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Audiobook Sunday: IN THE WEEDS by B.K. Borison

March 15, 2026

Narration by Pippa Jayne & Dane Anderson

Lovelight, Book 2

From the publisher:

One incredible weekend in Maine, and Beckett Porter is officially a distracted man. He’s not unfamiliar with hot and heavy flings. He knows how it goes. But Evie wove some sort of magic over him during their tumble in the sheets. He can’t stop thinking about her laugh, her hand pressed flat against his chest, her smiling mouth at his neck, her eyes, her legs.

So when she suddenly appears on his farm as part of a social media contest, he is confused. He had no idea that the sweet and sexy woman he met at a bar is actually a global phenomenon: social media influencer Evelyn St. James. When she disappears again, Beckett resolves to finally forget her and move on.

But Evelyn St. James has a problem.

Feeling disconnected from her work and increasingly unhappy, she’s trying to find her way back to something real. She returns to the last place she was happy, Lovelight Farms and the tiny town of Inglewild.

It has absolutely nothing to do with the hot farmer she spent two incredible nights with—nothing at all.

In the Weeds is a sweet and steamy second-chance romance about finding your happiness. It features a grumpy farmer, a no-nonsense social media influencer, a small town of busybodies, and four very cute kittens. This is the second book in a series of interconnected standalones following the three Lovelight owners.

Read an excerpt: https://amzn.to/4b8tWEZ

Beckett has everything he loves — his farm, his cats, his quiet life — and yet he’s lonely. A brief, exhilarating fling with Evelyn St. James in Maine was the most fun he’s had in years, but she ghosted him, and he can’t stop thinking about her.

When Evie turns up at Lovelight Farms as part of a social media contest, Beckett is understandably bewildered. Evie had just as good a time with Beckett, but didn’t think anything would ever come of it.

When the contest ends, and Evie goes back to her real life, she’s deeply unhappy — restless in a way she can’t quite figure out. What she does know is that she felt genuinely happy at Lovelight Farms, so that’s where she needs to be. She has bigger questions to sort out, too: Is she done with social media? What does she actually want from life? It’s worth noting that Evie defies the influencer stereotype entirely — she’s kind, gentle, and thoughtful, which makes her easy to root for.

When Evie comes back to the farm, to the small town of Inglewild, to the last place she remembers feeling like herself, she’s very clear that it has absolutely nothing to do with the hot farmer she spent two nights with. Nothing at all. Beckett reluctantly agrees to let her stay in the Airstream on his farm and tries hard to keep his distance. He fails miserably – his feelings for Evie are impossible to deny, as are hers for him.

Their relationship strikes a satisfying balance between tension and angst, with genuinely sweet moments and plenty of spice. Watching them find their way to each other was a pleasure and a welcome escape. Yes, there’s a third-act breakup, and yes, there’s way more miscommunication than two grown-ass adults really have any excuse for — but both are standard romance fodder, and neither derailed my enjoyment.

I enjoyed the dual narration. Both readers brought a lot to these characters and to the story. Bottom line: likable characters, a charming small town, and a fast, fun read. Working through Borison’s backlist, I can say her growth as a writer is clear in her later work. This isn’t her best, but I’d recommend it without hesitation.

3/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

IN THE WEEDS by B.K. Borison. Narrators: Pippa Jayne & Dane Anderson. Dreamscape Media (September 20, 2022). ASIN: B0B61YZCD8. Listening Length: 10 hours and 46 minutes.

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AND THE CROWD WENT WILD by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

March 13, 2026

Chicago Stars, Book 11

From the publisher:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Elizabeth Phillips is back with the latest novel in her beloved Chicago Stars series, featuring a romance between a star quarterback and one of the country’s most beautiful—and misunderstood—actresses.

After a mortifying—and very public—humiliation, Dancy Flynn is desperate to find sanctuary far from the crowd. But where can a washed-up sex symbol hide? How about making an unannounced appearance at the secluded lake house of the sweet, sensitive high school boyfriend she hasn’t seen in almost twenty years?

But Chicago Stars quarterback Clint Garrett is no longer the kid Dancy remembers. Now he’s a gridiron superhero, still holding a massive grudge against her for breaking his teenage heart. With no room in his life for either complexity or distractions, he banishes Dancy to a refurbished old railroad caboose tucked away in the woods…and out of his sight.

Except Dancy’s not good at staying invisible. Her efforts to rebuild her career clash with Clint’s desperation to regain his focus, all made more challenging by a rescue dog, a local woman in trouble, a meddling mother, an ex with an agenda…and the sizzle of rekindled emotions.

As Dancy attempts to get her life on track and Clint tries to get his groove back, can these two one-time lovers navigate their rocky pasts and complicated present to find themselves…and each other?

Tropes include:

childhood sweethearts
second-chance romance
enemies to lovers
forced proximity

“From the insightful characterization to the wit-infused dialogue to the smoking-hot chemistry between the book’s marvelously original protagonists, everything in Phillip’s latest addition to her Chicago Stars series is done with a seemingly effortless ease that belies the true literary skill needed to produce this swoon-worthy masterpiece.”—Booklist, starred review

https://amzn.to/3NiiFst

SEP is the original sports‑romance queen, and two decades later, her books still land exactly where they should. The execution is flawless.

At its core, this is a story about heart, hope, and rebuilding.

Dancy Flynn — a former Hollywood Bond Girl and the ex-wife of a famous action hero — hits rock bottom when her glamorous comeback attempt at a gala ends in public humiliation. The moment is made worse when her ex shows up with his pregnant new girlfriend after insisting for years that he never wanted children. Desperate to escape the spotlight, Dancy flees to the last place anyone would expect to find her: the lake house of her high-school boyfriend, Clint, now an NFL quarterback struggling through his own career slump.

Their shared history is complicated, and Clint wants nothing to do with reopening old wounds. Still, he offers her the refurbished caboose on his property as a temporary refuge. From there, two wounded people slowly begin to piece their lives back together.

Dancy’s story is the emotional heart of the novel. She’s truly at rock bottom — depressed, neglecting herself, numbing the pain with alcohol, and feeling utterly alone. Despite her beauty and fame, she carries deep scars from her divorce, a miscarriage, and years of being dismissed as a blonde bimbo instead of being taken seriously. Watching her slowly reclaim her sense of self — through an unlikely friendship with a kindergarten principal and a stray dog she rescues from the road — is deeply moving. Her mental-health crisis is portrayed with honesty and compassion, and her path forward is rooted in acceptance, self-worth, and learning to choose herself again.

This isn’t just a romance; it’s a story about female empowerment and rediscovering your own strength before opening your heart to someone else.

Clint is equally compelling, though his presence is quieter by design. Controlled, gentlemanly, and outwardly perfect, he’s still carrying the hurt from their teenage breakup while quietly battling his own depression under the pressure of being a star athlete. His characterization is intentionally understated. Clint matters, but he’s not the center of the story — he’s the steady presence who supports Dancy without overshadowing her. This is her story first, and the romance rekindles alongside her recovery rather than driving it.

This story is an exceptional addition to the series. It has everything: palpable tension, emotions that sneak up on you, and moments of joy that linger long after the final page. Dancy and Clint’s journey from heartbreak to healing completely pulled me in — witty banter, forced proximity, sizzling second-chance romance, a rescue dog, and a meddling family all woven together into something impossible to put down.

One of my favorite elements was the emotional maturity of the relationship. Clint communicates like an adult, respects boundaries, and creates a sense of emotional safety without ever feeling boring. These are characters in their thirties navigating real-life transitions with nuance and growth. There’s no manipulation, no contrived misunderstandings, and no cheap miscommunication drama.

I laughed, and I cried. Just a spectacular read.

Trigger warning: The heroine experienced sexual violence at age 17; the story takes place when she is 35.

3/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

AND THE CROWD WENT WILD by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Avon. (February 10, 2026). ISBN: 978-0063248625. 352p.

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HARRIET IN WAITING by Rachel Del Grosso

March 13, 2026

Lost and Found, Book 1

What does starting over really mean when the life you knew calls it quits?

Harriet Langley never realized how much of her life revolved around her husband, Alex, until they separated. Now that she’s free to eat what she wants, watch what she likes, and ditch all the emotional heavy-lifting, she’s feeling…oddly liberated. But just as she’s settling into her new routine, Alex drops a bomb: he wants the kids every second weekend—and that’s it. Harriet, now officially the primary parent, can’t decide if she should celebrate or scream into a pillow.

Between co-parenting disasters, Alex’s smug post-separation glow, and his younger sister, Charlie, moving in, Harriet’s so-called fresh start quickly starts to feel like a chaotic juggling act.

As Harriet rediscovers old passions and confronts uncomfortable truths about herself, she begins to rebuild her life—this time on her terms. Charlie, with her endless crop tops and unnerving honesty, somehow becomes both a total pain…and an unexpected lifeline.

With sharp wit and a lot of heart, Harriet in Waiting explores how communication can make or break a relationship, and what happens when one woman decides she’s done playing by the rules. Perfect for fans of Abbi Waxman and Fleishman Is in Trouble.

Appeals to readers of: Women’s Fiction, Small Town & Rural fiction, Friendship Fiction, Women’s domestic life fiction, Humorous fiction, Marriage and divorce fiction.

Key Tropes include: Second chances, second act, reinvention, Divorce glow-up, Urban landscape, Conflict comes from interpersonal relationships, and reluctant single motherhood.

Harriet in Waiting is book one in the Lost and Found Series set in the small town coastal city of La Jolla, California.

https://amzn.to/4rq5UKB

At first glance, this novel seems to follow the familiar midlife-crisis-sparked-by-a-cheating-husband trope—but it’s far more nuanced than that. At its heart, it’s a story about the slow unraveling of a marriage, the ripple effects on an entire family, and one woman’s journey back to herself.

Harriet is an easy protagonist to root for: capable, funny, overwhelmed, and painfully aware that she’s been running on empty for years. When her husband confesses to an affair and quickly moves on to a shiny new life—complete with a new apartment, new car, and minimal parenting time—Harriet is left holding everything together. She’s juggling two hurt teenagers, a mother-in-law determined to paint her son as blameless, and Charlie, her free-spirited sister-in-law, who arrives unannounced and brings both chaos and unexpected clarity.

What follows is messy, funny, and genuinely moving. As Harriet navigates the early months after the separation, the novel traces her attempts to understand what went wrong, reconnect with old passions, form new friendships, and figure out who she is outside of marriage. Watching her stumble, regroup, and slowly reclaim her sense of self is both inspiring and deeply relatable.

Charlie—known for her crop tops, blunt observations, and surprising wisdom—becomes an essential sounding board. The bond that develops between the two women gives the story much of its heart. Their relationship feels authentic and layered, more like true sisters than in-laws brought together by circumstance.

This isn’t a tidy post-divorce fantasy. Set against the breezy coastal backdrop of La Jolla, the novel blends humor, emotional honesty, and sharp insight into identity, communication, and second chances. The characters feel real, and their struggles are believable. Harriet’s eventual love interest—complete with an Irish lilt—adds a spark of joy without overshadowing her personal journey.

The emotions feel earned, the humor lands well, and Harriet’s growth is satisfying without ever feeling unrealistic. A final twist adds an extra layer of satisfaction to the story. I should add, I appreciate a romance with characters well out of their twenties and even thirties. Mid-life may not be as sexy, but for me, it is more relatable.

Thoughtful, funny, and quietly powerful, this is a promising start to the Lost and Found series.

3/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

HARRIET IN WAITING by Rachel Del Grosso. Love N. Books Press. (January 9, 2026). ISBN: 979-8895676899. 310p.

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Spotlight Review: MISTAKES WERE MADE by Lucy Score

March 10, 2026

Story Lake, Book 2

From the publisher:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Lucy Score, whose smash hit Things We Never Got Over captured millions of hearts, invites you back to Story Lake for a swoon-worthy new small town romantic comedy.

He’s looking for the perfect wife. She’s looking for the perfect one-night stand.

Literary agent Zoey Moody doesn’t like small town life, but here she is: exiled from Manhattan’s publishing scene and trapped in a tiny Pennsylvania town with her BFF and only remaining client, Hazel. The problem? She’s totally broke.

All she needs is for Hazel’s next romance novel to become a gigantic hit, and Zoey will be back in New York. Nothing will stand in her way. Nothing except her six-foot-two-inch landlord, Gage Bishop. He’s smart, serious, and sexy. Worst of all, he’s ready to settle down.

Zoey might be the most beautiful woman Gage has ever met, but it’s clear they’re all wrong for each other. She’s allergic to commitment and can’t work a calendar app; he’s looking for a wife and has the next five years all planned out. She’s afraid of animals. He lives in a literal barn. But when Gage’s world is rocked by a devastating family secret, he turns to Zoey for one night to forget everything. That one night just might change everything…or ruin it.

Perfect for fans of the heart, humor, and hope found in Things We Never Got Over and Things We Left Behind, Mistakes Were Made is a steamy escape to small town romance―full of emotional twists, slow-burn tension, and Lucy Score’s trademark charm.
https://amzn.to/49MVH59

Score (Story of My Life) returns readers to the delightfully quirky town of Story Lake, where Gage Bishop collides—literally and emotionally—with literary agent Zoey Moody. After being fired from her Manhattan agency and losing her apartment to a condo conversion, Zoey finds herself stuck in Story Lake. With her finances in shambles and her only client—best friend Hazel—living in town, Zoey hunkers down and focuses on getting Hazel’s next book onto the bestseller list.

Gage is a genuinely good man: a devoted son and brother, a successful attorney, and a construction contractor. His life runs on careful plans and a steady routine, until Zoey arrives; one look at her, and he falls off a roof. Zoey is his complete opposite—a big-picture thinker who is warm-hearted, creative, and delightfully chaotic. Their opposites-attract chemistry is instant, messy, and irresistible. Zoey’s journey toward understanding her neurodiversity adds emotional resonance, while Gage’s quiet, unwavering devotion gives the romance its heart. Packed with humor, heat, and heartfelt moments, this story shines with warmth and inclusivity.

VERDICT: Big laughs, big feelings, and a love story that celebrates imperfection make this a charming read. Recommend to fans of B.K. Borison or Helen Hoang.

©Library Journal, 2026

3/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

MISTAKES WERE MADE by Lucy Score. Bloom Books (March 10, 2026). ISBN: 978-1728297064. 560p.

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Audiobook Sunday: WHERE YOU BELONG by Kristen Proby

March 8, 2026

Narration by Samantha Brentmoor & Sebastian York

The Blackwells of Montana, Book 5

From the publisher:

From New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby comes the final installment of the Blackwells of Montana series, Where You Belong, a small-town, second-chance romance set in Bitterroot Valley!

Brooks

Fifteen years ago, I’d planned a romantic proposal, but that was the day Juliet walked out of my life and never looked back. I never wanted to see her again and decided that love wasn’t for me. But now, Juliet has returned to Bitterroot Valley and opened a restaurant. Catching glimpses of her around town makes my heart ache. I want to hate her. I wish she’d do what she does best and go away. Instead, I find myself wanting to be near her. Helping her. Touching her perfect skin. I don’t want to love her. I don’t want to need her.

Juliet

Coming home to Bitterroot Valley might have been a mistake. Just because I grew up here doesn’t mean I belong here. Honestly, I’ve never felt like I belong anywhere. But once I was finally free from the man who lied and controlled me, I knew I needed to be in Montana. My new restaurant, Sage & Citrus, is a big hit, and I’m making friends. But more importantly, Brooks is here. I know he doesn’t want me, but having him nearby is a balm to my jagged heart. The more I see him, the more I’m reminded that Brooks Blackwell is my soulmate. But has too much time passed? Or will we finally get our happily ever after?

Where You Belong by Kristen Proby is a second-chance romance fifteen years in the making. Juliet walked out on Brooks just as he was ready to propose, and the wounds from that separation never fully healed for either of them. Now she’s back in the same small town — both of them small business owners, him a mechanic, her a chef — and in a place this size, there’s no avoiding each other.

What makes their reunion so compelling is the layers beneath it. This isn’t just two people rekindling old feelings; it’s two people carrying years of harbored anger, unspoken hurt, and a longing neither has ever been able to shake. The push and pull between them is immediate — shifting from tension to frustration to something neither can deny — and it never feels rushed or superficial. Brooks slowly lowers his walls as he watches Juliet quietly rebuild her life, while Juliet wrestles with old regrets and the fragile possibility of something new. Their chemistry is sweet, slow-burning, and deeply earned.

The little details make it even better: her secret tattoo, the dream home he bought and planned to fill with a library just for her. These two were made for each other, and the story doesn’t make you wait until the final pages to feel it. You actually get to spend real time with them together, which makes the emotional payoff that much more satisfying.

Juliet carries secrets that complicate her path forward, but her quiet resilience makes her incredibly easy to root for. Brooks’s devotion — even when he’s hurting — is the kind that makes you swoon. The surrounding family adds warmth and well-timed humor that balances the heavier emotional moments, and the small-town setting gives everything a cozy, grounded feel without sacrificing depth.

The audio experience elevated the whole thing. Narrated by Samantha Brentmoor and Sebastian York, their dual performance captures every ounce of longing, frustration, and tenderness. Their narration is captivating, and together they bring out the full weight of this couple’s history. I felt every word.

If you love a slow-burn, second-chance romance with real emotional stakes and a warm community at its heart — this one is it. I am so sad this series is over, but Proby’s new series, Triple Creek Ranch, started off great with Safe Haven, so something to look forward to!

3/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

WHERE YOU BELONG by Kristen Proby. Narrators: Samantha Brentmoor & Sebastian York. Dreamscape Media (December 11, 2025). ASIN: B0FFBQ1CY9. Listening Length: 8 hours and 43 minutes.

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TAKE ME HOME TO YOU by Miranda Liasson

March 6, 2026

The Amazing Doctors of Oak Bluff, Book 3

From the author:

Here comes another standalone heartwarming and humorous romance in the Doctors of Oak Bluff series by Amazon Top-5 author Miranda Liasson, who “deals with so much of what makes life hard . . . without ever losing the warmth and heart that characterize her writing.” ~ Entertainment Weekly.

For fans of Kristan Higgins, Susan Mallery, and Lori Wilde.

A grumpy ER boss and a sunshine doctor think they’ve sworn off romance—until one tiny baby decides to play matchmaker.

When Dr. Ani Green drags herself onto the plane after her wedding-that-never-was, she’s a self-described mess who has sworn off all relationships for good. But her “honeymoon for one” has a silver lining: Adam. He’s the kind, charming stranger who takes her trip from unbearable to almost fun.

What happens in Turks and Caicos stays there.

She left the island thinking she’d never see him again—only to walk into her new ER shift and realize that her vacation fling is her new boss. And he’s not the man she remembers.

Dr. Adam Lowenstein doesn’t do “fun.” He does rules, schedules, and whatever it takes to shield his heart from any more grief. His time in Turks and Caicos was a temporary lapse in judgment. Now that he’s the Head of Emergency Medicine, he needs to be the stoic leader—not the man who fell for a whirlwind of a woman under a tropical sun. If that means denying his connection with Ani, so be it.

Until a patient surrenders a baby with a desperate plea for help.

As their professional boundaries crumble, Adam and Ani are forced to bridge the gap between who they were on the island and who they are now. Now, they must work together to protect a tiny life—and find out if the family they never thought they’d have is the one they can’t live without.

Grumpy/Sunshine
Baby-on-Doorstep
Main Characters are Doctors
Romantic! but Close-the-Door

https://amzn.to/46GwCHo

Dr. Ani Green, a pediatrician, boards a plane to Turks and Caicos alone after calling off her wedding at the last minute. She knew she shouldn’t go through with it, but feels terrible for waiting until the actual wedding to call it off. At her mother’s urging, she escapes before facing the fallout at home by taking their planned honeymoon trip. Sitting next to her on the same flight is Dr. Adam Lowenstein, an ER physician and young widower, honoring a promise to take the anniversary trip he and his late wife never got to share. Nearly two years after her death, he’s still deep in grief.

Their meet-cute is anything but polished—Ani is teary, overwhelmed, and determined to survive her honeymoon, while Adam just wants to get through the week. Instead, they find comfort in each other. What begins as shared dinners and sightseeing turns into a meaningful connection—and one unforgettable night. They part knowing the timing is wrong, each assuming they’ll never meet again.

Months later, Ani is stunned to discover that Adam is the new head of the ER at her hometown hospital in Oak Bluff, where she covers shifts alongside running her practice. The warm, attentive man she met on the island has been replaced by a guarded, regimented boss who keeps everyone at arm’s length. Adam insists their past won’t interfere with work—but unresolved feelings simmer beneath the surface.

When Ani helps deliver a baby girl whose teenage mother surrenders her, she makes a life-changing decision: she’ll foster the child, with hopes of adopting her. Naming the baby Rosalie after her grandmother, Ani opens her heart in ways she never expected. With support from her own mother and Adam’s mother—a retiring social worker who specializes in foster care—Ani begins to build a new kind of family.

Adam finds himself drawn not only to Ani but to baby Rosalie. Yet he’s terrified that loving again means betraying the memory of his wife and opening himself up to hurt again. Ani, burned by past mistakes, questions her judgment and her heart. As misunderstandings, grief, and outside complications test them, they must decide whether to cling to the past or risk a future together.

Emotional, tender, and ultimately hopeful, this story is filled with heartbreak, healing, forgiveness, and second chances. I was completely invested in Ani, Adam, and Rosalie—their journey was impossible to put down. I loved it.

3/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

TAKE ME HOME TO YOU by Miranda Liasson. Self-published. (February 23, 2026). ISBN: 978-0998634661. 252p.

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I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS by Jenny Bayliss

March 6, 2026

From the publisher:

From Putnam’s beloved holiday author comes another charming, British wintertime tale following one dejected woman’s trip home to her eccentric great-aunts, her wayward mother . . . and her first love.

Fred Hallow-Hart isn’t in love with the idea of returning home to Pine Bluff. But after a bad breakup and a subsequent eviction, she’s fresh out of options. God knows she loves her mum and her eccentric aunts—and who could forget their Christmas Cracker family business?—but she’s always felt a little out of place in her small town.

Quickly roped in by her mother to help with the cracker shop, Fred decides throwing herself into work might actually be what’s best for her. Until she reconnects with her old best friend Ryan, who is suddenly making her heart flutter in ways she’s never known; and unexpectedly finds a spark with Warren, a charming journalist covering the Pine Bluff Christmas Market for the Daily News.

But as these connections slowly lead Fred back to her heart, she’s forced to confront some harsh truths, which, if she doesn’t find a way through, might just ruin the holidays for those dearest to her. Can Fred let go of the past enough to recognize real love? And when she does, how far will she go to protect it?

https://amzn.to/4biIdim

At 35, Fredericka “Fred” Hallow-Hart returns to her tiny Scottish hometown with her life in pieces—no job, no relationship, and no choice but to move back in with her mother and the two aunts who helped raise her. She insists she’s only passing through, “perching” until she finds her footing again, but the town has other plans.

Living again with her mother and two eccentric aunts—who run the family’s Christmas cracker business—is the last thing she wants, especially given her long-standing tension with her mom. Their relationship has never been easy, and coming home forces Fred to face wounds she’s long ignored.

A chance reunion with her childhood best friend—and former love—Ryan sparks something she thought she’d outgrown. Then a handsome stranger, Warren, enters her life through a simple mail mix-up, adding another layer of confusion to an already tangled return.

But beneath the festive lights and snowy streets, Fred must confront the emotional abuse she endured in her last relationship. Only by facing it can she heal, reconnect with her family, and open herself to the possibility of love again.

This novel is a tender, heartwarming holiday story. I loved how it blends romance with themes of family, forgiveness, and rediscovering home. Fred’s journey is emotional without ever feeling heavy, and her mother’s second-chance love adds richness and warmth.

This tender holiday novel beautifully blends romance with themes of family, forgiveness, and rediscovering home. Fred’s journey is emotional without feeling heavy, and her mother’s second-chance love story adds depth and warmth. With its cozy setting—snowy lanes, a bustling Christmas market, and a close-knit community—this is a feel-good story about finding your way back to yourself and remembering that love, in all its forms, endures.

Why a Christmas novel now? In March? Why not! I didn’t get to read all the holiday books I wanted last year, so I’m sneaking one in whenever I can. The holiday is background noise, but I love it.

3/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS by Jenny Bayliss. G.P. Putnam’s Sons. (September 23, 2025). ISBN: 978-0593717929. 448p.

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Spotlight Review: THE BOOKSTORE DIARIES by Susan Mallery

March 3, 2026

From the publisher:

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.

©Library Journal, 2026

3/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE BOOKSTORE DIARIES by Susan Mallery. MIRA (March 3, 2026). ISBN: 978-1335629708. 384p.

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BookBitch Diary: March 1, 2026

March 1, 2026

Olympics!

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 Two-Year Waitlist to Work at a Bookstore

Oh, and you don’t get paid!

Food News

Should I Refrigerate Apples? An A-to-Z Guide to Storing Fruits and Vegetables

Good produce is a gift. Keep it fresh as long as possible with these tips.

Good News

A postcard arrived: ‘If you’re reading this I’m dead, and I really liked you’

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)*

Teen grabs kayak, paddles through icy pond to rescue neighborhood dog

“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.

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Posted by Stacy Alesi

GAME CHANGER by Rachel Reid

February 27, 2026

Game Changers, Book 1

From the publisher:

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?

Game Changers:

Book 1: Game Changer
Book 2: Heated Rivalry
Book 3: Tough Guy
Book 4: Common Goal
Book 5: Role Model
Book 6: The Long Game
Book 7: Unrivaled

https://amzn.to/3ZzwoOb

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.