From the publisher:
A Sizzling Slow-Burn Romantic Comedy
A laugh-out-loud rom-com about learning to embrace living outside your comfort zone.
As a shy school librarian, Alexis Stone is comfortable keeping out of the spotlight. But when she’s dumped for being too meek—in bed!—she decides she needs to change. And what better way to kick-start her new more adventurous life than with her first one-night stand?
Enter Logan, the gorgeous, foul-mouthed stranger she meets at a hotel bar. Audacious and filterless, Logan is Alexis’s opposite—and boy, do opposites attract! Just as she’s about to fulfill her hookup wish, the hotel catches fire in a freak lightning storm. In their rush to escape, Logan is discovered carrying her into the street, where people are waiting with cameras. Cameras Logan promptly—and shockingly—flees.
Alexis is bewildered until suddenly pictures of her and Logan escaping the fire are all over the internet. Turns out Logan is none other than Logan Arthur, the hotshot candidate challenging the Texas governor’s seat. The salacious scandal is poised to sink his career—and jeopardize Alexis’s job—until a solution is proposed: he and Alexis could pretend to be in a relationship until election day…in two months. What could possibly go wrong?
“Winstead brings both hilarity and heartfelt moments to this rousing rom-com. Readers will cheer Alexis on her path to discovering her inner strength and swoon over idealistic Logan. This is a winner.”—Publishers Weekly, *STARRED review*
“This is a fast-paced, hard-to-put-down novel whose happily-ever-after isn’t what readers will expect; it’s better.”—Library Journal, *STARRED review*
“Mixing political and romantic intrigue, Winstead’s novel combines the darker side of politics with the lighter side of life. With a few steamy encounters and a ripped-from-the-headlines feel, The Boyfriend Candidate will appeal to fans of Lianne Moriarty, Ellen Meister, Amy Mason Doan, and anyone looking for a little more escapism in their political diet.”—Booklist
https://amzn.to/42OjJ9m
While I wouldn’t say I like politics, I am assiduously invested in what is happening in this country. I am well aware of the Texas governor and the contempt he holds for people who are BIPOC or immigrants and the man who tried (unsuccessfully) to take him down, Beto O’Rourke. This book is a true delight with a kinder, gentler view of Texas politics.
Alexis is devastated when her boyfriend dumps her and tells her she is lousy in bed. She decides the best way to get over him is to get under someone else, a one-night-stand, something she has never done before. She meets Logan in a bar and there is a really strong attraction between them. She goes with him to a hotel, prepared to take the plunge into sex with a stranger, when the fire alarm goes off and everyone is forced to evacuate. What she doesn’t understand is why he takes off as soon as he sees the cameras, but it’s too late. A photo of him carrying her out of the building is everywhere.
Turns out Logan is a young, good-looking politician running against the Republican governor. Being caught out like this could detonate his political future, so he and his team come up with a plan, if they can get Alexis on board, Logan and Alexis will pretend to be in a relationship until election day, two months down the road.
I always enjoy the fake dating trope, especially because I know where it will end, and this one has a bit more depth than most. Alexis is a shy, introverted librarian who is not used to being in the spotlight at all. She agrees to the fake dating but is soon feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the attention. Logan has a reputation as a player, but in truth, he is over it. Alexis is the first woman to grab his attention in a while.
As the race heats up, so does their relationship. There are hurdles galore and a lot of laughs along with the heat, making this a terrific, fast-paced, unputdownable romance. Don’t miss it!
6/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
THE BOYFRIEND CANDIDATE by Ashley Winstead. Graydon House; Original edition (May 9, 2023). ISBN: 978-1525804960. 384p.
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