Stacy Alesi

ALWAYS HER COWBOY by Addison Fox

June 23, 2023

Rustlers Creek, Book 3

From the publisher:

Back in Rustlers Creek, one cowboy discovers that a lifelong feud could become his forever romance…

Charlotte Wayne has detested Chance Beaumont since the fourth grade. Her bickering with the big, rugged cowboy has become legendary around their small Montana town. But little does anyone know, Charlotte’s animosity masks unspoken feelings… because underneath it all, Chance is the only man who ever truly claimed her heart.

Chance has spent his whole life in Rustlers Creek, but he’s always been on the outside looking in. He needs to focus on keeping his ranch afloat amid the massive debt left by his late father, and the feelings he harbors for Charlotte don’t make it any easier. She’s ranching royalty and he’s perpetually scrubbing mud off his boots. It’s safer to push her away than hope for something he can never have.

When a business opportunity forces Charlotte and Chance to work together, they share a heated moment in each other’s arms. The simmering attraction they’ve fought for years can no longer be ignored, but will Chance’s doubts stand in the way of their happiness? Or will he finally declare his love and prove to Charlotte that he’s always been her cowboy?

“Steamy sex scenes… Charlotte’s loyalty, however, is admirable and Chance’s big heart shines through all the drama. It’s a worthy addition to the series.” — Publishers Weekly
https://amzn.to/445ZvZI

This was my first time reading this author, so here I am again, starting a series completely out of order. I don’t think it mattered much, as I didn’t realize it was part of a series when I read it! There were no weird gaps or references to things I didn’t know about, or if there were, I didn’t notice, so kudos to Ms. Fox. Well done.

Chance and Charlotte grew up together and always had a special closeness. But Charlotte is the daughter of the most successful rancher in this small town, and Chance’s father was a bad businessman and a terrible father. Chance inherits a debt-ridden ranch and doesn’t feel worthy of Charlotte, no matter how much they adore one another. Men and their foolish pride make up many male protagonists in romance novels, and probably in life, for that matter.

Charlotte is a strong, smart young woman, and even though this is a chauvinistic culture she is working in, she is nonetheless taken seriously because she works hard at it. I really liked how the idea of using drones for land surveying was introduced here; it made the book seem really up-to-date, at least in regards to ranching. But she still has to deal with small-town gossip, and that’s never fun.

When Chance finds out his land is worth way more than the debt his father ran up, you would think he may feel like things could work out with Charlotte, but it still takes a long time for him to get there. I really liked that money wasn’t the cure-all, it lent some realism to the story. I loved how connected I felt to these characters and couldn’t help but want them to find their happy ending. It was a struggle to get there, but it was all worth it in the end. If I can find the earlier books in this series in my library’s ebook collections, I’ll be back with more reviews. Meanwhile, I’m adding Addison Fox to my must-read list.

6/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

ALWAYS HER COWBOY by Addison Fox. Avon (May 23, 2023). ISBN:‎ 978-0063135307. 384p.

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Spotlight Review: THE SWEETHEART LIST by Jill Shalvis

June 20, 2023

Sunrise Cove Series, Book 4

From the publisher:

What makes life sweet?

Freshly baked bread

A cool lake on a hot summer day

The comfort of a cozy bookstore

Second chances and new beginnings

When Harper Shaw’s life falls apart, she knows it’s time for a change. She removes everything that doesn’t spark joy—from her soul-sucking job to eating kale to making lists—and sets off for the last place she was happy, Lake Tahoe (who wouldn’t feel good there, right?) to fulfill her dream of opening her own bakery.

With her Sugar Pine Bakery in between a tavern, owned by sexy, grumpy Bodie Campbell, and a bookstore, run by her new BFF, she feels a peace she’s never experienced since…well, forever.. Then she meets Ivy, a teenage runaway, who barrels into her heart. She sees a lot of herself in Ivy and takes her under her wing, but the teenager has secrets…

When those secrets explode, it changes Harper’s new world, and she’ll learn, it’s never too late to start over, it’s never too late to figure out your life, and best of all, it’s never too late to let yourself believe in love.

“This charming tale is just as welcoming as the cozy small-town community within which it’s set, and Shalvis hits the perfect blend of sweet and spicy. Readers will be thrilled.” — Publishers Weekly
https://amzn.to/3X6TiKX

This is the fourth book of a planned five-book series. I read the first two and somehow missed the third, but I found it on my Kindle and will get to it shortly. I now have over 6000 books on my Kindle, so I’ve gotten much better at keeping it organized, but I’m sorry to say I have let some books fall through the cracks. Each of these books stand alone beautifully.

Harper has had some serious losses in her life. The worst was losing her mother. She inherits a nice chunk of change and decides to open her own bakery. She wants to return to Sunrise Cove in Lake Tahoe, where she and her mom spent several summers together when she was young.

Harper arrives to a freak July snow, and her car gets stuck, and while she’s trying to figure out how to put the chains on her tires, a bear lumbers along and starts eating the popcorn that fell on the seat of her car. A man comes over, chases off the bear, and offers to help, but she is determined not to rely on a man for anything. She is a strong woman and can take care of herself. Brodie owns the bar next door to her bakery-to-be, and there is chemistry right from their inauspicious start.

Determined not to spend a penny she doesn’t have to, Harper is sleeping in the store even though the utilities aren’t on yet. During the night, she hears a noise and finds a young woman who has come in through the back door, looking for a place to sleep. Ivy claims she’s an emancipated minor, and she reminds Harper of herself, so she takes her in.

It turns out Brodie and his brothers are actually her landlords, and Harper and Brodie start spending a lot of time together getting the bakery ready to open. They quickly determine that neither of them is looking for a relationship, but nonetheless, they end up in one.

This is a heartwarming family story and a sweet romance set in a small town on Lake Tahoe. The main characters are fully realized; the secondary characters are interesting and often add humor to the story. I didn’t know there were small towns on Lake Tahoe – I’ve never been, and always just thought of it as a resort area.

Personal note: The epilogue was extremely touching to me – it turns out that Brodie had helped Harper climb down a wall at the summer camp she attended. They ran into each other for the four summers or so that Harper spent there, until her mother passed away. This was so meaningful to me because it mirrored something from my own childhood. Helayne was my best friend in elementary school. Her parents owned a fabric store in the town where my husband grew up. His mother, like Helayne’s mother, was an excellent seamstress and made a lot of clothes for her family. I hung out in that store on occasional Saturdays with Helayne, and we often played with the other kids who came by with their moms. I can’t say I remember playing with a boy who was a couple of years older than us, but the odds are pretty good…

Sunrise Cove Series in order:

1. The Family You Make (2022)
2. The Friendship Pact (2022)
3. The Backup Plan (2023)
4. The Sweetheart List (2023)
5. The Bright Spot (2024)

6/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE SWEETHEART LIST by Jill Shalvis. Avon (June 13, 2023). ISBN: 978-0063235700. 352pp.

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PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT by Sarah Adams

June 16, 2023

When in Rome, Book 2

From the publisher:

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A small-town sweetheart and an emotionally unavailable bad boy try to find some common ground in this chemistry-filled romance from the author of The Cheat Sheet and When in Rome.

Annie Walker is on a quest to find her perfect match—someone who complements her happy, quiet life running the local flower shop in Rome, Kentucky. But finding her dream man may be harder than Annie imagined. Everyone knows everyone in her hometown, and the dating prospects are getting fewer by the day. After she overhears her latest date say she is “so unbelievably boring,” Annie starts to think the problem might be her. Is it too late to become flirtatious and fun like the leading ladies in her favorite romance movies? Maybe she only needs a little practice . . . and Annie has the perfect person in mind to be her tutor: Will Griffin.

Will—the sexy , tattooed, and absolutely gorgeous bodyguard—is temporarily back in Rome, providing security for Amelia Rose as excitement builds for her upcoming marriage to Noah Walker, Annie’s brother. He has one personal objective while on the job: stay away from Annie Walker and any other possible attachments to this sleepy town. But no sooner than he gets settled, Will finds himself tasked with helping Annie find the love of her life by becoming the next leading lady of Rome, Kentucky. Will wants no part in changing the sweet and lovely Annie. He knows for a fact that some stuffy, straitlaced guy won’t make her happy, but he doesn’t have the heart to say no.

Amid steamy practice dates and strictly “educational” tutoring lessons, Annie discovers there are more layers to Will’s usual stoic attitude. As the lines of their friendship become dangerously blurred, Annie reconsiders her dream guy. Maybe her love life doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to be real.
https://amzn.to/3NtO5tv

This is the sequel to When In Rome, which I adored. This one stands alone just fine, and it hits several romance tropes that I love, like opposites attract, small town, and fake dating.

Annie Rose is reeling after being told she is too boring to date. There are not a lot of options in the small town where Annie owns a flower shop, so she decides she needs to up her game. And the best person to help her with that is Will Griffin, her soon-to-be sister-in-law’s bodyguard. He has a lot of downtime, plus he’s seriously hot with those bad boy vibes, and she knows he would never really be interested in her, so he feels safe. Best laid plans…

Will is convinced to be Annie’s fake dating coach, but he has some personal issues with that – mostly, he thinks she is perfect just as she is. And he has an overwhelming urge to annihilate the guy who called her boring. But date her he does, and it takes most of the book for them to admit to their feelings. It is worth the wait – this was such a light, charming read, I truly hated for it to end. A perfect summer read!

6/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT by Sarah Adams. Random House Publishing Group (May 2, 2023). ISBN:‎ 978-0593500804. 352p.

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HIGHLAND WARRIOR by Heather McCollum

June 16, 2023

Sons of Sinclair, Book 2

From the publisher:

Joshua Sinclair was once the fiercest and most notorious warrior of the mighty Sinclair clan of Northern Scotland. But now there’s nothing and no one that can make him take up arms again. Except a beautiful woman, it seems.

When Kára Flett, daughter of a fallen Norse chief, finds herself unexpectedly sheltering the strongest, most brutal warrior in the land, she throws together a risky and outrageous plan to bring him to her side. Threats of violence bounce right off him. Offers of gold seem to entice him even less. Desperate enough to use the pleas of the village children to sway him, she’s shocked when he’s completely unmoved. There’s only one tactic left for her: seduction.

Her hasty proposition falls completely by the wayside, though, as she and the Highlander come together in a carnal inferno. But bringing him into her life also brings his enemies to her clan’s doorstep―the very clan Kára is trying to protect. And as their feelings deepen, Joshua will have to decide between duty and love once and for all.

Each book in the Sons of Sinclair series is a STANDALONE:
* Highland Conquest
* Highland Warrior
* Highland Justice
* Highland Beast

Coming Oct 2023: Highland Surrender

https://amzn.to/43GRyu0

I really enjoy the setting of this series and they can each be read as a standalone. The stories are built around these four brothers, whose father has named them after the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Their sister will probably be the heroine in the last book of the series.

This book focuses on Joshua, the Warrior. He has been fighting for most of his life, but the last battle he fought was terrible, with too many losses on both sides. He is especially affected by a young man who was just too young to die. So instead of warring, he is training the men in this small isle on how best to defend themselves from attack, and the best way to fortify their castle.

As he is heading home, he passes through the small village where he learns that the men he was training were actually tormenting and enslaving these people. They fear their chief is dead, as he was taken by force to the castle. His daughter, Kára, is now head of these people and desperate to keep them safe.

Kára became a widow when her husband was killed, and she was almost killed herself. Somehow, she survived along with her baby, who is now about 9 years old. But her people are starving and scared, and she begs Joshua to help them defeat the men he just helped train. He refuses, and she seduces him, hoping to get him to change his mind.

Joshua wants to help but knows this small village will be massacred if they attack the castle. Then Kára’s son is kidnapped and held at the castle. Desperate, he agrees to help get him back and devises an intricate plan that just may work.

There are some politics involved, adding to the tension, and as Kára and Joshua work together, they become very close, to the point where Joshua can’t imagine living his life without her. Some real obstacles are in the way, but they eventually reach their happy ending.

I missed this book in the series, so I hunted it down. These truly can be read in any order, so if you like historical Highland romances, grab any book in the series and hunker down for a good, sexy read.

6/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

HIGHLAND WARRIOR by Heather McCollum. Entangled: Amara (April 25, 2023). ISBN:‎ 978-1649370778. 384p.

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Spotlight Review: UNFORTUNATELY YOURS by Tessa Bailey

June 13, 2023

Vine Mess, Book 2

From the publisher:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey is back in Napa Valley with this hilarious rom-com about a down-on-her-luck heiress who suggests a mutually beneficial marriage of convenience to a man she can’t stand… only to discover there’s a fine line between love and hate.

After losing her job and her fiancé in one fell swoop, Natalie Vos returned home to lick her wounds. A few months later, she’s sufficiently drowned her sorrows in cabernet and she’s ready to get back on her feet. She just needs her trust fund to finance her new business venture. Unfortunately, the terms require she marry before she can have the money. And well, dumped, remember?

But Natalie is desperate enough to propose to a man who makes her want to kill him—and kiss him, in equal measure.

August Cates may own a vineyard, but he doesn’t know jack about making wine. He’s determined to do his late best friend proud, no matter what it takes. Except his tasting room is empty, his wine is disgusting (seriously, he once saw someone gag), and his buddy’s legacy is circling the drain. No bank will give him the loan he needs to turn the business around… and then the gorgeous, feisty heiress knocks on his door.

Natalie has haunted August’s dreams since the moment they met, but their sizzling chemistry immediately morphed into simmering insults. Now, a quickie marriage could help them both. A sham wedding, a few weeks living under the same roof, and then they can go their separate ways—assuming they make it out alive. How hard could it be?

There’s just one thing they didn’t account for: their unfortunate, unbearable, undeniable attraction.

“This enemies-to-lovers, fake-marriage romance is brimming with witty banter and sizzling with chemistry. The protagonists are fully realized, with painful backstories and emotional growth throughout the novel… Bailey’s fans won’t be disappointed with this hilarious, heartfelt follow-up to Secretly Yours.” — Library Journal

“The latest addition to the author’s Vine Mess books, which follows Secretly Yours (2023), is vintage Bailey with heady notes of earthy sensuality and smoldering sexual chemistry neatly balanced by deliciously dry hints of sassy humor.”— Booklist
https://amzn.to/3J4bgHV

Tessa Bailey is one of my must-read authors; if you haven’t read her, this is as good a place to start as any. Yes, it is the second book of the series after Secretly Yours, but I think this book stands alone beautifully. But I loved the first one, so read that one too!

The setting is a vineyard in Napa, so what’s not to like about that! The winery at the center of the story is owned by August Cates. He is a new, struggling winemaker whose wine is so bad he can’t give it away. But he is nothing if not determined. His best friend from the military was killed in service, and it was always his dream to own a winery, and August is determined to fulfill his friend’s dream.

Natalie Vos is Napa royalty; her father is a much-revered vintner, but he divorced her mother and took off for Italy. Natalie’s mother and brother run the winery, and Natalie, always feeling like a third wheel, took off for New York to work in the hedge fund industry. Unfortunately, she flames out in a big way and loses her fiancé, so she’s back in Napa again, still feeling unworthy and ignored by her family. She hopes to convince her mother to release her trust fund but can’t. Her father made two conditions for her to collect her money – she must be employed and married. His best friend is a banker and the trust administrator, and he will stick to the exact terms, as he should.

August and Natalie have a contentious relationship at best. They really drive each other crazy, and can’t have a civil conversation. But they each have something the other needs. Natalie wants her trust money, and August needs a loan from the bank. The banker will not approve a loan for the struggling winemaker.

Natalie approaches August with a proposition; they should marry. If they are married, she can go with him to the bank, and her presence will be enough to secure him the loan he needs. If they are married, she will gain the proceeds of the trust and can return to NY to start her own hedge fund. A bargain is made for these two enemies to have a fake marriage.

Natalie’s mom instantly realizes the sham marriage for what it is, but nevertheless plans a wedding for her daughter. But something is shifting between August and Natalie, and pretty soon their attraction to one another, despite the bickering or perhaps even because of it, leads them to add sex to the marriage. And with sex comes feelings.

They had decided to stay married for a month, long enough for Natalie to get her trust fund and August to get his loan. But they are both keeping secrets about their businesses, their money, and their growing feelings for one another. There is a lot of drama going on between the laughter and the sex!

This was another terrific read from one of my favorite authors. If you love a good romcom, this one is laugh-out-loud funny, along with steamy sex and a happy resolution. Don’t miss it.

6/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

UNFORTUNATELY YOURS by Tessa Bailey. Avon (June 6, 2023). ISBN: 978-0063239074. 384pp.

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A LITTLE RAY OF SUNSHINE by Kristan Higgins

June 9, 2023

From the publisher:

A kid walks into your bookstore and… Guess what? He’s your son. The one you put up for adoption eighteen years ago. The one you never told anyone about. Surprise!

And a huge surprise it is.

It’s a huge surprise to his adoptive mother, Monica, who thought she had a close relationship with Matthew, her nearly adult son. But apparently, he felt the need to secretly arrange a vacation to Cape Cod for the summer so he could meet his birth mother…without a word to either her or his dad.

It’s also a surprise— to say the least—to Harlow, the woman who secretly placed her baby for adoption so many years ago. She’s spent the years since then building a quiet life. She runs a bookstore with her grandfather, hangs out with her four younger siblings and is more or less happily single, though she can’t help gravitating toward Grady Byrne, her old friend from high school. He’s moved back to town, three-year-old daughter in tow, no wife in the picture. But she’s always figured her life had to be child-free, so that complicates things.

When Matthew walks into Harlow’s store, she faints. Monica panics. And all their assumptions—about what being a parent really means—explode. This summer will be full of more surprises as both their families are redefined…and as both women learn that for them, there’s no limit to a mother’s love.

“An uplifting story of love and gratitude—not to mention frustration, fear, and failure—in all forms of family.” —Kirkus Reviews

Higgins returns with her signature writing style that will make readers laugh, possibly cry, and think deeply about the role of family and motherhood… [This] is a perfectly done novel. Higgins tackles what it means to be part of a family and how family can look very different from person to person. Her signature humor sprinkled into a heavy topic makes this a must-read.” —Library Journal

“Higgins returns to Cape Cod in this multigenerational story about the enduring bonds of family…Higgins deftly navigates her characters’ complex emotions, including both Harlow and Monica’s points of view throughout the book. The women’s inner lives are presented authentically, allowing the reader to understand the mixed feelings of joy, fear, love, and guilt that both women experience. Side stories and romantic subplots add depth and humor, but the emotional journey is the star of this comforting-as-a-cozy-sweater story. Hand this one to fans of Susan Wiggs and Jennifer Weiner.” —Booklist
https://amzn.to/3MU4p4V

When Harlow was a 17-year-old college freshman, she accidentally got pregnant. Her boyfriend of a few weeks was horrible to her, so she had him sign away his parental rights, she had the baby, and gave it up for adoption. She didn’t take this decision lightly; she worked with an adoption agency, viewing over a hundred videos of prospective parents, and when she saw Monica and Sanjay’s video, she just knew these were the people she wanted to raise her baby. The adoption was closed, but she allowed the agency to pass along her information if he wanted it, after he turns 18. She never told her family, and it was Rosie, her best friend, who helped get her though it.

Harlow has spent every day since thinking about her son, hoping he is healthy and happy. Higgins explores what it is like to give up a child with great sensitivity here, and neither the birth mother nor the adoptive mother are portrayed in a negative light.

Harlow is one of the owners of a family-run business, a bookstore, and she loves her job. She lives above the bookshop and shares the space with her grandfather, who she adores. He is also a part owner along with Cynthia, who is his goddaughter. Cynthia is a bit of a cold fish, but they all get along reasonably well. One day a teenager comes into the store with his father. Harlow starts feeling a bit woozy; the young man looks exactly like her brother. She passes out, and when she comes to, she realizes her son has found her.

Mathew is not quite 18 yet and never told his parents what he was up to. They live in California, where his mother, Monica, works in tech security and makes a very healthy income, and his father is an elementary school teacher with summers off. The family has rented a home on Cape Cod for the summer, but they didn’t know Mathew was seeking his birth mother when they made these plans. Monica will have to commute back to California several times over the summer to keep her job, and she is devastated when she finds out what Mathew has done without even discussing it with them.

This book explores how each family deals with the adoption and the current situation, plus a bit of romance for Harlow. It is, at times, a heartbreaking, sometimes funny, but always a heartfelt story. I especially loved how the birth mother and the adoptive mother handled everything, emotions and all. This is an engaging read and the perfect book for someone wanting a bit more substance from their beach read.

6/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

A LITTLE RAY OF SUNSHINE by Kristan Higgins. Berkley (June 6, 2023). ISBN:‎ 978-0593547601. 512p.

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SUMMER READING by Jenn McKinlay

June 9, 2023

From the publisher:

When a woman who’d rather do anything than read meets a swoon-worthy bookworm, sparks fly, making for one hot-summer fling in New York Times bestselling author Jenn McKinlay’s new rom-com.

For Samantha Gale, a summer on Martha’s Vineyard at her family’s tiny cottage was supposed to be about resurrecting her career as a chef, until she’s tasked with chaperoning her half-brother, Tyler. The teenage brainiac is spending his summer at the local library in a robotics competition, and there’s no place Sam, who has dyslexia, likes less than the library. And because the universe hates her, the library’s interim director turns out to be the hot-reader guy whose book she accidentally destroyed on the ferry ride to the island.

Bennett Reynolds is on a quest to find his father, whose identity he’s never known. He’s taken the temporary job on the island to research the summer his mother spent there when she got pregnant with him. Ben tells himself he isn’t interested in a relationship right now. Yet as soon as Sam knocks his book into the ocean, he can’t stop thinking about her.

An irresistible attraction blossoms when Ben inspires Sam to create the cookbook she’s always dreamed about and she jumps all in on helping him find his father, and soon they realize their summer fling may heat up into a happily ever after.

“Add to this McKinlay’s flair for capturing just how family and friends can make us feel both vulnerable and strong, conveyed in breezy writing buoyed by quippy banter and sizzling sexual chemistry, and you have a book that is pure reading bliss in any season.” —Booklist (Starred Review)

“With a picturesque setting and plenty of entertaining storylines and well-developed characters, this fast-paced, steamy rom-com from McKinlay will enchant book lovers and foodies looking for an upbeat beach read.” —Library Journal (Starred Review)
https://amzn.to/3ITzmVE

The title caught my attention (of course!) as did the author – I enjoyed a couple of her previous books, Wait for It and Paris is Always a Good Idea, so I was excited for this one and it really delivered.

The meet-cute happens on the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard when Sam, a chef who recently quit her job after being passed over for promotion, accidentally knocks the book Ben is reading into the sea. This great looking guy is a librarian, and Sam doesn’t read. Ever. Sam is dyslexic and embarrassed about it.

Sam is not only licking her wounds after the job debacle, she is going to the Vineyard to take care of her younger half-brother while their parents take a long vacation. Sam and Tyler don’t really know each other very well as Sam has been out of the house while Tyler was growing up. Now he’s in high school and is planning on spending his summer in robotics camp, which, much to Sam’s chagrin, is located in the land of endless books, the library. On the other hand, her best friend works there and so does the hot guy from the ferry.

Ben is the interim director, helping out for the summer until they find a more permanent solution. Ben is also there because he is trying to find out who his father is. There is nothing on his birth certificate, and his mother, a famous artist, refuses to discuss it.

Sam has this secret dream of writing a cookbook – her Portuguese grandmother had shared many recipes from her home country (several included in the back of the book!) Ben and Sam keep bumping into one another and the next thing you know, they are helping one another pursue their goals and having a fine time getting to know one another. Meanwhile, Sam is enjoying spending time with Tyler, and they form a much-appreciated strong sibling bond.

I loved the neurodivergent subplot, especially when Ben started reading to Sam – even recording the rest of the book for her when he knows he won’t be around to finish it. A note in the book explains that the publisher chose a dyslexic-friendly font, and used bold type instead of italics, so kudos for that!

Like many romances, this follows the basic formula of boy meets girl, they fall in love, then boy loses girl over his stupidity, and eventually, they make up and have their happy ending. This was a fun summer read with some serious issues, and I liked that it wasn’t just another fluffy read yet still gave me the happily ever after I wanted.

6/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

SUMMER READING by Jenn McKinlay. Berkley (May 16, 2023). ISBN:‎ 978-0593545720. 480p.

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Spotlight Review: JANA GOES WILD by Farah Heron

June 6, 2023

From the publisher:

The highly acclaimed author of Accidentally Engaged delivers a delightful rom-com of one woman trying to shed her perfect image at a destination wedding with hilarious—and moving—results, perfect for fans of Abby Jimenez and Jasmine Guillory.

Jana Suleiman has never really fit in—everyone always sees her as too aloof, too cool, too perfect. The one time she stepped out of her comfort zone she ended up with a broken heart and a baby on the way. Aaaand lesson learned. Now she’s a bridesmaid for a destination wedding in Serengeti National Park, and almost everyone she knows will be there. Her five-year-old daughter. Her mom. Her friends. Even her potential new boss. And of course (because who doesn’t love surprises!) her gorgeous-but-not-to-be-trusted ex.

Fortunately, Anil Malek is a great dad, even if Jana hasn’t quite forgiven him for lying to her all those years ago. Determined to show he has no effect on her whatsoever, she and the bridesmaids concoct a go-wild list to get Jana through the week. Sing karaoke? Sure. Perform their high school dance routine in front of strangers? Okay. But the more she lets down her guard, the less protection she has against her attraction to Anil. And Jana soon realizes it’s one thing to walk on the wild side . . . and quite another to fall for her ex all over again.

“A beautiful, compelling romance celebrating second chances and forgiveness.”―Kirkus, starred review

“The unique setting and delightful dynamic within the rest of the wedding party add to the charm. This is a treat.” ―Publishers Weekly

“This satisfying second-chance romance offers a big-hearted, clear-eyed examination of parenting and rekindling of old flames.” ―Library Journal, starred review
https://amzn.to/3IRgs21

I loved the setting of this book, it was super interesting and almost felt like another character; a wedding in Tasmania. The only thing I knew about Tasmania was based on the Tasmanian Devil, a cartoon character that may or may not be based on an actual animal. I am a great reader but, I’m sorry to say, geographically ignorant. So anytime I get to learn about someplace new to me is always going to heighten my interest. But let’s face it, if it was just a book on Tasmania I never would have picked it up. It’s the romance and the family drama here that made this book unputdownable for me.

A few years earlier, Jana had a relationship with Anil, that ended when she found out he was married. That wasn’t the worst of it, though – she had a child and was managing on her own with some family help. She interviews for a new job with much less traveling that seemed like it would be a great place to work, plus she really liked the man who interviewed her, her potential boss.

While waiting to hear about the job, she packs up herself and her daughter and heads off to Tasmania, where she is a bridesmaid in a destination wedding, and her daughter is the flower girl. To her shock, Anil is one of the groomsmen, and her potential new boss is also attending the wedding. What Jana doesn’t know is that her mother has been telling everyone, all her friends and relatives, that Jana is divorced when the truth is, she never married.

The more time Jana spends with Anil and her boss-to-be, the harder it is to protect her mother from her own lies. It turns out Anil may not be the bad guy Jana believes him to be, and she’s never really sure if this wedding will help or hinder her chances at that new job. But it is so much fun to find out!

This is a terrific story with warm, engaging characters, a lot of laughs, some steamy bedroom moments, and of course, the happy ending. I loved it.

6/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

JANA GOES WILD by Farah Heron. Forever (May 2, 2023). ISBN: 978-1538725450. 352pp.

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MEET ME AT THE LAKE by Carley Fortune

June 2, 2023

From the publisher:

THE INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!

A random connection sends two strangers on a daylong adventure where they make a promise one keeps and the other breaks, with life-changing effects, in this breathtaking new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Every Summer After.

Fern Brookbanks has wasted far too much of her adult life thinking about Will Baxter. She spent just twenty-four hours in her early twenties with the aggravatingly attractive, idealistic artist, a chance encounter that spiraled into a daylong adventure in the city. The timing was wrong, but their connection was undeniable: they shared every secret, every dream, and made a pact to meet one year later. Fern showed up. Will didn’t.

At thirty-two, Fern’s life doesn’t look at all how she once imagined it would. Instead of living in the city, Fern’s back home, running her mother’s lakeside resort—something she vowed never to do. The place is in disarray, her ex-boyfriend’s the manager, and Fern doesn’t know where to begin.

She needs a plan—a lifeline. To her surprise, it comes in the form of Will, who arrives nine years too late, with a suitcase in tow and an offer to help on his lips. Will may be the only person who understands what Fern’s going through. But how could she possibly trust this expensive-suit wearing mirage who seems nothing like the young man she met all those years ago. Will is hiding something, and Fern’s not sure she wants to know what it is.

But ten years ago, Will Baxter rescued Fern. Can she do the same for him?

“Fortune (Every Summer After) shines in this beautiful tale of love, loss, and forgiveness. This searing story of hard-won second chances is not to be missed.” —Publishers Weekly

“This contemporary romance is an immersive second-chance love story that will transport readers with its dual evocative settings of stunning rural Ontario and thrilling Toronto.” —Library Journal (starred review)

A Most Anticipated Book by Today ∙ Oprah Daily ∙ Katie Couric Media ∙ BuzzFeed ∙ SheReads ∙ Zibby Mag ∙ PopSugar ∙ BookRiot ∙ Culturess ∙ Her Campus ∙ The Everygirl ∙ and more!
https://amzn.to/42ydo1P

Do you believe in love at first sight? That is where the story begins. Fern and Will meet, then spend 24 amazing hours together. They both have things to take care of, so they agree to meet again in one year. Will needs to end his current relationship, and Fern is working towards opening her own cafe. On the appointed date, Fern shows up, but Will does not. This is where you really have to suspend your disbelief; Fern yearns for him for ten years, never meeting anyone else that could erase Will from her heart.

The story moves between present day, the magical day they spent together ten years earlier, and her mother’s diary, which all helps to keep those pages turning. Fern is on the brink of owning her own business when her mother suddenly passes away, leaving the family business, a resort, to Fern. She returns home and finds that the resort is not doing well financially. To her surprise, Will shows up and offers to help. He tells her he had made arrangements with her mother to consult on how to improve the business.

Fern still feels that incredible attraction to Will, despite the fact he is no longer the dreamy artist she remembers but instead is some sort of business tycoon in a suit. The more time they spend together, the more they want to spend together. But Will is being a bit secretive, taking calls away from her, and acting a bit shifty in general. Something is going on, but Fern can’t determine what it is. Meanwhile, she is slowly turning the resort around, and is rethinking her original plan to sell it.

The drama arises in the form of secrets slowly revealed, but not to worry, there is a happy ending. This was a very enjoyable read, sure to be seen in many a beach bag.

6/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

MEET ME AT THE LAKE by Carley Fortune. Berkley (May 2, 2023). ISBN:‎ 978-0593638477. 336p.

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HIS STUDY IN SCANDAL by Megan Frampton

June 2, 2023

School for Scoundrels, Book 2

From the publisher:

Megan Frampton’s deliciously witty A School for Scoundrels series follows the adventures of five gentlemen who navigate life—and love—in London. Here, a dashing young businessman enters into a liaison with a widowed Duchess. Perfect for fans of Sarah MacLean and anyone who loves Bridgerton!

Alexandra, Duchess of Chelmsworth, is tired of pretending to mourn a husband who squandered a fortune and never bothered to give her the time of day, much less any attentions at night. So, the still-beautiful duchess cuts up her mourning gowns, deciding to experience the pleasures long denied her by daringly visiting the Garden of Hedon. It is there the ton anonymously gives in to their deepest desires, and where Alexandra finds herself in the arms of a mysterious man. She willingly gives in to the passion he offers her, fully believing she would never see him again.

But she is shocked to soon discover he is none other than Theo Osborne, who is continually being pushed forward as a husband—for Alexandra’s own daughter! While his wealth would save the family from financial ruin, his intentions are clear: he has no interest in anyone but Alexandra. And though he tempts and teases her, she is determined not to give her heart to any man. But what started as a sensuous game turns into something much more…

“Frampton serves up both spicy sex scenes and hefty emotions that will leave readers wanting more. This passionate love story keeps the series going strong.” — Publishers Weekly

“Frampton follows up the first “School for Scoundrels” book, Her Lessons in Persuasion, with another scorching pairing. Recommended for romance fans who like it hot, hot, hot.” — Library Journal
https://amzn.to/43CYvw4

Frampton writes steamy historicals, and this one is no exception. The sex starts early on and continues, on and off, for what feels like most of the book. Not that I’m complaining – she writes great sex scenes.

Alexandra is a duchess who has been in mourning for two years since the death of her husband. Well, she looks and acts like she’s in mourning, but in actuality, she is glad to be rid of her arrogant, domineering, despot of a husband. Unfortunately, his son is now the Duke, and he learned well from his father. If anything, he is even worse because he has mismanaged the family’s money to the point where he is arranging a marriage for Alexandra’s daughter, his half-sister, based solely on finding someone willing to forgo a dowry and pay off his debts.

The day her mourning is up, Alexandra destroys her black clothing and her stepdaughter, who is older than she is, takes her to the Pleasure Garden for the evening. There, Alexandra meets Theo, and he introduces her to sex for pleasure. Theo is a self-made wealthy man who comes from humble beginnings. He was orphaned as a baby, and was eventually adopted by Mr. Osborne, who was alone and longed for a family. Theo is part of a group of men from similar backgrounds; they were children in the same orphanage and have stayed friends. He is also an owner of the pleasure garden and often spends time there.

Theo, who is 32, is completely smitten with Alexandra, who is 40. I loved that May-December aspect to this romance. Unfortunately, it is his last night at the pleasure garden, as he is going to be engaged soon and he is a most honorable man. Much to their surprise, it turns out that Theo is the man set to marry Alexandra’s daughter. Talk about a nightmare!

I don’t want to ruin the story, so I’ll just say that everything gets resolved with the requisite happy ending, but there are a lot of twists and turns, drama and more drama, plus all that sex before it gets there, and that is half the fun!

6/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

HIS STUDY IN SCANDAL by Megan Frampton. Avon (May 23, 2023). ISBN:‎ 978-0063224223. 352p.