I loved this story! it was so fun to read the technical aspects of being a good director, definitely giving me a respect for the profession! and the love story was so fun to read!!! Jory and Cali are so cute together, both determined to proves their professional skills, even if from different angles, and it’s so fun to see their rivalry/misunderstanding of each other blossom into an adorable, tender love story.

I loved this audiobook! the narration and production was so amazing, it captivated me and let me fully immerse myself in the story!

thank you for the alc!!!

ALC Review
Love, Camera, Action by Noel Stark
Narrated by Maxine Mitchell

This was a cute debut novel. I enjoyed the general premise of it however there were a few moments where it felt like the story dragged on a bit. Overall a good read.

Pick this one up if you enjoy:
* Workplace romance
* Opposites attract
* Miscommunication
* Career growth versus personal growth
* Director FMC x Director of Photography MMC

This was not the book for me. The characters were flat and uninteresting. I didn't feel the chemistry at all. It felt very forced. I also felt that it focused too much on woke ideology. Having that as part of the story is fine, however, it felt like it was being brought up as the main point of the book. I was hoping for a fun, light, rom-com, but got none of that.

DNF for me - giving 2 stars because the narration was good.

it was not a bad read. I still think this is a solid debut and I would certainly read whatever she writes next.

the audiobook was so fun! it was a really fun view into the Film/tv Iindustry with a great romance! I thought the narration was great! a very solid debut

I listened to the audiobook and I really enjoyed the narrator. She did amazingly. It made this experience so much better.
I had higher hopes for this book, since I liked the premise, but honestly I didn't really connect to the characters.

Cali, an up-and-coming director is asked to direct a popular tv show and she butts heads with Jory, the director of photography. But there is so much more to their initial animosity, a chemistry they can't deny for long.

While I liked seeing some heavier topics being included, I simply didn't feel the connection between Cali and Jory, it was very insta-lust that turned to love really quickly. There was far too much miscommunication for my taste, it took away from the story. Also, there were some moments where I definitely cringed. I did enjoy seeing everything that goes into filming a scene and the passion Cali had for her work.

Overall, it was not a bad read. I still think this is a solid debut and I would certainly read whatever she writes next.

*Thank you to Netgalley and to Dreamscape Media for providing me with an ALC.*

"Love, Camera, Action" by Noel Stark is a wonderfully engaging and sparkling romance that truly captures the magic and chaos of a film set. This enemies-to-lovers story is packed with sharp wit, undeniable chemistry, and a refreshing behind-the-scenes look at the entertainment industry, making it a highly enjoyable read. Honestly, if my love life had this much drama and a happy ending, I'd sign up for a reality show.

The novel introduces us to Cali Daniels, a determined TV director, and Jory Blair, the surly but attractive director of photography. Their professional friction quickly ignites into a blistering personal chemistry as they're forced to collaborate. The added layer of industry pressure creates compelling stakes for both their careers and their burgeoning relationship.

The dynamic between Cali and Jory truly shines. Their banter is electric, and their push-and-pull relationship is incredibly well-executed, building sexual tension and emotional connection organically. I loved Cali's fierce ambition and Jory's surprising depth. The peek into the intricacies of directing and cinematography was a unique and fascinating element.

Overall, "Love, Camera, Action" is a fantastic debut romance for fans of witty dialogue, strong characters, and workplace romance. If you enjoy steamy, enemies-to-lovers stories with a unique setting and plenty of heart, this is definitely one to add to your TBR.

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if a whip-smart rom-com crashed headfirst into a TV set full of drama, ambition, and simmering attraction, Love, Camera, Action is your answer. Noel Stark delivers a debut that’s equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, with just enough industry chaos to make you grateful you don’t work in Hollywood.

Cali Daniels is ambitious, talented, and way too relatable. (Did I feel called out by her imposter syndrome? Absolutely.) Her banter and slow-burn tension with Jory Blair had me grinning like an idiot in public. And shoutout to Maxine Mitchell, who nails the narration. She brings every scene to life with warmth, wit, and pitch-perfect delivery. Honestly, I could listen to her read a craft services menu and still be entertained.

Noel Stark’s writing is sharp, funny, and refreshingly real. This is a love story that doesn’t sugarcoat ambition, insecurity, or the uphill battle of finding success in a world obsessed with image.

If you love rom-coms with great dialogue, strong female leads, and the kind of sexual tension you can cut with a boom mic, Love, Camera, Action needs to be in your earbuds as soon as possible.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 stars book ★★½
4.5 stars audio ★★★★½
Huge thanks to Dreamscape Media for the ALC via NetGalley 💌

There’s something about hearing a story that can completely reshape how it lands, and Maxine Mitchell’s narration swooped in like a lifeline. Without her voice, I might have quit halfway through, but her energy and nuance made every scene spark alive. Audio truly rescued this one.

Love, Camera, Action by Noel Stark follows Cali Daniels, a scrappy up-and-coming TV director, as she’s thrown into the chaos of shooting a steamy episode of “The Demon.” Jory Blair, the seasoned director of photography, is immediately a roadblock—his skepticism clashing with Cali’s fierce determination. Their banter is electric, like watching two magnets push and pull until they can’t ignore the heat between them. 🎥🔥

Tropes:
🎬 Enemies to Lovers
💗 Workplace/Industry Romance
🎬 Banter / Opposites Attract
💗 Secret/Hidden Vulnerability
🎬 Career Ambition vs. Personal Life Conflict
🎬 Steamy Romance
💗 Emotional Growth
🎬 Quick Progression / Not a Slow Burn

I genuinely admired the glimpse into the filmmaking world. Seeing the crew hustle, cameras rolling, lights flickering—there’s a buzz that feels authentic, and it made me appreciate the grind behind every frame. Cali’s passion is contagious; she’s someone who lifts everyone on set but doesn’t hesitate to stand her ground when her vision is challenged. Jory, on the other hand, has this quiet intensity—he’s battling health fears and a hunger for recognition—and watching him wrestle with letting Cali in felt heartbreakingly real.

That said, the pacing jumped at times. The shift from “we can’t stand each other” to “I’m crazy about you” happened almost overnight, and I was left craving a little more subtle build. There were moments where I thought, “Hold up—did they just skip the middle?” But when Maxine’s voice dove into Jory’s softer side, I found myself rooting for them both, even if the plot felt rushed.

The steamy scenes are undeniably saucy and fun, but they sometimes overstayed their welcome. A tighter edit could have kept the momentum high without lingering too long. Still, the emotional beats—Jory’s vulnerability, Cali’s compassion—landed hard. That blend of insecurity and ambition is relatable, especially when you feel like every career move could make or break you.

Overall, Love, Camera, Action felt like a rollercoaster: thrilling when it worked, slightly jarring when it didn’t. Maxine Mitchell’s narration made it worth the ride—she breathed life into both leads and gave weight to every laugh, sigh, and confession. If you’re craving a peek behind the scenes of a steamy TV set and don’t mind a few plot skips, press play on the audio. 🎧✨

I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Cali and Jody were great together and I was very much rooting for them.
Even their third act breakup due to miscommunication worked for this story!

The tensions at the work place, the struggles of being a woman in a male dominated field, the background characters and stories all worked very well.

Their will-they-or-won’t-they-romance was hot!

The audiobook narrator did an exceptional job!

4.5 stars rounded down.

Read as an audiobook.

I received an ARC of this book (thanks!) and these are my own opinions.

Love, Camera, Action is a stranger/enemies to lovers trope of a book. The story takes place on a TV set where newcomer Cali's and seasoned Jory's worlds collide. From what I understand, this book shows a pretty fair look into life on a tv set. I listened to the audio book, and I really liked the narrator. I felt that the transition from fighting to hooking transition was a bit sudden. This book overall was a quick, easy, fun listen. I give the book a solid 3.5 stars!

The audiobook of Love, Camera, Action brought the sizzling chemistry between Cali and Jory to life. The narrators captured the tension, humor, and heart perfectly, making it easy to stay hooked from start to finish. The behind-the-scenes TV drama added a fun twist to this steamy romance. Highly recommend for audio fans!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC!

This was such a surface level story for me. It was based mainly around their hookups and sneaking around or the sexual tension between the two. I feel like if it had focused more on the issues in the industry that Cali was dealing with and not just the sex, it would have been a little better. It was a super quick listen and there were some laughable parts.

Love, Camera, Action is a swoony, behind-the-scenes romance that delivers big on charm, chemistry, and genuine heart. I loved how relatable and sincere the characters felt. They were two people navigating their passions, insecurities.
Watching them collaborate on something they both care deeply about gave their relationship so much depth. Plus, the glimpse into the world of TV production was fun and fresh without feeling overly technical.
In my opinion the spice/plot/character ratio was perfect.
If you're a fan of Tessa Bailey's confident banter or Ali Hazelwood’s you’ll fall hard for this one. It’s got that perfect balance of emotional intimacy, professional stakes, and a few blush-worthy scenes that’ll keep you turning pages.
Highly recommended for romance readers who love behind-the-scenes magic, heartfelt connections, and heat with heart.

This plot was weird and the narration wasn't good. I can see why some people would like a story like this but I just couldn't get into it. The narrator pulled me out of it and the things that happened in this book kind of weirded me out to the point where I couldn't listen to it for longer than 20 minutes at a time and a skipped through a lot of it.

I appreciate a good open door romance but unfortunately the story felt secondary to the sex. Especially, when there could have been some really great character discussion and growth.

Love, Camera, Action was a really fun read. I love getting deeper looks into what it is like to direct a movie or show (and I feel like there's been a good amount of media lately that fits in this theme). This book took a lot of different types of people and relationships and made them work. I loved how the author built the relationship between Cali and the two actors of The Demon.

I was very excited about this book, as I love anything Hollywood-set and I especially love reading about a female director, but this was unfortunately not for me in terms of romance or comedy.

Love, Camera, Action was such a fun read! I really enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look at TV producing—it gave the story a fresh, insider feel without getting too technical. Noel Stark does a great job balancing the fast-paced world of television with a sweet and engaging rom-com.

The romance had just the right amount of tension and charm, and I found myself rooting for the characters both professionally and personally. It’s light, clever, and full of heart—perfect if you love stories that mix creative ambition with a bit of love and laughter.

When director Cali Daniels gets her shot to direct a big budget TV series, she thinks this is going to be the start of something buzzy and exciting,. Little does she know, the handsome, charming DOP, Jori, she is jolted back to reality. Their feisty banter is spiteful, but before they know it, they're making out in the storage cupboard...

As much as I love a cheesy romcom, and despite working in the TV industry, I just found this story a little too rushed and I didn't feel able to fully engage with the characters. I felt that their relationship was quite rushed and they ended up in a romantic relationship really quickly without the chemistry I felt necessary.

Also, having 1 narrator do two voices is a little clunky and I think it would have been easier with 2.