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 November 25, 2025

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!!!!

[WellReadRuby · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5🌟!

I had such a fun time with this book! Cole and Bellamy were good enemies to lovers/close proximity/secret lovers, and I enjoyed every second. Bellamy starts off the book with her life in chaos after her ex’s wife pops up at her show. Spiraling following this episode, she's not sure what to do. Her next steps land her right near Cole, an NBA player who is not too fond of her. Why is he not fond of her, you ask? Well, you need to read to find that part out. Their journey was a true slow burn, and the secret-lovers part was a cool touch that adds to the story being called Clickmate. I enjoyed how, once they fell, they fell hard, but that semi-third-act breakup had me spiraling a little bit lol. The epilogue was sooo good too! There were funny moments, sadness, desire, and love. The aspect of starting over and moving forward in the midst of chaos was a big part of both Bellamy's and Coles story, and it was nice to see them conquer and win. I really am surprised by this book and am looking to read more from this author.

[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.❤️❤️😊

[Gabby · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I loved the concept of this book, and think that Cole and Bellamy had beautiful relationship I wish the story was more developed. I feel like a lot of growth and events that helped to develop the relationship happened off page, so when they would talk about it I wouldn’t understand how we got to this point. Also, the story could’ve benefited from a better timeline to help us see how long it has been from time cannon events in the book occurred, and personal growth and feelings started to develop/change. The DMs didn’t really aid they story, but I love the idea of them being used,and wish the author had utilized them in a way to help move the story forward, for example having Bellamy or Cole mention a recipe that the other only mentioned in the DMs would’ve been a great idea to maybe make the suspicious of the other person. Overall I gave this story 3 stars because it kept me engaged, and anytime Cole and Bellamy were on page together I couldn’t help, but smile.

[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!

[Alesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book!!!

This was my 1st Tia Kelly book and I can honestly say I can’t wait to read book 2!!!

From Enemies to Frenemies! From Frenemies to Lovers!!

Both trying to stay away from the spot light they found comfort in each other!

For Bellamy I feel like this story went full circle. Although we don’t see exactly what transpired between Cole and Bellamy in the past the fact that they have came together in more than one way truly means that they were meant to be together!!

And can I say Cole is the MAN!!!!

Great read!!!

[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!!

[RaeReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vibes
⭐️ Enemies to Lovers
⭐️ Close Proximity
⭐️ Slow burn
Bellamy and Cole…. Now yall know i love a good romcom. This book was so cute my favorite part was the text banter like that was so different. This was definitely a slow burn, the beginning of the novel was kind of wordy for me and it kind of ended a little fast. Like i need more details lol. Overall I gave this novel 3.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and DreamScape Media for this ALC. All opinions are my own

[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.

[Anniee Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the gifted copy.
This one felt very current—like it could really happen. The online element mixed with real-life consequences kept me hooked. It’s fast-paced, a little unsettling, and makes you think twice about digital connections. Quick, engaging, and hard to put down.

[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!

[Maya McDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 ⭐️

[Savannah R · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute read! Enemy-ish to lovers, and I say "ish" because they really weren't super enemies and didn't really fight their connection.