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Screens Apart
Simon has one secret and two problems.
The secret? An anonymous blog featuring satin and lace.
The problems? Two crushes. One on his gorgeous, charming roommate, Taylor. And another on his charismatic online admirer, Mr. Smith.
When Taylor suggests they start hooking up, Simon is more than happy to agree, even if it means putting a lid on his feelings. After all, no-strings fun is better than nothing at all, right?
Except Simon’s not sure that lid will stay shut, especially when he starts to fall in love. But with Mr Smith in the same situation, advice is in short supply.
And there’s no chance Taylor and Smith are the same person… is there?
Screens Apart is a 55,000-word comedy of errors featuring panties, pining, and two men falling in love, complete with plenty of heat and fluffy feels. Originally released as a serial, this is the full collection with a new bonus epilogue. It contains no love-triangle and no cheating.
The secret? An anonymous blog featuring satin and lace.
The problems? Two crushes. One on his gorgeous, charming roommate, Taylor. And another on his charismatic online admirer, Mr. Smith.
When Taylor suggests they start hooking up, Simon is more than happy to agree, even if it means putting a lid on his feelings. After all, no-strings fun is better than nothing at all, right?
Except Simon’s not sure that lid will stay shut, especially when he starts to fall in love. But with Mr Smith in the same situation, advice is in short supply.
And there’s no chance Taylor and Smith are the same person… is there?
Screens Apart is a 55,000-word comedy of errors featuring panties, pining, and two men falling in love, complete with plenty of heat and fluffy feels. Originally released as a serial, this is the full collection with a new bonus epilogue. It contains no love-triangle and no cheating.
219 pages, Paperback
First published June 25, 2020
152 people are currently reading
745 people want to read
About the author
Charlie Novak
61 books589 followersCharlie lives in England with her husband and a dachshund named Biscuit. She spends most of her days wrangling other people’s words in her day job and then trying to force her own onto the page in the evening.
She loves cute stories with a healthy dollop of fluff, plenty of delicious sex, and happily ever afters – because the world needs more of them. Charlie also believes that love comes in all shapes and sizes.
Charlie has very little spare time, but what she does have she fills with cooking, pole-dancing, reading and ice-hockey. She also thinks that everyone should have at least one favourite dinosaur…
She loves cute stories with a healthy dollop of fluff, plenty of delicious sex, and happily ever afters – because the world needs more of them. Charlie also believes that love comes in all shapes and sizes.
Charlie has very little spare time, but what she does have she fills with cooking, pole-dancing, reading and ice-hockey. She also thinks that everyone should have at least one favourite dinosaur…
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
June 22, 2024
I knew this would be more sex than plot, but does the little bit of plot have to be so boring and silly?
Grmpf, the sex scenes and the wonderful bits of lingerie were hot and well done.
I unfortunately skimmed the second half of the book because everything sounded repetitive the inner monologues were just boring and the two MCs acted so foolishly ... I even thought the first "I love you" scene was pretty lame.
So, if you want to read something with a ton of sex scenes and if you like boys in lace, then it's a nice book.
If you want to read something with content then look elsewhere.
“I want you to put on a pretty pair of panties for me, then I want to cuff your hands together and go through your toy collection until you’re screaming my name. And I don’t want to edge you this time. Tonight, I want you to come over and over until you have nothing left to give me.”
I paused to nip Simon’s ear and place a deep, sucking kiss behind it on the sensitive skin. His breathing was already shallow, and his heart was racing. He moaned as my lips pressed to his neck. “Would you like that?”
“Y-yes. Please, Taylor. Want that,” he said, nodding furiously as he spoke. “Want you.” 🥵🌶️🥵
Grmpf, the sex scenes and the wonderful bits of lingerie were hot and well done.
I unfortunately skimmed the second half of the book because everything sounded repetitive the inner monologues were just boring and the two MCs acted so foolishly ... I even thought the first "I love you" scene was pretty lame.
So, if you want to read something with a ton of sex scenes and if you like boys in lace, then it's a nice book.
If you want to read something with content then look elsewhere.
“I want you to put on a pretty pair of panties for me, then I want to cuff your hands together and go through your toy collection until you’re screaming my name. And I don’t want to edge you this time. Tonight, I want you to come over and over until you have nothing left to give me.”
I paused to nip Simon’s ear and place a deep, sucking kiss behind it on the sensitive skin. His breathing was already shallow, and his heart was racing. He moaned as my lips pressed to his neck. “Would you like that?”
“Y-yes. Please, Taylor. Want that,” he said, nodding furiously as he spoke. “Want you.” 🥵🌶️🥵
i-give-up
February 24, 2021DNF@24%
July 3, 2020
If you're looking for a fun, smutty distraction, Screens Apart by Charlie Novak is the novella for you.
-Friends to lovers
-Friends with benefits
-Lace underwear
-HOT
-Fluffy
I enjoyed it- I would've liked some more feels in the story, it was light on plot for sure, but overall it was enjoyable.
3.5 Stars
-Friends to lovers
-Friends with benefits
-Lace underwear
-HOT
-Fluffy
I enjoyed it- I would've liked some more feels in the story, it was light on plot for sure, but overall it was enjoyable.
3.5 Stars
May 9, 2025
I don’t think I’ve ever said this before, but I honestly think this would’ve been better if it were shorter. It got too repetitive, and there were so many sex scenes that I was barely reading them by the end.
June 25, 2020
4 Lacy stars - Taylor and Simon
Woot that was one sexy sweet dirty story, I loved it!
Simon has a crush for his roommate Taylor ánd a crush for his online admirer Mr. Smith.
One night Taylor and Simon decided to play around in the bedroom with each other just because they can, they play and play.
Taylor finds a fuckbuddy in Simon. No strings, no feelings involved that leads to a mess.
His heart is a traitor and wants things he can’t have.
Simon’s drawers are full of toys and oh does that give Taylor inspiration.
When he noticed by accident Simon’s lace underwear he’s unstoppable.
Simon can’t decide if he should tell Taylor about his lingerie blog
So luckily for us, we can witness a delicious fuck fest.
Lace, silk, panties, soft hand-cuffs, and a lot of steamy sexiness.
It was a feel-good story, nothing upsetting happened, nothing depressing, just a lot of sexy fun time, a lot of appreciation, and discovering about each other’s bodies. We get to know every part of them. Awesomely delicious to visualize!
Woot that was one sexy sweet dirty story, I loved it!
Simon has a crush for his roommate Taylor ánd a crush for his online admirer Mr. Smith.
One night Taylor and Simon decided to play around in the bedroom with each other just because they can, they play and play.
Taylor finds a fuckbuddy in Simon. No strings, no feelings involved that leads to a mess.
His heart is a traitor and wants things he can’t have.
Simon’s drawers are full of toys and oh does that give Taylor inspiration.
When he noticed by accident Simon’s lace underwear he’s unstoppable.
Simon can’t decide if he should tell Taylor about his lingerie blog
So luckily for us, we can witness a delicious fuck fest.
Lace, silk, panties, soft hand-cuffs, and a lot of steamy sexiness.
It was a feel-good story, nothing upsetting happened, nothing depressing, just a lot of sexy fun time, a lot of appreciation, and discovering about each other’s bodies. We get to know every part of them. Awesomely delicious to visualize!
January 5, 2025
This book was exactly what I needed after an angsty read. A ripped guy who loves wearing panties and blogs about it? Then starts a friends-with-benefits relationship with his roommate? Honestly, it’s like this book was tailor-made for me.
Let’s be real—there’s not much of a plot here. But who needs plot when you’ve got this much smut? Sure, it got a little repetitive toward the end, but honestly, I wasn’t mad about it. Sometimes you just need a book that’s unapologetically spicy, and this one delivered exactly that.
Tropes:
Roommates
Hidden identity
Friends with benefits
Spice tropes
Toys
Praise
Good boy
Lingerie
Let’s be real—there’s not much of a plot here. But who needs plot when you’ve got this much smut? Sure, it got a little repetitive toward the end, but honestly, I wasn’t mad about it. Sometimes you just need a book that’s unapologetically spicy, and this one delivered exactly that.
Tropes:
Roommates
Hidden identity
Friends with benefits
Spice tropes
Toys
Praise
Good boy
Lingerie
did-not-finish
February 18, 2022If you're gonna make smut lackluster.. dude ⚔️ ELECTRIC CHAIR⚔️
Also not me devasted at the wasted energy I put into reading this cus dnf @ 62%
Also not me devasted at the wasted energy I put into reading this cus dnf @ 62%
June 14, 2021
I thought this was sweet and sexy and fun! I love when a guy isn’t the stereotypical perceived “norm” and Simon was very much that. I loved that he was such a perfect match for Taylor and Taylor really boosted his self esteem and wants.
Combined with a You’ve Got Mail trope (which I am apparently obsessed with, I’m discovering) this made for one sexy fun romp.
Combined with a You’ve Got Mail trope (which I am apparently obsessed with, I’m discovering) this made for one sexy fun romp.
June 26, 2021
Cute and spicy romance. Loved it. ❣🔥🔥🔥
June 28, 2020
Charlie Novak is a new to me author and so I didn't know what to expect. After reading this one, I will say that I'd definitely be open to checking out more of her books in the future. While I didn't love it, I did like it and I think she has great potential. There was lots to love about this steamy novella but I found I struggled with a few things. However, I should note that some of the things I had issues with may be a case of it's me not the book.
First, like always, let's start with the good.
This book was so darn sweet. It had some of my favorite things: Friends to lovers, guys in lingerie, conversations through text and a gentle giant paired with a dominant sassafras. The steamy bits were oh so steamy. The writing was solid and the characters were a delight.
Now, what made this a case of like but not love?
Those steamy bits I mentioned? They were...plentiful. Plentiful to the point that I was eventually skimming them. And this is one of the things that I think might be where it's me, not the book. So don't let this review deter you if that's something that you're wanting. I myself want that once in a while. In this case though, I found myself longing for a bit more actual relationship development and never really connected to Simon and Taylor fully as a couple. I also found I had to suspend my disbelief with their situation. It was obvious, very early on that they were talking to each other online. I know, as a reader, I was supposed to know this but I think they would have figured this out early too.
Still, this was fun and cute. For the lingerie alone, I have zero regrets reading it. Give this one a try when you're wanting a light, fluffy and heat filled read.
First, like always, let's start with the good.
This book was so darn sweet. It had some of my favorite things: Friends to lovers, guys in lingerie, conversations through text and a gentle giant paired with a dominant sassafras. The steamy bits were oh so steamy. The writing was solid and the characters were a delight.
Now, what made this a case of like but not love?
Those steamy bits I mentioned? They were...plentiful. Plentiful to the point that I was eventually skimming them. And this is one of the things that I think might be where it's me, not the book. So don't let this review deter you if that's something that you're wanting. I myself want that once in a while. In this case though, I found myself longing for a bit more actual relationship development and never really connected to Simon and Taylor fully as a couple. I also found I had to suspend my disbelief with their situation. It was obvious, very early on that they were talking to each other online. I know, as a reader, I was supposed to know this but I think they would have figured this out early too.
Still, this was fun and cute. For the lingerie alone, I have zero regrets reading it. Give this one a try when you're wanting a light, fluffy and heat filled read.
June 27, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.25 stars
Screens Apart was originally written as a serial in installments that was sent out with the author’s newsletter. All of the parts are now in one book and there has been an epilogue added as well. This book is high on the erotica side with less on the plot end and would work for a fast and heated summer read.
However, the book may have been a better read for me if I had read it in installments. The style, with each part being another sex scene, may have worked better with a break in between. As it is now, there is little plot development and little character development. We meet Simon and Taylor already roommates and friends. We are told they are both attracted to each other, but the chemistry didn’t come across for me throughout much of the book. Taylor suggests early on that they hook up when twinky, but dominant, Taylor learns that Simon, who everyone thinks is a top, isn’t interested in being dominant at all and they are a good fit.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
3.25 stars
Screens Apart was originally written as a serial in installments that was sent out with the author’s newsletter. All of the parts are now in one book and there has been an epilogue added as well. This book is high on the erotica side with less on the plot end and would work for a fast and heated summer read.
However, the book may have been a better read for me if I had read it in installments. The style, with each part being another sex scene, may have worked better with a break in between. As it is now, there is little plot development and little character development. We meet Simon and Taylor already roommates and friends. We are told they are both attracted to each other, but the chemistry didn’t come across for me throughout much of the book. Taylor suggests early on that they hook up when twinky, but dominant, Taylor learns that Simon, who everyone thinks is a top, isn’t interested in being dominant at all and they are a good fit.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
June 24, 2020
Screens Apart was a naughty kinky read without angst or a strong story line. This was pretty much sex on every chapter.
I got tired easily reading their sex adventure. Skimming all the sex scenes after chapter three or something, this book didn't wow me at all.
I'm okay if you tell me, maybe I'm too old for sex marathon in my books.
The writing was good, so if you're a fan of this kind of story, go for it!
September 13, 2022
Fluffy and cute 🥰
June 28, 2020
Very Sweet and Steamy Read!!!
Wow this book was smoking hot! What I loved most about it was that underneath the incredible amount of steamy times was a wonderfully sweet love story! Taylor and Simon were an amazing couple....each exactly what the other one needed. They both struggled with some insecurities that they worked out together...it was really, really sweet! The author did a fabulous job of character development in such a short book...I was rooting for their HEA all the way, and the epilogue was amazing!!! I did have to suspend disbelief though that it took them so long to figure things out with their blog site, the clues were just too plentiful for them to not have figured it out sooner! Looking forward to the author's next book, she is an auto buy for me!
Wow this book was smoking hot! What I loved most about it was that underneath the incredible amount of steamy times was a wonderfully sweet love story! Taylor and Simon were an amazing couple....each exactly what the other one needed. They both struggled with some insecurities that they worked out together...it was really, really sweet! The author did a fabulous job of character development in such a short book...I was rooting for their HEA all the way, and the epilogue was amazing!!! I did have to suspend disbelief though that it took them so long to figure things out with their blog site, the clues were just too plentiful for them to not have figured it out sooner! Looking forward to the author's next book, she is an auto buy for me!
Read
September 16, 2023DNF @ 80%
There’s nothing wrong with this book, I just lost interest. At 80% they’re together and it was looking like it was just going to be a smut fest for the rest of the book which usually I’m fine with but this time I just wasn’t feeling it. It’s probably my fault for not reading in one go and getting distracted by arcs and new releases.
Definitely read if you like roommates to lovers, idiots in love, anonymous texting, muscular dudes in panties, and heaps of smut.
There’s nothing wrong with this book, I just lost interest. At 80% they’re together and it was looking like it was just going to be a smut fest for the rest of the book which usually I’m fine with but this time I just wasn’t feeling it. It’s probably my fault for not reading in one go and getting distracted by arcs and new releases.
Definitely read if you like roommates to lovers, idiots in love, anonymous texting, muscular dudes in panties, and heaps of smut.
November 10, 2020
it hurts.
really. it hurts.
this book was just porn through and through.
they sprinkled some feelings here and there but it was not smooth nor well done.
brb imma wash my eyes and brain with holy water.
Lord have mercy on my soul.
really. it hurts.
this book was just porn through and through.
they sprinkled some feelings here and there but it was not smooth nor well done.
brb imma wash my eyes and brain with holy water.
Lord have mercy on my soul.
July 10, 2023
This was a fun and easy read! Smut from the first sentence🍆 Sweet friends/roommates to lovers book❤️ Lots of steam🔥 Loved the twinky top and the big bottom❤️❤️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
June 28, 2020
This book should come with a warning: do not read in public as it is straight 🔥🔥! While Simon is sweet and shy, Taylor is anything but and when these two come together there is so much heat, it pretty much burns up the pages. I do think this probably read better as a serial, as there is a lengthy sex scene in every chapter, but if you know that going into it, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. It’s light on the plot, but what there is of it is sweet and loving and delightful.
April 3, 2021
Yes it's mostly smut but quite nicely written and covers lot of kinks. Even though it's friends with benefit, which I hate to read because many writers use it an excuse for writing minus emotions. But this book is quick, filled with smut but fluffy and cute.
February 27, 2022
Who gave SCREENS APART permission to be so fluffy and cute?! I loved this one and I especially loved the couple, Simon and Taylor. You see Simon has a secret -- he runs a sexy anonymous blog where he posts pictures of himself in lingerie and he might be crushing on one of his online admirers, Mr. Smith. To complicate matters Simon also has a crush on his friend and roommate Taylor. I'll give you one guess as to Mr. Smith's identity, lol.
Quite frankly I don't know how these adorable idiots didn't figure things out sooner but it was fun watching them chat with each other online and not realizing who they were really talking to. Simon was just too pure and sweet and he must be protected at all costs. I loved him so much and he's such a big teddy bear. It was also an interesting contrast for Simon to post sexy pictures of himself while also not being completely comfortable in his own body. I adored the way Taylor would spoil Simon and build up his confidence and never let Simon doubt how attracted Taylor was to him. I also really loved Taylor and his bossy and dominant side.
These two were incredibly spicy and sexy together. SCREENS APART was originally written as a serial so there is a lot of sex and each chapter quickly pushes the relationship forward. That being said, I didn't mind it at all and I enjoyed watching Simon and Taylor go from being friends with benefits to more. I can tell that Charlie Novak is going to quickly become a favorite author and I can't wait to read more.
Quite frankly I don't know how these adorable idiots didn't figure things out sooner but it was fun watching them chat with each other online and not realizing who they were really talking to. Simon was just too pure and sweet and he must be protected at all costs. I loved him so much and he's such a big teddy bear. It was also an interesting contrast for Simon to post sexy pictures of himself while also not being completely comfortable in his own body. I adored the way Taylor would spoil Simon and build up his confidence and never let Simon doubt how attracted Taylor was to him. I also really loved Taylor and his bossy and dominant side.
These two were incredibly spicy and sexy together. SCREENS APART was originally written as a serial so there is a lot of sex and each chapter quickly pushes the relationship forward. That being said, I didn't mind it at all and I enjoyed watching Simon and Taylor go from being friends with benefits to more. I can tell that Charlie Novak is going to quickly become a favorite author and I can't wait to read more.
0-dnf-at-the-beginning
April 3, 2023DNF @ 29%. It's probably me and not the book, but I was kinda bored after two chapters and I didn't care enough about the characters / minimal storyline to continue reading.
June 21, 2020
“Screens Apart” is a sweet, fluffy read where two roommates fall in love after they agree on a “friends with benefits” relationship, although they have doubts the other has the same feelings. This was a cute, sexy read with Simon and Taylor working well together (in and out of the bedroom). My only complaint was how long it took for the guys to figure out they were messaging one another. I loved reading “Screens Apart” and watching Simon and Taylor fall in love with one another; and I absolutely loved the epilogue. If you’re looking for a quick, fun sexy read, give “Screens Apart” a read, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
I give this book 4 stars.
I received an arc from the author for an honest review.
I give this book 4 stars.
I received an arc from the author for an honest review.
June 25, 2020
HOT AF!
The kink, the lingerie, the love and affection was a bunch of yarns threaded together to make a very FAB story.
Taylor and Simon are roommates. They have a crush on each other but they each do not know it.. until a battery 🔋 delivery changes everything.
This is a story about finding your other half. Sometimes, it can be right in front of you the whole time! Sexy and sweet.
Plus an HEA that was just what I wanted to have happen!
The kink, the lingerie, the love and affection was a bunch of yarns threaded together to make a very FAB story.
Taylor and Simon are roommates. They have a crush on each other but they each do not know it.. until a battery 🔋 delivery changes everything.
This is a story about finding your other half. Sometimes, it can be right in front of you the whole time! Sexy and sweet.
Plus an HEA that was just what I wanted to have happen!
July 6, 2021
So I read Strawberry Kisses which is Connor and Patrick's story, and it's mentioned in it about Simon and Taylor and how they basically confess their love for each other. And I knew that I needed to have the book. Hence me immediately downloading this one and devouring it.
Tropes: Friends to lovers, friends with benefits, roommates to lovers, online crush turns out to be friend
Simon is a big dude. He's like 6'3 super fit and everyone always thinks that he would be the aggressive one in a relationship, but little do they know that Simon is actually very shy. He has some submissive tendencies and enjoys lace and satin panties. His whole personality does not match his body type if you're going based solely on societal expectations of men. Simon runs a blog where he post pictures of himself in said undergarments and he has a fan/friend named Mr Smith. Mr Smith is almost like a confidant to him and they also have like internet sex / chat sex? I don't know what that's actually called. I'm sure that there's a term for it but my asexual brain doesn't know. Simon just wants someone else to take charge.
Then there's Taylor. Taylor is short and slim and what people would envision as more of a submissive partner. Except Taylor is more of a dominant and he likes to be the aggressor. Taylor is also Mr Smith. Taylor and Simon are roommates. THEY WERE ROOMMATES. An ill times delivery of batteries result in a fuck buddy/friends with benefits situation for both Simon and Taylor and neither one of them say they want a relationship at the beginning of this. Of course both of them are lying through their fucking teeth and end up falling in love. But of course there's a lot of drama and angst and sex in the middle.
The most amusing part of this whole book to me were the conversations that Simon and Taylor had with each other unknowingly as their online personas. They sat there and told each other all these things that they should have just been saying to each other in person, and neither one of them caught on about who their online people really were. I feel like there was a lot of clues but then again reading it from an outside perspective is different. There was no reason for either one of them to assume that Taylor was Mr Smith or that Simon was thick boy and lace, but it was just really funny to read their interactions and be like "oh my God you're talking to the person in the room down the hall".
Anyway, this one is super steamy and also hilarious with a little bit of emotional angst thrown in. It was great. I don't really have any complaints. If anything I would have liked a little bit more conversation, but I always want more conversations so here we are. Read a Charlie Novak book. Make yourself happy.
Tropes: Friends to lovers, friends with benefits, roommates to lovers, online crush turns out to be friend
Simon is a big dude. He's like 6'3 super fit and everyone always thinks that he would be the aggressive one in a relationship, but little do they know that Simon is actually very shy. He has some submissive tendencies and enjoys lace and satin panties. His whole personality does not match his body type if you're going based solely on societal expectations of men. Simon runs a blog where he post pictures of himself in said undergarments and he has a fan/friend named Mr Smith. Mr Smith is almost like a confidant to him and they also have like internet sex / chat sex? I don't know what that's actually called. I'm sure that there's a term for it but my asexual brain doesn't know. Simon just wants someone else to take charge.
Then there's Taylor. Taylor is short and slim and what people would envision as more of a submissive partner. Except Taylor is more of a dominant and he likes to be the aggressor. Taylor is also Mr Smith. Taylor and Simon are roommates. THEY WERE ROOMMATES. An ill times delivery of batteries result in a fuck buddy/friends with benefits situation for both Simon and Taylor and neither one of them say they want a relationship at the beginning of this. Of course both of them are lying through their fucking teeth and end up falling in love. But of course there's a lot of drama and angst and sex in the middle.
The most amusing part of this whole book to me were the conversations that Simon and Taylor had with each other unknowingly as their online personas. They sat there and told each other all these things that they should have just been saying to each other in person, and neither one of them caught on about who their online people really were. I feel like there was a lot of clues but then again reading it from an outside perspective is different. There was no reason for either one of them to assume that Taylor was Mr Smith or that Simon was thick boy and lace, but it was just really funny to read their interactions and be like "oh my God you're talking to the person in the room down the hall".
Anyway, this one is super steamy and also hilarious with a little bit of emotional angst thrown in. It was great. I don't really have any complaints. If anything I would have liked a little bit more conversation, but I always want more conversations so here we are. Read a Charlie Novak book. Make yourself happy.
June 26, 2020
Universal Link
Simon is a teddy bear living in a muscular giant's body, and he has some secrets - one being that he LOVES manties, women's silky, lacy lingerie, and the way it feels on his skin. Two being that he has long held feelings for his roommate/friends with bennies, Taylor. And then there's his online sexy friend with whom he trades hot af sexts via his blog, Thick Boy in Lace. How can Simon have feelings for two different guys? And can he keep his heart intact as he's falling for Taylor, someone who doesn't want a real relationship or commitment?
Damn, this is one seriously hot story. It's also sweet and a bit fluffy, low on angst, and really enjoyable. I like the contrast in bodies/personalities with the big, buff guy being the submissive and shy one, while the smaller, slightly twinky guy is dominant and bossy and definitely the top in the relationship. Honestly, Simon is about the sweetest guy to grace my Kindle in a long time. He's a bit clueless, as is Taylor, with how they couldn't figure out they were actually talking to each other on Simon's blog all while falling in love and being roommates. But aside from both their cluelessness, I liked this sweet, seriously sexy story.
ARC via Gay Romance Reviews for an honest review.
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June 19, 2020
Simon and Taylor are housemates in London who have lived together for several months, each crushing hard on the other, but keeping it secret because they are both insecure about revealing their feelings.
Simon is a gentle giant. He's a big, muscular guy, but his personality is sweet and kind. He's shy, but he has a wicked sense of humour. He also has a deliciously dirty side. Simon has a thing for ladies' underwear. He loves them so much that he has an anonymous blog where he posts photos of himself wearing beautiful lingerie. What Simon really craves is to find a man who loves him but also understands his need to be taken care of.
Taylor is smaller physically, but his personality more than makes up for it. He's brash and loud and sometimes speaks before thinking. Also wickedly smart, he has resigned himself to never finding the "one". He has found that most men he dates expect him to be something he's not - namely more submissive. What Taylor craves is a man to take care of and cherish. Someone who wants him to take charge. Something he never expects from Simon, at least in part because of Simon's imposing physical size.
When Simon and Taylor finally hook up the heat is intense! But they are both under the impression that the other one isn't looking for anything more than a "friends with benefits" situation. Of course, adding to the sexual tension is the fact that Taylor LOVES Simon's blog, and the two of them have struck up a sort of friendship, with neither one of them having any idea the other one is their housemate!
The only thing I didn't love about Screens Apart is that I wanted to scream at both Simon and Taylor when the signs that their online friend was in fact their roommate, become SO obvious you've have to quite literally have your head in the sand not to see it. But it takes both of them SO long to figure it out! Literally, it could NOT have been more obvious, so it was frustrating when the characters were so dense! But aside from that minor frustration, I LOVED Screens apart. Make sure you've got an ice cold drink nearby when reading it - otherwise you're likely to melt from the heat! It's a super fun, sweet read with a very satisfying happy ending. I'll definitely be reading more from Charlie Novak.
Simon is a gentle giant. He's a big, muscular guy, but his personality is sweet and kind. He's shy, but he has a wicked sense of humour. He also has a deliciously dirty side. Simon has a thing for ladies' underwear. He loves them so much that he has an anonymous blog where he posts photos of himself wearing beautiful lingerie. What Simon really craves is to find a man who loves him but also understands his need to be taken care of.
Taylor is smaller physically, but his personality more than makes up for it. He's brash and loud and sometimes speaks before thinking. Also wickedly smart, he has resigned himself to never finding the "one". He has found that most men he dates expect him to be something he's not - namely more submissive. What Taylor craves is a man to take care of and cherish. Someone who wants him to take charge. Something he never expects from Simon, at least in part because of Simon's imposing physical size.
When Simon and Taylor finally hook up the heat is intense! But they are both under the impression that the other one isn't looking for anything more than a "friends with benefits" situation. Of course, adding to the sexual tension is the fact that Taylor LOVES Simon's blog, and the two of them have struck up a sort of friendship, with neither one of them having any idea the other one is their housemate!
The only thing I didn't love about Screens Apart is that I wanted to scream at both Simon and Taylor when the signs that their online friend was in fact their roommate, become SO obvious you've have to quite literally have your head in the sand not to see it. But it takes both of them SO long to figure it out! Literally, it could NOT have been more obvious, so it was frustrating when the characters were so dense! But aside from that minor frustration, I LOVED Screens apart. Make sure you've got an ice cold drink nearby when reading it - otherwise you're likely to melt from the heat! It's a super fun, sweet read with a very satisfying happy ending. I'll definitely be reading more from Charlie Novak.
September 25, 2020
Sadly, this one wasn't for me.
Screens Apart is a steamy and ever so slightly kinky read with barely any actual plot or relationship development. It's basically just a string of sex scenes bundled together in a book.
Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for that kind of story, or maybe I'm just getting too old, but it got boring really fast, to the point that I found myself skipping most of each chapter.
Plus, the reveal of their identities was lackluster, which should not be surprising, given that it should have been blatantly obvious to both of them who they really were, but somehow it wasn't. Somehow, it was still a big mystery till the very end. And for the life of me I can't figure out why.
Screens Apart is a steamy and ever so slightly kinky read with barely any actual plot or relationship development. It's basically just a string of sex scenes bundled together in a book.
Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for that kind of story, or maybe I'm just getting too old, but it got boring really fast, to the point that I found myself skipping most of each chapter.
Plus, the reveal of their identities was lackluster, which should not be surprising, given that it should have been blatantly obvious to both of them who they really were, but somehow it wasn't. Somehow, it was still a big mystery till the very end. And for the life of me I can't figure out why.
October 1, 2025
This book was pretty good. I liked the characters and how they aren’t what you expect from the outside. Simon is a tall, well built guy that likes to feel sexy in lingerie. Taylor is described as a twink who has a lot of snark and sharp wit. These two might be what others don’t expect, but they end up being perfect for each other.
I would have rated this higher, but some of it felt repetitive and slightly annoying, but it was still a cute story. The two characters cracked me up with how oblivious they were, plus some really good one liners.
I would have rated this higher, but some of it felt repetitive and slightly annoying, but it was still a cute story. The two characters cracked me up with how oblivious they were, plus some really good one liners.
June 16, 2020
~4.5 STARS~
I enjoyed this sweet and sexy story. Both Taylor and Simon are likable characters. I liked how, though a big and strong guy, Simon was shy and a little insecure. He was super sweet.
I’m always a fan of the big strong guy being a bottom and the more twink-ish guy topping. I thought the two played well together and were really hot in the bedroom.
As far as the messaging that Simon has with Mr. Smith, there were parts I really liked and others not so much. I was a little baffled towards the end that Simon couldn’t figure out who Mr. Smith was.
I enjoyed this sweet and sexy story. Both Taylor and Simon are likable characters. I liked how, though a big and strong guy, Simon was shy and a little insecure. He was super sweet.
I’m always a fan of the big strong guy being a bottom and the more twink-ish guy topping. I thought the two played well together and were really hot in the bedroom.
As far as the messaging that Simon has with Mr. Smith, there were parts I really liked and others not so much. I was a little baffled towards the end that Simon couldn’t figure out who Mr. Smith was.
July 28, 2020
Sweet & Sexy
If you’re looking for a good read with some super hot sexy times, look no further! You’re going to get just about all the sexy times you can handle with this one. The story is cute, I really loved the premise. I really loved both MCs and I was really rooting for these two to “figure it out”! Haha. If you’re a fan of bossy tops, eager bottoms, men in lingerie and roommates to friends with benefits to love this sweet read is for you!
If you’re looking for a good read with some super hot sexy times, look no further! You’re going to get just about all the sexy times you can handle with this one. The story is cute, I really loved the premise. I really loved both MCs and I was really rooting for these two to “figure it out”! Haha. If you’re a fan of bossy tops, eager bottoms, men in lingerie and roommates to friends with benefits to love this sweet read is for you!
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