Charley's Confession

Mountmooke Series, Book 1

By: Elizabeth Chayse-Williams

Narrated by: Kate Clover, Ryan Pierson

When Harry Met Sally has nothing on these two....

Charley

Life in Mountmooke Bay is safe, predictable, and exactly how I’ve built it as a single mom. My sixteen-year-old son, Troy, keeps me on my toes with baseball and teenage antics.

I don’t need a man in my life—but a little fun on the side? I could go for that.

Then an old crush shows up and we strike a deal: friends with benefits, no strings, and absolutely no one needs to know.

But as things heat up, I start to wonder…am I in over my head, or is he exactly what I’ve been missing?

Drew

I never planned to come back to Mountmooke Bay, but Gran needs me, so here I am.

Then I run into Charley. The girl next door has grown into the kind of woman I can’t ignore, and all she’s asking for is a little excitement.

What happens when “just fun” becomes so much more?

Charley’s Confession is a steamy, heartfelt small-town romance about rediscovering love when you least expect it. A friends (with-benefits) to lovers story and the first in the trilogy, this happy-for-now ending will leave you just like Charley…begging for more.

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Cute story!

Charley is a single mom of a son named Trent, whose husband left to follow his dreams of becoming a baseball legend. Drew was Charley's high school crush and he's just returned to care for his grandmother and it doesn't take much time before they find each other. It's a lovely story with a smidgen of angst, just the way I like it. The town and its surroundings are beautifully and vividly described. The characters are realistic and recognizable to the extent that they really feel like friends and family.
The narration by Kate Clover and Ryan Pierson was exceptional. Their dynamic voices blended beautifully and the delivery was emotional and the characters came alive.

Good premise

I enjoyed the overall story and characters. There were pieces I did feel were left either unresolved or not resolved in a satisfying way to the reader. I also wish there was a little more on page development with some side characters especially Troy. Additionally, there were some time jumps that had a lot happen off page, that was only briefly explained or not explained at all and just made it a little hard to follow, or didn't make sense. Narration was done well.

Small-town charm with heart, heat, and feels

Charley’s Confession is a fun, flirty friends-to-lovers romance with just the right mix of emotion and steam. The “When Harry Met Sally” vibe totally fits, there’s banter, chemistry, and that slow realization that “just fun” isn’t so simple after all.

I listened to the audiobook and was pleasantly surprised that it featured two narrators. Kate Clover and Ryan Peirson did such a great job bringing the characters to life, and I really enjoyed their performances. Having both a male and female narrator added an extra layer to the story and made it even more engaging.

Charley is a relatable heroine. She’s a single mom who’s built a safe, steady life for herself and her teenage son, and I really appreciated how grounded and realistic she felt. Drew, the returning hometown crush, is charming without being over-the-top, and their friends-with-benefits deal feels natural instead of forced.

The small-town setting adds a cozy backdrop, and the emotional growth on both sides kept me invested. While a few moments felt a bit predictable, the connection between Charley and Drew made up for it, and the story flowed well from start to finish.

This book delivers a satisfying happy-for-now and definitely sets things up nicely for what’s next. I’m absolutely looking forward to book 2 and seeing where this series goes from here.

Sweet and Spicy with Room to Grow

Charley’s Confession is a fun introduction to the Mountmooke Series, blending small-town charm with a friends-to-lovers romance that packs plenty of heat. Charley, a single mom with a good-girl image and a hidden wild side, reconnects with Drew when he returns to Mountmooke Bay to care for his grandmother. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the mix of tender moments and steamy encounters makes for an engaging listen.

While I enjoyed the story overall, there were times when the pacing felt rushed. Some chapter transitions seemed to skip over details, leaving me wishing for smoother flow and a bit more depth in certain scenes. Despite that, the characters were likable and relatable, and I found myself invested in their journey.

The narration by Kate Clover and Ryan Pierson adds warmth and personality to the characters, making the emotional and intimate moments even more enjoyable.

This is a solid start to the series, and I’m curious to see where the author takes these characters next. If you enjoy small-town romance with a spicy edge, this one is worth checking out.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

cute and pleasant book

I love reading smut, and I can applaud the author's courage to write some strange moment (like a butt plug getting lost), but at times, the graphic descriptions were too much for me.
other than this, the book was cute and the listen through was pleasant.
The narrators did a good job.
If possible, I would like to listen to the next book in the series.
I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.