Cookie

by B.L. Maxwell

When Ryan Stone’s aunt asks for help with her bookstore, he leaves the city and moves to the small town of Grace, at least temporarily. He’s so busy cleaning and restocking the store he almost doesn’t notice the handsome mechanic that always seems to show up at the park at the same time he has his lunch.

Every day for the past few weeks, Charlie Castle has been going to the park across the street from the auto shop, hoping for a chance to meet the new guy from the bookstore with the shock of red hair and a penchant for pink sugar cookies.

Ryan wasn’t looking for love when he met Charlie, but meeting Charlie might just give him everything he never knew he needed. MM Small Town Romance, Opposites Attract, Found Family

Genres: Romance, M M Romance, LGBT

276 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 21, 2025

Reviews

[SJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like a good sugar cookie that is light and sweet, so is this book. The plot line is extremely low angst and the sex scenes are low key. No drama here between the pleasant MCs. This is a quick read. I liked the illustration of the book shop.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars!

This was the perfect slump breaker! It’s sugary sweet and full of fluff with absolutely no drama or angst in sight—not even the suggestion of it. A steady diet of it would definitely be too much but when a complete change of pace is needed to get your mind off the nonstop angst, this book is exactly what the doctor ordered. 4.25 stars!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Urszula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasurable read. No angst. Plot easy to read and follow. Good reality and background that adds to the story.
A little too long.
Good small town reality.
All together an enjoyable read. Plus a mandatory happy ending.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gavin Stephenson-Jackman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ryan's fresh out of college when his aunt offers him a golden opportunity as she has decided to offer to sell Ryan the bookstore She owns in Grace. Charlie has been in Grace his whole life and has taken notice of Ryan and his penchant for pink sugar cookies. When Charlie gets caught staring at Ryan eating his lunch the two finally meet and their desire for each other only grows. A sweet romance just as the title implies.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jocelyn Whaley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cookie by BL Maxwell this is a low angst romance between the hometown mechanic and the new bookseller. Charlie watches from afar as Ryan sits and eats his lunch in the park. The day they meet everything changes. Wonderful story a perfect getaway for an hour or two.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet, small town, low angst romance story about Charlie a local mechanic and Ryan who is in town deciding whether to buy his aunt’s bookstore.

[Yvonne M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Ryan and Charlie’s story. They both saw each other, wanted the other and finally decided to talk. Charlie in his head referred to Ryan as Cookie because he first saw him eating a cookie on a bench in front of his store. From that point on there story began. They both started helping each other in different ways. Charlie would help Ryan with his bookstore and making sure he was safe and happy. Then Ryan would try to help Charlie wherever he may need it. They were the happiest when they were together, so they moved in together. They kept both places but they both shared the space. After being together for a year they adopted a dog and they all live happily together. I definitely recommend this book to everyone who loves mm romance stories especially when there’s cookie involved.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I truly loved this story. Charlie lived in his hometown and never went anywhere except driving to the towns nearby then he saw a new guy who would eat a cookie across the street from his family’s auto repair shop. Then he talked to Ryan and he was from Sacramento and came to town because his aunt was ready to retire and wanted to see if Ryan wanted to buy her bookstore. After getting to know Charlie, Ryan decided that yes he wanted to buy the bookstore and make it his own. The fact that he lived upstairs in the store was a bonus and Charlie has a beautiful house (cabin) that he built himself so they can live in Ryan’s place most of the time and then go to the cabin when they need to get away from the town. At the beginning before Charlie knew Ryan’s name he would call him Cookie because that what he was eating whenever he saw him. Guy did a wonderful job bringing this story to life by reading it and I definitely recommend this book to everyone who loves mm romance stories with a sweet treat inside.

[Brei-ayn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Cookie and struggled to put it down. The story is amazing and I enjoyed reading Charlie and Ryan's story.

[Ashley Carrillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

So i got the audio book for this. The audio I'd have to give a 3.75. It wasn't my favorite but that may have to do with maybe preferring if two people did the audio instead of just one. The VA did little things to distinguish between Ryan and Charlie but they sound and act too similar to be able to tell whose who. For Ryan he was able to show some of his personality and made him seem nervous and flustered which worked since Charlie made him feel those things and he gave Charlie a more put together yet no less flustered personality where you can also tell he's smitten with Charlie but he sounds sturdier which helped me tell them apart besides being told another chapter is starting and whose chapter it was. For the book as a whole though I'd give it a 4. It was super sweet, thankfully low angst but had some steam. Ryan doesn't think he'd meet the love of his life when his aunt tells him she's going to sell her bookstore. He also doesn't expect getting there and making the place his and wanting to stay permanently instead of temporarily. The deal becomes even sweeter than the pink cookies he loves when he catches the eye of Charlie who is a mechanic that works at his family's shop not too far away from his bookstore. Ryan is so busy that he almsot misses the cute man who eats his lunch close by that secretly named him cookie. Sparks fly and the two share some steamy moments early on because their chemistry is just that strong. After they're inseparable and determined to court each other and find a home in the other. This was a super sweet story and I loved reading Ryan and Charlie find their happily ever after.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ellie (On a break, mostly rereading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cookie is a standalone MM contemporary romance by the ever delightful BL Maxwell. This book was a palate cleanser read for me - I've been in a bit of a book slump, I just got back from an overseas holiday, and I had been listening to some pretty heavy audio books while I had been away. Turns out that this was a great palate cleanser read.

This is a super sweet and super cute small town romance, featuring a city guy who now works in his aunt's bookstore, and a mechanic that grew up in the small, idyllic town. The book itself was a relaxing and easy read, with lots of heart, no angst and a sunny outlook.

Charlie Castle is the small town mechanic, who works close to his family. He notices Ryan Stone when he moves to town - Charlie can't help it when the mechanic workshop is across the road from the bookstore. Charlie takes time to get the courage to speak to Ryan, and mentally calls him Cookie - so cute!

Ryan Stone moved to Grace to help his beloved aunt with her bookstore. He's a city guy, but he settles in pretty quickly, and he has so many ideas to help the store thrive well into the future. Life is extremely busy and satisfying for the most part. So much so, Ryan doesn't notice Charlie straightaway.

This is a heartfelt romance, that isn't just cute but it feels down to earth. It was easy to fall in love with Ryan and Charlie.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really sweet small town romance with two guys that hit it off from the moment they met, hooking up almost immediately, and pretty much inseparable after that. Ryan is going to take over his aunt’s bookstore, and Charlie works across the street in his family’s garage. Charlie noticed Ryan as soon as he moved into town, too shy to introduce himself, but sitting on the bench across from the bookstore every day at lunchtime when Ryan came out. Once they met, neither could get the other off their mind. Charlie was always willing to help Ryan at the bookstore, and they spent as much time together as possible. They were a perfect fit for each other, family and friends, and with the townspeople of Grace. The romance developed swiftly and was accepted by the town as the two courted and wooed each other to their HEA. A delightful couple, some steamy times, lots of snow, and an adorable Halloween special at the bookstore made for an entertaining story set in a Hallmark-type small town, sure to make you smile.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet, low-angst, small town romance, perfect for escaping from the world for a few hours. Charlie is a hometown boy, born and raised in the small town of Grace, working for the family auto repair business. It’s all he ever wanted, except … he would like a partner to share his life. Ryan from Sacramento is in Grace to figure out if he wants to buy his aunt’s bookstore business when she retires.

Working for his aunt, Ryan takes his afternoon breaks outside, eating one of the sugar cookies sold in the bookstore. Charlie takes his lunch at the same time, and one day Ryan says “hello.” The romance runs fairly smoothly from there. The charms of a small town work their magic on Ryan, even after snow comes earlier than expected when Ryan is totally unprepared. There are a couple of fun scenes at an ax-throwing venue, followed by actually splitting logs to use to heat both Charlie’s house and Ryan’s bookstore.

Unlike Shakespeare, in this book, the course of true love does run smoothly.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Patti Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Good Story to Read!!! Ryan visits his Aunt Millie in a small town of Grace . Millie own One More Chapter Book Store, Ryan has agreed to buy the bookstore from his Aunt, he is very excited. Charlie works at the family auto shop down the street from the bookstore. Charlie calls Ryan cookie because he would always see him eating a cookie. Charlie help Ryan with the bookstore. Ryan adds new item to the store and has a Halloween book reading for the kids. There is lots of snow and moving around in the new snow. Ryan helps Charlie split and stack the firewood that is needed for his Bookstore. With all the time Ryan and Charlie spend together will they both find what they are looking for????.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was like the perfect, pink frosted pink cookie! Maybe a dozen of those. I fell in love with Ryan when he talked about those cookies! And Charlie’s family is incredible. I loved how easy it was. This is a feel good, easy read, pick up at any moment, finish whenever, but most likely you’ll read it in one sitting because it’s like a warm hug. I love BL Maxwell, and when I saw the ARC opportunity, I grabbed it, and this is my voluntary review. I recommend this book if you want a feel good, pick me up love story. No drama, no cliffhangers, no big conflicts, just a short and sweet story, like a pink frosted cookie. Read it to get sprinkled with a happy, sweet love story, and it’s calorie free!

[Jeanette Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just your typical B L Maxwell love story. Low angst, two adorably sweet main characters and wonderful family and friends. Small town meets big city. The tropes are familiar, Maxwell makes them fun and original.
Ryan, with his shiny new business degree, comes to the town of Grace to assist his Aunt Millie in her bookstore and maybe buy the business. Charlie is the town mechanic who has lived in Grace his entire life. Opposites, they're attracted to each other from the start. From the meet cute in the park to the inevitable HEA, this is a delicious, quick read. No pining, just enough spice. I do hope we'll see more of Grace and her wonderful inhabitants.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emma Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cookie is a sweet, soft, small-town romance that feels like a warm hug and a pink sugar cookie all in one.

Ryan, freshly transplanted from the city, is just trying to help his aunt run her bookstore in the quiet town of Grace. Enter Charlie—local mechanic, quiet sweetheart, and a man who’s been orchestrating his lunch breaks around catching a glimpse of the redhead across the park.

Their slow, gentle connection is full of charm, awkward smiles, and genuine warmth. The "opposites attract" dynamic is perfect—Ryan’s unsure footing in this new life meets Charlie’s steady presence in the best way. There’s no huge drama here, just two kind men finding something real and unexpected.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amy Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! The story of Charlie and Ryan is sweet, sassy and a whole lot of fun to read! Ryan has just moved to town to see if he wants to buy the bookstore his Aunt Millie is ready to sell. It is there he will meet Charlie and nothing will ever be the same. It all started with Ryan eating a cookie on his break everyday on a bench next to the one Charlie eats his lunch on. An invite to dinner will turn into a wonderful relationship filled with Charlie’s large and loud family, great friends and an entire small town that shows up to support Ryan when he decides to buy the bookstore.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[stardragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ryan’s aunt runs a bookstore in Grace and he has been helping her out. Originally from Sacramento he has finished college and is deciding if he wants the shop in the small mountain town. Charlie is a mechanic in his family’s garage, always helping around town, but on the shy side. Everyday Charlie has lunch on the bench across from the bookstore and Ryan has coffee and a cookie. After several days they actually talk to each other. This is a sweet, romantic, funny story, with snow days and city boy moves to small community.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryan is new to the small town of Grace, deciding if he wants to take over the town bookstore that his aunt owns. Charlie works in his family's auto repair shop right across the street from the bookstore. It begins with Charlie seeing Ryan every day until he talks to him and they fall in love. Sounds simple and sweet, and that it is, but done in a lovely and adorable way. So sweet and you really want them to find their happy ending. It's just a sweet and adorable romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sharon L · Rating 4 out of 5]

"How did I get so lucky to find such a sweet cookie for my own?”

This was such a sweet, feel good romance, sometimes we just need a little sweetness in our lives and this one hits the spot. I picked this up on Booksprout to listen and review. I always try to grab BL Maxwell's audiobooks and ebooks when I see them pop up. This author never lets me down so it's always a win for me.

A newcomer to town, a small town romance, no angst or drama, just the right amount of heat, 'snow' much fun, ax throwing is not that easy, now I want a prettily iced sugar cookie!

[Deb Kel · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exceptionally well written, low angst story in a small town setting. So nice to get an easy read as lately alot of dark or high angst. An adorable couple whose romance is perfectly paced, keeping me thoroughly captivated until the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sara Sigler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ryan moves to Grace to help his aunt with the bookstore and Charlie notices him so he takes his lunch break and sits across to street on a bench watching Ryan. Charlie’s family decided to help them and had their HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christina Horton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of a big city guy moving to a small town and finding his dreams become a reality.

It’s a steamy, lovable story with zero angst and 100% love.

Both Charlie and Ryan are adorable and well written.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[abookwithacupoftea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, easy to read, low angst, entertaining book. Both characters are endearing and sweet. Their family and the small town atmosphere add to the enjoyment of the story. It's a perfect reading to escape reality for a short while.

I got an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Akasha721 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book and no angst at all. Feel good book about two people falling in love and learning each others quirks. In the end they manage to keep their love happy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet small town romance. Ryan and Charlie are just too adorable! They can’t be more perfect for each other! A very enjoyable and entertaining story!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. This was a small town romance that was really interesting and fun. I really enjoyed the found family.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Damian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story! It was sweet and homey, and it felt as though you were living their life with them. It Charlie and Ryan's story was just that, a small town romance that I think just about anybody can relate to. There was no need for high angst or page after page of sex. It was just everyday.

[Saskia Veldhuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook - good narration, which fits the story well.
Story - 3.5 stars. Absolutely no angst, with very sweet characters. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the different date activities, which included such things as axe throwing.

[Amanda Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cookie is a low angst, small town read. This is an opposites attract, sweet, found family read about Charlie and Ryan. I really enjoyed this story and the wonderful characters.