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Circle Jerk

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Moving sounded like a dream come true.
New house, new job, new me, right?
Not quite.

For one, I can’t totally reinvent myself with a kid in tow, so hair dye will have to do.
Second, this new adventure brought Knox.
You know, the neighborhood jerk and all-around A-hole, Knox Brighton?
Or as my son calls him: the circle jerk.
Hey, I laughed, too.
Obviously, I’m winning at this parenting thing.

Anyway, Knox always creeps up at the worst times and leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
Until one day, he didn’t.
He put his tongue there instead.

With that kiss came an offer I couldn't refuse.
One that took "faking it" to a new level.
Let's hope this fake relationship doesn't lead to any real feelings.

234 pages, Paperback

First published June 29, 2020

66 people are currently reading
116 people want to read

About the author

K.B. Cinder

22 books156 followers
KB Cinder is an author of contemporary romance and romcoms. Heat, hahas, and HEAs are her specialty.

Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

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Join her mailing list for the inside scoop on early cover reveals and more → https://kbcinder.myflodesk.com/sfomww...

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5 stars
111 (44%)
4 stars
97 (38%)
3 stars
38 (15%)
2 stars
3 (1%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
Profile Image for Neermboop.
270 reviews49 followers
December 10, 2022
This is a new to me author and I will definitely be falling down the rabbit hole of reading her other books if they are close to being this funny/witty!

Single mom, recently divorced, bought a new house in the middle of snake territory! 😂🐍

Starts off with the recluse neighbor yelling at her son and his friend in the cul-de-sac in front of his house- hence 'circle jerk' 😆

Only gets funnier from there.

Loved the side characters also!! 💕

(*Also has a bit of a fake relationship trope in here too!)
Profile Image for mlovestoread.
128 reviews
March 16, 2021

Reading this book made me so happy! Once I started I didn’t want to put it down and I really enjoyed every moment I’ve spent reading it.
It was fast-paced and filled with so many sweet and funny moments. I adored it!
All the characters were amazing, so lovable. There are no words to explain how much I loved Calla and Knox. Knox was simply amazing, and the fact that he loves cats made him even more perfect in my eyes. Calla was kind, funny, and strong. The kind of heroine I love to read about. Together they were everything. I was kinda sad when this book ended because I could read ten more about them and their family. If you love single-parent romance and need something that will brighten your day, this is the book for you.
Profile Image for Kristina .
1,052 reviews952 followers
September 6, 2022
I don’t really know what to make of this book. It’s probably more of a 2 star read but I’m feeling generous today. It was all around cringey, with terrible dialogue, many poop jokes and often crass low brow attempts at humour, yet I didn’t hate it. I mean the pacing was completely off and the plot all over the place, it felt like a debut self published book but it had moments. Overall it needed a really good editor and proof reader, lots of work to be done on this one and the writer needs more practice all around.
Points for the clever title, but again I’m getting these smutty looking covers and cheeky titles but then the book ends up being steamless. I don’t even know if this qualifies as a slow burn, it’s more of a no burn. They do have sex on page but it’s about a paragraph long at the 85% or so mark.
But the characters were likeable and the setting interesting. It just had too much going on, the heroine was going through a divorce, the hero had a very tragic backstory that is hinted at but not revealed until the end, there are many zany side characters that really didn’t add anything to the story, and a snake infestation that could have been left out of the book and not been missed in any way. Oh and the author started this as an enemies to lovers but then changed to a fake dating plot line with 15 pages left to go. Then boom I love you and epilogue. Just what? I dunno, it wasn’t terrible but I’m having a very bad couple of weeks of one star reads so it could just be me. But the cringe factor on this is in the high 10s. Seriously, check my notes and highlights and you will see what I mean.
Can’t recommend this really but it’s not a complete pile of crap either. 🤷🏼‍♀️
Profile Image for Jennifer.
169 reviews11 followers
July 1, 2020
Fast paced, laugh out loud funny, single parent romcom? Sign me up!!

Calla and her son, Asher, are moving to a new home as she’s going through a divorce.
Knox is the grumpy new neighbor down the street.

With side characters that make you snort laugh, animal shenanigans, and a bit of ex drama, this book is impossible to put down.
Profile Image for Nova.
2,710 reviews102 followers
July 6, 2020
I am voluntarily reviewing an Advanced reader copy of this book. Hand on my heart I cannot recommend this authors books more highly, they have funny moments, they have sad moments, they have time to reflect moments but what the books really have is heart. Once I start a book by KB Cinder I know I am not putting it down until I have finished it that’s for sure.

Calla is a single mum who is starting again and rebuilding herself as well as taking care of her son Ash. So when she meets Knox Brighton her new neighbour her first impression of him leaves her with a less than joyous feeling so when her son announced his new nickname she decides it is certainly fitting for the grumpy man next door, it seems as though the rumour mill was bang on the money about him. But things aren’t always what they first appear and they begin a tenuous friendship but when he asks her for a favour how will she react, this could be a make or break deal for them both?

Knox knows how people see him and how they view him, he has certainly heard the rumours and he can live with it, he isn’t exactly overjoyed at having a new neighbour but as time moves along he can’t help but get attached. It’s only the beginning of the friendship and already he needs a favour will he be able to convince Calla to help him?

This was a fantastic ride from start to finish and one that you will find hard to put down from hilarious nicknames, friends who need to know everything and a kid that is just too adorable and funny for his own good. I defy you not to enjoy a book by this author though I have been lucky enough to read all of the published books so far and cannot rate them any more highly. Fantastic book once again  5*****+ read

Profile Image for Anna Valsa.
324 reviews
June 30, 2020
3,5🌟
Very slow at the beginning, too fast in the end.
But the humor was great. 😃
Profile Image for Allison.
146 reviews9 followers
June 13, 2022
full of sass from both H and h. overall a quick and fun read, but was rushed at the end. would’ve loved more insight from knox. side note — i don’t think i have ever read about a knox that i haven’t liked
Profile Image for Jessica Rackley.
122 reviews
October 25, 2020
This book has been on my TBR since it was published.
I really liked it. I do suggest not drinking while reading and make sure you potty beforehand or you'll need to clean your couch of coffee and...
The book was very slow at the beginning, but heated up nicely and even though it was 1am and I had to be to work in 8 hours I wanted more!
Calla was great and Knox was amazing. Very low angst which was so refreshing.
273 reviews2 followers
August 24, 2020
Quick

I loved the main characters.. It just felt like the love was instantaneous. I feel like the story was there but needed a little more development... it felt rushed.
Profile Image for Skye Yanovsky.
1,178 reviews20 followers
March 18, 2021
A book that made me giggle, smile & swoon!!!

I haven’t had a book make me laugh so much in a long time but Circle Jerk had me giggling and smiling so hard. This book was not what I was expecting based on the title alone..it was so much more deep and emotional besides the actual hilarity I was expecting. I absolutely loved it and can see a re-read coming very shortly.

Knox is a writer who hides away in his house after a personal tragedy. Calla is just divorced and a single mom. They are neighbors who start off on the wrong foot (all Knox’s fault) but who quickly become frenemies then friends then a fake couple and then something more. It’s emotional, funny, and definitely steamy. Little bit of a slow burn as their relationship transitions.

This book is SO good. I would highly highly recommend it
Profile Image for Summerlynn83_reads.
767 reviews7 followers
July 8, 2020
You know a book hits the “laugh out loud” criteria when you wake up a sleeping toddler because you are laughing so hard and so often! Not only did the laughs keep coming but there was the burning chemistry between Knox and Cala that was a great mixture of sweet and sexy. Even the more somber situations were handled with care and had me tearing up. I just couldn’t get enough of these two, I was so sad when I read The End.
Profile Image for A.D. Saddler.
Author 2 books19 followers
July 11, 2020
Sweet, steamy, and just the right amount of comedy rounds out KB Cinder’s newest release.

Calla battles snakes, a delusional ex-husband, motherhood, and the challenges of chonky dog pet ownership along with the trappings of a new, unlikely beau. The neighborhood jerk.

Instant, whole-hearted sizzle makes this delicious rom-com yet another smashing one-click win.
50 reviews
October 8, 2020
Lovely story

A very happy ending for the Hero and heroine who both started out in very different places.
Loved Knox, he seemed like such a sweetheart even though he put on the jerk act. Calla definitely got what she deserved in the long run ;)
Profile Image for MoodyReaderHMB.
289 reviews18 followers
June 30, 2020
KB Cinder once again KILLED it with her quirky wit and hilarious one liners.

Circle Jerk is a sweet romantic comedy about a single mom starting over and moving next door to an a$$hole. Starting over is hard, finding yourself all over again, and being a mom.

This book was hilarious. It’s a fast read and honestly I didn’t want it to be over. I’m not going to go into detail because the less you know the more enjoyable it will be. I will say KB Cinder writes the funniest kids ever. So if you need something off the wall funny and download this one right away.

PSA: WARNING while reading and drinking you might give yourself a shower because you will be spitting while laughing!
Profile Image for Wickedly Sweet & Synful Book Blog Synclare Moss.
835 reviews142 followers
June 29, 2020
KB Cinder is an author that deserves so much more attention. I have adored every book she has written.

If you love a single mom, a reclusive jerk and slow burn romance full of laughs,then you definitely want to grab this one ASAP!


~BREAKDOWN OF RATINGS~
Plot~ 5/5
Main Characters (hero/heroine)~ 5/5
Secondary Characters~ 5/5
The Feels~ 5/5
Pacing~ 5/5
Addictiveness~5/5
Angst~ 5/5
Steam/Hotness/Chemisty ~ 5/5
Theme or Tone~ 5/5
Flow (Writing Style)~ 5/5
Backdrop (World Building)~ 5/5
Originality~ 5/5
Ending~ 5/5
Book Cover~ ONE OF MY FAVORITES
Series~ Stand-alone
Source~ Kindle eBook
Would I read more from the author? Yes
Would I recommend this book? Yes
Profile Image for Susan The Trucker.
411 reviews1 follower
July 20, 2020
Meh

I guess this book was ok. Not great. Editing would be nice. "Knox and I's...." Or "Geoff and I's...."

No. Just no. Fix it.
Profile Image for Nikki.
906 reviews83 followers
October 12, 2022
Rating: 3.5 Stars
POV(s): Dual—First Person
Relationship: M/F
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy

Divider


I practically cackled during the early morning snake scene.

There was such a great foundation to this story, and whilst I did really enjoy it, the construction of it felt almost rushed. I needed more—more Gomez the demonic cat content, more of Rook’s doggy shenanigans, more interactions between Knox and Asher, more of Geoff getting his just-desserts, and such.

A fake relationship plot is thrown in in the last quarter of the book, which sees Knox and Calla go from being friendly-neighbors to a real couple in the span of a week (which normally wouldn’t be an issue for me, but the pace and length of the book meant that there wasn’t enough on-page time to see their relationship develop to my satisfaction).

I found myself chuckling more than a few times whilst reading this, especially during the scene when Rook catches the snake and Calla’s neighbors come to the rescue.

I only noticed ten grammar issues: missing words (4), misplaced words (1), unnecessary words (2), misspelled words (1), other (2). As for the writing itself, I enjoyed K.B. Cinder’s style as well as the overall flow of the story, and will definitely read other books by her in the future.

Divider


Title: Circle Jerk by KB Cinder
Interconnected Series: No
Standalone: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
HEA:
Triggers:
Tags/Tropes:
➢ Bad-First-Impressions
➢ Fake-Relationship
➢ Neighbors
➢ Recently-Divorced-FMC
➢ Single-Mom
11.7k reviews49 followers
September 13, 2020
You can't pick your neighbor but hopefully he won't turn out to be the Circle Jerk

Circle Jerk is the first book I have read by "new to me" author KB Cinder. I was not sure what to expect but when I read the book description I was both intrigued and thought this could be a funny read. I mean just the title of the book already had me chuckling when I first read it.
I did find myself laughing at quite a bit of the fast-paced romantic comedy story about Calla and Knox and Calla's son Ash. When Calla and Ash have to start over after divorce they move to a new house. One day when Ash is outside playing Calla and Knox meet. He is she very grumpy neighbor who just seems to not be able to help himself. I will say that I did groan at a few things but overall I quite enjoyed this well written and entertaining story. Okay I did want to hit Knox a few times I was able to get past that, although I am not too sure how Calla did. I guess it was the hot and heavy chemistry they shared.

I received a copy of this book for my honest review. My opinions are all my own.
Profile Image for Elsie Pitt.
1,753 reviews13 followers
July 2, 2020
KB wrote a story that not only did I laugh but I had tears also. She has written a wonderful story with a slow burn and one that will be on my to reread shelf. Calla and Knox are the epitome of opposites but I works for both of them. I loved how Ash was so innocent but yet so well rounded that he gave Knox his nickname. I love that Calla let him be a little boy. I think he was my favorite character in this book. Geoff was a dirty, nasty, slimy, egotistical jack hole. He gets his comeuppance. I so love what happened with him. Thank you for writing a very well written story that not only entertained me but made me laugh and feel good. I will be investing in this author for future works and spreading the word about her story!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for J. Ockenhouse.
1,743 reviews18 followers
June 26, 2020
Calla and Knox story is the real deal. It's got funny monents, heart breaking ones, moments where you just want to scream and then them moments where you are in your happy place.

Calla left a bad marriage and is a single mother who has a fear snakes. She and Knox cross paths and she is convinced he's a jerk.

Knox is a bit of a mystery, you don't know too much about his past but as you reveal more and more, it paints a tragic picture and you can't help as you peel at him that he takes a bit more of your heart.

These two and all the support cast are funny and real. Through their pain and triumphs YOU can't help but get pulled in. I received an ARC for an honest and voluntarily review.
133 reviews
June 29, 2020
I catch my breath finally 👇

From laughing so hard! KB Cinder is an evil genius at writing a good rom com. Mostly it is the fun filled banner or just the back ground thinking ! This book is fantastic, you get a little of all the feelings here. Knox is indeed a jerk but he can't help it, life has drug him down. Calla is angry as hell but who can blame her, life has dumped on her! Take the new angry neighbor, her sweet son, the jerk in the circle, nosey friends and an adorable doggy along with a meddling mother and what do you get? A lot of laughs to lighten your day or night !
Well done again KB, you are one of a kind 💕 ....pat....
818 reviews5 followers
April 10, 2021
No real drama just life.

I really enjoyed this book. There was no real drama that took forever to get through just real life problems that were believable. Knox was grieving a loss that happened years prior to meeting Calla. Calla was getting a divorce that she did not see coming and raising her ten year old son. I loved that Calla did not dwell on the past. She kept moving and shaking to make sure her son was happy and loved. Knox was a loner and had no idea Calla would be the change he needed. It worked out for the good and they were really happy.
Profile Image for Lynn Stifle.
3,830 reviews68 followers
June 29, 2020
Calla and Knox’s story was so good. I was hooked from the very beginning and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to read what would happen next. Calla is a single mom that left a bad marriage and from everything she knows and has seen of Knox she thinks he’s a big jerk. You don’t know a lot about Knox , but as you learn you can’t help but feel for him. This book is filled with moments of sadness, humor, and happiness. It’s a book I definitely recommend.
855 reviews5 followers
June 30, 2020
I picked this book up in KU. I have read one other book from this author that was also a fun read so I gave this one a shot. It's not quite instalove but Calla quickly gets over her fury at the 'difficult' neighbor, Knox. She gets to know him a little better and discovers that his rumored personality may not be what others claim. But...there's usually some truth to rumors. When Knox asks for the mother of all favors...it could make or break their blossoming friendship.
1,678 reviews9 followers
July 2, 2020
Circle Jerk by KB Cinder. Anytime I grab a book from KB Cinder, I know I am in for a treat. This one was no exception- I had to make sure I had plenty of me time so I could hide away and enjoy this phenomenal story of Calla and Knox. I absolutely fell head over heels in love with these two – their encounters, the banter, the side charterers, and definitely Ash all made this story come alive for me. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,886 reviews4 followers
July 2, 2020

This was a great book that was a fast paced romantic sweet comedy, the only problem I had was I didn't want it to end. this book will have you laughing out loud. I loved Knox who can't help being a jerk, and Calla a single divorced mother. These two along with all the support cast have an amazing chemistry and make for a funny hilarious read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
94 reviews
July 7, 2020
Oh this book! I read alot of books, but this is hands down one of my favorites! The playful banter, steamy sex scenes and the chemistry leading up to the sex scenes made it impossible to put this book down! You have to read this so you can fall in love with Calla, Knox, Asher (Calla's son) and Rook (the porky Labrador) just like I did!! Highly recommend!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Deb.
7,577 reviews37 followers
July 8, 2020
I loved reading this book with its many humorous moments and plenty of sassy comebacks. The dialogue was brilliantly written. The scenes carefully constructed to paint a picture of her life as she begins anew. I loved the comical vibe that was apparent in almost every scene. I’d love to read more of this delightful world and this beautiful family.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews

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