This summer, the town’s juiciest secrets are revealed in New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery’s joyful and sparkling new novel
Jax has a slight issue with control—as in, she needs it. Always. Too bad she has power only over the Painted Lady Bookstore, the Victorian mansion turned bookshop she inherited. No one else listens to a word she says. Her ex gets engaged for questionable reasons. Her beloved sister, Ryleigh, wants to move away to find a husband. And the handsome contractor Jax has chosen to convince Ryleigh to stay is only interested in Jax.
Still, she’s living the bookworm dream—until an unhappy accident erases the names from the bookshop lockboxes where the town keeps their diaries. Which means the only way to find a diary’s owner is…to read it.
As secrets spill and scandals surface, life at the Painted Lady Bookstore gets a lot more colorful and chaotic. But for a woman who’s always had to take charge, Jax will see that losing control—especially with the right wrong guy—can set you free.
A deluxe limited edition of The Bookstore Diaries! This special-edition hardcover will include beautifully designed endpapers and gorgeous sprayed edges!https://amzn.to/45wbAtm
Mallery (Otherwise Engaged) delivers her signature warmth and humor in this engaging tale. Jax owns a cozy bookstore in a small California town. Divorced and co-parenting two children with her ex, Jax navigates life with the help of her sister, Ryleigh, and her precocious African Gray parrot, Ramon. Ryleigh wants to marry but fears this small town is devoid of any romantic prospects. Her best friend, a widower with a young son, lends her support as she navigates her best path forward.
When the shop needs major renovations, Jax hires a charming young contractor and immediately tries to match him with Ryleigh—only to learn he’s interested in her. Meanwhile, a worker cleans a section of an old brick wall, unaware that the wall conceals secret diaries that townspeople had hidden there. Chaos ensues as customers search for their lost journals. Through unexpected discoveries, heartfelt connections, and a touch of romance, both sisters discover that love can find them when they least expect it.
VERDICT Mallery fans and new readers alike will relish this charming read with plenty of fodder for discussion, and should appeal to Robin Carr or Brenda Novak fans.
I am the most unathletic person you will ever meet, and it has only gotten worse (much, much worse) as I’ve aged. I’m klutzy, overweight, under-muscled, and uncoordinated. And despite that – or more likely, because of that, I am a big sports fan. I watch baseball (Go METS!), football (Go DOLPHINS! [ok it’s yet another rebuilding year]), college football (Go HURRICANES!) and hockey (Go PANTHERS [and sometimes Islanders]). I’m not much of a basketball fan, but if the Miami Heat or NY Knicks are in the playoffs, I’ll watch. I’ve taken an interest in the NY Liberty (even though they play basketball!) and there is a brand new Women’s Pro Baseball League starting up this summer with 4 teams (NY, Boston, LA, and San Francisco) that I’m very excited about – go NY! The inaugural season starts on August 1st, 2026 (my mom’s birthday, and she would have loved this!)
I haven’t checked out any flag football games, but I am definitely intrigued, especially as the NFL is putting its full weight (and $$$) behind it. I hope that someday the NFL will be flag football, but I don’t know if that will happen in my lifetime. The injuries are horrific and never-ending, and sometimes it is really difficult to watch. I don’t know how parents can watch their kids play; it would absolutely gut me.
But the Olympics! Every two years (summer games, winter games), and I am here for it. Still not a big fan of curling (this is more my speed), but the skiing and snowboarding keep me glued to the TV, along with most of the other winter games. It’s the skating that truly has my heart. Figure skating! Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov took the Gold with his amazing performance (sorry, Malinin!) American Alysa Liu was just incredible, taking home the Gold with her flawless performance (even more remarkable considering she had retired from competing at 16!)
I also watched the ice dancing, speed skating, and, of course, hockey. The USA women’s hockey team was phenomenal! As were the men, and that’s not always a given. It was the first gold medal for men’s hockey since 1980. Mike Eruzione, the captain of the legendary 1980 “Miracle on Ice” team, met with the 2026 U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey team during these Olympics. His advice? Leave everything on the ice. (There is a new Netflix documentary about that season, Miracle: The Boys of ’80, and it is really good.)
It was poetic justice at the end – Canadian Sam Bennett high-sticked Jack Hughes, breaking a few teeth, in the third period, but Hughes got his revenge when he scored the “golden goal” in overtime to take the Gold medal. His bloody smile said it all!
I would be remiss if I didn’t add how moving it was when the Americans held up Johnny Gaudreau’s jersey when they won – he was known as Johnny Hockey, and he and his brother were killed last year after being hit by a drunk driver – their parents were there to celebrate as well.
When the American men’s hockey team won Olympic gold for the first time in 46 years, they paid tribute to the late Gaudreau brothers. Peter Kneffel / Picture alliance via Getty Images
I signed up for Peacock just for the Olympics, and while I will not be renewing that service, it was well worth it. I’m sorry it’s over now, but I’m looking forward to the summer games next! Swimming, diving, and my fave, gymnastics, not to mention baseball’s coming back, softball, skateboarding, and new this next time around, lacrosse and Flag Football. Equestrian is fun, and so are archery and beach volleyball (are they still making the women wear teeny-tiny uniforms? I’m so over that.) Anyway, hope you all enjoyed the Olympics, too!
Book News
If you’re always listening to an audiobook, you’re not alone
(Washington Post illustration; iStock)
As audiobook listening explodes in popularity, some users can’t do a mindless chore without pressing play.
The Washington Post has an “Optimist” newsletter, and I love it – I need some optimism in my life. The news is a nightmare, day after day after day, so I look for the light and wanted to share.
A card Leah Glickman sent to family and friends, designed by her father, Don Glickman, who died on Nov. 11. (Leah Glickman)
“I’m here buddy,” Hugh Pinneo, 18, said to the struggling dog as he rescued him. “You’re scared, I’m scared, too.”
Bernard, a dog struggling to stay afloat in a pond in Chesapeake, Virginia., before Hugh Pinneo, 18, rescued him. (Hugh Pinneo)
As always, thanks for reading, and stay safe.
Thanks to The New York Times and The Washington Post for allowing me to “gift” my readers with free access to these articles, a lovely perk for subscribers.
THE SERIES THAT INSPIRED HEATED RIVALRY • NOW A #1 STREAMING SHOW
Enter the world of Game Changers, the series behind the epic enemies-to-lovers hockey romance Heated Rivalry, streaming on Crave in Canada and on HBO Max in the U.S.
It all starts here with Scott and Kip’s steamy secret-relationship romance by New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Rachel Reid.
New York Admirals captain Scott Hunter takes his pregame rituals very seriously. When a particular smoothie precedes Scott’s breaking his on-ice slump, he’s desperate to recreate the magic…and to get to know the sexy, funny guy behind the counter.
Kip Grady knew there was more to Scott’s frequent visits than blended fruit, but he never let himself imagine being invited back to Scott’s penthouse. Or kissed with reckless abandon—and more. What goes on between them is hot, incredible and frequent…but also only on Scott’s terms and always behind his closed apartment doors.
Scott needs Kip in his life, but with playoff season approaching, the spotlight on him is suddenly brighter than ever. He can’t afford to do anything that might derail his career or the public’s image of what a hockey captain should be. Kip is ready to go all in with Scott—but how much longer will he have to remain a secret?
I came to this series through the HBO Max adaptation of Heated Rivalry. I only made it through two episodes, but that was enough to send me straight to the books — which turned out to be much more my speed.
Game Changer follows Scott Hunter, a closeted star hockey player and team captain in New York who’s struggling to find his footing on the ice. Everything shifts when he ducks into a smoothie shop and meets Kip, a 25‑year‑old history major with no real direction and an irresistible blend of sweetness and snark. Their connection is instant, their chemistry electric. Still, the first half dragged a bit for me. The two jump into bed immediately, and the story lingers there for a long stretch. I don’t mind spice, but it started to feel like wall‑to‑wall sex when I wanted more plot to balance it out.
The heart of the conflict is Scott’s fear of coming out. Kip doesn’t push at first, but as Scott’s team heads into the playoffs, he starts to feel like a secret — left out of team dinners, erased from Scott’s public life. Scott loves him deeply, but his fear keeps him frozen. Kip, meanwhile, gives everything without asking much in return, and when it becomes too painful, he runs rather than communicate. Both men have blind spots, and the book doesn’t shy away from showing them.
The story really finds its rhythm in the second half, once their relationship deepens and the world outside Scott’s bedroom finally comes into focus. I really liked the secondary characters as they added a lot to the story. Scott’s best friend, Carter, was a sweetheart, and Kip’s friends Elena and Maria brought a lot of humor to the story. The team camaraderie is warm and believable, but there was surprisingly very little focus on hockey.
There’s definitely some angst, but it never overwhelms the sweetness. I loved how supportive Kip’s family was, and the ending was spot on. Readers who prefer their romances soft and heartfelt will feel right at home. Those craving something grittier might find it a bit too cozy, but there’s real emotional honesty in watching two men slowly learn to stop hiding and choose each other. I am looking forward to the next book in the series, the much beloved Heated Rivalry.
2/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
GAME CHANGER by Rachel Reid. Carina Press. (November 26, 2024). ISBN: 978-1335534620. 368p.
In this “full-on villain romance” (The New York Times) a group of women on a reality dating show should be vying for the love of their Romeo, but it turns out one of them only has eyes for the showrunner.
Murray O’Connell is standing on the greatest precipice of his career. As showrunner of the reality dating show Marry Me, Juliet, Murray is determined to make this season a success.
Nothing and nobody will stand in his way.
Except perhaps Lily Fireball, the network’s choice for this season’s villain. Lily has classic reality TV appeal: She’s feisty, dramatic, and never backs down from a fight. She also happens to be Murray’s estranged best friend and former co-showrunner.
What was once a perfectly planned season turns to chaos as the two battle for control. Working in reality television, they’re used to drama, secrets, and romance. But what happens when suddenly they’re at the center of the storyline?
I picked this up on the strength of a New York Times recommendation. The Times only started reviewing romance novels a couple of years ago, and their coverage has grown alongside the genre’s popularity—particularly romantasy and LGBTQ+ romance, which happen to be my least favorite subgenres. Fortunately, this book is neither. It’s a contemporary romcom set in the world of reality television, which also isn’t my usual preference, but having watched enough of the genre (“Married at First Sight,” “Love is Blind,” and more than a few unhinged Bravo housewives shows), I thought it might be fun. It wasn’t.
The story takes place during the COVID pandemic, when lockdown restrictions are complicating the production of a new season of the reality dating show “Marry Me Juliet.” Producer Murray is already under enormous pressure: it’s his first time convincing the network to cast a diverse group of contestants, he’s running the show without his best friend and co-showrunner Lily Ong, and he desperately needs a hit. He wants everything under control—so when “Lily Fireball” walks through the door and reveals herself to be that very same Lily Ong, he’s blindsided. She’s back with an agenda, determined to play the villain and stir up as much drama as possible. Murray can’t figure out what she’s after, can’t focus on his job, and finds himself scrambling to protect her from the inevitable fan backlash. Will the season be everything he hoped for, or will it all blow up in his face?
I generally enjoy books that move between timelines, but the constant interruptions for backstory frustrated me here—possibly because I hadn’t read the first two books in the series. More significantly, I struggled to invest in Lily and Murray as a couple. It’s clear from early on that they’re in love with each other, yet both have married (and divorced) other people. I understand that reality television thrives on moral ambiguity, and apparently, at least here, so do the people who make it, but that made it hard to root for anyone. Their relationship is built on emotional manipulation and game-playing that, while true to the world the book is depicting, simply isn’t enjoyable to read. I put it down several times before finally pushing through to the end. By the time I finished, it had earned a lukewarm okay from me—nothing more.
2/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
NOT HERE TO MAKE FRIENDS by Jodi McAlister. Atria Books. (June 4, 2024). ISBN: 978-1668075265. 400p.
“Promises plenty of Borison’s signature banter, emotional nuance, and snowed-in charm.”—New York Times
Two competing meteorologists are forced to find common ground in this opposites attract, When Harry Met Sally inspired romance, from #1 New York Times bestselling author B.K. Borison.
Jackson Clark and Delilah Stewart have had their fair share of run-ins over the years, often ending in disaster. While Jackson thrives on routine and organization from the comfort of his radio booth, Delilah loves the spontaneity and adventure out in the field. When they’re partnered against their will to cover a historic snowstorm, they find themselves scrambling to figure out how to work together.
Eager to be taken seriously as a journalist, Delilah offers Jackson a deal: If he can help her ace this assignment, she’ll help him rediscover his long-lost fun side. With unexplored chemistry burning beneath their clashes, the unlikely partnership quickly tumbles into an easy and surprising friendship.
But when other feelings start to enter the equation, can Jackson and Delilah withstand the storm? Or does what happens in the mountains stay in the mountains?
“The snowy setting, the endearing protagonists’ grumpy/sunshine dynamic, and their slow-burn romance make for a wonderfully cozy and sexy read…Borison writes a delightful romance to get wrapped up in, full of well-executed tropes.”—Library Journal (starred review) “Fans of Borison’s previous outings will be excited to delve into this warm winter-hug of a novel.”—Booklist
“A wonderfully cozy and warm romance in a cold, snowy setting.”—Kirkus Reviews
Delilah Stewart is a cheerful, camera-ready meteorologist at a Baltimore TV station who loves her job—but she’s tired of not being taken seriously. When she’s assigned to cover a major weather event, she sees it as her chance to prove herself. The catch? She has to work with Jackson Clark, the no-nonsense radio meteorologist who would rather stick to his carefully ordered world than team up with her.
In And Now, Back to You, the second installment in Heartstrings by B.K. Borison, rival meteorologists are forced together to cover a historic snowstorm in Baltimore. What starts as professional friction slowly builds into undeniable chemistry—especially when forced proximity (hello, one-bed trope) turns up the heat.
Jackson thrives on lists, structure, and routine. He’s a devoted caregiver to his two younger sisters and prefers life behind the scenes. Delilah, by contrast, is spontaneous, optimistic, and a little accident-prone. She’s often dismissed as “too much,” while Jackson worries he’s not enough. Together, they create a beautiful balance—chaos meeting calm in a way that allows both of them to grow.
Their relationship unfolds with mutual respect and emotional honesty. The tension builds naturally, the steamy moments feel earned, and the romance never overshadows the story’s deeper themes of ambition, family responsibility, and self-worth.
Jackson quietly steals the show—steady, dependable, and endlessly supportive—while Delilah remains fiercely committed to her dreams. Neither changes to fit the other; instead, they challenge each other to be braver and more authentic.
With cameos from First-Time Caller and hints at what’s next in the series, this is a warm, satisfying grumpy-meets-sunshine romance that delivers heart, heat, and a perfectly timed snowstorm. An easy recommendation!
2/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
AND NOW, BACK TO YOU by B.K. Borison.Berkley (February 24, 2026). ISBN: 978-0593953143. 464p.
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby comes an emotional romance where two best friends reunite at Triple Creek Ranch, proving that home is where love finds its way.
Fifteen years ago, my best friend found salvation at the Triple Creek Ranch, transforming from an angry foster kid into a hockey legend. Now, with his adoptive father’s death forcing him home, Ryker’s trading his hockey stick for ranch life—and I’m not sure my heart can handle having him this close again.
I’ve spent the past decade raising my troubled nephew alone while building my career as an audiobook narrator. When my boy needs a fresh start, Ryker offers us sanctuary at the ranch. But living under the same roof with the man who’s always owned my heart ignites feelings I’ve tried hard to bury.
Between helping manage a struggling ranch, watching my nephew find his way, and dealing with the shadows of Ryker’s fame, we discover our connection is stronger than ever. But when threats from his past surface, we’ll have to decide if our second chance is worth fighting for.
Ryker and Gideon are fifteen-year-old foster kids who luck into a life-changing placement with Ray and Deb, owners of the Triple Creek Ranch. The couple also frequently cares for their niece, Willow, and when they adopt the boys a year later, the three kids become inseparable. Growing up on the ranch, they learn the value of hard work and responsibility — and watching Ray and Deb together, they learn what love is supposed to look like.
Years later, Gideon is a Secret Service agent and Ryker is a star NHL player, but they drop everything when Ray is hospitalized. They make it in time to say goodbye, and his loss hits them both hard — this man who became their father in every way that mattered. Having already lost Deb a few years earlier, they know Ray spent his remaining time missing her terribly, and that knowledge softens their grief, just a little; Ray and Deb are together again.
At thirty-five and nearing the end of his playing days, Ryker takes Ray’s passing as his cue to retire from hockey and come home to the ranch. Meanwhile, Willow has become the legal guardian of her teenage nephew, Aiden, who has been testing her patience and her limits. When he gets suspended for fighting at school, she reaches out to Ryker and asks if Aiden can spend the summer working on the ranch. He agrees without hesitation — but quickly realizes that Willow driving an hour each way every day isn’t going to work for anyone. So while he’s already in the middle of remodeling the house, he quietly adds something extra: a professional recording studio, built out for Willow.
Willow is a successful audiobook narrator who works from a studio she had built into a closet at home, so when Ryker first suggests she stay at the ranch for the summer, she turns him down flat. That changes the moment she sees what he’s created for her — a beautiful, fully equipped studio tucked into one of the ranch house’s spare bedrooms. She agrees to move in, Aiden gets set up in the bunkhouse with the other ranch hands, and suddenly the arrangement works perfectly for everyone. Well, almost everyone. Willow’s feelings for Ryker have shifted into territory that is decidedly unsisterly, and to her surprise, she’s not the only one struggling with that.
The more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to pretend otherwise. Aiden is thriving — so much so that Willow starts wondering whether leaving at summer’s end makes any sense. Gideon watches it all unfold with nervous eyes, knowing that if things go sideways between Ryker and Willow, the fallout will ripple through all of them. But happily, no such disaster comes. They find their way to each other and to the life that was always waiting for them on the ranch.
Crais and Peachwood bring these characters to life with warmth and depth, making it easy to fall into this story and hard to leave it. I loved every minute, and I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series, due out in April.
2/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
SAFE HAVEN by Kristen Proby.Narrators: Connor Crais & Savannah Peachwood. Brilliance Audio (February 17, 2026). ASIN: B0FGF9JQFV. Listening Length: 7 hours and 44 minutes.
A fish-out-of-water story about a New York City chef who inherits a ranch, discovers a family he never knew, and finds unexpected love with a fiercely loyal woman.
For fans of western romance superstars like Lyla Sage and Elise Silver.
New York City chef Jake West had it all, but a few strokes of a pen meant no more marriage. No more restaurant. No more big city lifestyle. Then he receives a letter explaining that his long-estranged father, Brett, has died, and he needs to return to the Canadian ranch he left as a child. Jake expects to go, sign more papers, and return to the city and rebuild his future.
Instead Jake learns that Brett’s left the ranch to him—and only him. Things might have been hot in his restaurant’s kitchen, but that’s nothing compared to what he faces now: a family he didn’t know existed, and a property he doesn’t want. Tanner and Brady, his half-brothers, don’t want him around. And while his stepmother, Peony, welcomes him, there’s Liz, Peony’s daughter. She’s not a West, but her loyalties lie with the family, not an outsider.
However, as Jake settles into the rhythms of the ranch, he wonders if he’s finally found something that’s been missing in his life—especially as he and Liz grow closer. At first, it’s just attraction, but when a sudden kiss ignites a heat in both of them, they can’t ignore this raging inferno. Maybe Brett West knew what he was doing when he summoned his eldest son back home–and gave him a chance to change his life forever.
Readers who love a spicy “enemies-to-lovers” romance combined with family drama will want to add this to their “to be read” shelves.
Western Heat kicks off the West Line Ranch series with a premise that hooked me immediately. Jake is in the middle of a complete life reset. He’s sold his New York City restaurant, finalized his divorce, and is suddenly summoned to Canada for the reading of a will. There, he learns that his estranged father has died and left him a ranch he never knew existed—along with two half-brothers who had no idea he existed either. The revelation throws all three men into an emotional and logistical mess. Jake is burned out from city life, and absolutely not prepared for any of this.
Liz grew up on the ranch when her mother married the boys’ father. She, along with her mother, became the glue holding this newly formed family together. Liz and Jake are thrown into each other’s orbit from the moment he steps onto the property, and their chemistry sparks long before either of them is willing to acknowledge it.
What really pulled me in were the quiet, intimate moments—sharing food, talking through the chaos, finding pockets of calm in the middle of family upheaval. Those scenes made their connection feel real and earned, even when the bigger conflicts kept tugging them apart.
The setting is vivid and alive: dusty roads, small-town gossip, wide-open skies. It feels like stepping into a western daydream without ever slipping into cliché. And the romance is a delicious slow burn that builds and builds until it finally breaks open in a way that’s tender, steamy, and deeply satisfying.
Both characters carry emotional baggage, and the story gives them room to grow. Jake’s struggle with identity and obligation is compelling, and while Liz could use a bit more polish as a lead, their dynamic still shines.
Caroline Richardson’s writing is warm, vivid, and easy to sink into. The pacing never drags, and I found myself reading “just one more chapter” long past when I meant to stop.
Western Heat is charming, sexy, emotional, and full of rugged western heart. If you love cowboy romance with family drama, forced proximity, and characters who feel imperfect in all the right ways, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
2/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
WESTERN HEAT by Caroline Richardson. W by Wattpad Books. (January 6, 2026). ISBN: 978-1998341375. 352p.
In this witty and romantic debut novel, Jane Austen’s Emma meets the misadventures of Manhattan’s modern dating scene as two lifelong friends discover that, in the search for love, you sometimes don’t have to look any further than your own backyard—perfect for fans of Bridget Jones’s Diary and Clueless.
Beautiful, clever, and rich, Emma Woodhouse has lived twenty-three years in her tight-knit Upper East Side neighborhood with very little to distress or vex her…that is, until her budding matchmaking hobby results in her sister’s marriage—and subsequent move downtown. Now, with her sister gone and all her friends traveling abroad, Emma must start her final year of grad school grappling with an entirely new emotion: boredom. So when she meets Nadine, a wide-eyed Ohio transplant with a heart of gold and drugstore blonde highlights to match, Emma not only sees a potential new friend but a new project. If only her overbearing neighbor George Knightley would get out of her way.
Handsome, smart, and successful, the only thing that frustrates Knightley more than a corked whiskey is his childhood friend, Emma. Whether it’s her shopping sprees between classes or her revolving door of ill-conceived hobbies, he is only too happy to lecture her on all the finer points of adulthood she’s so hell-bent on ignoring. But despite his gripes—and much to his own chagrin—Knightley can’t help but notice that the girl next door is a woman now…one who he suddenly can’t get out of his head.
As Emma’s best laid plans collide with everyone from hipster baristas to meddling family members to flaky playboy millionaires, these two friends slowly realize their need to always be right has been usurped by a new need entirely, and it’s not long before they discover that even the most familiar stories still have some surprises.
“[A] charming debut… The authors bring plenty of wit to this classic friends-to-lovers tale. Readers will fall in love with Emma Woodhouse all over again.”—Publishers Weekly
“Belleza and Harding have created a glamorous romp that is heartfelt, steamy, and romantic… For fans of the movie Clueless and retellings of classics.”—Library Journal
I enjoyed the other two books in this series and finally hunted down the first one. This witty, modern reimagining of Emma transplants Austen’s beloved story to New York City, where self-discovery plays out against a vibrant cultural backdrop. Belezza and Harding’s novel follows the original plot closely while capturing its spirit with ease — it stands confidently on its own, yet feels like a natural heir to Austen’s world.
Emma herself is spoiled and controlling, but also intelligent and fundamentally kind — the adored daughter of her father and Knightley’s longtime sparring partner (and eventual love interest.) The supporting cast feels like a seamless update of Austen’s characters, slotting into their modern roles with satisfying precision.
Misguided matchmaking drives much of the story. Emma’s misreadings and assumptions generate awkward situations at every turn, even as she becomes the unexpected object of male attention — something that catches her entirely off guard, given that she’s focused on finding love for her stunning friend, Nadine (the only character whose name was changed – she was Harriet in the original.) Her father’s approval means the world to her, while Knightley’s steady critiques of her meddling produce sharp, delicious banter that hints at feelings neither is ready to name.
Sunday dinners and glittering parties provide lively backdrops for shifting alliances and quiet emotional revelations. Emma excels at orchestrating these gatherings, but gradually comes to see that social polish can’t mask loneliness or hold uncomfortable truths at bay. A shocking cab incident forces her to confront her own resilience — she’s far stronger than she appears, or perhaps than she knew.
Her attempts to improve Nadine, including a full makeover, initially read as manipulative, yet even Knightley begins to wonder whether her intentions might be more sincere than they seem. As Emma matures, she reckons with her need for control and slowly learns that real growth requires letting go.
An art-world thread adds depth and heart. As a graduate student in art history, Emma dreams of building a career independent of her father’s influence, and her love of art — rooted in memories of her late mother — reveals her most authentic self. A resonant reference to Klimt’s Mäda Primavesi gives the novel its quiet thesis: imperfection is not a flaw but a source of beauty and individuality.
Told from both Emma’s and Knightley’s perspectives, the novel traces their emotional tug-of-war with insight and warmth. Their friction slowly transforms into something deeper as each comes to accept that perfection is overrated — in love, in art, and in life. The result is a fresh, entertaining, and genuinely thoughtful story that imagines how Austen’s Emma might navigate the modern world, while reminding us that growth almost always begins with imperfection.
2/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
EMMA OF 83RD STREET by Audrey Bellezza & Emily Harding. Gallery Books. (May 23, 2023). ISBN: 978-1668008393. 384p.
College rivals become workplace frenemies-turned-lovers in this warm, sexy contemporary romance from New York Times bestseller Jill Shalvis. First, they were rivals… Now they’re stuck with each other…
Retired hockey player Caleb Colburn needs this construction project to prove himself in the family business, but he also needs to recover from the injury that ended his pro career. Too bad Emma Sumner, architect liaison and Caleb’s college nemesis, is back in town and assigned to the project. They’re going to have to see each other almost every day. Which means once again she’ll make his life a living hell.
As for Emma, her job is on the line with this big project, made all the more challenging by the project manager. Caleb was the one who had snagged the scholarship she’d desperately needed to stay in college. She’s been living hand to mouth ever since and has no intention of ever forgiving the man.
But the beautiful historic building they’re renovating is exactly the kind of project that they both love best. Their surprising common ground and a burning mutual attraction start bringing them closer and closer to a potentially explosive mistake. And that’s even before the secrets come out…
I fell in love with this series when I read He Falls First, and Jill Shalvis absolutely delivers again with Free Falling, the second Colburn Brothers book. This time, we follow Caleb, and there’s far more to him than the charming exterior he shows the world. While the story works as a standalone, I highly recommend starting with book one—these brothers are swoony, imperfect disasters in the best possible way. This small‑town romance is sweet, fun, and deeply satisfying.
Caleb Colburn, a retired hockey star, is trying to prove himself in the family construction business. Taking the lead on their newest renovation project is already stressful enough, but he’s completely blindsided when the architect liaison turns out to be Emma Sumner—his fiercest college rival and harshest critic.
Back in school, Emma was everything Caleb found intimidating: brilliant, driven, and relentless. She fought tooth and nail for every opportunity, while Caleb seemed to breeze through classes and hockey, often landing the very positions she wanted most. To Emma, he was the golden boy with every advantage. To Caleb, she was the relentless overachiever who made his life harder at every turn. Now, years later, those old resentments flare the moment they’re reunited on the job site.
Forced into close collaboration, both arrive with deeply rooted assumptions and unresolved hurt. Emma still sees Caleb as the guy who had everything handed to him, and Caleb assumes Emma is back to make his life miserable. But as they work side by side, those walls begin to crack. Misconceptions fall away, vulnerabilities surface, and they slowly realize how wrong they were about each other—and how much they share beneath the surface.
Their shift from rivals to something much more is heartfelt and immensely rewarding. The tension is electric, fueled by sharp banter, lingering wounds, and undeniable chemistry. What makes their enemies‑to‑lovers arc shine is that it’s grounded in real emotional baggage rather than petty conflict. Watching that tension melt into trust and tenderness is genuinely moving.
Caleb is exactly the kind of hero I adore: protective, dependable, and kind without a hint of toxicity. There’s an emotional safety to this romance that makes it even more swoony. Emma is equally compelling—resilient, hardworking, and easy to root for. Her struggles with housing and job stability after losing nearly everything in a fire add real emotional weight, and seeing her allow herself to be vulnerable is beautiful.
The supporting cast adds so much charm, from Emma’s loyal best friend to the adorable boxers, Calvin and Klein, and Keira’s toddlers. The Colburn family dynamic remains one of the series’ strongest elements, and Caleb’s complicated relationship with his once‑abusive father—now softened by illness with no memory of his past behavior—adds a poignant layer of growth and forgiveness.
Returning to Star Falls, California, feels like coming home. The mansion renovation, the town’s falling‑star soulmate legend, and the strong sense of found family create a warm, inviting backdrop. Jill Shalvis excels at writing characters with real problems and real healing, blending humor, heart, and romance with effortless charm.
Free Falling pulled me in from the first page and never let go. It’s comforting, funny, emotionally rich, and deeply romantic—the kind of story that leaves you smiling long after you finish. If you love small‑town settings, workplace enemies‑to‑lovers tension, strong family bonds, and romances that feel supportive and genuine, this series is absolutely worth diving into. I’m looking forward to the next Colburn Brothers story.
Two season tickets. One genius idea. Zero interest in a relationship.
The plan is simple: a brand-new, hot, preferably funny, definitely single male will fill one of those seats for every Bears game at Soldier Field. And I’ll fill the other.
I can’t think of a better way to use the season passes I’d bought for my ex-husband. I am a woman of plans, and this one’s foolproof. Until Zach Bowen offers to be my practice round.
He’s infuriating. Presumptuous and overbearing. And absolutely, undeniably gorgeous. Any woman with a heartbeat would be attracted to him, and mine picks up speed every time he speaks. But as I said, I’m a woman of plans – and I’m not backing down on this one.
One night. One game. And then, his time’s up. He can try to change the rules, but here’s the truth: He can’t win if he’s playing the wrong game.
This book is a fun and surprisingly emotional read. I absolutely loved the main characters, and the sharp, heartfelt, and effortlessly engaging writing brings a fresh spin to the sports-romance trope.
Gemma is a planner to her core. After a devastating betrayal, she rebuilds her life around rules, structure, and one unbreakable promise: never risk her heart again. A die-hard Chicago Bears fan with season tickets, she decides to ease back into dating by bringing a different “date” to each home game—strictly casual, strictly for fun, and absolutely no feelings allowed. Then she meets Zach.
Zach volunteers to be her “practice guy” for the first game, and from the moment they meet, he’s impossible not to love. He sees straight through Gemma’s carefully built walls and is determined to chip away at them—even if he doesn’t yet understand what put them there. Patient, charming, and endlessly swoony, Zach balances Gemma’s strength and vulnerability perfectly. Their chemistry crackles, their banter sparkles, and their connection feels genuine and earned. The side characters—especially Belle and Micah—add humor and warmth that make the story even richer.
At its heart, Gemma’s journey is about rebuilding. Newly single at 29, she’s learning how to reclaim her life after everything she trusted fell apart. Her dating-at-the-games plan is meant to be safe and controlled—until Zach becomes the exception she never anticipated. He lives boldly, loves openly, and pursues what he wants with his whole heart. And what he wants is her.
Terrified to trust again, Gemma is slowly drawn out of her comfort zone and into something real. Their story is a reminder that love always involves risk—but sometimes the reward is worth every bit of fear. Sweet, sexy, emotional, and just angsty enough to keep you hooked, this story is a perfect fall read and a must for sports-romance lovers.
I adored this emotional, funny, chemistry-packed romance, and if you enjoy sports romances, give it a try. This was my first read by this author, but I am now hunting down the next book in this series, The Right Player.
2/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
Audiobook Sunday: THE WRONG GAME by Kandi Steiner.ASIN: B07P83FN5R. Narrators: Nelson Hobbs & Virginia Rose. Tantor Media. March 12, 2019. Listening Length: 10 hours and 47 minutes.
Posted by Stacy Alesi 
Stacy Alesi's BookBitch.com™ 