I was fortunate to read this debut novel through NetGalley. This is a steamy enemies to lovers story that I couldn’t put down. Calliope Daniels (Cali) is a director from Canada who is known for having the magical touch in directing sex scenes. She is brought in after the prior male director was fired Jory Blair is the Director of Photography, who has ambitions to also direct. They both have baggage from their pasts, but when they collaborate, both in work and outside of the set, magic does instead occur.

3.5 stars.
An enjoyable story with a vibrant outlook on the film-making world, “Love, Camera, Action”, by Noel Stark, features engaging characters getting attracted and involved without wanting to.
I liked the characters in general and the building of attraction and chemistry between Cali and Jory, that ineffable, invisible current making them react, clash, diverge, connect.
Cali is a strong, energetic woman, carrying others’ burdens in her shoulders, yet a caring, empathetic person in the demanding, ruthless field of filming.
Jory is going through an anguishing phase and trying to evade, avoid and postpone as much as possible. Cali’s exuberance and light is a much needed distraction and balm.
I liked the depiction of working on set, a blend of cooperation, camaraderie, rivalry. Professionalism, inventiveness and creativity and technical knowledge shine throughout the scenes.
It seemed Cali and Jory got entangled too quickly despite their initial reservations and the peculiarities of the professional field.
The sex scenes went on for too long and felt redundant.
I felt Jory’s medical issues were downplayed and sometimes seemed forgotten.

Not sure if it was the writing style or the story itself, but I did not enjoy it. The story is set on a film set and the story goes into such detail of how to film a movie, that the underlying story was lost. I got bored trying to read through the movie filming jargon that I almost did not finish it. The relationship between Jory and Cali seemed so superficial that it seemed to be missing a true connection.not a story for me.

It fell a little flat for me. While I loved the last 20 pages of the book the rest of it felt drawn out and like a lot of conflict. It wrapped up far too quickly for me and it didn't really make sense to me. I will say though I loved the two main characters and I did love the aspects of them taking care of each other. I am such a sucker for that.

This was a light, funny and cozy romance in which we explore the perspectives of both main characters and experience a full range of emotions. I had such a fun time and I enjoyed myself greatly so let me tell you why✨️

The novel shows a unique side of the film and movie industry, a heavily misogynistic environment that Cali is able to navigate with tact. She treats everyone with empathy and, as the director, takes the lead, solves conflict and holds Jory accountable for his actions. The male lead on the other hand, even though recognizing that he has the advantage in a male dominated work space, tries to subtly take control over Cali's work but, ends up falling in love with her ingenuity, sincerity and intensity. He craves the color she brings to his life and most of all, the fun, the companionship, the pleasure.

Being in a grumpy-sunshine dynamic there is an easy, almost unavoidable chemistry between the characters making the banter worth kicking your feet in the air. Our leads take leaps into each others lives, and use their work and subtle scenes to figure out misunderstandings. The author is able to touch, in a limited amount of pages, on subjects such as grief, illness, absent parents, self-destructive tendencies and women friendship(Thalia was my favorite<3).
I have to say that I am not a fan of miscommunication but the way it was handled left me satisfied and hoping that I could see more from this author in the future.

My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had such a fun time with this book! I really loved the dynamic between Jory and Cali, and Noel Stark did a great job cultivating their chemistry and banter, I was so tender to both Cali and Jory, and I was really rooting for them both individually. The dual POV definitely helped with that, and I thought flowed effortlessly. I also loved seeing a more unique take on a typical Hollywood trope, especially with neither of the characters being actors. This book was the perfect balance of serious and fun, with overall being a light read.

I am so, so looking forward to anything else that Noel Stark releases in the future. I feel like I've found a great, new diamond of an author and I am son excited to see what she releases next!

This was a cosy romance that followed the pattern to the T. There was miscommunication in the beginning and at 80%, blossoming love, and then grovel and a HEA. It was a fun read over all and did not require me to think too much.
Jory was prudent and stoic (I ABSOLUTELY LOVE STOIC HEROES) and Cali is as strong as an oak (so, she obviously does not take shit from anyone). They banter, they fall in love, one of them has a scare and creates miscommunication *cough its jory cough* and they get back together like the love birds that they are.
This would be an ideal read for the lovers of Abby Jimenez

Thanks to NetGalley, the Author, and Alcove Press for the ARC

At first I was a bit scared that it was going to be too sexual , but once I got more into the book it was also a sweet romance 🥰

Wonderful quick romance, following Cali as she takes on a directing role in a chaotic environment, from caring for everyone around to having to care for herself. While taking on this big role, she has chemistry unmatched with a camera man. This romance is steamy and cute all at once.

The writing style and pacing makes this read easy and a perfect palette cleanser. Enough dialogue, enough description, enough depth. This is a good debut novel.

The characters are lovable, and you will be rooting for the relationship. Both characters have depth and emotions and feel real. You are in the world of cinema and directing, so if you like that you will love this. I really enjoyed their banter.

Any romance reader would love this novel, and I would recommend to many.

[ARC Netgally -Alcove Press - Apr 22 2025]

Love, Camera, Action is a unique romance. I thought the set up was interesting. Cali is hired to film a steamy episode of a TV show but is having trouble with the intimacy part which is where Jory comes in. At first I wasn't sure how this was going to work out. It seemed like having Jory possibly working against her was not going to make a good romance but I was pleasantly surprised.

I liked how the author wrote Cali & Jory's chemistry. Their banter is great and they definitely have a lot of friction. This is workplace enemies to lovers for sure. I felt the romance was built up nicely and felt believable. The steamy scenes were great. Steamier than I was expecting.

This is a great debut that felt unique in the contemporary romance genre.

This is such a feel good cute workplace romance. Cali got a new directing job after the other director was fired. Trying to make her mark as a woman surrounded by men who don’t take her seriously she uses her special skills and tactics to make everyone around her comfortable and brings out the best in them . Cali and Jory have this spark they try to ignore bc well it’s work, and Cali has sworn off love and relationships because of what her mother and sister have gone through. It’s one of those full circle moments where it all just comes together and makes sense.

Yes! This is a rom-com, indeed! A laughed a lot! Sweet, funny and very sexy - I mean she directs "romance" scenes!
a heartfelt story with lovely characters and great chemistry - and like an onion, they have layers :)

Defently worth a read!

Post coming on IG the 10 of sep 2024

This was surprisingly really good. At first I thought that it was too sexual and would just be super sexual the entire time, but the romance was actually really sweet at times. Love, Camera, Action is such a cute and fun little read. 4.5 ⭐️

Cali Daniels is a director of film hired to direct a steamy tv episode. The problem? Cali understands sex, but the intimacy and relationship and love part? Yeah that’s not her thing. That changes when she meets the directory of photography for the show, Jory. They frustrate each other and are the definition of the miscommunication trope. Both are controlling and like to challenge each other. Admits all the hostility and banter, can they both accept that these feelings are something MORE?

I don’t typically enjoy a miscommunication trope, but I did enjoy the banter the two main characters had.

Thank you Net Galley and publishers for this ARC.

This is a classic enemies to lovers, workplace romance.

Up-and-coming TV director Cali Daniels knows sex. Well, okay, she knows how to shoot sex scenes, and she’s been hired to direct a highly anticipated steamy episode of the popular series The Demon. This job is her chance at a big-time career in the film and television industry—all she has to do is deliver an unparalleled show using her hard-knocks know-how and ample creativity.
If only the director of photography—effortlessly sexy Jory Blair—would stop shutting her ideas down at every turn. Jory has spent years cultivating his career as an A-list director of photography, but a recent health scare has him rethinking his life and craving the director spot. Now this creative newbie, who he can’t get out of his mind, wants to change the look of his show. Even worse, the friction between them is sparking into blistering chemistry.

Jory and Cali are both elaborate characters with back stories that allude to their common reluctance in regards to making a connection.

As tensions rise on set, so does the heat between them making this a steamy read! The dynamics shift when Jory faces pressure to undermine Cali to advance his own ambitions. I loved all of their interactions in the second half of the book, however I had a hard time sympathizing with and enjoying Jory’s character in the beginning of the book, and in regards to this conflict, he really takes his time with doing the right thing and making the right decisions.

I enjoyed watching them develop connection and the banter between them. Noël Stark does a brilliant job of balancing the characters' personal growth with the high stakes of the industry and their careers.

It felt a little jagged in areas and I would have liked it to have been a little bit smoother but I still enjoyed it!

Love, Camera, Action will be released on April 22nd, 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cali is a director getting her big break. Jory, the director of photography, keeps on shutting down her ideas. Their chemistry is off-the-charts despite their differences...

Love this enemies to lovers story. Love Cali especially. So much heat and chemistry between those 2 characters. Terrific Hollywood story. A fun steamy read.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

This was such a good book. I really enjoyed it. More than I thought I would. I loved the writing style. This book had me hooked from page one. This is a first for me by this author but will not be my last!!

Currently struggling between serious books about war, I was looking for a light romance to distract myself over the weekend. Love, Camera, Action did not disappoint. Cali Daniels is a director trying to find her spot to show her craft and finally gets a real gig on a famous show. Jory Blair on the contrary is a reputable director of photography, well-known and admired in his field. When both are bound to work together on set, the alchemy is undeniable, despite them being poles apart.

The book respects the usual tropes of romance, twisting it a little bit by providing the point of view of both characters at different moments. It counts on miscommunication to make it a little bit more complicated than it should be, since both leads are deeply good people just not understanding each other.

The author seemed to feel the need to point things out a little bit too much for my taste, leaving no room to interpretation, over explaining their interaction in some parts of the book. I would have liked it to be a little bit smoother. Still, it was entertaining.

Thank you to NetGalley and AlcovePress for providing me with an early copy in exchange for my honest review.

LOVE, CAMERA, ACTION is an entertaining and sweet love story with an interesting look behind the scenes in the entertainment world. Cali Daniels is hired to direct a steamy tv episode, and when it comes to intimacy, Cali understands sex but doesn't do love and relationships. Yet when she meets the sexy director of photography Jory Blair, things feel different, no matter how much they frustrate and get a rise out of each other. Cali and Jory both like being in control and like a challenge. Are they going to admit to each other that under that anger is a whole lot of attraction? I really enjoyed their chemistry and banter and what is expected of both characters in order to grow and understand one another.

Thank you to Alcove Press and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Ready for the next great romance novel? Check out Love. Camera, Action. It was a great book that I enjoyed reading.