Margins
Off the Pitch book cover 1
Off the Pitch book cover 2
Off the Pitch book cover 3
Off the Pitch
Series · 7 books · 2019-2021

Books in series

Breakaway book cover
#1

Breakaway

2019

When your life revolves around a single goal, is there room for love? Christian King is a rising star in English football. He’s talented, devoted, and on the road to glory. He’s following the path that’s been laid out for him since he was four, and he has no plans to deviate from it. Christian’s life revolves around a single goal—to be the best… until he runs into his first love and former best friend, David. David Cade is just trying to survive the final year of his PhD intact, while battling long hours, unmotivated students, and the idea that academia might not be for him. But a chance encounter with his first love’s twin sister changes everything, and suddenly David is faced with the realisation that he can’t leave the past behind. When David and Christian are drawn back together, sparks fly. Soon, Christian is forced to confront his deepest insecurities. Can they break away from their fears for a second chance at true love? Breakaway is a 79,000 word contemporary gay romance featuring light angst, glittery bath bombs, a ginger-haired roommate/pet, shared Star Wars love, and a meddling twin sister. It is book one in the Off the Pitch series and can be read as a stand alone.
Hat Trick book cover
#1.1

Hat Trick

2020

Three goals. One sexy celebration. When Christian nets an elusive hat trick during a home game, David decides he needs to show his boyfriend exactly how proud of his achievement he is... Hat Trick is a steamy 5,000 word short story featuring a jock strap so tempting they might not even make it out of the kitchen. It is a short in the Off the Pitch series and features characters from Breakaway.
The Off the Pitch Short Collection book cover
#1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 3.5

The Off the Pitch Short Collection

2021

What happens after the final whistle? The Off the Pitch short story collection brings together three previously published shorts from Charlie Novak’s Greenwich Athletic world, along with a brand new finale for all the couples. Hat Trick Three goals. One sexy celebration. When Christian nets an elusive hat-trick during a home game, David decides he needs to show his boyfriend exactly how proud he is of his achievement. Best read after Breakaway. Silverware Valentine's Day is full of surprises. Kit and Hugo might have said no gifts, but that doesn't mean they'll follow their own rule. Besides, some things don’t count as presents. Best read after Extra Time. International Break Time for a scorching summer getaway. While enjoying a well-earned pre-season break, Jordan decides it is the perfect time to ask Félix a probing question, and he's happy to offer a reward for the answer. Best read after Final Score. Full Time One final chapter, eight years later. Everything is changing: kids, new jobs, and retirement are all part of the scene now. But change isn’t a bad thing, especially when you’ve got a World Cup win to celebrate. Best read last. All these stories contain the character’s happily ever afters and spoilers for each novel. This collection is not intended to be read as a standalone.
Extra Time book cover
#2

Extra Time

2019

Can a chance encounter help two lost souls find love? Kit Macken is used to not being wanted. Slightly strange and a little odd, Kit believes he’s more likely to find gold than someone who loves him. Until a chance encounter brings him face to face with a man who knows what it’s like to suddenly be alone; footballer, Hugo Serin. Fresh off a painful divorce and an even more painful broken leg, Hugo feels like he’s lost everything. Isolated and drifting, Hugo isn’t expecting a rom-com style meet-cute any time soon. But he hadn’t counted on meeting Kit, who might just be the walking ray of sunshine Hugo needs to break through the clouds surrounding him. When a freak accident leaves Kit’s house uninhabitable, Hugo opens his home, and his heart, to the man whose charming eccentricity makes him feel things he’d long forgotten. All he has to do now is convince Kit he’s worthy of love, just the way he is. Extra Time is a 77,000-word contemporary gay romance featuring a clueless protagonist, Scottish adventures, an overbearing best friend and a plan to capture Nessie. It is book two in the Off the Pitch series and can be read as a stand alone.
Cheese & Kisses book cover
#2.1

Cheese & Kisses

2020

Valentine's Day is full of surprises. Kit and Hugo might have said on no presents, but that doesn't mean they'll listen. Besides, surprise dinners don't count as presents. And neither do secret French lessons... Cheese & Kisses is a sweet 6,000 word short story featuring a epic levels of fluff, sofa sexy times and heart shaped cheese. It is a short in the Off the Pitch series and features characters from Extra Time.
Final Score book cover
#3

Final Score

2020

Can one perfect night lead to more? Jordan Green is too busy for a relationship. With the World Cup looming, his focus is on making the England team, not finding someone to spend his life with. His friends may be settling down, but Jordan’s had enough of planning weddings. All he wants is some fun, and Félix is the perfect person for that… even if he is his boss’s brother. Félix Trossero is not looking for love. Or a relationship. Or anything beyond tomorrow morning. He’s rich, he’s handsome and he’s incredibly happy with his playboy lifestyle. He doesn’t want anything else. That is, until he runs into one of his former flings at his brother’s football club. Neither of them want commitment, but neither of them can resist their connection. While Félix is forced to deal with his past, Jordan must face his worst fears. Will they put their hearts on the line for one final score? Final Score is a 77,000-word contemporary gay romance featuring an age gap relationship, hidden restaurants, unicorn slime and a public declaration of love. It is book three in the Off the Pitch series and should be read as part of the series.
International Break book cover
#3.1

International Break

2020

Time for a scorching summer getaway. While enjoying a well earned break before the season starts, Jordan decides this is the perfect time to ask Félix a probing question. And he's happy to offer a reward for the answer. International Break is a steamy 5,000 word short story featuring an oh-so-tempting waterfall shower that neither man can resit. It is a short in the Off the Pitch series and features characters from Final Score.

Author

Charlie Novak
Charlie Novak
Author · 42 books

Charlie 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…

548 Market St PMB 65688, San Francisco California 94104-5401 USA
© 2025 Paratext Inc. All rights reserved