In this entertaining and spicy new romance novel, readers follow up-and-coming TV director Cali Daniels on her first big gig, a steamy episode for a popular TV series. Her chance at a big career boost if she nails this episode, Cali has faith in her creativity and practical knowledge, but the A-list director of photography, Jory Blair, keeps shutting down all of her ideas because he’s rethinking his life and wants a shot as a director. As their workplace rivalry turns into off-set chemistry and the producer starts suggesting that Jory sabotage Cali, the two workplace rivals will have to decide if the project is worth their rivalry and a future together. Spicy, steamy, and complicated, the emotional notes of this story are absolutely fantastic and deeply entertaining, and readers will love Jory and Cali’s chemistry and tension. With their fantastically complex backstories and working relationship, the will-they-won’t-they enemies to lovers aspect will really bring the fans into this story, while the background drama and characters will keep things interesting. Intense, enjoyable, and emotional, Noel Stark’s latest is a fantastic and perfectly tropey new romance novel that fans of the genre will love for the brilliant character, incredible relationship, and all of the drama on and off set.

Cali is an up and coming director brought on last minute to help with filming the tv show The Demon. Jori is the DP (director of photography) on The Demon and as he has been in the industry for a long time has little patient for green directors. The two start out butting heads but slowly learn to work together and encourage one another's creativity.

This book was a mixed bag for me. The part I enjoyed most was the filming aspect of this book. I felt like the industry sexism was handled relatively well and I enjoyed seeing it. On the other hand the romance felt underdeveloped and like it moved at an odd pace. There were so many reasons to keep the MCs apart, but they were just all dropped out of nowhere. The sickness and family drama were only brought up when necessary then brushed over at other times.

Tropes
* Workplace Romance
* TV film Set setting
* Rivals to Lovers
* Taking care of someone while sick
* Forced Collaboration
* Steamy Romance

3.5 stars

This book was a classic case of "I liked it but didn't love it."

I had such high hopes for this one, based on the tropes. Workplace rivals and enemies-to-lovers are two of my favorites. But in this one, the rival/enemy part was just too much for me.

Jory was so unprofessional in the way he dealt with his and Cali's jobs. Right from the start he was gunning for his own chance to be a director and having private conversations with the showrunner, an old-school misogynistic man. While Jory never came out and said anything terrible about Cali, he also didn't defend her or talk up the fantastic work she was doing. And since this book was told in dual point of view (something else I love) the reader gets a clear view of Jory and his intentions. Which were to get himself ahead no matter what. He kept talking about what a good guy he is. And yet his actions were anything but. At one point, one of the actors on the show misheard Cali saying something that made it sound like she thought he was a terrible actor. In fact it was Jory that said it, but he never corrected that misunderstanding. Throughout the whole book he undermined her. Even after they got together. Which was so wrong, yet he barely acknowledged that he was doing it. Even his way of trying to solve the problem at the end didn't ring true. It seemed like he felt guilty for what he'd done but was still trying to make excuses for himself.

I don't want to sound like there was nothing I liked about the book, because there were plenty of things I thought were done so well! The author is clearly very talented, if for no other reason than the fact that she was able to pull such strong emotions from me! The pacing was on point, it flowed well, and I flew through it very quickly. Her descriptions of life on a TV show set were fantastic, and were technical without being difficult for someone not in the business to understand. I also loved the way she wrote Cali's character. She was a strong woman in a male-dominated field and she truly cared about her crew and the actors. She had a lot of ideas and although she at times tried to bulldoze her way into doing things how she wanted, she still had the ability to step back and allow others to shine. She had flaws, both in her personal and professional life, but she acknowledged them and was willing to work on herself. I felt so angry on her behalf, because of the way Jory treated her.

The love story itself was also done well. I felt the chemistry between them, despite my feelings about Jory. The tension and bickering were fantastic, and I loved their banter.

All in all, I do think this was a great debut. I wish the character of Jory had been written a bit differently, but the writing, setting and story were wonderful. It was tough to rate this one, but I'm giving it a solid 3.5, rounded up to 4.

Thank you to Alcove Press and Netgalley for the e-arc of this book!

This debut book by Noel Stark was a perfect read for me. I appreciated her knowledge of the film industry by the way she told the story. She made me really want to root for the characters to change. I didn’t want this one to end!!!

Love, Camera, Action is a fast-paced, enjoyable read.... I mean, I don't regret spending time with this book.

Cali and Jory as individuals were really well-written with full personalities. I'm just not sure why they initially liked each other when Jory came off as a huge jerk for most of the book. I'm not a fan of the Beauty and the Beast "he's aweful and mean but probably really great inside" troup.

I thought it was interesting that the author works in the industry so it made the ramifications of the #metoo movement seem a lot more believalbe to me because I trusted the way she described it and the people who still live/work it. But it also made me feel like the message that toxic masculinity still exists was a bit too hit-over-head. You could literally put each male character in this book on a scale of "nice guy" to "reportable offence".

I felt like a lot of the book was spent on the misunderstandings (Cali) and incapability of action (Jory) in their relationship when I would have like to have had a lot more of them when everything worked out.

unfortunately for me this was very one note, very bland. I couldn't get attached to the characters at all and it felt like this all happened in the span of max a week, which felt both like it dragged but also is way too fast for them to fall in love. the deepness wasn't that deep/executed well enough for me but it wasn't written badly either - an idea is there.

this book felt very relevant. too relevant at times. i almost felt like i was reading some of todays articles info post on social media about whats going on in the world right now.
the characters were brilliantly written. they had their growing relationship but they both had their own needs and personalities. they also had things in their personal lives that led them to be where they were today. and it showed in how they handle life and certain situations in it.this felt very real to me. how two people can because of their own background or circumstances can literally do things so differently or react to things in certain ways.
the coming together of them then was all the more sweeter.
Cali felt like a really go getter. she was determined and new her mind. she had to be strong in such an industry and you really felt the biases she sometime shad to trawl through both in life and work. shes hired to help directed steamy scene in the steamy show called the demon. she takes this chance is the one, the one she can use to prove herself in the industry and she knows she can do this. one problem being the director of photography Jory. their difference create sparks. but soon their attraction does too. their growing tensions and banter start to really make this book exciting and i loved the relationship that is clearly blooming between the two of them whether they are ready to admit that or not.
their is also the issue for Jory who is being whispered to about pushing Cali out for his own ambision gains. so will he? will he mess it all up to get his own dreams to come true?
there is the growing moments of more tender and thoughtful dynamics as they try to wade through both work and life and all their own demons. ti really enjoyed this book. a brilliant romance that i will say has a fair level of steam!

Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the advanced reader copy.

3.5 stars

When Cali Daniels finally gets her big shot, directing several episodes of a TV show, she has to deal not only with the old boys network (embodied by the showrunner), her own insecurities, but also her grumpy DP, Jory, who seems to want nothing more than to rush through filming and have her off "his" set. Cali and Jory clash in their working styles until they realize that the tension between them might be more sexual than work related.

I enjoyed the peek behind the curtain in making a TV show and appreciated how deftly Noel Stark dealt with the #metoo fall out that rippled across Hollywood. While there were moments that felt less believable (even within this heightened reality), Jory and Cali are delightful characters who you want to see get their HEA.

Love, Camera, Action is out April 22, 2025

Love Camera Action is a love story between a slightly jaded director of photography and an up-and-coming director.

Remember when Bridgerton came out and there were a lot of articles about intimacy coordinators? Those are mentioned in here, as well as the interest in keeping sets safe for actors and crew.

This was a cute read. I feel like I learned something about how television shows are shot. Details about logistics felt accurate.

This book follows Cali Daniels, an ambitious TV director trying to prove herself, and Jory Blair, a talented but sometimes infuriating director of photography. Their initial clashes make for some great banter, but what really makes their relationship work is how they both have their own personal struggles and actually open up to each other. I really appreciated that aspect—seeing them support and help each other through their issues made their connection feel so much deeper.

That being said, I really wish Jory had stood up for Cali when it came to Howard. I absolutely hated the way he allowed her to be treated, and it frustrated me that he didn’t have her back in the way she deserved. It felt like a missed opportunity for him to prove his loyalty and respect for her, especially given how much they had grown together.

Overall, though, I really enjoyed this book! The romance was well-developed, the behind-the-scenes look at TV production was fun, and the characters had great chemistry.

I’m actually giving this 3.5 stars. God, where to start.

First off, I really liked both characters. Jory and Cali were both fun and had chemistry plus I love a good enemies to lovers.

Here’s the thing, when this book had good scenes, it was really good and I loved the writing. But then there were these scenes that just felt out of place and off. Pacing was kind of all over the place. Some of the side characters didn’t feel super flushed out.

But, then there’s the last 6-7 chapters. There were a few spicy scenes before that but nothing crazy. It felt like this book had no spice up until the last 6 chapters and then I was getting a smutty anatomy lesson that came out of left field. They weren’t bad, they were just…. There. Second half of the book was like 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Also, I kinda hate that the epilogue was only 2 weeks after. Kinda wish it was a few months down the line. I dunno. I either loved this book as I was reading it or I started to feel eh.

Also, wtf happened between Paolo and Thalia and where the fuck did that final scene with them come from? That actually annoyed me.

Anyway, it’s a fun read but it’s not my favorite that I’ve read so far.

Cali Daniels is an ambitious TV director who finally gets her big break directing a steamy episode of The Demon. This is her chance to prove herself in the industry, but things get complicated when she clashes with Jory Blair, the talented director of photography who has his own career ambitions. Their creative differences spark instant tension—and undeniable chemistry. As they navigate their professional rivalry and growing attraction, Jory faces pressure to sabotage Cali for his own gain. They must decide if their dreams are worth more than the connection they’ve built.

The chemistry between Cali and Jory is one of the highlights of the book. Their dynamic is electric, with plenty of tension that makes their romance feel natural and engaging. The way their relationship develops—from initial clashes to deeper understanding—keeps the story interesting. However, the miscommunication at the beginning felt frustrating, making the conflict seem unnecessary at times.

While the romance is strong, the execution of the steamy scenes could have been better. Some of them dragged on too long and felt repetitive. Additionally, the slapstick humor used to break up the sexual tension didn’t always work for me. Despite these small flaws, Love, Camera, Action is an entertaining read for those who enjoy workplace romances filled with passion, ambition, and a touch of drama.

This was a perfect, fun, quick romance read for a weekend read. The TV show set setting was unique and entertaining. The characters had great chemistry and a fun dialogue.
Will recommend!

I love when a book surprises me, and Love, Camera, Action did exactly that. This isn’t just a steamy romance—it’s a thoughtful, sharply written look at ambition, double standards, and the emotional weight we carry. And it does all of this while delivering a love story that’s both electric and deeply earned.

Calliope “Cali” Daniels is a Canadian TV director who specialises in sex scenes (yes, really). She’s brought onto The Demon, a long-running, wildly popular show, to coordinate a much-anticipated intimate episode. It’s a huge opportunity, but also a high-stakes, last-minute hire after the previous director was ousted in a #Me Too scandal. No pressure, right?

Enter Jory Blair, an up-and-coming Director of Photography working on the same show. Cali already knows of his work—he’s got a stellar reputation. But their first meeting? Awkward. Cali is warm, personable, and constantly in motion, while Jory seems… stuck. Like the colour has drained from his world. The contrast between them is immediate, and watching Cali bring movement back into Jory’s life is so satisfying.

The romance is deliciously charged (directing sex scenes together will do that), but what really got me was the depth of these characters. Jory is still grappling with the long-term impact of losing a parent, and his career and life decisions reflects that. Cali, on the other hand, is ambitious but anxious, trying to prove herself in an industry where men still have the upper hand. She’s fought to escape her tough upbringing—poverty, complicated family dynamics, the way women around her view relationships—and it shows. Her struggles felt real, and honestly? Same, honey, same.

And let’s talk about those double standards. The book doesn’t preach, but it does make you stop and think. Even Jory—who is a great love interest—has to unlearn some ingrained biases. That’s what I love about romance as a genre: it isn’t just about falling in love; it’s about growth. It makes us examine ourselves, the world around us, and still leaves us with hope.

I devoured this in a day. It’s engaging, thoughtful, sexy (oh yes, plenty of spice), and surprisingly impactful. I wasn’t expecting to be bowled over by this book, but here we are.

Highly recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC—my opinions, as always, are my own.

I just finished reading Love, Camera, Action by Noël Stark, and while it wasn't my absolute favorite, it was still an enjoyable experience. Huge thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy!

The plot centers on Jory, a film director, and Cali, an intimacy coordinator who works to make actors feel more at ease during intimate scenes. The premise was really fresh, and I loved how their professional relationship slowly turned personal. The chemistry between Jory and Cali is undeniably hot, and while the spicy scenes were definitely steamy, there were moments that felt a little awkward (mostly because of the roleplaying element). Still, it was a fun ride!
I didn’t expect the emotional complexity of their rivalry, especially since both are vying for the same lead director position. Jory’s doubts about whether he could ever be enough for Cali gave the story a real emotional pull, and his decision to quit for her was such a heartfelt moment.

While this book was an easy and fun read, I personally wouldn’t purchase a physical copy. It’s one of those books that’s enjoyable for a single read, but I’m still really thankful to have had the opportunity to read it early! If you're in the mood for a quick, spicy romance with emotional depth, Love, Camera, Action is definitely worth checking out when it drops on April 22nd.

If you’re into Hollywood romances with a mix of stubbornness, heart, and a dash of chaos, Love, Camera, Action should be on your TBR. It’s fun, it’s flirty, and it’s got plenty of drama to keep you hooked.

Let’s start with the good stuff—because there was plenty of it. The main characters? Fantastic. Noel Stark did an amazing job building up Cali's and Jory's motivations and backstories. As main characters, they were flawed, nuanced, and real. It was easy to see why they were the way they were, and the magnetic pull between them was wonderfully portrayed. I found myself rooting for them, even when they were being ridiculous, making dodgy choices, or displaying questionable behavior.

Jory, in particular, had some yellow-edging-on-orange-flag moments. Him and Cali would be getting along, only for him to pull a Jekyll/Hyde switcharoo out of nowhere and behave like a massive asshole. Which would then end in them bickering because our girl Cali was not about to let this condescending man throw disrespectful remarks around and just walk away. I actually loved how she clung to her fake-it-till-you-make-it attitude with tooth and nail and refused to let others talk down to her. Girly knew her worth, and it was lovely to see.

Plus, the Hollywood-adjacent—since they were filming in Atlanta—setting was so much fun. Getting a little behind-the-scenes peek at the way a filming production is run—politics, power-struggles, setbacks, and magical moments included—was very interesting and intriguing.

But here’s the thing—this book was wordy. Like, really wordy. There were so many out-of-the-box analogies, beautifully poetic in their unusualness descriptions and obscure words. And, while I appreciated the effort to paint a vivid picture and expand readers' vocabularies, it sometimes broke the pacing and forced me to re-read certain passages and lose my flow.

That said, the characters' emotional struggles, their growth journeys, and the tension in their relationship kept me turning the pages. The banter was titillating, the emotional moments fairly angsty, and the Hollywood backdrop added just the right amount of allure. It was the kind of book that made you want to get cozy and binge-read until the very end, craving that HEA.

So, yeah, Love, Camera, Action got a solid 4 out of 5 stars from me. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a delightful, engaging read with raw and real characters easy to root for. Just maybe keep a dictionary handy for the overly verbose bits!

Thank you, Alcove Press, for providing an e-ARC for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

DNF I read roughly 96 pages, but could not get myself to keep going. I just couldn't see myself in the story which is something I need for spicy titles.

DNF at 20%

Simply put, I am not the right reader for this title. It ramped up the spice way too quickly that I don't think I will be a fan moving forward. I know their are readers that will like this story. I just prefer plot over spice and I have a feeling this book won't satisfy me.

I do not plan to share this title on my instagram because I can't give it a fair rating and review.

First of all, thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

I thought this was a funny and adorable story, I love that it was on a TV set and loved the chemistry between the two main characters
I am such a fan of the grumpy x sunshine trope and enemies to loves and love that this story incorporated both of these.
Will definitely be looking out for more books by Noel Stark.

Thank you again for the opportunity

I loved this book right from the start! I found it very interesting to have the perspective of both characters, because it appeared to be a very different experience for a woman in the field of making t.v. than a man. I loved reading Cali's perspective, followed by Jory's. I will admit that it frustrated me when I could clearly see Cali being undermined, but she never seemed to let it affect her in doing her job well. Noel Stark definitely had me on a roller coaster of feelings with this book! The ending was great.....I love that both characters found themselves and each other!

I received a complimentary ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you Netgalley, Alcove Press and Noel Stark.