Audiobook Sunday: HARD TO FAKE by Piper Lawson

September 7, 2025

Dual narration by Simone Lewis & Tim Paige

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Denver Kodiaks, Book 1 

From the publisher:

It’s not every day you ask your older brother’s teammate to be your fake boyfriend. But desperate times call for gorgeous, impulsive measures.

Miles Garrett is a pro basketball player with a heartstopping smile and infamous cocky charm. But to me, he’s always been more than a celebrity. Miles is the guy who puts friends and family first…and my college crush.

When my sorority sister decides to bring my ex to our reunion, I need a plus-one who can have my back and save my pride. Asking Miles is the perfect solution.

Until he raises the stakes for both of us.

He says he’s only playing to win. He’ll be the best fake boyfriend I’ve ever had.

But his gaze hunts mine across a crowded room. He protects me with a fierceness that steals my breath. Our just-for-show kisses ignite a wildfire inside me.

I’m fighting feelings that have been simmering for years. Soon our pretend relationship starts feeling dangerously legit…Because it’s hard to fake what’s always been real.

Tropes include: teammate’s little sister, brother’s best friend, fake dating, pro athlete hero, cinnamon roll hero, he’d do anything for her, sassy heroine, college crush, only one bed.

Hard to Fake is a pro basketball romance with banter, spice, and all the swoony vibes. It’s the first book in the Denver Kodiaks series. You’ll want to binge Miles and Brooke’s entire addictive story today!

Want even more Denver Kodiaks? Listen to the King of the Court series for Clay and Nova’s story! (It is NOT necessary to listen to King of the Court before listening to Denver Kodiaks):

1. Game Changer
2. Shot Taker
3. Play Maker
4. Game Day

https://amzn.to/3I47tgr

This author was new to me, as was a basketball romance. I tend to love sports romances, especially hockey, football, and baseball, as those are the sports I watch. I am not a basketball fan, but I’ll watch when the Miami Heat or the NY teams make it to the playoffs.

I also have a very tall brother (6’5″) who loves basketball and only stopped playing recreationally after a couple of hospitalizations, when his doctor insisted on it. My nephew is 6’7″, although he played baseball until he finally decided he didn’t want to play it professionally.

I was invited to a dinner at the annual American Library Association conference several years ago and was seated next to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. They actually had to move the room where the cocktail party started because the ceiling was too low for him – these guys are tall! Just FYI, Jabbar writes a terrific mystery series based on Sherlock Holmes’ brother, Mycroft Holmes. Anyway, I mention all this because the main character, Miles, is a professional basketball player who I believe was described as being 6’4″, which is on the short side for a pro.

Brooke is our female protagonist—a struggling influencer whose mother has just cut off her financial support. Her brother plays for the fictional Colorado Kodiak NBA team, and his best friend and teammate is Miles.

Initially, I found Brooke difficult to connect with. She came across as whiny and entitled, two traits that really grate on me as a reader. However, she’s also hardworking and clearly going through a difficult period, so I decided to stick with her story. As an influencer desperately needing to secure a major account to stabilize her finances, Brooke gets a promising opportunity when one of her sorority sisters, who runs a wildly successful clothing line, begins looking for new influencer partnerships.

Brooke was already planning to attend her sorority reunion weekend when disaster strikes—she discovers that one of her sorority sisters is bringing Brooke’s ex-boyfriend as her date. This sends Brooke into full panic mode. The weekend is crucial for her career prospects, but now she feels she needs a fake date to help her save face when confronting her ex.

Enter Miles—her brother’s best friend, teammate, and the man Brooke has harbored a crush on for years. To her amazement, Miles readily agrees to the fake dating scheme. As they spend time together preparing for the weekend, genuine feelings begin to develop between them. Their chemistry felt authentic and compelling, and I found myself genuinely invested in their relationship.

Unfortunately, this investment made the ending all the more frustrating. The book concludes with a cliffhanger, completely violating romance’s cardinal rule: the guaranteed happily ever after (HEA). This kind of ending is enough to make me swear off both this series and this author entirely.

On the audiobook front, the narration was excellent. Tim Paige, whom I know from his work on Rebecca Yarros’s romances, delivered another solid performance. Simone Lewis was new to me, but she also did outstanding work—I’d happily listen to both narrators again in future projects.

9/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

HARD TO FAKE by Piper Lawson. Narrators: Simone Lewis & Tim Paige. Piper Lawson Books. August 1, 2025. Listening Length: 5 hours and 32 minutes.

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HE FALLS FIRST by Jill Shalvis

September 5, 2025

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Colburn Brothers, Book 1

From the publisher:

No one is going to convince her to fall in love again…

Penny Rose has learned her lesson and now she’s paying the price. That’s why she’s sharing a dilapidated house in a tiny California town with her feisty grandmother and tween brother living off the leftovers from her catering job. It’s a far cry from her dream life. But who needs dreams… or love… or sex when there’s amateur plumbing projects to tackle and breakfast casseroles to bake?

One thing’s for sure, she’s never falling in love again. Not even with the sexy, snarky contractor who keeps testing the walls she’s built.

Ryder Colburn has his hands full running the family business and caring for the ailing father who’s a virtual stranger from the cold, heavy-handed man he used to be. He’s got zero free time for hobbies or women. Or so he thinks until one walks into his life… and the path of an oncoming car.

Ryder doesn’t mind playing the hero for the skittish, independent woman. Maybe it’s the secrets in her eyes or the scar on her chin. Whatever the reason, he’s compelled to get closer.

“Readers of this funny, sweet, and sexy romance will be thrilled that Ryder has siblings, who will doubtless be featured in future adventures in Star Falls.” ― Booklist

https://amzn.to/47k2NgN

He Falls First is a heartfelt, slow-burn contemporary romance infused with humor and warmth. Set in a charming small town in California, the story introduces Penny, a caterer who moves into her Gran’s run-down house to help raise her tween-age brother. Fresh off a painful breakup, Penny has sworn off men and romance, choosing instead to focus on her family, baking, and DIY home projects.

Enter Ryder Colburn, a man with equally full hands. Between caring for his ailing father, managing the family construction business, and wrangling his unruly brothers, romance is the last thing on his mind. There is a legend in this town that anyone who sees a shooting star with three stars will soon find their soul mate. When Ryder and his brothers witness the phenomenon, they all pretend they hadn’t seen it because romance isn’t on their radar. But when Ryder takes on Penny’s home improvement project, she captures not just his attention—but his heart completely. What follows is his spectacular fall into love.

One of the most refreshing aspects of the story is Ryder’s patience and the couple’s unconventional approach to romance. By removing the pressure of dating, they create space to truly understand each other—quirks, triggers, and all.

Penny’s journey is equally moving. She finds a sense of home not just in Ryder, but in his brothers and the eccentric small-town community that embraces her. The found family trope shines here, offering a comforting sense of belonging and acceptance. Watching Penny heal from past trauma—and seeing Ryder do the same—makes their love story all the more rewarding.

He Falls First marks a strong beginning to the Colburn Brothers trilogy. With not one but two epilogues teasing future installments, the story leaves readers eager for more. The writing is engaging and emotionally rich, balancing lighthearted moments with deeper themes of healing, trust, and love. This captivating romance comes highly recommended for readers who enjoy contemporary love stories seasoned with humor, wit, and genuine emotional depth.

9/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

HE FALLS FIRST by Jill Shalvis. Sourcebooks Casablanca. (August 5, 2025). ISBN: 978-1464243899. 352p.

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THE SWEET LIFE by Debbie Mason

September 5, 2025

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Sunshine Bay, Book 3

From the publisher:

Sometimes you can go home again . . .
 
Attorney Sage Rosetti is a force to be reckoned with. Work/life balance? Never heard of it. But when the unexpected loss of her mentor sends her spiraling, she’s prescribed a healthy dose of time off. Luckily, she’s just inherited the perfect home where she can recover. Unluckily, she’s now co-owners with her high school crush/nemesis, Jake Walker. How can she truly relax when her heart is at risk?

Sage’s mother, Gia, is dealing with a crisis of her own. A new book is about to reveal their family’s biggest secret—and Gia’s devasting heartbreak. The only person she can confide in is the one man she shouldn’t be getting close to: her sister’s ex.

But just as Sage and Gia are starting to find their paths, someone from Gia’s past resurfaces who could ruin everything they’ve worked so hard to build.

Book 1: Summer on Sunshine Bay
Book 2: Three Little Wishes

https://amzn.to/46dTkXi

Sage Rosetti is a driven attorney whose life is consumed by her work advocating for the abused and mistreated. Her dedication leaves little room for anything else—no relationships, no vacations, no personal time. But everything changes with one unexpected loss.

When Sage learns that her beloved mentor, Alice, has gone missing, she rushes back to the small town of Sunshine Bay. There, she’s devastated to discover that Alice has passed away. In her will, Alice leaves Sage her home, law practice, and lavender farm. Sage plans to retreat into this inherited sanctuary—but she soon learns the house comes with a surprise co-owner: someone from her past.

Jake, once a troubled teen with abusive parents, was taken in by Alice, who gave him love, stability, and the tools to succeed. He also happens to be Sage’s high school crush—and to her surprise, the feeling was mutual. As Sage and Jake navigate their shared inheritance, old emotions, lingering insecurities, and outside pressures threaten to unravel the fragile bond they’re beginning to rebuild.

Meanwhile, Sage’s mother, Gia, is rediscovering her passion for painting. She’s also developing feelings for Flynn—her sister’s ex. But just as Gia begins to embrace happiness, her sister publishes a tell-all book exposing long-buried family secrets. The resurfacing of old wounds and familiar faces threatens to shatter the peace Gia has fought to reclaim.

This story weaves together family dynamics, romance, laughter, tears, passion, and a touch of mystery—all the beautiful chaos that makes up life’s sweetest moments. It’s a heartwarming family saga with romantic elements that creates a comforting, deeply satisfying read. Now I need to track down the earlier books in the series and catch up on all the drama I’ve missed.

9/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE SWEET LIFE by Debbie Mason. Forever. (June 10, 2025). ISBN: 978-1538768792. 336p.

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Spotlight Review: STORY OF MY LIFE by Lucy Score

September 2, 2025

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Story Lake, Book 1

From the publisher:

Brand new small town romance from #1 New York Times bestseller Lucy Score.

A Gilmore Girls meets Schitt’s Creek redemption romcom. What’s more inspiring to a romcom author than a hot, grumpy contractor literally knocking down walls?

Hazel Hart was a successful romance novelist until a breakup drives her straight into writer’s block. Having failed (and failed some more) to deliver her new manuscript, she’s hiding from the world behind a wall of old takeout containers until her publisher lays down the law. If she misses her next deadline it’s The End.

Desperate for inspiration, Hazel impulse-buys a historic home online and flees Manhattan to tiny Story Lake, PA. Upon her dramatic arrival―involving an incident with a bald eagle―she discovers the charm of her new home may have been slightly exaggerated.

The house is a wreck and the town is struggling after their biggest employer shut down. Also, since her raccoon-infested home came with a seat on the town council our introverted heroine is stuck with a front row seat to all the small-town shenanigans.

But Hazel isn’t worried. Not since all six-feet-three inches of grouchy contractor Campbell Bishop slapped a bandage on her forehead and unintentionally inspired the heck out of her. There’s only one thing to do: Hire Cam and his equally gorgeous brothers to renovate her new spider museum…er…house.

Okay two things. A fake date for “research purposes” will really put her work-in-progress on track. Before Hazel knows it, she’s writing a romance novel and living one. At least until the drywall dust settles, the town she’s falling in love with faces bankruptcy, and growly Cam remembers why he can’t live happily ever after.

Author’s Note: “This series is my love letter to every reader who said they wanted to move to a fictional town.”

**Don’t miss out on the stunning, limited DELUXE EDITION, while supplies last, featuring gorgeous designed edges, spot gloss on the cover, a map and chapter POV art.

https://amzn.to/47me4xj

This is the first book of a new series and was the start of my reading block! I loved this book, and when I was finished, I tried to move on to the next new book I had for review. I kept picking up new books and putting them down. Nothing was holding my attention, so I did a deep dive into Lucy Score’s backlist – reviews to follow! It took half a dozen books or so until I was ready to move on to a new author.

Hazel, a bestselling romance writer, finds herself facing a perfect storm of life changes: a fresh divorce, the loss of her New York City apartment, and a devastating case of writer’s block. In a moment of impulse, she dips into her savings to purchase a house in a tiny Pennsylvania hamlet—a purchase that unexpectedly comes with a seat on the town council.

Reality hits hard when Hazel arrives to discover her new home bears little resemblance to the charming fixer-upper she imagined. It’s a dilapidated mess, complete with a resident raccoon and more spiders than she’d care to count. Still, the town has one saving grace: a highly recommended contractor.

Enter Cam, the local contractor who’s as gorgeous as he is grumpy. Despite his surly attitude, his presence seems to unlock Hazel’s creative block. Desperate to keep her writing mojo flowing, she proposes they fake date. Cam thinks the idea is ridiculous, but Hazel’s charm gradually wears down his resistance.

What starts as a pretend romance soon turns into something real, filled with sizzling tension, hilarious moments, and heartwarming growth. This is a delightful fish-out-of-water romantic comedy where their fake relationship turns steamy, and the quirky townsfolk provide endless entertainment in the best possible way. The story builds to a satisfying happy ending that left me eager for more.

This is classic Score—fun, heartwarming, and populated with lovably eccentric small-town characters. Fair warning: like her other books, this one includes explicit intimate scenes, so readers who prefer fade-to-black romance might want to look elsewhere or skip those pages. For me, it was pure enjoyment from start to finish, and I’m already anticipating the sequel.

9/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

STORY OF MY LIFE by Lucy Score. Bloom Books (March 11, 2025). ISBN: 978-1728297057. 528p.

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BookBitch Diary: September 1, 2025

September 1, 2025

Hope you’re having a fun Labor Day! I am very glad to have the day, especially since I’m filling in for our Saturday librarian, so I will only have to work five days in a row instead of six. Yay Labor Day!

I hit a reading wall last week. As you all know, I read a lot, all the time. I usually have at least three books going at any time: the book I am reading during the day and into the evening, the book I am listening to, and another that I read when I go to bed. I generally read just a chapter or two in bed, so it takes a while to finish one of those books. Audiobooks have been great for me since my vision is going, and I’m glad I’ve finally found audiobooks that hold my attention. My daily reading includes the hour I am forced to take for lunch, so I get a lot of reading in. These are books that are generally not out yet; they are review copies or galleys, and depending on the book, I usually read 3-5 of these a week. But last week, every book I started, I put down again. I just couldn’t get into anything, and I blame Lucy Score!

I had stumbled upon the last book of her Blue Moon series, loved it, and went back and read the entire series. After that, nothing was appealing to me. I went to my library’s reading apps and found some older books by her that I hadn’t read, and that seemed to work. I read a standalone, Rock Bottom Girl, then I found the first book of the Benevolence series in Kindle Unlimited, and now I’m on the second book of that series. Reviews to follow!

I had put Julie Soto’s last book on hold at my library. I loved her first couple of books, but the new one is a romantasy, a genre that has taken over the romance industry, but I am not a fan. I’ve read a couple, and since her last book made my best books of the year list last year, and this new one has hit the NY Times bestseller list and is blowing up everywhere, I decided to give it a try. Well, it came in for me the other day, and I read the first couple of pages and closed it. I may go back to it if it is still available, but I am finishing the second Benevolence book, and there is a third, so maybe after that I’ll try again.

Have any of you ever run into this type of situation? Where every book you pick up, you put down because it isn’t holding your attention? I think it happened this time because Lucy Score, and also, I was listening to a book that I didn’t like. But it was on the LibraryReads list, and had great reviews, so I kept plugging along. Finally, at about the 75% point of the book, I put it down and started another audiobook instead. Hopefully, I’ll go back and finish it. It seems kind of silly to get that far in a book and not finish.

This seems to happen to me once every few years or so, and sometimes I get out of it by rereading an old favorite or reading something completely out of my usual genres, like romantasy. But this time, neither of those worked, and I’m hoping that I will get through my obsession with Lucy Score and be able to move on. All suggestions welcome!

I love Disney World. I went to Disneyland for the first time when I was fourteen years old. I was about eighteen when I went to Disney World for the first time, and I’ve been many times over the years. It keeps getting more and more expensive. I’m not the only one who noticed – check out this opinion piece in the New York Times. I

t made me feel so sad to read this. In 2023, we took my grandson at Christmas; in fact, we went to the Magic Kingdom on a drizzly Christmas Day, and it was great. He was not quite three years old yet, and maybe he won’t remember it, I don’t know. Now his sister is almost that age, so maybe we’ll go back next year when they both can enjoy it. I’d better start saving now – one day in the park, staying off-site at an Airbnb, meals, etc., all add up to a ridiculous amount of money. But I want to create those memories for my grandchildren, so that’s my choice.

Book News

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A look at how fan fiction is changing publishing and reading

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A Tour of Adriana Trigiani’s Home Library

Food News

The salad I’m obsessed with!

I found this recipe in the NY Times Cooking App, Prosciutto and Melon Salad. Now that is a classic pairing, but this salad took it further than just wrapping wedges of melon with prosciutto. It put it on a bed of arugula mixed with a bit of fresh basil, added some lemon juice and olive oil, and fresh mozzarella.

I am allergic to melon, but I have an amazing mango tree, and I thought the flavors would work together, so I tried that. I was right, it worked beautifully. Then I started reading some of the comments, one of my favorite things about the NYT Cooking app, and I saw someone recommended skipping the lemon and using balsamic vinegar instead. Since I love balsamic, especially with fresh mozzarella and basil, I tried it, and that was the winner for me. My mango tree has stopped producing, but peaches and nectarines are fantastic right now, so I pivoted. I’ve been making this salad probably once a week all summer. If you’re vegetarian, skip the prosciutto. If you’re vegan, skip the cheese, too. Enjoy!

Good News

As always, thanks for reading, and stay safe.

Thanks to The New York Times for allowing me to “gift” my readers with free access to these articles, a lovely perk for subscribers.

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