This was a cute, light, fun read but it was a little weird. It had a lot of cringey moments, especially during intimate scenes. A lot of cute moments between the main characters. I did the audiobook version of this one, and I really enjoyed the narrators. They honestly kept me going, even through the weird/cringy moments. Overall, it’s a quick and light read that I would recommend for the younger crowd.

So much to love about this one- chickens, plus sized heroine, hot professional quarterback, NO 3RD ACT BREAKUP, etc...

(Seriously on the 3rd act breakup)

It always cracks me up how these things happen- I just read two books in a row where a professional football player falls in love with a chicken loving girl and neither had a third act breakup. However, they were different. (And I loved them both! [book:My Anti-Hero|203374883] is the other in case you were wondering) One was more romantic-suspense, where this was rom-com. This book is cute and fluffy- the author even warns you that it is fluffy before it starts.

I listened to the audiobook. The book is told in two POVs and the audiobook is narrated by Stella Hunter and Christian Fox. I don't recognize either name (and I listen to a LOT of audiobooks), but they both did great. Zero complaints.

Now, looking at the other reviews, it seems like audio may be the way to go with this one. A lot of people complained about the writing style- but narrated, it flowed perfectly fine. It was supposed to be fluffy and funny- I wasn't expecting [book:Wuthering Heights|6185]. So maybe parts of it are also expectations.

I look forward to seeing the other Kingmans find love!

I received an advance audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I listened to the audiobook, and the narrators, Stella Hunter and Christian Fox, did a great job as Trixie and Chris. I really enjoyed their narration, and it added a lot to my enjoyment of the story.

Chris has been in love with his next door neighbor, Trixie, for years, but she has kept him in the friend zone. When she asks him to be her fake date to her high school reunion, he sees this as his opportunity to prove that he can be a great boyfriend to her for real. They go on practice dates and spend more time together, and it leads to feelings between the two of them.

Trixie is a curvy girl, and she is a librarian. She hasn't had a boyfriend who really wants her for her... until Chris. He's a star quarterback, and he shows up for her in big ways.

I loved Trixie and Chris' chemistry. I loved the body and sex positivity in this book. Trixie is a virgin, and I think that having that experience with Chris was really meaningful for both characters.

You'll enjoy this book if you like: friends to lovers, he falls first, fake dating, curvy FMC, and football romance.

Thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an ALC of this book.

This man is head over heels for his best friend Trixie and I love him for it. Great message on body positivity and not being afraid to take up space.

The C*ck Down the Block is just what Award says it is in her intro - fluff. But we all need a fluffy HEA once in awhile. There is a decent plot for such a short book and lots of positivity every which way. But be warned, the sex is also plentiful. I prefer fewer sex scenes and am certain the book, with all it’s sex/body/consent positive messages, would still be a fun read.

4.25/5

As a curvy librarian, it was so fun to read a book with a relatable main character. I will say I feel like their romance went from 0 to 100 really quickly. It feels like they went from friends who were faking dating to being in love without much build up. All in all, it was definitely an enjoyable read if you are wanting something light and cute.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscapes Media for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

The C🐓ck Down the Block

3.5 ☆
Spoilers‼️

I had a fun time reading this book. I absolutely adored the vibes through the whole thing. It's a friends-to-lovers with an insta-love baseline. I personally don't mind the insta-love trope but I'm not huge on fast track to marriage trope so to see the MMC go from wanting just to be in a relationship with the FMC to straight up having a ring ready for her at the end was off-putting. Some of the dialog and inner monolog was cringey from time to time. I'd definitely recommend this audio to someone for a good laugh and cutesy romance. I definitely had fun listening but it wasn't my favorite book.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this advanced listening copy.

I recently had the pleasure of reading "The C*ck Down the Block," which was an absolute delight. This romance novel by Amy Award offers a fresh take on the friends-to-lovers trope, and it's done with just the right blend of spice and sweetness.

The story revolves around our curvy Taylor and Travis, who have harboured feelings for her, setting the stage for a captivating journey of romance and self-discovery. Amy Award's ability to balance the passion between the characters with a genuine emotional connection makes this book stand out.

Taylor, the protagonist, is a character I couldn't help but root for. Her relatable nature and how she navigates the complexities of love and friendship add depth to the narrative. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, and the evolution of their relationship feels authentic and heartwarming.

One aspect that genuinely elevated my reading experience was opting for the audiobook narrated by Christian Fox and Stella Hunte. Their performance brought an extra layer of intimacy and emotion to the story. Fox's and Stell's narration skillfully captured the essence of the characters, making the audiobook a must-listen for those who enjoy this genre.

Amy's writing style is engaging, and the plot's pacing keeps you hooked from beginning to end. The perfect balance of spice and caveman dynamics adds an exciting edge to the romance, making it an enjoyable and memorable read.

This audiobook was fabulous! The narrators did a wonderful job bringing the book to life. This is a super sweet and steamy read. I loved every second of it! I listened to the whole book in one sitting, it was just so good! I loved the balance of funny, sweet and serious. The characters are super fun, I adore Chris and Trixie so much! I was laughing, blushing, and even tearing up at some parts. This is a fun and easy read for any romance lover! Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for allowing me to listen to this ahead of release in exchange for my honest opinion.

Great book. Best friends to lover. 😍
It was so sweet and spicy. I don’t know what i was expecting but the chicken and Star Wars names were quite cringy to me.
4.5/5 ⭐️

Hands down my new favorite football romance!! This was the sweetest childhood friends to lovers, fake dating, dual POV love story between Chris, a pro football quarterback and his longtime crush, Trixie, the curvy, virgin, girl next door Youth librarian.

Dreading her high school reunion, Trixie asks Chris to be her fake date and he's all too eager to volunteer determining that he's not going to let a second chance to be with Trixie pass him by. What follows is a swoony, steamy, he falls first, slow burn with hilarious chicken puns and great FAT rep and body positivity.

I was already sold on this story based on the stunning Leni Kauffman cover, but the insides lived up to it in every way. With a mean girl showdown, sex tapes, a sex positive, adult film star mother and a cadre of meddling siblings, this story stole my heart from the start and I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review. The narration by Stella Hunter and Christian Fox was especially standout!! If you enjoy authors like Olivia Dade and Kayla Grosse or football romances you don't want to miss this one!

Steam level: open door, includes sex toy play