Stacy Alesi

Spotlight Review: HARDLY A GENTLEMAN by Eloisa James

April 29, 2025

Accidental Brides, Book 2

From the publisher:

New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James returns to the Accidental Brides series with a romance about a forced marriage between a feisty heroine and a Scottish laird… neither of whom have plans to marry, let alone fall in love.

Desperate after her Season comes to a spectacularly disastrous end, the Honorable Miss Clara Vetry jumps into a carriage hired to take a housekeeper to Scotland.

The laird of Castle CaerLaven has no interest in a wife, especially a love match—but when Caelan sees his new housekeeper, he changes his mind. Marriage to a delectable bookworm strikes him as a perfect arrangement.

To his surprise, Clara refuses his proposal once…and again…yet again.

When her true identity is revealed, and they’re forced to marry, Caelan realizes he has a far more crucial challenge.

He finally has Clara’s hand—but how will he ever win her heart?

“With a fast-paced plot, dynamic leads, and plenty of heat, this proves unputdownable.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“The second in James’s “Accidental Bride” series will be an instant favorite of friends-to-lovers romance fans, and readers of the first book, Viscount in Love, will delight in this sequel.” — Library Journal (starred review)

“James cleverly constructs another whimsically witty addition to her superbly entertaining Accidental Brides series that is graced with a delightfully book-obsessed heroine with a flair for designing animal-inspired drawstring bags and a smolderingly sexy Scottish hero with a penchant for clothes-free fly-fishing.” — Booklist

“James has long been one of the masters of zany, witty Regencies, and for much of the story she’s in top form. The second novel in her Accidental Brides series starts strong, with a setting that fans of Scottish romances will fall for… James’ many fans will be happy to add this laird to their shelves.” — Kirkus Reviews

https://amzn.to/3GdNrPr

James remains my favorite author of historical romances, and usually they are set in England. This time, the English lady, Clara, has a problem. She is not built like most aristocrats; she is not thin and willowy, but rather curvy instead. Unfortunately, she catches the eye of the very married crown Prince, and his lewd behavior towards her is unsettling, to say the least. He makes it well known that he is waiting for her to marry so that he may make her his mistress, and no one wants to marry her under those circumstances. Things come to a head when the very drunk Prince paws at her, shredding her gown, and she hits him, which is simply not done. Now in disgrace, Clara’s mother is beside herself and decides to send Clara to live with an aged aunt she’s never met in Scotland. Instead, Clara decides to take herself on an adventure. Instead of boarding the coach to her aunt’s home along with her maid, she convinces a hired coach that she is the housekeeper he has been sent to fetch back to Scotland.

Clara has never lifted a finger to do any kind of manual labor, but she is bright and friendly and doesn’t mind the idea of hard work. Clara is a dreamer and a lover of books, but she gets lost in her stories and tends to romanticize life because of that. When she arrives at the castle in the Scottish Highlands, it is exactly what she always dreamed of living in. What she hadn’t dreamed of is the Scottish laird who is buck naked and fishing in the loch behind the castle.

Caelan lost his wife a few years earlier and they never had children. His sister lives nearby with her family, and she is growing concerned about how he is living. Most of the staff has taken off, leaving the housekeeper who is a terrible cook and robbing him blind. She is fired, and his sister sends to England for a new housekeeper. There isn’t anyone in Scotland who would consent to work in the castle – it is in deplorable shape, filthy and overrun with vermin. And that is what Clara is entering into.

Caelan is bright, well-read, and wealthy, but that isn’t apparent to Clara. She thinks he’s poor because his clothes are dingy and not maintained, and of course, there is the condition of the house. Eventually, they both realize the truth about one another and a great friendship is formed. Except Caelan wants more – he wants to marry Clara but she is not having him. The romantic in her wants a man who will fall madly in love with her, and Caelan readily admits that while he feels lusty towards her, love is not on the table.

When one of their neighbors, a British couple, sees them in church, the jig is up. It turns out the lady is Clara’s sister’s best friend, and she is appalled that Clara has been living unchaperoned with Caelan. The next thing you know, they are married, and Clara is in big trouble – she has fallen head over heels in love with her husband.

Caelan has this reputation as a tragic figure, but it’s really not true. He and Clara delight in one another’s company, whether they are reading, fishing, eating, or kissing. Lots and lots of kissing. There is so much joy here, some serious heat, and a very happy ending. This terrific sequel may be read on its own, and I loved it.

Note: I hated this cover for the same reason I hated the cover of the first book in the series, Viscount in Love. This is a historical romance, and you really can’t tell from the cover. The male model has trimmed chest hair, like that was a thing in the early 1800s, and where the hell is his kilt??

4/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

HARDLY A GENTLEMAN by Eloisa James. Avon (April 29, 2025). ISBN: 978-0063347465. 384p.

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Audiobook Sunday: WHEN WE BURN by Kristen Proby

April 27, 2025

Read by Erin Mallon & Sean Masters

The Blackwells of Montana, Book 1

From the publisher:

From New York Times Bestselling author Kristen Proby comes When We Burn, a single-dad, friends-to-lovers, small-town romance, and the first in the Blackwells of Montana series, set in Bitterroot Valley!

Bridger: I’m her safe place. I always have been. The torment that Dani Lexington went through at the hands of her father was something no child should have had to endure. But I was the lucky one she turned to. Our age difference and the fact that her brother was my best friend kept her off-limits, even though something was always there, lingering under the surface. But when she was old enough, she left Bitterroot Valley, and I was forced to move on with my life. I got married and had my little girl. Now, I’m a single dad, focused on my job as fire chief and making sure my daughter stays healthy after a mysterious illness has plagued her for the past year. But after Dani’s father dies, she returns to Bitterroot Valley and is now living across the street from my daughter and me. Dani’s no longer a child. No longer off limits. This time, I won’t let anything or anyone stop me from being her safe place again.

Dani: I’ve been in love with Bridger Blackwell for as long as I can remember. He’s a smoke show, kind, and gives the best hugs in the world. But best of all? He’s everything my sorry excuse for a father wasn’t. Now, I’m back in Bitterroot Valley, living across the street from Bridger and his adorable daughter. It doesn’t take long for all those old feelings to come rushing back, and every cell in my body knows that I belong with them. That they’re mine. Bridger’s arms are where I feel safest. They feel like home. I’m growing to depend on him, to truly love him and his daughter. But I have deep-rooted baggage, and Bridger’s past has decided to rear its ugly head. Will we survive this, or is our relationship doomed from the start?

https://amzn.to/43zu8tA

This book touches on child abuse and animal abuse; those parts were very difficult to read and may be triggering to some.

Bridger and his family were always Dani’s safe haven when her childhood became too chaotic, thanks to her deeply troubled father. As her brother’s best friend, Bridger stepped in to protect Dani during those moments when his friend was dealing with their volatile home life. After high school, Dani left town for college, and life took them in different directions.

Bridger had a one-night stand that left his partner pregnant, and he did what he thought was best and married her. Turned out she was not fit to be a mother, and took off before their premature baby even left the hospital, relinquishing her parental rights, and leaving Bridger to raise his baby girl, Birdie, on his own. Years later, Dani returns to town and moves in across the street from Bridger—rekindling a connection that never truly faded. Their lives become even further entangled when Birdie starts kindergarten and Dani is her teacher.

Bridger Blackwell is a fiercely protective, dirty-talking firefighter, and Dani is a resilient, emotionally complex woman still navigating the scars of her past. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and their banter helps lighten the story a bit. Birdie is a standout character, and her bond with Dani is heartwarming. The warmth of their extended families adds richness and support to the story, making the emotional moments hit even harder. Add in a touch of the “you weren’t old enough for me then” trope, and you’ve got a powerful, emotionally charged romance that’s impossible to put down.

I enjoyed listening to the audiobook. Sean Masters was perfect in voicing Bridger, and Erin Mallon truly captured Dani. Together, they did an excellent job bringing this book to life. I borrowed this audiobook through my public library’s app, Hoopla.

4/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

WHEN WE BURN by Kristen Proby. Narrators: Erin Mallon & Sean Masters. Dreamscape Media. February 20, 2025. Listening Length: 8 hours and 45 minutes.

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UNLIKELY STORY by Ali Rosen

April 25, 2025

From the publisher:

From the author of Recipe for Second Chances comes a swoonworthy romance bursting with wit about a therapist who falls for the wrong man…but perhaps the right one was hiding in the margins all along.

As a relationship therapist, Nora helps patients explore their feelings honestly. But she’s hiding an embarrassing relationship secret of her own: she’s in love with someone she’s never even met.

J edits the advice column Nora’s been writing anonymously for the last seven years. He’s in London, she’s in New York, and they communicate solely through shared files. When he confides that his girlfriend’s out of the picture, and her boss asks her to come to London, Nora takes both as a sign.

But that’s not the only thing on her mind. A client’s ex-boyfriend just moved into her co-op, directly beneath her. Eli blames Nora for his breakup and seems determined to make her life miserable, gleefully planning a noisy renovation.

Yet despite all his bluster, Nora eventually starts to see the softness behind Eli’s brusque, charming exterior…and after a slipup reveals a startling secret, Nora wonders whether someone can be two things at once.

“A swoonworthy romance reminiscent of a Nora Ephron movie. Rosen’s enemies-to-lovers romance is a delightfully modern take on You’ve Got Mail, mixed with the kind of will-they, won’t-they sort-of love triangle that’s the bread and butter of all rom-coms…Readers will be eating it up happily.” ―Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

https://amzn.to/3YsqrST

This was such a fun read! Anything that hints at “You’ve Got Mail” and I’m on board. Nora is a therapist, but she also writes an advice column for a London tabloid. Her editor there, J, offers great critiques and eventually they fall into a pattern of writing each other notes along with the edits, and a friendship is formed. Eventually, Nora realizes that she is falling in love with someone she has never even met. As a therapist, she also sees a therapist, and hers is all for pursuing this long-distance relationship.

Meanwhile, Nora lives in a brownstone and the woman who lived in the apartment above hers has passed away. Most of the owners in this building are older and have been there forever. When the woman’s grandson moves in, they recognize each other at once. Nora had done couples counseling with Eli and his ex, just a couple of sessions, but that was enough for Eli to blame Nora for his breakup. He ingratiates himself with the board members who remember him visiting his grandmother for summers while he was growing up. When he starts renovating, he doesn’t seem to mind disturbing Nora; in fact, he relishes it. But Nora has a dog that has anxiety issues, and the noise isn’t helping.

Eventually, they end up getting to know one another better, Eli backs off the noisy renovations at night, and they form a friendship. Now, Nora is torn; she still has strong feelings for her editor, but she is also starting to fall for Eli. When she is invited to London to meet the new boss, she is delighted that she will also get to meet her editor, but things don’t go as planned, and there is a surprise in store for Nora. I couldn’t help but see it coming, but it was still fun seeing how things were going to work out. If you want a light, engaging read with some humor and a bit of heat, look no further. Highly recommend!

4/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

UNLIKELY STORY by Ali Rosen. Montlake (March 1, 2025). ISBN: 978-1662527920. 318p.

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Spotlight Review: ANY TROPE BUT YOU by Victoria Lavine

April 22, 2025

From the publisher:

A bestselling romance author flees to Alaska to reinvent herself and write her first murder mystery, but the rugged resort proprietor soon has her fearing she’s living in a rom-com plot instead in this earnestly spectacular debut by a stunning new voice.

Beloved romance author Margot Bradley has a dark secret: she doesn’t believe in Happily Ever Afters. Not for herself, not for her readers, and not even for her characters, for whom she secretly writes alternate endings that swap weddings and babies for divorce papers and the occasional slashed tire. When her Happily Never After document is hacked and released to the public, she finds herself canceled by her readers and dropped by her publisher.

Desperate to find a way to continue supporting her chronically ill sister, Savannah, Margot decides to trade meet-cutes for murder. The fictional kind. Probably. But when Savannah books Margot a six-week stay in a remote Alaskan resort to pen her first murder mystery, Margot finds herself running from a moose and leaping into the arms of the handsome proprietor, making her fear she’s just landed in a romance novel instead.

The last thing Dr. Forrest Wakefield ever expected was to leave his dream job as a cancer researcher to become a glorified bellhop. What he’s really doing at his family’s resort is caring for his stubborn, ailing father, and his puzzle-loving mind is slowly freezing over—until Margot shows up. But Forrest doesn’t have any room in his life for another person he could lose, especially one with a checkout date.

As long snowy nights and one unlikely trope after another draw Margot and Forrest together, they’ll each have to learn to overcome their fears and set their aside assumptions before Margot leaves—or risk becoming a Happily Never After story themselves.

“Lavine turns many of the common romance novel tropes on their heads in this stunning debut. Top-notch banter will have readers laughing out loud as they root for Margot to finally achieve her own happily-ever-after.”—Library Journal, starred review, Romance Debut of the Month

“A love letter to ‘romancelandia’ and the tropes it celebrates.”—LibraryReads Top Ten Books for April 2025

“In Lavine’s often humorous, sometimes heart-wrenching debut, a jaded romance author navigates a slew of rom-com tropes…It’s sweet to watch the leads bond over their mutual understanding of caretaking and sacrifice. Readers will have no trouble rooting for this pair’s happy ending.”—Publishers Weekly

“This debut romance is beautifully written, nicely balancing humor and heat with realistic drama and conflict…Margot and Forrest’s roles as caretakers to their relatives ground the story in deeper emotion and lead to refreshing attitude shifts and insights for the characters.”—Kirkus

https://amzn.to/4cv9HAx

If this is a debut, Lavine knocked it out of the park. I hesitate to validate that because I’ve been burned too many times before by publishers (usually it’s the publisher) creating a “debut author” by changing the name of an established author. A new name does not a new author make. But I did my due diligence and searched the Library of Congress Authorities, and Lavine appears to be a debut author. Yay!

This was a very clever premise for a romance. The main character, Margot, is a best-selling romance writer who has been burned by relationships to the point where she is a complete skeptic about romance – but she keeps those thoughts to herself. She is beloved by her readers until someone hacks her computer and shares her “Happily Never After” file with the internet. This is a file where she writes what her cynical heart truly believes to be more realistic endings to her novels; instead of happily ever afters, there is violence, divorce, etc. Her fans are outraged and Margot is canceled, and her publisher drops her.

Margot is mortified and totally despondent. Her sister arranges for Margot to spend six weeks at a “resort” in a small town in Alaska, but when she gets there, Margot quickly realizes this is no luxury resort but rather a backwoods lodge, ready for ice fishing, snowshoeing, and hiking through snowy mountains, none of which appeal to Margot. But her sister has thought this through, and she is stuck but good. There’s no internet or cell service, so she can’t even call her sister to berate her.

Forrest runs the inn along with his incapacitated dad and the hotel manager. They have several regular guests staying with them who are there for adventure, and Margot’s sister has roped her into trying some of these events. For every event she completes, Forrest has a letter from her sister for Margot. Margot has always taken care of her sister, who has severe health issues, and she really needs the income from another book to help pay medical bills. So Margot decides to write a mystery, seeing if she can capture the same magic as her romance novels did. Her agent is on board, but the first problem is that Margot is not really familiar with the mystery genre or the terminology generally used in those types of books, and without the internet, she is sort of stuck. But she plots and schemes and writes anyway, figuring she’ll fix any technicalities later.

Meanwhile, Margot and Forrest spend time together, and the attraction is real. They go through several romance tropes, laughing all the way from no connection with the outside world for six weeks to forced proximity to enemies-to-lovers to sleeping in one tent and so forth, and it is a brilliant plot device. This is a laugh-out-loud romcom with some real heat, and it is definitely going to make my list of the best books of the year. Don’t miss it!

4/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

ANY TROPE BUT YOU by Victoria Lavine. Atria Books (April 1, 2025). ISBN: 978-1668079270. 336p.

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Audiobook Sunday: MR. BROODY by Piper Rayne

April 20, 2025

Read by JF Harding, Brooke Bloomingdale, Sean Masters, Connor Crais, Troy Duran, Teddy Hamilton, & CJ Bloom

The Nest, Book 2

From the author:

I’ve loved Henry Hensley since I was seven years old. We’ve gone from best friends to lovers to nothing.

To most people, he’s the Chicago Falcons starting right winger and hot single dad, but to me, he’s my first boyfriend, my first kiss, my first love.

Eight years ago, that all changed when our lives took us in two different directions. Our break-up almost broke me, so I kept my distance until our hometown called me back to where our story began.

I promised myself a quick visit to help my family out, and then I’d leave town before he even knew I was back, which should have been easy. He’s way too busy being a professional hockey player and raising his son to ever find out.

Of course, I’m only in town for a week before I run into him, and one thing is clear from our brief encounter—Henry wants to hash out our past, whereas I’d rather forget it.

But my plan really goes up in flames when I take a temporary substitute teaching job, and on day one, his son walks into my classroom. Boom.

https://amzn.to/4cmqMfV

This story centers on Jade and Henry and is a second-chance romance. They dated in high school and after, but they went in different directions, so they broke up. Henry has an adorable young son, Bohdi, and he even gets some of his own chapters, which is really sweet.

Jade is back in Chicago but hopes to avoid Henry, meaning she runs into him immediately. She takes a job as a substitute teacher, and of course, Bohdi is in her class. There is no escape for these two, and they start talking and it quickly becomes apparent that there are still feelings there. Bohdi is all for it; he wants them to get together, so that’s helpful in avoiding the usual kid hates the new woman issue in so many single-parent romances.

I loved the humor here; it helped lighten the tension a bit, and there was plenty of tension between Henry and Jade! This is a great second chance romance, and the hockey was just an added bonus for me. While this can definitely be read as a standalone, I think it’s more meaningful when following the first book.

This is a Full Cast production in Duet Style, which I really loved. Basically, it is read more like a play, with each actor reading a specific role, rather than dual style, with two actors alternating chapters. JF Harding and Brooke Bloomingdale lead an incredible cast featuring Sean Masters, Connor Crais, Troy Duran, Teddy Hamilton, and CJ Bloom. Their performances brought the story to life in such an engaging way that I can’t recommend this audiobook series highly enough. This book is an entertaining escape with heat, heart, and humor. I loved it.

4/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

MR. BROODY by Piper Rayne. Narrators: JF Harding, Brooke Bloomingdale, Sean Masters, Erin Mallon, Connor Crais, Troy Duran, Teddy Hamilton, & CJ Bloom. Piper Rayne Inc.; December 26, 2024. Listening Length: 9 hours and 13 minutes.

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THE INFLUENCERS by Anna-Marie McLemore

April 18, 2025

From the publisher:

A social media influencer’s empire is burned to the ground—literally. The top suspects? The five daughters who made her famous.

What do you really know about the people you’ve made famous?

“Mother May I” Iverson has spent the past twenty-five years building a massively successful influencer empire with endearing videos featuring her five mixed-race daughters. But the girls are all grown up now, and the ramifications of having their entire childhoods commodified start to spill over into public view, especially in light of the pivotal question: Who killed May’s newlywed husband and then torched her mansion to cover it up?

April is a businesswoman feuding with her mother over intellectual property; twins June and July are influencers themselves, threatening to overtake May’s spotlight; January is a theater tech who steers clear of her mother and the limelight; and the youngest . . . well, March has somehow completely disappeared. As the days pass post-murder, everyone has an opinion—the sisters, May, a mysterious “friend of the family,” and the collective voice of the online audience watching the family’s every move—with suspicion flying every direction.

A campy and escapist exploration of race, gender, sexuality, and class, The Influencers is an evisceration of influencer culture and how alienating traditional expectations can be, ripe for the current moment when the first generation of children made famous by their parents are, now, all grown up—and looking for retribution.
https://amzn.to/4feobEH

Anna-Marie McLemore, an award-winning young adult author (Flawless Girls,) pens The Influencers, their stellar debut novel for adults. May Iverson has been a social media influencer since her five children were babies, and they all grew up on camera. This dysfunctional family lives a life of extreme wealth and privilege, but that doesn’t seem to be enough for May. Her children are of mixed race and decidedly mixed feelings about living their lives in public. All are grown, the youngest has disappeared, and May has remarried. Told through various points of view, including each of the family members and their followers, the story opens with May’s husband found dead and a fire raging through the enormous house. This is a gimlet-eyed look at how social media has infiltrated our culture and society, with the murder mystery as the fulcrum. Everyone is a suspect, everyone has a theory, and May’s life will never be the same again.

Verdict: A compelling read, rather like watching a train wreck. Recommend to fans of the Kardashians and books like Kevin Wilson’s The Family Fang.

©Library Journal, 2025

4/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE INFLUENCERS by Anna-Marie McLemore. The Dial Press (April 15, 2025). ISBN: 978-0593729175. 448p.

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Spotlight Review: THE GRIFFIN SISTERS’ GREATEST HITS by Jennifer Weiner

April 15, 2025

From the publisher:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner comes The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits, a deeply moving novel set against the glitz and chaos of early 2000s pop stardom. Equal parts heartfelt family saga and behind-the-scenes look at fame, this is a story about sisters, secrets, and the power of second chances.

Cassie and Zoe Grossberg were thrust into the spotlight as The Griffin Sisters, a pop duo that defined the aughts. Together, they skyrocketed to the top, gracing MTV, SNL, and the cover of Rolling Stone. Cassie, a musical genius who never felt at ease in her own skin, preferred to stay in the shadows. Zoe, full of confidence and craving fame, lived for the stage. But fame has a price, and after one turbulent year, the band abruptly broke up.

Now, two decades later, the sisters couldn’t be further apart. Zoe is a suburban mom warning her daughter Cherry to avoid the spotlight, while Cassie has disappeared from public life entirely. But when Cherry begins unearthing the truth behind their breathtaking rise and infamous breakup, long-buried secrets surface, forcing all three women to confront their choices, their desires, and their complicated bonds.

With richly developed characters, a nostalgic nod to the pop culture of the 2000s, and a resonant tale of ambition, forgiveness, and family, The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits will captivate readers from the first note to the final encore. Whether you’ve followed Jennifer Weiner for years or are discovering her for the first time, this book is a must-read for music lovers, fans of sisterly dramas, and anyone who cherishes a great story of second chances.

“Weiner is at her best when she’s writing about sisters, and her latest (after The Breakaway, 2023) features a memorable pair. A story about the ways those closest to us can hurt us the most deeply, the destructive power of guilt, and the rough road to forgiveness. This is an irresistible, multigenerational tale from a master of her craft. A compelling family drama [that] fans will gobble up.” — Booklist (starred review)

“Irresistible. [Weiner] breathes new life into the love triangle trope and offers a nuanced view of sisterhood’s complexities. [Her] fans will be delighted.” — Publishers Weekly

“Weiner excels at capturing the complex relationships among sisters, mothers, and daughters, and the novel’s nonlinear structure and multiple viewpoints add both nuance and interest. An excellent addition to the current crop of Y2K pop culture–themed novels; this will satisfy Weiner’s many fans.” — Library Journal

“Weiner deftly explores the pop landscape of the early 2000s. Zoe and Cassie are both realistic and flawed characters, each with their own challenges. There’s a compelling and dramatic love triangle here, too, but the true love story is between two sisters and their music. A heartfelt look at sisterhood, forgiveness, and the courage it takes to follow your dreams.” — Kirkus Reviews

Pre-order now to receive the stunning DELUXE LIMITED EDITION—only available on the first printing while supplies last! This collector’s hardcover features unique stenciled edges, specially illustrated endpapers, and a shiny stamped case.

https://amzn.to/4i91h31

I love Jennifer Weiner! I would read her grocery list should she choose to share it. She has this way of drawing the reader into her stories, her worlds, and it’s just magical.

This is ostensibly a story about two sisters who join a band, reach the pinnacle of success, and have a falling out, each going their own way. But it is about so much more than that.

Cassie is a musical prodigy, born to a lower-middle-class family who just doesn’t know what to do with her. She has the voice of an angel and can play anything on the piano. But she’s also painfully shy, and understands that she is different from everyone else, especially her younger sister. Zoe is the pretty one, the “normal” child, but the sisters are close and Zoe makes sure Cassie is included and berates anyone who offends her.

As they get older, Zoe longs for attention and joins a band despite not having much in the way of musical talent. When the band kicks her out on the eve of a “battle of the bands” competition, she is incensed and wants to get even. She persuades Cassie to join her on stage, and with her piano skills and her unbearably beautiful voice, they win the competition. Someone in the audience that night has a relative in the music business, and the next thing you know, they are signed to a record label and are in the studio. The record label hooks them up with a songwriter/guitarist, Russell, and they form a new band. Russell and Cassie are a perfect match, creating beautiful songs together, but Zoe thinks he’s cute and seduces him. Russell is torn between the beautiful Zoe and the immensely talented Cassie, and they all make some bad decisions along the way.

The band breaks up, and Cassie takes off, leaving her family and her career behind. She goes into hiding in the wilds of Alaska, living the spartan life she feels she deserves. Zoe tries to make a solo career with her music, but eventually ends up married and living the suburban mom life. The two sisters don’t talk for twenty years or more. Zoe’s eldest daughter, Cherry, inherited some musical talent and wants to pursue it as a career, but Zoe is adamantly against it. Eventually, Cherry runs away to California and lands a spot on a musical competition reality show. She decides to try to find the aunt she’s never met and manipulate her into helping with her music career.

The story moves back and forth in time and alternates viewpoints between the characters, so we really get to know them and can’t help but root for them. The family dynamics between sisters, then mother and daughter, a love triangle, the music business, and dealing with fame all make for a truly compelling read, and I couldn’t put it down. If you love family sagas, pop culture, or Daisy Jones and the Six, you won’t want to miss this book. I loved it.

4/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE GRIFFIN SISTERS’ GREATEST HITS by Jennifer Weiner. William Morrow (April 8, 2025). ISBN: 978-0063342446. 384p.

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Audiobook Sunday: SOME LIKE IT SCOT by Pepper Basham

April 13, 2025

Read by Joshua Manning & Stina Nielsen

From the publisher:

She lives her life on the fly. His heart is double-knotted to home. Can two different souls create a life together?

Popular travel writer and podcaster Katie Campbell roams the world collecting other people’s stories. She’s built a career as “Miss Adventure,” known for saying yes to anything new—country, food, or experience—and predictably finding those adventures taking a downward turn into misadventures.

Offered the chance to explore her ancestral roots through a three-week Edwardian experience, Katie finds herself immersed in the beauty and eccentricity of Scotland. In her period attire, with traditional foods and activities, the opportunities for misadventures are endless, especially with the presence of a maniacal macaw, a jealous co-worker, and an all-too-surly Scotsman.

Reclusive and protective Graeme MacKerrow doesn’t venture far from his island home. A stoic Scotsman, Graeme’s comfort zone has always been family, and after his sister’s death, he’s even more determined to save the MacKerrow ancestral home and keep those he loves close. The sudden intrusion of a six-foot-one American lass, famous for her traveling misfortunes, was far from his plan.

As this world of folklore, community, and woodworkers-in-kilts tempts Katie to discover her own story, could this one grand series of misadventures lead her directly to where she belongs? And would a settled-in-Scot ever risk loosening his grip on what’s familiar to allow a wanderlust writer a home in his heart? How could their very different worlds share the same page of life’s story when “home” is in two very different places? But maybe home—and the future—isn’t quite what either one imagined it would be. Maybe home is less about a place . . . and more about a person.

https://amzn.to/43zu8tA

I love anything set in Scotland, and this was no exception. I wasn’t exactly sure where – possibly a fictional island near Skye, at least that was my impression. Please feel free to enlighten me! It’s a small island several hours away from Inverness, which I’m guessing was the closest big city. So it’s a small town and a beautiful setting.

Katie has Scottish heritage, and her grandparents often spoke of their life in Scotland. They are both gone, and being in Scotland makes Katie feel closer to them. She is a travel writer, and has been assigned to this small island for a special event. There is a large manor house, and a couple has leased it to present an Edwardian experience to their guests. She is to spend three weeks living like they did in Edwardian times, and Katie is up for it. There are a handful of other guests, including a young man, Mark, who considers Katie a rival. They have both been nominated for a Vision Award for bloggers or podcasters or something, I wasn’t 100% clear on that. Katie won the award the previous year, and Mark is determined to win it this year, no matter what it takes.

Katie goes by Miss Adventure online – get it? Misadventure, due to her clumsiness and unfailing ability to fall into all sorts of unplanned mishaps. Scotland is no different. Her first day out wandering she sees an enormous animal which turns out to be a moose, and frightened out of her mind she leaps into the arms of a nearby Scotsman. Graeme is a local artist who creates beautiful wood sculptures. He’s also very good looking and very glad to be holding Katie! Turns out Graeme’s family owns the manor house, and he is in the process of restoring it. They are renting it out to help fund the renovations. Katie has another mishap in the house when an enormous parrot swoops by her, causing her to break the stair railing that Graeme has been working on, so lots of interaction between the grumpy Scot and perky American.

Graeme is hired on to play a butler so he gets to spend a lot of time with Katie. Meanwhile, Katie is getting to know the town and its people, including Graeme’s mother who owns the local bookshop, her friends, and Graeme’s nephew, a young boy named Lachlan. Graeme and Katie have something in common; both have lost their sisters and he is Lachlan’s legal guardian. That cost him his fiancee, so he is no rush for another relationship. But the heart wants what the heart wants.

This was my first listen to a Thomas Nelson book – this publisher specializes in Christian fiction, and I didn’t realize this was theirs when I started it. For the most part, religion doesn’t play much of a role but there are a few mentions here and there, a visit to church, and so forth. As a nice Jewish girl, I didn’t mind it and, in fact, liked some of it. It worked with the story. The characters were interesting and the storyline was fun, and I loved learning more about Scotland. It’s a bumpy road for Katie and Graeme, but eventually they reach their happy ending, and it was so much fun getting there. The narrators did a really good job, especially Manning with his Scottish brogue, which sounded realistic to me, yet I was still able to easily understand him, (which is not always the case.) If you like sweet romances with interesting settings and warm, loveable characters, this is a winner.

4/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

SOME LIKE IT SCOT by Pepper Basham. Narrators: Joshua Manning & Stina Nielsen. Thomas Nelson; April 8, 2025. Listening Length: 12 hours and 29 minutes.

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SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME by Abby Jimenez

April 11, 2025

From the publisher:

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Just for the Summer comes a playful yet deeply emotional romance where one date is all it takes for two people to know they’re perfect for each other . . . until one of them moves 2,000 miles away the next day.

There’s no such thing as a perfect guy, but Xavier Rush comes disastrously close. A gorgeous veterinarian giving Greek god vibes—all while cuddling a tiny kitten? Immediate yes. That is until Xavier opens his mouth and proves that even sculpted gods can say the absolute wrong thing. Like, really wrong. Of course, there’s nothing Samantha loves more than proving an asshole wrong . . . unless, of course, he can admit he made a mistake.

But after one incredible and seemingly endless date, Samantha is forced to admit the truth, that her family is in crisis and any kind of relationship would be impossible. Samantha begs Xavier to forget her. To remember their night together as a perfect moment, as crushing as that may be. Only no amount of distance or time is enough to forget what’s between them. And the only thing better than one single perfect memory is to make a life—and even a love—worth remembering.

“Jimenez’s latest soul-satisfying love story spotlights two memorably messy yet all-too relatable protagonists, a couple of totally adorable four-legged characters, and writing imbued with a deliciously wicked sense of humor. Gracefully folded into all this is an insightful and sympathetic take on the challenges and rewards of caring for a loved one with dementia.” —Booklist, Starred Review

“Another winner from Jimenez. Readers won’t be able to put down this laugh-out-loud funny romance and will be cheering for Samantha and Xavier even when the chips are stacked against them. A must-have for all public libraries.—Library Journal

“Love conquers all in this heartwarming contemporary from bestseller Jimenez . . . The author expertly weaves a beautiful budding romance with real-life struggles: elder care, complicated family dynamics, the stress of veterinarian services, and overcoming mental, emotional, and physical childhood trauma. Jimenez knows just how to tug on the heartstrings. —Publishers Weekly

https://amzn.to/4cq8YR9

This was such a heart-wrenching read, but the happy ending made all the angst worthwhile. Xavier had a rough childhood, but he came out of it a good man. He’s a veterinarian and worked hard to open his own practice. Bringing the realities of crushing debt into the story was eye-opening, but he never complains, just keeps his head down and works hard. He knows in a few years there will be light at the end of the tunnel, and he is in no rush. Until he meets Samantha.

Samantha brings in a stray kitten who ends up needing very expensive surgery, so Xavier recommends putting the kitten down. Whatever strong attraction she felt for the good-looking vet flies out the window at his suggestion. Samantha is a social media marketer, and she decides to raise the money she needs online to save her kitten. Much to her surprise, the hunky vet even makes a sizeable contribution. The kitten survives, and Xavier apologizes, then asks Samantha out on a date. What he doesn’t know is that she is moving the next morning from Minnesota back to California, where she’s from.

That date turns out to be the perfect date, and after one night together, they both realize that there is something strong going on here. But Samantha has no choice; her mother has early onset Alzheimer’s disease, and she is needed at home to help her siblings, father, and grandmother take care of her mother. She tells Xavier to forget her, and she tries to forget him. Neither succeeds.

That leads to several weeks of silence, then long-distance dating. It becomes more and more difficult to say goodbye each visit, but they are both stuck in their geographic silos. Samantha can’t leave her family to deal with her mother alone, and Xavier can’t afford to even sell his practice, he’d end up bankrupt. Theirs is a torturous love affair that spans time and distance until a series of events lets them find their happy ending.

I loved this book, even though it was difficult to read at times. The nightmare of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is brought to life on these pages but is never overdone or maudlin, and it just feels real – as does the way all these characters deal with it all. It was a completely engaging story with so much tension that I found it impossible to put down. Don’t miss it.

4/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME by Abby Jimenez. Forever (April 1, 2025). ISBN: 978-1538759196. 368p.

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Spotlight Review: THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND by Patti Callahan Henry

April 8, 2025

From the publisher:

Inspired by a true literary mystery, New York Times bestselling author of the mesmerizing The Secret Book of Flora Lea returns with the sweeping story of a legendary book, a lost mother, and a daughter’s search for them both.

In 1927, eight-year-old Clara Harrington’s magical childhood shatters when her mother, renowned author, Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham, disappears off the coast of South Carolina. Bronwyn stunned the world with a book written in an invented language that became a national sensation when she was just twelve years old. Her departure leaves behind not only a devoted husband and heartbroken daughter, but also the hope of ever translating the sequel to her landmark work. As the headlines focus on the missing author, Clara yearns for something far deeper and more insatiable: her beautiful mother.

By 1952, Clara is an illustrator raising her own daughter, Wynnie. When a stranger named Charlie Jameson contacts her from London claiming to have discovered a handwritten dictionary of her mother’s lost language. Clara is skeptical. Compelled by the tragedy of her mother’s vanishing, she crosses the Atlantic with Wynnie only to arrive during one of London’s most deadly natural disasters—the Great Smog. With asthmatic Wynnie in peril, they escape the city with Charlie and find refuge in the Jameson’s family retreat nestled in the Lake District. It is there that Clara must find the courage to uncover the truth about her mother and the story she left behind.

Told in Patti Callahan Henry’s lyrical, enchanting prose, The Story She Left Behind is a captivating novel of mystery and family legacy that captures the profound longing for a mother and the evergreen allure of secrets.

Indie Next April 2025 Pick • LibraryReads March 2025 Pick

“Inspired by a true story, and enhanced by vivid descriptions of character and setting, this is a somewhat whimsical tale of a woman drawn to her imaginary world who fiercely loved her family, as well as an exploration of the hard choices that tear families apart and the love that sustains them.” —Booklist

“In this captivating outing from Henry (The Secret Book of Flora Lea), a children’s book illustrator searches for her mother, a renowned children’s book author who disappeared decades earlier . . . Henry imbues her story with lush descriptions of the landscape and intriguing linguistic puzzles as Clara attempts to decipher Bronwyn’s dictionary of the invented language that was central to her work. Readers will be riveted.” —Publishers Weekly

https://amzn.to/428uCEI

Henry has become one of my favorite writers. Her stories are so imaginative and different, and always beautifully written. This book is no exception.

From the very first page, I was hooked on Clara’s journey and the mesmerizing legacy of her enigmatic mother, Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham. Fordham published her one and only book when she was twelve years old, using a language that she invented. She had a difficult childhood, the result being that she never published again. Many years later, she falls in love and marries, and has a daughter, Clara. After an accidental fire at home when Clara is eight years old, Bronwyn disappears and is assumed dead. But Clara always had hope that someday she would find her mother.

Clara eventually marries a gambler, and once he goes through all their money, she leaves him, taking her daughter back to her childhood home, where they live with her father. Clara works as a children’s book illustrator and has just won a Caldecott award.

Clara receives information that Charlie, a man in London that she has never met or even heard of, has her mother’s papers, primarily a dictionary of her invented language, along with a letter for Clara. Charlie’s father had just passed away, and Charlie found the papers in his office. Stunned, Clara immediately makes plans to take her daughter to London to retrieve the papers. The 1952 setting, with its eerie fog-shrouded streets of London during the infamous Great Smog, was like stepping into a real-life thriller—where danger and hope blended together in the mist.

Clara’s quest for answers and her fierce love for her daughter, Wynnie, just melted my heart. Wynnie is quite precocious but also a sickly child, lending emotional depth to the story, while Bronwyn’s presence, even in her absence, is like a magnet drawing you in. Charlie was so well drawn that he really came to life on the page. Actually, all these characters did. I couldn’t help but feel like I was right there with them, experiencing their struggles and triumphs.

This novel has everything: mystery, family secrets, love, and a quest for belonging. The mystery surrounding Bronwyn’s book and her invented language is irresistible. The ending is beautiful, wrapping everything up in a way that will leave you reflecting on every moment and eager to relive it. But what makes this book truly magical is Patti Callahan Henry’s writing. Her words transported me to the heart of the story. It’s a captivating tale that also tugs at the heartstrings.

This is a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery, compelling characters, and a story that will stay with you long after you finish reading. It was completely entrancing; I loved it.

4/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND by Patti Callahan Henry. Atria Books (March 18, 2025). ISBN: 978-1668011874. 352p.

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