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The Prototype #4
Loving Cassie
Cassandra James thinks she has her place in the world all figured out. But an unexpected betrayal forces her to ask if her “free black girl” vibe is a myth, or worse, a mask to hide herself from the world.
Bam Mosley, keyboardist for the alt-soul band, the Prototype, knows who he is. He just wants to make good music and see the people he cares about win.
Then he meets her.
Sure, Cassandra is gorgeous and smart, with hypnotic eyes, but his bandmate’s sister wasn’t supposed to be this…disruptive and break down all his defenses.
She sees what he hides from everyone else. He allows her to take off her mask.
But is their connection powerful enough to survive life’s low notes? Or maybe the true test of love is knowing when to let go…
Bam Mosley, keyboardist for the alt-soul band, the Prototype, knows who he is. He just wants to make good music and see the people he cares about win.
Then he meets her.
Sure, Cassandra is gorgeous and smart, with hypnotic eyes, but his bandmate’s sister wasn’t supposed to be this…disruptive and break down all his defenses.
She sees what he hides from everyone else. He allows her to take off her mask.
But is their connection powerful enough to survive life’s low notes? Or maybe the true test of love is knowing when to let go…
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About the author
Jacinta Howard
21 books505 followersJacinta Howard is an Atlanta-based culture journalist, editor and author with more than a decade of experience across genres of media. Her bylined articles have appeared at Eater, Atlanta magazine, Shondaland, Denver Westword, BET, and Rock The Bells, LL Cool J’s media company, where she served as managing editor. Jacinta’s 2022 article about the chicken wings served at Magic City, Atlanta’s world-famous strip club, was nominated for an American Society of Magazine Editors Award, and her novels have been featured in USA Today, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Book Riot and OkayAfrica. She digs summertime, flip flops, old fashioneds, deep bass lines, good lyrics, goofy jokes, and kind people. She also believes there’s an Andre 3000 lyric to fit any situation. Her happy place is hanging on the beach somewhere with her family, preferably with a good book and a dope playlist.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
May 25, 2019
Settle in, folks. This is going to be a long one. I am ridiculously excited about this release. Jacinta Howard is one of my favorite authors. And I’ll tell you why in a minute, but let me just start with my review of
‘Loving Cassie’
.
This book, like all this author’s books, has a mood and rhythm all its own, that reminds me of the music that her characters in The Prototype Series create—deep, soulful, incredibly memorable. And Bam and Cassie’s story continues that trend.
Bam is the percussionist in the soul band The Prototype, who we met in previous novels as the loveable comic relief, the counterpoint to all of the angst that seems to swirl around his friends. But in this story, his story, we learn that Bam is just as focused on his craft as the other members
of the band, just as steadfast underneath all the jokes. Like his bandmates, he also has some pretty complicated stuff to contend with, including the difficult family histories or distant parents that seem to typify the experience of almost all the band members in one way or another. The members of The Prototype understand each other in ways that their families of birth don’t always understand them, and Bam’s experience is no different.
Still, despite his frivolous façade, Bam actually has things pretty well under control—he has a lover who he enjoys, and who enjoys him, and who understands his limits where commitment of time and emotion are concerned; and he has a fatalistic attitude about his distant relationship with his mother, and his almost non-existent one with his father. He doesn’t agonize about much of anything, he just gets on with it, recognizing that if he puts the time and work in with the band, he’s going to wind up in a different place from where he is now as a struggling college student.
As an aside, I never hesitate to say this about Jacinta Howard’s characters: they are not frivolous. Young, yes, but frivolous, no. And I don’t mean they don’t display frivolity in their behavior, what I mean is, as an author Howard respects them, even though they’re young. Their feelings, experiences and aspirations are not portrayed in a way that’s too … cute, or too precious. The significance of their story is never minimized because they’re just on the cusp of embarking on more adult lives. Some writers write new adult characters with a tone that’s almost glib, as though they’re patting them on the head and going, ‘Isn’t that sweet? You think you’re in love!’ or, ‘Aw! You crazy kids!’ With that approach, you feel the writer’s outsider perspective in their tone and so what should be earnest comes across as disingenuous. Jacinta Howard doesn’t do that. She pulls you back to that time in your life, if you’ve already passed it; or she roots you in it, if you’re currently there. She empathizes with her characters in a way that is clearly genuine.
Back to the review: so Bam is, despite the joking around, a young man on very firm footing. Knows who he is, and where he’s going. Enter Cassie, his bandmate Kennedy’s (from ‘Finding Kennedy’) somewhat flighty sister, who is like a whirlwind in more ways than one. She’s rebounding from the end of a long relationship and doing her “free Black girl” thing, rolling where the wind takes her and trying to temper her penchant for occasionally causing “drama.” This time, she tells herself, she’s going to straighten out, starting with putting a codependent relationship behind her. But … then comes (as Cassie later reflects on their connection): Bam: A sudden impact or occurrence.
Together, she and he are combustible, something neither of them wants, but both are powerless to resist. Their respective plans, resolutions and routines are up-ended by their connection. Bam has to learn to deal with Cassie’s changeable, volatile and unpredictable nature; and she must learn to trust that Bam’s steadfastness is not a mirage, and that he will not fail her. What one has, the other lacks, but together, there is balance. Watching them go through the process of trying to reach balance was fun, nerve-wracking in a way only passionate people can be, and all kinds of sexy. That’s all I’m gonna say, other than READ THE BOOK.
Back to why I love this author. I feel like she’s not just entertaining us, but documenting a time. A kind of revolution in Black creativity. I feel like we lost it for a while behind a focus on flashy commercialism, but things are changing and Black creatives are more mindful of their place in our story. For sure, there have always been young Black artists who are in it for the artistry, and not for the glory. We don’t hear about them much, because … again, they’re not in it for the glory. Still, far fewer books—especially contemporary relationship-focused fiction, or romance—look at the grit, the struggle, the sacrifice, the determination and the pure love of an art (in this case, music) in
the way Jacinta Howard does. And fewer still allude to the existence of a quiet tribe of young Black creatives who do it #ForTheCulture; the ones for whom,maybe the fame comes, maybe it doesn’t, but they press on because the work itself has inherent value. I feel like that about this author’s work. I know that out there, there’s a reader who wants to see a dimension of us that’s not as frequently portrayed in modern Black romance. So I think it’s pretty cool that Jacinta Howard is giving us other stories, not as frequently told stories about Black people, Black love, and Black art. You know ... for the culture.
This book, like all this author’s books, has a mood and rhythm all its own, that reminds me of the music that her characters in The Prototype Series create—deep, soulful, incredibly memorable. And Bam and Cassie’s story continues that trend.
Bam is the percussionist in the soul band The Prototype, who we met in previous novels as the loveable comic relief, the counterpoint to all of the angst that seems to swirl around his friends. But in this story, his story, we learn that Bam is just as focused on his craft as the other members
of the band, just as steadfast underneath all the jokes. Like his bandmates, he also has some pretty complicated stuff to contend with, including the difficult family histories or distant parents that seem to typify the experience of almost all the band members in one way or another. The members of The Prototype understand each other in ways that their families of birth don’t always understand them, and Bam’s experience is no different.
Still, despite his frivolous façade, Bam actually has things pretty well under control—he has a lover who he enjoys, and who enjoys him, and who understands his limits where commitment of time and emotion are concerned; and he has a fatalistic attitude about his distant relationship with his mother, and his almost non-existent one with his father. He doesn’t agonize about much of anything, he just gets on with it, recognizing that if he puts the time and work in with the band, he’s going to wind up in a different place from where he is now as a struggling college student.
As an aside, I never hesitate to say this about Jacinta Howard’s characters: they are not frivolous. Young, yes, but frivolous, no. And I don’t mean they don’t display frivolity in their behavior, what I mean is, as an author Howard respects them, even though they’re young. Their feelings, experiences and aspirations are not portrayed in a way that’s too … cute, or too precious. The significance of their story is never minimized because they’re just on the cusp of embarking on more adult lives. Some writers write new adult characters with a tone that’s almost glib, as though they’re patting them on the head and going, ‘Isn’t that sweet? You think you’re in love!’ or, ‘Aw! You crazy kids!’ With that approach, you feel the writer’s outsider perspective in their tone and so what should be earnest comes across as disingenuous. Jacinta Howard doesn’t do that. She pulls you back to that time in your life, if you’ve already passed it; or she roots you in it, if you’re currently there. She empathizes with her characters in a way that is clearly genuine.
Back to the review: so Bam is, despite the joking around, a young man on very firm footing. Knows who he is, and where he’s going. Enter Cassie, his bandmate Kennedy’s (from ‘Finding Kennedy’) somewhat flighty sister, who is like a whirlwind in more ways than one. She’s rebounding from the end of a long relationship and doing her “free Black girl” thing, rolling where the wind takes her and trying to temper her penchant for occasionally causing “drama.” This time, she tells herself, she’s going to straighten out, starting with putting a codependent relationship behind her. But … then comes (as Cassie later reflects on their connection): Bam: A sudden impact or occurrence.
Together, she and he are combustible, something neither of them wants, but both are powerless to resist. Their respective plans, resolutions and routines are up-ended by their connection. Bam has to learn to deal with Cassie’s changeable, volatile and unpredictable nature; and she must learn to trust that Bam’s steadfastness is not a mirage, and that he will not fail her. What one has, the other lacks, but together, there is balance. Watching them go through the process of trying to reach balance was fun, nerve-wracking in a way only passionate people can be, and all kinds of sexy. That’s all I’m gonna say, other than READ THE BOOK.
Back to why I love this author. I feel like she’s not just entertaining us, but documenting a time. A kind of revolution in Black creativity. I feel like we lost it for a while behind a focus on flashy commercialism, but things are changing and Black creatives are more mindful of their place in our story. For sure, there have always been young Black artists who are in it for the artistry, and not for the glory. We don’t hear about them much, because … again, they’re not in it for the glory. Still, far fewer books—especially contemporary relationship-focused fiction, or romance—look at the grit, the struggle, the sacrifice, the determination and the pure love of an art (in this case, music) in
the way Jacinta Howard does. And fewer still allude to the existence of a quiet tribe of young Black creatives who do it #ForTheCulture; the ones for whom,maybe the fame comes, maybe it doesn’t, but they press on because the work itself has inherent value. I feel like that about this author’s work. I know that out there, there’s a reader who wants to see a dimension of us that’s not as frequently portrayed in modern Black romance. So I think it’s pretty cool that Jacinta Howard is giving us other stories, not as frequently told stories about Black people, Black love, and Black art. You know ... for the culture.
January 14, 2023
It’s official Bam is my favorite!!! Why was he everything! I loved him and Cassie together. Even though she got on my nerves at times, it was clear that she had sooooo much unhealed trauma to deal with. Until Bam, she didn’t really have anyone advocating for her mental health. From her ex to her fathers infidelity and even the hurtful things her mother said Cassie really took a beating. I love the way Bam cared for Cassie and was gentle with her even when she was flying off the rails. It was nice to see how the band matured and really took off from them playing in hole in a wall joints to recording an album. The growth from everyone was nice and I can’t wait to catch up with them all in the Love Below/Glimpse series!
August 21, 2025
Cassie made me want to hug and hit her! Loved this series.
June 14, 2020
Hearing Jakobi Diem say my name (Bam's sisters name) is the best thing to happen to me today! LOL
Everyone needs a Pepper <3
Everyone needs a Pepper <3
February 28, 2023
Jacinta (if I knew your middle name I would say it) Howard! You. Put. Your. Foot. In this one!
I'm not even sure where to start. I've been a fan of the series and to know this is the last installment hurts in a good way. I don't want it to end.
Bam and Cassie gets the win for this series for me. Listennnnn Cassie wore me out okay ? This was such a rollercoaster of a read.
Jacinta says she writes about humans and humans are messy. Absolutely! This was a very good depiction of that.
Bam was such a great male lead. He had that calm quiet authority. A lot more mature than Cassie, but she turned him inside out lol! Cassie was a handful and I was mostly team Bam but I will say he did some stupid things that males do and Jacinta left it that way. She didn't try to clean every little problem up. It was really like real life. Sometimes we love people that don't get it right all the time. I would say that about Bam. He did some typical guy stuff that for him seemed normal, but for Cassie it was an issue and it should've been. But Cassie was no walk in the park. Sometimes I wanted to reach in that book and just yank her one good time.
I was at 90% and about to cry because it was a nail biter until the very end. And I think the ending was outstanding for the entire series. It brought everything full circle. It was good to see how the other member’s lives was woven into this story. I have to say one of the funniest parts was a description of Willow's dramatics ( I won't say exactly what) but Jacinta is so quick witted and her humor is just a touch past dry. It kicks in like two seconds after for us slow folks which makes it even more humorous!
So I guess I'm the love scene queen. Just read my reviews. I'm very critical about them because romance has to have that good love scene chemistry. Jacinta always kills that. I think the best ones were in this one.
I am all over the place with this review, but understand this it was a beautiful, passionate, and real depiction of love and how it covers a multitude of fault.
My one and only con.... Editing...
Thanks for this one Jacinta .
I'm not even sure where to start. I've been a fan of the series and to know this is the last installment hurts in a good way. I don't want it to end.
Bam and Cassie gets the win for this series for me. Listennnnn Cassie wore me out okay ? This was such a rollercoaster of a read.
Jacinta says she writes about humans and humans are messy. Absolutely! This was a very good depiction of that.
Bam was such a great male lead. He had that calm quiet authority. A lot more mature than Cassie, but she turned him inside out lol! Cassie was a handful and I was mostly team Bam but I will say he did some stupid things that males do and Jacinta left it that way. She didn't try to clean every little problem up. It was really like real life. Sometimes we love people that don't get it right all the time. I would say that about Bam. He did some typical guy stuff that for him seemed normal, but for Cassie it was an issue and it should've been. But Cassie was no walk in the park. Sometimes I wanted to reach in that book and just yank her one good time.
I was at 90% and about to cry because it was a nail biter until the very end. And I think the ending was outstanding for the entire series. It brought everything full circle. It was good to see how the other member’s lives was woven into this story. I have to say one of the funniest parts was a description of Willow's dramatics ( I won't say exactly what) but Jacinta is so quick witted and her humor is just a touch past dry. It kicks in like two seconds after for us slow folks which makes it even more humorous!
So I guess I'm the love scene queen. Just read my reviews. I'm very critical about them because romance has to have that good love scene chemistry. Jacinta always kills that. I think the best ones were in this one.
I am all over the place with this review, but understand this it was a beautiful, passionate, and real depiction of love and how it covers a multitude of fault.
My one and only con.... Editing...
Thanks for this one Jacinta .
June 5, 2019
Cassandra needs just what her sister, Kennedy got when she visited their grandmother, Pepper: Solace.
She didn't expect to be hit by a force: 'Bam!'
With so many emotions running a mock in her, she needs roots, so does Bam. When these two take on a new rhythm, will the music be a sweet melody...or a symphony of disaster?
Omggggggg, Howard put her whole d*mn foot in this book! I can't begin to describe my thoughts and feelings while reading this! This author has a knack for penning emotionally-evoking reads that just reach deep inside you that make you feel so warm and cozy. This is the last book in the "Prototype" series and I must say this was indeed my favorite! Bam and Cass' story was a fitting end to such a diverting series!
I can also safely say 'Bamjamin' is my fav male hero in this series; sh*t, one of my favs, PERIODT! Whew, this man is fully alpha and had me ready to jump on command as he played Cass like an intricate piece on his keyboard! The intimacy was definitely turned up a notch in this; lortttttttt this man was not playing (pun intended)! Bam's character development was immense: the jokester you once knew from prior books was no where to be found as he got serious and went after what he wanted: Cassandra. Cass also went through a lot of development; she was a ball of nerves, but a quiet strength that was more confident when Bam was covering her. And boy did he cover her, with size and love! Their chemistry was beyond palpable and I could feel it through the words. Howard does a stellar job in bringing their past circumstances to the forefront and intermingling their shortcomings in a way that made them perfect for each other. I was rooting for the both of them to overcome their demons to the very end.
Ohhhhh, and the minor characters which were the other band members (and can't forget Pepper) added greatly to plot progresssion! It was soooo refreshing to catch up with all of them and see how they were doing, on and off the stage. Howard does an excellent job of blending Bam and Cass' story into that of the other Prototype members'. I won't spoil it, but the opening scene and some thereafter throughout the book was genius and gave readers a glimpse of how the storyline played out from other characters' perspectives. I even went back to "Finding Kennedy" to compare the viewpoints and loved every minute of it!
The epilogue was so fitting to Bam and Cass and that of the other members in the band. In seeing that this is the last book in the series, I loved that the author tied up all loose ends with everyone's relationship and their music career. All the conflict was resolved by the book's end and I felt emotionally sated and completely and utterly enraptured by Bam and Cass.
Kudos, Howard!
She didn't expect to be hit by a force: 'Bam!'
With so many emotions running a mock in her, she needs roots, so does Bam. When these two take on a new rhythm, will the music be a sweet melody...or a symphony of disaster?
Omggggggg, Howard put her whole d*mn foot in this book! I can't begin to describe my thoughts and feelings while reading this! This author has a knack for penning emotionally-evoking reads that just reach deep inside you that make you feel so warm and cozy. This is the last book in the "Prototype" series and I must say this was indeed my favorite! Bam and Cass' story was a fitting end to such a diverting series!
I can also safely say 'Bamjamin' is my fav male hero in this series; sh*t, one of my favs, PERIODT! Whew, this man is fully alpha and had me ready to jump on command as he played Cass like an intricate piece on his keyboard! The intimacy was definitely turned up a notch in this; lortttttttt this man was not playing (pun intended)! Bam's character development was immense: the jokester you once knew from prior books was no where to be found as he got serious and went after what he wanted: Cassandra. Cass also went through a lot of development; she was a ball of nerves, but a quiet strength that was more confident when Bam was covering her. And boy did he cover her, with size and love! Their chemistry was beyond palpable and I could feel it through the words. Howard does a stellar job in bringing their past circumstances to the forefront and intermingling their shortcomings in a way that made them perfect for each other. I was rooting for the both of them to overcome their demons to the very end.
Ohhhhh, and the minor characters which were the other band members (and can't forget Pepper) added greatly to plot progresssion! It was soooo refreshing to catch up with all of them and see how they were doing, on and off the stage. Howard does an excellent job of blending Bam and Cass' story into that of the other Prototype members'. I won't spoil it, but the opening scene and some thereafter throughout the book was genius and gave readers a glimpse of how the storyline played out from other characters' perspectives. I even went back to "Finding Kennedy" to compare the viewpoints and loved every minute of it!
The epilogue was so fitting to Bam and Cass and that of the other members in the band. In seeing that this is the last book in the series, I loved that the author tied up all loose ends with everyone's relationship and their music career. All the conflict was resolved by the book's end and I felt emotionally sated and completely and utterly enraptured by Bam and Cass.
Kudos, Howard!
July 18, 2020
This group of people are awesome and amazing in their age and wisdom. Broken and all they compliment each other so well. I am so proud of the men in this series!!! They have a level of maturity that is not popularly highlighted in black men. Cassie and Bass!!!! I think they are my favorite couple. I loved watching their live grown and develop. I loved that Bass was a Alpha male and knew how to nurture his heart. The narration was Stellar as always by Jakobi and Wesleigh!!!! Great love story!!!!!
January 17, 2021
Oh Bam! Just a big lovable teddy bear! He is definitely one of my faves from the Prototype men. A great support system who loves Cassie so hard. After facing a tragic experience he was there for her to lift her up and get her in a better space. Their love happened quick with some obstacles from the women in Bam's past, but they overcame all of that and became one of my favorite couples (next to Jersey and Zay).
Wesleigh and Jakobi were great as usual and brought Bam and Cassie's story to life! Now I can't wait to listen to The Love Below ❤❤❤
Wesleigh and Jakobi were great as usual and brought Bam and Cassie's story to life! Now I can't wait to listen to The Love Below ❤❤❤
March 28, 2024
Did I read this entire book still not sure wether or not Bam is his real name or not.
May 26, 2019
Let me start at the end. Book 4 of Jacinta Howard’s Prototype series is LOVING CASSIE and it is a five-star read. I highly recommend you read it, because you’ll enjoy it the way you might enjoy a cold glass of Sancerre on a summer day or a little kid with swag dancing for joy or a smooth ride down hill on something with wheels. Ms. Howard delivers a highly satisfying read about interesting people who are young, smart, talented, and still learning about themselves; but who also already know deep-down, really know, who they are. People who have spirit and faith and love all in the bag.
You absolutely do not have to have read Books 1-3 in the series to read this book but if you start with this one, you’ll absolutely want to read the others. Because when you like two people in a family, you can’t help but be curious about the rest of the clan.
And yes, the band? The Prototype and their romantic counterparts? They are definitely a clan. They eat, love, live, joke, make music, fight and navigate the world around them like a clan. In syncopated rhythms delivering safe harbors for one another when it’s needed and challenging each other (or those outside the clan) when that’s needed too. That’s what makes them so very, very cool and makes the reader hopeful that somewhere out there a group of people like this could really exist; playing music that sounds like “fate” that we could actually hear someday. Like, soon. I mean, I’m ready to call Ticketmaster, for real.
This book is about Bam and Cassie. I’m so in love with these two people. Bam is so likeable. He defies logic by offering a solid, romantic hero who’s only frame of reference for his charming earthiness is that he has never experienced that kind of appealing maturity in his own personal upbringing. How does that even happen? You have to be incredibly grounded to pull that off and you have to be an authentically gifted and soulful writer like Ms. Howard to make the reader believe he could exist. Cassie is the first woman in the series that I completely identified with on every level. Why? Because she does think and behave like she’s “a free black girl”: bright, funny, strong, unafraid, and very much her own person. Yet, like everyone else, Cassie is not just who she is on the face of things. There are hidden depths, strange or troubling machinations, and many, many, secrets to a girl like her. I respected Cassie’s need for privacy as well as her deep-seated fears and trust issues even when she makes it hard for herself. I was also damn glad she found someone like Bam to excavate whatever kept her only semi-free.
You still wondering if you should get the book? Here’s some advice that Cassie needed to hear too. Don’t think, and definitely don’t fight it. Trust me. You WANT to put a satisfied smile on your face. So, indulge. You’ll thank yourself, definitely Ms. Howard, and maybe even me, for the push in the right direction.
You absolutely do not have to have read Books 1-3 in the series to read this book but if you start with this one, you’ll absolutely want to read the others. Because when you like two people in a family, you can’t help but be curious about the rest of the clan.
And yes, the band? The Prototype and their romantic counterparts? They are definitely a clan. They eat, love, live, joke, make music, fight and navigate the world around them like a clan. In syncopated rhythms delivering safe harbors for one another when it’s needed and challenging each other (or those outside the clan) when that’s needed too. That’s what makes them so very, very cool and makes the reader hopeful that somewhere out there a group of people like this could really exist; playing music that sounds like “fate” that we could actually hear someday. Like, soon. I mean, I’m ready to call Ticketmaster, for real.
This book is about Bam and Cassie. I’m so in love with these two people. Bam is so likeable. He defies logic by offering a solid, romantic hero who’s only frame of reference for his charming earthiness is that he has never experienced that kind of appealing maturity in his own personal upbringing. How does that even happen? You have to be incredibly grounded to pull that off and you have to be an authentically gifted and soulful writer like Ms. Howard to make the reader believe he could exist. Cassie is the first woman in the series that I completely identified with on every level. Why? Because she does think and behave like she’s “a free black girl”: bright, funny, strong, unafraid, and very much her own person. Yet, like everyone else, Cassie is not just who she is on the face of things. There are hidden depths, strange or troubling machinations, and many, many, secrets to a girl like her. I respected Cassie’s need for privacy as well as her deep-seated fears and trust issues even when she makes it hard for herself. I was also damn glad she found someone like Bam to excavate whatever kept her only semi-free.
You still wondering if you should get the book? Here’s some advice that Cassie needed to hear too. Don’t think, and definitely don’t fight it. Trust me. You WANT to put a satisfied smile on your face. So, indulge. You’ll thank yourself, definitely Ms. Howard, and maybe even me, for the push in the right direction.
January 29, 2021
Show Me Love
Loving Cassie (The Prototype #4) by Jacinta Howard is about The Prototype keyboardist Bam Mosley and Cassandra “Cassie” James. Cassie is the older sister of Kennedy another member of The Prototype. Cassie lives and attends school in Colorado but she flies out to Texas to spend some time with her sister and grandmother. When Cassie and Bam meet she’s still raw from catching her boyfriend cheating on her. She’s not looking to get into anything but then again neither is he. They can’t help their easy chemistry, neither of them have clicked with anyone like they click with each other. Bam’s relationship is estranged with both of his parents. His mom is ultra religious and his father is a deadbeat adulterer. Bam is the result of his extramarital affairs. Besides the band he doesn’t really have close “family” so he’s open to see where this thing goes with Cassie. Cassie is a bit more apprehensive, she doesn’t really trust men (started with her adulterous father) or herself. She studying chemical engineering and math just to prove she isn’t a screw up when she’s actually passionate about photography and videography. I really feel for Cassie, she’s neglected by her parents, she suffers from anxiety and her ex Jeremy preyed on her weakness. He emotionally manipulated her, gaslight her and physically harmed her. She held onto all of this until Bam. Cassie and Bam both opened up to each other in a way they never could with anyone else. They were working together to break old dysfunctional cycles which is a difficult task especially when one person feels undeserving. All Bam wanted to do is love on Cassie 🥰 He is gentle and protective of her yet still firm. Much like his build he’s as solid as they come 🤎 Oooh he put that lovin on Cassie in each and ever way (tears were shed) 😌 Bamjamin loves his cupcake!
P.s. One thing I truly enjoyed about this series is that the characters experienced personal growth. Relationships didn’t fix them and in the end they still aren’t perfect but they’re doing the work!
P.s.s. Read the Glimpses collection for an update on The Prototype and a bonus story about their manager Jay Little!
Loving Cassie (The Prototype #4) by Jacinta Howard is about The Prototype keyboardist Bam Mosley and Cassandra “Cassie” James. Cassie is the older sister of Kennedy another member of The Prototype. Cassie lives and attends school in Colorado but she flies out to Texas to spend some time with her sister and grandmother. When Cassie and Bam meet she’s still raw from catching her boyfriend cheating on her. She’s not looking to get into anything but then again neither is he. They can’t help their easy chemistry, neither of them have clicked with anyone like they click with each other. Bam’s relationship is estranged with both of his parents. His mom is ultra religious and his father is a deadbeat adulterer. Bam is the result of his extramarital affairs. Besides the band he doesn’t really have close “family” so he’s open to see where this thing goes with Cassie. Cassie is a bit more apprehensive, she doesn’t really trust men (started with her adulterous father) or herself. She studying chemical engineering and math just to prove she isn’t a screw up when she’s actually passionate about photography and videography. I really feel for Cassie, she’s neglected by her parents, she suffers from anxiety and her ex Jeremy preyed on her weakness. He emotionally manipulated her, gaslight her and physically harmed her. She held onto all of this until Bam. Cassie and Bam both opened up to each other in a way they never could with anyone else. They were working together to break old dysfunctional cycles which is a difficult task especially when one person feels undeserving. All Bam wanted to do is love on Cassie 🥰 He is gentle and protective of her yet still firm. Much like his build he’s as solid as they come 🤎 Oooh he put that lovin on Cassie in each and ever way (tears were shed) 😌 Bamjamin loves his cupcake!
P.s. One thing I truly enjoyed about this series is that the characters experienced personal growth. Relationships didn’t fix them and in the end they still aren’t perfect but they’re doing the work!
P.s.s. Read the Glimpses collection for an update on The Prototype and a bonus story about their manager Jay Little!
May 27, 2019
Jacinta Howard's 'Prototype' series has been one of the most well-written series in contemporary romance. As I've said before, Howard is a writer's writer: she's hyper-attentive to the things that make a good novel great. Howard knows how to pace her plot, how to seamlessly transition from one voice to another, how to construct and develop compelling characters, how to write natural dialogue, how to unveil interior lives. She hasn't written a book that I haven't loved, and, of course, 'Loving Cassie' is no different.
Readers of the series are acquainted with both Cassandra and Bam from previous novels. In 'Finding Kennedy,' we met Cassie, Kennedy's sister, a fun-loving, social butterfly who was the yin to her sister's yang. Bam, The Prototype's keyboardist, has always been jovial, hilarious, and, as Kennedy stated, "the most open, closed off person" in the series. We don't really know him as well as we think we might.
While Cassie is indeed fun-loving, she's also hurting deeply. She's moved from one emotionally turbulent relationship to another for so long that it feels like habit more than anything. Bam knows something about that type of pain too: he longs for a family, for relationships built on mutual respect, love, and care as opposed to duty or obligation.
Cassie and Bam are electric. Their bond is sudden, thrilling, and vivid. Their chemistry is thick and undeniable. Their love is unwavering. Whether or not they can make it work has nothing to do with love. Whether or not they can make it work is about how each will address the ways that past hurts have seeped into their present. Can they learn how to trust each other? Be emotionally transparent with each other? Place their faith into each other completely? These are harder questions, and, as readers of Howard's previous works well know, these are the types of things Howard thrives at in her writings on love.
I absolutely loved Cassie and Bam's story; it was full of heart and soul. 'Loving Cassie' is a definite must-read, the perfect ending to an incredible series, and I can't wait to read whatever Howard shares with us next.
Readers of the series are acquainted with both Cassandra and Bam from previous novels. In 'Finding Kennedy,' we met Cassie, Kennedy's sister, a fun-loving, social butterfly who was the yin to her sister's yang. Bam, The Prototype's keyboardist, has always been jovial, hilarious, and, as Kennedy stated, "the most open, closed off person" in the series. We don't really know him as well as we think we might.
While Cassie is indeed fun-loving, she's also hurting deeply. She's moved from one emotionally turbulent relationship to another for so long that it feels like habit more than anything. Bam knows something about that type of pain too: he longs for a family, for relationships built on mutual respect, love, and care as opposed to duty or obligation.
Cassie and Bam are electric. Their bond is sudden, thrilling, and vivid. Their chemistry is thick and undeniable. Their love is unwavering. Whether or not they can make it work has nothing to do with love. Whether or not they can make it work is about how each will address the ways that past hurts have seeped into their present. Can they learn how to trust each other? Be emotionally transparent with each other? Place their faith into each other completely? These are harder questions, and, as readers of Howard's previous works well know, these are the types of things Howard thrives at in her writings on love.
I absolutely loved Cassie and Bam's story; it was full of heart and soul. 'Loving Cassie' is a definite must-read, the perfect ending to an incredible series, and I can't wait to read whatever Howard shares with us next.
October 26, 2019
I have never identified more with a book protagonist as I do with Cassie. From her reading preferences (ok! Octavia Butler) to her reasons for pursing her major (hello, computer science instead of creative writing) to her inclination to hide her pain from those closest to her. I felt truly represented in a romance novel for the first time ever. I saw myself in her approach to her relationship with Bam as well. So many things she did in an effort to create distance, to maintain some sense of control over the dynamic between them I have also done in my relationship....as irrational and immature as it might've been. I completely understood her reasoning and couldn't even get upset as I usually do (just admit your undying love and kiss already dammit! Just TALK it out dammit!) because....I get it, sis. This was a beautiful and fulfilling experience and I'll definitely be rereading a few months down the line.
January 5, 2024
The Prototype
I've always been so curious about Bam because he was the least known throughout the series and we definitely got to know him and his psyche and his struggles during Loving Cassie. Everyone has issues. And I loved that the author tackled the story of two people who on the outside always seem to have it together or that people don't worry about because they're so good at keeping everything tucked away and what the inner workings of their mind and most intimate relationships might look like below the surface. Their story was not smooth at all. There were a lot of starts and stops. A lot of running from insecurities and sometimes some pushing, trying to get past whatever has been placed onto you by others but they found their way back to where they both wanted to be and chose to stay there. Cassie was frustrating to me sometimes but I recognize that trying to "find" and learn to trust yourself while in a relationship and after years of suppressing-so much makes it understandable why she reacted the way she did to so much. I loved Bam and his demeanor, how assertive he was without trying. My only real critique is that the editing errors were noticeable enough to become a nuisance for me and I'm a little on the fence about the ending with everyone getting married basically together....on one hand I find it a too overly romanticized but on the other hand I see that as the end point for the relationships so I understand wanting to wrap their stories up that way. Sidenote: Loved the mentioning of Elias and Matthew and the connection to other stories of JH's.
I've always been so curious about Bam because he was the least known throughout the series and we definitely got to know him and his psyche and his struggles during Loving Cassie. Everyone has issues. And I loved that the author tackled the story of two people who on the outside always seem to have it together or that people don't worry about because they're so good at keeping everything tucked away and what the inner workings of their mind and most intimate relationships might look like below the surface. Their story was not smooth at all. There were a lot of starts and stops. A lot of running from insecurities and sometimes some pushing, trying to get past whatever has been placed onto you by others but they found their way back to where they both wanted to be and chose to stay there. Cassie was frustrating to me sometimes but I recognize that trying to "find" and learn to trust yourself while in a relationship and after years of suppressing-so much makes it understandable why she reacted the way she did to so much. I loved Bam and his demeanor, how assertive he was without trying. My only real critique is that the editing errors were noticeable enough to become a nuisance for me and I'm a little on the fence about the ending with everyone getting married basically together....on one hand I find it a too overly romanticized but on the other hand I see that as the end point for the relationships so I understand wanting to wrap their stories up that way. Sidenote: Loved the mentioning of Elias and Matthew and the connection to other stories of JH's.
July 10, 2019
I'm Full!
The story filled me with such an emotional rush, its difficult to describe. The Prototype Band feels like a real group. We've come to know each member through this author's words. I hope this isn't the last time we hear from the band. Bam and Cassie being the last storyline was dope. Bam always held a nice spot in my heart, along with Kennedy. Cassie's personality was a mirror into her soul that only Bam could penetrate. Their relationship was almost catalytic in this story. The author writes with an astute variation of style and elegance. She did her thing once again. Ive read enough novels to know great writing and intelligent storytelling, this was both. A fitting conclusion for now.... 😊
The story filled me with such an emotional rush, its difficult to describe. The Prototype Band feels like a real group. We've come to know each member through this author's words. I hope this isn't the last time we hear from the band. Bam and Cassie being the last storyline was dope. Bam always held a nice spot in my heart, along with Kennedy. Cassie's personality was a mirror into her soul that only Bam could penetrate. Their relationship was almost catalytic in this story. The author writes with an astute variation of style and elegance. She did her thing once again. Ive read enough novels to know great writing and intelligent storytelling, this was both. A fitting conclusion for now.... 😊
May 30, 2019
The men in the Prototype band are the most patient men ever. They have to be because the women the choose to love put them through their paces. Cassie is no different. At first I wasn’t sure about the chemistry between Bam and Cassie , I must admit I did not feel it, but the more I read , the more the author showed us,that this couple was meant to be. So many musical, political, cultural and emotional conversations happened that will have you talking to yourself like I did . This author never disappoints me , she is an author I click immediately when a new book is published because I can count on her to it’d a book I enjoy.
This was a good ending to this series, I’ll miss these people .
This was a good ending to this series, I’ll miss these people .
June 4, 2019
More like loving Bam
Whew! How does Jacinta make a fictional character a thirst trap?! I love the Prototype band as if it’s a real band. I didn’t know until I read this book that Bam was my favorite band member.
Great read!
Whew! How does Jacinta make a fictional character a thirst trap?! I love the Prototype band as if it’s a real band. I didn’t know until I read this book that Bam was my favorite band member.
Great read!
February 7, 2021
3.5 Stars. Wow! What a ride it has been reading the evolution of the band, The Prototype, and seeing the members get their HEAs. The first book, Happiness In Jersey, will always be my favourite but getting into this series, I definitely didn’t expect the heartbreaking yet redemptive love stories that these books deliver. They are authentic and filled with new adult relationship drama, but also drama and pain and brokenness and the need for love and healing that would be relatable to anyone. These books are so eminently human (including the non-PC colloquialisms for intellectual disabilities, so beware of you might be offended) and not in any way watered down or adapted from the experiences and expression of being a college student in a southwestern university in America. There is a lot of love and OTP vibes but there is also a lot of messiness and toxicity.
In this book, the premise is that keyboardist, Bam, meets his bandmate’s older sister, Cassie, when she comes to town for a visit and he’s instantly consumed by her. The only issue they’re both sorta kinda in “it’s complicated” situationships and both come with a lot of extra baggage that makes trust and stability hard to come by.
But irrespective of all that, this series is so worth checking out. The books are standalones especially books 3 and 4 which go back in time a bit to rehash some of the scenes in previous books. The rehashing was at times a little boring especially because I binged the entire series and so it felt repetitive to live through the same event multiple times although in fairness, the repetition gave a new protagonist’s perspective of similar events. That said, I highly recommend reading this in order to get the full context and to avoid spoilers and to fully understand and enjoy the characters in the books. If you’re a fan of new adult romance or even a huge music fan, this book will be right up your alley. Even if you’re not but you want a gorgeous, angsty, romance, I highly recommend this entire series. Soooo good overall!
In this book, the premise is that keyboardist, Bam, meets his bandmate’s older sister, Cassie, when she comes to town for a visit and he’s instantly consumed by her. The only issue they’re both sorta kinda in “it’s complicated” situationships and both come with a lot of extra baggage that makes trust and stability hard to come by.
But irrespective of all that, this series is so worth checking out. The books are standalones especially books 3 and 4 which go back in time a bit to rehash some of the scenes in previous books. The rehashing was at times a little boring especially because I binged the entire series and so it felt repetitive to live through the same event multiple times although in fairness, the repetition gave a new protagonist’s perspective of similar events. That said, I highly recommend reading this in order to get the full context and to avoid spoilers and to fully understand and enjoy the characters in the books. If you’re a fan of new adult romance or even a huge music fan, this book will be right up your alley. Even if you’re not but you want a gorgeous, angsty, romance, I highly recommend this entire series. Soooo good overall!
November 26, 2024
Throughout my journey with the series, Jersey and Isaiah have always been my favorite couple—until I dove into Bam and Cassie's story! Wow, just wow!! These two absolutely blew me away! Bam is on another level—what a man!! I can't get enough of their dynamic!
Cassie James had everything going for her. As a driven senior majoring in Chemical Engineering, she was set to graduate with a promising job waiting for her. Her relationship with Jeremy had been solid for three years—until the day her world came crashing down when she discovered him with another woman. Heartbroken and needing a fresh start, she packed her bags and headed to Tyler, Texas, to stay with her sister Kennedy and grandmother Pepper. Little did she know, this trip would introduce her to the whirlwind that is Bam Mosely—a force of nature who would turn her life upside down in ways she never expected!
Bam Mosely, the electrifying keyboardist for The Prototypes, shines like a beacon in the band. Confident and charismatic, his greatest passion is watching his loved ones thrive. As he approaches graduation, Bam can feel the exhilarating momentum of the band’s hard work finally paying off, filling him with a sense of accomplishment. But everything changes when he meets the enchanting Cassie James. Suddenly, his world ignites with a new kind of excitement, leaving him eager to see what the future holds!
Bam’s childhood was tough, but he never let it dim his vibrant spirit or his zest for life. He’s the kind of guy who lights up a room—funny, lovable, and fiercely determined. Strong and honest, he dominates challenges with loyalty and care. But there’s one person who sees through his tough exterior: Cassie. She breaks down all his defenses and sees what he hides from everyone else.
Cassie has always struggled with her place in the world, feeling like she lived in the shadow of her sister, Kennedy. After Kennedy faced a life-altering trauma, everything changed for their family, leaving Cassie to wear a brave mask while hiding her true emotions. But when she meets Bam, everything shifts. He creates a safe space for her to peel back the layers, allowing her to feel for the first time and truly be seen. Together, they embark on an electrifying journey of vulnerability, connection, and healing that will change their lives forever!
Side-Note: BAM!!! I absolutely adore him! I also want to highlight Pepper—she embodies the love and support we all need. Her presence not only uplifted her granddaughters but the entire band, reminding us of the deep connections we cherish, and it resonates so deeply with the memories of my own grandmothers.
Tropes: Stranger to Lovers, Healing Love, Found Purpose, Young Adult
Book: Loving Cassie
Author: Jacinta Howard
Genre: Black Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🥵🥵🥵🥵
TW: Cheating, Self Harm
Cassie James had everything going for her. As a driven senior majoring in Chemical Engineering, she was set to graduate with a promising job waiting for her. Her relationship with Jeremy had been solid for three years—until the day her world came crashing down when she discovered him with another woman. Heartbroken and needing a fresh start, she packed her bags and headed to Tyler, Texas, to stay with her sister Kennedy and grandmother Pepper. Little did she know, this trip would introduce her to the whirlwind that is Bam Mosely—a force of nature who would turn her life upside down in ways she never expected!
Bam Mosely, the electrifying keyboardist for The Prototypes, shines like a beacon in the band. Confident and charismatic, his greatest passion is watching his loved ones thrive. As he approaches graduation, Bam can feel the exhilarating momentum of the band’s hard work finally paying off, filling him with a sense of accomplishment. But everything changes when he meets the enchanting Cassie James. Suddenly, his world ignites with a new kind of excitement, leaving him eager to see what the future holds!
Bam’s childhood was tough, but he never let it dim his vibrant spirit or his zest for life. He’s the kind of guy who lights up a room—funny, lovable, and fiercely determined. Strong and honest, he dominates challenges with loyalty and care. But there’s one person who sees through his tough exterior: Cassie. She breaks down all his defenses and sees what he hides from everyone else.
Cassie has always struggled with her place in the world, feeling like she lived in the shadow of her sister, Kennedy. After Kennedy faced a life-altering trauma, everything changed for their family, leaving Cassie to wear a brave mask while hiding her true emotions. But when she meets Bam, everything shifts. He creates a safe space for her to peel back the layers, allowing her to feel for the first time and truly be seen. Together, they embark on an electrifying journey of vulnerability, connection, and healing that will change their lives forever!
Side-Note: BAM!!! I absolutely adore him! I also want to highlight Pepper—she embodies the love and support we all need. Her presence not only uplifted her granddaughters but the entire band, reminding us of the deep connections we cherish, and it resonates so deeply with the memories of my own grandmothers.
Tropes: Stranger to Lovers, Healing Love, Found Purpose, Young Adult
Book: Loving Cassie
Author: Jacinta Howard
Genre: Black Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🥵🥵🥵🥵
TW: Cheating, Self Harm
February 25, 2021
Many of my reader friends love Bam SO MUCH and, after this book I can see why. I love him and Cassie so much and I love the ways they love each other - completely and always. This series lives in my mind rent free - cannot say enough about how moving, trauma-informed, and healing Howard's writing is! Gorgeous and poetic! And Wesleigh Siobhan and Jakobi Diem?! EVERYTHING. #Weskobi
Love, love, LOVE this story, series, and narration!
Love, love, LOVE this story, series, and narration!
September 26, 2024
Love Bam and Cassie’s story. They were good together. They both brought out the best in each other. He took care of her heart and her mind. He really made her mental health a priority and wanted the best for her. Cassie for the most part kept her struggles to herself because she didn’t want to be a burden to people. But Bam showed her she was far from a burden. He was a good guy. I enjoyed this series.
May 25, 2019
Bamjamin and Cassandra
Such an awesome completion of the individual stories of The Prototype. The evolution of Bam and Cassie feels like such a fitting wrap up of all the members we have followed and a satisfying place for the band. As usual Jacinta Howard made me laugh, cry, cheer, cuss...feel.
Such an awesome completion of the individual stories of The Prototype. The evolution of Bam and Cassie feels like such a fitting wrap up of all the members we have followed and a satisfying place for the band. As usual Jacinta Howard made me laugh, cry, cheer, cuss...feel.
March 12, 2021
Bam Mosley is by far my favorite male character of the Prototype Series. Kennedy's sister Cassandra got on all of my nerves!!! Bam was a good dude and Cassie was too immature to appreciate him. I get they were young and there is this volatility to young love but Cassie took the cake.
This series was a good introduction to the author and I will definitely read the rest of her books.
This series was a good introduction to the author and I will definitely read the rest of her books.
June 13, 2024
Cassie + Bam
This was my favorite book in The Prototype Series. I love Bam. Considering that they were so young, Bam seemed much more mature than the others but still they are living a lot of life to be college aged.
Cassie had so much unhealed trauma. She needed Bam’s love. He loved and cared for her so much but she put him through it.
I cannot wait to read about them in the Love Below/Glimpse series.
This was my favorite book in The Prototype Series. I love Bam. Considering that they were so young, Bam seemed much more mature than the others but still they are living a lot of life to be college aged.
Cassie had so much unhealed trauma. She needed Bam’s love. He loved and cared for her so much but she put him through it.
I cannot wait to read about them in the Love Below/Glimpse series.
June 2, 2019
4.5 stars!
August 17, 2019
Really good story.
Want to read
March 16, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/16/2020)! 🎁
June 19, 2019
😍😍😍
This story was well worth the wait. Love the Prototype Crew. Cassie and Bam's story was kinda complicated and cute. A must read.
This story was well worth the wait. Love the Prototype Crew. Cassie and Bam's story was kinda complicated and cute. A must read.
May 26, 2019
I don't have enough Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I must first say that this was a wonderful series. I've read all of the books enjoyed them immensely the characters were wonderful. It only makes sense to end with Bam and Cassandra this story once again was so well written I just loved it. Bam he's such a strong solid guy and that's just what Cassie needed. He loved her and he was very patient with her, straightforward no games. Cassie she was such a sweet soul going through so many changes in her life. Quietly trying not to bother anyone it was nice to see that she felt safe with Bam. I truly enjoy reading your books Ms. Howard great job.
I must first say that this was a wonderful series. I've read all of the books enjoyed them immensely the characters were wonderful. It only makes sense to end with Bam and Cassandra this story once again was so well written I just loved it. Bam he's such a strong solid guy and that's just what Cassie needed. He loved her and he was very patient with her, straightforward no games. Cassie she was such a sweet soul going through so many changes in her life. Quietly trying not to bother anyone it was nice to see that she felt safe with Bam. I truly enjoy reading your books Ms. Howard great job.
October 29, 2021
Bam is bae!
Y’all… I was not ready for Book 4, “Loving Cassie”! Jacinta Howard had Bam in her back pocket all this time. In books 1-3 we got glimpses of Bam. We saw that he had a sense of humor and always kind of stay neutral when it came to drama and tension. And then comes Book 4! I was not expecting Bam to be this big dominant, funny, charismatic, sexy, honest, loyal, caring, grounded man. Need I say more? But behind all that, he still dealt with feelings of abandonment and longing for a real family. Bam is my favorite of all the guys! I loved Cassie as well! She’s probably my favorite next to Kennedy. Cassie was very complex. She’s spent so many years harboring secrets and pain. She’s never felt safe! She’s never felt supported! She’s never felt that her struggles, insecurities, pain, and trauma was equally as important as Kennedy. She has just been going through the motions. In comes Bam and he’s all in. He sees a future and a life with her. He seems to have everything figured out. The issue is, Cassie can’t see her own future. Bam and Cassie’s chemistry was so organic. You are really able to see what these two see in each other! The intimacy was also kicked up a few notches in this story as well! 🔥🔥🔥🔥Well written as always! Phenomenal storyline! This was the best story in the series in my opinion! There is so much I could say about this story but don’t have the space! Do yourself a favor and read The Prototype series!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Y’all… I was not ready for Book 4, “Loving Cassie”! Jacinta Howard had Bam in her back pocket all this time. In books 1-3 we got glimpses of Bam. We saw that he had a sense of humor and always kind of stay neutral when it came to drama and tension. And then comes Book 4! I was not expecting Bam to be this big dominant, funny, charismatic, sexy, honest, loyal, caring, grounded man. Need I say more? But behind all that, he still dealt with feelings of abandonment and longing for a real family. Bam is my favorite of all the guys! I loved Cassie as well! She’s probably my favorite next to Kennedy. Cassie was very complex. She’s spent so many years harboring secrets and pain. She’s never felt safe! She’s never felt supported! She’s never felt that her struggles, insecurities, pain, and trauma was equally as important as Kennedy. She has just been going through the motions. In comes Bam and he’s all in. He sees a future and a life with her. He seems to have everything figured out. The issue is, Cassie can’t see her own future. Bam and Cassie’s chemistry was so organic. You are really able to see what these two see in each other! The intimacy was also kicked up a few notches in this story as well! 🔥🔥🔥🔥Well written as always! Phenomenal storyline! This was the best story in the series in my opinion! There is so much I could say about this story but don’t have the space! Do yourself a favor and read The Prototype series!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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