When author Cassandra Medcalf agreed to a Q&A with me, I knew I wanted to relaunch my Writer’s Corner with the spotlight on her (check out her Q&A here!). After meeting Cassandra last July at RomantiCONN, I couldn’t resist grabbing a signed copy of her cornhole romance, Fowl Play.
I have to admit, the 500-page book felt daunting at first. It had been sitting on my shelves, patiently waiting for me to pick it up. Getting to interview Cassandra was exactly the nudge I needed, so I finally sat down and read the punny sports romance last month.
I didn’t know what to expect from a cornhole romance, but this one hit all the right notes! It struck the perfect balance of humor, sweetness, and spice, all wrapped in a pun-filled sports setting.
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮:
🎯 love a sports romance
🏆 enjoy the fake dating trope
🌽 want to master how to play cornhole
ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴏʀʏ:
Team captain Kodi Gander had been obsessed with winning since she injured her knee in high school, losing her chances of playing softball professionally.
When newcomer Dr. Brian Gosling moves to town and gets immediately dumped by the town’s rival cornhole captain, Kodi and Brian team up to help Brian’s new office survive and thrive.
ᴍʏ ᴛᴡᴏ ᴄᴇɴᴛs:
First, I have to wonder if a town like Tuft Swallow is real. I can totally imagine the small-town of busybodies constantly keeping tabs on the latest gossip, but are there towns that really revolve around cornhole? Maybe it’s because I’m a New Englander, or perhaps it was the ‘y’alls’ woven throughout, but I got strong Southern vibes from the town—even though it’s fictional and set in New England.
I loved how Cassandra wrote her characters and addressed Brian’s bi status. It didn’t feel like a big deal at all, and it shouldn’t be. It was almost like an afterthought. It was, of course, a big part of the story since Brian getting dumped by his boyfriend propelled the fake relationship with Kodi to win him back, but this was one of the first books I’ve read where gender truly felt secondary to the love story, which was refreshing.
I was impressed by the flow and how well-paced the story was despite being a 500-page book. Too often, longer novels drag in the middle, filled with unnecessary scenes. But Fowl Play maintained a steady pace, balancing plot and character development effortlessly.
Kodi and Brian both struggle with their own childhood traumas throughout the book. While this rom-com is light and funny, it also delves into heavier topics and feelings, including fears of abandonment and failure, making this story very relatable.
Fowl Play is the perfect mix of heart, humor, and competition, making it a must-read for sports romance lovers and anyone who enjoys a fresh take on the fake dating trope. Whether you’re here for the witty banter, the steamy tension, or just want to brush up on your cornhole skills, this book delivers.
The Tuft Swallow World
This novel is different because while it can be read as a standalone, it is part of an inter-connected world with each book written by a different author. There are seven books in total in this series – check them all out here.
And be sure to add Fowl Play to your Goodreads shelf!
📖 Have you read Fowl Play or any other unconventional sports romances?
Drop your recommendations in the comments!
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