Proficiency Bonus (Roll for Love #3) ~ Charlie Novak

Proficiency Bonus is a light-hearted, feel-good, steamy story that will leave you with a smile on your face. This was my first book by Charlie Novak, but it won't be my last. I’m already exploring her backlist, particularly Natural Twenty which is the first book in this series and follows one of the couples that appear in this story – it looks like a lot of fun!

Proficiency Bonus was one of those stories you could pick up on a bleak day. When you're feeling down, or it's a dreary rainy day, it's the perfect remedy to perk your spirits. The relationship between Lewis and Jason is relaxing. There is no unnecessary angst or miscommunication. They are open with each other as to how the other is feeling regarding their relationship and move from there. Lewis and Jason are drawn as truly likeable characters, I could easily imagine myself sitting down with them and having a drink and a game. They are alive on the page and it's lovely to watch them interact with each other and the rest of the cast.

“I’ve been very lucky over the last few months to fall in love with the most incredible man. He is the most beautiful person I’ve ever met, inside and out, and I’ve never been happier. He is my Caleb.”

If you’ve been following this series, you would be aware of the other couples: Jacob (Jay)/Leo and Edward/Izzy and they are a happy inclusion into this story. For me, I hadn’t read the previous books, so had no expectations when it came to these characters, but I liked what I saw. It seems this author has a knack for writing genuine characters, with all their strengths and their flaws, which only makes them seem more alive and active on the page.

Charlie Novak's writing is engaging and keeps you flipping the pages. The story is told from both Lewis and Jason's points of view, and each transition flows seamlessly from one to the other. The story itself is light with many moments of humour. There is no real angst apart from a few moments of drama that are quickly resolved, but the storyline revolving around not only Lewis and Jason's relationship but also Jason's problems with his TV show keeps you turning the pages.

"I had an overnight flight to catch. I was going home. Lewis felt more like home than anything ever had before.”

This book can be read as a standalone. I have not read the previous books and I still thoroughly enjoyed it. However, if I had read the previous books I would have had a deeper understanding of the other characters and it would have been an even richer experience. Any way, you approach this book, it's addictive and a wonderful read.