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Coyote Canyon, Book 1

From the publisher:

Sometimes the past we leave behind leads us right where we belong.

Talulah Barclay doesn’t like complications. Unfortunately, they seem to love her. Fourteen years after leaving her fiancé at the altar, Talulah returns to her hometown of Coyote Canyon, Montana, to settle her great-aunt’s estate. As she’d feared, her “runaway bride” reputation is waiting right where she left it, and her ex’s best friend, Brant, isn’t about to let her slip by unnoticed.

Brant has always been a loyal friend, but Talulah’s decision to run isn’t the only thing he hasn’t forgotten. He remembers more about Talulah than he cares to admit. Vividly. And it’s increasingly difficult to ignore her now, especially when they find themselves in close quarters. Talulah has no plans to stay in town after she fixes up her aunt’s Victorian farmhouse, even if the unbridled sparks with Brant give her a good reason to linger. Besides, bailing on relationships is kind of her thing. But a lot has changed since Talulah last turned tail—maybe her heart has changed, too?

Coyote Canyon Series

Book 1: Talulah’s Back in Town
Book 2: The Talk of Coyote Canyon

This is the first book of a new series set in a small town in Montana. Talulah was engaged to be married, but left her groom at the altar and left town. Fourteen years later, she’s back to settle her great aunt’s estate and surprisingly, her ex is still not over her. But when his best friend, Brant, sees her, she knows she is in for a hard time. Her own parents left town shortly after the wedding debacle, and are now doing missionary work in Africa, her father’s dream. Her sister is very pregnant and Talulah is happy to help her out, but pretty much everyone else in town has been gunning for her all these years. Small towns, long memories…

Brant keeps running into Talulah and quickly realizes that the girl he had a crush on in high school is even more gorgeous now. He was able to get past his crush when his best friend started dating her, and there is plenty of anger over how she dumped him. but still, there is something more there. Even after she confesses she is a serial runaway bride, always committing until the last possible moment. Even after his best friend confesses he still loves her and refuses to move on. Fighting those feelings is exhausting, and eventually they both give in. But can Talulah commit to anyone? Is Brant “the one?” So much drama!

Luckily, Talulah is a very likeable character, so I couldn’t help but root for her to find her happily ever after. Brant has the kind of patience she needs in a man, and he is willing to wait for her. And wait he does. There are a lot of laughs along their journey, and of course, the happy ending.

Brenda Novak has become one my favorite authors, in the same realm as Debbie Macomber but maybe not as sugary sweet. Looking forward to the next book in the series!

1/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

TALULAH’S BACK IN TOWN by Brenda Novak. MIRA; Original edition (August 22, 2023). ISBN:  978-0778386179. 368p.

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From the publisher:

What Not to Wear and Queer Eye meet All the Feels in this sparkling romantic comedy by Jenny L. Howe, in which the new guest on a popular plus-size makeover show has her style―and her love life―transformed.

Everly Winters is perfectly happy to navigate life like a good neutral paint color: appreciated but unnoticed. That’s why she’s still a receptionist instead of exploring a career in art, why she lurks but never posts on the forums for her favorite makeover show, On the Plus Side, and why she’s crushing so hard on her forever-unattainable co-worker. When no one notices you, they can’t reject you or insist you’re too much.

This plan is working perfectly until someone secretly nominates Everly for the next season of On the Plus Side. Overwhelmed by the show’s extremely extroverted hosts and how much time she’ll have to spend on screen, she finds comfort in a surprising friendship with the grumpy but kind cameraman, Logan. Soon Everly realizes that he’s someone she doesn’t mind being noticed by. In fact, she might even like it.

But when their growing connection is caught on camera, it sends the show’s ratings into a frenzy. Learning to embrace all of herself on national TV is hard enough; can Everly risk heartbreak with the whole world watching?

“Howe dazzles with this pitch-perfect rom-com about learning to love oneself at any size…timely, humorous, and heartfelt.” –Publishers Weekly (starred)

“Everly is presented as beautiful, capable, and the star of her own story. A romantic comedy that’s both cozy and empowering.” –Kirkus Reviews

“Folks standing up for what is right always makes for a good story, and the friendship-to-love relationship between Everly and Logan is fun and fulfilling. For fans of All the Feels by Olivia Dade and Curves for Days by Laura Moher.” —Booklist

“Featuring a curvy heroine finding confidence while falling in love, Howe’s latest is a fun mix of What Not To Wear and Queer Eye. Recommended for fans of Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade and The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun.” –Library Journal

A book set in the world of reality TV? Yes, please! They got me by comparing it to “What Not to Wear” – I miss that show. This book is very loosely based on that premise, but On the Plus Side, the name of the TV show in the book (and the book), focuses on women who are large, and they go beyond the usual makeover. The way the show works is that they select a few women and follow them on their journey throughout the season. They help them figure out their career moves, fashion, and all the usual makeover stuff, plus so much more. Everly is a huge fan, as is her best friend/sister-in-law, so when Everly is nominated, she’s pretty sure she knows who did it.

For most of her life, Everly felt like she was “too much.” Her mother constantly harps on her weight, and they aren’t close. It was her grandmother who most made Everly feel seen for who she was. So when she loses her grandmother, it feels like a part of herself is gone. She retreats from wearing the clothes she loves and being her best and loudest self to try and blend in more. But she is not happy.

Everly has work friends who basically use her, and she doesn’t see it. When Logan, the cameraman who follows her around, breaks the fourth wall to defend her, Everly starts to see that maybe she can be herself after all. As she deals with all the changes in her life, her job, and a flirtation with Logan, things start looking up. Until the show pulls a stunt that could cost Everly her job, not to mention her reputation.

No worries, everything works out in the end, and Everly gets her happily ever after in so many ways. This was such an inspiring, joyful read – I really loved it.

1/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

ON THE PLUS SIDE by Jenny L. Howe. Griffin (December 26, 2023). ISBN: 978-1250837882. 368p.

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The Hollywood Series, Book 2

From the publisher:

She’s written off more than she can chew…

Romance author Sophie Lyon’s ironic secret just went viral: she’s never been in love—and it’s ruining her reputation. With a manuscript deadline looming, Sophie makes an ambitious plan to overcome her writer’s block: reunite with her exes (including her last girlfriend Carla, the one person she could have loved) to learn why she’s never fallen in love, and document it all for her millions of new online followers.

Luckily, Sophie’s reclusive landlord, Dash Montrose—a former teen heartthrob—has social media all figured out and is willing to help. What he doesn’t mention is that he’s an anonymous online crafter, a hobby that helps him maintain his sobriety. No one knows about his complicated relationship with alcohol, and with a family that’s Hollywood royalty, Dash has to steer clear of scandal.

As Sophie and Dash grow closer, they discover a heat between them that rivals Dash’s pottery kiln. But Sophie needs to figure out who she is outside her relationships, and Dash isn’t sure he’s stable enough for the commitment she deserves. So Sophie suggests what any good romance author would: a friends-with-benefits arrangement. Surely a strictly casual relationship won’t cause any trouble…

“Readers will swoon for Dash and Sophie as they struggle to resist their growing feelings. This is a true romance lover’s romance.” —Publishers Weekly

“An engaging novel that seamlessly weaves together an exploration of love, the challenges of sobriety, and robust sex.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This book takes on some very serious topics, which are lightened by Sophie’s zany antics, and will appeal to fans of Christina Lauren and Tessa Bailey.” —Booklist

https://amzn.to/4aJTJ4c

A writer with writer’s block. An actor trying to maintain his sobriety. Perhaps cliché, but these characters truly come to life on the page.

Sophie is on deadline for her next romance book, but she is struggling. It doesn’t help that she realizes that she’s never been in love, and when that goes viral, she’s in trouble for sure. Her landlord, Dash, was a former child star, and his parents and brother are Hollywood royalty. He is an alcoholic, his family has no idea, and he is working really hard on his sobriety, which means no time for any kind of relationship. Sophie needs help with her social media image, and Dash is an expert, so he offers to help her.

Sophie decides to revisit all her past relationships to try and figure out why she never fell in love, and Dash helps her document it on social media. Then Sophie and Dash decide on a “friends with benefits” relationship, but feelings soon emerge. There is a lot of humor here despite the seriousness of some of these issues, lending real depth to this story. I can only hope that there will be a book 3 in this series!

1/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

PLOT TWIST by Erin La Rosa. HQN; Original edition (July 26, 2022). ISBN:  978-1335506344. 368p.

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Knockemout Series, Book 1

From the publisher:

Bearded, bad-boy barber Knox prefers to live his life the way he takes his coffee: Alone. Unless you count his basset hound, Waylon.

Knox doesn’t tolerate drama, even when it comes in the form of a stranded runaway bride.

Naomi wasn’t just running away from her wedding. She was riding to the rescue of her estranged twin to Knockemout, Virginia, a rough-around-the-edges town where disputes are settled the old-fashioned way…with fists and beer. Usually in that order.

Too bad for Naomi her evil twin hasn’t changed at all. After helping herself to Naomi’s car and cash, Tina leaves her with something unexpected. The niece Naomi didn’t know she had. Now she’s stuck in town with no car, no job, no plan, and no home with an 11-year-old going on thirty to take care of.

There’s a reason Knox doesn’t do complications or high-maintenance women, especially not the romantic ones. But since Naomi’s life imploded right in front of him, the least he can do is help her out of her jam. And just as soon as she stops getting into new trouble he can leave her alone and get back to his peaceful, solitary life.

At least, that’s the plan until the trouble turns to real danger.

Book 1: Things We Never Got Over

Book 2: Things We Hide from the Light

Book 3: Things We Left Behind

https://amzn.to/47nikJ7

Being me, I started reading this series with book 3 (the last book?) and I liked it so much that I immediately sought out the first two books. This is the first book of the Knockemout series – Knockemout is a small town in Virginia, close to Washington D.C. This is not your stereotypical sweet, everyone loves and looks out for one another small town. This small town has some very rough edges, lending an interesting layer to this series.

Knox owns the nicest bar and barber shop in town, plus his name is on the municipal building that houses the sheriff’s department and library. His brother, Nash, is the sheriff, and they butt heads on the regular. When Naomi arrives in town, she hits the first coffee shop she sees, and is not completely surprised to see a picture of her twin on the wall with a do not serve notice on it. She orders her coffee and the barista asks her to leave, until she produces her drivers license that shows she is Naomi, not Tina. Never have twins been so biblical! Tina is evil, self destructive, and is always trying to keep one step ahead of the law. Naomi is the good daughter, striving to do the right thing at all times to make up for her horrible sister. But when Tina calls and says she’s in trouble, Naomi can’t help but come riding in for the rescue. But things don’t work out exactly the way she planned.

While Naomi is getting yelled at by Knox, her car, phone, and most of her belongings are stolen. Her sister is the thief, and to Naomi’s shock, Tina leaves behind a young daughter that no one in their family knew about. Of course Naomi steps up, but doesn’t alert her parents to their first grandchild since they are out of the country on their dream vacation.

Knox can’t help but feel bad for Naomi and arranges a place for her to stay and a job, at least temporarily. Knox and Naomi keep on fighting until they both give in to the explosive chemistry between them. Meanwhile, Naomi is falling in love with both her niece and Knox, maddening though they both are.

There are ups and downs galore here and a bit of suspense as well, making this a real page-turner. I loved these characters, and I’m happy to say it didn’t ruin things at all that I read the last book first; these books can easily stand alone. I highly recommend this series.

1/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THINGS WE NEVER GOT OVER by Lucy Score. Bloom Books (January 12, 2022). ISBN: 978-1945631832. 570p.

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Knockemout Series, Book 2

From the publisher:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lucy Score returns to Knockemout, Virginia, following fan-favorite Things We Never Got Over with Knox’s brother Nash’s story.

Nash Morgan was always known as the good Morgan brother, with a smile and a wink for everyone. But now, this chief of police is recovering from being shot and his Southern charm has been overshadowed by panic attacks and nightmares. He feels like a broody shell of the man he once was. Nash isn’t about to let anyone in his life know he’s struggling. But his new next-door neighbor, smart and sexy Lina, sees his shadows. As a rule, she’s not a fan of physical contact unless she initiates it, but for some reason Nash’s touch is different. He feels it too. The physical connection between them is incendiary, grounding him and making her wonder if exploring it is worth the risk.

Too bad Lina’s got secrets of her own, and if Nash finds out the real reason she’s in town, he’ll never forgive her. Besides, she doesn’t do relationships. Ever. A hot, short-term fling with a local cop? Absolutely. Sign her up. A relationship with a man who expects her to plant roots? No freaking way. Once she gets what she’s after, she has no intention of sticking around. But Knockemout has a way of getting under people’s skin. And once Nash decides to make Lina his, he’s not about to be dissuaded…even if it means facing the danger that nearly killed him.

Book 1: Things We Never Got Over

Book 2: Things We Hide from the Light

Book 3: Things We Left Behind

https://amzn.to/3tzIdrp

Being me, I started reading this series with book 3 (the last book?) and I liked it so much that I immediately sought out the first two books. I’m happy to say it didn’t ruin things at all that I read the last book first; these books can easily stand alone, and I highly recommend this series.

Book 2 centers around the local sheriff, Nash, in this small town outside of Washington D.C. Nash generally spends most of his time breaking up fights and giving out tickets. But on a traffic stop, he gets shot at point-blank range. Luckily, he survives but he finds himself spiraling into a severe depression, and even more fun, he’s having panic attacks. He also can’t remember anything from that night, including who the shooter was. He doesn’t tell anyone about the depression and hides it as well as he can, but he has a new neighbor, Lina, and she finds him on the floor mid-panic attack.

Lina has her own issues, and she is quite familiar with these types of attacks. She gets him into his apartment, and they both find themselves strongly attracted to one another. For some reason, Lina’s touch grounds Nash, makes him feel more like himself. Plus she’s hot as hell, and he can’t stop thinking about her. Lina thinks he’s hot as hell, too, and wouldn’t mind a brief fling.

Lina’s been in town for a few weeks, and all anyone really knows about her is that she works in insurance. What she really does is locate missing property, a sometimes dangerous job that is best kept secret. She also has no room in her life for relationships; she’s a one-night stand sort of girl, and that works for her. Until she meets Nash. She fights it every step of the way, and he’s fine with that – until he starts coming back to himself. He’s always been a traditional kind of guy, wanting the wife, the home, the white picket fence, the kids. But Lina is scared to death of domesticity.

As Nash tries to remember who shot him and Lina keeps searching for the missing property, their paths keep crossing and their attraction cannot be denied. There is quite a bit of suspense here, and the romance sizzles. This is another terrific entry into this series. Highly recommend!

1/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THINGS WE HIDE FROM THE LIGHT by Lucy Score. Bloom Books (February 21, 2023). ISBN: 978-1728276113. 592p.

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From the publisher:

ONE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES’ BEST ROMANCES OF THE YEAR!

“Martin’s prose is a live wire: There are little shocks of pleasure on every page.”—New York Times

Two rival candidates for a homeowner’s association presidency are about to find out how dirty suburbanites fight in this steamy new romantic comedy from Alexa Martin.

After years of hustling, Collins Carter has finally made it…back to her parents’ house. Between tending to the compost with her newly retired dad and running into her high school nemesis at the only decent coffee shop in town, Collins realizes this subdivision from hell she swore she’d never return to is her rock bottom.

Then the homeowner’s association complaint arrived.

Nathaniel Adams always dreamed of a nice, quiet life in his suburban hometown. Or at least that’s what he thought until Collins moved back and sent his quaint, organized life into a tailspin. He thought Collins was infuriating ten years ago, but when she announces she’s running against him for HOA president, all bets are off.

From secret board meetings to vicious smear campaigns whispered over backyard fences, Collins and Nate sink to levels their sleepy suburb has never seen before. But as hate turns into lust, these two enemies are forced to reckon with the feelings they’ve ignored for years. If only there were bylaws for real life.

“Martin’s prose is a live wire: There are little shocks of pleasure on every page. It’s incredible how epic this contest feels, even though the stakes are extremely local…Martin has a knack for layering vast emotional geographies onto cozy physical spaces.”—New York Times

“Martin’s (Better Than Fiction) sexy friends-to-lovers rom-com is full of endearing characters and emotional plotlines, set against a whimsical Midwestern backdrop. Will appeal to readers of feel-good contemporary romances.”—Library Journal (starred review)

“Martin’s latest is a witty, humorous rom-com that doesn’t skimp on the comedy; Collins and Nate’s conversational clashes are as engaging as their vulnerability…”—Kirkus

https://amzn.to/473HNHe

This book hits several of my favorite tropes; second chance romance, enemies to lovers, and small town romance. Martin is one of the best contemporary romcom romance writers out there, and I have loved every one of her books. This one is no exception.

Nate and Collins grew up in this small town as best friends, and then something more. Until the summer Nate ghosted her. Collins never understood why, and that hurt turned into hate. So when Collins ends up moving back in to the house she grew up in, she is shocked to find out that Nate not only still lives there (in his own house,) but that he is the president of the homeowner’s association. And he’s out to get her.

To retaliate, Collins decides to run against him in the next association election and then things really get ugly. Except their chemistry keeps veering between hate and lust, and eventually lust wins out. But can the hate turn into love? Of course, it does, but it is so much fun getting there! This was a terrific read with enough laughs, lust, and drama to keep those pages flying by. It was a great read to start the new year!

1/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

NEXT-DOOR NEMESIS by Alexa Martin. Berkley (November 14, 2023). ISBN: 978-0593337257. 368p.

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