What do you think?
Rate this book
Cocky #2
Ballsy
When he arrives back in LA after ten years away, the last thing Sam expects is to end up being roped into pretending to be with the man he’d left behind for the sake of a magazine article. After a near-death experience that left him scarred and changed, all he wants to do is lick his wounds and live quietly for a while. But how is he supposed to resist the pull of one last adventure with the love of his life? Seeing Sam again is the last thing Ben needs. With his last chance to prove that Ballsy is a viable project on the line, he hasn’t got time for anything else. All the same, he can’t bring himself to ignore Sam when he shows up unannounced. When the opportunity to spend the weekend undercover with him at a couples’ retreat comes up, he jumps at it, hoping that this will be the second chance he’s always secretly wanted. As if facing their feelings for each other after so long wasn’t hard enough, Ben unexpectedly stumbles across the story that will save Ballsy while at the retreat. Will he still have time to repair his relationship with Sam? Or will both men’s doubts and fears get in the way of their happily ever after? Ballsy is a standalone gay romance which takes place in the same world as Cocky, and follows Ben’s story. It has a HEA and no cliffhanger. It does, however, contain a basket full of lubricant, rock climbing, awful-smelling massage oil, explicit sex scenes, and the bad guy getting busted.
283 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2017
91 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
About the author
Sean Ashcroft
44 books460 followersSean Ashcroft likes rainy days, white hot chocolates (don't knock it 'til you've tried it!) and boys kissing in books. He currently resides in Australia, all the way down at the bottom of the mainland in a sleepy little seaside town.
He writes sweet, hot books about sweet, hot boys who absolutely deserve each other.
He writes sweet, hot books about sweet, hot boys who absolutely deserve each other.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
February 18, 2018
2.5 Rounded Up*.....the rounding up is due to the three sex scenes I enjoyed, including a 36 year old bisexual man popping his cherries all over the place.
Other than that, this was a futile experience in repetition; one in which we were treated to the worries in both MCs minds over, and over, and over, and over again. It was somewhat nauseating and at times soporific. I admit that I dozed off a few times listening to this one...good for my nap status, bad for finding my place since it all sounded the same.
Both MCs were scared, and awkward, and self-defeating at times. This was much of the book.
This should have been a short story: Hey, we haven’t seen each other for ten years. We were best friends. But we loved each other. I was too scared to tell you I loved you. I was miserable without you. We’re in the same city now. We’re both out now. Let’s fuck and make it all better. The end.
*You know what? After thinking on it, including the stupid plot, I’m rounding down. If I were you, I’d stay away from this one. Gah!
Other than that, this was a futile experience in repetition; one in which we were treated to the worries in both MCs minds over, and over, and over, and over again. It was somewhat nauseating and at times soporific. I admit that I dozed off a few times listening to this one...good for my nap status, bad for finding my place since it all sounded the same.
Both MCs were scared, and awkward, and self-defeating at times. This was much of the book.
This should have been a short story: Hey, we haven’t seen each other for ten years. We were best friends. But we loved each other. I was too scared to tell you I loved you. I was miserable without you. We’re in the same city now. We’re both out now. Let’s fuck and make it all better. The end.
*You know what? After thinking on it, including the stupid plot, I’m rounding down. If I were you, I’d stay away from this one. Gah!
October 24, 2018
Yeah, this didn't work for me. I give this 2 stars because I loved seeing Elliot again. As far as the story of Ballsy itself, yes it was well written, but the plot did NOT work for me. Ben has been in the bisexual closet all his life, only recently coming out to Elliot, then more recently to his boss just because of the story he has been assigned (longer story there). As part of Ben's article/story he needs to go on a couples retreat, so of course he thinks of Sam, the man he has not seen in 10 years but just found again like one day ago. Sam agrees and off they go.
Except blackmail. Yep, not kidding. Somehow blackmail has become a plot point in this story, on top of forcing Ben and Sam together at a couples retreat. Can you say obvious (retreat) and confusing (blackmail). I could stomach the couples retreat. Cliché yes, but not a deal breaker. I did start to loose interest when Ben and Sam are all lovey dovey skirting their feelings teenage love rekindled kind of sweet. I was always being told how they felt about each other, but I never got to experience it. Totally off putting. Then Ben is blackmailed by the female owner (she forces a kiss on him and says she's show the video to Sam if Ben doesn't corporate. She's under the impression that Ben is a rich guy and NOT a news reporter. ;) ) Of course Ben tells Sam exactly what happened and they plan a sting of sorts to trap the blackmailers.
Nope, not doing this. Maybe if I had been able to see and meet Ben and Sam 10 years ago and got a handle on their feelings I would have been more invested. But these guys are basically strangers and for all of this to happen...I didn't buy it. The narration was as good as you expect with Joel Leslie. I usually don't find it hard to rate the narration on its own merit, not letting the story cloud my judgement. But in this case I am finding it extremely hard to give the narration a rating. I am just so overwhelmed by my dislike of the story.
I do recommend Book 1, Cocky, but I am disappointed in Ballsy. :( To those who read Balllsy, I hope you like it!!!!
Except blackmail. Yep, not kidding. Somehow blackmail has become a plot point in this story, on top of forcing Ben and Sam together at a couples retreat. Can you say obvious (retreat) and confusing (blackmail). I could stomach the couples retreat. Cliché yes, but not a deal breaker. I did start to loose interest when Ben and Sam are all lovey dovey skirting their feelings teenage love rekindled kind of sweet. I was always being told how they felt about each other, but I never got to experience it. Totally off putting. Then Ben is blackmailed by the female owner (she forces a kiss on him and says she's show the video to Sam if Ben doesn't corporate. She's under the impression that Ben is a rich guy and NOT a news reporter. ;) ) Of course Ben tells Sam exactly what happened and they plan a sting of sorts to trap the blackmailers.
Nope, not doing this. Maybe if I had been able to see and meet Ben and Sam 10 years ago and got a handle on their feelings I would have been more invested. But these guys are basically strangers and for all of this to happen...I didn't buy it. The narration was as good as you expect with Joel Leslie. I usually don't find it hard to rate the narration on its own merit, not letting the story cloud my judgement. But in this case I am finding it extremely hard to give the narration a rating. I am just so overwhelmed by my dislike of the story.
I do recommend Book 1, Cocky, but I am disappointed in Ballsy. :( To those who read Balllsy, I hope you like it!!!!
September 20, 2017
*** It's been 10 years ! ***
They had grown up together and were always there for each other, but ten years ago Sam had to make a decision and Ben couldn't tell him to stay.
Now, Sam, 36, a famous photographer and artist,
scarred from an accident, needs Ben more than ever.
Ben, 37, a successful journalist is happy
but his life is incomplete. Sam is recovering from his injuries and reaches out to Ben for solace. It's a last chance of sorts to see if they can finally be together. Ben feels the same way. Will they figure it out?
An opportunity arises for the guys to spend some time alone, and they agree to go undercover at a couples resort for Ben's work story. Now, as grownups, they talk, explain, accept and forgive. In the midst of the retreat, Ben, as an undercover guest, is being blackmailed, so his work story becomes even more important.
Our men get their emotions out there and admit all of their secret feelings. It's still 1st time M/M sex for Ben and he and Sam are so sexy and hot together.
* Loved this low key romance with it's yummy men and a wonderful tale of a lasting love.
ENJOY !
=========
They had grown up together and were always there for each other, but ten years ago Sam had to make a decision and Ben couldn't tell him to stay.
Now, Sam, 36, a famous photographer and artist,
scarred from an accident, needs Ben more than ever.
Ben, 37, a successful journalist is happy
but his life is incomplete. Sam is recovering from his injuries and reaches out to Ben for solace. It's a last chance of sorts to see if they can finally be together. Ben feels the same way. Will they figure it out?
An opportunity arises for the guys to spend some time alone, and they agree to go undercover at a couples resort for Ben's work story. Now, as grownups, they talk, explain, accept and forgive. In the midst of the retreat, Ben, as an undercover guest, is being blackmailed, so his work story becomes even more important.
Our men get their emotions out there and admit all of their secret feelings. It's still 1st time M/M sex for Ben and he and Sam are so sexy and hot together.
* Loved this low key romance with it's yummy men and a wonderful tale of a lasting love.
ENJOY !
=========
January 13, 2020
I really liked this book, Sam and Ben were meant to be.
They have a lot of past drama that needed to get aired out but I kinda love that Ben really grew in their time apart.
I don’t think their relationship would have worked if they had tried to be a couple back then. I truly believe that time healed these two and were better for it.
The interesting investigation they got out of it kept me interested as well. I kinda loved that we got a little of Eliot in this book too.
Joel wasn’t as breathy in this book and it fit the characters a LOT better.
They have a lot of past drama that needed to get aired out but I kinda love that Ben really grew in their time apart.
I don’t think their relationship would have worked if they had tried to be a couple back then. I truly believe that time healed these two and were better for it.
The interesting investigation they got out of it kept me interested as well. I kinda loved that we got a little of Eliot in this book too.
Joel wasn’t as breathy in this book and it fit the characters a LOT better.
October 22, 2020
This was my second book by Sean Ashcroft. I read Cocky and loved it. I really didn’t love this book. In fact if I’d read it and not listened to the audiobook I probably wouldn’t have finished it.
I don’t think I‘ve ever read a book where the characters doubt each other more than these two. Even after they declared their love for each other they both keep going back and forth. It’s constantly does he really love me. It got really old. Also, the first part of the book is constant angst. So why did I give the book 3 stars?
The book was narrated by Joel Leslie. I give his narration 5 stars. He really knows how to bring a character to life. I loved the way he interpreted Ben. I could just see him every time he talked. He also did an incredible job on the woman from the retreat. He saved this book for me.
If you like your stories full of sadness and angst you’ll love this book. If that gets on your nerves get the audiobook.
I don’t think I‘ve ever read a book where the characters doubt each other more than these two. Even after they declared their love for each other they both keep going back and forth. It’s constantly does he really love me. It got really old. Also, the first part of the book is constant angst. So why did I give the book 3 stars?
The book was narrated by Joel Leslie. I give his narration 5 stars. He really knows how to bring a character to life. I loved the way he interpreted Ben. I could just see him every time he talked. He also did an incredible job on the woman from the retreat. He saved this book for me.
If you like your stories full of sadness and angst you’ll love this book. If that gets on your nerves get the audiobook.
April 8, 2024
Their could have been a third book. But what would have been the title
February 29, 2024
This was very tedious.
September 27, 2019
So, I wasn’t overly impressed with the virtually drama-free previous book, but this one I like even less. There still isn’t much drama outside of in-your-head-but-cleared-up-as-soon-as-someone-communicates, kind. My real issue isn’t with that, but with the fact that their entire relationship doesn’t really make sense to me. Like they fell in love “off screen”, so that was part of the problem. But then it is revealed that their “relationship” from 15 years ago was platonic. Both men liked each other, but never confessed to anything…at all. So, both of them have been pining for no real reason. If they had tried talking to each other, they could have been together 15 years ago.
And then, when they meet back up, everything is exactly the same as before (personality-wise). I don’t know about you, but I change a lot from year to year. And I understand getting along with old friends even after time apart, but things still change. I guess I just thought they should have spent more time getting to know the older versions of themselves rather than jumping into something they wanted 15 years ago. I guess it all just made more sense to me when I thought they were getting back together. I mean in the last couple chapters they would mention how they had changed, but I don't know, I just did NOT feel like these two men knew each other as well as they thought they did. At least this one was sexier than the last one.
And then, when they meet back up, everything is exactly the same as before (personality-wise). I don’t know about you, but I change a lot from year to year. And I understand getting along with old friends even after time apart, but things still change. I guess I just thought they should have spent more time getting to know the older versions of themselves rather than jumping into something they wanted 15 years ago. I guess it all just made more sense to me when I thought they were getting back together. I mean in the last couple chapters they would mention how they had changed, but I don't know, I just did NOT feel like these two men knew each other as well as they thought they did. At least this one was sexier than the last one.
October 9, 2017
Again. Hate the title, but the book is cute and wonderful.
I'm starting to think Sean Ashcroft might subsist on an entire diet of rainbows and beautiful thoughts. I've read about four or five of his books, now, and I'm pretty sure he can't be a real person. No one has this amount of goodness and light inside of them. He's gotta be a serial killer or a Nickleback fan or something.
Like the first unfortunately named book in this series, this book is not nearly as douchey as it sounds and it was adorable.
Low angst, adorable story where you can't help but be genuinely happy for the characters and if there are niggling doubts about the story setup or the fact that the Bristralianisms slither their way into the book or the odd character mix up that editing missed, who cares? It'd be like nit picking a puppy. Who cares if it peed on your shoes? It's adorable.
I'm starting to think Sean Ashcroft might subsist on an entire diet of rainbows and beautiful thoughts. I've read about four or five of his books, now, and I'm pretty sure he can't be a real person. No one has this amount of goodness and light inside of them. He's gotta be a serial killer or a Nickleback fan or something.
Like the first unfortunately named book in this series, this book is not nearly as douchey as it sounds and it was adorable.
Low angst, adorable story where you can't help but be genuinely happy for the characters and if there are niggling doubts about the story setup or the fact that the Bristralianisms slither their way into the book or the odd character mix up that editing missed, who cares? It'd be like nit picking a puppy. Who cares if it peed on your shoes? It's adorable.
June 1, 2019
This is book 2 in the Cocky series by this author. I listened to the audio book. The main characters are Ben an Editor, Eliot's boss from book one and the one that got away 10 years earlier Sam. They go to a couples retreat,undercover and find love again. We get updated on Eliot and Danny too.
May 21, 2017
Another sweet romance with a bit of a quirk
I like Sean Ashcroft's style of writing, the books are usually relationship driven with low angst and only a little bit of drama to bring some tension.
They're usually fairly low in the steam factor with only a couple of full on sex scenes but they're always emotionally connected with the characters feeling real.
I like Sean Ashcroft's style of writing, the books are usually relationship driven with low angst and only a little bit of drama to bring some tension.
They're usually fairly low in the steam factor with only a couple of full on sex scenes but they're always emotionally connected with the characters feeling real.
January 5, 2018
Nach zehn Jahren kommt der Fotograf Sam zurück nach LA. Dort hat er damals seinen besten Freund Ben zurückgelassen. Und er hat ihn jeden Tag vermisst. Erst eine Nahtoderfahrung lässt ihn nun allen Mut zusammenfassen um Ben endlich seine Gefühle zu gestehen. Doch dann verlässt ihn der Mut auch wieder und Sam kann sich einfach nicht überwinden.
Dabei empfindet Ben doch viel mehr als nur Freundschaft für Sam. Doch auch er war nie mutig genug dies zu artikulieren und sich zu outen. Aber jetzt, nach so langer Zeit und mit der Reife des Alter will Ben nun seinerseits ausloten was Sam für ihn empfindet und ob es vielleicht doch nun eine Chance für sie beide gibt.
Ein Auftrag für seine Zeitung führt Ben jedoch in ein Ressort, wo reiche Menschen ihre Beziehung wieder in den Griff bekommen sollen. Dieses Wochenende will Ben nutzen um Sam näherzukommen und die Lage zu sondieren. Sam zögert erst, stimmt jedoch dann zu. Viel Hoffnung hat er nicht, aber eine Chance ist es dennoch.
Irgendwie lässt mich die Geschichte etwas ratlos zurück. Sam und Ben waren engste Freunde und standen sich wirklich sehr nahe. Doch sie zögern sich ihre Gefühle einzugestehen und dann ist es zu spät. Der Kontakt scheint völlig abzubrechen. Warum genau sie sich so feige verhalten haben, geht irgendwie aus der Geschichte nicht hervor.
Natürlich, sie sind nun zehn Jahre älter, reifer und haben Lebenserfahrung gewonnen. Doch vor allem Sam ist noch immer sehr unsicher und lässt sich auch leicht verunsichern. Dabei spielen aber auch seine Narben eine Rolle, die er sich bei einem sehr schweren Unfall zugezogen hat.
Auch Ben ist jetzt nicht ein Beispiel für Mut. Vor allem in der Vergangenheit war er zu feige. Allerdings wird auch hier nicht ausreichend erklärt, wovor er sich genau gefürchtet hat. Jetzt, zehn Jahre später, hat er sich wohl als bisexuell geoutet und niemand scheint das auch nur ansatzweise zu kratzen.
Insgesamt war die Story nicht schlecht, aber auch nicht überwältigend. Der erste Teil der Reihe war deutlich besser geschrieben und die Geschichte war auch viel besser nachzuvollziehen.
Dabei empfindet Ben doch viel mehr als nur Freundschaft für Sam. Doch auch er war nie mutig genug dies zu artikulieren und sich zu outen. Aber jetzt, nach so langer Zeit und mit der Reife des Alter will Ben nun seinerseits ausloten was Sam für ihn empfindet und ob es vielleicht doch nun eine Chance für sie beide gibt.
Ein Auftrag für seine Zeitung führt Ben jedoch in ein Ressort, wo reiche Menschen ihre Beziehung wieder in den Griff bekommen sollen. Dieses Wochenende will Ben nutzen um Sam näherzukommen und die Lage zu sondieren. Sam zögert erst, stimmt jedoch dann zu. Viel Hoffnung hat er nicht, aber eine Chance ist es dennoch.
Irgendwie lässt mich die Geschichte etwas ratlos zurück. Sam und Ben waren engste Freunde und standen sich wirklich sehr nahe. Doch sie zögern sich ihre Gefühle einzugestehen und dann ist es zu spät. Der Kontakt scheint völlig abzubrechen. Warum genau sie sich so feige verhalten haben, geht irgendwie aus der Geschichte nicht hervor.
Natürlich, sie sind nun zehn Jahre älter, reifer und haben Lebenserfahrung gewonnen. Doch vor allem Sam ist noch immer sehr unsicher und lässt sich auch leicht verunsichern. Dabei spielen aber auch seine Narben eine Rolle, die er sich bei einem sehr schweren Unfall zugezogen hat.
Auch Ben ist jetzt nicht ein Beispiel für Mut. Vor allem in der Vergangenheit war er zu feige. Allerdings wird auch hier nicht ausreichend erklärt, wovor er sich genau gefürchtet hat. Jetzt, zehn Jahre später, hat er sich wohl als bisexuell geoutet und niemand scheint das auch nur ansatzweise zu kratzen.
Insgesamt war die Story nicht schlecht, aber auch nicht überwältigend. Der erste Teil der Reihe war deutlich besser geschrieben und die Geschichte war auch viel besser nachzuvollziehen.
July 25, 2025
SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE WITH MEN IN THEIR 30s!
SIGN ME UP !!
fake relationship after 10 years of heartbreak? YES!!
SIGN ME UP !!
fake relationship after 10 years of heartbreak? YES!!
February 28, 2022
This one wasn't as good as the first in my opinion. It was pretty repetitive in the beginning. I was looking forward to Ben's story since we met him in the first book. Since he told Eliot about "the one that got away" in the first one it felt like Ben took a really long time to have an honest conversation with Sam. It was a likable enough story, I was just hoping for a little more.
May 23, 2017
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. There were some really great elements! Both airport scenes were powerful, Ben using the same line from when they first met was a great throwback, and his acceptance of Sam's scarring was very beautiful. Their connection, once it happened, was totally hot.
Then there is the rest of the story. Sam never tells Ben what happened in the accident? Assumed whatever Eliot told him was correct? Sam left 10 years ago, but apparently never set up an email account, or bought a cellphone? If you're being sent to a resort for an "advertorial" story, how is it that the people who run the resort dont know that's who you are? They obviously pitched the idea to the magazine, and must have known it was them as they were the only gay couple there (or so one could assume, as we didnt hear anything about any of the other couples on the retreat).
A really nice premise with lots of great potential. A fine read for the romance, everything else was a little lacking.
Then there is the rest of the story. Sam never tells Ben what happened in the accident? Assumed whatever Eliot told him was correct? Sam left 10 years ago, but apparently never set up an email account, or bought a cellphone? If you're being sent to a resort for an "advertorial" story, how is it that the people who run the resort dont know that's who you are? They obviously pitched the idea to the magazine, and must have known it was them as they were the only gay couple there (or so one could assume, as we didnt hear anything about any of the other couples on the retreat).
A really nice premise with lots of great potential. A fine read for the romance, everything else was a little lacking.
September 14, 2017
Like the last book in the series, the characters, and their budding romance, is sweet and enjoyable to read, however, also like the last book, the plot is hard to swallow. Adding on to that, this book also gets very, very repetitive, with the internal dialogue of the characters covering the same ground over and over and over again- eventually I was groaning and finding I could summarize the entire development of their relationship in a few sentences. Frustrating, especially for characters and a connection that had serious potential.
2/5, enjoyable but flawed story.
2/5, enjoyable but flawed story.
August 31, 2025
It was far too angsty for my tastes...
I'm really not of a fan of angst ridden books.. there can be acceptable levels of angst, but this was 5hrs of nonstop angst & it not only was overdone, but it had already become tiresome after the first 1hr!
Honestly, this book was about 2 men (their age is never really specified) in their late 30s or 40s, maybe even 50s... Danny from the previous book celebrated his 30th & this is 2 years after that book & Ben was older than both the previous MCs...but it read more like a YA, IMHO!
The MCs have been best friends since they were teenagers & both in the last book & at the start pf this one, it's kinda implied that they had a "it's complicated" or secret relationship in the past, but it turns out that they were only friends who fancied each other, but never acted on it nor let the other friend know about their feelings... so, it was kinda jarring that they kept acting as though they'd had a relationship that didn't work so they broke up & were seeing each other again after a decade...
I much preferred the first book as this one was unnecessarily & overly angsty for 2 grown men who claim that they're best friends, but have had no contact with each other in over 10 years.
I also found it ridiculous that Sam, the MC who chose to leave & cut off all contact with his bestie for his career got so wound up about Ben doing his job.
& the whole villainous plot was kinda ludicrous & very much of the plot dictates kind rather than a subplot that helped drive the story... honestly, the story was already angsty enough & it was really unnecessary IMO.
It's not a bad book just not really my cup of tea!
I'm really not of a fan of angst ridden books.. there can be acceptable levels of angst, but this was 5hrs of nonstop angst & it not only was overdone, but it had already become tiresome after the first 1hr!
Honestly, this book was about 2 men (their age is never really specified) in their late 30s or 40s, maybe even 50s... Danny from the previous book celebrated his 30th & this is 2 years after that book & Ben was older than both the previous MCs...but it read more like a YA, IMHO!
The MCs have been best friends since they were teenagers & both in the last book & at the start pf this one, it's kinda implied that they had a "it's complicated" or secret relationship in the past, but it turns out that they were only friends who fancied each other, but never acted on it nor let the other friend know about their feelings... so, it was kinda jarring that they kept acting as though they'd had a relationship that didn't work so they broke up & were seeing each other again after a decade...
I much preferred the first book as this one was unnecessarily & overly angsty for 2 grown men who claim that they're best friends, but have had no contact with each other in over 10 years.
I also found it ridiculous that Sam, the MC who chose to leave & cut off all contact with his bestie for his career got so wound up about Ben doing his job.
& the whole villainous plot was kinda ludicrous & very much of the plot dictates kind rather than a subplot that helped drive the story... honestly, the story was already angsty enough & it was really unnecessary IMO.
It's not a bad book just not really my cup of tea!
February 15, 2019
I loved this. A similar formula to the first one with characters in a very different part of their lives.
Sam and Ben have been apart ten years and now it's time to make right what they should have before. Loved that we got more of Ben. I loved his character in the first book. I loved that we focused on an older pairing in this. Two guys who couldn't figure things out the first time. One who was too afraid to even admit his sexuality ten years before.
Loved seeing a 36-year-old bisexual man getting more comfortable with saying I'm bisexual out loud to people. Plus losing his virginity on the page. The sex scenes were amazing in this by the way. This audiobook narrator is great and this might be the first time I search up a narrator to see what other books they have done. Because he's been great these last two books.
The couples retreat host a scandal and I out loud screamed "What is this plotline?! I can't!" while listening to this audiobook at work. I freaking loved it. I was not ready to be so invested in Ben getting his undercover reporter on with Dan in his back corner like he should have been the last ten years. It was so engrossing.
These are two characters with a lot of insecurities to work through and this is something that won't get fully solved right away but they are best friends. Best friends who never should have been apart that long and you really can see that they can get through anything when they communicate and trust each other. I love that for them. This was a really nice read for a rough day honestly. Needed this.
Sam and Ben have been apart ten years and now it's time to make right what they should have before. Loved that we got more of Ben. I loved his character in the first book. I loved that we focused on an older pairing in this. Two guys who couldn't figure things out the first time. One who was too afraid to even admit his sexuality ten years before.
Loved seeing a 36-year-old bisexual man getting more comfortable with saying I'm bisexual out loud to people. Plus losing his virginity on the page. The sex scenes were amazing in this by the way. This audiobook narrator is great and this might be the first time I search up a narrator to see what other books they have done. Because he's been great these last two books.
The couples retreat host a scandal and I out loud screamed "What is this plotline?! I can't!" while listening to this audiobook at work. I freaking loved it. I was not ready to be so invested in Ben getting his undercover reporter on with Dan in his back corner like he should have been the last ten years. It was so engrossing.
These are two characters with a lot of insecurities to work through and this is something that won't get fully solved right away but they are best friends. Best friends who never should have been apart that long and you really can see that they can get through anything when they communicate and trust each other. I love that for them. This was a really nice read for a rough day honestly. Needed this.
May 12, 2023
Cocky’s editor, Ben, is struggling with his pet project, a new magazine called Ballsy. Ben regrets not being brave enough to own his bisexuality and allowing his best gay friend, Sam, to walk away. Now Sam is back and Ben needs him to be his fake partner so he can go undercover to write a story about a couples’ retreat. Just as the romantic surroundings of the retreat start to work their magic on them, Ben discovers he’ll be writing an exposé. While I loved the premise of the exposé, the storyline felt a bit clumsy and everyone’s actions a bit unbelievable. Like the first book, I quite liked the characters but found the continual manufactured worrying a little grating, especially when things always eventually resolved with little fuss. I also liked the second-chances trope but felt the guys could have saved themselves a LOT of angst by just saying what was on their minds upfront. Joel Leslie narrates the audiobook competently (currently free on the Audible Plus catalogue).
July 8, 2018
Maybe around 1.5 stars
I'm a sucker for second-chances stories. But they have to be well done. This one wasn't believable. The MCs haven't seen each other for 10 years. They were friends before but seriously I didn't get how deep that friendship was. It was not really shown. After Sam comes back he has scars from an accident we never get to know much about. I didn't get the point of that plot.
So they fake to be in a relationship to go to a couples retreat. There things go from 'we haven't seen each other and I never said I was bi' to 'BTW I'm bi and I always loved you, never had anything with another man because I loved you let's have sex' in a matter of a few days.
I didn't buy it. And the plot for the exciting story for the magazine was just odd.
So nope, I won't recommend it. I was disappointed, especially because I liked Ben in book one and rooted for him.
I'm a sucker for second-chances stories. But they have to be well done. This one wasn't believable. The MCs haven't seen each other for 10 years. They were friends before but seriously I didn't get how deep that friendship was. It was not really shown. After Sam comes back he has scars from an accident we never get to know much about. I didn't get the point of that plot.
So they fake to be in a relationship to go to a couples retreat. There things go from 'we haven't seen each other and I never said I was bi' to 'BTW I'm bi and I always loved you, never had anything with another man because I loved you let's have sex' in a matter of a few days.
I didn't buy it. And the plot for the exciting story for the magazine was just odd.
So nope, I won't recommend it. I was disappointed, especially because I liked Ben in book one and rooted for him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2017
Sean Ashcroft is a major force in the mm world. His books are awe inspiring and leave an impact!! This book takes place in the Cocky world. Sam, a photographer, and Ben, a magazine editor, knew each other a decade ago denying how they felt for each other. Sam moves back to LA after a near death accident hoping he could rekindle that spark with Ben. But their meeting is awkward leaving both with doubts about what the other wants!! Ben is assigned to a couples retreat story and he thinks of Sam. This takes them to a self discovery of them as a couple!! A discovery that will change their lives forever. This is their heartwarming story! That spark turns into a roaring flame!! Don't miss this standalone!! ❤️❤️
July 14, 2024
Ground-breaking this book is not but enjoyable? Sure, I can say enjoyable.
After the first book, I knew roughly what to expect in terms of... style? Drama? Characters so this time, I wasn't expecting the worst to happen and was instead annoyed by all the inner monologues. You know the type of romance with dual POV where the main characters say they are in love BUT can't actually say so or do anything about because Blah Blah? Where there's kind of a problem but nor really because you know they are in love but they don't know the other is in love and you try not to let it drive you crazy but is still annoying? That's what happened here.
For a second chance romance, not a bad one (even if it occasionally reminded me why I am not a fan of this trope).
After the first book, I knew roughly what to expect in terms of... style? Drama? Characters so this time, I wasn't expecting the worst to happen and was instead annoyed by all the inner monologues. You know the type of romance with dual POV where the main characters say they are in love BUT can't actually say so or do anything about because Blah Blah? Where there's kind of a problem but nor really because you know they are in love but they don't know the other is in love and you try not to let it drive you crazy but is still annoying? That's what happened here.
For a second chance romance, not a bad one (even if it occasionally reminded me why I am not a fan of this trope).
August 2, 2023
Good but could have been great. The first half drags a bit with both guys blaming themselves for their time apart and being afraid to say anything about anything. It picks up and they get a chance to work together for what turns out in be a bigger story than expected. The biggest weakness is that the author simultaneously tries to convince the reader that these guys are the best of friends and know each other intimately, and also has them constantly jumping to wrong conclusions and misunderstanding each other. Can’t be both. It got annoying. Still, it ended well and even the epilogue felt right for the characters so I am rounding my 3.5 to 4 stars.
August 29, 2021
Ballsy can easily be read as a standalone. It’s a sweet story about second chance love under the guise of a fake relationship. Both Ben and Sam are delightful characters, and even though they are getting to know each other again, their communication and vulnerability with each other is heartwarming. Like the previous book in the series, Ballsy is more romance and character driven then it is drama driven. I think it works well for the story since the characters are really delightful. The audiobook was well done and I enjoyed listening to it.
May 17, 2017
This was unfortunately not as good as Cocky. While I enjoyed the relationship building between Sam and Ben, overall it was still undeveloped. It is still unclear why they didn't talk for ten years. Yes, one of them moved away but that doesn't mean you can't call the other person and talk to them. I also didn't like that it was exactly the same story as in Cocky, namely pretending to be boyfriends. The drama at the couple's retreat was underwhelming and very obvious.
July 7, 2017
Cocky #2
It was better than the first one in that it didn't skip as much as the first one did. I didn't feel like I only got to read half the book while the other half was floating out there somewhere in the ether, but I did feel like it jumped around a lot. The story just didn't flow as well as it could have. I still liked it, but it could've been so much better with a bit more length and depth.
Read:
July 6, 2017 - Kindle Unlimited
It was better than the first one in that it didn't skip as much as the first one did. I didn't feel like I only got to read half the book while the other half was floating out there somewhere in the ether, but I did feel like it jumped around a lot. The story just didn't flow as well as it could have. I still liked it, but it could've been so much better with a bit more length and depth.
Read:
July 6, 2017 - Kindle Unlimited
May 7, 2019
I don't typically enjoy shorter format books, and at only 5 hours (audiobook), Cocky was firmly in that category. However - the amount of character development and nuanced plot that unfurled in those 5 hours was incredible. This book has much more maturity and depth than your typical romance novel, and I look forward to reading more by Sean Ashcroft.
A shoutout to the narrator - Joel Leslie was the perfect choice and he did a fantastic job.
A shoutout to the narrator - Joel Leslie was the perfect choice and he did a fantastic job.
April 12, 2023
This was such a good book. I wish it was more consistent in it's excitement, the first 2/3 of the book was more slice-of-life in tone. There was some interesting plot in the last quarter which could have been leaned into more. But the book is great for what it is. Very wholesome and sweet in tone. I am slightly annoyed that Sam seems to always expect the worst, that insecurity was a bit annoying by the end of the book.
June 5, 2023
If you are prone to motion sickness, stay away. The constant internal back and forth (he loves me, he loves me not) is so nauseating. For example, in the same monologue Ben is meant to be with Sam, can't be with Sam, knows Sam loves him, wonders if Sam loves him, is convinced they will be together forever and is also convinced Sam is about to walk away. **EYE ROLL**
If you took away all the wishy-washy internal dialogue, the book would be about 30 pages long. Pass.
If you took away all the wishy-washy internal dialogue, the book would be about 30 pages long. Pass.
May 19, 2017
*ARC provided by the Author in exchange for an honest review*
I'm so sorry but i didn't like this story like the previous ones. Top many internal blubberings and some part undeveloped. If they were best friends why not even an email in ten years??
But i've loved the airport scene so much! So sweet!
I'm so sorry but i didn't like this story like the previous ones. Top many internal blubberings and some part undeveloped. If they were best friends why not even an email in ten years??
But i've loved the airport scene so much! So sweet!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews