What do you think?
Rate this book
Cheat(er) Code
An erotic graphic novel that pushes all the right buttons, Cheat(er) Code is a hilarious, sexy, and surprisingly tender story about navigating heartbreak and rediscovering your own confidence.
Kennedy and his boyfriend Seth have been together six years, and honestly, it's pretty comfortable. That is, until the couple gets into a huge, potentially relationship-changing fight. Kennedy turns to his trusty video games to distract himself, but when a random power surge hits, he's transported inside his video game library. Dazed and incredulous about his digital predicament, Ken finds himself seduced by a silver daddy, rutting with a couple of barbarians from an epic fantasy, and sorting through a lot of confusing feelings about his favorite anthropomorphic cheetah character. Kennedy will need to confront his biggest fears to get back to reality before the game glitches him out of existence, but sometimes, the unexpected (and unexpectedly sexy) is just what you need to hit the reset button.
"Hilarious and heartwarming, it's an absolute must for your favorite gaymer and an incredible read for anyone who's ever console-d themselves through a heartbreak.” —Tini Howard
Kennedy and his boyfriend Seth have been together six years, and honestly, it's pretty comfortable. That is, until the couple gets into a huge, potentially relationship-changing fight. Kennedy turns to his trusty video games to distract himself, but when a random power surge hits, he's transported inside his video game library. Dazed and incredulous about his digital predicament, Ken finds himself seduced by a silver daddy, rutting with a couple of barbarians from an epic fantasy, and sorting through a lot of confusing feelings about his favorite anthropomorphic cheetah character. Kennedy will need to confront his biggest fears to get back to reality before the game glitches him out of existence, but sometimes, the unexpected (and unexpectedly sexy) is just what you need to hit the reset button.
"Hilarious and heartwarming, it's an absolute must for your favorite gaymer and an incredible read for anyone who's ever console-d themselves through a heartbreak.” —Tini Howard
144 pages, Paperback
First published September 22, 2020
17 people are currently reading
501 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
June 27, 2020
A huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I have to be honest here. I was naive when I requested this graphic novel. It said it was homoerotic, but I did not expect it to be this homoerotic, haha! I figured, I love graphic novels, I love (homo)erotica (I mean I read so much fanfiction), this is right up my alley!
Then the first page was a blowjob, with some rimming, and anal sex.
I immediately realized I had grossly miscalculated the amount of erotica, but was 100% here for it! I had a good chuckle at myself; who knew that I could still be taken by surprise, hahah!
Cheat(er) Code was so good, though! There is some actual character development; I am so proud of Ken! Also, Seth can fucking choke. The ending was just the best and I couldn't stop grinning. There is also plenty of humor throughout the novel, and a lot of puns, which was just akdgjhadsg.
It was also incredibly realistic (yknow, for a fantasy/science fiction homoerotic graphic novel). I mean that prep was done and lube was used, always, and Ken even douched. These things get overlooked so often, so I loved that here they were on full display and not shied away from.
And then there is the art- which is absolutely amazing! All the kudos! The facial expressions were chef's kiss and the sexual scenes were so well done, too. You never had to wonder what was happening because it was unclear.
ALSO A HUGE SHOUT OUT TO THE FACT THAT KENNEDY IS NOT RIPPED. AND THAT KENNEDY CALLS OUT SOMEONE FOR SIZE-SHAMING. AND THAT IT BREAKS THE STEREOTYPICAL LOOKS OF TOPS AND BOTTOMS.
I loved Ken's belly, I have never understood the appeal of six packs and being absolutely ripped. This was just another instance of realism, as most gay erotica only features 'perfect men'.
Also, the biggest guy in the story, was a major bottom, and a 'dick pig'. I love it when stereotypes get shattered, and this book just kept doing it!
Also loved (and laughed at) the nod at tentacle porn- brilliant!
All in all, I would 100% recommend this to you if this is your thing; it's just too good to pass up!
I have to be honest here. I was naive when I requested this graphic novel. It said it was homoerotic, but I did not expect it to be this homoerotic, haha! I figured, I love graphic novels, I love (homo)erotica (I mean I read so much fanfiction), this is right up my alley!
Then the first page was a blowjob, with some rimming, and anal sex.
I immediately realized I had grossly miscalculated the amount of erotica, but was 100% here for it! I had a good chuckle at myself; who knew that I could still be taken by surprise, hahah!
Cheat(er) Code was so good, though! There is some actual character development; I am so proud of Ken! Also, Seth can fucking choke. The ending was just the best and I couldn't stop grinning. There is also plenty of humor throughout the novel, and a lot of puns, which was just akdgjhadsg.
It was also incredibly realistic (yknow, for a fantasy/science fiction homoerotic graphic novel). I mean that prep was done and lube was used, always, and Ken even douched. These things get overlooked so often, so I loved that here they were on full display and not shied away from.
And then there is the art- which is absolutely amazing! All the kudos! The facial expressions were chef's kiss and the sexual scenes were so well done, too. You never had to wonder what was happening because it was unclear.
ALSO A HUGE SHOUT OUT TO THE FACT THAT KENNEDY IS NOT RIPPED. AND THAT KENNEDY CALLS OUT SOMEONE FOR SIZE-SHAMING. AND THAT IT BREAKS THE STEREOTYPICAL LOOKS OF TOPS AND BOTTOMS.
I loved Ken's belly, I have never understood the appeal of six packs and being absolutely ripped. This was just another instance of realism, as most gay erotica only features 'perfect men'.
Also, the biggest guy in the story, was a major bottom, and a 'dick pig'. I love it when stereotypes get shattered, and this book just kept doing it!
Also loved (and laughed at) the nod at tentacle porn- brilliant!
All in all, I would 100% recommend this to you if this is your thing; it's just too good to pass up!
August 29, 2020
thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
i really was in for a surprise when i read this. when i started it, i wasn’t aware of, well, anything, so it was a bit of a shock.
this graphic novel follows kennedy, a boy who just broke up with his boyfriend because he found out he was cheating on him. after the breakup, ken falls into a deep sleep to live a very... peculiar adventure.
now, as i said, i went into it completely blind so i didn’t know the main theme of this story was video games. i’m personally not a fan of them so getting immersed into a story where the main character is technically in one, was a little heavy for me.
other than that, the story was okay. it didn’t blow my mind but it was a fun comic to read. however, i didn’t like how the ending wrapped everything up too quickly and the main character happened to overcome his grieving just by the snap of his fingers. i still recommend it to anyone who’s comfortable with reading graphic novels with explicit content.
i really was in for a surprise when i read this. when i started it, i wasn’t aware of, well, anything, so it was a bit of a shock.
this graphic novel follows kennedy, a boy who just broke up with his boyfriend because he found out he was cheating on him. after the breakup, ken falls into a deep sleep to live a very... peculiar adventure.
now, as i said, i went into it completely blind so i didn’t know the main theme of this story was video games. i’m personally not a fan of them so getting immersed into a story where the main character is technically in one, was a little heavy for me.
other than that, the story was okay. it didn’t blow my mind but it was a fun comic to read. however, i didn’t like how the ending wrapped everything up too quickly and the main character happened to overcome his grieving just by the snap of his fingers. i still recommend it to anyone who’s comfortable with reading graphic novels with explicit content.
February 10, 2021
Wreck-It Ralph but with a different kind of wrecking.
After catching his boyfriend of six years cheating on him, Kennedy is devastated. Ken decides some
hand to gland combat is in order to take his mind of things. In comic book fashion, lightning strikes at just the right moment and Ken is trasported into his console.
His games are glitching and Ken needs the help of some of his favourite characters to navigate the different worlds, while having some nsfw fun along the way! Ken also comes to terms with the break-up and the characters he meets up with help him discover his self-worth.
This was a super fun and hot graphic novel, that's brilliantly written and has amazing artwork!
After catching his boyfriend of six years cheating on him, Kennedy is devastated. Ken decides some
hand to gland combat is in order to take his mind of things. In comic book fashion, lightning strikes at just the right moment and Ken is trasported into his console.
His games are glitching and Ken needs the help of some of his favourite characters to navigate the different worlds, while having some nsfw fun along the way! Ken also comes to terms with the break-up and the characters he meets up with help him discover his self-worth.
This was a super fun and hot graphic novel, that's brilliantly written and has amazing artwork!
September 17, 2020
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review!
Oh boy, I saw this cover and just had to click on read now as I had to have it. Boy oh boy, the first pages were immediately action. fans herself That really set the tone to what the book would give us, and I love it (though I wasn’t fan of the cheating, but I meant the detailed sex parts).
I felt sad for our MC. He comes home from work only to find the love of his life, the guy he has been with for 6 years, having sex in the kitchen with another man. My heart instantly broke for this guy. And I wanted to kick his boyfriend in the nuts. Sorry, but if you don’t have those feelings for someone BE FUCKING honest and don’t FUCK around (literally in this case :P).
While I am happy that his boyfriend talked, I hated his excuses. Why not have talked about these feelings sooner? If you wanted more sex? Talk. If you wanted to do more exercising with your lover? TALK. If you felt your relationship was in a fucking rut, again TALK. Good lord. 😐
I had such a big laugh at the app Ken opened up, FUKR.
I loved that Ken didn’t sit down and gloom and doom, instead he just immediately went for things. Good guy! Don’t let that piece of poo ex let you go in the dumps.
And then the fun really starts when Ken ejaculates on his game console… to be transported to the gaming world. OH MY GOD. I loved that. I am a big lover of games and play a ton of games as well, so I loved seeing which games he got into (Silent Hill (BDSM kind of) for first which made me squee). I loved seeing how he got into each game and how self-aware the characters were. I was definitely curious if he was dreaming (good dreams man) or if he really jizzed up his game console good. ;P
I loved how self-aware each game character was. How they explained stuff, how they guided the MC, and much more. It made for a really fun read. Plus, I just loved seeing each new world and how our MC tried to make the best of things. In the end everything comes together and there was just a big squee when I saw one of my favourite characters appear (a bit more dystopian, plus a bit more like Ken’s boyfriend, and oh yes let’s not forget the dick sword, but still it was him). And yes, in my head I was playing that song along with the scenes that featured him.
Each new character (well most of them) gets plenty of sexy scenes with our MC (not to mention we get to see some other very sexy scenes along the way when we get to the spaceship/space game), and OH WOW. I need some ice cubes after reading those, because they were HOT. Sizzling. Steamy. DETAILED. Which isn’t bad oh no not at all, but the yaoi/shounen ai I have been reading for years wasn’t always this explicit (though some were of course), and I really started reading erotic comics since… well last year. Oh boy.
I loved the last level and I was just enjoying it so so much. I loved that the book ended the way it did, it was truly perfect. I am so happy for Ken. And yes, I am crying a bit. That guy deserves someone special. Someone great. Someone who won’t judge him for gaming.
The art was just amazing and I love the style. The sex scenes were drawn wonderfully.
I would highly recommend this sexy, funny, adventurous graphic novel to everyone.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Oh boy, I saw this cover and just had to click on read now as I had to have it. Boy oh boy, the first pages were immediately action. fans herself That really set the tone to what the book would give us, and I love it (though I wasn’t fan of the cheating, but I meant the detailed sex parts).
I felt sad for our MC. He comes home from work only to find the love of his life, the guy he has been with for 6 years, having sex in the kitchen with another man. My heart instantly broke for this guy. And I wanted to kick his boyfriend in the nuts. Sorry, but if you don’t have those feelings for someone BE FUCKING honest and don’t FUCK around (literally in this case :P).
While I am happy that his boyfriend talked, I hated his excuses. Why not have talked about these feelings sooner? If you wanted more sex? Talk. If you wanted to do more exercising with your lover? TALK. If you felt your relationship was in a fucking rut, again TALK. Good lord. 😐
I had such a big laugh at the app Ken opened up, FUKR.
I loved that Ken didn’t sit down and gloom and doom, instead he just immediately went for things. Good guy! Don’t let that piece of poo ex let you go in the dumps.
And then the fun really starts when Ken ejaculates on his game console… to be transported to the gaming world. OH MY GOD. I loved that. I am a big lover of games and play a ton of games as well, so I loved seeing which games he got into (Silent Hill (BDSM kind of) for first which made me squee). I loved seeing how he got into each game and how self-aware the characters were. I was definitely curious if he was dreaming (good dreams man) or if he really jizzed up his game console good. ;P
I loved how self-aware each game character was. How they explained stuff, how they guided the MC, and much more. It made for a really fun read. Plus, I just loved seeing each new world and how our MC tried to make the best of things. In the end everything comes together and there was just a big squee when I saw one of my favourite characters appear (a bit more dystopian, plus a bit more like Ken’s boyfriend, and oh yes let’s not forget the dick sword, but still it was him). And yes, in my head I was playing that song along with the scenes that featured him.
Each new character (well most of them) gets plenty of sexy scenes with our MC (not to mention we get to see some other very sexy scenes along the way when we get to the spaceship/space game), and OH WOW. I need some ice cubes after reading those, because they were HOT. Sizzling. Steamy. DETAILED. Which isn’t bad oh no not at all, but the yaoi/shounen ai I have been reading for years wasn’t always this explicit (though some were of course), and I really started reading erotic comics since… well last year. Oh boy.
I loved the last level and I was just enjoying it so so much. I loved that the book ended the way it did, it was truly perfect. I am so happy for Ken. And yes, I am crying a bit. That guy deserves someone special. Someone great. Someone who won’t judge him for gaming.
The art was just amazing and I love the style. The sex scenes were drawn wonderfully.
I would highly recommend this sexy, funny, adventurous graphic novel to everyone.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
September 8, 2020
• Cheater code (by S.A. FOXE)
The thing that highlighted through out the book is humor. And I love a good laugh. And the very very imagery gay sex scenes.
I was reading this book alone in my room at night and my parents were in the other room, boy do I know how much I struggled to subdue the big laughs
The comical fun, the spontaneous stuff, the ambiguity and the specific madness and total out of the blue things that were happening in the book is bizarre and that's what made me finish this book in one sitting
I do loved this book. The character devolpoement and the getting over your ex part withal a fun and massively insane incidentwas such the jewel that shone brightly.
The main character Ken got cheated and dumped by his boyfriend after a 6 year long relationship and then stuff happened and he got sucked into video game and not only one game but mixture of all the games he plays connected by a glitch
Except the particular fun things there's a lot of sex and I mean a lot of explicit sex scenes being this a graphic novel.
Damn this is for someone over 15 years i may add. I recommend this book to everyone who has no problem to read and have visuals of gay sex scenes in every alternate pages
• Character development- 4.5☆
• Story Plot- 3.5☆
• Side characters- 4☆
• Flow of the story- 5☆
• Overall - 4☆
The thing that highlighted through out the book is humor. And I love a good laugh. And the very very imagery gay sex scenes.
I was reading this book alone in my room at night and my parents were in the other room, boy do I know how much I struggled to subdue the big laughs
The comical fun, the spontaneous stuff, the ambiguity and the specific madness and total out of the blue things that were happening in the book is bizarre and that's what made me finish this book in one sitting
I do loved this book. The character devolpoement and the getting over your ex part withal a fun and massively insane incidentwas such the jewel that shone brightly.
The main character Ken got cheated and dumped by his boyfriend after a 6 year long relationship and then stuff happened and he got sucked into video game and not only one game but mixture of all the games he plays connected by a glitch
Except the particular fun things there's a lot of sex and I mean a lot of explicit sex scenes being this a graphic novel.
Damn this is for someone over 15 years i may add. I recommend this book to everyone who has no problem to read and have visuals of gay sex scenes in every alternate pages
• Character development- 4.5☆
• Story Plot- 3.5☆
• Side characters- 4☆
• Flow of the story- 5☆
• Overall - 4☆
November 2, 2022
Zabavan i erotičan strip o ljubavi, vjernosti i seksualnosti
August 13, 2020
At heart, a graphic novel about a gamer learning to love himself as he is and accepting that the relationship he thought was perfect had just run its course, Cheater Code is a super sweet and empowering read that takes the "graphic" very seriously.
Kennedy comes home one day to very graphically discover that his boyfriend has been cheating on him for a while instead of manning up and actually talking to him about their problems. In the middle of his heartbreak, a freak accident happens that flings Ken into his gaming console and the game worlds he so often found refuge in. So begins Ken's epically erotic journey of discovery and self-acceptance.
Kudos to the artists for making sure that all kinds of bodies (love Ken's little paunch) and mentalities are displayed and explored, as well as keeping the sex realistic and safe with discussions about lube, protection, and consent!
Great art and several laugh-out-loud moments keep the plot moving, while the "action" always fits the moment in the plot and leads to character development. Not an easy feat to accomplish but definitely one that's noted and appreciated.
Overall, Cheater Code is a fantastic graphic novel for mature readers that has a great message and lots of great jokes and visuals to enjoy.
Many happy thanks to NetGalley and OniPress for the advanced read!
Kennedy comes home one day to very graphically discover that his boyfriend has been cheating on him for a while instead of manning up and actually talking to him about their problems. In the middle of his heartbreak, a freak accident happens that flings Ken into his gaming console and the game worlds he so often found refuge in. So begins Ken's epically erotic journey of discovery and self-acceptance.
Kudos to the artists for making sure that all kinds of bodies (love Ken's little paunch) and mentalities are displayed and explored, as well as keeping the sex realistic and safe with discussions about lube, protection, and consent!
Great art and several laugh-out-loud moments keep the plot moving, while the "action" always fits the moment in the plot and leads to character development. Not an easy feat to accomplish but definitely one that's noted and appreciated.
Overall, Cheater Code is a fantastic graphic novel for mature readers that has a great message and lots of great jokes and visuals to enjoy.
Many happy thanks to NetGalley and OniPress for the advanced read!
August 15, 2020
ARC Review
🖤"But if i can't face a digital avatar of Seth carrying a giant dick sword, then what hope do i have of getting over him in real life."
🖤🖤
Erotic fiction is definitely up there as one of my fave genres because sex. Such fun reading well written consensual sex on a page. So getting this graphic novel was definitely a happy occasion🎉🎉 .
On the one hand, Cheater Code is a fun fun erotic graphic novel of finding yourself after a relationship goes bust. On the other hand, it's just pure unbridled consensual sex fun all the characters' get up to in vivid colour.
Thank you to Netgalley and Oni Press Comics for giving me this comic in exchange for an honest review, I LOVED IT!!
September 2, 2022
such an absurd but still (somehow) heartfelt spicy story. super fun!
July 9, 2020
This Adult graphic novel follows Kenny on a journey through a video game he has been pulled into during a power surge.
Pre power surge, Kenny walks in on his boyfriend of six years having sex with someone else. This throws his life completely off balance, so his boyfriend temporarily moves out. This is when all the fun starts.
Kenny is sucked into a video game that he believes to only be a dream. He meets some amazing characters, has even more amazing sex, and discovers what he will and won't accept in the real world.
In between all of the amazing sex, he is facing glitches in the game that want to erase him from existence. During each of his sexual experiences he learns just a little more about what he likes and who he is.
I have to say, one of my favorite parts happened when he met his video game avatar. He was a better looking version of him, and we were just able to see what he wished he could be. THEN!!!! He has sex with himself and it is so freaking amazing!! In the book, his avatar actually says something about the psychology paper that could be written about that scene, and a previous psychology major I LOVED it!!
I love love loved Kenny's hero speech when standing up to the video game version of his ex-boyfriend. That's when you see all of his growth. It was just overall a great moment!!
And finally, I loved the HEA ending. Telling his Ex he forgives him but needs to move on was so perfect. I swear, it made me smile so hard to see him change from the man from the beginning, who originally begged for his ex to stay!!
Pre power surge, Kenny walks in on his boyfriend of six years having sex with someone else. This throws his life completely off balance, so his boyfriend temporarily moves out. This is when all the fun starts.
Kenny is sucked into a video game that he believes to only be a dream. He meets some amazing characters, has even more amazing sex, and discovers what he will and won't accept in the real world.
In between all of the amazing sex, he is facing glitches in the game that want to erase him from existence. During each of his sexual experiences he learns just a little more about what he likes and who he is.
I have to say, one of my favorite parts happened when he met his video game avatar. He was a better looking version of him, and we were just able to see what he wished he could be. THEN!!!! He has sex with himself and it is so freaking amazing!! In the book, his avatar actually says something about the psychology paper that could be written about that scene, and a previous psychology major I LOVED it!!
I love love loved Kenny's hero speech when standing up to the video game version of his ex-boyfriend. That's when you see all of his growth. It was just overall a great moment!!
And finally, I loved the HEA ending. Telling his Ex he forgives him but needs to move on was so perfect. I swear, it made me smile so hard to see him change from the man from the beginning, who originally begged for his ex to stay!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2022
This was such a fun, sweet and steamy read with a lovely art style. While there is a lot of sex, its also got a plot and plenty of emotion too.
A great concept and setting, allowing the mc to rediscover himself and to move forward after heartbreak. The boss battle, getting the chance to speak his feelings and thoughts was wonderful.
Of course the game characters are incredible too and I enjoyed every moment, as jumps through the different worlds. The steamy scenes get creative too.
With a happy ending, loved the look into his future! 💕
A great concept and setting, allowing the mc to rediscover himself and to move forward after heartbreak. The boss battle, getting the chance to speak his feelings and thoughts was wonderful.
Of course the game characters are incredible too and I enjoyed every moment, as jumps through the different worlds. The steamy scenes get creative too.
With a happy ending, loved the look into his future! 💕
April 12, 2022
Though the attempt at casting a sensible mythology over this silly video game world was a little labored, this was a cute little story about the healing power of rebound sex with ogres and anthropomorphic cats.
If you like video games and being gay and spending at least an hour making devastatingly handsome Mass Effect and Elden Ring characters only to put a helmet on them for the next 50 hours, then you will enjoy spending 20 minutes reading this story.
If you like video games and being gay and spending at least an hour making devastatingly handsome Mass Effect and Elden Ring characters only to put a helmet on them for the next 50 hours, then you will enjoy spending 20 minutes reading this story.
June 27, 2020
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Copy received through Netgalley
~
Cheat(er) Code, by S.A. Foxe, Daz (Illustrations)
★★★★★
144 Pages
WOW!
I mean...wow.
I picked this up because it had a super adorable cover, and I was really intrigued by the concept of the blurb. But what I got was...SO much more!
On page one, we walk right into a sex scene...and by the end of the first few pages, so does poor Kenny, our hero of the story. The first few pages hit like a punch to the gut. Emotional, heart-breaking. We start off a touch confused, because neither of the two men getting it on resemble the guy on the cover. Then in walks Kenny...to find his boyfriend, Seth, right in...ahem...the thick of it.
The artwork, at this point, is stunning. So detailed and incredible. I'm a huge lover of yaoi manga, and this could easily rival their artwork for the depth and characterisation in every little clever detail. From the couple photographs in the background, the cat's reactions, to the sweat, tears and character quirks. Everything is in start, realistic detail. Right down to the variations in every character's physique. There is so much diversity in the characters, from height, weight, *cough* size, and more. SO much thought and attention to detail has gone into making this.
THEN...there's the grief, the heartbreak as Kenny tries to fight for a relationship that died somewhere in his peripheral vision. He's eager and desperate to take Seth back, but Seth isn't. It comes across as though Seth deliberately set himself up to be caught in flagrante, because he just didn't have the guts to admit he wasn't happy in the relationship anymore – what I like to call, the coward's way out.
Sorry...I'm firmly Team Kenny, here, as you can tell.
Watching Kenny try to pull himself together, after Seth's cruel jibes about how he's let himself go, how he doesn't care anymore, about how he's more involved in his video games than their relationship, and even claiming that 30 is too young to be in an “old married couple” relationship. Well, don't worry, Kenny. You deserve better. And you're about to get it. ;)
Because, as he's considering Seth's accusations, he decides to be a little reckless. I worried so much for him when he opened the FUKR app (a nod to GRINDR) and started scouting for a casual fling. But, I have to give HUGE props to the author for making Kenny's characterisation so solid that he specified safe sex, and even douched before his “date” – that, thankfully, fell through. So he turns to his solace of video games. Which is where things get a little...weird. Good weird.
Now, I'm no video gamer. I have no idea about video games beyond what I've read or seen on TV, but the AMAZING, incredible, detailed, STUNNING artwork that appeared as Kenny fell into his video games utterly blew my mind. Each video game had a distinct vision, aesthetic, atmosphere. I could immediately tell if there was some glitch from another game, because it *felt* different on the page. It had a different tone. That is SO HARD to do, in a graphic novel.
I won't lie, the sexy parts were awesome. But they weren't shallow or hot-without-plot. They were real learning moments for Kenny. Parts where he realised that Seth might have ditched him, but he was a good guy, attractive, and he deserved to be happy. He deserved to find someone who appreciated him for who he was.
All throughout the story, Kenny has a cute little paunch, and Seth's claims make it sound like he *used to* go to the gym often and take care of his figure. But it's also suggested that long work hours and lots of gaming gave him a comfort blanket that let his healthy lifestyle slide. Which is so damned realistic it hurts. But it doesn't stop the video game characters – of all shapes and sizes – finding him attractive. Their self-awareness of being video game characters just adds to the dynamic. They *know* Kenny. They know how he's found alongside them, supported them, travelled with them, and created them, for years. That was a little touch I hadn't expected, but actually meant so much.
In the end, he changed not because he wanted to win Seth back, not because he *needed* to change, but because he'd found his happiness in being ALONE. He realised he'd lost interest because he hadn't been happy, and once he let Seth go, it was an epiphany that changed his life for the better. He spent more time with friends, on himself, with the cat. There was no vengeance, no fury and pettiness in letting Seth go. Kenny didn't lash out. He did the brave, smart thing and was the better man who was able to find the strength and courage to let Seth go. To forgive him. To move on into a healthier, happier life without him.
I utterly adored the final few pages – from Dash's wink and thumbs up, to that SO satisfying last page – and I couldn't have asked for a better ending.
And I won't lie, a huge part of me was on Team Dash.
Cheat(er) Code began as a touching, realistic portrayal of one sweet guy's search for self-confidence, and ended up a super cute, funny, remarkably emotional journal of self-acceptance. I wasn't prepared for the emotional attachment, and I appreciated the strong message of safe-sex and acceptance, the self love that evolved through Kenny's journey. The innuendos of the video game characters added humour and fun.
This begins as an X-rated version of Wreck It Ralph and ends in a beautiful story of self-appreciation, reminding you to love yourself for who you are, and don't settle for loving someone who can't do the same.
Come pay-day, I'm buying this in paperback, because this is a solid re-read.
~
Favourite Quotes
Copy received through Netgalley
~
Cheat(er) Code, by S.A. Foxe, Daz (Illustrations)
★★★★★
144 Pages
WOW!
I mean...wow.
I picked this up because it had a super adorable cover, and I was really intrigued by the concept of the blurb. But what I got was...SO much more!
On page one, we walk right into a sex scene...and by the end of the first few pages, so does poor Kenny, our hero of the story. The first few pages hit like a punch to the gut. Emotional, heart-breaking. We start off a touch confused, because neither of the two men getting it on resemble the guy on the cover. Then in walks Kenny...to find his boyfriend, Seth, right in...ahem...the thick of it.
The artwork, at this point, is stunning. So detailed and incredible. I'm a huge lover of yaoi manga, and this could easily rival their artwork for the depth and characterisation in every little clever detail. From the couple photographs in the background, the cat's reactions, to the sweat, tears and character quirks. Everything is in start, realistic detail. Right down to the variations in every character's physique. There is so much diversity in the characters, from height, weight, *cough* size, and more. SO much thought and attention to detail has gone into making this.
THEN...there's the grief, the heartbreak as Kenny tries to fight for a relationship that died somewhere in his peripheral vision. He's eager and desperate to take Seth back, but Seth isn't. It comes across as though Seth deliberately set himself up to be caught in flagrante, because he just didn't have the guts to admit he wasn't happy in the relationship anymore – what I like to call, the coward's way out.
Sorry...I'm firmly Team Kenny, here, as you can tell.
Watching Kenny try to pull himself together, after Seth's cruel jibes about how he's let himself go, how he doesn't care anymore, about how he's more involved in his video games than their relationship, and even claiming that 30 is too young to be in an “old married couple” relationship. Well, don't worry, Kenny. You deserve better. And you're about to get it. ;)
Because, as he's considering Seth's accusations, he decides to be a little reckless. I worried so much for him when he opened the FUKR app (a nod to GRINDR) and started scouting for a casual fling. But, I have to give HUGE props to the author for making Kenny's characterisation so solid that he specified safe sex, and even douched before his “date” – that, thankfully, fell through. So he turns to his solace of video games. Which is where things get a little...weird. Good weird.
Now, I'm no video gamer. I have no idea about video games beyond what I've read or seen on TV, but the AMAZING, incredible, detailed, STUNNING artwork that appeared as Kenny fell into his video games utterly blew my mind. Each video game had a distinct vision, aesthetic, atmosphere. I could immediately tell if there was some glitch from another game, because it *felt* different on the page. It had a different tone. That is SO HARD to do, in a graphic novel.
I won't lie, the sexy parts were awesome. But they weren't shallow or hot-without-plot. They were real learning moments for Kenny. Parts where he realised that Seth might have ditched him, but he was a good guy, attractive, and he deserved to be happy. He deserved to find someone who appreciated him for who he was.
All throughout the story, Kenny has a cute little paunch, and Seth's claims make it sound like he *used to* go to the gym often and take care of his figure. But it's also suggested that long work hours and lots of gaming gave him a comfort blanket that let his healthy lifestyle slide. Which is so damned realistic it hurts. But it doesn't stop the video game characters – of all shapes and sizes – finding him attractive. Their self-awareness of being video game characters just adds to the dynamic. They *know* Kenny. They know how he's found alongside them, supported them, travelled with them, and created them, for years. That was a little touch I hadn't expected, but actually meant so much.
In the end, he changed not because he wanted to win Seth back, not because he *needed* to change, but because he'd found his happiness in being ALONE. He realised he'd lost interest because he hadn't been happy, and once he let Seth go, it was an epiphany that changed his life for the better. He spent more time with friends, on himself, with the cat. There was no vengeance, no fury and pettiness in letting Seth go. Kenny didn't lash out. He did the brave, smart thing and was the better man who was able to find the strength and courage to let Seth go. To forgive him. To move on into a healthier, happier life without him.
I utterly adored the final few pages – from Dash's wink and thumbs up, to that SO satisfying last page – and I couldn't have asked for a better ending.
And I won't lie, a huge part of me was on Team Dash.
Cheat(er) Code began as a touching, realistic portrayal of one sweet guy's search for self-confidence, and ended up a super cute, funny, remarkably emotional journal of self-acceptance. I wasn't prepared for the emotional attachment, and I appreciated the strong message of safe-sex and acceptance, the self love that evolved through Kenny's journey. The innuendos of the video game characters added humour and fun.
This begins as an X-rated version of Wreck It Ralph and ends in a beautiful story of self-appreciation, reminding you to love yourself for who you are, and don't settle for loving someone who can't do the same.
Come pay-day, I'm buying this in paperback, because this is a solid re-read.
~
Favourite Quotes
October 2, 2020
It was a fun read 🔥🔥
Read
April 9, 2023Uhhh.... i found this in the archive as i volunteered today and it was... something else for sure!
November 22, 2024
Oh I devoured this in less than an hour. What a sexy and sentimental read.
July 17, 2025
ummmm ok wtf was this
October 15, 2020
I received this eARC from Netgalley. All my opinions are my own unbiased views.
---
This is such a fun read! And I loved the concept too! Kenny, the protagonist, finds his boyfriend cheating on him and thus leading them to break up.
For me, one of the downfalls for graphic novels is the lack of character development, unless they're a part of a series. But Cheat(er) Code does this really well! Not only that, the art style is great too!
Once again, a huge thank you goes to Netgalley for allowing me a review copy!
---
This is such a fun read! And I loved the concept too! Kenny, the protagonist, finds his boyfriend cheating on him and thus leading them to break up.
For me, one of the downfalls for graphic novels is the lack of character development, unless they're a part of a series. But Cheat(er) Code does this really well! Not only that, the art style is great too!
Once again, a huge thank you goes to Netgalley for allowing me a review copy!
September 7, 2022
This book is porn. I don’t know why I thought it wouldn’t be, because it’s described as an erotic graphic novel, but for some reason I expected fade to black or the sex to happen off panel or something. But no. It’s porn. That said, it’s a really good book.
I got the book because I absolutely love the artist and the art style. The art is simply incredible. And the story was really interesting, a man getting trapped in his videos games and letting them help him navigate his break up. It was a great story concept and actually ended up being thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining.
The diversity in this book is what I think I enjoyed the most. There were so many different people, races, body types, sizes, etc depicted, and everyone was considered to be sexy and beautiful regardless of what they looked like. That was nice and uplifting and so full of wonderful body positivity.
Overall, nice fun read. My asexual self could have done with less sex and more story, the concept had such high potential. But it’s a good book for what it is, and the art is phenomenal.
I got the book because I absolutely love the artist and the art style. The art is simply incredible. And the story was really interesting, a man getting trapped in his videos games and letting them help him navigate his break up. It was a great story concept and actually ended up being thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining.
The diversity in this book is what I think I enjoyed the most. There were so many different people, races, body types, sizes, etc depicted, and everyone was considered to be sexy and beautiful regardless of what they looked like. That was nice and uplifting and so full of wonderful body positivity.
Overall, nice fun read. My asexual self could have done with less sex and more story, the concept had such high potential. But it’s a good book for what it is, and the art is phenomenal.
August 4, 2020
A big thank you to Oni Press & NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of Cheater Code in exchange for an honest review!
This graphic novel is the perfect mixture of super sexy, fun, and also empowering. In such a short graphic novel I was so pleasantly surprised to see such a growth from Kennedy, I found him as a delight to read from. At the beginning of this story Kennedy walks in on his long term boyfriend sleeping with someone else. Kennedy is absolutely heartbroken, he thought they were happy together and now he can’t see a life without Seth. When a certain...(ahem ;) ) situation gets Kennedy sucked into some of his favourite video games he will see a new side of himself and discovery things he never would of.
I love the art style in this book, I’m still new to graphic novels but I found this one to be so inviting. With each video game we entered the colours would change and it was such a wonderful experience. This story is also so addictive once I started reading I had to just continue on with it, and I can say for a fact I will for sure look at more from this author!
If you are wanting a sexy little graphic novel then you really don’t need to look any further, I couldn’t of asked for anything more from it!
This graphic novel is the perfect mixture of super sexy, fun, and also empowering. In such a short graphic novel I was so pleasantly surprised to see such a growth from Kennedy, I found him as a delight to read from. At the beginning of this story Kennedy walks in on his long term boyfriend sleeping with someone else. Kennedy is absolutely heartbroken, he thought they were happy together and now he can’t see a life without Seth. When a certain...(ahem ;) ) situation gets Kennedy sucked into some of his favourite video games he will see a new side of himself and discovery things he never would of.
I love the art style in this book, I’m still new to graphic novels but I found this one to be so inviting. With each video game we entered the colours would change and it was such a wonderful experience. This story is also so addictive once I started reading I had to just continue on with it, and I can say for a fact I will for sure look at more from this author!
If you are wanting a sexy little graphic novel then you really don’t need to look any further, I couldn’t of asked for anything more from it!
July 10, 2020
So much fun! This *graphic* novel follows our Player One, Ken, as he confronts heartbreak in a Jumanji-style video game sequence. With fantastic art, hilariously bad puns, and many clever nods to gaymer culture, Cheater Code is sure to be a hit. Major props for having a motivating story arc and for that Fogtown sequence! Rated M for Mature; joystick required. Thanks to NetGalley, Oni Press, and S.A. Foxe for the ARC!
November 24, 2020
When I first read this book I fell in love with it. The starting was a bit dramatic which I loved. I absolutely loved this. I read it about 5 times since I got it. The art work is absolutely beautiful. The story was funny and hot. Really erotic. It was a visual stimulation of pleasure. This really displayed LGBTQ community not only in the main characters but also the background characters. Great job.
January 4, 2023
This was surprisingly such a good story. I did not expect to love it as much as I did. It’s hilarious and kinda hot and at it’s core is about going through heartbreak and rediscovering self confidence with a lot of sexy scenes in between.
At first glance it looked like it was just gonna be straight up porn but it was actually really funny and heartfelt. It was sort of like a parody of a bunch of things, like Wreck it Ralph meets Wizard of Oz with a lot of sex mixed in. Sometimes stories like these feel cheesy like the sex scenes are unnecessary and don’t add anything to the story but I think the whole point of this story was the sex scenes. The main character lost his confidence and self worth in the real world and going on this sexy adventure helped him to find himself again and find his self worth in order to move on from this relationship and I just love that narrative. With each new game he goes into and each new character he meets you can see his confidence grow. Honestly the only missed opportunity here is he didn’t fuck the furry and he didn’t kill the ex-boyfriend in the game but maybe that’s just me being petty.
I do wish the story was longer and we got to see a little more of how he dealt with the real world when he got back. I know the story is supposed to be light hearted and fun but I think it would’ve added some depth to see the highs and lows of going through the post breakup phase. I know we did get a little glimpse but an extra chapter to wrap it up would’ve been good.
At first glance it looked like it was just gonna be straight up porn but it was actually really funny and heartfelt. It was sort of like a parody of a bunch of things, like Wreck it Ralph meets Wizard of Oz with a lot of sex mixed in. Sometimes stories like these feel cheesy like the sex scenes are unnecessary and don’t add anything to the story but I think the whole point of this story was the sex scenes. The main character lost his confidence and self worth in the real world and going on this sexy adventure helped him to find himself again and find his self worth in order to move on from this relationship and I just love that narrative. With each new game he goes into and each new character he meets you can see his confidence grow. Honestly the only missed opportunity here is he didn’t fuck the furry and he didn’t kill the ex-boyfriend in the game but maybe that’s just me being petty.
I do wish the story was longer and we got to see a little more of how he dealt with the real world when he got back. I know the story is supposed to be light hearted and fun but I think it would’ve added some depth to see the highs and lows of going through the post breakup phase. I know we did get a little glimpse but an extra chapter to wrap it up would’ve been good.
October 21, 2020
(ARC from NetGalley.)
This book is erotica, making both it and this review NSFW. Proceed with caution, etc.
Erotica! Yesssss. I finally went into the Erotica category on NetGalley, and the pickings were slim, but I was very excited about this. Video game isekai? Porn with a plot? Furry cheetah guy? Oh yes, I was very excited. And I actually read it just now because I've had such a slump reviewing-- check out a few of my last reviews and you'll see I have been disappointed by a couple of reads from NG. I set aside a definite 30 minute minimum a day of reading, and I was tired of spending days reading books just to be disappointed and have to leave a serious, professional review about why I was disappointed because I believe every critical review should also strive to be helpful, etc.
It's exactly what I signed up for, but it gets tiring.
So I read THIS! I figured, hey, it's graphic novel erotica. Standards are different. It can be all porn and lack plot entirely. Let's go.
And I really liked it! I mean, I can't really think of what to critique about the book because I just liked everything about it. So now I'm going to write a lengthy happy review of all the things I liked.
Firstly, the art-- very cute, very distinctive. I particularly liked the simplicity of the lines and coloration; they gave a smooth feeling to the characters almost reminiscent of animation. The designs for the separate characters were also great, and not just because they fit cleanly into genre tropes without identifying specific franchises. Not to mention... so many bears... Fuck yeah bears.
Incredibly, I'm also going to praise the story of an erotic graphic novel. It was cute! It's nice to see sexual positivity; the book is exactly as advertised in this domain and the cheesiness factor was perfect. It's hard to balance sex scenes and plot, but Foxe managed that easily. Yes, seriously, I'm happier with the plot in this erotic graphic novel than in most of the books I've read recently.
Also, yes, let's discuss the actual sex scenes. They were CREATIVE. I've attempted sex scenes before (in writing, not real life-- I mean-- well--) and they're DIFFICULT. You write two and it's hard to stay original, let alone-- let me think. One, two, three, four... uncountable numbers of sex scenes. And yet Foxe came up with ways to make each unique! Outfits, partners, settings... toys I'd never heard of let alone seen... I really don't think there's much more you could ask for with this one.
Now, if I can be ranty and admonish some people. I noticed that a lot of the top comments are from people who rated the book lower because, somehow, they were not aware it was erotica. I will complain about misleading marketing all day and night (in fact, recently did so in my review of Odessa ), but at some point, you have to take that responsibility for misleading yourself. The cover of this is sexual to begin with (crotch shot? furry abs guy? several bears of the homosexual variety?), and the genre is listed as "Erotica"-- ONLY "Erotica"-- on NG. It should not appear in any other category. The first four words of the description (here and on NG): "An EROTIC graphic novel" (emphasis mine.)
It does absolutely bother me for reviews of this book to be tainted by people who had no interest in it. This is why I don't rate books I don't feel were intended for me to read (eg if I go into a book knowing it's not my genre and... it turns out not to be my genre.) The reviews section is for people who are considering the book, and as such are considering erotica as it is. "Oh whoops it was exactly what it advertised itself as; -2 stars because I cannot read" is not acceptable. Erotica is already a tiny and much-maligned genre, so please don't make it more difficult for authors who are already working in the niche.
And if you're a reader, please take a moment to go through the reviews and highlight the ones that were most helpful to you-- particularly the ones who explain why they give the star count they do (I happily liked some 3/4-star reviews here that were well-written) and that take a reasonable look at the book.
And, well, there we are. I personally really liked this book, and I expect to come back to it later. It's got a wonderful art style, a cute message, some body diversity, and the porny bits were very well done. It manages to combine a narrative with the sexy scenes in a way that doesn't undermine either, which is incredibly difficult. I came (!) in expecting to read some trashy nonsense, and I was very happily surprised.
This book is erotica, making both it and this review NSFW. Proceed with caution, etc.
Erotica! Yesssss. I finally went into the Erotica category on NetGalley, and the pickings were slim, but I was very excited about this. Video game isekai? Porn with a plot? Furry cheetah guy? Oh yes, I was very excited. And I actually read it just now because I've had such a slump reviewing-- check out a few of my last reviews and you'll see I have been disappointed by a couple of reads from NG. I set aside a definite 30 minute minimum a day of reading, and I was tired of spending days reading books just to be disappointed and have to leave a serious, professional review about why I was disappointed because I believe every critical review should also strive to be helpful, etc.
It's exactly what I signed up for, but it gets tiring.
So I read THIS! I figured, hey, it's graphic novel erotica. Standards are different. It can be all porn and lack plot entirely. Let's go.
And I really liked it! I mean, I can't really think of what to critique about the book because I just liked everything about it. So now I'm going to write a lengthy happy review of all the things I liked.
Firstly, the art-- very cute, very distinctive. I particularly liked the simplicity of the lines and coloration; they gave a smooth feeling to the characters almost reminiscent of animation. The designs for the separate characters were also great, and not just because they fit cleanly into genre tropes without identifying specific franchises. Not to mention... so many bears... Fuck yeah bears.
Incredibly, I'm also going to praise the story of an erotic graphic novel. It was cute! It's nice to see sexual positivity; the book is exactly as advertised in this domain and the cheesiness factor was perfect. It's hard to balance sex scenes and plot, but Foxe managed that easily. Yes, seriously, I'm happier with the plot in this erotic graphic novel than in most of the books I've read recently.
Also, yes, let's discuss the actual sex scenes. They were CREATIVE. I've attempted sex scenes before (in writing, not real life-- I mean-- well--) and they're DIFFICULT. You write two and it's hard to stay original, let alone-- let me think. One, two, three, four... uncountable numbers of sex scenes. And yet Foxe came up with ways to make each unique! Outfits, partners, settings... toys I'd never heard of let alone seen... I really don't think there's much more you could ask for with this one.
Now, if I can be ranty and admonish some people. I noticed that a lot of the top comments are from people who rated the book lower because, somehow, they were not aware it was erotica. I will complain about misleading marketing all day and night (in fact, recently did so in my review of Odessa ), but at some point, you have to take that responsibility for misleading yourself. The cover of this is sexual to begin with (crotch shot? furry abs guy? several bears of the homosexual variety?), and the genre is listed as "Erotica"-- ONLY "Erotica"-- on NG. It should not appear in any other category. The first four words of the description (here and on NG): "An EROTIC graphic novel" (emphasis mine.)
It does absolutely bother me for reviews of this book to be tainted by people who had no interest in it. This is why I don't rate books I don't feel were intended for me to read (eg if I go into a book knowing it's not my genre and... it turns out not to be my genre.) The reviews section is for people who are considering the book, and as such are considering erotica as it is. "Oh whoops it was exactly what it advertised itself as; -2 stars because I cannot read" is not acceptable. Erotica is already a tiny and much-maligned genre, so please don't make it more difficult for authors who are already working in the niche.
And if you're a reader, please take a moment to go through the reviews and highlight the ones that were most helpful to you-- particularly the ones who explain why they give the star count they do (I happily liked some 3/4-star reviews here that were well-written) and that take a reasonable look at the book.
And, well, there we are. I personally really liked this book, and I expect to come back to it later. It's got a wonderful art style, a cute message, some body diversity, and the porny bits were very well done. It manages to combine a narrative with the sexy scenes in a way that doesn't undermine either, which is incredibly difficult. I came (!) in expecting to read some trashy nonsense, and I was very happily surprised.
October 29, 2024
I knew from the cover alone this was going to be a smutty comic, but I didn't expect to dive right into it on page one. How Kennedy gets into the game is a bit dumb, but all the characters he interacts with once he's in it are fun. They're definitely referencing games that exist and have several stereotypes rolled into them because of that, but it feels more like a nod to the character(s) they're based on than true stock characters. Video game characters who are aware that they're video game characters is wild, and I actually ended up more interested in that aspect than in Kennedy's journey to self-acceptance.
February 18, 2023
I was not 100% certain what I was getting into here. Surprise!
Smutty and nerdy all rolled into a surprisingly sweet story about Ken as he processes and moves forward from a break up with his long term boyfriend. Graphic erotic video game fantasies ensure. Goofy but heart-felt.
Also, side note: This was my first time reading a graphic novel digitally on KU and the reading experience was great!
TW: on-page cheating (but it happens fast)
Smutty and nerdy all rolled into a surprisingly sweet story about Ken as he processes and moves forward from a break up with his long term boyfriend. Graphic erotic video game fantasies ensure. Goofy but heart-felt.
Also, side note: This was my first time reading a graphic novel digitally on KU and the reading experience was great!
TW: on-page cheating (but it happens fast)
December 7, 2020
That was so not what I was expecting. I saw erotic but didn't associate it with explicit (for some ridiculous reason).
Fun, funny and sexy. Great art and a charming story. Plenty of consent and diversity.
Fun, funny and sexy. Great art and a charming story. Plenty of consent and diversity.
September 10, 2022
I knew this book was NSFW but I don’t think I was prepared for just how erotic it was gonna be! It was a great graphic novel though. The artwork is amazing & the story is really creative and touching (in multiple ways).
October 24, 2023
I clicked on mature content on libby, and this was on top of the list. I gotta say, it started too strong from the first panel that it caught me off guard. But this could be more because I don't reach such comics. I would have preferred if this was multiple volumes so that the story could expand rather than quickly resolve. The artwork is pretty good, aside from the off brands characters, which I think they were drawn in a peculiar way on purpose for copy right reasons. Borrowed
June 13, 2025
Sometimes it’s hard to believe that “some books will be presented to you in moments where you need it” but this book was one of them. Short and sweet, pretty smutty (I low key did not know this till I got it) but with a lesson that is applicable to my life right now. So interesting and sad.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews