ClickMate

by Tia Kelly

After a public and very messy divorce nearly drained his bank account, Cole Howard is too focused on trying to save his basketball career to even think about shooting his shot outside of the arena, especially with women like his uptight neighbor, Bella Barnes. Despite being beautiful and intelligent, she’s no stranger to drama, one thing he’s desperate to avoid.

His only escape is an online culinary covert persona he uses to share his passion for all things food with a stranger who’s only interested in what he can do in the kitchen and not on the court.

After having a problematic entanglement with a very famous and still married celebrity aired out on a nationally syndicated radio show, being unceremoniously fired, and moving in with her sister, Bellamy Barnes is too focused on trying to get her life back together to even think about getting herself entangled with another emotionally unavailable man. This especially includes men like her sister’s annoying neighbor, Cole Howard.

Despite being gorgeous and charming-- though she wishes he would stop calling her Bella because he knows she hates it—he’s exactly the kind of rich, thinks-he’s-God’s-gift to women player (on and off the court) she’d spent her entire life avoiding.

Her only refuge is visually indulging in the culinary masterpieces cooked up by her online crush and confidante.

Cole and Bellamy have sworn off love IRL but on Beyoncé’s internet, cupid plays by a different set of rules.

 

Genres: Romance

Unknown Binding

Published February 23, 2023

About the author

Tia Kelly is the author of contemporary romance and women's fiction. She is known for her candid way of capturing life's moments, one character at a time.

www.tiawithapen.com

Reviews

[Whit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely loved how Bellamy and Cole fought their way through the nonsense!

Between Bella's crazy parents, who broke up more times than scrambled eggs, I understood why Cole and Bella had so many issues with falling in love.

Lots of sweet surprises in this bad boy! Goes on the Read Again Pile!!!!

[Esther Fasola]

It was such a smooth book to read. I just really loved this book and it was my first book by this author and it was amazingggg.❤️❤️😊

[ShybutRude92 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This kind of started off slow for me and I not sure if it’s because of some personal things I’ve been dealing with (which has caused me to kind of slack off on reading/feeling.) or I just really wasn’t feeling it. When I started this book I had literally dnf’d three books almost back to back so this almost got the axe too. I think what saved it was me taking a picture of the pages and reading it while at work at my station lol. By the middle of the book I definitely started to enjoy it. I feel like there should have been a clearer timeline of how much time was going by. It made it seem like Cole and Bellamy got together after just a few months of Cole’s divorce. Like which to me was technically ok since he was actually divorced but like also annoying because why can’t people ever take time to really heal before jumping into a new relationship. But overall I enjoyed this.


The following are all the thoughts I had while reading this book so it may contains some spoilers:

Not the Monique binder!!! This lady is far from Monique though. Seems more a Gizelle or Robin Dixon. Or even a Sheree since she’s got joggers! 😂😂

Honestly as embarassing as it is for Bellamy it’s really more embarrassing for Lamya because you still married the bozo. Bellamy dodged the bullet you jumped right in front of. Dumbass.

I really hope she quit this show because these people definitely don’t care about her in any way.

The fact that Karen is telling Bellamy not to say anything. Bitch you brought her on the show.

Wait so you just left the dogs sitting outside their door?


Yes to safe sex!!

Ok I guess never mind. Smdh.

Wait how long has he been divorced from his wife? And I know he didn’t have sex with her after finding out she was cheating in the next room like Z.Z. Hill said lmao. If she’s showing an ultrasound then I feel like she can’t be that far along. Why do yall move on so damn quick because clearly it’s only been a few months with this kind of thinking.

[A Rush Of Emotions · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this one

I really enjoyed this one! I love epistolary romances. They take me back to my love of You've Got Mail in the '90s. This book features a professional athlete/social media chef sensation who starts having small, innocent interactions with one of his fans...which eventually turn into low-key flirting.

Bella is right in the middle of a crisis in her personal and professional life and needs a quick getaway. She decides to house sit for a family member, who just so happens to live in the same building as one someone who she unwittingly burned in the past. Cole and Bella's romance was slow until it wasn't. These two needed time to simmer, get to trust one another, and discover what made them get drawn to one another.

I loved this book so much and I can't wait to dive into more of her books.

[Raniqua Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cole… add him to the book bf list 🙂‍↕️

This book felt like my granny made a peach colber with the golden crispy edges and a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to go with it on a breezy,sunny afternoon. And to think this is the author’s debut novel? Bravo, my girl!! 👏🏾👏🏾

I couldn’t put this book down! Absolutely fell in love with Bellamy and Cole’s story! The side characters were also great! The writing was poetic and swoony af! It was just what I needed at the right time. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author!

[Marquita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frenemies to ClickMates🥰

This was my 1st read by this author and it was really good!! Bellamy and Cole really went from hate to love. Imagine falling in love in person and online with the same person.. Their story was patient, kind, and steady which both were in need of. The supporting cast: Nina, TJ, and Ronan were hilarious. I hope there's a follow up with Nina and Ronan. Go read it already!!

[Ty · Rating 5 out of 5]

ClickMate

This book was slow, in a good way. It’s a book full of wisdom, stillness, and quiet, and of two people navigating life to get to love. The author took her time, never allowing you to guess. It was there on every page for you. You didn’t have to wonder about feelings. She nailed characterization. I truly enjoyed it.

[Chelsea Seamster · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an easy read and I should have finished this within less than a week. Between getting really busy with work and realizing I’m not a romcom, soft romance type I had to give it 3 stars. I think it’s a great book for people who are into romcom but I NEED a thriller, mystery, horror, crime or intense drama element to books I read. Rom com is not for me, but cute storyline though.

[Arementha Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a read!!!!

A new spin to Love and Basketball!!! The charters were well developed along with the recipes. We need those recipes please as well as a book on Ronan and Nina.

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute. It’s rom com like and soulful.

[Bea_random_romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

NTMA

This was so good I love the banter between Bellamy and Cole! It felt like a ease into love that was very on par for the vibe of the 90s rom com

[La'Shonda Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the messy beginning. But it was long winded after that but the lessons were so needed!
Love
Forgiveness
Hurt
Self reflection
Cute read!