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Castleton Hearts #5

Just One Date

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Hollis Carr never expected her city-loving self moving to Castleton, Maine, and living in a converted barn. She's not totally hating the slower pace of life in Castleton, but one thing she can't handle is the pressure from her mother and her sister to find a nice person to settle down with. Hollis doesn't do love, period.
Only after immense pressure does she agree to go out with Julia Williams, her sister Ellie's co-worker. Julia is petite and bright and shiny in a way that Hollis finds completely irresistible, not to mention she's not as innocent as she seems. Hollis can't believe her luck when Julia says that she only agreed to the date to get a persistent suitor off her back. She proposes an arrangement that will benefit them pretend to date for the summer, then have a massively public breakup, and go their separate ways.
One small, very tiny Hollis has fallen utterly in love with sweet, bubbly Julia. She closed off her heart many years ago and was convinced that no one could make her feel that way again. Will Hollis risk everything for love? Or will she slam the door and walk away forever?

276 pages, Paperback

First published January 25, 2022

114 people are currently reading
173 people want to read

About the author

Chelsea M. Cameron

112 books4,881 followers
Chelsea M. Cameron is a New York Times/USA Today/Internationally Best Selling author from Maine who now lives and works in Boston. She's a red velvet cake enthusiast, obsessive tea drinker, former cheerleader, and world's worst video gamer. When not writing, she enjoys watching infomercials, eating brunch in bed, tweeting, and playing fetch with her cat, Sassenach. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Maine, Orono that she promptly abandoned to write about the people in her own head. More often than not, these people turn out to be just as weird as she is.

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5 stars
242 (54%)
4 stars
136 (30%)
3 stars
51 (11%)
2 stars
11 (2%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Kexx.
2,317 reviews100 followers
April 28, 2023
Really enjoying the series and this adds more joy to the cannon of work. Knowing what to expect is good, though I do worry about how everyone will fit in their front rooms as the couples grow! Recommended.
Profile Image for Det. Nidhi.
154 reviews16 followers
May 3, 2024
Reading this tipsy just made me wanna get a gf so bad lol. Love the fluff and the feels her books give me. They're just so easy to read
Profile Image for Jos.
602 reviews14 followers
August 5, 2024
Rounding up.

This was a low stakes fake dating romance. I loved the chill vibes and the fake girlfriends slowly caring more for eachother as the book goes on. Great summer weekend read that you can pick up while you're on the go.
Profile Image for Lisa.
46 reviews4 followers
February 5, 2022
I was really excited to read this book since I had heard so many good things about it. Let's just say that I spent what felt like 5 chapters reading about a kitten and it finally started getting good around 66% of the book. Hollis is kind of annoying. I get it. She's trying to be sexy and mysterious, but she comes off as cringey and cocky. I almost gave up on this book like seven separate times, but I just kept hoping it would get better. Well, it got a little better, but way too late. By better, I mean I got through it.

As a lesbian myself, I found the writing and dialog between Hollis and Julia to be uncomfortable, unnatural, and unrealistic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Robin Clairvaux.
Author 4 books49 followers
February 4, 2022
Hollis Carr believes she is immune to catching feelings, despite the tantalizing spark of attraction she experiences when first meeting Julia Williams. She has no plans for a real relationship, but is suspiciously agreeable to spending a lot of time with Julia in the context of a fake relationship that will benefit both women by keeping pushy families and gross unwanted advances at bay. Naturally, it doesn’t take long for the lines between fake and real to blur.

Just One Date is possibly the funniest and most charming Castleton Hearts book so far. Part of that is because Hollis herself is so charming. Her natural warmth with friends and irrepressible flirtatiousness with Julia reveals her soft heart in spite of herself. It’s amusing but relatable to watch her attempts to rationalize the chemistry she has with Julia and her stubborn resistance to admitting deeper feelings. As the romance does enfold, it is refreshingly low-angst yet still manages to inspire heart flutters and happy sighs. As with all the Castleton stories so far, the cast of side characters is delightfully quirky and authentic, and each book seems to draw the reader further into the community.

Cameron’s wlw romances just keep getting better, so it’s going to be tough waiting for the next one. Fortunately, Just One Date promises to be just as reread-able as the rest of the series.
Profile Image for M L Brooks .
590 reviews9 followers
January 28, 2022
Great

If you made it to book 5 you already know Chelsea is amazing. As always the plot is cute and tropey (in a good way), the characters are great and it's always lovely to see Castleton's ever growing cast. Now can I also say the level of inclusion and representation is great? We started with a few lesbians, a bisexual girl and a straight girl and now we have a pansexual, a demisexual and non binary characters.
Profile Image for Searchr.23.
127 reviews
February 5, 2022
The weakest series in "Castleton Hearts". Despite of this, I enjoyed the "Just one date". A main feature of the Castleton books is the confession of the story is told by one person. Even so, in the previous four books it didn't spoil the feeling of emotion and love of both heroines. But in the fifth book, it was the one-sided confession that prevented me from getting to know the second heroine better (Julia). The book's title "Just one date" is perfect for the story. I'll say that this title very much goes along with the book. Because in the fifth book there is a lot of beautiful and frequent dates. Sometimes while I'm reading it, it felt like I was watching a reality show with beautiful dates.
The sex scenes in Chelsea M Cameron's books are hot, passionate, beautiful and mesmerizing. In all of her books it's always like this. But in this one, though the sex scenes are beautiful, the passion and fire between the couple seems like sluggish.
I note with joyful soul that this book is the funniest in the series. The secondary characters like Amanda Carr, Ellie, and cutest cat Lucky will take the medal for entertainment.

The fav lines/scenes:

If I were in Boston, I could have gone to a museum, or the movies, or the aquarium, or found a new sushi restaurant to try, or stared at things I couldn’t afford in a store.

“First, lobster, obviously, then mayo, salt, pepper, a tiny bit of dill, all on a grilled hot dog bun. It will change your life.”
I wasn’t so sure about that, but if this girl asked me to eat gum off the sidewalk, I’d pick up a spoon.

“Seeing things click. When kids have that moment that can see the connections they make in their brains. The wheels turning. It’s incredible. Watching them turn from these babies with no understanding of the world to little people just trying to figure everything out? It’s magical.”

Everyone deserved to be taken care of, especially kittens.

Mom loved that. I could feel her screaming through the messages. I’ve always wanted a grandchild she said.
Mom, it’s a cat.

I figured I should just check and make sure, so I dragged myself out of bed and checked the upstairs water and food situation. She still had kibble in the bowl, but there was a little empty space in the middle. Lucky looked at the bowl, then up at me and meowed pitifully. “Jesus Christ,” I said as I added a small handful to the bowl. Lucky immediately crunched on the food, as if the bowl had been empty before. “You are so weird,” I said as I got back in my warm bed.

“I’d love to,” Julia said. “I don’t have the energy even to microwave anything right now.” “Well you are in luck, because you won’t have to lift anything other than your fork.” “That sounds perfect,” she said in a tired voice.

Ellie was rocking Lucky like a baby in the kitchen and singing songs but adding the word “meow” to the lyrics.

“But, if you don’t talk to her, then you’re going to be walking on eggshells and worrying and not knowing. Knowing the answer is always better than uncertainty, trust me.”

I just wanted to move forward, not worry about the past. Loving her wasn’t a mistake. It was probably the smartest thing I’d ever done.
Profile Image for Vita L. Licari.
913 reviews43 followers
May 28, 2023
Hollister doesn't believe in love. She just moved to Castleton, Maine when her mother redid a small barn for her into a house. While in Boston, Hollis just did one night stands. No involvement.
When her sister introduces her to Julia, things go topsy turvy. This a cute love story about 2 women who want to fake date and well... This is book 5 in the Castleton Hearts series. What a great series!! 5 stars!
1,119 reviews6 followers
January 31, 2022
This is another nice addition to the Castleton Hearts series with two new main characters and a supporting cast that continues to grow. This tale is fairly low angst. The only real question is how long it will take for Hollis to acknowledge that she is not fake dating. A good read with the anticipated HEA.
Profile Image for Misatopenpen.
17 reviews
July 10, 2025
"Un unico appuntamento" è il quinto romanzo della serie Castleton Hearts ed è a tutti gli effetti quella che definirei una favola moderna dove le eroine trovano il coraggio di aprirsi l'una all"altra senza paure.

Ambientata a Castleton, adorabile piccola cittadina del Maine, questa storia diverte e allo stesso tempo commuove. Hollis dalla frenetica New York ritorna a casa nel Maine e fa un po' fatica ad abituarsi al ritmo dolce e amichevole della cittadina, che culla i suoi abitanti in una quotidianità allegra e leggera. Single convinta, spinta dalle insistenze di mamma e sorella maggiore, due personalità frizzanti e un po' tanto desiderose di vederla stare bene, accetta un primo appuntamento con Julia, dolce e allegra collega di sua sorella.

Ed è qui che comincia l'avventura: durante un primo appuntamento le due stringono un patto, far finta di stare insieme per la stagione estiva. Ma scopriremo che sarà molto facile che questo piccolo gioco prenda poi una piega più serie a delicata, mentre le nostre due beniamine imparano a lasciarsi andare ai loro sentimenti.

Una lettura delicata che con leggerezza ma anche con una penna sapiente ti conduce attraverso le imprevedibili dinamiche del cuore, senza risultare mai sdolcinata. Con grande divertimento ci si affeziona a Julia e Hollis e alla loro adorabile cricca, impossibile non adorare tutto, e fra un appuntamento e una cena in famiglia alla fine ci si innamora anche della stessa Castleton.
Profile Image for Daniela Pani.
108 reviews1 follower
June 5, 2025
Con "Un unico appuntamento", quinto romanzo della serie Castleton Hearts, mi sono ritrovata completamente immersa in una storia leggera e divertente, ma anche profonda e dolce. Tra queste pagine, ho trovato tanta delicatezza e mi è arrivata dritta al cuore, senza nemmeno essermene accorta. Hollis è ironica, testarda e decisa a tenere chiuso il suo cuore. Dopo essersi trasferita da New York a Castleton, nel Maine, controvoglia, accetta un finto appuntamento con Julia, la collega solare e carina di sua sorella. Il patto è molto semplice, dovranno fingere di uscire insieme per l’estate, poi dirsi successiamente addio. Ma l’amore, come ben sappiamo, non segue sicuramente i nostri piani. Julia entra nella vita di Hollis con la sua dolcezza e, tra sorrisi e complicità, una storia che doveva essere solo finzione, diventa sempre più reale. Hollis si ritroverà a dover fare i conti con sentimenti che credeva di aver sepolto per sempre. Rischierà di nuovo per amore, oppure sceglierà la via più sicura? Questo romanzo è quello che mi ha divertita di più della serie. La madre e la sorella di Hollis sono dei personaggi esilaranti, essendo impiccione, apprensive, ma anche incredibilmente affettuose. Hanno regalato un po' di leggerezza alla storia e anche tanti sorrisi. Ciò che ormai adoro di più di quest'autrice, è la sua scrittura sempre delicata e mai volgare che riesce, ogniqualvolta, a trasportare il lettore dentro la storia con naturalezza. Una lettura leggera, tra risate, batticuori e quella dolce consapevolezza che, a volte, vale la pena rischiare e rimettersi in gioco!
Valutazione: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spicy: 🌶🌶
Emozione: 💘💘💘💘
Recensione a cura di Daniela Pani.
860 reviews3 followers
March 23, 2022
Is it feeling if you love someone?

How does that work? Two lesbians, Hollis and Julie decide to date each other. Both have their reasons of keeping it fake to others until things that shouldn't happen and no way to stop unless they move away from each other. OMG! Are you kidding? Leave? Cut off an arm or leg, not that drastic. Its the little things they do for each other and how they behave toward one another. Each thing starts chipping away of why they should not but do they? Read and Enjoy!
Profile Image for Carolyn G. Manuel.
1,070 reviews
March 5, 2022
A Fake Relationship

Hollis Carr moved from Boston to live in a barn rehabbed by her mother to live in Castleton. She had been burned by love and didn’t do second dates or relationships. Julia Williams worked with her sister and needed to get one of her brother’s friends to leave her alone. Hollis need to get her mother and sister off her back. Fake dating seemed to be the answer. They could do a no feelings thing, right? A fun romance.
23 reviews
August 11, 2022
BEFORE YOU READ THIS SERIES!!! - as long as you don’t mind a monotonous plot that hops from book to book and blatant typos carrying throughout all 8 books, then read this series. I liked the premise of the books and I did enjoy them. However the plots got a little stale as I went on. It’s like the author revamped the story and added different names in each book to make it a sequel. Not a bad series all in all. The typos really bugged me though, did anyone proof read these before publishing?
Profile Image for EvaLovesRomance.
472 reviews
April 16, 2023
I just loved and enjoyed this book of the series! Hollis is what we call someone that likes to have a good time or one night stands and never imagined herself ever falling in love, ever!
Julia is a teacher in the same school where Jax works. Sweet kind girl whom is close friends with Hollis' sister. They meet and bang love happens. I loved every word of this book and Lucky is such joy for them too. ENJOY!!
Profile Image for Rose.
117 reviews
December 26, 2022
Very cute book. I want Hollis's mom to cook for me! But I kept being on edge expecting the standard rough patch / pseudo-breakup, and it never came. I suspect it got turned into the Carter scene, but I really thought Hollis and Julia would end up in a fight over that. I don't mind not having that, but it was surprising and confusing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Clair Sanders.
6 reviews
January 26, 2022
Lovely series

Great to catch up on the lives of the Castleton ladies and enjoyed Hollis's journey. Read it in a day, joys of a good book and annual leave. Looking forward to the next instalment.
387 reviews3 followers
February 1, 2022
good book

No one seems to be able to pull off a fake relationship. These two women give it try. Love finds you, look for it or not. I’ve read the earlier 4 books in this series and have never once been let down. Can’t wait for 6.
487 reviews3 followers
March 27, 2022
Loving this series

Small town romance that. Sucks you in, makes you feel and leaves you wanting more! I recommend reading series in order. I love the town of Castleton and the women in this series. I am thrilled that I have next book in the series ready to read😃😍
525 reviews4 followers
April 3, 2022
This Is My Second Book in a Wonderful Series

Great characters and wonderful community with real life difficulties. Loved Lucky and alk her antics. Chelsea has created a great circle of wonderful characters.
460 reviews2 followers
February 7, 2022
Good book

A story that is about fake dating. You can see hoe the character are just friends and how they change over the time. A sweet love story
Profile Image for Rolande Vien.
522 reviews1 follower
February 20, 2022
Really enjoyed the book looking forward to the next book in the series.
Profile Image for wilson.
1,225 reviews
March 7, 2022
was today a princess day or a poopy day?
164 reviews
March 12, 2022
Lovely

I'm really enjoying this series and Julia & Hollis's story is sweet, sexy with a little sizzle. And who can resist a cute kitten.
63 reviews
May 26, 2022
Beautiful

A classic fake relationship storyline turns into a real relationship as the characters start to realise that maybe it wasn't so fake to begin with.
434 reviews
October 13, 2023
Amazing

Love how the relationship started as “pretend” as I think Hollis really needed it that way. I laughed a lot, and suddenly I really want an adorable kitten!
Profile Image for charles clayson.
1,329 reviews6 followers
March 9, 2025
A very simple emotional sapphic love story. That definitely left me feeling very happy.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Profile Image for Em.
1,667 reviews15 followers
March 19, 2022
“She kissed like she meant it. I pulled her closer, and she went right ahead and straddled my lap. Warning bells were going off in my brain that we were probably going further than we agreed on earlier, but she was the one pressing into me, so I was along for the ride. Literally.”

Hollis Carr left the hustle and bustle for Castleton to live near her mom and sister. She missed literally everything about city life. Being near her family means they are always on her business about settling down. When she meets Julia Williams, they come up with a plan together. They will take date each other. Hollis never catches feelings, so the plan is solid. Until it isn’t.

I was expecting so much more from this book. The main character was a hoot in the previous book. Sort of let down here.

Cliffhanger – no (book #5 in series)
POV - Hollis
Profile Image for Rae.
97 reviews5 followers
June 24, 2022
This book confused me from start to finish. The only reason it’s not rated any lower is because I genuinely liked the characters as a whole. However, the overall premise of the book made absolutely no sense to me.

They started off by saying, let’s go out on a date and pretend we’re together… but also let’s pretend we’re together in private. What?

If you’re creating a fake relationship, it’s fake in public so other people don’t get suspicious. It’s not then something you carry on in the privacy of your own home because then it’s not fake. That’s like saying to a friend, let’s kiss as much as we want… but only as friends. Platonic kissing only. That’s not how it works. It’s like Hollis and Julia were faking a relationship for nothing because ultimately that is what happened.

It was honestly doomed from the start and the mere fact that that Hollis kept saying it was nothing or that she wouldn’t fall in love was bugging me because I just sat there reading it like, you must be joking.

The chemistry between the two characters was undeniably strong from the start but the overall storyline for me, was weak. While it wasn’t my least favourite book of the series, it still didn’t make much sense.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews

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