Book Boyfriends and Booze

Nicole’s carefully planned life is thrown into chaos when Cameron Hawke, a brooding ex-convict, moves in as her new roommate. While she has always been content with her seemingly perfect boyfriend, Patrick, the undeniable tension between her and Hawke makes it impossible to ignore her growing curiosity. As she attempts to uncover the secrets of his dark past, the lines between right and wrong begin to blur. The chemistry between them becomes undeniable, leading to temptations that threaten to unravel everything she thought she wanted. But when shocking truths come to light, Nicole is forced to confront the consequences of her choices, altering all of their lives forever.

The “Bad Boy” Book Boyfriend

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to fall for the bad boy—the one you know is no good, but you just can’t stay away—then Hawke by Jescie Hall is your next must-read. This book brings all the tension, temptation, and forbidden romance vibes you could ever want, and while it might not be for everyone, if you love an emotionally charged, push-and-pull dynamic, then this one will keep you hooked.

The Forbidden Romance That Will Have You Questioning Your Morals [warning: trope spoiler below]

From the moment Hawke and Nicole cross paths, you can feel the tension crackling like a live wire.  However, let’s address the elephant in the room: the cheating trope. If that’s an immediate hard no for you, then this might not be your cup of tea—but if you’re open to morally grey love stories, buckle up, because Hawke and Nicole’s relationship is the definition of tension-filled and complicated.

The way Jescie Hall writes this dynamic makes you not only understand why things happen the way they do but root for Hawke and Nicole. By the time they finally give in to their undeniable chemistry, it’s been building in a way that feels raw, intense, and almost inevitable. You might find yourself questioning your own stance on cheating in books—and that’s a testament to the author’s skill in storytelling.

Hawke – Too Hot? Too Cold? A true “bad boy”?

Cameron Hawke is 100% a bad boy…for the first half of the book, but he doesn’t fall into the usual mold of the “dangerous” archetype we would expect to see in a book marketed as dark romance. Instead, he’s a bit of an emotional rollercoaster—one minute he’s all in, the next he’s pushing Nicole away. This hot-and-cold behavior might work for some readers who love a bit of angsty, conflicted romance, but if you prefer a book boyfriend who knows exactly what he wants from the start, Hawke might test your patience.

Unlike Zade Meadows from Haunting Adeline—who was obsessed with his woman from page one and never wavered—Hawke takes his sweet time deciding where his heart really lies. For some, that might make his eventual commitment all the more satisfying, while others may find themselves frustrated with his back-and-forth behavior. If you love a wounded, misunderstood hero who needs just the right girl to fix him, Cameron Hawke is your man.

Similarly, some find that Hawke is just a good guy wearing a “bad boy” outfit and while that makes some of us happy, knowing he’s not so bad and in the end willing to be the white knight Nicole needed, might be disappointing for readers who were hoping to dive deep into a dark romantic world with a convicted felon. Finding out Cameron Hawke is not as “bad as he looks” might dull the bad boyfriend romance you thought you were in for, which can be a bit of a let down if that’s what you were in the mood for.

The Spice – Emotionally Charged and Deeply Intimate

Let’s talk about the spice. If you’re picking this up expecting explicit, raunchy, Priest-level smut, that’s not what you’ll find here. Instead, the intimacy in Hawke is emotionally charged, full of longing, grief, and connection rather than just physical heat. The spice hits hard, but it’s not gratuitous —it’s the kind that makes you feel something in your chest, not just between your legs.

It’s definitely sexy, don’t get us wrong, but it’s a different kind of spice than you’ll find in books like The Salacious Player’s Club Series. Hawke is for when you’re in the mood for deep, soul-consuming lovers.

Audiobook Lovers, Listen up!

If you enjoy audiobooks, check out Hawke in audio format. Joe Arden—who also narrated Butcher and Blackbird—delivers an incredible performance, especially when voicing Kid, one of the standout side characters. The female narrator also does a fantastic job capturing Nicole’s emotions as she reads her inner monologue, making this an immersive experience. If this is your first Jescie Hall book, the audio version is a great way to experience it.

Final Verdict – Should You Read Hawke?

If you love a book that pushes your boundaries, makes you question your morals, and delivers an emotionally intense love story, then Hawke is a must-read. However, if you prefer more clear-cut love stories without the moral grayness of cheating, this might not be for you.

At the end of the day, Hawke is a bad-ish boy that just needs to be loved—and if you’re ready to take on that challenge, then this book will have you hooked. So, if you’re in the mood for high tension, deep emotions, and a little bit of chaos, pick this up ASAP and let us know what you think!