Call My Bluff

by Erin Chesnut

A girl who refuses to be won and a guy who refuses to give up. What could go wrong?

Olivia Cohen has a graduate from Cypress Valley State University, get a master’s degree and then save the world—one child at a time. The last thing she needs or wants is a distraction . . . especially when that distraction comes with pretty eyes, a charming smile and an infuriating habit of catching her off guard.

Noah Campbell is the class clown, and he takes his job seriously. Specializing in everything from roommate pranks to classroom serenades and water gun ambushes, he’s never met a challenge he couldn’t handle . . . or a girl he couldn’t charm, for that matter. So when Olivia Cohen draws her line in the sand, he’s determined to find a way across it—if for no other reason than to prove a point.

But when her unconventional plan to scare him off turns into an emotional game of chicken, who will duck first? And what will happen when they collide?

-----
This stand-alone story is book two in the Cypress Valley Sweethearts series.

small-town, college romance, reluctant to fall, slow burn, hate to love you, roasting as flirting, '80s and '90s nostalgia, fake dating vibes, for fans of "How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days"
Content A father who leaves his family (past); brief, vague mentions of child abuse (in the context of a social worker's job)

Genres: Clean Romance

262 pages, Paperback

Published September 6, 2025

About the author

Erin Chesnut writes sweet contemporary romance novels with swoon and heart but none of the spice. She lives in West Tennessee with her husband and two children and spends her days writing, reading and homeschooling her daughter. As a former journalist and public relations writer, she has had non-fiction work published in numerous state magazines and regional publications, and she placed third in the Writer’s Digest 86th Annual International Writing Competition’s magazine feature article category. She’ll accept third place beneath a New York Times journalist any day! When given time to herself, she likes to eat gummy worms in the backyard hammock.

Reviews

[Kendal Sheldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally enjoyed this story! This book had me hooked and laughing from the beginning. I enjoyed watching their friendship grow throughout the story. I especially loved the “How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days” vibes in this book, so if you liked that movie you will definitely love this book. I just love Erin’s writing and I can’t wait to read more from her. I highly recommend both of her books in this series.

FMC: Olivia (Liv) - studying to be a social worker (She is best friends with Lexie from book 1)

MMC: Noah - studying to be a physical therapist (He is best friends with Jake from book 1)

What you’ll find:
🔹 Dual third person POV
🔹 He falls first
🔹 Small Town
🔹 Reluctant to fall
🔹 Slow burn
🔹 College romance
🔹 Hate to love you
🔹 Fake Dating vibes
🔹 Funny banter
🔹 Laser tag
🔹 He pursues her

INFO:
📚: Book 2 of 2 - “Cypress Valley Sweethearts” series
🔹: Interconnected Standalone, Best enjoyed in order but not required.
📖: 264 pages

CONTENT:
🌶️: kissing only
🤬: None
⚠️: father abandoned family (past), an implied reference to a child who has been abused (mentioned in the context of a social worker’s job).

"𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬. 𝘖𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯."

[Ligeia Dooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have anxiously awaited the sequel to Fight For Me, and I was not let down. The story of Olivia and Noah is so fun. I couldn't put it down. Erin has such a wonderful way of drawing you into the characters. Call My Bluff is so fun, with laugh out loud moments, yet enough serious elements to make you truly relate to the real person behind each character. I highly recommend this series if you are looking for a clean, feel-good, relatable love story that you can't put down. Now I am looking forward to book 3!

[Michelle Bellman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another sweet story by Erin Chestnut! I LOVED Noah's character. His personality was just my type. And, I thought the match between him and Olivia was spot on. If you're looking for a closed door romance without language, this book is perfect for you!

[Megan Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Get transported to Cypress Valley in this adorable, guilt-free reading romance! Erin did an amazing job enticing all of my emotion in this easy, smooth read! It’s so good and I couldn’t put my book down!

[Julie Austalosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I start?!

This book is the true definition of a sweet romance. The female main character Olivia has a tough, yet very sweet heart and is unwilling to let any boy in. Noah is a giant goof ball who is determined to win any game he is challenged with.

When the two meet up the chemistry is HUGE, but they both fight it, because why not?!

Erin crushed it with this second Cypress Valley installment. This is her best book yet, with hilarious banter, silly games, cute love, and swoon worthy quotes. Don’t wait to grab this book.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A while back I went to a local bookish convention and met this author and picked up a signed copy of this book. I'm just now getting to it, and I must say it was a lovely read!

But first, let's talk the details...

POV: Third person
POV Character(s): Noah Campbell, Olivia Cohen
Verb Tense: Past
Trigger Warnings: None
Spice Level: Low, kisses only

I've never read anything by Erin Chesnut before, but I loved this sweet romance set in small-town Western Tennessee. It was fun and felt like home (albeit on the western side of the state, anyway). This is a cute and sweet college romance with no spice and pretty clean language throughout.

Noah is a goofy prankster who wants to be a physical therapist and plans to go to UTC to get his masters degree once he graduates. He's in his senior year, studying hard, and also trying to make ends meet in a crappy grocery store job where his manager dislikes him--only partially because of Noah's tendencies to prank him. He's a breezy kind of guy who never dates anyone long term because he's scared of commitment.

Olivia, on the other hand, is a serious senior in social work who plans to finish out with her own masters once she graduates. She's working hard at school, interning with a local child services group, and spending time with friends. She's got no time for boys, especially the obnoxious kind who like to joke and flirt and play games like Noah.

It's a sweet story, and I enjoyed it a lot. The characters had depth and were fun to read about, and I would say it's worth a read if you're looking for a romantic palate cleanser. The plot is simple enough to predict, but what romance isn't?

There's some fake dating, some denial, and a lot of banter. I laughed out loud at parts and enjoyed the author's writing quite a bit.

There's another book in this series that I'll likely pick up at some point, maybe the next time I happen upon the author out in the wild somewhere. For now, I've got a massive TBR backlog to work my way through, but this was a fun read and I would definitely read more from Erin Chesnut.

[Em Bug · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A girl who refuses to be won and a guy who refuses to give up. What could go wrong?”

This book was SO GOOD! I am absolutely in love with Noah and Olivia’s story! I have been waiting for their story for a long time…and it was well worth the wait! Everything from the banter to the pranks to the The Princess Bride quotes, I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

I absolutely adored the first book, Fight For Me (if you haven’t read it, READ IT! It’s one of my all-time favorite books!), so seeing the books overlap was so fun for me! I also love how there’s a tandem reading guide at the end of book 2…might have to go back and tandem read the series eventually!

Erin did a fantastic job (again!) creating very realistic people, with very realistic stories, and giving them great character development. Watching Noah move on from his past to give true love a chance, and to watch Olivia open her heart up even when she thinks she isn’t ready, is beautiful.

Some things you’ll find in this book:
- Prank wars
- 80’s/90’s music (peep the soundtrack at the end!)
- The Princess Bride quotes
- Great banter
- Text messages
- College town romance

I HIGHLY recommend reading this book! There were so many times I laughed and internally giggled and kicked my feet! I absolutely cannot wait for whatever plans Erin has for the next book!

[eisley · Rating 5 out of 5]

i'd first like to thank the lovely author of this book, erin chesnut, for giving me the opportunity to read this amazing book before it came out! this was the first ARC i've ever received and i could not have chosen a better book to give that title to! i've been patiently waiting for noah and olivia's story ever since i read fight for me about a year ago, and call my bluff delivered! the banter was so sweet and funny and perfect, and noah was just the sweetest, swooniest, funniest MMC ever (i think i like him more than jake, which is saying something). olivia's personality was so fun and real and relatable, and i loved seeing her fight her feelings for noah before inevitably giving in. this book was so sweet and funny and i was totally hooked the entire time. i laughed out loud so many times due to noah and his antics, and this was such a fun and easy read while still having a serious and sentimental undertone. this book is the perfect introduction to the fall season—it read like a gilmore girls episode and felt like curling up in bed next to your favorite candle with some hot coffee and rain pounding on the window. i couldn't recommend this enough—and it will be available to read on september 6th!

[Carson Yuhas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an enjoyable read (and listen!). Erin is a fantastic writer with a real talent for crafting characters and stories that pull you in without bogging you down in unnecessary details. The pacing is smooth, the storytelling is engaging, and I never once felt my interest waver.
I especially appreciated the romance. It’s completely clean, yet still full of emotion, tension, and heart—proof that you don’t need spice to make a love story compelling. And Noah? I absolutely adored him. He’s funny, charming, and quickly became my favorite character.
I also listened to the audiobook, and Devon did a wonderful job narrating. Her performance brought the characters to life and made the story even more enjoyable. As a mom of four, audiobooks help me get through daily chores, and this one made the time fly by.
Overall, this was a great experience, and I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from Erin.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given the pleasure of reading Call My Bluff by the fabulous author Erin Chesnut as an ARC. Thank you so much for choosing me to read this before it comes out!

This is my honest review of Call My Bluff. You will love it! If you love sweet, feel good, romance with humor and characters that just make you fall in love with them this is for you! Noah is the goofy prankster that you learn has a much deeper sweet side. Olivia is a no nonsense, has a goal to achieve but learns there is more to life if it’s shared with someone special.
The banter between them is golden and will have you laughing out loud. The romance will have you swooning. Be sure you leave plenty of time to read because you will not want to put it down. Definitely recommend reading this book and falling in love with The Cypress Valley Sweethearts!

[Amelia Waider · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great sequel! I loved Fight for Me, but somehow this was even better. The characters felt a bit more real and had more depth to them. Everything felt a bit more realistic, too, and I loved how we got to see their thought processes as the story progressed. And the way it interweaved with Fight for Me! Just wonderful.

The writing has improved, too. While the first book was great, this one felt more grounded and had some really wonderful lines in it. I also love that the author allows the characters to really get to know each other and spend time with each other. It’s exactly what romance should be!

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 Stars!

I’ve been waiting for this book since getting to read the first few chapters months ago, and it lived up to every expectation! I couldn’t put it down!

Noah and Olivia were such a fun duo with lots of banter and funny moments. I loved watching them learn more about themselves and each other throughout the book! Their chemistry was amazing and the “fake dating” trope was done so very well! When you finish, be sure to read the epilogue! It was such a cute look into the future!

🌶️ Spice: Only Kisses
🤐 Language: None

This was my second read by Erin & wow! I really can’t recommend this series enough! They’re both such fun, cozy, easy reads!

[Kate Graczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

A breath of fresh air! I’ve been in a reading slump lately and this book pulled me right out. It’s light, fun, and kept me coming back for more. Olivia was my favorite character in Fight for Me, so I was excited to read her story - and it delivered! I love that Olivia and Noah’s relationship is full of playful banter, competitiveness, and lighthearted humor, while still being grounded in something real. I also enjoyed the overlapping timeline with Fight for Me. It was fun to think back to what Jake and Lexie were up to at the same time! If you’re looking for your next romance fix, definitely give Call My Bluff a read!

[Ariella Winfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it!! I had the opportunity to be an ARC reader and have read and thoroughly enjoyed this book TWICE. As a busy mom and nightshift nurse that’s high praise. Often clean romance feels unrealistic and painfully cheesy, but that is certainly not the case with Call My Bluff. The characters are well developed, the banter made me laugh, and the Princess Bride references were perfect. If you read Fight For Me you’ll enjoy seeing old friends in Call My Bluff. Erin did a lovely job weaving the two stories together while still enabling each book to stand alone. I cannot wait for book three so I can visit Cypress Valley again!

[Allison Ary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Another great book by Erin Chesnut! I love personalities of the main characters, Olivia and Noah. Olivia is determined not to fall in love with Noah, and Noah loves a challenge. Their love story is so fun and entertaining. I enjoyed their playful banter back and forth, along with some really sweet, melt your heart moments. Erin did a great job weaving the main characters from her first book (Fight For Me) into the timeline of this one. It was neat to see the two stories playing out side by side. I look forward to reading the next book in the Cypress Valley Sweetheart series!

[Tasha Newcomb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a Cypress Valley Sweatheart fan and "Call my Bluff" contains the sweet romance I've come to expect from Erin Chesnut. This second book is loaded with flirtation, chemistry, and deadpan humor. If you enjoyed book #1 (Fight for Me), you'll appreciate guest appearances from Jake & Lexi while learning more about what makes their best friends tick. "Call My Bluff" is a quick read that can be enjoyed by moms AND their teen daughters! (No bad language or closed bedroom doors here!) I can't wait to see what (or should I say who) we see in book #3!

[Hayley Tousignant · Rating 5 out of 5]

My oh my, Erin does it again! This Cypress Valley novel puts you right in middle of the small little town drama. After reading the first book, I loved having the characters overlap and see them again. You fall in love with Lexie and Jake in Fight for Me… to them fall in love with Liv and Noah. I cannot get enough of this small town college friends - who all just live life together. Without giving away spoilers, Liv and Noah’s relationship will make you laugh, growl out of frustration and cry happy and sad tears. This book was just what I needed for a happy feel good story.

[Kaelyn ewing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Call My Bluff is a stunning follow-up that not only lives up to the charm of its predecessor but raises the bar for contemporary romance. From the very first chapter, the enemies-to-lovers dynamic is both captivating and believable, with a slow build of tension that makes every page impossible to put down.

The author handles the characters’ evolution with remarkable finesse: their witty sparring gradually gives way to vulnerability, creating a romance that feels both earned and deeply satisfying. The story is sprinkled with delightfully tender moments that will warm even the most skeptical heart, all without losing the spark and sharp banter that define the genre at its best.

Beautifully written, emotionally resonant, and effortlessly engaging, Call My Bluff is a sequel that delivers everything fans of contemporary romance hope for. Charm, chemistry, and a love story worth rooting for. Highly recommended.

[Holly Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Erin has made a perfectly curated playlist to go with this amazing book, Maddie and Tae’s Friends Don’t played on loop while reading this book.

Olivia is sassy, independent, and can hold her own. Noah is a jokester and loves to have a good time. But when Olivia tries to scare him off by calling him “her boyfriend” does he back down?

This book also gave off How to Loose a Guy in 10 Days vibe and I just could not put it down!

[Melissa Bucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming, clean romance story that many of us can relate to. This book and the Cyprus Series is a good reminder that romance doesn't need to be steamy to be satisfying.

Noah’s and Olivia’s characters are so fun loving! I found my self laughing out loud and cheering them on!

Erin’s books are relatable, and easy to read! I can’t wait for more on this series!!

[Beth Bodwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I already loved the story and setting Erin has created in the first book of the series. This one made me love it even more, and I was hooked from the very beginning by Olivia and Noah’s dynamic and witty banter. I was invested in their story from the first chapter! I can’t recommend enough if you’re looking for a sweet college romance.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in the Cypress Valley Sweetheart series. It is a wonderful love story, like reading a Hallmark movie without the sappiness!! The story that unfolds is great, and I love that it has no explicit scenes or bad language - something that is hard to come by these days. A definite read for any sweet romance reader.

[Samantha Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!

I couldn't put this book down! The banter, the flirting, the slow burn, I loved it all! This is the first book I've read by this author, and it will not be my last. If you love first woman, determined men, and a kisses-only, no swearing love story, then you should read this book!

[Sara Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet squeal to fight for me! Olivia and Noah are so great together and I love the dynamic of the characters! Seriously such a good read. Honestly this one’s even better than the first book of the series. I love a good hard to get love story! 10/10!

[Amanda Hollis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not wait to read Erin’s second book and it did not disappoint. I enjoyed reading this clean romance story that relates to our small town living. I loved Noah and Olivia story! This is a must read!!

[Erin Hammond · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet story! I loved the first in the series, but this one just made my heart so happy! Goofball meets fireball and sparks fly. If you want to kick your feet and giggle, this book is perfect. 10/10 would recommend!

Thank you to Erin Chestnut, the author, for the ARC.

[Harley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was SO GOOD and did not disappoint!! While reading I had lots of laughs, a peaked interest in the depths of the story, and a well written visual of what was happening. I highly recommend giving this series a read!

[Sarah Singer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet sequel to Fight for Me! I had the privilege of beta reading this book, and Erin just absolutely knocked it out of the park with these books! Highly recommend!

[Brittany Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been so excited to read the next book of Cypress Valley! Noah and Olivia did NOT disappoint!! I cannot wait for the next installment!!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this sweet book! It was such a fun read with all the banter between Olivia and Noah. This is definitely a book (and Fight for Me) that I would want my daughter to read!