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Delicious: Volume One
558 pages, Paperback
Published May 25, 2025
4 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Charlie Novak
63 books592 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 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 16, 2025
3.5 stars. Recommended story titles are in bold.
Hot Dish by Annabeth Albert
Eh, t'was fine. Felt a bit phoned in, but I didn't hate it.
Piece of Cake by Beth Bolden
I'm not familiar with this series, but could tell it was interconnected. That being said, I was never lost and this story stands on its own. I might be a bit intrigued to read some of the other brothers' books now.
Feeding The Grump by Jax Calder
Favorite of the lot (Charlie Novak's story is a close second, along with Katherine McIntyre's) - Took a chapter to get into it, but I loved how David was clueless about how focused he was on Benji . . . this was just so sweet and swoony.
Deliciously Cookie by Vawn Cassidy
This was . . . interesting. I did overall enjoy my time with the characters, but it ended so abruptly, definitely felt unfinished.
Sweet On You by Collette Davidson
This was a fun one, and had an appropriate amount of the kids scheming. It wasn't the focus, but it made sense. It did lose a smidge of momentum/interest for me near the end, because I'm never going to care if someone "approves" of a relationship between consenting adults. But that was a minor issue; overall, it was lovely.
All's Fair in Love and Pizza by Lane Hayes
I quite enjoy Hayes' stories usually, so was surprised that this one didn't work for me, but I after four or five chapters, I got sick of their manufactured conflict and didn't care if they worked it out and moved on to the next.
Cheesecake Roses Becca Jackson
I think I quit this one after a couple of chapters . . . it felt connected to other books I hadn't read and I couldn't get into it.
The Deaf Chef by EM Lindsey
I liked this one a lot, but almost wish it had been a longer length novella, because it felt a bit rushed in places. But I did buy the passion/animosity from Mellie, and how quickly it morphed into passion of another sort.
Office Indulgence by Katherine McIntyre
This was super cute, and I have a soft spot for clueless MCs who can't recognize something right in front of their face.
The Chef's Kiss by Mia Monroe
I have no issues with poly, but Monroe's writing hasn't worked for me for a while. I started it, but didn't like the set up, so skipped out after the first chapter.
Whet Your Appetite by Shane K. Morton
I fully read this one, and yet, details are escaping me. Friends to lovers, for sure.
Taco Dirty to Me by KM Neuhold
This was fun, a blind date pinch hitter situation . . . except for the needlessly gory 'anecdote' near the end, I had a great time.
Loaf of My Life by Charlie Novak
This was really lovely. The glimpses at 0 dark thirty and little signs, and how their schedules work super well together, on top of being wildly attracted to each other . . . I do love stories where MCs find their perfect match in ways other than sexual.
Rumbledethump by Sebastian Sharpe
Original review: A bit dramatic, but then any divorced couple reuniting over a will reading is going to be OTT. - Edited to say this author is now on my permanent DNR list, as is their pen name JS Grey
Lamington Kisses by Becca Seymour
There were like three friends to lovers stories that felt fairly similar; I think this was one of them.
A Slice of Life by Toby Wise
This was a cute friends to lovers morsel.
Sweet Heat by Ariella Zoelle
I liked the banter at first, and the blindfolded taste test was pretty fun/flirty. However, Adler And we still had like seven more chapters of alliterative affronts and copious coupling to wade through, so I bailed early.
Hot Dish by Annabeth Albert
Eh, t'was fine. Felt a bit phoned in, but I didn't hate it.
Piece of Cake by Beth Bolden
I'm not familiar with this series, but could tell it was interconnected. That being said, I was never lost and this story stands on its own. I might be a bit intrigued to read some of the other brothers' books now.
Feeding The Grump by Jax Calder
Favorite of the lot (Charlie Novak's story is a close second, along with Katherine McIntyre's) - Took a chapter to get into it, but I loved how David was clueless about how focused he was on Benji . . . this was just so sweet and swoony.
Deliciously Cookie by Vawn Cassidy
This was . . . interesting. I did overall enjoy my time with the characters, but it ended so abruptly, definitely felt unfinished.
Sweet On You by Collette Davidson
This was a fun one, and had an appropriate amount of the kids scheming. It wasn't the focus, but it made sense. It did lose a smidge of momentum/interest for me near the end, because I'm never going to care if someone "approves" of a relationship between consenting adults. But that was a minor issue; overall, it was lovely.
All's Fair in Love and Pizza by Lane Hayes
I quite enjoy Hayes' stories usually, so was surprised that this one didn't work for me, but I after four or five chapters, I got sick of their manufactured conflict and didn't care if they worked it out and moved on to the next.
Cheesecake Roses Becca Jackson
I think I quit this one after a couple of chapters . . . it felt connected to other books I hadn't read and I couldn't get into it.
The Deaf Chef by EM Lindsey
I liked this one a lot, but almost wish it had been a longer length novella, because it felt a bit rushed in places. But I did buy the passion/animosity from Mellie, and how quickly it morphed into passion of another sort.
Office Indulgence by Katherine McIntyre
This was super cute, and I have a soft spot for clueless MCs who can't recognize something right in front of their face.
The Chef's Kiss by Mia Monroe
I have no issues with poly, but Monroe's writing hasn't worked for me for a while. I started it, but didn't like the set up, so skipped out after the first chapter.
Whet Your Appetite by Shane K. Morton
I fully read this one, and yet, details are escaping me. Friends to lovers, for sure.
Taco Dirty to Me by KM Neuhold
This was fun, a blind date pinch hitter situation . . . except for the needlessly gory 'anecdote' near the end, I had a great time.
Loaf of My Life by Charlie Novak
This was really lovely. The glimpses at 0 dark thirty and little signs, and how their schedules work super well together, on top of being wildly attracted to each other . . . I do love stories where MCs find their perfect match in ways other than sexual.
Rumbledethump by Sebastian Sharpe
Original review: A bit dramatic, but then any divorced couple reuniting over a will reading is going to be OTT. - Edited to say this author is now on my permanent DNR list, as is their pen name JS Grey
Lamington Kisses by Becca Seymour
There were like three friends to lovers stories that felt fairly similar; I think this was one of them.
A Slice of Life by Toby Wise
This was a cute friends to lovers morsel.
Sweet Heat by Ariella Zoelle
I liked the banter at first, and the blindfolded taste test was pretty fun/flirty. However, Adler And we still had like seven more chapters of alliterative affronts and copious coupling to wade through, so I bailed early.
January 3, 2026
I posted a review for this back in May but apparently the book was removed from Goodreads and then relisted so I'm putting my review up again.
I haven’t finished reading this wonderfully huge anthology yet so I’m posting my reviews for the stories I’ve read, in the order that I read them, not the order they appear in the anthology.
Loaf of My Life by Charlie Novak – 5 Stars
OMG this was such a sweet story! It’s a nice slow-burn one, with only one s3x scene that isn’t too explicit, but I love reading stories with all different levels of heat. Jace and Riley are so sweet together and the setting, a small bakery, made me hungry for all of the delicious things that Riley baked. I love stories that touch my heart and make my eyes leak and Loaf of My Life did just that. I also love epilogues and this one was so good! Note: the characters are vers.
All’s Fair in Love and Pizza by Lane Hayes – 5 Stars
I love everything I’ve read by Lane Hayes so I wasn’t one bit surprised that I loved this story; it’s very sweet. It’s about former high school teammates who years later become rivals when one of them opens a bagel shop next door to the other’s established pizza parlor that’s been in business for years. I love stories that get me emotional and I might have shed a happy tear or two while reading this one.
Office Indulgence by Katherine McIntyre – 4 Stars
This was a cute, super-hot, kind of instalove story about a guy who has a secret admirer who leaves him chocolates and it’s driving him crazy. He is very surprised but happy when he finds out who it is.
An advanced copy of this book was provided to me at my request; my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
I haven’t finished reading this wonderfully huge anthology yet so I’m posting my reviews for the stories I’ve read, in the order that I read them, not the order they appear in the anthology.
Loaf of My Life by Charlie Novak – 5 Stars
OMG this was such a sweet story! It’s a nice slow-burn one, with only one s3x scene that isn’t too explicit, but I love reading stories with all different levels of heat. Jace and Riley are so sweet together and the setting, a small bakery, made me hungry for all of the delicious things that Riley baked. I love stories that touch my heart and make my eyes leak and Loaf of My Life did just that. I also love epilogues and this one was so good! Note: the characters are vers.
All’s Fair in Love and Pizza by Lane Hayes – 5 Stars
I love everything I’ve read by Lane Hayes so I wasn’t one bit surprised that I loved this story; it’s very sweet. It’s about former high school teammates who years later become rivals when one of them opens a bagel shop next door to the other’s established pizza parlor that’s been in business for years. I love stories that get me emotional and I might have shed a happy tear or two while reading this one.
Office Indulgence by Katherine McIntyre – 4 Stars
This was a cute, super-hot, kind of instalove story about a guy who has a secret admirer who leaves him chocolates and it’s driving him crazy. He is very surprised but happy when he finds out who it is.
An advanced copy of this book was provided to me at my request; my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
October 5, 2025
So many great short stories based around food! Some creative uses of it too. I particularly enjoyed the stories from Jax Calder, Vawn Cassidy, Colette Davison and Lane Hayes. Some great quality reads in here.
December 31, 2025
Always love to read cute short stories in between longer books!
I sampled:
Piece Of Cake Beth Bolden
Office Indulgence Katherine McIntyre
Taco Dirty To Me KM Neuhold
The Deaf Chef EM Lindsey
I sampled:
Piece Of Cake Beth Bolden
Office Indulgence Katherine McIntyre
Taco Dirty To Me KM Neuhold
The Deaf Chef EM Lindsey
Read
July 29, 20255 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for the Jax Calder novella Feeding the Grump 🥰
I will make my way through the others though 😅
I will make my way through the others though 😅
August 31, 2025
The Deaf Chef - E.M. Lindsey
December 21, 2025
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I feel like a food-themed anthology was made for me! And the list of authors is *chef’s kiss* But it’s also a hefty one, so I’ll be back with more as i keep reading.
A HOT DISH: ANNABETH ALBERT
I love when an ‘I only do casual’ guy discovers he has, in fact, been dating and *gasp* has feelings! Especially a silver fox neighbour. Ah, the power of a thank you casserole. I’m going to have to try that technique.
Mount Hope is such a great town, with some of loveliest, sexiest couples.
PIECE OF CAKE: BETH BOLDEN
The Moretti’s have the unwitting power to make anyone fall in love. That’s not always the superpower it would seem. Sometimes it brings yummy pavlova, other times it’s a fruit salad being pelted at you!
FEEDING THE GRUMP: JAX CALDER
Oh, oblivious, grumpy farmer!
I love their neighbourly ‘food war’ they were having in between bickering. It’s absolutely adorable.
DELICIOUSLY COOKIE: VAWN CASSIDY
Vawn’s ‘Belong To Me’ series/world is one of my all-time favourites, so I swooned hard being back there. The story was delightful and they made me giggle - but I also want more! Seriously, give me more!
SWEET ON YOU: COLETTE DAVISON
The conniving young BFFs were so pleased with themselves and their cupcake scheme! And I don’t think Cam and Euan were very mad about it either!
ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE & PIZZA: LANE HAYES
Hehe - nothing gets things heated quite like sexual attraction…and a pizza bagel war! These two jocks can’t seem to leave the competition on the field.
CHEESECAKE ROSES: BECCA JACKSON
THE DEAF CHEF: EM LINDSEY
OFFICE INDULGENCE: KATHERINE MCINTYRE
THE CHEF'S KISS: MIA MONROE
WHET YOUR APPETITE: SHANE E MORTON
TACO DIRTY TO ME: KM NEUHOLD
LOAF OF MY LIFE: CHARLIE NOVAK
RUMBLEDETHUMPS: SEBASTIAN SHARPE
LAMINGTON KISSES: BECCA SEYMOUR
A SLICE OF LIFE: TOBY WISE
SWEET HEAT: ARIELLA ZOELLE
I feel like a food-themed anthology was made for me! And the list of authors is *chef’s kiss* But it’s also a hefty one, so I’ll be back with more as i keep reading.
A HOT DISH: ANNABETH ALBERT
I love when an ‘I only do casual’ guy discovers he has, in fact, been dating and *gasp* has feelings! Especially a silver fox neighbour. Ah, the power of a thank you casserole. I’m going to have to try that technique.
Mount Hope is such a great town, with some of loveliest, sexiest couples.
PIECE OF CAKE: BETH BOLDEN
The Moretti’s have the unwitting power to make anyone fall in love. That’s not always the superpower it would seem. Sometimes it brings yummy pavlova, other times it’s a fruit salad being pelted at you!
FEEDING THE GRUMP: JAX CALDER
Oh, oblivious, grumpy farmer!
I love their neighbourly ‘food war’ they were having in between bickering. It’s absolutely adorable.
DELICIOUSLY COOKIE: VAWN CASSIDY
Vawn’s ‘Belong To Me’ series/world is one of my all-time favourites, so I swooned hard being back there. The story was delightful and they made me giggle - but I also want more! Seriously, give me more!
SWEET ON YOU: COLETTE DAVISON
The conniving young BFFs were so pleased with themselves and their cupcake scheme! And I don’t think Cam and Euan were very mad about it either!
ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE & PIZZA: LANE HAYES
Hehe - nothing gets things heated quite like sexual attraction…and a pizza bagel war! These two jocks can’t seem to leave the competition on the field.
CHEESECAKE ROSES: BECCA JACKSON
THE DEAF CHEF: EM LINDSEY
OFFICE INDULGENCE: KATHERINE MCINTYRE
THE CHEF'S KISS: MIA MONROE
WHET YOUR APPETITE: SHANE E MORTON
TACO DIRTY TO ME: KM NEUHOLD
LOAF OF MY LIFE: CHARLIE NOVAK
RUMBLEDETHUMPS: SEBASTIAN SHARPE
LAMINGTON KISSES: BECCA SEYMOUR
A SLICE OF LIFE: TOBY WISE
SWEET HEAT: ARIELLA ZOELLE
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews