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Cocky Bastard
Austin Carter is a living legend.
He’s handsome, arrogant, and can bring any man to his knees with just one smile. Nobody can resist his charms meaning Austin is used to getting exactly what he wants. The only one who’s ever been able to resist him is me.
I think Austin is a bastard. A vain, smug, cocky bastard. It doesn’t matter that he’s gorgeous, charming, and can make me forget my own name with a single look. I don’t want anything to do with him. Unfortunately, I also can’t keep my hands off him.
When one of our angry nights turns into something more, I’m forced to consider why I keep pushing Austin away. Austin wants me more than ever and it’s becoming impossible to keep a lid on my desires.
Is there more to Austin Carter than meets the eye? And can a cocky bastard ever be more?
He’s handsome, arrogant, and can bring any man to his knees with just one smile. Nobody can resist his charms meaning Austin is used to getting exactly what he wants. The only one who’s ever been able to resist him is me.
I think Austin is a bastard. A vain, smug, cocky bastard. It doesn’t matter that he’s gorgeous, charming, and can make me forget my own name with a single look. I don’t want anything to do with him. Unfortunately, I also can’t keep my hands off him.
When one of our angry nights turns into something more, I’m forced to consider why I keep pushing Austin away. Austin wants me more than ever and it’s becoming impossible to keep a lid on my desires.
Is there more to Austin Carter than meets the eye? And can a cocky bastard ever be more?
209 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 24, 2025
69 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
About the author
Charlie Novak
61 books588 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 74 reviews
April 13, 2025
Hold onto your pants because this one is insanely hot and carries ten years of hook-ups turning into more within its pages.
it's also, amusingly, a 'filler in' within Charlie's expanded world because her Christmas release saw the reader at Austin & Kanan's wedding!
Of course, they've also appeared in other books as background characters so I was super excited to finally get inside their heads and into their epic 10-years long relationship.
It's funny, it's ridiculously sexy and it covers the same period of time as in Charlie's Yorkshire-set Like I series, especially the run up to the filming of Henry Lu's TV show Llewellyn which obviously also stars Jude aka Kanan.
I loved seeing these two 'idiots in love' who everyone else already knew were perfect for each other finally getting with the program!
Austin has a heart of gold under his cocky exterior and a desire to give Kanan everything he ever wanted.
Kanan himself is a sweetheart who's trying to find his way after leaving his boy band and moving into acting. He's brattish but only because he knows Austin likes to see it and see how far he can push him.
Their sexual encounters are especially hot, because Austin has a laser focus on making sure Kanan gets everything he needs.
This whole narrative was just a joyful read from start to finish. There's no tension, no arguments or mistakes, just the culmination of two men waking up and realising they've had their person for years.
#ARC kindly received from the author, I am voluntarily leaving a review.
it's also, amusingly, a 'filler in' within Charlie's expanded world because her Christmas release saw the reader at Austin & Kanan's wedding!
Of course, they've also appeared in other books as background characters so I was super excited to finally get inside their heads and into their epic 10-years long relationship.
It's funny, it's ridiculously sexy and it covers the same period of time as in Charlie's Yorkshire-set Like I series, especially the run up to the filming of Henry Lu's TV show Llewellyn which obviously also stars Jude aka Kanan.
I loved seeing these two 'idiots in love' who everyone else already knew were perfect for each other finally getting with the program!
Austin has a heart of gold under his cocky exterior and a desire to give Kanan everything he ever wanted.
Kanan himself is a sweetheart who's trying to find his way after leaving his boy band and moving into acting. He's brattish but only because he knows Austin likes to see it and see how far he can push him.
Their sexual encounters are especially hot, because Austin has a laser focus on making sure Kanan gets everything he needs.
This whole narrative was just a joyful read from start to finish. There's no tension, no arguments or mistakes, just the culmination of two men waking up and realising they've had their person for years.
#ARC kindly received from the author, I am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 17, 2025
General: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫
Spice: 🫦🫦🫦🫦
✨✨✨ Cocky Bastard by Charlie Novak (@charlienwrites), is a MM romance. ✨✨✨
Dedication:
For Ale Thank you for loving these ridiculous men and being as charmed by them as me.
Tropes:
🎥 Actor x P*rnstar
🍆 H00kups to lovers
🎥 Dirty talk
🍆 Kitten
🎥 It’s always been you
🍆 MM
This story is far more than what the cover—a guy who’s lost his shirt—promises. True, the cover certainly delivers on its promise, so don’t you worry, but the tale dives deeper into the gritty mechanisms and doctrines behind the scenes of the music and film industries.
We meet Austin and Kane at the start of the story as occasional hook-ups, with Austin always managing to tease Kane and stir him up. But when Kane gets his big break—the chance to land the role of a lifetime—Austin shows that he’s interested in more than just Kane’s sweet little a$$.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story, though I felt it could have benefited from a bit more plot and a touch less steam.
So, get ready to dive into your copy—and maybe keep those toys within reach!
Quotes:
Kane’s eye twitched slightly as I pulled back, and it made my smile widen. God, he was so fun to tease. He’d make me pay for it later, but it would be worth every fucking second.
“Until I was fifteen, I thought Moleskine notebooks were made out of real mole skin.” Austin screwed up his face and I could tell he was trying really hard not to laugh at me. “Don’t laugh! It was a genuine mistake!”
“You know me, kitten,” I said, kissing him again as my mouth curled into that teasing smile he loved. “Always happy to be your bastard in shining armour.”
#indieauthor #booklover #bookgirl #books #reader #spicybooks #booksta #bookrecs #bookstagramer #bookboyfriends #steamyromance #spicyromance #lgbtq #mmromance #arc #review #currentlyreading #kindleunlimited #oleelawdigiart #theshadyivy
Spice: 🫦🫦🫦🫦
✨✨✨ Cocky Bastard by Charlie Novak (@charlienwrites), is a MM romance. ✨✨✨
Dedication:
For Ale Thank you for loving these ridiculous men and being as charmed by them as me.
Tropes:
🎥 Actor x P*rnstar
🍆 H00kups to lovers
🎥 Dirty talk
🍆 Kitten
🎥 It’s always been you
🍆 MM
This story is far more than what the cover—a guy who’s lost his shirt—promises. True, the cover certainly delivers on its promise, so don’t you worry, but the tale dives deeper into the gritty mechanisms and doctrines behind the scenes of the music and film industries.
We meet Austin and Kane at the start of the story as occasional hook-ups, with Austin always managing to tease Kane and stir him up. But when Kane gets his big break—the chance to land the role of a lifetime—Austin shows that he’s interested in more than just Kane’s sweet little a$$.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story, though I felt it could have benefited from a bit more plot and a touch less steam.
So, get ready to dive into your copy—and maybe keep those toys within reach!
Quotes:
Kane’s eye twitched slightly as I pulled back, and it made my smile widen. God, he was so fun to tease. He’d make me pay for it later, but it would be worth every fucking second.
“Until I was fifteen, I thought Moleskine notebooks were made out of real mole skin.” Austin screwed up his face and I could tell he was trying really hard not to laugh at me. “Don’t laugh! It was a genuine mistake!”
“You know me, kitten,” I said, kissing him again as my mouth curled into that teasing smile he loved. “Always happy to be your bastard in shining armour.”
#indieauthor #booklover #bookgirl #books #reader #spicybooks #booksta #bookrecs #bookstagramer #bookboyfriends #steamyromance #spicyromance #lgbtq #mmromance #arc #review #currentlyreading #kindleunlimited #oleelawdigiart #theshadyivy
December 24, 2025
What started as a way to let off steam and have some fun while trying to survive the pressures of teenage stardom, spans more than a decade as Austin and Kane continue to hook up in secret when they bump into each other at parties over the years.
A little slow on the uptake, Austin and Kane finally realize that hooking up with the same person for the last ten years isn’t normal and once they start getting to know each other outside of hooking up, realize that maybe they have had feelings for one another all along.
I wasn’t aware when I started Cocky Bastard that Austin and Kane were background characters in several of Charlie’s other books, but despite not knowing that I don’t feel like I was missing anything!
Their story was surprisingly sweet given how steamy it was, and I loved the banter between them so much.
𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧:
- porn star + actor
- long term hookup
- idiots in love
- oblivious pining
- ✨ banter ✨
- he calls him kitten
- low angst + high steam
- so much dirty talk
- ‘it’s always been you’
A little slow on the uptake, Austin and Kane finally realize that hooking up with the same person for the last ten years isn’t normal and once they start getting to know each other outside of hooking up, realize that maybe they have had feelings for one another all along.
I wasn’t aware when I started Cocky Bastard that Austin and Kane were background characters in several of Charlie’s other books, but despite not knowing that I don’t feel like I was missing anything!
Their story was surprisingly sweet given how steamy it was, and I loved the banter between them so much.
𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧:
- porn star + actor
- long term hookup
- idiots in love
- oblivious pining
- ✨ banter ✨
- he calls him kitten
- low angst + high steam
- so much dirty talk
- ‘it’s always been you’
May 31, 2025
Rating: 4.5
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Tropes / tags: banter, hookup to lovers, sex worker
I had the best time reading Austin and Kanan's story - their dynamic was everything!
What happens when ten years of hooking up turns into something more? Austin and Kanan had been sneaking around with each other for a long time, and I loved the push and pull between them. It was a lot of fun to see these two being pretty oblivious to the effects they had on each other and what it meant for them. I really enjoyed their dynamic and how it developed from being a pretty intense push and pull to something softer and more stable. Their chemistry made for some pretty hot scenes and I loved the dirty talk!
They were perfect for each other, even being quite the opposites with Austin being a 'cocky bastard' while Kanan was a complete sweetheart. Austin's attitude was a part of his charm though, and he turned out to be surprisingly soft for Kanan under all of his cocky attitude. There ended up being a lot more sweet moments than I initially expected, and I loved how supportive they were of each other. There was also some top tier banter here, and I spent a lot of time smiling at my e-reader with these two!
Cocky Bastard was a fun and cute read, and my heart melted every time Austin called Kanan 'kitten'. There was no relationship angst or drama here, just two men working out what they really meant to each other and why they kept ending up in bed together. I also loved seeing Theo again, being his bratty and nosy self, and there were a lot of other cameos as well. I highly recommend this one for the next time you need a little pick-me-up read!
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Tropes / tags: banter, hookup to lovers, sex worker
I had the best time reading Austin and Kanan's story - their dynamic was everything!
What happens when ten years of hooking up turns into something more? Austin and Kanan had been sneaking around with each other for a long time, and I loved the push and pull between them. It was a lot of fun to see these two being pretty oblivious to the effects they had on each other and what it meant for them. I really enjoyed their dynamic and how it developed from being a pretty intense push and pull to something softer and more stable. Their chemistry made for some pretty hot scenes and I loved the dirty talk!
They were perfect for each other, even being quite the opposites with Austin being a 'cocky bastard' while Kanan was a complete sweetheart. Austin's attitude was a part of his charm though, and he turned out to be surprisingly soft for Kanan under all of his cocky attitude. There ended up being a lot more sweet moments than I initially expected, and I loved how supportive they were of each other. There was also some top tier banter here, and I spent a lot of time smiling at my e-reader with these two!
Cocky Bastard was a fun and cute read, and my heart melted every time Austin called Kanan 'kitten'. There was no relationship angst or drama here, just two men working out what they really meant to each other and why they kept ending up in bed together. I also loved seeing Theo again, being his bratty and nosy self, and there were a lot of other cameos as well. I highly recommend this one for the next time you need a little pick-me-up read!
April 19, 2025
This was a super cute friends (with benefits) to lovers story! Kane and Austin met when they were both teenagers trying to survive stardom, with Kane being a member of a famous boy band and Austin being a child actor. They continued meeting up in secret whenever they happened to be at the same parties for ten years before they both finally realized having a hookup buddy for ten years was not normal 😂 I loved getting the little flashbacks of their first times together and seeing their relationship grow. It felt so natural and easy, they were just simply meant to be.
April 17, 2025
This was so fun while also being absolutely filthy in the best way. I loved these two. 10 years is a long time and they thoroughly deserved their HEA. I'm relatively new to Charlie Novak books so I don't have the backstories of side characters but I do love these side characters and will be reading more. If you already knew these characters, read this book. If this would be your first read then still read this book. Interconnected standalone done right!
September 21, 2025
Holy hotness 🔥 These two together are incendiary 🥵 I really enjoyed this, such a fun read 😁 Kane and Austin have been friends/enemies, (depends which one you're talking to), for ten years! During that time whenever they've had the chance, they've got together for some incredibly hot sex!
The banter between the two had me smiling, Austin especially is so kind and lovable. I did find them both entertaining, in their own way. Also, although their sizzling sex escapades weren't slow burning, the romance most certainly was, it took them 10 years (!!!!), to realise what all of their friends already knew, that they loved one another 🥰. The story left me smiling and rooting for the guys until the very end. The writing is engaging, the dialogue is snappy, and the chemistry between Kane and Austin is undeniable. A perfect read for anyone looking for a lighthearted, feel-good romance that will leave them feeling uplifted and happy.
The banter between the two had me smiling, Austin especially is so kind and lovable. I did find them both entertaining, in their own way. Also, although their sizzling sex escapades weren't slow burning, the romance most certainly was, it took them 10 years (!!!!), to realise what all of their friends already knew, that they loved one another 🥰. The story left me smiling and rooting for the guys until the very end. The writing is engaging, the dialogue is snappy, and the chemistry between Kane and Austin is undeniable. A perfect read for anyone looking for a lighthearted, feel-good romance that will leave them feeling uplifted and happy.
dnf
May 1, 2025DNF. I did not realise that these two had a story running through previous books, so felt like I was missing something and I could not gel with them properly. May return to it later if I ever read the other books where they make an appearance.
July 24, 2025
4.5 stars
April 23, 2025
I just loved this story so much, it was really refreshing and with a lot of banter. Be ready for a ten years H00kup relationship that will take another turn.
Kane and Austin were children star, one was part of a boy’s band and the other in movies, being gay in their industry was not easy and for years they found pl€sure with each other. Time is shifting, Kane is an actor and Austin a p0rn star, and they are still at it. But when some more intimate moment happens between them, they start to realise that they want to take their relationship further and they’re not ready for the ride or are they.
It was amazing, lot of h0t tension, I loved their interaction, the angst, the pining, the atmosphere.
It’s definitely a read that I would recommend to have a good time !
I received an ARC Copy of this book from the author, this review is from my own thoughts 😍
Kane and Austin were children star, one was part of a boy’s band and the other in movies, being gay in their industry was not easy and for years they found pl€sure with each other. Time is shifting, Kane is an actor and Austin a p0rn star, and they are still at it. But when some more intimate moment happens between them, they start to realise that they want to take their relationship further and they’re not ready for the ride or are they.
It was amazing, lot of h0t tension, I loved their interaction, the angst, the pining, the atmosphere.
It’s definitely a read that I would recommend to have a good time !
I received an ARC Copy of this book from the author, this review is from my own thoughts 😍
April 24, 2025
Austin & Jude are so good together and I love the whole friends with benefits to lovers especially when they realized they loved each other forever. I can never stay away from these books and the chemistry between characters.
April 27, 2025
We finally get to see how Austin and Kane became the dynamic couple that they we have had glimpses of throughout Charlie's world. These two have undeniable chemistry and keep being drawn together even when they fight it. They know they have sexual chemistry, but can they become something deeper. They allow each other to be open and free for really the first time in their lives. They are so similar in the backgrounds to understand the others' needs, which I believe is how they can balance one anothers big personalities so well. Someone who didn't have their past may not have been able to understand the others' needs and wants without jealousy being mixed in. I'm so happy that Charlie gave us their story in a way it felt new where you needed it even when you knew how it all played out in the end.
May 26, 2025
I loved this, read it in a single day.
*Not sure where my original review ran off to, so here are my thoughts on how much I still think about this book 6 weeks later*
So cute & romantic! Ever since starting my adventure into the world of Charlie Novak's books (and audiobooks!) I have been so curious about the love story behind Austin & Kanan! I mean, we have already seen them get married, and yet they have always been background characters, so I was super excited to finally get their love story and I was NOT disappointed.
It was the perfect balance of swoony & romantic, mixed with their air of "we don't actually like each other....do we?!". Absolute perfection!
This also has the perfect amount of cross over timeline with Charlie's Painted Bay series without that becoming the focal point. And the whole story was just a fun read from start to finish.
*I received an arc of this book, all opinions are my own*
*Not sure where my original review ran off to, so here are my thoughts on how much I still think about this book 6 weeks later*
So cute & romantic! Ever since starting my adventure into the world of Charlie Novak's books (and audiobooks!) I have been so curious about the love story behind Austin & Kanan! I mean, we have already seen them get married, and yet they have always been background characters, so I was super excited to finally get their love story and I was NOT disappointed.
It was the perfect balance of swoony & romantic, mixed with their air of "we don't actually like each other....do we?!". Absolute perfection!
This also has the perfect amount of cross over timeline with Charlie's Painted Bay series without that becoming the focal point. And the whole story was just a fun read from start to finish.
*I received an arc of this book, all opinions are my own*
December 31, 2025
I didn't really care for this book. I wish the blurb had been a little more specific about the relationship dynamic because I would have skipped it. I read it because the couple had been teased a lot in the author's other series and my curiosity was piqued, but I should have skipped this one. I'm okay with solo action porn star romances, ones where both characters are in sex work, or ones where they are in an open relationship, but not ones where the porn star has (and enjoys) sex but the non-porn star is monogamous. (There's nothing wrong with that set up, it's just not for me).
Again, this is a matter of my own taste, but I'm going to say the things that bothered me here in case they would apply to anyone else thinking about reading this.
Overall, the book was okay and the writing style was good. It's just a relationship set-up that's not for everyone or even most people I think. It's a rare individual who would want to be sexually monogamous themself but feel absolutely no jealousy when their partner isn't.
Again, this is a matter of my own taste, but I'm going to say the things that bothered me here in case they would apply to anyone else thinking about reading this.
Overall, the book was okay and the writing style was good. It's just a relationship set-up that's not for everyone or even most people I think. It's a rare individual who would want to be sexually monogamous themself but feel absolutely no jealousy when their partner isn't.
June 26, 2025
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was such a surprise to me, given the Cover Model picture I was expecting something very different. Having said that, it was a good surprise as who could have imagined such a gorgeous, loving pairing as Jude Kane and Austin Carter. Austin is a star performer and maker of very niche market movies, the cover model represents him. Jude Kane is trying to make movies after growing up and featuring in a Pop Idol Boy Band for years, until he escaped from the rules and strictures because he came out to live his life freely.
Ten years ago, these guys met at some entertainment industry event and something sparked between them. They continued to come face to face at various events throughout the ensuing years, always managing to enjoy the bantering and hook-ups each time. After their most recent get together something changes between them and they admit they like each other for the first time.
When Jude auditions and receives the role of a lifetime, Co-starring Henry Lu, Hollywood’s hottest action star, he is overjoyed and Austin helps him celebrate. But when a very large spanner is thrown into his happiness bubble, Austin is there beside him, plus a few other surprising supporters.
The whole vibe of ‘Cocky B****rd’ was a surprise that I adored with every page I turned, Austin is the best boyfriend imaginable and Jude is his equally adorable perfect match. The pages smoulder and scorch when they get alone time.
Another surprise when I recognised the name Henry Lu, and when I checked out the books listed in author Charlie Novak’s catalogue I realised I’d already read the whole series ‘Heather Bay’ featuring all the side characters who now work with Austin, and Henry had his own book too
‘Cocky B****rd’ will only take a few hours of your reading time to fall in love with the adorable Austin Carter and gorgeous Jude Kane aka Kanan Pendleton (only to his Austin). Just enjoy all the feels when these two recognise what they have.
This book was such a surprise to me, given the Cover Model picture I was expecting something very different. Having said that, it was a good surprise as who could have imagined such a gorgeous, loving pairing as Jude Kane and Austin Carter. Austin is a star performer and maker of very niche market movies, the cover model represents him. Jude Kane is trying to make movies after growing up and featuring in a Pop Idol Boy Band for years, until he escaped from the rules and strictures because he came out to live his life freely.
Ten years ago, these guys met at some entertainment industry event and something sparked between them. They continued to come face to face at various events throughout the ensuing years, always managing to enjoy the bantering and hook-ups each time. After their most recent get together something changes between them and they admit they like each other for the first time.
When Jude auditions and receives the role of a lifetime, Co-starring Henry Lu, Hollywood’s hottest action star, he is overjoyed and Austin helps him celebrate. But when a very large spanner is thrown into his happiness bubble, Austin is there beside him, plus a few other surprising supporters.
The whole vibe of ‘Cocky B****rd’ was a surprise that I adored with every page I turned, Austin is the best boyfriend imaginable and Jude is his equally adorable perfect match. The pages smoulder and scorch when they get alone time.
Another surprise when I recognised the name Henry Lu, and when I checked out the books listed in author Charlie Novak’s catalogue I realised I’d already read the whole series ‘Heather Bay’ featuring all the side characters who now work with Austin, and Henry had his own book too
‘Cocky B****rd’ will only take a few hours of your reading time to fall in love with the adorable Austin Carter and gorgeous Jude Kane aka Kanan Pendleton (only to his Austin). Just enjoy all the feels when these two recognise what they have.
April 18, 2025
I absolutely love this book. It's hot, hot, hot from the start and also sweet and cute at the same time.
Book the day off, you don't want to stop reading after you started.
While Jude and Austin have this hock-up situationship for 10 years, the book is set in the present time, no flashbacks but they talk about previous encounters.
We met them in previous books like LIke I Pretended and Ice and Sweet and I always wanted to know how they met and fell in love.
I love how both are obvious to what is going on and slowly realise that they move to be in a relationship without realising it.
Austin is great in supporting and encouraging Jude in his quest to shed the boy band character and start as a proper actor. And Jude is firm that he is not hiding Austin and their relationship.
They fit so great together and the book is low angst.
I love Henry Lu's way to deal with problems and we also meet Theo who is his usual bratty self, they are some of my favourite Charlie characters.
Book the day off, you don't want to stop reading after you started.
While Jude and Austin have this hock-up situationship for 10 years, the book is set in the present time, no flashbacks but they talk about previous encounters.
We met them in previous books like LIke I Pretended and Ice and Sweet and I always wanted to know how they met and fell in love.
I love how both are obvious to what is going on and slowly realise that they move to be in a relationship without realising it.
Austin is great in supporting and encouraging Jude in his quest to shed the boy band character and start as a proper actor. And Jude is firm that he is not hiding Austin and their relationship.
They fit so great together and the book is low angst.
I love Henry Lu's way to deal with problems and we also meet Theo who is his usual bratty self, they are some of my favourite Charlie characters.
April 24, 2025
Such a sweet read!
Jude Kane used to be in a boy band and dancing to the sound of some Big Wigs' drums beat left a sour taste in his mouth for a while now.
Austin Carter used to be a kid star on TV and movies and when that infamous sound of someone else's drums tried to tie him up, he set himself free and made himself a career in something he truly loves: adult entertainment. And being so self-assured may have made him a bit... Cocky. But is that a bad thing?
Kane and Carter have been dancing around each other - AKA hooking up - for a while now - ahem 10 years - and they just can't quit each other.
It's awesome to watch them find out why that is.
Expect mild/high heat; tons of sweet moments that will make you go all "awww 😍" and two men who know exactly what they want and fight for it.
Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Sweetness: 🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬
Tension/Angst: Zero
Overall opinion: light read; page-turner; interesting side characters (that you may already know); very romantic.
4.5 stars.
🌟🌟🌟🌟⭐
I received an ARC for an honest review of this book.
Jude Kane used to be in a boy band and dancing to the sound of some Big Wigs' drums beat left a sour taste in his mouth for a while now.
Austin Carter used to be a kid star on TV and movies and when that infamous sound of someone else's drums tried to tie him up, he set himself free and made himself a career in something he truly loves: adult entertainment. And being so self-assured may have made him a bit... Cocky. But is that a bad thing?
Kane and Carter have been dancing around each other - AKA hooking up - for a while now - ahem 10 years - and they just can't quit each other.
It's awesome to watch them find out why that is.
Expect mild/high heat; tons of sweet moments that will make you go all "awww 😍" and two men who know exactly what they want and fight for it.
Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Sweetness: 🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬
Tension/Angst: Zero
Overall opinion: light read; page-turner; interesting side characters (that you may already know); very romantic.
4.5 stars.
🌟🌟🌟🌟⭐
I received an ARC for an honest review of this book.
May 31, 2025
MM Romance, with low angst and all the feels 💙
Kane and Austin have been friends with benefits for 10 years, both growing up in the entertainment industry since they were young and helping each other through challenges in their past.
Their paths are always crossing at events due to the industry they are in and thats not the only thing crossing ⚔️😉
They both have feelings for one another...clearly as they keep being drawn to each other after so many years.
They want to be together but with Austin being a well known 🌽 star now and Kane wanting to move into acting - how will the public and industry react?
The production company Kane is auditioning with doesn't seem to like the news and pulls the plug on his acting career before it has even started...can they be convinced to keep him and look past his boyfriends career?
A fun read, full of love with added banter.
Put me in all the feels and with zero angst, it's a lovely light hearted read.
We love a love story with a happy ending and a dash of spice 😏
Kane and Austin have been friends with benefits for 10 years, both growing up in the entertainment industry since they were young and helping each other through challenges in their past.
Their paths are always crossing at events due to the industry they are in and thats not the only thing crossing ⚔️😉
They both have feelings for one another...clearly as they keep being drawn to each other after so many years.
They want to be together but with Austin being a well known 🌽 star now and Kane wanting to move into acting - how will the public and industry react?
The production company Kane is auditioning with doesn't seem to like the news and pulls the plug on his acting career before it has even started...can they be convinced to keep him and look past his boyfriends career?
A fun read, full of love with added banter.
Put me in all the feels and with zero angst, it's a lovely light hearted read.
We love a love story with a happy ending and a dash of spice 😏
April 9, 2025
Lots of steam 🔥
Kane is sweet snarky and just a teensy but bratty whilst Archer is arrogant, smug with a smirk that he often puts to use. Having formed a situationship as a means of escaping their child stardom, a decade later the situationship boundaries are beginning to blur. These two wonderful men have started to become friends who open up to each other. Before they know it feelings are shared, real conversations become a thing and a true relationship, not just amazing chemistry, between them blooms. There’s some external angst for them due to Archer’s career but nothing can derail their HEA.
Having seen Kane and Archer in previous books it was an absolute pleasure getting their origin story told and watching them grow as a couple and individually as their relationship develops. There’s plenty of steam which is balanced with plenty of sweet, lots of appearances from previous books characters and a heartwarming HEA that made me smile.
Kane is sweet snarky and just a teensy but bratty whilst Archer is arrogant, smug with a smirk that he often puts to use. Having formed a situationship as a means of escaping their child stardom, a decade later the situationship boundaries are beginning to blur. These two wonderful men have started to become friends who open up to each other. Before they know it feelings are shared, real conversations become a thing and a true relationship, not just amazing chemistry, between them blooms. There’s some external angst for them due to Archer’s career but nothing can derail their HEA.
Having seen Kane and Archer in previous books it was an absolute pleasure getting their origin story told and watching them grow as a couple and individually as their relationship develops. There’s plenty of steam which is balanced with plenty of sweet, lots of appearances from previous books characters and a heartwarming HEA that made me smile.
April 20, 2025
Standalone. Set in the author’s Heather Bay series universe. Established hookup relationship. Dual POV.
So, Austin and Kane have been hooking up on and off for the last ten years, since they were teenagers. Kane is a former boyband member turned actor and Austin is a former child actor now pornstar, and they continue to cross paths whenever there are high end entertainment parties. There is no doubt that Austin and Kane have incredible chemistry, the lust and compatibility is off the charts, and when all of a sudden they begin to dabble in spending time together outside of just bedroom activities it’s actually quite swoony.
I really enjoyed this pseudo relationship turning into something deeper, both men realizing that they can’t live without the other and actually communicating to begin a committed relationship. I loved every minute of this, the banter, the spice, the loyalty and caring, and could have spent 100 more pages reading about these two (and the fun cameos).
So, Austin and Kane have been hooking up on and off for the last ten years, since they were teenagers. Kane is a former boyband member turned actor and Austin is a former child actor now pornstar, and they continue to cross paths whenever there are high end entertainment parties. There is no doubt that Austin and Kane have incredible chemistry, the lust and compatibility is off the charts, and when all of a sudden they begin to dabble in spending time together outside of just bedroom activities it’s actually quite swoony.
I really enjoyed this pseudo relationship turning into something deeper, both men realizing that they can’t live without the other and actually communicating to begin a committed relationship. I loved every minute of this, the banter, the spice, the loyalty and caring, and could have spent 100 more pages reading about these two (and the fun cameos).
April 24, 2025
story of Austin and Kane
This is a hookup to more romance, featuring Austin and Kane, and is a standalone book.
Austin is arrogant, charming, adult star and used to getting what he wants — except when it comes to Kane. But when their fiery clashes turn into something deeper, both are forced to question if lust could turn into something real.
This was a sweet, funny, low angst story. Austin and Kane being long term hook ups who end up dating and falling for each other was adorable. It’s pretty high heat, their hook ups are entertaining and I loved all the banter!
Now I need to read the books of the secondary characters in this book.
Things to expect in this book are:
Standalone
MM romance
Set in London
Boy band star x Adult star
Long term hookup
Low angst
Spicy times & dirty talk
Not date dates
Witty banter
Catching feelings
Calls him kitten
Little bit of drama
All in
Cameos from other books
Sweet HEA
This is a hookup to more romance, featuring Austin and Kane, and is a standalone book.
Austin is arrogant, charming, adult star and used to getting what he wants — except when it comes to Kane. But when their fiery clashes turn into something deeper, both are forced to question if lust could turn into something real.
This was a sweet, funny, low angst story. Austin and Kane being long term hook ups who end up dating and falling for each other was adorable. It’s pretty high heat, their hook ups are entertaining and I loved all the banter!
Now I need to read the books of the secondary characters in this book.
Things to expect in this book are:
Standalone
MM romance
Set in London
Boy band star x Adult star
Long term hookup
Low angst
Spicy times & dirty talk
Not date dates
Witty banter
Catching feelings
Calls him kitten
Little bit of drama
All in
Cameos from other books
Sweet HEA
April 24, 2025
This was a FUN read! It's been a while since I've had such fun with characters. Overall, this one is light on the angst but it's scorching hot. Kane and Austin have been hooking up on the low for 10 years before a conversation with their respective best friends gets them to think about why they keep being drawn to the other. I loved how they still had to get to know each other in certain ways, but in others already knew a lot about the other. It was nice not having flashbacks, but instead just stories as they reminded each other of certain events/memories. These two have amazing chemistry and adorable banter. I wish we got to see a touch more of their friends, but the secondary characters were great when we see them. This was a great story and I haven't read the others tied to this one first (but I'm definitely going to pick up the others now). I guess these two are side characters that have finally gotten their much deserved happy ending!
April 24, 2025
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Goodness me, Austin is absolutely everything I could want him to be. He may have a smirk that can knock the wind out of you, but he’s a hidden romantic too, even if he didn’t know it!
We, of course, have seen Austin and Jude/Kanan in other stories, and I loved them, but I was definitely curious to see how they get together, and it was everything. They are both incredible.
They have sooooo much sexual tension, and such a unique back story - having met as young stars, they traversed an interesting life in each other's orbit. But they are older and wiser now and still as infatuated.
Seriously, this had such good banter, and a perfect balance of push and pull. I couldn’t ask for better. We also get some great cameos!
Goodness me, Austin is absolutely everything I could want him to be. He may have a smirk that can knock the wind out of you, but he’s a hidden romantic too, even if he didn’t know it!
We, of course, have seen Austin and Jude/Kanan in other stories, and I loved them, but I was definitely curious to see how they get together, and it was everything. They are both incredible.
They have sooooo much sexual tension, and such a unique back story - having met as young stars, they traversed an interesting life in each other's orbit. But they are older and wiser now and still as infatuated.
Seriously, this had such good banter, and a perfect balance of push and pull. I couldn’t ask for better. We also get some great cameos!
April 24, 2025
Loved it! We finally get all the behind-the-scenes story of how Jude Kane and Austin Carter got together. These are two very sneaky, talented men, having been able to hook up in secret for ten years while being both under the spotlight, but they did manage it, and after ten years they are both still convinced it’s a casual thing, and not only do they not have feelings for the other, they’re not even sure they like him. Until they actually stop a second and take a look at themselves, then things start to change, gradually, but inexorably, like a landslide… soon enough they are so deeply submerged in feelings, there’s no way out (not that they want one!).
This book is super fun, super spicy and super sweet, too. I adored Austin and Kanan, and I loved catching up with so many of Charlie’s beloved characters.
This book is super fun, super spicy and super sweet, too. I adored Austin and Kanan, and I loved catching up with so many of Charlie’s beloved characters.
May 8, 2025
Even though we already know about Kane and Austin's full happily ever after from earlier books by Novak, this lovely story is still very much worth reading. The origin of their incredibly nontraditional romance is sexy and sweet, as two men realize they fit together emotionally and mentally as well as they do physically...they just had to grow up a bit first, putting distance between their unique pasts and the futures they are building for no one but themselves. We're lucky enough to be along for the ride as they realize they want those futures to include each other as more than fleeting hookups. Even though there's a certain comfort to knowing everything works out in the end, for the romance arc and this book's external conflict, Novak still includes plenty of tension in how both stories unfold. As usual, we get familiar faces from this author's sprawling shared world playing roles both familiar and delightfully unexpected. Finally, I thoroughly appreciated how Austin's profession plays a realistic role in the nature of the external conflict but also a refreshing (lack of) role in the romance itself.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
April 22, 2025
Absolutely loved this one! I’m still pretty new to the world of Charlie Novak, but I think it’s so cool that the books don’t follow a strict chronological order. It means I can just jump into another one whenever I miss Austin & Kanan and want more of their story.
The pacing of this book was just perfect—it flowed so naturally. If you’re in the mood for a sweet MM romance, this one totally delivers. You’ve got a pornstar and an actor who’ve known each other since their teens, always reconnecting at parties and sneaking off together. It’s been a decade of this will-they-won’t-they, and finally, they can’t deny the feelings anymore. They decide to give it a shot, but of course, it’s not all smooth sailing.
Can’t wait to explore more of Charlie’s books—these two totally won me over!
The pacing of this book was just perfect—it flowed so naturally. If you’re in the mood for a sweet MM romance, this one totally delivers. You’ve got a pornstar and an actor who’ve known each other since their teens, always reconnecting at parties and sneaking off together. It’s been a decade of this will-they-won’t-they, and finally, they can’t deny the feelings anymore. They decide to give it a shot, but of course, it’s not all smooth sailing.
Can’t wait to explore more of Charlie’s books—these two totally won me over!
April 29, 2025
Lovely low angst romance
I loved this. Cocky Bastard is a sweet, spicy, low-angst romance with a couple who finally get their act together after a decade of pretending it's "just s€x". It's simple but so well done.
For anyone who already knows Charlie’s world, this ties so many books and series together perfectly, from Henry Lu in Proficiency Bonus (Roll for Love Series) through the Heather Bay series to Austin & Kane's wedding, and Luke's romance, in Ice and Sweet. And Theo!
In this, you'll find:
💖MM Contemporary Romance
💖HEA including an engagement
💖Gay Adult content star
💖Gay ex-boy band member actor
💖Ten years of hookups
💖Film & music industry issues, inc. Homophobia & pressure to conform from executives
💖Mostly British (London & York) setting
I loved this. Cocky Bastard is a sweet, spicy, low-angst romance with a couple who finally get their act together after a decade of pretending it's "just s€x". It's simple but so well done.
For anyone who already knows Charlie’s world, this ties so many books and series together perfectly, from Henry Lu in Proficiency Bonus (Roll for Love Series) through the Heather Bay series to Austin & Kane's wedding, and Luke's romance, in Ice and Sweet. And Theo!
In this, you'll find:
💖MM Contemporary Romance
💖HEA including an engagement
💖Gay Adult content star
💖Gay ex-boy band member actor
💖Ten years of hookups
💖Film & music industry issues, inc. Homophobia & pressure to conform from executives
💖Mostly British (London & York) setting
April 20, 2025
I was so excited to finally get this story! We’ve gotten glimpses of Austin and Kane in several of Charlie’s other books, and I loved getting to know them better. This book started off pretty hot and heavy. These two have 10 years of history, and the chemistry has really added up. As the story continues, we still got plenty of spice, but also a lot of the MCs actually getting to know each other. These two are lovable idiots, and I’m so glad they got out of their own ways and admitted feelings.
While these characters have appeared in other books, this can absolutely be read as a stand alone. We also got several cameos of characters from other books in this story.
This was exactly what I expected from a Charlie Novak book, with a little extremely heat. But while it is spice heavy, there’s still plenty of plot and awesome characters. A great light read
I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review
While these characters have appeared in other books, this can absolutely be read as a stand alone. We also got several cameos of characters from other books in this story.
This was exactly what I expected from a Charlie Novak book, with a little extremely heat. But while it is spice heavy, there’s still plenty of plot and awesome characters. A great light read
I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review
April 25, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
I really enjoyed finally getting to read Austin and Kane's story! I loved the both of them since I first read Like I Pretended so getting their story now was fantastic. I really liked all the little bits of their history that were sprinkled throughout, showing how much they've both remembered about each other from the past ten years. The support they show each other is also fantastic and I really enjoyed their banter! I'd say the only thing I'd felt was missing was maybe a few flashback scenes to them younger instead of just mentioning them to maybe get more of their past pining in. But otherwise I truly did adore this one!
I really enjoyed finally getting to read Austin and Kane's story! I loved the both of them since I first read Like I Pretended so getting their story now was fantastic. I really liked all the little bits of their history that were sprinkled throughout, showing how much they've both remembered about each other from the past ten years. The support they show each other is also fantastic and I really enjoyed their banter! I'd say the only thing I'd felt was missing was maybe a few flashback scenes to them younger instead of just mentioning them to maybe get more of their past pining in. But otherwise I truly did adore this one!
April 12, 2025
This book got me out of a bit of a reading slump. I’ve been struggling to finish some of the books I’ve been trying to read recently. They’ve just not held my interest.
Jude and Austin take hook ups-to-lovers to a whole new level. They’ve been dancing around each other for 10 years without acknowledging that they have deeper feelings for each other. They’re able to let their guard down with each other and simply be themselves.
It was nice to see how Jude and Austin got together since we’ve seen them as supporting or background characters throughout several of Charlie’s series.
Jude and Austin take hook ups-to-lovers to a whole new level. They’ve been dancing around each other for 10 years without acknowledging that they have deeper feelings for each other. They’re able to let their guard down with each other and simply be themselves.
It was nice to see how Jude and Austin got together since we’ve seen them as supporting or background characters throughout several of Charlie’s series.
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