3.5⭐️ If you liked The Cheat Sheet but wished the heroine was plus sized and they used the word 🐔 74 times, this is for you! Okay but honestly - cheesy friends to lovers, he’s been obsessed with her forever, add in 10 year HS reunion drama… also the spice was spicy. I feel like Chris was cocky (ha) and was smug in watching Trixie realize her feelings, which rubbed me the wrong way. I enjoyed this on audio (narrators were great!) & ebook for what it was - a spicy corny rom com.

Thanks Netgalley & Dreamscape Media for the ALC.

As a plus size lady, i absolutely LOVED this book!
Stella Hunter & Christian Fox are amazing, they were perfect together!

Publisher's summary
Look, I've had it bad for the girl with all the curves next door forever. She turned me down in high school and since I'm not a total douchecanoe, I lusted after her all by myself in my shower, and we stayed just friends for years. Now she's the adorkable librarian next door, and I'm the star quarterback of the best pro football team in the league. So when she asks me to be her fake date to her all-girls school reunion, I am totally down to show her off to the mean girls who bullied her back then so they can see just how incredible she is.
I'll be the best boyfriend they've ever seen. The best fake boyfriend that is. Until I find out from her slightly-stalkery classmates that she still has her v-card. I don't see how that is even possible. Not with how sexy and sweet she is. Could it be because she knows she belongs with me?
This curvy-girl and football-quarterback sports romance has a baddie plus-size woman who knows her own worth and a Bridgertons-meets-American-Football family you'll wish you were a part of.

Thanks NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for the ARC of this book!

The C*ck Down the Block
By: Amy Award
Narrated by: Stella Hunter, Christian Fox
Series: Cocky Kingmans, Book 1
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Release date: 02-06-24 (

This audio was so easy to listen to and i loved the narrators! absolutely loved this book! it was so sweet and cute, fluffy romance - low angst and some spice. i absolutely adored chris and trixie, they had such a strong connection and just were perfect together! the slow burn was so good i was rooting for them the whole way and it was so worth it. they had the sweetest story and the ending was so freaking cute! i love the kingman family, they had me cracking up but also were so sweet and protective of these two. i love how his family all worked together on how to help these two realize that they both loved one another for so long. cannot wait for more of this series and this family!

THIS. WAS. WONDERFUL.

I hit play on the audiobook and didn't stop until it was over. It had me hooked right from the start. I still have that giddy "just read an amazing book that made me giggle and kick my legs" post-book buzz that is making writing this review very difficult. How do I make a review a logical and comprehensive summary of the feeling "eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee"?

The amount of meta self-references was an absolute delight, and I adored the humor that this carried from beginning to end.

I will recommend this to everyone who loves a cute romance that doesn't take itself too seriously and also has a good amount of spicy spice. I also recommend the audiobook, the narrators' voices perfectly matched the characters, both narrators had the same pacing (this is critical for folks who listen at higher speeds) and it was a seamless listening experience overall.

Also, big kudos to the author who put very a comprehensive trigger warning at the outset of the book. Not just explaining what you will find in this story, but also what chapter to skip if you find yourself triggered by that topic. And also a not about what you WON'T find in the book, which is just as important.

This will be in my top reads of February (if not 2024), no doubt about it.

Big thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for a free advanced listener copy of the audiobook. All opinions are my own, and I am leaving this unbiased review voluntarily.

Friends to lovers
Fake dating
He falls first
Sports
Plus size MFC
Romcom
Audio review

Narrated by Stella Hunter and Christian Fox

The author warns us that this is a bit fluff. A fun story with mean girls, swoon worthy hero, and a rooster name Luke Skycocker. A nice break in between the dark and heavy reads.

The characters were fun.
Chris is a star quarterback for a pro sports team. He and his family are a close knit, down to earth group who are very loyal to each other. He has been in love with Trixie since they were kids. When she needs a date for her high school reunion, he jumps in to take his chance.
Trixie is a librarian. She is fun, and a bit quirky. She has chickens as pets. She has kept Chris in the friend zone for a while. When he becomes her pretend boyfriend, things get interesting.

Fast paced, low angst, low steam, comedy

4.75/5 stars

❤️ Friends to lovers
❤️ Fat representation
❤️ He Falls First
❤️ Nerdy FMC

I loved Trixie, mainly because I identify with her so much, but she was so wonderful. The chemistry!!! Ugh, I can't get over it!
This book utilized dual povs in the best way, getting to see into Chris' mind showing the longing and love he had for Trixie. I could not stop listening to this book, it was such a great experience. I'm so glad I was able to enjoy it as an audiobook.

Chris Kingsman, star quarterback of the Mustangs, has been in love with (literally) the girl next door since he was 12. She turned him down once, and he, gentleman that he is, friendzoned himself. But that doesn't prevent his thoughts to be all bout Trixie's bubbly personality and her luscious curves that drive him wild. She's now a dorky librarian, living back in her childhood home with her chickens and she's his best friend.
When a fundraiser at her old school has her back in "Mean Girls" territory, she blurts out that Chris is actually her boyfriend. Now she has to convince him to act the part at the party. That's the opportunity Chris has been waiting for to prove to her that he can actually be her REAL boyfriend. Finally!
I love that the author says that this book is about ... fluff. It's escapism and laughs, but it has a strong fat representation and the angst that comes with it. Trixie is a confident fat woman but that doesn't mean she doesn't feel the pressures society puts on her to "fit the mold".
Chris is top tier book boyfriend material and you will swoon. The whole Kingsman clan gang up to help him get his girl and it's funny and sweet.
There's conflict, but not between the couple. It comes from outside their relationship and I loved how it was resolved! 
Loved it and I can't wait for the the next in the series!
Narration: To use a sports metaphor, this was a touchdown in casting! Stella Hunter is, as always, absolute perfection in her portrayal of the dorky, fun, loving Trixie. And if you want swoon and you get The Fox, oh you get swoon! Christian Fox as a pining, dirty talking alphamellow is to die for!
Possible triggers: mentions of loss of parent, fatphobia (on page. Skip chapter 26 if needed)
Thanks, NetGalley, Dreamscape and the author for letting me listen to it early.

I loved this book!
There is a rooster named Luke Skycocker, need I say more?
Oh you want more?
Well the two MCs are adorable, funny and unabashedly open about sexual conversations/acts. And best of all? Fabulous body positivity!

I am also obsessed with Trixie's mom. She needs her own book!

"An Orgasm a day keeps the blues away."
She's not wrong😘

Super excited that this is part of a series surrounding the Kingman brothers. The entire family is amazing and I love all the sibling ribbing.
Looking forward to the next one!
P.S. This was my first audio with narration by either Christian Fox and @stellahunternarrator
I am a fan! Totally looking forward to finding more books with either (or both) of them on it.
Much love to @netgalley & @dreamscape_media for my ALC.

A cute friends-to-lovers football romance with librarians, body positivity, high school rivalries taken into adulthood and of course, chicken puns.

This was light, easy, and a fast read. Narration is great.

Spicy books just hit different as an audiobook and damn these narrators were top tier! The male narrator was especially good, and I don't usually like male narrators.
The story itself was also just so good. I love a body positive book, and this FMC was boldly policies about her curvy body. We love a badass FMC for sure! Beatrix was so amazing through the whole book. She did the work and showed the world they could shove their fat phobia right where the sun doesn't shine.
I loved Chris too. That man is a cinnamon roll for sure. He loved her well before the book started and it showed in every way he showed up for her. Amy's writing is easy to read, fast paced, and flows so smoothly. I'll definitely be reading the rest of the series!

I loved this book so much! The audiobook was also so good. Chris and Trixie are such cute characters. I love how both of them are so nice. Chris seems like such a gentleman respecting women’s boundaries. Trixie rejects him years ago and he doesn’t want to push her so he pines for her for years. Chris’s parents taught him and his siblings about consent and things parents should teach. Trixie is on a committee to plan a reunion for her high school. Trixie is a fat woman and is shamed by her mean girl bullies still, even as an adult. Trixie asks Chris to fake date her to get back at her bullies. They end up both realizing they both have feelings for one another. I just really enjoyed this book. If I had to critique anything it would be some of the gen z language such as “bombastic side eye.” Which is a bit cringe. But hey you’re the writer, not me!! Maybe it’s to help the book have some uniqueness. I can’t wait to dive into book 2. Thank you NetGalley for an audiobook arc.

I liked elements of this a lot, but I also disliked just as many parts. I don't always love a childhood friends to lovers set up but this one worked.

Chris (MMC) and Trixie (FMC) were really fun to read. Their friendship felt genuine and Chris's pining was really well done.

The third act is not revolving around a break up but I did find the why so silly. Same for why Trixie was having such issues with a former high school bully. It's always a good reminder though that sometimes people are just miserable even in books and want to see others downfall.

The audiobook narration was fun and honestly is why I finished the book.

Overall this is a fun read your gonna enjoy, but it may not be a memorable new favorite. I do think I'll be picking up the second book at some point.

This book WAS SO MUCH FUN! I was laughing so hard. The story was so cute. Chris and his feelings.

If you like chicken puns, like a lot of chicken puns. And especially punny chicken names mixed with Star Wars. This book is for you and it will make your little chicken heart so happy.

It was so fluffy and hilarious but still had a fun story line and good message. Chris' family is a hoot.

This book was so much fun as an audiobook. Stella and Christian did an awesome job with the narration.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for a copy of this eaudio in exchange for an honest review.

This book is what blindsided wanted to be and I will die on that hill.

The c*ck down the block follows football superstar Chris as he tries to win over the object of his longtime affection, Trixie. Trixie is a plus sized sunshine librarian who has lived next door to Chris since childhood but starts seeing him in a new light when he decides to start wooing her.

This book nails the reality of body positivity. It's not all sunshine and roses and the reality is that the world will try to push its values on you, but Trixie stands tall, and Chris helps her.

I was a sucker for the 'fell first and fell harder' Chris. He knows what he wants and that flips switches, and he goes the heck after it. Both characters were super cute and had good chemistry.

I did want it to show us a few more of the sparks in the romance scenes. It talks a big game but when it comes down to it, this book is maybe 1 1/2 chilis which would be fine if it didn't try to pretend to be more. There were also a few plot points that were wrapped up as if there were a word count that the author had to stay under. I would have liked more there. I think this is the first book not self-published by Amy and I really think her skill is only going to go up and up.

3.5 rounded up for cute chickens.

Absolutely loved this!
I’ve heard a lot about this book (mostly because of the title haha) and once I saw it was available as an audiobook I needed to read it. I’m so glad I did because this is the perfect mix of romance and steam.
I really loved both characters, especially Chris. He’s a great guy and truly values Trixie. He’s so gone for her and I thought it was so sweet. Trixie is a good character too. I loved her confidence and her kindness. These two together were just too cute!
The narrators did a wonderful job too. I liked their characterization.
An adorable romcom with the right amount of spice. This will make ya swoon!

This title kept me laughing out loud. I looked for excuses to listen until I was done. What a liberating feel-good story! Luke was the best supporting character ever and I really enjoyed the family dynamic. A great read I've already recommended to friends!

Super cute rom-com, pretty predictable but it was nice to have a break from big sweeping fantasy. Thus is the kind of palette cleanser that a big girl can love, would be opening to reading the rest of the series that is clearly being set up

This book is everything! The narration is excellent! The storyline is amazing! I loved all the characters. Except Rachel and she can suck eggs. Friends to loves and fake dating. As a plus size reader this book hit all the insecurities and made me realize I have had personal growth as well. Honestly, I am so happy I read this book, Oh and the spice is perfect!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book!

This one is so much fun! It touches on deeper topics of bullying, body shaming and fatphobia but not in an overwhelming way and for the most part is a fun, spicy romance book with two very lovable main characters. Trixie is a cute, nerdy teen librarian who loves her chickens and is best friends with the QB of a professional football team, who also happens to be completely in love with her. Chris is said professional football player and comes from a huge family of football playing boys and one baby sister (she's a teen) that they all adore. He's been in love with his best friend/neighbor since they were in high school and is thinking about finally taking a chance, again, when Trixie ends up asking him to be her fake boyfriend for her high school reunion to shut down the mean girl bullies. What starts as fake dating, at least Trixie thinks that's what it is, turns into much more! Both MCs have great families, even though Trixie's is largely off page, and are just kind, caring people which I love. Overall, it's a cute, fun read/listen and I definitely recommend it if that's what you're looking for!

The ALC is narrated by Stella Hunter and Christian Fox who did a fantastic job and really brought the characters to life. They are clear and engaging, so I highly recommend listening if you have the option (:

Read if you like: sports romance, friends to lovers, fake dating, he falls first and hard, chickens, body positivity.

I voluntarily listened to and reviewed an ALC provided by Dreamscape Media via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The narrators were so great in this! Gosh this book was so freaking cute! it was truly just so fluffy and so romantic seeing this childhood friends turn into lovers. I love the discussion of around taking up space as a bigger women and loving your body no matter what. Such a great read!