and I just don't think their writing is for me. I didn't feel much of a connection with the characters and I felt that the conflict was too minor/juvenile to keep me invested for 250 pages. This book was incredibly tropey and the characters and storyline weren't interesting enough for me to overlook it. What I mean is that it seems like the author picked out a couple of tropes and then wrote about the tropes instead of the characters. It all just seemed really impersonal to me. The story was a very shallow representation of fake boyfriend/best friends to lovers with very little story or character development throughout the whole thing. Instead the author concentrated on the MC's cat and then the secondary characters in order to fill up the word count. This should have been a short story at best. Can't recommend.
December 7, 2020
This was, I don't know, an unsatisfying lesson in miscommunication. All would have been solved by a conversation. :(
November 22, 2020
2,5/5
C'est vraiment le titre ainsi que la couverture qui ont attiré mon attention. En survolant le résumé, j'ai été emballée donc je me suis jetée dessus, ayant besoin d'une lecture légère et sexy.
Je ne reviendrai pas sur l'histoire, on comprend qu'il s'agit de meilleurs amis qui tombent amoureux, Patrick et Connor, le premier étant dans le placard, le deuxième tout l'inverse.
Globalement, j'ai passé un moment de lecture sympathique, mais il m'a vraiment manqué quelque chose pour m'emporter ici. Je m'attendais à plus de situations drôles en fait, cocasses, vu la situation dans laquelle se retrouve les deux héros.
Au final, Patrick avoue son homosexualité très rapidement, l'accepte hyper bien, ce qui est étonnant vu sa réticence à en parler et à sa famille, depuis tellement longtemps. Le but de cette histoire n'est pas là, je suis d'accord, mais du coup ça manquait de crédibilité.
Ensuite, au niveau des deux meilleurs amis, là aussi, c'est sympa, mignon, mais des fois on a vraiment l'impression que les deux personnages, enfin plutôt Connor se contre-dit.
En fait, c'est dommage, car les tropes du friends-to-lovers et fake-boyfriend font partie de mes préférés, et là ben, il m'a manqué trop de choses... J'avais l'impression que le sexe passait en premier, il m'a manqué de l'émotion, en tout cas, je ne l'ai pas vraiment ressentie.
Les personnages sont sympathiques. J'ai aimé la personnalité de Connor, c'est quelqu'un de flamboyant et d'attachant. Les deux hommes sont liés par une très belle amitié !
Je suis peut-être passée à côté, ou bien en fin de compte, j'avais besoin de moins de légèreté que je le pensais... J'ai besoin d'un peu plus pour me sentir concernée par les personnages et leur histoire.
C'est vraiment le titre ainsi que la couverture qui ont attiré mon attention. En survolant le résumé, j'ai été emballée donc je me suis jetée dessus, ayant besoin d'une lecture légère et sexy.
Je ne reviendrai pas sur l'histoire, on comprend qu'il s'agit de meilleurs amis qui tombent amoureux, Patrick et Connor, le premier étant dans le placard, le deuxième tout l'inverse.
Globalement, j'ai passé un moment de lecture sympathique, mais il m'a vraiment manqué quelque chose pour m'emporter ici. Je m'attendais à plus de situations drôles en fait, cocasses, vu la situation dans laquelle se retrouve les deux héros.
Au final, Patrick avoue son homosexualité très rapidement, l'accepte hyper bien, ce qui est étonnant vu sa réticence à en parler et à sa famille, depuis tellement longtemps. Le but de cette histoire n'est pas là, je suis d'accord, mais du coup ça manquait de crédibilité.
Ensuite, au niveau des deux meilleurs amis, là aussi, c'est sympa, mignon, mais des fois on a vraiment l'impression que les deux personnages, enfin plutôt Connor se contre-dit.
En fait, c'est dommage, car les tropes du friends-to-lovers et fake-boyfriend font partie de mes préférés, et là ben, il m'a manqué trop de choses... J'avais l'impression que le sexe passait en premier, il m'a manqué de l'émotion, en tout cas, je ne l'ai pas vraiment ressentie.
Les personnages sont sympathiques. J'ai aimé la personnalité de Connor, c'est quelqu'un de flamboyant et d'attachant. Les deux hommes sont liés par une très belle amitié !
Je suis peut-être passée à côté, ou bien en fin de compte, j'avais besoin de moins de légèreté que je le pensais... J'ai besoin d'un peu plus pour me sentir concernée par les personnages et leur histoire.
November 10, 2020
Connor and Patrick were just the sweetest things! I really just liked them both right from the start. Patrick was so sweet, shy, and loveable--I wanted to cuddle up with him on the couch next to Connor. And Connor, oh he was just such a fabulous, confident, and outgoing spitfire. Friends for years, both wanting more, both afraid to say anything to each other for fear of rejection. Then one fateful weekend as pretend boyfriends gives them the push they needed to both start wanting to move beyond friendship. Now, it took them a bit to each feel confident enough to take that next step--I did want to shake some sense into them a few times and yell at them to stop worrying and go for it--but thankfully they both had some great friends to help them get there. This was filled with sweet and tender moments, a really great cast of supportive family and friends, some very steamy first times, and a HEA that made me smile!
February 13, 2022
reread February 2022 via audio
I loved this one so much via audio. This is the ultimate comfort read and there is literally no angst. There's no drama and even the small moments of uncertainty by both our MCs are so quickly resolved that it's like it wasn't there. Maybe not so realistic but very sweet and fluffy and comforting. Now that I've read all three books in this series it amazes me how different they all are. This one is pure fluff, the second one is pure angst, and the third one is a happy mix of both.
original review:
This book is so sweet and fluffy so heads up if that's not your thing. There is virtually no angst and no drama. It is pure queer joy.
This is a friends to lovers, fake dating situation. One of the MCs is a soft sweet pastry chef and the other MC is an extroverted eccentric pole dance instructor. These two could not be more opposite but made the perfect pair. The only drama in this book is the fact that they both loved each other for years and neither one of them say anything about it.
If you're looking for a book that will just make you happy, this is the one.
Rep: midsize gay MC, gay MC who says fuck it to gender
CW: explicit sex
I loved this one so much via audio. This is the ultimate comfort read and there is literally no angst. There's no drama and even the small moments of uncertainty by both our MCs are so quickly resolved that it's like it wasn't there. Maybe not so realistic but very sweet and fluffy and comforting. Now that I've read all three books in this series it amazes me how different they all are. This one is pure fluff, the second one is pure angst, and the third one is a happy mix of both.
original review:
This book is so sweet and fluffy so heads up if that's not your thing. There is virtually no angst and no drama. It is pure queer joy.
This is a friends to lovers, fake dating situation. One of the MCs is a soft sweet pastry chef and the other MC is an extroverted eccentric pole dance instructor. These two could not be more opposite but made the perfect pair. The only drama in this book is the fact that they both loved each other for years and neither one of them say anything about it.
If you're looking for a book that will just make you happy, this is the one.
Rep: midsize gay MC, gay MC who says fuck it to gender
CW: explicit sex
![Profile Image for Andrea ☾ [is inconsistently consistant].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1642113904i%2F116166019._UY200_CR2%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
May 16, 2024
3.75 ⭐️ This was so cute!
The Dommy, diva twink with the sweet, slightly grouchy, submissive bear (and he's a virg!n). This was such a good book to just unwind and relax for the evening.
I love queer stories, and I love the acceptance and love we see from both character's families. This is a friend to lovers story where both MMCs are blind to just how much they are attracted to each other, so it had that slow burn feel with it waiting until the very last second for them to get together. From the very beginning of the story, there's already a connection and certain tension between MCs.
I grabbed this one as an audiobook, but to be honest I feel I might've loved it even more if I'd read it. The narrator did a good job at separating the voices and the accents, but idk. I might see if I can find it on KU for a reread later in the year.
🌶️🌶️.5 / 5
The Dommy, diva twink with the sweet, slightly grouchy, submissive bear (and he's a virg!n). This was such a good book to just unwind and relax for the evening.
I love queer stories, and I love the acceptance and love we see from both character's families. This is a friend to lovers story where both MMCs are blind to just how much they are attracted to each other, so it had that slow burn feel with it waiting until the very last second for them to get together. From the very beginning of the story, there's already a connection and certain tension between MCs.
I grabbed this one as an audiobook, but to be honest I feel I might've loved it even more if I'd read it. The narrator did a good job at separating the voices and the accents, but idk. I might see if I can find it on KU for a reread later in the year.
🌶️🌶️.5 / 5
July 7, 2024
Audiobook - excellent narration by Dan Calley, which is how I could finish it, apparently not my type of book. The story itself for me was 3 stars. Too fluffy and repetitive for my personal taste - it would have been better shorter instead of endless mutual pining and each thinking they are not good enough for the other. The characters were all super sweet.
April 19, 2023
Sweet and saccharine. It was boring and I struggled to finish it. The bonus epilogue didn't hold my interest at all. The whole book, there was hardly any communication of their feelings and it took their best friends to tell them they need to talk with each other. Well, they did. The End.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2025
I can’t believe I’ve only read 4 books by Charlie Novak. I really like her stories. This was such a sweet best friends to lovers story. It’s low angst and a good read.
January 31, 2022
Second time was listening to the audio, Dan Calley does an amazing job. Love Patrick and Conner, they are utterly adorable 🥰
November 16, 2020
Sometimes you just want to read a cute romance and this one could give you cavities! Connor and Patrick so sweet and I adored them.
✔Fake dating
✔Best friends to lovers
✔Oblivious MCs
✔Only one bed 🛏
✔Cakes and Strawberries 🍰🍓
✔Dual POV
I love a good fake relationship and best friends to lovers are the icing on the cake. I loved all scenes with Patrick in the kitchen or baking because I'm a sucker for pastries. (exactly like Connor 😂)
But Connor, a pole dance teacher who wears make up and can kick ass while wearing heels, is my favourite character. Loved the secondary characters, especially Aaron and I do hope he gets a book. With Josh of course.
If you're looking for something sweet and lovely to escape into, with practically no angst, then I'd highly recommend Strawberry Kisses. Especially if you love stories where their jobs are fully integrated into it.
*ARC provided by the author via Gay Romance Review Tours in exchange for an honest and unbiased review
✔Fake dating
✔Best friends to lovers
✔Oblivious MCs
✔Only one bed 🛏
✔Cakes and Strawberries 🍰🍓
✔Dual POV
I love a good fake relationship and best friends to lovers are the icing on the cake. I loved all scenes with Patrick in the kitchen or baking because I'm a sucker for pastries. (exactly like Connor 😂)
But Connor, a pole dance teacher who wears make up and can kick ass while wearing heels, is my favourite character. Loved the secondary characters, especially Aaron and I do hope he gets a book. With Josh of course.
If you're looking for something sweet and lovely to escape into, with practically no angst, then I'd highly recommend Strawberry Kisses. Especially if you love stories where their jobs are fully integrated into it.
*ARC provided by the author via Gay Romance Review Tours in exchange for an honest and unbiased review
December 1, 2024
Patrick & Connor
Rating: 3.7⭐
Narrator: Dan Calley
- Fake Boyfriends
- First Times
- Clueless MC's
- Best Friends to Lovers
- Mutual Pining
- Opposites Attract
- Desserts
- Only One Bed
- Pastry Chef/Dance Teacher
- Pole Dancing & Cute Outfits
This is a cute and fluffy read about best friends who finally get what they've always wanted, each other. They are adorably oblivious and it was sweet to see how they got to their HEA.
Content Warnings:
- Graphic sexual content between consenting adults
- Explicit language
Verse: No
HEA: Yes
POV: Dual
Breakup: No
Cheating: No
OM/OW Drama: No
Ages: 29 & Same?
Rating: 3.7⭐
Narrator: Dan Calley
- Fake Boyfriends
- First Times
- Clueless MC's
- Best Friends to Lovers
- Mutual Pining
- Opposites Attract
- Desserts
- Only One Bed
- Pastry Chef/Dance Teacher
- Pole Dancing & Cute Outfits
This is a cute and fluffy read about best friends who finally get what they've always wanted, each other. They are adorably oblivious and it was sweet to see how they got to their HEA.
Content Warnings:
- Graphic sexual content between consenting adults
- Explicit language
Verse: No
HEA: Yes
POV: Dual
Breakup: No
Cheating: No
OM/OW Drama: No
Ages: 29 & Same?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews