Dripped

Lick It! #2

by Charlie Novak

Drip It All Over Me

Meet Darcy and Owen in the second book of the Lick It! series, set around an artisan ice cream parlour on the Yorkshire coast. It features a stressed out shop owner and his very laid back employee who’s determined to help his boss relax, a ‘just for the summer’ hook-up, late night kitchen dates, friends to lovers, oops we caught feelings (but we’re not talking about it), supportive and nosy friends, pet names, delicious ice cream, and plenty of sweetness and spice.

Full cover and blurb coming soon

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, M M Romance, Friends To Lovers, Audiobook, Fiction, Mental Health

213 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 9, 2026

About the author

Charlie 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…

Reviews

[sycokittykat - Stefanie]

Just a summer romance ... with your boss

I was so excited to jump back into the Lick It series. This time we are following shop owner Darcy and their temporary employee, Owen.

Darcy has been quite stressed out since opening Lick It and it's taking a toll on him. So when Owen offers to be his "stress-relief" he agrees. It's hard to meet people when your just starting a business and have no time for dating. However, a casual fling with the nomadic employee who will leave at the end of the summer sounds perfect. Well until feelings get in the mix.

I absolutely adored these two together. Reading as they create new ice cream flavors was practically foreplay. They were both so dedicated to ensuring the shop had the best flavors around. Owen pulled ideas from all his travels and they perfected them together. 

The banter between these two is fantastic. That first night together was fantastic. The little surprise drop off from Milo was hysterical. These two were a fantastic mix of desperation, passion, and something more they refused to acknowledge. This thing they had always had an end date.

If you need a low angst sweet and spicy summer read this is exactly it. (Oh and go read Licked too because Milo and Alfie are fantastic and you see them in this one too). If you want to be drooling over the yummiest sounding ice cream flavors you definitely don't have in your freezer but wish you did this checks all those boxes.

[Jamie Lee Zonneveld]

Dripped is the second book in the Lick It! series by Charlie Novak. Dripped is the story of Darcy and Owen. I loved their story. It was sweet, sexy, full of feels and very well written.

[Manjari]

Charlie Novak's Lick It! series is a trilogy about 3 friends who open up an artisan ice cream shop in the English coastal town of Heather Bay, a site where she has set a previous series. These are short books (a bit over 200 pages), each featuring one of the shop owners and their love interest. The 3 friends are under a lot of pressure to make their shop a success and are all putting in long hours, which makes relationships a challenge. This is book 2 and about Darcy (shop owner who is the mastermind behind the recipes) and Owen, a shop employee only there for the summer (Owen is actually older and more experienced than Darcy). The main conflict is the countdown to when Owen leaves. I like Charlie Novak's writing but both books are low angst and not a lot of plot. I have noticed that this is the trend over the past few years in her books and it disappoints me as I have really loved some of her previous books. I will read book 3 because it sounds like it is going to be enemies-to-lovers, which is one of my favorite tropes but I can only give the first 2 books middle-of-the-road ratings.

[Rachel Nahabedian]

Rating: Loved It

🍦 Boss x Employee
💛 Hooking Up for Stress Relief
☀️ "Just for the Summer"
🌙 Late-Night Kitchen Dates
💕 Friends to Lovers
💘 Oops, We Caught Feelings
🤭 Supportive & Nosy Friends
🥹 Pet Names
🌶️ Spicy & Sweet
🌈 MM Romance

This was the perfect summer read!

Darcy owns the local ice cream shop, and Owen is only in town for the summer while caring for his dad. With a contract that has a firm end date and a serious case of wanderlust, he's not planning to stick around.

What starts as boss x employee turns into reluctant friends (at least on Darcy's side), then a "strictly stress-relief" summer fling...and, naturally, feelings get involved.

Is it a familiar romance setup? Absolutely. But it's one of those tried-and-true stories that just works. It's sweet, witty, funny, a little messy, and so incredibly entertaining.

Watching Darcy and Owen create new ice cream flavors together as foreplay? Surprisingly hot. Their banter had me grinning the entire time, and the cameos from Milo and Alfie were the cherry on top. When Milo left Owen and Darcy some "supplies"? I was simultaneously dying of second-hand embarrassment and laughing out loud.

I love my summer romances to be low on angst and high on fun, and this delivered exactly that. There is a small third-act breakup, but it's resolved quickly with just enough groveling to satisfy me.

This series has been such a delight, and I'm already hoping there are more books to come!

Thank you to @charlienwrites and @theauthor.agency for the ARC!

[Betty Loves Books Galore]

This is a boss x employee romance, featuring Darcy and Owen, and is book two in the Lick It series.

Darcy is busy running his new ice cream shop with this best friends but as stress gets to him Owen, his temporary employee, suggests they embark on a casual summer fling. As their relationship grows into something more, Darcy worries about falling for someone who doesn’t plan to stick around.

I really enjoyed this one, this series is so sweet. Darcy and Owen are so cute together, each giving the other what they need. Great found family vibes in this one too and I can’t wait for book three.

Things to expect in this book are:
Book 2 in series
MM romance
Small town
Low angst
Boss x employee
Mutual crush
Summer fling to more
Spicy times & dirty talk
S*x toys
Voyeurism & exhibitionism
Calls him Angel
Cold feet
Admit feelings
Found family
HEA

[Heather MMRomanceReviewed]

I am loving this latest workplace romance! Low angst, steamy and sweet, we get a building relationship and lots of ice cream! I love watching these two interact and also watching them create yummy ice cream flavours together! I love that this series has such a supportive friends and fam network and that we get cameos from previous Heather Bay series! I can't wait to see what comes next!

[HappilyEverReader]

⭐️ 3.5 Stars ⭐️
This was the perfect "just for the summer" MM romance. Book two in the Lick It! series was a fun, feel-good read that was made for beach days and poolside reading.

Darcy and Owen are coworkers at an ice cream shop, and Darcy has been quietly nursing a crush on Owen. Owen is a wanderer who never stays in one place for long, but he's spending the summer working at the shop while helping his dad recover from surgery. Darcy, one of the shop's three owners, is tightly wound, anxious, and constantly stressed. Seeing how overwhelmed Darcy is, Owen suggests they become friends with benefits as a way to help him loosen up and enjoy life a little more. The spice was fun and fit well with the lighthearted tone of the story without overshadowing everything else.

As expected, their casual arrangement slowly turns into something more. I especially enjoyed the quieter moments between them—creating new ice cream flavors, cooking together, and grabbing coffee after their early morning runs and swims. Those scenes really showcased their growing connection and made their relationship feel sweet and genuine. It was fun watching Darcy realize his feelings had deepened and seeing the two of them work through what that meant, even if they needed a little push from Milo and Alfie along the way.

Overall, this was a sweet, low-angst romance that never took itself too seriously. While I would have loved a little more emotional depth, I still had a great time with it. It's the kind of book that's perfect for a relaxing summer afternoon and is sure to leave you with a smile on your face.

[Mikaela (risqué.romance)]

‼️SPOILERS‼️

I always love Charlie’s books. Ever since I discovered her books last year, I’ve been addicted to her stories, and I always have such a good time with her characters.

Darcy and Owen have my heart so much. When trouble started with these two, my heart hurt so much. I was so happy when Owen did come to seek out Darcy after Alfie and Milo chewed him out. The conversation at the end of chapter sixteen had me in tears because Darcy fell for him even when he knew Owen was leaving.

I love me a good groveling scene and Charlie did so good when Owen groveled to Darcy. I love it when both MC’s have some personal issues in their lives because it makes their characters more enjoyable.

I think from book one, Darcy and Owen might be my favorite. I love me a good romcom and this one was super cute and sucked me right up with these two.

I loved how protective Milo was over Darcy. I really enjoyed the found family to the group of friends that is just so enjoyable to Owen’s dad. I love it when the book doesn’t just focus on the MC’s of the book but the friend and as usual, Milo is just a breath of fresh air. Milo literally has no filter.

This is the second book of the series. If you’re looking for an amazing time, this book is for you.

I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Charlotte.s.library]

Oh, yeah, baby. The goodness continues. I seriously love this group. Every story is so cute, I can't.

Owen and Darcy are the best. The way these two complement each other. Ugh. Just like book one, DRIPPED is such a cute summer story to read if you want to feel good, giggle, laugh at their shenanigans, but also see characters evolve and become the best version of themselves.

The lack of toxic masculinity, the taking responsibility part, oh, ohhh, so, so good.

This summer fling turned into forever is the best way to spend your summer days. Grab a drink, some ice cream, and dive into this series head first because you will not regret it.

The plot, that's something for you to discover, I won't say much about it, but just know this is a character based book, and every page is making you feel all the good feels.

Enjoy Owen and Darcy, and get ready for Milo, I bet that one will be wild.

[Joyfully Jay]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4.25 stars

Dripped is the second book in Charlie Novak’s charming Lick It! series about three friends who open up an ice cream shop in a seaside town. While the series centers around the men and the shop, I think this one actually would stand alone fine if you wanted to start here, though I think reading each of the guys’ stories makes for a nice trilogy. In the first book, Licked, we see the shop opening and, while that story is focused on Alfie, it is clear how overwhelmed all the guys are, particularly Darcy. While the men are partners, this is Darcy’s vision and he is the central owner and he takes everything on his shoulders. He is stressed and tired, and while it is thrilling the shop is doing so well, he is overwhelmed.

Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.

[Sarah]

Another super sweet addition to the Lick It series! So far, these books have been perfect Summer reading, the North Yorkshire coast setting + massive focus on ice cream (obviously) have me wanting to jump in the car and drive 2 hours to the nearest UK beach.

*I received an arc copy of this book, all opinions are my own*

In this story, we focus on Darcy, the man who originally had the dream to have his own ice cream parlour, and Owen, the newest employee at the shop, helping out specifically with all the work in the kitchen.

What starts as a "just for the summer" job & "stress relief" hook-ups quickly grows into something more, and we see them both struggle with communicating that to each other & placing want they think the "other" wants before going after what they want.

Luckily, this is something relatively easily remedied and shoutout to Owen for the 10/10 perfect grovel!

[Steve , M.D.]

My reviews contain spoilers and include both plot summary and critical analysis. My star rating reflects my overall opinion of the book. Come back when you're done reading to view (and hopefully weigh in on) my take.

I received a free copy of this book from the author's Facebook group. This did not influence my review in any way, and was not an ARC.

Dripped by Charlie Novak is a significantly stronger book than its predecessor, Licked. Where Licked struggled with an emotionally adolescent protagonist and a romance that never quite matured, Dripped finally delivers a pairing with genuine texture. Darcy, at thirty-one, is a more complex character than Jonathan ever was, and Owen, at thirty-four, is a compelling, grounded foil whose emotional maturity stabilizes the entire narrative. The result is a romance that feels warmer, more adult, and far more coherent.

Darcy’s narration is tonally similar to Jonathan’s in Licked. He spirals, catastrophizes, and ties himself in knots over even minor interactions. His internal monologue is filled with self-corrections, panicked overthinking, and a constant fear of disappointing the people around him. The difference is that Darcy’s emotional immaturity is contextualized by burnout, responsibility, and genuine stress. He is overwhelmed by the demands of running Lick It!, terrified of letting down Milo and Alfie, and convinced that admitting he is struggling will burden the people he loves. This makes him more sympathetic than Jonathan, even though the emotional register is still adolescent-coded. Darcy’s lie about having a UTI to avoid telling Milo and Alfie about his blood pressure is a perfect example. It is unnecessary, self-sabotaging, and exactly the kind of panicked avoidance that defined Jonathan’s arc, but here it is rooted in Darcy’s exhaustion rather than naïveté.

Darcy does have one moment, during their fight, where he believes he does not deserve Owen. It is a painful scene, driven by miscommunication and exhaustion rather than self-loathing. Darcy interprets Owen’s panic as rejection and briefly spirals into believing the relationship is one-sided. But this despair is situational, not structural. Unlike Jonathan, Darcy does not carry a belief that he is inherently unworthy. He simply wants reciprocity and clarity, and he is too tired to fight for something he thinks Owen has already abandoned. The epilogue makes this distinction clear. Darcy is secure, confident, and grounded in their relationship, proving that his earlier fear was temporary and that he has genuinely grown.

Owen, by contrast, is written with genuine adult-coded depth. His backstory is textured and believable, from his years traveling the world to his complicated relationship with his father, who is recovering from a hip replacement. Owen’s narration is calm, grounded, and emotionally intelligent. He reads Darcy accurately, reassures him without condescension, and offers support without overwhelming him. His cliff-jumping anecdote, complete with a scar (and a lesson learned eighteen months later when he met someone whose friend had been paralyzed) shows a man who has lived, made mistakes, and grown from them. Owen’s worldview is coherent, shaped by experience rather than whimsy, and his emotional steadiness is exactly what Darcy needs.

A major improvement over Licked is the way Novak handles Owen’s imperfections. Owen is not a flawless stabilizer. He carries a secret throughout the book, a brief Vegas marriage years earlier that ended almost immediately. It is a mistake born of impulsiveness, immaturity, and poor judgment, and he should have told Darcy sooner. But when he finally admits it, he does so with complete transparency. He does not make excuses. He does not deflect. He does not minimize Darcy’s right to know. He simply owns it. Darcy’s reaction, laughter, warmth, and curiosity rather than hurt, reinforces how well the two of them fit together. Owen’s past is not a threat to their relationship. It is evidence that he has lived, learned, and grown. This moment adds welcome texture to Owen’s character and underscores the adult-coded emotional maturity that defines him.

The dynamic between them is the strongest part of the book. Darcy spirals. Owen stabilizes. Darcy panics. Owen reassures. Darcy cannot articulate desire without tripping over his own feet. Owen communicates with clarity, sincerity, and confidence. Their late-night kitchen scene is the clearest example of this contrast. Darcy tries to invite Owen to test new flavors with him and immediately apologizes, qualifies, and backtracks. Owen responds with warmth and enthusiasm, leaning in with deliberate flirtation and adult-coded confidence. When Darcy admits he watches TikTok and random stuff at night, Owen gently teases him without shaming him. When Darcy confesses the UTI lie, Owen contextualizes it and encourages honesty. And when Darcy finally admits he is stressed, Owen offers a list of stress-relief options, including intimacy, with the kind of directness that feels authentically gay-coded rather than borrowed from heterosexual romance.

This is also where Novak’s most persistent pattern becomes clear. She consistently codes bottoms as emotionally adolescent, regardless of their stated age. Jonathan’s age is never given in Licked, but his emotional register reads far younger than an adult. Darcy, even at thirty-one, behaves with the same flustered, needy, permission-seeking panic whenever intimacy enters the picture. His emotional responses during romantic escalation read much closer to mid-teen immaturity than to adult inexperience. Meanwhile, Owen is written as a fully adult-coded gay man whose communication is confident, grounded, and mature. The result is a noticeable maturity disparity that is structural rather than character-driven. It is not reflective of actual gay-coded sexuality, where roles do not dictate emotional profiles. Instead, Novak maps heterosexual romance dynamics onto her M|M pairings, writing tops as stabilizing adults and bottoms as overwhelmed, submissive-coded partners. Dripped executes this pattern more successfully than Licked, but the pattern remains.

The book’s most emotionally sincere moment comes later, when Owen finally articulates the depth of his feelings:

“I thought I’d found happiness before I met you, but now I know everything else was an illusion. Because I’ve never felt this way about anyone except you.”

It is the kind of line that simply did not exist in Licked, because that book never developed the emotional maturity to earn it.

The epilogue reinforces everything the book builds. Owen’s adulthood is fully realized. He budgets, plans, maintains relationships, and integrates his wanderlust into a stable life. He is imperfect, but accountable. He proposes for the right reasons, not out of panic or fantasy. Darcy, meanwhile, has grown into a more confident, secure version of himself. He is still coded young, flustered, reactive, excitable, but he is no longer fragile. He believes he deserves Owen, deserves joy, and deserves the life they have built. Their partnership feels stable, intentional, and genuinely earned.

The side characters are used far more effectively here. The utter absence of Jonathan, Laurie, and Theo is a relief, and I missed them not at all. Their chaotic energy overwhelmed Licked, but Dripped keeps the focus where it belongs. Milo remains loud and ridiculous, but his scenes are sharper and more controlled, and his dynamic with Darcy and Alfie feels more grounded. Alfie, in particular, is more enjoyable here than he was in his own book. His concern for Darcy is gentle rather than panicked, and his interactions with Milo and Darcy add warmth without derailing the tone.

The book is not without flaws. Darcy’s emotional immaturity, while contextualized, still skews young for a thirty-one-year-old man. The pacing occasionally wobbles, especially in the early chapters where Darcy’s stress spirals repeat. And Owen’s pet name “angel” is used over sixty times, which becomes distracting and flattens the emotional texture of their interactions. It is a noticeable stylistic tic, especially after “sweetheart” was overused in Licked.

Even with these issues, Dripped is a genuinely enjoyable romance. The tone remains whimsical, but it is more controlled than in Licked. The emotional beats are more mature, the worldbuilding is more coherent, and the central relationship finally feels like it belongs to two grown men rather than two anxious teenagers. Owen’s grounded presence elevates the entire book, and Darcy’s complexity gives the romance a depth that was missing before. The result is a warm, textured story that delivers on its premise and offers a satisfying emotional arc.

With all of that said, I am genuinely curious to see where the series goes next. The third book, Topped, is not out yet, but based on the growth Novak shows in Dripped, I am hopeful it will land closer to this book than to Licked. If she continues leaning into adult-coded emotional arcs, textured character work, and relationships that feel grounded rather than chaotic, then Topped has the potential to be another strong entry. I will definitely be reading it when it releases.

[Dawn Siemer]

What just happened?

Darcy is a buttoned up and stressed owner of a small ice cream shop. Owen is a laid back drifter. They're attracted to each other, and both like to cook, so they're made for each other, right?

I haven't spent so much time confused by a story in a long time. These guys like each other, and they're attracted to each other from the start. They start having sex because it's convenient. The problem is the whole "falling in love" part seems to have been skipped.

Owen starts off commitment phobic. He thinks Darcy is "not his type", then immediately has possessive thoughts and gives him a pet name. I really wanted some reason he's like this or examination of his feelings. I never got it.

When Darcy announces he's in love, I was surprised, which is weird, because this is a romance. I think that sums this book up pretty well.

[Nancy Bennett]

ARC REVIEW
DRIPPED (SERIE LICKED 2) di Charlie Novak
VOTO: 5⭐4🌶
PAGINE: 214
USCITA: 9/07/2026
RECENSIONE: Ho appena terminato questo libro e già mi sento orfana!! Che libro stupendo!! Al momento il mio preferito della serie! Darcy è il proprietario, insieme a Alfie (protagonista del primo libro Licked) e Milo, della gelateria Lick It! Owen è colui che si occupa di creare i gusti di gelato insieme proprio ad Archie. Archie però ha un problema: è troppo stressato per via della nuova attività e ha bisogno di rallentare ma soprattutto trovare un anti stress. Decide così di andare a correre sulla spiaggia e qui nota Owen che esce dall’acqua e… lo trova sexy. L’attrazione però è reciproca: anche ad Owen Archie piace un sacco, peccato che il suo lavoro alla gelateria sia solo per i pochi mesi estivi. Darcy non racconta ai suoi migliori amici di stare male e di essere sotto stress, ma finirà per confidarsi proprio con Owen che si “offre” di aiutarlo con il suo problema e cerca di farlo rilassare. (Owen, se vuoi passare anche qui da me, non ti dico di no!) Ovviamente quello che doveva nascere come un’amicizia di solo sesso senza sentimenti diventerà molto di più. Darcy dovrà trovare un modo per trattenere Owen anche dopo la fine del suo contratto. Si scoprirà il motivo che porta Owen a viaggiare molto e a non fermarsi mai in un posto e… vi giuro mi sono sentita male perché già immaginavo il cuore spezzato di Darcy. Fortunatamente anche qui c’è una bellissima found family e migliori amici impiccioni che aiuteranno la coppia a superare il momento di difficoltà. Mi sono letteralmente divorata questo libro! L’ho adorato dal primo capitolo e sono triste di averlo già finito! Charlie Novak ha saputo trasportarmi nella cittadina dove il libro è ambientato e anche io ho sentito l’odore del mare e dei gabbiani (ma questo argomento magari ce lo spiegherà meglio Milo nel prossimo libro!) Ho apprezzato tantissimo Owen, è stato davvero meraviglioso per tutto il libro, non si è mai comportato davvero male e c’è stato pochissimo angst!! Libro assolutamente consigliato! Ho ricevuto una copia Arc in cambio della mia opinione sincera!

English Review: Dripped is book #2 in the Lick It! Series by Charlie Novak. The main characters in this book are Darcy, one of the owner of Lick It! and Owen, his ice cream creator. They work together and they create and discover new flavours. Unfortunately, Darcy needs to stop working so hard because of stress. Owen is the perfect man for him: he proposes to help him with stress… having fun! They are perfect for each other and I loved how Owen takes care of Archie. Darcy is very special for him and I really loved how Owen calls him angel. This book is very sweet and spicy, I loved how they spend time together, not only in bed. They soon become friends and they start loving each other's company, but the time passes and the summer is near ending and Owen won’t work for Lick it anymore. Fortunately Milo and Archie will help the two. I really loved the little town, the ice cream flavours (I’m hungry and now I crave Ice cream too!), the sea and the salt on skin (*coff*). Owen is the perfect book boyfriend, always so caring for the people he loves. This book is very sweet and perfect for spending a few hours with beautiful characters! Highly recommended! I received an Arc copy for my honest opinion.

[Maxie]

ARC Review
*mild spoilers ahead*

This one is a cute, easy rom-comish read: A “just for the summer” stress relief hook-up, that inevitably turns into something else. It’s not the most original story, but it does the job. Light on plot and very much built around chemistry.

Darcy is stressed, running on fumes while trying to keep the ice cream shop dream alive. Owen has that laid back sunshine energy that makes him tempting. When he offers Darcy a no-strings, only for the summer arrangement, it starts out as a very convenient outlet for all that tension, but of course, those pesky feelings make everything complicated.

The emotional conflict is simple but believable. Darcy carries so much pressure that it makes sense he would grab onto something easy and uncomplicated, even if it’s obviously not going to stay that way. Owen’s whole inability to commit to a place gives the book just enough tension without making it feel too heavy.

As a follow-up to Licked, this worked nicely for me. The first book established the shop and the three boys’ friendship, while laying that cozy seaside summer feeling. Dripped keeps that same sweet, low-angst energy while shifting the focus to Darcy. I liked getting more of the friend group too, because the supportive and nosy friends are part of the charm here. It feels like a natural continuation rather than a repeat, even if the overall progression of the romance feels pretty familiar.

That said, this is definitely the epitome of a light read. There’s not a huge amount of plot development, and if you are looking for deep character work or big surprises, this probably won’t be for you. The spice is a little cheesy at times and maybe a bit much for my taste, but considering sex is basically the starting point of their relationship, it also makes sense for the story.

Overall, Dripped is fun, low-stakes and easy to enjoy. If you enjoyed Licked, you’ll love this one.

[Hailey]

I just love the Lick It! series, both books so far have made my heart so happy ❤️

They are such easy going reads, low angst and just full of all the feels! And I love that each book follows each Lick It! owner too!

I love the banter between thing gang, Milo is a character I absolutely adore and I can't wait for his book! I knew something was cooking with his rival shop owner next door from the minute it started kicking off in book one - hillarious by the way.

Darcey and Owen are just perfect for each other, there was a slight hiccup but im so glad it ended the way it did for them both. Also love how protective Alfie and Milo are!

The relationship evolved perfectly and I adore all of these characters and their stories.
Book 1 and 2 have been such great reads I can't wait for more!

📚

This book follows Darcey and Owen, Darcey is one of the shop owners and Owen works in the kitchen with him creating the most delicious ice cream flavours.
Darcey is super stressed and his blood pressure is through the roof but he hides it all from Alfie and Milo because he doesn't want to stress them out - owning the ice cream shop does that enough!
But Owen sees through him, he also sees how Darcey sometimes looks at him in a way that could mean a little more than boss/employee/friend.

Owen decides to shoot his shot and offer Darcey some stress relief 😉 and of course Darcey is happy to oblidge!
After all Owen's contract is up in September and he is a lover of travel so if anything was to go wrong he will be leaving then anyway.

But what if things go right?
Will the traveller who hates putting roots down stay?

[Jine]

Oh I really liked this! First off I love the friend group and universe that it’s set in we get to see all of them interact so it was really fun
This story is about Darcy and Owen; Darcy is part owner and Owen is his carefree employee
Darcy is very very stressed out like high blood pressure stressed so when Owen notices him checking him out he throws caution to the wind and asks Darcy if he wants to hook up for stress relief Darcy very quickly says yes
This one got spicy quicker but more emotional as it went on
They both knew it was just for the summer because Owen likes to travel which is just a way for him to run away from serious situations
When the dinner at Owen’s dads goes disastrously wrong when Darcy suggests Owen come back again in the summer Owen literally runs and panics and when Darcy comes after him apologizing saying he knew what this was and it was his fault Owen panicked Owen then realized how much he screwed things up
I love how fiercely loyal milo and Alfie are for Darcy especially when they showed up on the beach the next morning to talk to Owen about how much Darcy is heartbroken
The grovelling was so needed but also freaking cute Owen finally opened up about how he was feeling about Darcy pleading for a second chance!
I really enjoyed this it was short but packed a punch we got emotions and feelings and plenty of spice we got cute nicknames I mean Owen calling Darcy his angel!
The epilogue was the perfect way to get a 2 year update on their travels and what they have been doing but a hint at what’s to come for them if Owen has anything to say about it!
I absolutely cannot wait for book 3 I mean Milo has been torturing Rupert for two books!

[Bethany Chastain]

We're back in Heather Bay at Lick It!, the new ice cream parlor, and this time, we get the story of the principal owner of the shop, Darcy.

Darcy is stressed out. He's been working nonstop to get Lick It! off the ground, and now that it's taking off, he doesn't know how to stop.

When his brilliant ice cream mixer, Owen, offers Darcy a little bit of ✨ stress relief ✨, Darcy eagerly agrees. Owen is hot and laid-back, and since he's leaving in September for his next adventure, there's no chance of anything getting serious or complicated.

The sex is explosive, and the quality time is even better. And although Darcy knows Owen is leaving soon, he can't help but wish for more.

But Owen has never felt like he belonged anywhere, and he's a wanderer. Is Darcy enough to make him stay?

This book was so cute. I loved Owen right away because he was so chill, which was exactly what Darcy needed given how wound up he was. It was nice to see Darcy let go and actually think about something other than the business for a while, and I liked that the two men had no qualms about taking what they wanted from each other.

This book is low-angst, but there is a bit of conflict which to me just made me even more invested in Darcy and Owen's relationship. Besides -- is there anything hotter than a sexy man groveling?

I also liked seeing all the other characters again and some of our previous HB favorites, and also setting up the next book.

My one complaint? NOW I CAN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT ICE CREAM!!! 😂 But it's going to be a scorcher this week anyway so I'm just gonna have to go get some. 🍨 🍦

✨ Book is written in dual first person POV✨

[Julie Cunningham]

Review of advance copy received from the author

Dripped by Charlie Novak
Book 2 in the Lick It series

Tropes
MM romance
Small town
Found family
Boss X Employee
Late night kitchen dates
“Just for the summer”
Oops, feelings happen
Nosy friends that are supportive
Pet names
Spicy and Sweet

Darcy is the owner of the local ice cream shop. He is always so stressed out that he has picked up running to help with that stress. One he stops near the beach to rest for a minute and catch his breath. He sees a seriously hot guy walking out of the ocean and as he gets closer and waves he notices that it is Owen, one of his employees.
Owen is in town for the summer to help care for his dad. After the summer is over Owen plans on traveling again like he has been doing just seeing the world. Owen enjoins the ice cream shop and helping Darcy combine new flavors combinations to try on the menu. When they are in the kitchen alone and testing flavors should not be foreplay but it turns out to be just that.
Owen watches Darcy stand near the ocean and asks if he would like to get a cup of coffee. Owen is a people person and has a way of putting people at ease. As Owen and Darcy become friendly with each other Owen offers up a suggestion, have a summer fling to relieve stress. Milo from the first book decides to leave supplies outside Darcy front door and I laughed so dang hard, it was great. As the relationship starts to turn into both developing feeling for the other with pushes from Milo and Alfie.
This was the perfect summer read, sweet with spice, laugh out loud banter and a good grovel.

[Adeselna]

Poor Darcy! Since he got everything he dreamt about opening “Lick it”, he’s been riddled with stress. It doesn’t help that Owen, the guy they hired to help with the ice cream, is a total hottie. Owen is carefree, a free spirit who doesn’t want to be tied down to one spot. As he offered Darcy some inventive ways to relieve his stress, they both caught feelings. Even though their deal was never forever, once Owen leaves, Darcy knows his heart will break forever.

“Dripped” is so fun! Darcy is just a ball of constant stress, so much that his health takes a toll. His attraction to Owen starts as just yearning. He watches him swimming too early in the morning, and catching those glimpses of Owen feeling free is everything to Darcy. He loves that Owen has seen the world and that they both share a passion for creating ice cream flavours.

Owen is adorable! And a massive fool! He’s totally chill, and I love that he takes care of Darcy, but the guy is a total fool for not seeing how much Darcy means to him! Of course, he can’t hide that Darcy makes him feel everything! He’s just a fool because he couldn’t face his fear. I loved that Darcy and Milo were super supportive! Those two are pure joy to read again, and I loved that they all have their own family moments. They’re so cute.

“Dripped” is just as exciting as the first book, it’s fun, small, spicy, and we will feel all the feeling in hopes that Darcy and Owen will accept that they are made for each other. This is the series I’m going to recommend everyone to read EVERY single summer, because it is so worth it. Charlie Novak has become one of my instant buy/read authors, and I can’t wait to read “Topped”, because Mile is an adorable menace, and he also deserves his HEA!

[Sarah Poulton-Williams]

I am so in love with this series. This ice cream shop and the gorgeous characters within it are perfect summer reading. Charlie Novak writes their chemistry so beautifully, capturing their attraction, their insecurities, their emotions and their passion. This is such a fun and spicy MM love story between Darcy, the idea man behind the ice cream business, and Owen, the summer employee with a wandering heart.

There is a whole lot of falling in love and being too scared to communicate clearly with one another in this story. They both fall so deeply but know their 'friends with benefits' arrangement has a time limit as Owen will feel the call of travelling once his contract is over. It takes a bit of a shake up from their friends for them to realise they have options and they are clearly meant to be together. I adored the way Owen's love language was to write his love all over Darcy's body. He made him feel the love where words often failed him. And I loved how dominant and vocal Owen becomes to illicit neediness from Darcy. It has a very light sub/dom (I am talking super vague hint and nothing remotely formalised) feel as Darcy needs taking out of his head and needs to relax and not worry just for a minute. Owen gives him that spaced out freedom.

Honestly, if you love lighthearted and gorgeously connected MM romance set amid a small tourist town in Yorkshire, you cannot go wrong with the Lick It series. It'll make you crave more than just an ice cream at the end of it all.

[Anisha Choudhury | A Literary Autopsy]

5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 5/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Disclosure: I received a complimentary eARC of Dripped (Lick It! #2) by Charlie Novak in exchange for an honest review.

Dripped is an absolute triumph. As the second book in the Lick It! series, it transports readers back to an artisan ice cream parlour on the Yorkshire coast for a romance that is as heartwarming as it is sizzling.

The story centers on Darcy, a stressed-out shop owner who thrives on stability, and Owen, his laid-back employee who is determined to help his boss relax. What starts as a "just for the summer" hook-up quickly spirals into late-night kitchen dates and complicated feelings they aren't quite ready to talk about yet.

Charlie Novak does a fantastic job of contrasting their personalities while showcasing an undeniable chemistry. The spice is sizzling hot, but the emotional core of the book is what truly shines. I love how Novak avoids unnecessary, harsh conflict, opting instead for a refreshing, low-angst narrative that focuses on the importance of communication.

The bond between the main characters and their friends—Darcy, Alfie, and Milo—is a highlight; seeing these three support each other through the trials of running a business while navigating their personal lives is wonderful.

If you’re looking for a series that delivers friendship, trust, and a perfect sprinkle of spice, Dripped is a must-read. It is a refreshing, feel-good escape that proves communication really is key in every relationship.

[KendallshipsMM]

I received an ARC copy of Dripped in exchange for my honest review.

Okay, I liked this one SO much more than the first book.

Darcy and Owen are basically two golden retrievers who decide they can absolutely handle a no-strings-attached summer hookup arrangement.

Sure.

That always works.

Darcy is the mastermind behind Lick It! and is slowly working himself into the ground trying to make his dream ice cream shop successful.

Owen is the temporary employee who works beside him creating ice cream flavors.

They work perfectly together.

They like hanging out together.

They're wildly attracted to each other.

And Darcy definitely enjoys watching Owen climb out of the North Sea every morning dripping wet.

Owen notices.

So he proposes a simple summer arrangement.

No strings.

No feelings.

No problem.

Except Owen is only there temporarily.

He plans to leave when the summer is over and go back to traveling the world.

And unfortunately, these two sweet idiots start catching some very real feelings.

I really loved them together.

This was wholesome and sweet while still having plenty of spice and chemistry. I loved watching them work together at the shop and talk through all the ice cream flavors they were developing.

My only real complaint is that the beginning was a little slow for me.

This was definitely a Chokehold 3. It took me some time to get fully invested, but the story grabbed me much harder toward the end.

And when Milo and Alfie showed up angry and ready to talk some sense into Owen?

Yes.

That's what best friends are for.

Also, Owen calling Darcy "Angel"?

Loved it.

A sweet, short, satisfying romance that I enjoyed even more than the first book.

[Tiffany Readz]

3.5 Stars — Cute Summer Read

In this second book in the Lick It series, we follow Darcy and Owen, the owner and employee of an ice cream shop.

Darcy is the owner of the shop, and Owen is his seasonal employee. To say the stress of running the shop is taking a toll on Darcy would be putting it mildly. He is wound incredibly tight and needs a free spirit like Owen to show him there’s more to life than just work. Owen, on the other hand, has been on the move from a young age. He’s an adventurer, always looking for his next experience, so working at the ice cream shop was never meant to be permanent in his mind. These two couldn’t be more opposite, so of course we all know where this is headed.

While I liked both of these characters, they spent so much time inside their own heads that it became a little frustrating at times. Everyone has baggage, but constantly dancing around the issues or replacing actual conversations with sex doesn’t always work for the reader. The writing was on the wall for everyone except them. They were perfectly happy staying in denial, only to turn around and stress over the very feelings they were trying to ignore.

The book is well written and brings back the characters from the first book in the series, so I enjoyed feeling like I already knew where everyone belonged while reading. This book can be read as a standalone, and it wraps up with a cute epilogue.

Reviewed for Renee Entress’s Blog

[ashreads.a.lot]

Darcy has successfully opened his own ice cream shop with his friends and the busy season has him more stressed than he thought he’d be. His very attractive and friendly employee Owen has a suggestion of his own to help relieve his stress. The two agree that the clear solution to the problem is a casual, no strings fling for the summer. There’s no way this could possibly end in either of them catching feelings and wanting more than just the summer, right? 😉

Darcy is quite the workaholic and reluctant to accept help from his friends but Owen helps him slow down and relax. All their late nights creating new ice cream flavors, early morning breakfasts and steamy showers, and every little moment in between had me falling in love right along with them! I would have folded too if someone was calling me Angel and doing everything to make me smile and prioritizing my happiness!

For a noncommittal guy, Owen was really good at being the guy Darcy deserves in his life. Darcy is the man the Owen wants to stick around for and to take on his adventures with him! It just took Owen a little time to realize that what he wanted was right in front of him. I love that when they got out of their own heads, it was obvious that being together was the most important part.

It was so fun to read about Darcy and Owen together! 💜 I can’t wait to see what is in store for the final Lick It! owner, Milo!

[Dalegendaryreader]

Darcy opened his dream business of an ice cream shop parlour with his two best friends. As they scale up, they decided to hire for extra help in the form of Owen. They became closer together and embarked on a fun agreement to take the stress off.

Going into this book, I was lowkey prepared to hate Owen but dang, he really won me over.

We met and follow Darcy in the first book, but this one, we get to see his POV and how he's handling all the stress. He's constantly working on the verge of burning out, but he's keeping it close to him but Owen saw him through.

I love their whole dynamic, it didn't really feel icky or weird considering this is a boss x employee, and I appreciate how everything worked out in the end.

Ngl, I skimmed through the spicy scenes because there was a lot but they also spent a lot of time together, getting to know one another and basically becoming friends to more regardless of their agreement.

We love a man who grovelled and on his knees while doing so. They hit a bump but it doesn't really quality as a third-act conflict much because they immediately resolve their issue by talking. We love to see them being adults about it.

I love the whole found family, and the whole setting of this world, and I cannot wait to final book in the series. Also I def called Milo and Rupert as a couple! Give them to me!

[Manda Jean]

“I can’t wait to create some new flavours with you.”

📖Type- E-ARC from The Author Agency
📚Series- Book 2 Lick It! Series
🎼Song Vibe- You Vs. Them by Jhenè Aiko
💬POV- Dual 1st
💞Relationship- MM
🌶️Spice- Yes

📝Review📝
With each book I fall more and more in love with Charlie’s universe. Darcy and Owen are so cute with the flirting and creating ice cream you just root for them. I was even dreading the summer ending. There is so much sweetness but you cannot forget the spice this one is spicer than book one these two have chemistry and connection.There is also growth between these two and facing their fears together. I loved how Alfie and Milo were so protective of Darcy and I laughed so hard with Milo brings enforcements he is the best. I cannot wait for book 3 I fell in love with Milo and his Gordon Ramsay Shirt I can’t wait to see him and Rupert’s enemies? To lovers story.

~~What to Expect~~
🍨Friends to Lovers
🍨Workplace
🍨Boss X Employee
🍨Friends with Benefits
🍨Just For the Summer
🍨Hooking up for Stres Relief
🍨Small Town/Villiage

~~Quotes~~
💜All I really wanted was for Darcy to be happy. No matter the cost.
💜I needed Owen to want me in the same way I wanted him
💜Trust me darling, when I tell you I’m going to ruin you. I mean it. I don’t make promises I can’t keep.
💜What good was a dream if you didn’t have someone to share it with?

[Caroline Griffith]

Oh my goodness!! How can a book make you kick your feet with laughter and within a few pages make you need to hop in an ice cold plunge bath. From their first time to the time that cemented their future, it was so perfect. Two men who think that this kind of unbridled passion can be cut off with an amicable end is quite a ambitious feat. From the busybody bffs lending a helping hand to make sure neither one lets go of the other. Darcy and Owen are so sweet, the cute little names and their professional moments that prove how compatible they are both in and out of the bedroom. Now while I normally very much dislike miscommunication or lack of communication, it honestly fits perfectly in this story. They started this journey with the pretense of stress relief and a firm end date, the perfect fling parameters. But love has a way of quickly changing best laid plans. When you should be carefree and going to full blown lovestruck man when you were supposed to stay casual, it is easy to see how you could be self conscious when trying to explain what you want. In the bedroom, it is easy to tell your partner what you need and what but love makes things quite complicated. I loved this story and you will too! I know book 3 will be a wild ride.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tara Bennett]

MY OPINION: As the second book in the series, it was fun to see what happens with another one of the Lick It! family. Reading these out of order won’t create much confusion, but there are references to the back story between Alfie and his partner. Which means you are missing a little bit from the past, but generally you can read it before book one.

Lick It! was Darcy’s idea, and he works incredibly hard. The man needs relaxing. Fortunately, one of his summer employees sees the problem and offers to help him relax. There are a lot of good ideas, but burning some energy in the bedroom scratches that itch. These two have a deadline looming over them nearly the entire story. We see what’s happening, but they are in complete denial. Why face the truth when it’s going to hurt?

This is another sweet low-angst book by Charlie Novak. The characters enjoy each other, and of course there are a few tears when the deadline arrives. You know I cry; it’s my thing. There is a lot of talk about ice cream flavors, and the side characters are wonderful. These books are perfect summer reads for a weekend. Great guys having tons of spicy moments, and a lot of cuddles.

If you enjoy Charlie Novak’s books, you are going to find yourself going home with this book. If you are new to this author, this would be a great place to start.

[Emily Morris]

ARC REVIEW!!!


This was my first MM romance, and I can confidently say it did not disappoint! I’ve read plenty of why choose romances before, but this was my first MM, and I’m so glad I got to experience Darcy and Owen’s story.

Darcy owns an ice cream shop and is determined to make his dream a success, even if the stress is taking a toll on him. Owen, a seasonal worker passing through town, quickly notices how overwhelmed Darcy is and makes it his mission to help him slow down, relax, and take care of himself.

One of my favorite parts of this book was the banter between Darcy and his friends. Their friendship was hilarious and felt so genuine. My favorite moment was when Milo heard what was happening in Darcy’s apartment above his, quietly grabbed some “supplies,” left them outside Darcy’s door, and announced it through the front door. That’s the kind of friendship we all need!

The chemistry between Darcy and Owen was incredibly sweet. I loved the quiet moments where Darcy would watch Owen swim in the early mornings, catching glimpses of him completely free and at peace. Their shared passion for creating unique ice cream flavors made their connection feel even more special.

What really made this story shine was how much they cared for each other. Owen wanted Darcy to take better care of himself, especially with the stress affecting his health, while Darcy simply wanted someone who would choose him. Their relationship was meant to be just a summer fling, but feelings quickly got in the way. Owen feared feeling trapped because he loved traveling, while Darcy longed for stability and commitment. Once they finally communicated what they truly wanted, everything fell into place, and they became the perfect match.

Overall, this was a sweet, heartfelt romance filled with lovable characters, great friendships, and plenty of swoon-worthy moments. If you’re looking for a cozy MM romance with found family, emotional growth, and delicious ice cream, I definitely recommend picking this one up!