Wheeler Rankin isn’t here for romance―she’s come to Lucky River Ranch to visit her best friend, wrangle a business deal, and prove herself to everyone who ever doubted her. But when she collides with Duke Rivers―resident heartbreaker, restless cowboy, and brother to her best friend’s new flame―sparks fly hotter than a Texas summer.
Duke has always dreamed of more than dusty trails and small-town life. He’s itching to see the world, but one unforgettable night with Wheeler changes his course. When a blizzard and a business road trip leave them stranded together, their no-strings flirtation ignites into something deeper.
But passion brings complications―and unexpected news threatens to upend everything Wheeler’s built. As family pressures, old wounds, and new dreams collide, Duke is determined to stand by her side, ready to forge a future neither of them ever imagined.
Can two fiercely independent souls trust in love, face their fears, and find home in each other’s arms? Or will the ghosts of the past keep them apart for good?
Duke is an interconnected standalone novel in the Lucky River Ranch series, perfect for fans of Elsie Silver and Lyla Sage.
Duke, the youngest brother and one of the twins at Lucky River Ranch, loves working the land but secretly dreams of seeing the world. Wheeler, meanwhile, is his sister-in-law Mollie’s business partner. Together, the women run a burgeoning custom cowboy-boot company with a showroom on the ranch and another office in Dallas.
Duke and Wheeler first meet during a family celebration for Cash and Mollie’s engagement. Wheeler is hoping for a casual hookup with a cowboy, but Duke is instantly drawn to her—and wants more than a one-night fling. That alone is enough to send Wheeler running. Struggling with self-esteem, she’s convinced that if Duke gets to know the real her, he’ll bolt. So while she’s working at the ranch, she keeps her distance. But when a trip to Aspen leaves the two of them sharing a room for a night, sparks fly—and they end up sharing the one-night stand Wheeler has always dreamed of.
Soon after, Wheeler suspects she might be pregnant. Mollie insists she take a test, which Mollie’s husband later spots on the bathroom counter. One thing leads to another, and before Wheeler can gather the courage to tell Duke herself, he shows up at her apartment in Dallas.
Wheeler isn’t even sure she wants to keep the baby—a dilemma the story handles with real sensitivity. She’s determined not to repeat her parents’ mistake of rushing into marriage because of a pregnancy. On top of that, she’s focused on growing her business, while Duke’s wanderlust makes her doubt their future together. Yet, with the support of family and friends, Wheeler and Duke confront their fears, talk through their dreams, and ultimately find the happily ever after she never expected.
I devoured this delicious, sexy romance. This series has become one of my favorites, and while each book stands alone beautifully, reading them in order makes the experience even richer. Don’t miss it!
10/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
DUKE by Jessica Peterson.Bloom Books. (December 2, 2025). ISBN: 978-1464249532. 416p.
A twisty, tender and wise look at how secrets can transform the powerful—and sometimes problematic—bond between mothers and daughters, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery.
When Shannon gets engaged, her beloved mom, Cindy, is the first person she wants to tell—and the last. Cindy’s engaged, too, and has already hinted at a double wedding. The image of a synchronized bouquet toss with her mom fills Shannon with horror. She’ll keep her engagement a secret until Cindy’s I-dos are done.
Victoria has never been proper enough for her mother, Ava, so she stopped trying. She lives on her own terms and amuses herself by pushing Ava’s buttons. Ava loves but doesn’t understand her stuntwoman daughter. When a movie-set mishap brings Victoria home, Ava longs to finally connect.
Chance brings the four women together at a wedding venue, where a shocking secret comes tumbling out. Twenty-four years ago, desperate teenager Cindy chose wealthy Ava to adopt her baby—then changed her mind at the very last second. The loss rocked Ava’s world, leaving her unable to open her heart to the daughter she did adopt, Victoria. As Shannon and Victoria deal with the fallout from the decisions their mothers made, they wrestle with whether who they are is different than who they might have become.
Cindy and her daughter Shannon share a close, loving bond. Cindy raised Shannon on her own and is now happily engaged, while Shannon is in a long-term relationship—prompting Cindy to joke about having a joint wedding. So when Shannon’s boyfriend finally proposes, she’s ecstatic but hesitant to tell her mom. She’s pretty sure Cindy wasn’t joking about the dual ceremony, and that’s the last thing she wants. Cindy, meanwhile, is in a good place after years of struggling as a single mother.
Ava and her daughter, Victoria, couldn’t be more different. Their relationship is tense and distant, with Victoria often openly hostile and Ava constantly feeling like she can’t do anything right. Though they come from wealth—Victoria’s family has money—their emotional connection is lacking. Victoria works as a stuntwoman, but when she’s injured on the job, she reluctantly returns home.
The two mother-daughter pairs meet up at a potential wedding venue, where we learn that Cindy and Ava share a complicated history. When Cindy became pregnant as a teenage, unmarried woman, she planned to give her baby up for adoption. She chose Ava, and the two grew close throughout the pregnancy. But at the last moment, Cindy changed her mind, leaving Ava heartbroken. Soon after, a maid in Ava’s household became pregnant and offered her baby to Ava, but even that couldn’t fill the void or repair the emotional fallout. Ava and Victoria’s strained relationship carries echoes of that loss.
As the women begin spending more time together, long-buried secrets resurface, and emotions run high. Victoria, especially, struggles with jealousy toward Shannon. While everything ultimately resolves, the journey is rocky—filled with mother-daughter blowups, wedding chaos, and unresolved pain. I usually adore Mallery’s books, but this one landed as just an okay read for me.
12/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
OTHERWISE ENGAGED by Susan Mallery.MIRA. (November 4, 2025). ISBN: 978-0778387268. 368p.
A secret romance writer discovers that the hottest story of summer might just be the one happening between her and the Prime Minister’s bodyguard, from the international bestselling author of Set On You.
Andi Zeigler lives a double life. By day, she’s the no-nonsense, steadfast personal assistant to the Prime Minister of Canada’s wife. By night, she slips out of her heels and writes romance novels under a top-secret pen name. But when her steamiest book, The Prime Minister & Me, unexpectedly becomes a bestseller, rumors of a real-life affair between her and the PM start swirling out of control.
Enter Nolan Crosby, the PM’s new close protection officer (aka bodyguard) – and Andi’s failed one-night stand from three years ago. Nolan’s in town very temporarily to care for his mother, who’s battling early-onset Alzheimer’s. But when the scandal erupts, Andi ropes him into a fake-dating plan.
As loyal employees, they’ll pretend to date for the summer, just long enough to put the scandal to bed and save their boss’s reputation. In an unexpected plot twist, Andi and Nolan discover that keeping their romance strictly fictional might be easier said than done.
“This contemporary romance features well-developed protagonists with realistic backstories and relatable fears, and there’s plenty of humor and chemistry to balance out the emotion-laden moments. Readers will love Lea’s latest.”—Library Journal
“Lea (The Catch) tugs at readers’ heartstrings with this sweet fake-dating romance…Lea is skilled at balancing heavy moments with light humor. Readers will have no trouble rooting for these two.”—Publishers Weekly
’Tis the season for fake dating! If there’s one standout theme in 2025—aside from romantasy—it’s definitely fake dating. Or maybe I’m just gravitating toward those stories myself.
Andi is the personal assistant to the Canadian Prime Minister’s wife, a people-pleaser to an exhausting degree. Her boss takes full advantage of that, but Andi doesn’t push back as long as she can carve out time to secretly write romance novels under a pseudonym. She’s completed three so far, and while she’s sold a few copies, it’s hardly a career she can rely on—until her latest book, The Prime Minister and Me, suddenly goes viral. Readers are desperate to know if she’s the author—and Andi is desperate to deny it.
A few years earlier, Andi had a one-night stand with Nolan—one that ended up becoming an all-night conversation instead. Nolan is the only person who knows the truth about her writing. Andi insists on keeping it secret, not only to protect her job but also to avoid any suspicion from the Prime Minister’s wife that she harbors romantic feelings for her husband. She is terrified of losing her job, especially since she has never had anything more than a professional relationship with the PM and hates the idea that his wife might suspect otherwise.
Nolan, now part of the Prime Minister’s security detail, has a complicated past. After years of military service, he returned home to care for his mother, who suffers from early-onset Alzheimer’s. His sister has shouldered the burden for years, and Nolan feels it’s his turn to step up. But his mother’s history as a neglectful drug addict makes forgiveness difficult, even as his sister has found peace with their past.
When Andi’s book explodes in popularity, Nolan agrees to pose as her fake boyfriend to deflect the growing attention. Their ruse works—until real feelings begin to surface. Meanwhile, all of Andi’s novels take off, and she finally starts earning real money from her writing. As agents and publishers come calling, she realizes this is her chance to embrace her dream. With Nolan by her side, she steps into her new life, and together they find their happy ending.
This story is not just fun—it has real depth. The portrayal of caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s is handled with real sensitivity, and Nolan’s painful childhood adds meaningful emotional layers. The behind-the-scenes look at the publishing industry feels authentic and engaging. Overall, it’s an enjoyable read with substance. Highly recommend!
12/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
THE BODYGUARD AFFAIR by Amy Lea.Berkley (December 2, 2025). ISBN: 978-0593641781. 432p.
It’s that time of year again; these are the books that I liked best this year. This is my very subjective, very personal list. I loved a lot of books this year; I mostly read romances and romcoms, and those books tend to keep me happy. But to be honest, I forget a lot of them as soon as I’ve moved on to the next. So the ones that stay with me are the ones that end up on my annual list. I’ve read over 350 books this year, so I had plenty to choose from. There were just too many memorable books to limit my list to ten.
I hope you find this list useful and interesting!
WAYWARD GIRLS by Susan Wiggs: bestselling author Susan Wiggs delivers a powerful and haunting work of historical fiction set in late 1960s Buffalo, New York. When teenage Mairin is sent to a reform school run by nuns—supposedly for her protection—she instead finds herself trapped in a brutal institution where punishment, secrecy, and forced labor rule the day. Alongside a small group of fellow “wayward” girls, Mairin fights to survive—and, years later, to heal from the trauma that shaped their lives. Both heartbreaking and hopeful, Wiggs’s latest novel shines a light on a dark chapter of recent history and the enduring strength of the women who lived it.
THE PECULIAR GIFT OF JULY by Ashley Ream: When 14-year-old July arrives on the tiny island of Ebey’s End to live with Anita, the sharp-eyed grocer she’s never met, both their lives begin to change in extraordinary ways. Anita has built her world around quiet observation—she can tell her customers’ secrets by what they put in their baskets. But July brings something new: an uncanny intuition that guides her to offer just the right thing—a pie, a magazine, a bit of kindness—that somehow transforms the lives around her. As July adjusts to island life and forms an unexpected friendship with the pastor’s shy son, her search for her birth mother sets in motion a chain of revelations that lead to a moving, magical conclusion.
NIGHTSHADE by Michael Connelly: Michael Connelly launches a gripping new series with Detective Sergeant Stilwell, the exiled mainland cop now running the small, chaotic police substation on Catalina Island—a dumping ground for misfit officers. When a decapitated buffalo and a priceless statue stolen from the island’s exclusive yacht club set off a chain of crimes, Stilwell finds himself drawn into a case that’s anything but routine. The investigation turns deadly when a body surfaces in the harbor—and his old nemesis, Detective Ahearn, arrives to take charge. Forced into an uneasy partnership, Stilwell must outmaneuver both the killer and the politics that nearly ended his career.
With sharp prose, layered plotting, and a vividly atmospheric island setting, Connelly proves once again that no one does crime fiction better.
HER ONE REGRET by Donna Freitas: In her bold and emotionally charged new novel, Freitas delivers a haunting feminist thriller that grips from the first page. When Lucy Mendoza disappears from a supermarket parking lot, leaving her baby behind, her husband is the prime suspect. Her best friend Michelle knows something sinister lurks beneath the surface. But as the investigation unfolds and secrets emerge, Lucy becomes something far worse than a suspect—she becomes a monster, a woman who dared to regret motherhood. With raw honesty and unflinching insight, this novel confronts the taboo of regret and the impossible standards mothers face. Freitas’s personal note at the end—revealing her own fears and silence—makes this story not just powerful, but necessary.
CRUEL SUMMER by Maisey Yates: When Samantha’s husband, Will—the high school sweetheart she’s loved for more than two decades—asks for an open marriage, her world collapses. Suddenly, the life she thought was solid—three grown kids, a cozy home, a thriving career—feels like a lie. Reeling from heartbreak, she agrees to a summer separation, determined to hold onto her dignity while Will chases the freedom he thinks he’s missed.
Then Logan, Will’s best friend and the last person Sam wants to see, shows up at her door with an unexpected offer: join him on the road delivering restored classic cars. It’s supposed to be a temporary escape. But miles and miles of open highway lead Sam to uncomfortable truths about the choices she’s made, the woman she’s become, and the love she thought she understood.
As she rediscovers her own voice—and as Logan’s long-buried feelings come to light—Sam faces a heart-wrenching question: if Will comes back, will she still want the life she once fought to save? A poignant exploration of identity, loyalty, and the courage to rewrite your story, this novel is a testament to the power of honesty and the unexpected paths to healing.
THE INCREDIBLE KINDNESS OF PAPER by Evelyn Skye: In this enchanting tale of love, magic, and second chances, childhood pen pals Chloe and Oliver—once affectionately known as “Clover”—forge an unbreakable bond that’s suddenly severed when Oliver mysteriously disappears. Years later, Chloe, reeling from the loss of her job, begins leaving yellow origami roses inscribed with messages of hope across the city. Her small act of kindness sparks a viral movement—and unknowingly reconnects her with Oliver, who finds one of her roses and responds in disbelief. What begins as an anonymous exchange soon becomes a rediscovery of love, forgiveness, and the quiet magic that links two hearts meant to be.
A radiant, feel-good novel about love lost and found, and the extraordinary power of kindness to heal even the deepest wounds. Perfect for readers who believe in a little everyday magic.
LOVE IS A WAR SONG by Danica Nava: When pop superstar Avery Fox sparks national outrage by posing in a culturally insensitive photo shoot, her glittering career comes crashing down. Desperate to repair her image—and her fractured sense of identity—Avery’s mother sends her to the one place she’s never been: Red Fox Ranch in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, home to the grandmother she’s never met.
What Avery expects to be exile turns out to be a revelation. At the ranch, she finds not scandal, but roots—a sprawling extended family who welcomes her without judgment, and a quiet, grounded man named Lucas Iron Eyes, who helps her rediscover what it means to belong. As Avery trades tour buses for horseback rides and headlines for honesty, she begins to see the difference between performance and truth.
Richly drawn and emotionally resonant, this is a powerful story about heritage, healing, and finding one’s place in a world that’s too often quick to define you.
ANY TROPE BUT YOU by Victoria Lavine: When best-selling romance author Margot’s secret “Happily Never After” file—filled with cynical alternate endings to her own novels—gets leaked online, her career implodes overnight. Canceled by fans, dropped by her publisher, and heartbroken, she retreats to a “wellness resort” her sister books for her—only to discover it’s a rustic lodge in the wilds of Alaska with no Wi-Fi, no phone signal, and far too much snow.
Stranded and sulking, Margot is forced to join the inn’s ruggedly charming owner, Forrest, and his guests in a series of outdoor adventures—all while secretly plotting her comeback as a mystery writer. As sparks fly and her real-life story starts to resemble one of her own romcoms (complete with forced proximity and one tent), Margot might just find that the only thing harder than surviving Alaska… is believing in love again.
A sharp, funny, and heart-melting romcom about second chances, self-discovery, and the courage to rewrite your own ending.
STORY OF MY LIFE by Lucy Score: Hazel, a bestselling romance author reeling from divorce, writer’s block, and the loss of her NYC apartment, impulsively buys a rundown house in a tiny Pennsylvania town. What she doesn’t expect is to inherit a seat on the town council—or to clash (and spark) with Cam, the town’s grumpy but gorgeous contractor.
Their chemistry jumps off the page, and what begins as a fake relationship quickly becomes something much more. Between the laugh-out-loud moments, the steamy scenes, and the lovable cast of small-town eccentrics, I couldn’t put this book down. It’s classic Lucy Score—heartfelt, funny, and full of charm. It was pure joy from start to finish, and I can’t wait for the next installment in the series.
THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND by Patti Callahan Henry: Patti Callahan Henry once again proves why she’s one of today’s most imaginative and emotionally resonant storytellers. In this mesmerizing tale set against the haunting backdrop of 1950s London, Clara Fordham embarks on a journey to uncover the truth about her vanished mother—Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham, a literary prodigy who wrote a single, world-renowned book in a language she invented as a child before disappearing after a tragic fire.
Years later, when Clara learns that her mother’s long-lost papers have surfaced in London, she and her young daughter, Wynnie, set out through the fog and danger of the Great Smog in search of answers—and perhaps, redemption. What she finds instead is a tangle of mystery, memory, and love that will change everything she thought she knew about her family.
Richly atmospheric and deeply moving, this is a story of mothers and daughters, the power of imagination, and the unbreakable bonds that connect us through loss, hope, and the passage of time. Perfect for readers who loveliterary mysteries, multigenerational family stories, and beautifully written novels that linger long after the final page.
WHAT WILL PEOPLE THINK? by Sara Hamdan: This stunning debut novel shines with heart, humor, and humanity as it explores the complexities of identity, belonging, and family across generations.
Mia, a second-generation Palestinian American, hides her passion for stand-up comedy from her traditional grandparents, who raised her after her parents’ death. But when a secret video of her act goes viral, her rising fame threatens to expose her grandparents’ undocumented status—and long-buried family secrets.
As Mia grapples with fear and ambition, a mysterious journal from her grandmother’s past opens a window into 1940s Palestine. Woven together with wit and emotional depth, the dual narratives trace the echoes of exile, resilience, and love that shape one family’s legacy.
WRITING MR. WRONG by Kelley Armstrong. Narrators: Patricia Santomasso & Sean Patrick Hopkins: Romance novelist Gemma’s debut book tour takes an unexpected turn when a morning show host ambushes her with Mason Moretti—the NHL playboy who inspired her Scottish hero and broke her heart in high school. The interview goes viral, and their publicists see gold: a fake relationship to boost her sales and rehabilitate his reputation.
Gemma agrees reluctantly, still nursing old wounds. Mason seizes the chance to prove he’s not the boy who let her go. What follows is a refreshingly mature romance—no forced miscommunication, just two adults honestly navigating their baggage while staged photo ops blur into genuine reconnection. Their chemistry burns slow and builds hot as friendship rekindles into something deeper. Kelley Armstrong’s versatility shines (she’s mastered everything from fantasy to thriller), and the audiobook production is exceptional—dual narration plus text message sound effects that add surprising authenticity.
A thoroughly satisfying second-chance romance that feels both real and swoon-worthy.
Limiting myself to a specific number of favorites in any given year is not easy. This year in particular was quite difficult for me to narrow down a list, so in the spirit of sharing, here are some more books that I loved —
I put together a list of my favorite reads this year. I created a top ten list, followed by some honorable mentions. There were so many great books in 2025 – not to mention the older books I also read – that my honorable mentions may be longer than my top ten. Sorry (not sorry!)
(Courtesy of 99designs by Vista) via The Washington Post
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
— “The Lorax,” by Dr. Seuss
A corrupted children’s book can feel more jarring than a poisoned river hundreds of miles away.
That’s the impulse behind a sharp campaign launched by freelancers at 99designs, a graphic design platform. Their work draws attention to global warming and the UN Climate Conference taking place in Brazil.
This week, the firm released dystopian revisions of the iconic covers of six children’s stories as they might look in our ravaged future (details).
The Little Mermaid is swimming through a tire on a seabed littered with garbage. The only thing left of Winnie the Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood is a single stump. And Mr. Badger and Ratty from “The Wind in the Willows” are wearing gas masks as they navigate a chemical swamp.
Patrick Llewellyn, CEO of 99designs, said in a statement, “By reimagining the children’s stories we all grew up with through a climate lens, they’ve created something that feels both familiar and urgent.”
Former Poet Laureate Billy Collins is my favorite poet, and here is one reason why.
Emilia D’Albero became the first ever American to win the Mondial du Fromage, a biennial event held in France and known in English as the Cheesemonger World Cup!
“Join Beef on his 30 minute 0.2 mile walk,” wrote the English bulldog’s owner, America Miranda.
As always, thanks for reading, and stay safe.
Thanks to The New York Times and The Washington Post for allowing me to “gift” my readers with free access to these articles, a lovely perk for subscribers.
Comments Off on BookBitch Diary: December 1, 2025 | Ramblings | Permalink Posted by Stacy Alesi
It was over between Bennett Owens and me—until I had no place to go but back to Willowbrook.
Seven years ago, he walked away, and I built a new life for myself, swearing never to look back. But when my husband is arrested, that life collapses, leaving my daughter and me with nothing but a three-month plan to return to the small ranch town before disappearing again.
Bennett’s a single dad now. Our girls become inseparable on sight, making it impossible to keep him at arm’s length. Especially when I end up working alongside him, where every glance chips away at the walls I’ve built.
The years apart haven’t dulled the pull between us. Bennett remains protective and patient, determined to prove that we deserve a second chance. But he has no idea about the secret I’ve kept since the day he left.
Because once he learns the truth, he may never forgive me. And like it or not, we’ll be bound together forever—by the daughter he never knew was his.
This one was a bit of a tough read for me. I’m not comfortable with cheating—it’s a personal trigger, thanks to my father being a manwhore. Still, I love this series, so I pushed through. There was also some controversy around this book when it first came out: an AI prompt was accidentally left in the text, and people lost their minds over it. I’m not getting into all that, just mentioning it. Google can fill in the details if you’re curious.
So…this is Bennett’s story. He’s been hovering around the edges of the entire series. He’s a single dad to a seven-year-old daughter, Wren, who he raises with plenty of help from his family. His high school sweetheart, Delainey, has moved back to town after her husband was arrested. She’s divorcing him and returned so her parents can help support her and her own seven-year-old daughter, Leia. She ends up working for the town florist—who happens to be Bennett’s sister—and discovers that Bennett works out of the shop too. He’s a landscape architect, and that shared love for growing things is one of the many threads connecting him and Delainey.
But Delainey is keeping a huge secret: Leia isn’t her husband’s child—she’s Bennett’s. Years ago, Bennett had left his wife and moved away, eventually landing at the same company where Delainey worked. Their reunion was intense and fast. But then Bennett’s wife showed up at Delainey’s door, claiming she was pregnant and hoping Delainey wouldn’t keep Bennett from returning home. Bennett did what he thought was the right thing; he went back to his wife, but ultimately, she died in childbirth. Delainey remained where she was, met her husband, and he raised Leia as his own. After his arrest, though, he and his family cut ties with both Delainey and Leia, prompting her to return home.
When Delainey finally tells Bennett the truth about Leia, everything becomes strained. He’s angry and hurt; she’s guilty but still believes she made the best choice for her daughter at the time. Now they all have to adjust to their new reality. I understood why Delainey stayed silent, though obviously she shouldn’t have. In the end, they manage to find their way back to each other and finally get their long-awaited happily ever after.
The duet narration was excellent and helped me through the parts I struggled with. I may have even skipped ahead a few times—which is very unlike me. Overall, this was my least favorite book in the series.
11/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
CHASING LOVE by Piper Rayne.Narrators: Erin Mallon & JF Harding. Piper Rayne Inc.; October 17, 2025. ASIN: B0FWS27CR1. Listening Length: 7 hours and 45 minutes
The fifth arranged-marriage billionaire romance in the #1 Amazon Kindle and USA Today bestselling Windsors series. With one-night stands, secrets, angst, and high heat, this is contemporary romance at its best.
When Lex finds Raya Lewis’s name hidden behind countless security measures on his own family’s servers, he knows it can only mean one thing.
Determined to take control of the situation, he sets out to find her ― only for Raya to spill her drink all over him within seconds of meeting.
Much to her surprise, the notoriously unattainable tech billionaire asks for only one thing as compensation: six rounds of Truth or Dare.
An evening filled with laughter leads to Raya sneaking out of his bed in the morning, not expecting to ever see him again…
…until he shows up as her professor, offering her class the opportunity of a lifetime: an internship at Windsor Motors.
What Raya doesn’t realize is that their meeting wasn’t coincidental ― and she’s the sole reason he took up a teaching position at all.
After all, Lex knows something she doesn’t: the two of them are arranged to be married.
This was my first book by this author, and I happened to start with the fifth in the series. I’m sure I would have gotten more out of it had I read the earlier installments, since I would have been familiar with the characters, their families, and the whole concept of arranged marriages in 2025. Still, I suspended my disbelief and went with it.
Lex is a billionaire tech prodigy whose home is run by robots and whose company leads the industry. His grandmother rules the family with an iron will, arranging marriages for each of his siblings—and Lex knows he’s next. These pairings are all about expanding the family business, but he has no intention of letting his grandmother surprise him. Instead, he hacks into the family’s computer system to learn who his intended match will be. The arrangement isn’t official yet, since the woman’s father hasn’t signed the contract, but Lex takes matters into his own hands. He engineers a meet-cute at a local bar, and his charm does the rest.
Raya, like Lex, is a gifted computer mind, though she’s just beginning her career. She’s enrolled in a special program at a small private college owned by Lex’s closest friends. When Lex steps in to teach her course, Raya is stunned to realize that the man she met at the bar is now her professor. His offer of internships at his company excites the entire class, but it’s Raya who finds herself most affected.
As Raya and Lex spend more time together, her feelings intensify, even though he insists he isn’t capable of love. Eventually, the families reach an agreement, and the marriage is arranged.
I liked this book, though I didn’t love it. For me, the premise was simply too implausible to become fully invested in these characters. I liked them and they definitely had chemistry, but there were just too many hurdles for me to overcome to really care about their happily ever after. I might try tracking down an earlier book to see if that helps.
11/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
THE SECRET FIANCÉE by Catharina Maura.Bloom Books. (November 18, 2025). ISBN: 978-1464237492. 368p.
It’s hate-at-first-sight when a jilted Irish chef returns home to Inishmore and immediately clashes with a mouthy American tourist.
This steamy romance novel from the author of the New York Times bestselling Jewel series “checks all the boxes for a steamy Irish summer holiday escape.” —Abby Jimenez, author of Just for the Summer
Cordelia James was once at the top of her game—a renowned street photographer with a massive social media following, gallery showings in Chelsea, and a lucrative book deal. But after the sudden death of her father, Cordelia can barely force herself to leave her apartment. That is, until she sees an ad for a summer gig at a cozy cottage on Ireland’s picturesque Inishmore island. Cordelia is on a plane before she can talk herself out of it.
The moment she steps off the boat, she crashes—literally—into Niall O’Connor, a grumpy local who’s just returned home to Inishmore from Dublin. Niall is nursing a broken heart and trying to patch up a broken life, and he has no time for posh American tourists. The more Cordelia’s and Niall’s paths cross, the more they make each other’s lives hell. But as with all rivalries, their hatred is about to reach a tipping point—and it’s going to heat up their cool coastal nights.
Featuring a lovable band of quirky supporting characters, The Irish Goodbye is a steamy, emotionally gripping tale of love, passion, art, food, and finding where you belong.
“Compulsively readable . . . The magical atmosphere of Inishmore and its residents will captivate readers.” —Library Journal, starred review
Cordelia is a successful New York City street photographer whose world is upended by the devastating loss of her father. Hoping for a fresh start, she accepts a summer job on Inishmore Island in Ireland. The work is simple enough: maintain a small cottage—where she can stay rent-free—and keep an eye on the elderly woman living next door.
Though I’ve never been to Ireland, the author’s vivid descriptions of Inishmore made me want to book a trip immediately, rain and all. Getting to the island is no easy feat and requires a full day of travel, but when Cordelia finally arrives, we’re treated to a meet-cute that’s really more of a meet-disaster, perfectly setting the tone for this enemies-to-lovers romance.
As Cordelia steps off the ferry, she literally runs into Niall—sending her beloved camera, a treasured gift from her father, crashing to the ground. Furious and heartbroken, she lashes out at him. But Niall, burdened by his own troubles, barely reacts. He has just returned to Inishmore after losing both his dream business and the woman he thought he’d marry.
A talented chef who moved to Dublin to chase his ambitions, Niall fell hard for Deirdre, who encouraged him to believe in a future they could build together. But when he discovers Deirdre in a shocking betrayal, his dreams collapse. Defeated, he retreats to Inishmore to work in his father’s pub, though their strained relationship makes the return anything but easy. His father had always expected Niall to take over the pub, but their conflicting visions had driven Niall away in the first place. Returning home feels like a step backward, and Niall doesn’t bother hiding his misery.
On a small island like Inishmore, Cordelia and Niall’s paths keep crossing. Their initial hostility gives way to an uneasy friendship, and eventually, something deeper develops. But there is a long, bumpy road to get there.
One of the novel’s highlights is its strong sense of community, and I loved learning about the local foods and customs. The secondary characters are richly drawn and play an essential role in the story, even if I couldn’t pronounce most of the names! My only quibble (and it’s minor) is the so-called “epilogue.” Rather than offering a glimpse into the future, it takes place the very next day after the final chapter. I would have preferred a more expansive conclusion.
Overall, I adored this book. It lingered with me so much that I couldn’t pick up another novel for a full day—I just wanted to savor the memories of it. I’m eager to see what this author writes next.
11/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
THE IRISH GOODBYE by Amy Ewing.Alcove Press. (June 4, 2024). ISBN: 978-1639107810. 336p.
A Heartwarming, Body-Positive Reunion Romance Novel in the Quaint Small Town of Harlot’s Bay
In the second installment of USA Today bestselling author Olivia Dade’s Harlot’s Bay series, a mistaken obituary leads to the reunion of two former high school crushes. Sparks fly in this hilarious grumpy/grumpy romance, packed with Dade’s signature body positivity and a delicious amount of spice.
Karl and Molly were never together. There was a time, right after high school, where it seemed like they might finally cross the line from friends to lovers…but instead, a foolish misunderstanding meant they never spoke again. Molly went to LA and got married. Karl stayed in Harlot’s Bay and bought a bakery.
The only connection the pair has shared over the years is painfully one-sided: Now divorced, Molly narrates monster romance audiobooks, and Karl is an ever-diligent listener, clinging to his only piece of the one that got away.
Still, Molly hasn’t totally left Harlot’s Bay behind. When she hears that Karl’s obituary has run in the local paper, unexpected grief prompts her to hop on the next flight to Maryland…where she finds Karl very much alive, the victim of nothing but an accidental obituary.
As the pair reunite, they finally hash out their missed connection. True, Molly isn’t quite ready to trust again, but Karl is determined to prove himself worthy of her faith and devotion. And as her remaining time in Harlot’s Bay ticks down, Molly, the habitual cynic, just might find that Karl, the cranky town curmudgeon, is impossible to leave behind a second time.
“Dade maintains value and depth in the storyline about a curvaceous, sexy woman and accentuates the humanity in negative emotions common in clinical depression with therapy, laughter, and eroticism.” – Booklist
“Dade’s (At First Spite) grumpy/sunshine, second-chance romantic comedy features delightful protagonists who are believable, relatable, and sympathetic. Their chemistry is instantaneous, and the slow-burn plot keeps their sexual tension buzzing just beneath the surface. VERDICT Readers will be unable to put this book down.” – Library Journal
“Harlot’s Bay is alive with quirky characters… fans of the series will rejoice at returning to town” – Kirkus Reviews
“Amusing rom-com… Dade peppers the narrative with abundant humor from Harlot Bay’s residents; there’s even a running bit about the town’s dueling sex shops expressing their animosity for each other by commissioning elegant but insulting cakes. Series fans who met Karl as a colorful side character in book one will be especially glad to uncover his hopeless romantic streak. This is a charmer.” – Publishers Weekly
Molly is a thriving audiobook narrator in California, best known for her monster romance performances. Once married and divorced, she’s content living independently. Two decades ago, she left her hometown of Harlot’s Bay with no intention of returning, though she still keeps tabs on local gossip through the town’s newsletter. One day, she’s stunned to read an obituary announcing the death of Karl—her closest friend from high school. Heartbroken, she rushes back for the funeral.
Her sorrow quickly turns to shock when she discovers Karl alive and well, albeit a bit grumpy, running his bakery. What Molly doesn’t know is that Karl has long found solace in her audiobooks, treasuring the intimacy of her voice. When she walks into his shop, that imagined bond suddenly becomes real. Persuaded to stay for their upcoming high school reunion, Molly and Karl rekindle their friendship—and soon realize it’s blossoming into something much deeper.
This novel is far from a typical rom-com. It’s refreshing to see plus-size protagonists nearing forty portrayed as romantic leads, with body size treated as a non-issue and their communication handled with genuine maturity. The banter sparkles, the chemistry sizzles, and the emotional connection is irresistible. Karl may be a stubborn grump, while Molly remains cautiously hopeful, but he is determined to prove they deserve their happily ever after. For fans of Olivia Dade, this latest installment—though perfectly enjoyable as a standalone—delivers everything you could want. I loved it!
11/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE by Olivia Dade.Avon (November 25, 2025). ISBN: 978-0063215979. 400p.
She doesn’t believe in love. He doesn’t believe in losing. Let the games begin.
Scarlett “Scottie” Calloway built her career writing books about why women don’t need men. Romance? Overrated. Soulmates? A marketing ploy. The last thing she wants is to spend a summer co-hosting a romance book club with an arrogant, insufferably handsome hockey player who thinks he knows a thing or two about love. Immediate no. Chase Remington lives for three things: hockey, winning, and pushing Scarlett’s buttons. He’s never met a challenge he couldn’t charm his way through—until her. The queen of anti-romance loathes him, and frankly? He’s having the time of his life getting under her skin.
But when a PR stunt forces them together, their battle of wits turns into something far more dangerous—an attraction neither can afford. She swears she won’t fall. He bets she will. By summer’s end, only one will be right.
And if there’s one thing they do have in common? Neither likes to lose.
The Book Club Boyfriend is a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers sports romance featuring professional athletes, shameless flirting, and a hero who falls first—and hard. Expect banter, chemistry, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
Scarlett “Scottie” Calloway is a best-selling author known for her sharp, witty books about how romance is a scam and how women don’t need men to be happy. But with the deadline for her latest manuscript looming, she finds herself stuck and uninspired. Hoping a change of scenery will spark her creativity, she rents a house on Lake Michigan for a month.
Meanwhile, Chase Remington—a professional hockey player for a (fictional) Dallas team—has his own reasons for escaping. With a reputation that precedes him, he decides to lay low and rents a house on Lake Michigan as well. By coincidence, his place is right next door to Scottie’s. The two cross paths in a grocery store, unaware they’re neighbors, and their meet-cute sets the stage for what’s to come.
Chase falls first—and falls hard—for Scottie. Despite his so-called bad-boy image, he radiates Golden Retriever energy: loyal, eager, and endlessly sweet. His lovable dog wins Scottie over even faster than he does. As they spend more time together, Scottie finds herself questioning the very beliefs that made her famous, all while still struggling to write..
Everything comes to a head when Scottie’s publisher ropes her into co-leading the hockey team’s romance book club—with none other than Chase by her side.
The result is a light, heartwarming romance filled with sharp banter, palpable chemistry, and plenty of charm. The narrators bring both the characters and the story to life, making it fun to listen to. Highly recommended!
11/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
THE BOOK CLUB BOYFRIEND by Kendall Ryan.Narrators: Ryan West & CJ Bloom. Dreamscape Media; November 11, 2025. ASIN: B0FR5X3ZSR. Listening Length: 7 hours and 30 minutes
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