Hollywood Dreams, Second Chances, Baby Goats…?
4.5 out of 5 stars
I’ll admit, when I first hit play on #CassiNova by Lori G. Matthews, narrated by the ever-talented Jen Jayden, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. A Hollywood starlet meets a commitment-phobic professor… sparks shouldn’t fly, but what if they did? This story had all the quirky charm of a rom-com with the emotional depth to keep me hooked from start to finish. And by the end? I was grinning like a fool and wishing for more.
Samantha Cassidy is a Hollywood “It Girl” with everything…except the things that truly matter and that final award to hang her hat on. Alex Novato is reeling from a tragedy that shattered her once-perfect life. Their worlds collide in a way that’s laugh-out-loud funny, deeply heartfelt, and downright delightful. Lori G. Matthews has this magical ability to make her characters feel alive and real, quirks and all. Whether it’s Sam’s awkward yet endearing quest to balance stardom with her personal life or Alex’s biting wit and guarded heart, I felt like I was right there with them, cheering them on through every mishap and heartfelt realization.
The humor in this book? Absolutely top-notch. The dialogue is sharp and witty, packed with laugh-out-loud moments even when the stakes are high. Matthews strikes this incredible balance of weaving in heavier themes—grief, self-discovery, and the courage to embrace love again—without ever letting the story feel weighed down. She has this knack for blending comedy with authenticity, making her characters feel human in the best possible way.
And then there’s Jen Jayden. Her narration takes an already great story and elevates it into something spectacular. She breathes life into every character, capturing their emotions and quirks with precision. Whether she’s nailing Sam’s Hollywood charm or Alex’s gruff vulnerability, her performance kept me completely engaged.
By the end of #CassiNova, I was ready to follow these characters anywhere—Hollywood scandals, heartfelt confessions, and yes, even baby goat adoption shenanigans. This book isn’t just a rom-com; it’s a reminder that love, laughter, and second chances can come from the most unexpected places. If you’re looking for a story that will make you laugh, swoon, and maybe even tear up a little, this one’s a must-listen.
Book Description:
Samantha Cassidy, award-winning actress, up-and-coming Hollywood “It Girl,” is missing three things in her life: an Oscar, a special someone to share her life with, and a baby goat in pajamas.
Alex Novato married her college sweetheart, but tragedy struck and the love of her life was ripped from her arms. Now, she refuses to open her heart again, choosing casual sex over deeper commitments, until a not-so-chance meeting with her favorite Hollywood starlet turns her world upside down.
Will Alex give love another try? Will Sam find the courage to follow her heart, Hollywood be damned? Will anyone get a baby goat in pajamas?
#CassiNova by Lori G. Matthews
Narrator: Jen Jayden
Length: 11 hrs and 12 mins
Published by Tantor Audio on April 15th 2024
Genres: Friends to Lovers, LesFic/Sapphic Fiction
Format: Audiobook
I’ve loved reading since I was little when my dad would read me Dr. Suess books. Fast-forward a little and I noticed that he was always reading on his lunch breaks at work, and I wondered why.Then, I found a book that took me to another place and time, to another feeling,another sense of “being”.It was the first book that I ever fell in love with, and I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since.
