I'm sorry, I loved your book, I've tried, but I could not finish the review on time due to corona.
I hope to get another chance

I guess this book was a little too light for me? I say that as a question, because it looks like from other reviews that people really enjoyed the humor throughout, but it got a little tedious at times for me. I wanted the two of them to have serious moments, and there were very few.

From the summary, I thought Alex and her deceased wife would play a bigger role than it did. I was expecting it to affect her relationship with Sam, but it didn't come to play much at all. Sure, she started as a "player", but once she met Sam, that seemed to drop away in the blink of an eye. I thought she was much more open to love than I was expecting. Not a good or bad thing, just something I wanted to point out if you don't like the angst of a deceased love. You won't get that in this book.

Another issues I had that took away my ability to really get into the story was that all the characters talked and acted much younger than they were. Not sure if this was a byproduct of them never taking anything seriously, but even the lingo seemed about 10 years younger.

Last thing - I feel like this would have been better set in the 90s or even early 2000s. The whole gay actors needing to stay in the closet isn't the dilemma it once was, so the stakes felt much lower. Honestly I thought, who cares at this point?

Overall it wasn't a badly written book, and it was entertaining enough that I finished it, but I wouldn't read it again.

Omg, this was amazing, funny and sweet book. You will laugh, and cry and laugh some more. The main characters are meant for each other from the first meet. They are both goofy, with ideas out of this world. They make their relationship hot, and happy and don't stop playing around. It looks so easy when you read this one and you root for their happy ending. Excellent book in my opinion.

It’s been four years since Alex Novato lost her wife. They met in college, thinking they had all the time in the world but their life took a different life. Now on her own, living with her sister and sister-in-law, working alongside her sister in her landscaping business. She guards her heart having it broken once wasn’t something she wanted to do again. So she made do with a lot of one night stands, making it clear to the women she met it would not go anywhere beyond one night.
Alex still hasn’t given up on her writing. But so far no publisher has decided to print and sell her books. She keeps writing, even writing some fanfic. Her first trip into this medium was to write a better ending for her favorite show. As it was, the main character was allowed to have a kiss with another woman and then the writers killed off her role.
Samantha Cassidy wanted to be an actress since she was a little girl. Now that she’s made it she was still living her life in ‘the closet’, having her last girlfriend while in college. Pretending to have a relationship with a male actor was getting old. She missed being with another woman. Sam also has two friends, Jade, Sam’s manager and Emma, a fellow actor.
It was their idea to find a lover for Sam, someone who would be fine in the closet with Sam. After reading Alex’s fanfic they decided to find her and hopefully some sparks would fly. The attraction and feelings between Sam and Alex is strong, making keeping the relationship secret all the harder.
Never having the pleasure of reading Ms Matthew’s works, I was more than surprised just how much I enjoyed this first time author's work. Characters that are more than likeable and the supporting cast giving this read some very fun moments. All in all a great read. Now I just have to wait for Ms Matthew’s next book. Very enjoyable read.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bella Books

Sam is an Emmy awards winning actress who is a hopeless romantic and is searching for love. She meets Alex, who write fanfiction about Sam's show, and the two are immediately drawn to one another. Alex has sworn off all love, but will Sam be the one who helps her move on?

Unfortunately, I could just not get into this one. The dialogue was too over the top to me, and made the characters sound like teenagers and not in their late 20s/30s. There was no consistency in terms of Sam being super reserved/shy and then open to the point where it was a complete character change. The story also moved really fast, although the pacing improved later on. I couldn't connect to them or to their relationships because of all this. The story itself was funny, with some good laugh out loud moments, but the characters grated on me too much to be invested in the romance. This wasn't bad for a debut novel and I'm sure I'll give a book by Lori G. Matthews another go in the future.

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

CassiNova is a lighthearted romantic comedy by debut author Lori G. Matthews. It is a story that is based on the Clexa fandom so those of you who are knowledgeable of this genre will recognize it in the tale.

The story is technically well written with a good premise. I did have some problems though. I never connected with the characters. They just seemed to lack depth. They were surface characters with little growth to them. The plot was kind of predictable and also needed a bit more depth. While I do enjoy comedy in stories, there was sometimes a bit too much slapstick comedy here. That may be just a personal preference though. Some of you may really enjoy this type of comedy.

While this novel is kind of a mixed bag for me, I do see lots of potential for this author, and I will be looking for more from her in the future.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bella Books for an honest review.

#CassiNova is funny. You will have to hold your belly because it will be cramping from laughing so hard. Lori G. Matthews (no relation) has produced a rom-com for the season. Heck I want to move to the Hollywood Hills and get me a baby goat.

I do not even know who I love best in this book. Alex’s relationship with her sister is hilarious. Are there even words better than “hilarious” for Jade? Does Matthews even write an unfunny character? Holy sugar just remembering them makes my bellyache (laugh). I am straight up giggling now and I can’t tell you why because hello spoilers.

I definitely want to sleep with Alex because damn the girl got skills. She is funny, suave, and can laugh at herself. I adore how she is with Sam who at times has no skills (laugh). Matthews gives both characters a chance to redeem themselves, sometimes with laughter, show us some steam.

Here’s to christening every room you have, hashtagging, Lori G. Matthews, and #CassiNova. My holiday gift came early.

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

This one is a sitcom that doesn’t aim at being anything other than broadstrokes funny.

Samantha Cassidy is a popular, closeted TV actress with an Emmy under her belt and a dream of winning an Oscar. Alex Novato is a landscaper in her day job, but an aspiring author with a dream of getting published. As a creative outlet, Alex writes a fanfic shipping Sam’s character with that played by another actress, Emma, on the show. Sam and her manager, Jade, are impressed with the fanfic and decide to have a looksee at the author. It just so happens that Sam is in dire need of an overhaul of the outdoor areas of her new house and Alex is hired.

There is not much of a story. In fact, the story is only an excuse for comedic scenes. This book was originally a Clexa fanfic on AO3 and in the lack of plot, the fanfic origins show. However, it was hilarious as fanfic and it is hilarious in the book form too.

Sam and Alex are very likeable. We particularly liked that Alex doesn’t put pressure on Sam to come out before she is ready.

Since this is good old plain comedy, there is no reason the analyse characters or situations – just enjoy the lightness and at many times, the howlariousness of the on-going madness.

This is a light, and sweet romance about mutual pining and with a lot of humor thrown in. There's not too much on the dramatic side, just enough to keep the plot moving, so it is really hinges on the comedy and connection between the two leads.

For me, what it did very well was the connection between the two leads, Hollywood actress Samantha Cassidy and Casanova Alex Novato. These two almost instantly have chemistry even though they met under so, so circumstances. I also found that there is a bit of a role reversal with the pair - even though Alex is supposed to be smooth, I had imagined her to be a little starstruck once she realized she was in the presence of the super popular Samantha. But its not that way at all: Sam can't seem to get it together around Alex and even has a few bits of cringe worthy moments like being struck dumb at the sight of Alex.

This is a rom com so there's bound to be a bunch of humorous moments to go along with the courtship. I'd say it is a bit of a mixed bag, with what seems to be a ton of stuff that is thrown at the wall to see what sticks. There are a couple of running gags that do get tiring after a short bit, like Sam's friend absolutely shamelessly objectifying Alex throughout the story. I thought it was kind of funny at the beginning when she didn't know Alex, but once Alex integrated into the group it started to get old kind of quick.

This is a debut for Matthews, and I thought it was a solid start. I like that she connected some newer aspects of fandoms into the book, but only a little bit. Things like social media, fanfiction and para-social relationships deserve their own in-depth looks but I enjoyed that it was Alex's steamy fanfic of Sam's show that brought them together. So if you're just looking for a light, easy read with a bit of good humor thrown in, this is for you.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I understand this is a first published book for this author, and all I can say is please Ms. Matthews, keep them coming <smile>. This was just a wonderful story around Actress meets Writer/Landscaper - I'll keep it quiet on who stalked who first <smile>.

Samantha is a young actress who is semi-closeted for fear of her career goals. She comes across a fan-fic about her TV show character and well it all starts with looking for Hearteyes. Alex is a struggling writer just looking to be published and works for her sister who owns a landscape company. The story is just a fun filled time of wooing, having friends who make fun of you for wooing, and a dog named Yogi Bear.

The main characters are relatable and the author really gives them great background that you understand why they are the way they are. I love this authors style of writing in that it is page after page after page of dialog - I love a book brimming with lots of dialog-it is both out loud funny and at times very serious (Alex's past sent me to tears) and I could not put the book down. There is plenty of bantering moments both between the MC, family and friends, and also some rather steamy moments with the MC.

Bottom-line I gave this 5 stars not only for the well written storyline, the lovable characters but also, cause again, LOVED that is was 3/4 dialog all around.

Ms. Matthews is one of my new favorite authors and will be on my 'watch for more' list for her books.

I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, but would have written the same opinion if I had come across this author on my own.

To see my Amazon review, it is under CC-FUN read

Author's style of writing was engaging and funny. The two leads had amazing chemistry, which started out as sizzling hot and then turned into super sweet. Both were very likeable characters. The author has a unique voice and can clearly write. However, some of the events and conversations in the beginning (all involving Jade) were so far-fetched and ridiculous they were not at all believable. I also struggled with the idea of Jade encouraging Sam to stay in the closet for fear of hurting her career - the novel's set in the US in year 2020. The lengths Sam, Jade and their entourage went to to keep Sam in the closet were quite extraordinary and not in a good way, and I was sad to see Alex so okay with that. This should have been a much bigger source of conflict in my opinion. Overall it was a well-written book but would have benefited from a touch more realism.

Delightfully funny. Sam Cassidy is a Hollywood actress. She stars on a tv series, has an Emmy and wants an Oscar. She is closeted for her career but wants a girlfriend. Sam in bumbling silliness meets and hires Alex Navato to landscape her home. Sam makes rules for their friendship as she wants to go slowly and woo Alex. There is attraction and hijinks. A lot of the playfulness comes from the interactions with Sams friends who add in comic relief. But the world seems a nicer place when there are supportive people who love you wether you are a dork, a star or in love.

Alex has her own history. She is very confident in her appeal but has been in a good relationship and isn't looking for a new one. Alex's confidence and Sam's ineptness balance the power difference between the two women making the romance believable. I read this with a grin and outright laughs. Humor is subjective and only a few times did it go too over the top for me. I will look for future books from the author.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bella Books for the ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

“Oh, yes, she, we just bought a house, and the yard needs a lot of work. There’s a pool that looks like shit, and gardens that look like shit, and a patio that basically looks like shit. We were thinking of redoing everything.”

Warning for readers. Do not read this if you have some kind of persona to upkeep or uphold. The book is hilarious. I showed a lot of teeth while reading, could not contain my giggles and was laughing out loud deep into the night.

Samantha Cassidy, an Emmy winner, popular actress of a sci fi series, darling of scores of lesbians fans, is a closet lesbian. She yearns for a girlfriend but is reluctant to come out for fear of jeopardising her childhood dream of winning an Oscar for her late father. To help Sam along, her agent cum best friend Jade suggested a quick sexual fix and took her on an undercover trip to check out a fanfic writer whose writing got their libidos raging. When Jade found that Alex not only writes but also fix houses, she kicked her plan into action.

Alex Novato, landscaper by day and fanfic writer by night is hot and only into hook ups. Engaged by two weird ladies to remodel her/their house, she was ready to revamp the house and seduce her way into Sam’s bed. When she got to know Sam more, she found herself changing her MO but will she be sacrificed for Sam’s dream?

Family and friends on both sides would amuse you to no end, the characterisations make them all lovable, dorks, bimbos or whatever.

A solid 5 stars based on the entertainment value of the book, perfect for times like this.

I just reviewed #CassiNova by Lori G. Matthews. #CassiNova #NetGalley

#CassiNova was the debut novel for this author and it was a rom-com. It was very silly at times, some of it over the top silliness. It had goofy and dorky characters and many laugh out loud moments.

Sam was a closeted movie star. She was afraid of hurting her career if she came out. Alex was a landscaper by day, but also continued to write a sci-fi story in the hopes of soon getting it published. After Alex wrote a fan fiction about Sam’s show, Sam and her manager/best friend loved it and needed to meet her. But they couldn’t do it the conventional way. They stalked Alex at her workplace. From this point on, the zaniness took off and continued throughout the story.

There were many comedic episodes throughout the story involving the mains and the secondary characters. I actually enjoyed the scenes where all the characters were together. My favorites involved the gay bar scenes. The first time all the characters went there, they needed to protect Sam’s privacy and to make sure she and Alex stayed apart. The shenanigans that followed was like watching a comedy show. One funny moment after the next. The second time they went there to celebrate Alex’s recent accomplishment was equally as funny. But this time Sam couldn’t go since she was almost outed her first time there. But Sam was determined to celebrate with Alex at that bar. She and her friend Emma, unbeknownst to anyone else, decided to dress as men in order to openly celebrate with Alex and their friends. They wanted to make sure they looked the part. So they donned mustaches and wanted their bottom half to look authentic as well. Sam used a sock, but Emma…oh Emma went all out with what she proudly tucked into her pants. The situations these two women found themselves in were beyond silly and extremely funny.

Besides all the comedy involved, there were some serious moments concerning Alex’s past and Sam’s relationship with her father. Those were the tender and serious scenes. .

I liked the way the author used the title, #CassiNova, at the beginning of the story and then wasn’t mentioned until it re-emerged near the end in a very sweet, and of course, fun way.

I really enjoyed these characters and their zany antics. Some scenes might have been a bit too much in terms of its comedy lengths, but for the most part it was fine.

I don’t read many rom-coms, but I wanted something different, something that might provide some laughs. This was definitely the right book to read with many laughable moments, and I look forward to any future books from this author.

An ARC was given for an honest review.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.


Sam is Emmy winning actress with her own popular sci-fi tv show she doing what she loves but what she wants is a girlfriend but the only problem is she in the closet. Her best friend and manger Jade tells her if she comes out she won’t get the scripts she wants if she wants to get an Oscar she tells her she need to get laid.

Alex is a inspiring writer but also own a landscaping business she doesn’t do relationships when her and sister Leana and her wife Sophie watches Sam show and was disappointing by the ending convince Alex to write fanfic of Sam show.

When Sam and Jade and their friend Emma starts to reads fanfic they get a kick out how fanfic is better then the show. When Jade spot a new fanfic and gets Sam to read it Jade convince Sam to track down the writer and decides to hire her to do some landscapes.

This was a funny read. I enjoy the friendships Sam being a clumsy around Alex as they get to know each other as friends all the while falling for each other even though they both want to get together for different reason it’s funny they had a specific plan but it goes out the window because they start falling for each other. It’s funny though because fanfic is sometimes better then what written on a show.

3.75 stars. I haven’t laughed reading a book as much as I did this one in a long time. Personally, sarcasm is my only form of humour - so the sarcasm from most of the characters in this was right in my wheelhouse.

Reading the notes from the author at the beginning of the book I was aware that this started as a work of fan fiction - however I’m clearly behind in my popular culture as I couldn’t work out what this aligned with. Either it’s moved on so much the original inspiration really didn’t matter - or someone else will spot something that has completely passed me by.

Sam is an actress in a popular sci-fi TV show (I think I get the inspiration here) that inspires much fan fiction, but she’s in the closet - it’s been a long time since she dated anyone except the guy she uses to hide her orientation and really wants a girlfriend. Her manager Jade advises her against it due to the usual you won’t be successful in your career if you’re out thoughts.

Alex is a landscaper by day but an inspiring writer. Her sister encourages her to write fan fiction about Sam’s show. Sam and Jade spot her work and decide to hunt Alex down leading to Sam hiring Alex as a contractor.

It’s clear Alex and Sam have feelings for each other, but they decide to take it slow and tease and flirt with each other constantly. The humour in Alex and Sam falling for each other and their conversations with their friends is the thing that made this book really good in my opinion. Clearly some of the friends exist in the narrative purely for humour opportunities but nonetheless it works. Despite it being the expected I still really enjoyed the ending and I love these two main characters together. I’d also really like to see a prequel book relating to Alex’s sister and her wife.

Whilst it’s not the most original storyline I’d happily recommend this to anyone who loves wlw fiction - and hopefully people will enjoy the humour too.

I received an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.