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Call Me, Maybe
What if you got a second chance with your first love?
What happens when you meet your teenage heart-throb – when you’re both all grown up?
When Cassie was fifteen, all she wanted was to marry Jesse Franklin, the bassist from her favourite band, Franko. Now she’s single, in her late twenties and wondering what happened to that teenage dream.
A chance encounter on Facebook soon leads to a transatlantic hook up, and soon, Jesse and Cassie are having a long-distance love affair spanning five thousand miles.
Cassie is on cloud nine – until she hears something that makes her think that Jesse might not be all that he seems. They say never meet your heroes – but what happens when you fall in love with them…?
Are Cassie and Jesse star crossed lovers, destined to be together? Or should Cassie have left her crush in the box marked 'teenage memories'?
Previously published as Getting Over Jesse Franklin, this brand new edition has had extensive editorial changes.
What happens when you meet your teenage heart-throb – when you’re both all grown up?
When Cassie was fifteen, all she wanted was to marry Jesse Franklin, the bassist from her favourite band, Franko. Now she’s single, in her late twenties and wondering what happened to that teenage dream.
A chance encounter on Facebook soon leads to a transatlantic hook up, and soon, Jesse and Cassie are having a long-distance love affair spanning five thousand miles.
Cassie is on cloud nine – until she hears something that makes her think that Jesse might not be all that he seems. They say never meet your heroes – but what happens when you fall in love with them…?
Are Cassie and Jesse star crossed lovers, destined to be together? Or should Cassie have left her crush in the box marked 'teenage memories'?
Previously published as Getting Over Jesse Franklin, this brand new edition has had extensive editorial changes.
380 pages, Paperback
First published May 18, 2015
66 people are currently reading
669 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
January 2, 2024
This was such an odd reading experience for me. I was absolutely gripped and I LOVED the concept of an adult boy-band romance, but there were some things that happened in the story that I really didn't like. The conflict of the story relies really heavily on the love interest hiding something Very Big from the heroine and what he was hiding happened to be one of my least favorite romance book tropes so it just didn't work well for me. Overall this was a VERY fun time and I recommend if you want something fun, fast, and boyband-y, but tread with caution if you aren't a fan of intentional miscommunication being used to further the plot.
October 29, 2019
4☆ A Fun, Flirty, Rom Com
Call Me, Maybe is a Fun story about finding the One, even if the One happens to be your Teenage Boy Band Crush!
We all know what it's like to be a Teenager and Fancy someone in a band. My crush was Robbie Williams from Take That 🙊 (ok so it still is 😏)
But what would happen if you come across that Teen Crush on Facebook?
Would you send a Friend Request?
Well that's what Carrie did!.....and guess what..... He Accepted!
Carrie is over joyed with the fact Jesse Franklin her heartthrob pressed Yes!
What follows is a roller coaster of emotions, as Carrie finds out if a long distance romance is possible, and is Jesse all his cracked up to be now her Teenage self is all grown up!
Oh and in the mean time Carrie is supposed to be helping her Best Friend Rachel organise her wedding. But is Carrie so caught up in a whirlwind that she's failing to see how much she's neglecting Rachel.
Carrie isn't particularly likeable, she's a bit self obsessed, and although I do get why she's being like it as she's met the man literally of her dreams but it's not fair on those around her, in Carrie's case her best friend Rachel!
( I used to have a best friend who neglected our friendship when she met a boyfriend)
Call Me, Maybe is a Fun, Flirty, Rom Com.
It's a story about Second Chances, Friendship, Secrets, Drama and Falling In Love.
It's a quirky story and anyone who has had a crush on someone famous (a groupie) would really enjoy this take on a Rom Com.
Oh and I have to mention how much I Adore the fresh, Funky Book Cover.
Overall a fab Read, I can't wait to read more from Stephie Chapman.
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2019/1...
Call Me, Maybe is a Fun story about finding the One, even if the One happens to be your Teenage Boy Band Crush!
We all know what it's like to be a Teenager and Fancy someone in a band. My crush was Robbie Williams from Take That 🙊 (ok so it still is 😏)
But what would happen if you come across that Teen Crush on Facebook?
Would you send a Friend Request?
Well that's what Carrie did!.....and guess what..... He Accepted!
Carrie is over joyed with the fact Jesse Franklin her heartthrob pressed Yes!
What follows is a roller coaster of emotions, as Carrie finds out if a long distance romance is possible, and is Jesse all his cracked up to be now her Teenage self is all grown up!
Oh and in the mean time Carrie is supposed to be helping her Best Friend Rachel organise her wedding. But is Carrie so caught up in a whirlwind that she's failing to see how much she's neglecting Rachel.
Carrie isn't particularly likeable, she's a bit self obsessed, and although I do get why she's being like it as she's met the man literally of her dreams but it's not fair on those around her, in Carrie's case her best friend Rachel!
( I used to have a best friend who neglected our friendship when she met a boyfriend)
Call Me, Maybe is a Fun, Flirty, Rom Com.
It's a story about Second Chances, Friendship, Secrets, Drama and Falling In Love.
It's a quirky story and anyone who has had a crush on someone famous (a groupie) would really enjoy this take on a Rom Com.
Oh and I have to mention how much I Adore the fresh, Funky Book Cover.
Overall a fab Read, I can't wait to read more from Stephie Chapman.
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2019/1...
October 13, 2019
This was a really sweet and really fun story! As someone who was a huge boy band fan, still is, haven't missed a New Kids on the Block concert since they've come back, this is kind of a dream come true type of story. I really enjoyed the way the two of them just kind of clicked. How even though he was once her idol, for the most part, when they were together, he became just a normal guy that was perfect for her. I did have some of my usual issues with stories like these, the whole keeping secrets that really didn't need to be kept and then only caused drama when they came out. Although I feel like Cassie may have overreacted a bit, I still got her feelings. And when someone kind of pointed out to her what was causing her to do that, even I had an "a-ha!" moment like she did. So it was nice that author didn't keep to what the usual reasons might have been. Another thing that I wondered about was how easily Jessie overlooked some of her British slang, words that aren't often used even on the crossover shows we see, like when they used the word "mooched" and he didn't have to ask what she meant? Also, it's basically a fade away into black for the sexy scenes, which isn't my preference, but I know some people prefer that. Anyway, there were good characters, a great story, and a great HEA.
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
October 12, 2019
I have such a HUGE book hangover with this book! I love the idea of this book, a faded popstar and a number one fan, a chance friend request and a love story to span the miles. Not going to lie, Cassie’s story is one that I think a lot of women might just dream about, what would you do to get the chance to date a pop star you loved as a teenager!? I can think of a few I would stalk add from afar!!
I knew the second I started reading this book I would be hooked, it is cute, light and fluffy and everything I wanted to escape away for a few hours. I didn’t want this book to end, I didn’t want to socialise, I just wanted to stay in the Cassie and Jessie bubble for as long as I could.
I did love Cassie, I felt like I was reading about me it was a bit scary. The only problem I had with her, and I suppose with me, is she made everything about her and Jessie! Even her best friend’s hen party everyone was rallying around Cassie and her heartache, so Rachel had every right to be a bit peeved. However, I related to everything she went through and how she acted, well I guess I would have been the same really – gah see I am making this review about me lol.
When this book didn’t get me all choked up it was having me giggle and also had me slightly jealous. The life that Cassie got to live in LA and the fairytale of being with Jessie, is something that I can only dream about, I mean these things just don’t happen to me or Joe Bloggs down the road!
Call Me, Maybe is quirky and so much fun and it is a refreshing read. Yes, you may be able to see what is coming and how it will end but it’s the journey (As I always say) that the characters go on. One thing that did irk me was the ending, it just happened! I mean I had no preparation that it was going to end, it just ended! I mean I loved the ending but it just ended!! I want another book! -Hmph! Plus I want more answers, so you know a second book needs to be written! What is not to love about this book!
Gah, I did love this book, it is the time of book that melts my heart and gives me the warm and fuzzies. It is the story that makes me keep believing in true love and happy endings, just like in the movies. Plus this would be awesome on the big screen! Lily Collins/Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin as Cassie and Jessie, I am there! Yes, please!
I knew the second I started reading this book I would be hooked, it is cute, light and fluffy and everything I wanted to escape away for a few hours. I didn’t want this book to end, I didn’t want to socialise, I just wanted to stay in the Cassie and Jessie bubble for as long as I could.
I did love Cassie, I felt like I was reading about me it was a bit scary. The only problem I had with her, and I suppose with me, is she made everything about her and Jessie! Even her best friend’s hen party everyone was rallying around Cassie and her heartache, so Rachel had every right to be a bit peeved. However, I related to everything she went through and how she acted, well I guess I would have been the same really – gah see I am making this review about me lol.
When this book didn’t get me all choked up it was having me giggle and also had me slightly jealous. The life that Cassie got to live in LA and the fairytale of being with Jessie, is something that I can only dream about, I mean these things just don’t happen to me or Joe Bloggs down the road!
Call Me, Maybe is quirky and so much fun and it is a refreshing read. Yes, you may be able to see what is coming and how it will end but it’s the journey (As I always say) that the characters go on. One thing that did irk me was the ending, it just happened! I mean I had no preparation that it was going to end, it just ended! I mean I loved the ending but it just ended!! I want another book! -Hmph! Plus I want more answers, so you know a second book needs to be written! What is not to love about this book!
Gah, I did love this book, it is the time of book that melts my heart and gives me the warm and fuzzies. It is the story that makes me keep believing in true love and happy endings, just like in the movies. Plus this would be awesome on the big screen! Lily Collins/Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin as Cassie and Jessie, I am there! Yes, please!
October 14, 2019
Check Out the full Review On My blog : https://bibliomedico.wordpress.com/20...
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Thanks To Rachel At Rachel’s Random Resources For Giving Me The Opportunity To Be Part Of This Blog Tour .
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This Was such a sweet , Cute , delightful , warm and romantic Read .
I finished it in one week , Usually it doesn’t take me that much reading a romance book , but I really liked the heroine 😛 .
Almost all the characters are good , I didn’t like the hero that much , but his character wasn’t bad too . I don’t like the romantic trope that has been used , But Chapman has a way with words , She made me enjoy it , Which is really surprising !
I Liked Stephie Chapman Writing style , it was the perfect fit for the story and the romance genre , in general .
Witty , Engaging , heart-warming and sweet . If you like all that in your books , then this one is for you .
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Thanks To Rachel At Rachel’s Random Resources For Giving Me The Opportunity To Be Part Of This Blog Tour .
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This Was such a sweet , Cute , delightful , warm and romantic Read .
I finished it in one week , Usually it doesn’t take me that much reading a romance book , but I really liked the heroine 😛 .
Almost all the characters are good , I didn’t like the hero that much , but his character wasn’t bad too . I don’t like the romantic trope that has been used , But Chapman has a way with words , She made me enjoy it , Which is really surprising !
I Liked Stephie Chapman Writing style , it was the perfect fit for the story and the romance genre , in general .
Witty , Engaging , heart-warming and sweet . If you like all that in your books , then this one is for you .
March 22, 2024
No. Did not enjoy. Was not worth my money for last year 😂
March 23, 2020
This is a teenage dream come true . . . a second chance romance that really didn’t actually have a first chance, or did it? Cassie was just fifteen when she first met Jesse Franklin, the bassist in her favourite band, Franko. It was then she decided she wanted to marry him but, as with so many teen fan dreams, it didn’t come true. Now almost thirty years old, chatting with her childhood friend leads to a trip down memory lane, including looking up Jesse on Facebook. Imagine her surprise when he accepts her friend request! The two start chatting . . . . then they meet when he has an unexpected gig in London. The chemistry is definitely there, but is this going to be a dream come true or a total nightmare?
There are just so many questions! Is it the dream person or the real one that she’s in love with? What secrets is he keeping from her? With his somewhat dysfunctional family, his ex and a sister-in-law who just can’t keep out of his business, you just know there’s trouble in paradise. With her best friend about to get married and needing her help, will Cassie manage to focus on her or will Jesse prove too distracting? Can long distance relationships really work? Can Cassie believe that he really will, “Call me, maybe”? It is definitely a story that shows how great friends can help you!
This is a fun romance with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing – I mean, who wouldn’t like to meet their teenage star crush but what would happen if you did? I enjoyed reading this light hearted yet dilemma filled contemporary romance, just right for when you want something not too heavy to escape into.
I requested and was gifted a copy of this book and this is my honest review after choosing to read it.
There are just so many questions! Is it the dream person or the real one that she’s in love with? What secrets is he keeping from her? With his somewhat dysfunctional family, his ex and a sister-in-law who just can’t keep out of his business, you just know there’s trouble in paradise. With her best friend about to get married and needing her help, will Cassie manage to focus on her or will Jesse prove too distracting? Can long distance relationships really work? Can Cassie believe that he really will, “Call me, maybe”? It is definitely a story that shows how great friends can help you!
This is a fun romance with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing – I mean, who wouldn’t like to meet their teenage star crush but what would happen if you did? I enjoyed reading this light hearted yet dilemma filled contemporary romance, just right for when you want something not too heavy to escape into.
I requested and was gifted a copy of this book and this is my honest review after choosing to read it.
September 30, 2019
This is a Netgalley ARC review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
WOW!! I loved this book. Cassie is living every teenage girl’s dream by social media stalking her crush and then actually meeting him. Cassie is an “everywoman” in her relationships with her friends and exes. She’s real and has flaws. Jesse is the heartthrob who wants to be “normal.”
I think Stephie Chapman’s writing will touch so many on different levels.
The major issue I had with this ARC is during some of the text or IM chats because the sender wasn’t identified it could be hard to follow, especially in the lengthy chats. Also, there were phases used by Jesse and his family that I don’t think would have been use by American English speakers. For example, Jesse says “whilst” instead of “while.”
Otherwise, I loved this book and can’t wait to gift a copy to a friend.
WOW!! I loved this book. Cassie is living every teenage girl’s dream by social media stalking her crush and then actually meeting him. Cassie is an “everywoman” in her relationships with her friends and exes. She’s real and has flaws. Jesse is the heartthrob who wants to be “normal.”
I think Stephie Chapman’s writing will touch so many on different levels.
The major issue I had with this ARC is during some of the text or IM chats because the sender wasn’t identified it could be hard to follow, especially in the lengthy chats. Also, there were phases used by Jesse and his family that I don’t think would have been use by American English speakers. For example, Jesse says “whilst” instead of “while.”
Otherwise, I loved this book and can’t wait to gift a copy to a friend.
October 30, 2019
A fun rom-com, this book had me smiling in parts.
Finding the One, even if he was a crush from a Boy Band in the teens. Send the friend request, get it accepted and watch the bidding romance. Carrie did all that and then found herself carrying on a long distance romance, neglecting the people in her life including best friend Rachel.
My first book by this author, I loved parts of it, though I couldn't connect much with the main character, found her to be too self obsessed in her love life. The writing was smooth and warm. The other characters were fun. Romance had a fairy tale vibe to it.
Overall, it was a cute quirky read
Finding the One, even if he was a crush from a Boy Band in the teens. Send the friend request, get it accepted and watch the bidding romance. Carrie did all that and then found herself carrying on a long distance romance, neglecting the people in her life including best friend Rachel.
My first book by this author, I loved parts of it, though I couldn't connect much with the main character, found her to be too self obsessed in her love life. The writing was smooth and warm. The other characters were fun. Romance had a fairy tale vibe to it.
Overall, it was a cute quirky read
June 2, 2024
Largely lovely and engaging, but Cassie being a shit friend throughout made the ending fall a bit flat for me. Also would've loved more from Jesse's perspective.
July 27, 2021
Okay, so Call Me, Maybe by Stephie Chapman is literally my 20-something dream of how I wanted my life to turn out…kind of.
Call Me, Maybe is the story of Cassie and how she loved a band so much when she was younger and how with the wonders of modern technology she was able to befriend the band member she loved years later and start a relationship with him. Okay. My summary actually sounds pretty creepy but Call Me, Maybe was not. It was a bit predictable at times but there was a comfort in that. Knowing that with any relationship there is going to be bumps in the road and dramas lurking around every corner.
I really, really enjoyed Call Me, Maybe. It was easy, fun and lighthearted. I really wish that it had happened to me and Matt from Busted and I don’t care who knows it.
Call Me, Maybe by Stephie Chapman is available now.
Call Me, Maybe is the story of Cassie and how she loved a band so much when she was younger and how with the wonders of modern technology she was able to befriend the band member she loved years later and start a relationship with him. Okay. My summary actually sounds pretty creepy but Call Me, Maybe was not. It was a bit predictable at times but there was a comfort in that. Knowing that with any relationship there is going to be bumps in the road and dramas lurking around every corner.
I really, really enjoyed Call Me, Maybe. It was easy, fun and lighthearted. I really wish that it had happened to me and Matt from Busted and I don’t care who knows it.
Call Me, Maybe by Stephie Chapman is available now.
January 8, 2024
Loved it, made me remember my teenage boyband crushes and how I dreamt of marrying my favourite singer one day, a light hearted, fun read
February 19, 2024
Good story line but predictable ending. Liked the characters and the dual narrative but some scenes were excessively long and sometimes about irrelevant characters
September 2, 2023
As a lifelong boyband lover, this book had me absolutely pulled in right from the get-go. This book is filled with so many cute moments, things that made me swoon, things that made me so upset that I got a stomach ache. I've never read a book focussing on falling in love with and getting together with your famous teenage crush so this was such an exciting experience for me and I really couldn't put it down. And even though I'm not a big fan of the miscommunication trope, this book was still good and did execute that trope well.
The only thing keeping this book from being a 5 star for me is just the pacing at the beginning. I would have loved some more build up and tension, but this book just jumps straight into "I love you."
The only thing keeping this book from being a 5 star for me is just the pacing at the beginning. I would have loved some more build up and tension, but this book just jumps straight into "I love you."
November 15, 2019
What if you got a second chance with your first love?
What happens when you meet your teenage heart-throb – when you’re both all grown up?
When Cassie was fifteen, all she wanted was to marry Jesse Franklin, the bassist from her favourite band, Franko. Now she’s single, in her late twenties and wondering what happened to that teenage dream.
A chance encounter on Facebook soon leads to a transatlantic hook up, and soon, Jesse and Cassie are having a long-distance love affair spanning five thousand miles.
Cassie is on cloud nine – until she hears something that makes her think that Jesse might not be all that he seems. They say never meet your heroes – but what happens when you fall in love with them…?
Are Cassie and Jesse star crossed lovers, destined to be together? Or should Cassie have left her crush in the box marked 'teenage memories'?
Call Me, Maybe is written in 1st person with an alternating view point, that of the main character Cassie and the love interest Jesse. The writing style is very easy to read and the chapters are pretty short - most were about 8 minutes long on my kindle, so I found myself flying through this book. There a few explicit parts, but it's more the description of foreplay and then we do fade to black. This is actually quite a tame book and it doesn’t really delve into anything too deeply, which is nice as sometimes you need a bit of a lighthearted read. But there is one thing that might make readers uncomfortable, Cassie is followed to an event by someone she is spoken to online a few times. She did tell him she was busy so couldn’t meet up with him and did tell him where she was going and the guy is ok - he’s nice enough and the creepiness of it is acknowledged. But Cassie still chats with him and everything is fine - but it might make others feel uncomfortable.
I enjoyed this book, I liked the premise, it was interesting. I enjoyed the characters too, Cassie was nice and had a job was also a quite a bit more interesting than I thought it would be. I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Cassie and Jesse and I really liked the character of Rachel, she was a good friend to Cassie I thought. I also enjoyed the snapshot of life we got both in London and California, the beaches and pace of live in California sounds amazing.
But sadly, I only really liked the 1st half of the book I think. After about the 60% mark i just wasn’t as invested as I should have been and I think that I only continued reading as I wanted to know what happened. Not that I really cared, which is a shame. I wasn’t 100% happy with the resolution and therefore the ending - I found it rushed. But overall I did enjoy this book.
Just a note that this is the author’s debut novel and if this is a sign of things to come from her, well I expect she’ll be a best seller in no time.
What happens when you meet your teenage heart-throb – when you’re both all grown up?
When Cassie was fifteen, all she wanted was to marry Jesse Franklin, the bassist from her favourite band, Franko. Now she’s single, in her late twenties and wondering what happened to that teenage dream.
A chance encounter on Facebook soon leads to a transatlantic hook up, and soon, Jesse and Cassie are having a long-distance love affair spanning five thousand miles.
Cassie is on cloud nine – until she hears something that makes her think that Jesse might not be all that he seems. They say never meet your heroes – but what happens when you fall in love with them…?
Are Cassie and Jesse star crossed lovers, destined to be together? Or should Cassie have left her crush in the box marked 'teenage memories'?
Call Me, Maybe is written in 1st person with an alternating view point, that of the main character Cassie and the love interest Jesse. The writing style is very easy to read and the chapters are pretty short - most were about 8 minutes long on my kindle, so I found myself flying through this book. There a few explicit parts, but it's more the description of foreplay and then we do fade to black. This is actually quite a tame book and it doesn’t really delve into anything too deeply, which is nice as sometimes you need a bit of a lighthearted read. But there is one thing that might make readers uncomfortable, Cassie is followed to an event by someone she is spoken to online a few times. She did tell him she was busy so couldn’t meet up with him and did tell him where she was going and the guy is ok - he’s nice enough and the creepiness of it is acknowledged. But Cassie still chats with him and everything is fine - but it might make others feel uncomfortable.
I enjoyed this book, I liked the premise, it was interesting. I enjoyed the characters too, Cassie was nice and had a job was also a quite a bit more interesting than I thought it would be. I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Cassie and Jesse and I really liked the character of Rachel, she was a good friend to Cassie I thought. I also enjoyed the snapshot of life we got both in London and California, the beaches and pace of live in California sounds amazing.
But sadly, I only really liked the 1st half of the book I think. After about the 60% mark i just wasn’t as invested as I should have been and I think that I only continued reading as I wanted to know what happened. Not that I really cared, which is a shame. I wasn’t 100% happy with the resolution and therefore the ending - I found it rushed. But overall I did enjoy this book.
Just a note that this is the author’s debut novel and if this is a sign of things to come from her, well I expect she’ll be a best seller in no time.
October 10, 2019
When Cassie was a teenager, she had a massive crush on the bass player from a boy band named Franko. She lovingly tore their interviews out of magazines, went to their concerts, and showed up at radio stations and CD signings just hoping to catch a glimpse of Jesse Franklin. Fast forward 15 years, and Cassie now lives and works in London but hasn't had much luck in the love department. Feeling a bit nostalgic one evening, she decides to look up her former crush on Facebook, never imagining that she'd actually find him. After a few too many sips of wine, she sends him a friend request...and can't believe it when he accepts it. They start chatting online, slowly getting know each other, and when he's able to make it to London for a whirlwind weekend, they meet up for an amazing night together that changes everything. A few weeks later, she's able to go visit him in LA and they're pretty sure she should move their permanently. Until one of his family members lets slip this giant secret that he's been keeping from her the whole time. Maybe Jesse Franklin, the former teen heartthrob turned love of her life really is just too good be true. Has she been fooling herself that her teenage dream of marrying her boyband crush could actually become a reality?
This was a cute, fluffy book. Not a lot of substance, maybe, but a good palate cleanser if you need an easy read. I do wish the characters had a little more depth to them. Aside from Jesse's conflicted feelings about his band ending, he didn't really seem to have much of a personality. We heard more about his long hair and his Converse than we did about him. Cassie had a lot more to her, and I did love her friendship with Rachel (her oldest friend whose wedding she's supposed to be helping to play instead of starting a long distance relationship with a former pop star). But still, the characters were very wooden and it was hard to really get a sense of who they were aside from their obvious identifiers: Guy who Used to be in Boyband and Girl Who had a Crush on Said Guy.
My only other issue was that the plot was trucking along just fine for awhile, but the "secret" that arose to break them up should have been easily resolvable in like 2 seconds flat. It was kind of ridiculous that it caused all the drama that it did. But of course, where would we be if crazy things didn't separate people (WE WERE ON A BREAK!) just so we could be sad and pine with them until they figure it out and get back together.
This was Stephie Chapman's first book. It was released a few years ago, and this is a re-release after some major edits. For me, it was a fun story, and I'll be interested to see what the author does next!
**Thank you to NetGalley and Hera Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!**
This was a cute, fluffy book. Not a lot of substance, maybe, but a good palate cleanser if you need an easy read. I do wish the characters had a little more depth to them. Aside from Jesse's conflicted feelings about his band ending, he didn't really seem to have much of a personality. We heard more about his long hair and his Converse than we did about him. Cassie had a lot more to her, and I did love her friendship with Rachel (her oldest friend whose wedding she's supposed to be helping to play instead of starting a long distance relationship with a former pop star). But still, the characters were very wooden and it was hard to really get a sense of who they were aside from their obvious identifiers: Guy who Used to be in Boyband and Girl Who had a Crush on Said Guy.
My only other issue was that the plot was trucking along just fine for awhile, but the "secret" that arose to break them up should have been easily resolvable in like 2 seconds flat. It was kind of ridiculous that it caused all the drama that it did. But of course, where would we be if crazy things didn't separate people (WE WERE ON A BREAK!) just so we could be sad and pine with them until they figure it out and get back together.
This was Stephie Chapman's first book. It was released a few years ago, and this is a re-release after some major edits. For me, it was a fun story, and I'll be interested to see what the author does next!
**Thank you to NetGalley and Hera Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!**
October 9, 2019
Call Me, Maybe, Stephie Chapman
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: ,Women's Fiction, Romance
Bah, Humbug. Women's Fiction – that infuriates me. Why do we insist on having such an outdated category?
Well, that's out of the way so on to the book...I liked it, a lot, but didn't Love it. And I'd expected to, its got one of my favourite tropes.
Its got some fun characters, some humour that lifts parts and the potential for some great drama. I just didn't feel it lived up to that potential. There were characters that were fairly major in parts who then just dropped away. There's the mystery of Franco and its demise, which was kind of storm in a teacup when finally revealed, and the actions of some of the family over that seemed a bit OTT.
I was never really convinced of the romance between Cassie and Jesse, it seemed kind of insta-love and yet although they're talking online they've only met a couple of times before they're in deep....They were good together but I didn't really feel I knew either of them well enough, and didn't feel they knew each other well. Hot sex doesn't make a relationship work, you need more.
The relationship between Cassie and her best friend for years seems rocky at times, and there's no real explanation – like the romance issues its kind of hinted at, there are hurt feelings and then all's OK again without any real exploration of what went wrong.
That Big problem, yes I can understand Cassie's reaction at the way it came out, but TBH given that the real circumstances aren't yet clear, no one has asked, or even really bothered to find out the essential question, and as it all happened well before Cassie and Jesse were in contact it seemed again an OTT reaction all round. By the time it had all happened simple maths would have given the answer too....It seemed too as if all the relationship issues were put down to that one problem but they had much wider ones, ones which if they didn't explore would simply reoccur. Jesse cam close to seeing some of his issues but I'm not sure he was willing to look at changing them though. The same for Cassie, she recognised that maybe she'd over reacted but given similar issues I think she'd still be the same. I guess for me its back to that build a relationship – they didn't really, but went from online chats to full fledged all in, and that middle part, the getting to know each there, is so important.
I did like Holly, I do adore a “good” nasty person, and she was a queen bitch! I wish there were more like her in books ;-)
Stars: three and a half, a lot of potential, but for me it didn't quite hit it.
Arc via Netgalley
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: ,Women's Fiction, Romance
Bah, Humbug. Women's Fiction – that infuriates me. Why do we insist on having such an outdated category?
Well, that's out of the way so on to the book...I liked it, a lot, but didn't Love it. And I'd expected to, its got one of my favourite tropes.
Its got some fun characters, some humour that lifts parts and the potential for some great drama. I just didn't feel it lived up to that potential. There were characters that were fairly major in parts who then just dropped away. There's the mystery of Franco and its demise, which was kind of storm in a teacup when finally revealed, and the actions of some of the family over that seemed a bit OTT.
I was never really convinced of the romance between Cassie and Jesse, it seemed kind of insta-love and yet although they're talking online they've only met a couple of times before they're in deep....They were good together but I didn't really feel I knew either of them well enough, and didn't feel they knew each other well. Hot sex doesn't make a relationship work, you need more.
The relationship between Cassie and her best friend for years seems rocky at times, and there's no real explanation – like the romance issues its kind of hinted at, there are hurt feelings and then all's OK again without any real exploration of what went wrong.
That Big problem, yes I can understand Cassie's reaction at the way it came out, but TBH given that the real circumstances aren't yet clear, no one has asked, or even really bothered to find out the essential question, and as it all happened well before Cassie and Jesse were in contact it seemed again an OTT reaction all round. By the time it had all happened simple maths would have given the answer too....It seemed too as if all the relationship issues were put down to that one problem but they had much wider ones, ones which if they didn't explore would simply reoccur. Jesse cam close to seeing some of his issues but I'm not sure he was willing to look at changing them though. The same for Cassie, she recognised that maybe she'd over reacted but given similar issues I think she'd still be the same. I guess for me its back to that build a relationship – they didn't really, but went from online chats to full fledged all in, and that middle part, the getting to know each there, is so important.
I did like Holly, I do adore a “good” nasty person, and she was a queen bitch! I wish there were more like her in books ;-)
Stars: three and a half, a lot of potential, but for me it didn't quite hit it.
Arc via Netgalley
July 18, 2015
I'm sure most people have had a huge crush on a band member or singer when they were growing up, and a good amount of those, will have followed their crush all over the country. But have you ever thought about looking them up after they are no longer famous? In the case of my obsession as a teenager, its irrelevant as they are still going strong today.
However in the case of Cassie, this is exactly what happened. She was a huge fan of a smallish American band, and she and her best friend Rachel followed them all over the UK when they came over, to real obsessive tendencies.
One night Rachel and Cassie look up the band on Google and it leads to them finding Jesse Franklin the bass player from the band. A few days later Cassie randomly sends Jesse a friend request on facebook and things move forward from there.
We get to see a lot of the Facebook correspondence, and it looks as though Jesse is a nice guy, and not at all how you would expect an ex-famous person to be. He manages to arrange a meeting in London, and there is an instant connection between them both.
I loved watching the long distance relationship unfurl, and the time spent in Los Angeles is fantastic. I found Jesse to be the ultimate American boy next door sexy guy type of person, and he seemed delightful. Cassie also seemed like a lovely character, but a little self obsessed at times.
There are a lot of references to things from the 90s in this book, which really made me feel a bit nostalgic, and I also liked a reference to a town that is near me, that I don't see mentioned in books often at all.
Ultimately I really enjoyed this book, but there is one thing that let it down, and that is the blurb. It gives a massive clue to what turned out to be almost the ending of the book. So I already had a good idea how the second half of the book would pan out, and not through the writing being predictable (which it isn't), but from the synopsis. Although I did enjoy the journey, I generally don't want that much of a hint to the outcome before I have even started reading the book.
Getting Over Jesse Franklin is a great debut novel, one that I enjoyed reading I found it to be a quick and easy read, and quite fun, from a clearly talented new author.
Thank you to Stephie Chapman for offering me this review copy in exchange for an honest review. This was my honest opinion.
However in the case of Cassie, this is exactly what happened. She was a huge fan of a smallish American band, and she and her best friend Rachel followed them all over the UK when they came over, to real obsessive tendencies.
One night Rachel and Cassie look up the band on Google and it leads to them finding Jesse Franklin the bass player from the band. A few days later Cassie randomly sends Jesse a friend request on facebook and things move forward from there.
We get to see a lot of the Facebook correspondence, and it looks as though Jesse is a nice guy, and not at all how you would expect an ex-famous person to be. He manages to arrange a meeting in London, and there is an instant connection between them both.
I loved watching the long distance relationship unfurl, and the time spent in Los Angeles is fantastic. I found Jesse to be the ultimate American boy next door sexy guy type of person, and he seemed delightful. Cassie also seemed like a lovely character, but a little self obsessed at times.
There are a lot of references to things from the 90s in this book, which really made me feel a bit nostalgic, and I also liked a reference to a town that is near me, that I don't see mentioned in books often at all.
Ultimately I really enjoyed this book, but there is one thing that let it down, and that is the blurb. It gives a massive clue to what turned out to be almost the ending of the book. So I already had a good idea how the second half of the book would pan out, and not through the writing being predictable (which it isn't), but from the synopsis. Although I did enjoy the journey, I generally don't want that much of a hint to the outcome before I have even started reading the book.
Getting Over Jesse Franklin is a great debut novel, one that I enjoyed reading I found it to be a quick and easy read, and quite fun, from a clearly talented new author.
Thank you to Stephie Chapman for offering me this review copy in exchange for an honest review. This was my honest opinion.
October 10, 2019
Everybody has had in their teens a major crush on a famous musician. But most of the times it’s just a crush that passes over time and the famous musician isn’t even aware of your existence.
Cassie also had a crush on Jesse, when he was part of the music band Franko. So when many years later she finds him on Facebook, she can’t resist the temptation and adds him. And gets the surprise of her life when he accepts her request!
And the story takes off! When they start chatting you just feel this joy as you can finally image how it would be to actually talk to your crush!
Cassie is this young independant woman, who just can’t believe her luck.
And when they get to know each other on a better level, she also realises it’s not all glam and glitter what Jesse experienced during his fame.
Despite her curiousity for the world of fame, she genuinly cares about Jesse and just wants what’s best for him.
But she also knows the odds of having a lasting relationship is rather unexisting... or isn’t it?
And Jesse is just this amazing man, despite having some secrets, doing his utterly best for put a smile on Cassie’s face.
This story is for every woman who ever thought about meeting her crush.
It’s a sweet story about meeting someone you’d never imagine. And also that even famous persons are just as normal as all of us.
It’s also about it’s not always wrong to fall too quickly in love with someone, if he’s your person...
This story has just everything to make you fantasise about your own old crush. It’s a really relaxing book that make you sit back and enjoy every bit of it!
There is also 1 warning: during the whole story you’ll be singing ‘Hey I just met you, and this is crazy... But here’s my number, so call me, maybe!’
And good luck with getting that out of your head now!!!
Cassie also had a crush on Jesse, when he was part of the music band Franko. So when many years later she finds him on Facebook, she can’t resist the temptation and adds him. And gets the surprise of her life when he accepts her request!
And the story takes off! When they start chatting you just feel this joy as you can finally image how it would be to actually talk to your crush!
Cassie is this young independant woman, who just can’t believe her luck.
And when they get to know each other on a better level, she also realises it’s not all glam and glitter what Jesse experienced during his fame.
Despite her curiousity for the world of fame, she genuinly cares about Jesse and just wants what’s best for him.
But she also knows the odds of having a lasting relationship is rather unexisting... or isn’t it?
And Jesse is just this amazing man, despite having some secrets, doing his utterly best for put a smile on Cassie’s face.
This story is for every woman who ever thought about meeting her crush.
It’s a sweet story about meeting someone you’d never imagine. And also that even famous persons are just as normal as all of us.
It’s also about it’s not always wrong to fall too quickly in love with someone, if he’s your person...
This story has just everything to make you fantasise about your own old crush. It’s a really relaxing book that make you sit back and enjoy every bit of it!
There is also 1 warning: during the whole story you’ll be singing ‘Hey I just met you, and this is crazy... But here’s my number, so call me, maybe!’
And good luck with getting that out of your head now!!!
October 3, 2019
Cue Carly Rae Jepsen.
Back in ‘98, Cassie from London was a huge fan of a band named Franko and had a huge crush on the bassist. Years later, when she and her best friend Rachel randomly googled him during a drunken dating discussion, they found Jesse Franklin on Facebook. Cassie impulsively friend requested him, and to her surprise, he accepted, which became the opening sequence to an overseas love affair.
Told in dual points of view, I was able to see more of their story. But, I wasn’t a huge fan of the characters; tbh, I found Cassie rather annoying. There were good parts and adequate drama, but it was perhaps a bit longer than I would’ve wanted, though I absolutely enjoyed the ending (it was my fave part). Otherwise, if you like British dialogue and a love story that goes the distance (literally and figuratively), give this one a whirl!
Thank you NetGalley and Hera Books for providing me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Back in ‘98, Cassie from London was a huge fan of a band named Franko and had a huge crush on the bassist. Years later, when she and her best friend Rachel randomly googled him during a drunken dating discussion, they found Jesse Franklin on Facebook. Cassie impulsively friend requested him, and to her surprise, he accepted, which became the opening sequence to an overseas love affair.
Told in dual points of view, I was able to see more of their story. But, I wasn’t a huge fan of the characters; tbh, I found Cassie rather annoying. There were good parts and adequate drama, but it was perhaps a bit longer than I would’ve wanted, though I absolutely enjoyed the ending (it was my fave part). Otherwise, if you like British dialogue and a love story that goes the distance (literally and figuratively), give this one a whirl!
Thank you NetGalley and Hera Books for providing me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 19, 2019
I have loved this book, it has been such a delightful and pleasant read. This is my first read by this author but I know it won't be the last.
This is a book which had me hooked from the very beginning. The writing style used, has made it easy to lose myself in the pages of the story.
Every girl dreams of meeting their teenage heart throb, especially band members. I for one, would probably faint if I met Shane from Westlife. This plot made this story exciting and relatable to the reader. I was desperate to know how it was going to play out between the pair.
The characters are extremely likeable and as a reader you can't help but feel connected to them. This is another of those books where I felt connected to the characters and rooted for them from the very beginning.
This is a book which had me hooked from the very beginning. The writing style used, has made it easy to lose myself in the pages of the story.
Every girl dreams of meeting their teenage heart throb, especially band members. I for one, would probably faint if I met Shane from Westlife. This plot made this story exciting and relatable to the reader. I was desperate to know how it was going to play out between the pair.
The characters are extremely likeable and as a reader you can't help but feel connected to them. This is another of those books where I felt connected to the characters and rooted for them from the very beginning.
June 29, 2018
Getting Over Jesse Franklin was sweet, kinda fluffy and somewhat funny.
The storyline was really good, but the writing style left something to be desired. I found myself skipping the narration and only reading the dialogues. I wanted to know what happened next, but I did not want to slog through the narration.
But the story on the other hand, was really sweet and kinda cute. I enjoyed the light read after all the psychological thrillers I'd been reading, but the narration could've definitely been better.
The storyline was really good, but the writing style left something to be desired. I found myself skipping the narration and only reading the dialogues. I wanted to know what happened next, but I did not want to slog through the narration.
But the story on the other hand, was really sweet and kinda cute. I enjoyed the light read after all the psychological thrillers I'd been reading, but the narration could've definitely been better.
June 10, 2015
I enjoyed this book so much, not only because it is a great story with likeable characters but because the 90's were my teenage era & who can forget the Bros obsession! Who didn't dream of being much more than just a kid staring at a poster from smash hits??!? I know I did and that's why I loved this book and gave it 5 stars. I highly recommend it as a great girly read and you WILL struggle to put it down!
January 4, 2020
Cringe-y but cute? Great concept & totally believable. I liked Cass but found her a bit impetuous (ah, to be young!). I felt she needed a bit more pause & mystery when dealing with Jessie, she was just so available & flinging herself at him (but then worried about being perceived as a groupie?). But it’s Cass’ story, I get that. The pace was good, though I felt the ending wrapped up a bit too quickly. A fun, easy read!
January 6, 2020
4-4.5 for me!
This was a fun read that was recommended to readers and enjoyers of The Meet Cute. I think I actually liked this one a bit more!
The best part was at the end the author wrote a special thank you to 4 brothers from Canada and I was like...
This was inspired by THE MOFFATS!
This was a fun read that was recommended to readers and enjoyers of The Meet Cute. I think I actually liked this one a bit more!
The best part was at the end the author wrote a special thank you to 4 brothers from Canada and I was like...
This was inspired by THE MOFFATS!
October 9, 2019
Super cute!! I loved it! This is the first book I read by this author, but I hope to read many more! It was sweet and just angsty enough to keep you wondering how things would turn out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
May 25, 2015
Really likeable characters, I guessed how it would end but I couldn't put it down til I saw how it all panned out. Makes me wonder which if my teenage crushes might be contactable on social media...
June 3, 2015
An absolutely brilliant first novel. A complete page turner and some of the best chic lit I've read in years. Made me feel like a teenager with a crush on a pop star all over again!
February 21, 2025
Call Me, Maybe by Stephie Chapman is an absolute delight—a heartfelt, witty, and thoroughly charming romcom that kept me hooked from start to finish. If you love books with strong character development, an engaging premise, and a generous helping of romance, this one is for you!
From the very first chapter, Chapman's writing pulls you in with its warmth and humour. The story is packed with sharp dialogue, and the chemistry between the characters is so natural and believable. One of my favourite things about this book is how well it captures that mix of excitement and uncertainty that comes with taking a risk on love.
There are so many moments that made me smile, especially lines like “It’s funny, isn’t it? How someone’s voice can feel like home before you’ve ever even seen their face.” It perfectly encapsulates the magic of the story. And the way Chapman explores the idea of connection, even when circumstances are less than ideal, adds so much depth to the romance.
One of the standout elements of this book is the music theme running through it. The way Chapman weaves music into the story feels so organic, making it more than just a backdrop—it’s a vital part of the characters’ lives and relationships. Whether it’s discussions about favourite bands, the nostalgia of old playlists, or the sheer joy of discovering a song that feels like it was written just for you, the book beautifully captures how music can connect people on a deeper level. “There are songs that remind you of people, of places, of moments you never want to forget.” That sentiment is threaded throughout the story, making it even more emotionally resonant.
The protagonist is incredibly likeable—flawed but real, making decisions that feel authentic rather than just serving the plot. And the love interest? Absolutely swoon-worthy. Their banter, their little moments of vulnerability, and the slow build of their relationship made my heart melt. One particular line stayed with me: “Sometimes, the best things in life come when you’re not looking for them at all.”
This book is more than just a romance—it’s about timing, choices, and how sometimes, the best connections happen in the most unexpected ways. The added layer of music makes it even more special, evoking that powerful feeling of nostalgia and the way songs can transport you back to a specific time and place.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. If you’re a music lover who believes in the magic of a well-timed song (like me)—this book is a must-read.
From the very first chapter, Chapman's writing pulls you in with its warmth and humour. The story is packed with sharp dialogue, and the chemistry between the characters is so natural and believable. One of my favourite things about this book is how well it captures that mix of excitement and uncertainty that comes with taking a risk on love.
There are so many moments that made me smile, especially lines like “It’s funny, isn’t it? How someone’s voice can feel like home before you’ve ever even seen their face.” It perfectly encapsulates the magic of the story. And the way Chapman explores the idea of connection, even when circumstances are less than ideal, adds so much depth to the romance.
One of the standout elements of this book is the music theme running through it. The way Chapman weaves music into the story feels so organic, making it more than just a backdrop—it’s a vital part of the characters’ lives and relationships. Whether it’s discussions about favourite bands, the nostalgia of old playlists, or the sheer joy of discovering a song that feels like it was written just for you, the book beautifully captures how music can connect people on a deeper level. “There are songs that remind you of people, of places, of moments you never want to forget.” That sentiment is threaded throughout the story, making it even more emotionally resonant.
The protagonist is incredibly likeable—flawed but real, making decisions that feel authentic rather than just serving the plot. And the love interest? Absolutely swoon-worthy. Their banter, their little moments of vulnerability, and the slow build of their relationship made my heart melt. One particular line stayed with me: “Sometimes, the best things in life come when you’re not looking for them at all.”
This book is more than just a romance—it’s about timing, choices, and how sometimes, the best connections happen in the most unexpected ways. The added layer of music makes it even more special, evoking that powerful feeling of nostalgia and the way songs can transport you back to a specific time and place.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. If you’re a music lover who believes in the magic of a well-timed song (like me)—this book is a must-read.
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