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Spotlight Review: RYDER by Jessica Peterson

April 14, 2026

Lucky River Ranch, Book 5

From the publisher:

**The limited deluxe edition will have designed edges**

One hard fall in the rodeo ring.

One maddeningly gorgeous cowboy.

One chance at love she swore she’d never take.

Billie Wallace has spent her whole life trying to prove she’s more than the Wallace Ranch’s “wild” only daughter. All she wants is a shot at barrel racing―and a purpose beyond crunching numbers in her daddy’s office. But when her very first run ends in disaster, Billie lands flat on her back with Ryder Rivers―her childhood crush, her brother’s best friend, and the town’s notorious heartbreaker―hovering over her.

In all the years she’s known him, Ryder has never entertained Billie’s shameless flirting. But after her fall, he’s suddenly everywhere―showing up to help her when she’s hurt, staring at her across the honky-tonk when she’s trying to move on with a bronc rider, and encouraging her to explore her dream career.

Before either can really register what’s happening, their partnership sparks into much more than just dust and arguments.

Late nights turn into stolen kisses. Stolen kisses turn into something that feels dangerously like forever. Ryder swears he’s not the staying kind, but the way he looks at Billie like she’s the only woman in the world makes everyone start to wonder if he’s ready to stop running…
https://amzn.to/4sIrNX2

The final book in the Lucky River Ranch series brings together childhood friends Ryder and Billie in a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers story centered on grief, self-discovery, and the kind of unspoken love that’s been simmering for years.

Billie stands out from typical romance heroines—she’s feisty, bold, and unapologetically herself. Her dynamic with Ryder is full of sharp, playful banter both in and out of the bedroom, and their long history adds a layer of warmth and familiarity that makes their eventual romance especially satisfying. More than the love story, the real strength of the book lies in their individual growth—Billie finding her voice and Ryder working through the lingering pain of losing his parents.

Ryder, the youngest of his family and Duke’s twin, has long tried to be the easygoing one, burying his grief after his parents’ death and closing himself off to love. Billie, meanwhile, is a spirited wild child who feels trapped in a life she doesn’t want, working as an accountant for her family’s ranch while craving something more. She’s always had feelings for Ryder, despite him being her brother Colt’s best friend, and never shies away from expressing them. Billie challenges Ryder to confront his emotions, while Ryder’s steady, softer nature helps ground Billie when her own world begins to unravel.

Their relationship unfolds with a slow, believable build—rooted in years of unspoken feelings, flirtation, and undeniable chemistry. That said, at times, the pacing drags, with an overabundance of family gatherings, conversations, and new character introductions that feel more like setup for future books than a satisfying finale. While there’s no shortage of steamy scenes, the emotional connection between Ryder and Billie didn’t feel as compelling as previous couples in the series. Ryder is sensitive, gentle, and openly emotional—while Billie is the more assertive, adventurous partner who pushes the relationship forward.

More than the romance, the real strength here is the character development. Billie finding her voice and Ryder’s healing journey are genuinely moving, and their connection — built on years of friendship, banter, and barely-contained longing — makes their eventual relationship feel both earned and inevitable. Despite some criticism, for fans of the series, Ryder and Billie’s story is a deeply satisfying, emotionally resonant close.

4/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

RYDER by Jessica Peterson. Bloom Books (April 7, 2026). ISBN: 978-1464249549. 416p.

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Audiobook Sunday: FLAWLESS by Elsie Silver

April 12, 2026

Narration by Sebastian York & Emma Wilder

Chestnut Springs, Book 1

From the author:

The rules were simple. Keep my hands off his daughter and stay out of trouble.

But now I’m stuck with her. There’s only one bed. And well, rules are made to be broken.

I’m the face of professional bull riding—the golden boy. Or at least I was, until it all blew up in my face. Now my agent says I have to clean up my image, so I’m stuck with his ball-busting daughter for the rest of the season as my “full-time supervision.”

But I don’t need a goddamn babysitter, especially one with skin-tight jeans, a sexy smirk, and a mouth she can’t stop running.

A mouth I can’t stop thinking about.

Because Summer isn’t just another conquest. She sees the man behind the mask, and she doesn’t run—she pulls me closer, even when she shouldn’t.

She says this means nothing.

I say this means everything.

She says there are boundaries we shouldn’t cross. That my reputation can’t take any more hits—and neither can her damaged heart.

I say I’m going to steal it anyway.

https://amzn.to/4mdDFO0

This is a small town, forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers (sort of) cowboy romance with lots of banter and sex. I really liked all the secondary characters as well, so I’m looking forward to the rest of this series.

Summer Hamilton has been assigned to basically babysit Rhett Eaton, a professional bull rider. Her father, Kip, is Rhett’s agent, and Rhett has pissed off a number of sponsors with his big mouth. Summer’s job is to help him keep his mouth shut and try to rehabilitate his reputation. An agent earns a percentage of their client’s earnings, so if the client isn’t earning, neither is the agent.

Summer and Rhett have instant chemistry, but she is firmly grounded in her job and takes it seriously. On the other hand, while Rhett knows he’s screwed up, he is wildly attracted to Summer, despite their forced relationship. Rhett is basically in lust with Summer from the get go, and it takes her a little while to catch up. Love soon follows, of course.

This was a fun read with a lot of sex, so if that isn’t fun for you, probably skip this series. For me, the character development more than made up for all the bedroom antics and did help propel the story forward. The narrators did a good job, as usual. To be honest, it always surprises me when a self-published author can offer such a professionally rendered audiobook. The quality of the production is as good as anything from the major publishers. Looking forward to book 2, Heartless.

4/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

FLAWLESS by Elsie Silver. Narrators: Sebastian York & Emma Wilder. Self-published. (December 14, 2022). ASIN: B0BQ1FX4CC. Listening Length: 9 hours and 44 minutes.

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THE ROOMMATE RULE by Georgia Stone

April 10, 2026

From the publisher:

When two polar opposites find themselves sharing a cabin for the summer, they lay down some ground rules to keep the peace—only to discover that one of those rules might be impossible to keep in this steamy new novel from the author of The Friendship Fling.

Dylan is the kind of person who is always fifteen minutes early and never leaves things to chance–so she can’t believe she’s about to spend six weeks on a last-minute trip to Wales that she didn’t plan, living in a cabin with a man she’s only met once.

Max always goes with the flow, and after his plus-one drops out of his all-expenses-paid travel influencer trip, he’s happy for his sister’s friend to take the spot. After all, from what he remembers of their brief meeting a year ago, Dylan is the kind of woman he’d be more than happy to spend some alone time with.

Not that anything is going to happen between them, because Dylan knows getting involved with this reckless, irrepressible flirt is the last thing she needs. So she makes a house rule: they are roommates only, and under no circumstances can anything . . . untoward . . . happen between them.

But as the days go by, Max starts to realize how much he enjoys chipping away at the walls Dylan hides herself behind, while Dylan begins to admit to herself that there may be more to Max than she first assumed. And before she knows it, she finds herself wondering if their “roommate rule” might be one rule she actually wants to break…

https://amzn.to/4bXsMN3

The Roommate Rule is a standalone sequel to The Friendship Fling — you don’t need to have read the first book, but fans will love the familiar faces.

Dylan is Ava’s best friend, and Max is Ava’s twin brother, so they’re essentially strangers when they end up sharing a six-week trip along the Welsh coast. Max, a travel influencer, has an extra spot; Dylan, a chronic people-pleaser, is suddenly without vacation plans. The setup delivers everything you’d expect—forced proximity, roommates-to-lovers, only one bed, and opposites attract—but with genuine depth behind the tropes.

At its heart, this is a classic pairing: a cautious planner and a reckless free spirit. But beneath that familiar dynamic is a story rich in emotional depth, strong character development, and plenty of heart. The banter sparkles, the Welsh setting is vividly rendered, and while the tone is often light and funny, the story doesn’t shy away from heavier themes like trauma, mental health, and healing.

Both Dylan and Max undergo meaningful self-reflection before they can truly love themselves—and each other. I was equally charmed and frustrated by them. Dylan bends herself to please others, often losing her sense of self, while Max is so shaped by his past cancer experience that he avoids thinking about the future, sometimes at others’ expense. What makes their journey compelling is how naturally they connect and push each other to grow. Their development feels authentic, driven by a desire to become better for themselves, not just for each other.

One highlight is how Max helps Dylan rediscover her confidence and self-worth after a difficult childhood and toxic relationship. His carpe diem outlook encourages her to take risks and prioritize herself. In turn, Dylan grounds Max, challenging him to face his fears and imagine a more stable future. Their dynamic is messy, heartfelt, and entirely believable.

Georgia’s writing is sharp and warm, balancing wit with moments of genuinely beautiful prose. The Welsh coast is so vividly depicted you may find yourself browsing flights.

A couple of notes: the spice level is higher than The Friendship Fling, and while the intimate scenes are well done, there are quite a few. The third-act breakup feels a bit unnecessary, though the ending and epilogue more than make up for it—tissues recommended.

Overall, a top-tier romance with two lovable, fully realized characters and banter that absolutely delivers.

Note: This book is only available as an ebook; the paperback and the audiobook will not be available until 7/7/2026. I think this is the first time I’ve seen this happen from a traditionally published author.

4/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE ROOMMATE RULE by Georgia Stone. Harper Perennial. (March 31, 2026). ASIN: B0FV38XDSR. 346p.

Paperback (available 7/7/26)

Audible (available 7/7/26)

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Spotlight Review: DOG PERSON by Camille Pagán

April 7, 2026

From the publisher:

In this delightfully heartwarming novel, an elderly dog is determined to help his grieving owner find a reason to go on after loss. Now, if only he’d stop getting in his way by being so very . . . human.

Harold may be an aging mutt—but Amelia May, the romance novelist who adopted him, taught him a thing or two about the human heart before she died. And she also left Harold with a final task: to help her partner, Miguel, find love again.

Trouble is, the grief-ridden recluse rarely goes out, not even to the bookstore he and Amelia owned together. Now it’s in danger of going under, and when a renowned author doesn’t show up for his event, it pushes the store’s already precarious finances into the red. In a final attempt to save the bookstore, Miguel and Harold set out to find the no-show and insist he fulfill his obligation. But instead, they’re greeted by Fiona, his sunny yet secretive sister.

Fiona is intent on protecting her brother’s privacy—and to Harold’s horror, she doesn’t like dogs. But her precocious eleven-year-old daughter, who’s also named Amelia, immediately befriends Harold . . . who can’t help but wonder if his Amelia was right when she said there are no coincidences in life.

Harold’s quickly running out of time to accomplish his mission, but if he can just convince his infuriatingly stubborn person to let Fiona in, he’s certain Miguel will find something far more important than a missing author: his own happy ending.

Uplifting, smartly observed, and hilariously insightful, Dog Person is as undeniably charming as its beloved narrator, Harold, and offers a much-needed reminder that while not all love is unconditional, it is still always worthwhile.
https://amzn.to/4q3LeIS

“There are two kinds of people in this world:
dog people, and people who still need to meet the right dog.”

In Pagán’s latest novel (following Good for You), Harold—a loyal dog and our charming narrator—guides us through a story of grief, healing, unexpected love, and the magic of books. Miguel and Amanda May shared a beautiful romance that cancer tragically cut short. Before she passed, she asked Harold, the shelter dog she adored, to help Miguel find love again. Harold is determined to honor her request—if only he could coax the heartbroken Miguel to leave the house. Amanda was a romance writer who dreamed of opening a bookstore, and Miguel helped make that dream a reality. But the shop is now failing. When a famous author’s assistant calls to schedule an event, Miguel sees a lifeline. But the author never shows, leaving Miguel scrambling to save the shop. Desperate, he and Harold set off to find the missing writer. Instead, he meets the writer’s sister, Fiona, and her young daughter, Amanda Mae. The name stops Miguel in his tracks. As Fiona and Miguel grow closer, secrets are revealed, the bookstore is saved, and Miguel—thanks to Harold’s gentle guidance—opens his heart once more.

VERDICT: Suspend your disbelief and recommend to readers who loved The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, or A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron.

©Library Journal, 2026

4/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

DOG PERSON by Camille Pagán. Delacorte Press (April 7, 2026). ISBN: 979-8217092055. 336p.

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THE HOCKEY PROBLEM by Kendall Ryan

April 3, 2026

Off the Ice, Book 1

From the publisher:

He’s the NHL’s most guarded single dad.
She’s the one woman who can’t afford to fall for him.

Tori Wells didn’t fight her way into the NHL just to become another cautionary tale. As a team physical therapist, she lives by strict rules: heal the players, protect her career, and never—ever—cross the line with a hockey player.

Then she’s assigned to Zayden Bishop.

On the ice, he’s untouchable—a French-Canadian superstar with a reputation for being cold, private, and impossible to read. Off the ice, he’s a devoted single father running on discipline, stubbornness, and too little sleep. Until a serious shoulder injury threatens his season—and the stability he’s built for his six-year-old daughter.

Tori is in charge of his rehab. Full oversight. Daily sessions.
No room for mistakes.
No room for attraction.

Except Zayden isn’t what she expected.

The more time they spend together—early mornings, quiet road trips, late-night conversations—the harder it becomes to pretend this is just professional. Because Zayden doesn’t just need his shoulder fixed. He needs someone who sees the man behind the jersey.

And Tori is dangerously close to becoming that someone.

Crossing the line could cost her everything she’s worked for. And Zayden can’t risk bringing anyone into his daughter’s life unless he’s certain they’ll stay.

Perfect for fans of Meghan Quinn, Elle Kennedy, and Monica Murphy, this slow-burn, single dad, forced-proximity hockey romance brings the heat—and the heart—in all the best ways.

Book one in a brand-new hockey romance series. Each book can be read as a standalone.

https://amzn.to/4c0MF4p

Sometimes you just want a romance without ridiculous misunderstandings or a contrived third-act breakup. The Hockey Problem delivered exactly that — two people who face real obstacles and actually communicate like adults.

Tori Wells is a physical therapist for an NHL team — driven, disciplined, and determined not to repeat the career-damaging mistake of getting involved with a player. Then she’s assigned to Zayden Bishop’s rehab. On the ice, he’s a guarded French-Canadian superstar. Off it, he’s a devoted single father running on stubbornness and not enough sleep. Daily sessions and late-night conversations were never supposed to blur into something more. But they do — slowly, naturally, and beautifully.

What makes this book work is how grounded it feels. Tori knows exactly what she stands to lose, and that awareness shapes every hesitation, every boundary, every moment where things could tip. Zayden, meanwhile, filters every decision through one question: what’s best for his six-year-old daughter, Maisie. He’s not just protecting himself — he’s protecting her.

Maisie is where the story softens in the best possible way. She brings warmth and levity that perfectly balance the tension, and watching Tori slowly become part of their world feels effortless and earned. Nothing is rushed. Everything unfolds with quiet, steady intention.

The slow burn lives in shared routines, small moments, and unspoken shifts you feel long before either character acknowledges them. When Zayden shows up for Tori — no hesitation, no games — it lands with real emotional weight.

The book also handles Tori’s backstory with nuance: a past relationship with a star quarterback left her reputation bruised, and that history gives her boundaries real stakes. The only conflict comes from a player who can’t handle rejection and starts spreading rumors, but Zayden shuts it down swiftly — no manufactured angst, no dragged-out miscommunication.

The story wraps with a satisfying happily-ever-after, and I loved that Tori also grows professionally along the way. If you love a swoony single dad, a strong heroine, and a romance that earns every feeling, this one is absolutely worth your time.

4/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE HOCKEY PROBLEM by Kendall Ryan. Dream Press. (March 13, 2026). ISBN: 978-1952036224. 344p.

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Spotlight Review: THE NIGHT WE MET by Abby Jimenez

March 31, 2026

Say You’ll Remember Me, Book 2

From the publisher:

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Say You’ll Remember Me comes a beautiful, compelling novel that revels in laughter, friendship, and the messy choices life can throw our way.

In everyone’s life, there’s a split-second decision that can change everything …

For Larissa, it came when choosing who to ride home with after a concert. That night, she had no idea she’d met the perfect man. She and Chris are great friends, co-parenting a slightly unhinged rescue Yorkie, sharing their favorite books, and judging bread (pumpernickel for the win!). For the first time amid all her side hustles to scrape by, things finally feel easy.

But she didn’t choose Chris to drive her home all those months ago—she went with his best friend, and he became her boyfriend. All Chris wants is for Larissa to be happy. Standing by on the sidelines is slowly killing him, but making a move would destroy someone else.

How can something that feels so right be absolutely impossible?

Publishers Weekly Top 10 Romance Releases for Spring 2026

“In turns heart-wrenching and humorous, tear-jerking and laughter-inducing, Jimenez’s latest is unputdownable until the inevitable, but seemingly impossible, HEA.” ―Library Journal, starred review

“A compulsively readable slow-burn romance full of grown-up worries and plenty of pining.”
―Kirkus, starred review

“The palpable yearning and slow-burning sexual tension keep the pages flying.”―Publishers Weekly

“Jimenez once again demonstrates a rare flair for love and laughter in this radiantly rewarding romance.”―Booklist
https://amzn.to/4sIrNX2

Chris and Mike have been inseparable since childhood. One night at a concert, they meet Larissa, a young woman who needs a ride home. Both men offer, but she chooses Mike—and that single decision sparks a relationship. Mike falls fast and hard, while Larissa, slower to trust, prefers to take things one careful step at a time.

Larissa carries a heavy load. Her father stole her mother’s identity, racked up debt, and then did the same to her, leaving her with a wrecked credit score and bills she can barely manage. She works as a diner waitress—grateful the menu is nut‑free because of her severe allergies—and picks up any side job she can, from mystery shopping to selling homemade nut‑free snacks. She lives with her mother because she can’t afford her own place, but despite everything, she stays upbeat and determined to claw her way out of poverty.

One morning, Mike wakes Chris in a panic. Mike was supposed to drive Larissa and her mother to the hospital for her mother’s surgery, but he’s so hungover he can barely stand. He lies to Larissa about having a migraine and sends Chris in his place. That day becomes a turning point: Chris and Larissa finally connect. When they find an abandoned dog, Chris takes it to the vet and ends up keeping it because every shelter is full. The dog isn’t housebroken, so Larissa offers to help—and their bond deepens. The little Yorkie also adds some welcome humor to the story.

As Larissa spends more time with Chris, she grows close to him but sees him as a good friend, unaware that he has quietly fallen for her. Meanwhile, Chris is constantly covering for Mike, who hides his drinking from Larissa. Chris is the one digging out her car after a snowstorm, checking restaurants for nut safety, quietly smoothing every rough edge in her life. But Larissa assumes Mike is the one doing all these thoughtful things, and Chris never corrects her.

Everything comes to a head when Larissa mother decides to move to another state with a man Larissa doesn’t care for. Feeling trapped, she finally acquiesces and moves in with Mike. But she arrives a day early, and everything Mike has been hiding comes to light. The whole friend group spends Christmas at a family cabin, and the tension between Larissa and Mike is impossible to ignore. This isn’t a dramatic third‑act breakup—it’s a reckoning. And once again, Chris is the one who shows up for her. By now, Larissa is starting to see the truth: every kindness she attributed to Mike was really Chris.

But Chris has no family beyond this friend group, and he’s convinced that pursuing Larissa would destroy the only community he has. So they remain “just friends,” aching for each other in a way that feels almost unbearable.

It’s a gorgeous, heartfelt story—full of longing, quiet devotion, and the kind of love that grows in the spaces between grand gestures. And yes, there is a happy ending. Don’t skip the author’s note; it’s incredibly moving. This might be Jimenez’s best book yet – don’t miss it.

3/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE NIGHT WE MET by Abby Jimenez. Forever (March 24, 2026). ISBN: 978-1538759226. 400p.

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Audiobook Sunday: FALLING FOR TROUBLE by Carly Phillips

March 29, 2026

Narration by Verla Bond & Charlie Fog

Dare to Fall Series, Book 1

From the publisher:

He’s the bad boy my family warned me about—and the one man I can’t have.

I just landed the job of my dreams—planning the Miami Thunder football team’s 50th-anniversary celebration—and I can’t afford distractions. Especially not tattooed billionaire and reformed troublemaker Lucas Carras. He exudes alpha-hero intensity, and he’s been off limits for as long as I’ve known him.

But the kickoff party is happening at the nightclub he co-owns with my brother…and with my sibling out of town, I’m stuck working with Lucas.

Forced proximity ignites the desire we’ve both been pretending doesn’t exist. From bedrooms to storage rooms, the scorching tension causes us to cross every line we swore we wouldn’t. On paper, we’re complete opposites. In reality, the chemistry is undeniable.

This party is everything I’ve worked for—my moment to prove myself. Until the sabotage starts.

Orders vanish. Vendors back out. Someone is determined to ruin the anniversary…and my reputation along with it.

Suddenly Lucas isn’t just a distraction. He’s my protector, my anchor, and the only man I trust to stand by my side.

But when my brother finds out about us, family drama explodes. And I’m torn between being the good girl who plays by the rules…and falling for trouble.

Perfect for fans of Carly Phillips and high-heat sports romance, Falling for Trouble features a possessive hero, high-stakes suspense, and a guaranteed HEA.

https://amzn.to/3PqGGP2

Rainey Dare’s father is presumably a billionaire — he owns a professional football team in Miami — but she’s determined to make it on her own. Sort of. I found this plot point genuinely annoying. She’s a party planner in Miami, competing for the contract to plan her father’s anniversary party for the team. No nepotism here, though. She wins the gig on the merits of her sterling presentation, because surely no one would hand it to her just to curry favor with dear old dad. Did I mention how much this bothered me?

Problems begin almost immediately: missing shipments, changed orders, the works. The culprit is telegraphed early on, making the whodunit drama feel over-the-top; the real mystery was more about how and why it happened than who did it.

Rainey wants to host the party at her brother’s nightclub. Again, no nepotism here. Conveniently, her brother is out of town, leaving her to work with his partner, the gorgeous billionaire Lucas. Their chemistry is off the charts, though Rainey is determined to keep things professional. That resolve lasts about five minutes.

Lucas turns out to be genuinely helpful, and his money is only a small part of it. As they spend more time together, their relationship deepens, and the “bro code” between Lucas and Rainey’s brother quietly goes out the window.

Plot holes aside — and there are enough to drive a train through — I still enjoyed this one. The narrators were new to me, but they did a great job bringing the characters to life and keeping me engaged. I always enjoy Carly Phillips books, and while this isn’t her best, it’s still an entertaining read.

Just wanted to add that I’m really loving that Netgalley is offering early copies of audiobooks in addition to egalleys, and I’m taking full advantage!

3/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

FALLING FOR TROUBLE by Carly Phillips. Narrators: Verla Bond & Charlie Fog. Dreamscape Media (March 17, 2026). ASIN: B0GDS2YL2G. Listening Length: 6 hours and 15 minutes.

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JETT by Lily Zante

March 27, 2026

Knight Empire, Book 1

From the author:

She’s been in love with her grumpy billionaire boss for years. Quitting should be easy. So why can’t she walk away?

Cari’s done. Three years of running Jett Knight’s life—dodging his moods, cleaning up his messes, and watching him date women who aren’t her—has finally pushed her over the edge. She’s handing in her resignation.

But Jett Knight doesn’t take orders. He gives them. And there’s no way in hell he’s letting Cari go.

He needs her—more than he’ll ever admit. His billion-dollar empire runs smoother when she’s by his side. His five-year-old daughter adores her. And the thought of Cari walking away? Unacceptable.

So he makes her an offer. One she should refuse.

But resisting Jett? That’s never been Cari’s strong suit…

JETT is an age gap, single dad, steamy billionaire boss romance. It’s the first book in a scorching billionaire series featuring six powerful brothers, a ruthless family empire, and the cold, calculating father who rules it all.

https://amzn.to/485rCMX

This is a self-published book, and my first read by this author.

Jett, 33, is the eldest of the Knight brothers. His personal assistant, Cari, is 24 years old, and he treats her abominably. Somehow, she has a massive crush on him, despite him sending her out to buy gifts for his girlfriend of the month, pick up his dry cleaning, and so forth. His only redeeming quality is his five-year-old daughter. Cari feels stuck in her job because she is taking care of her mother, who is ill, but when she passes, her priorities change. She finally summons up the courage to turn in her resignation. Unfortunately, Jett doesn’t even see it in the pile of mail he is neglecting.

When Jett’s nanny refuses to cut her vacation short because he forgot about a business trip, he fires her. Then he finds Cari’s letter of resignation and talks her into staying on for just a few weeks and working as his temporary nanny. She acquiesces, and they fly off on a business trip/vacation to Bermuda. Meanwhile, Jett’s father has arranged a marriage for him with a business deal in mind, but Jett is appalled and refuses to even consider it. His father, however, isn’t taking no for an answer.

Cari enjoys spending time with her young charge, even though the people she has to deal with at various social events for the kids are incredibly rude and unkind, even to the child. When Jett sees how Cari stands up for his daughter, he is truly touched.

Eventually, Jett starts falling for Cari, and their relationship takes a steamy turn. While there is a happy ending, it’s more of a happy for now than forever – at least until the next book unfolds. I dislike romance books with ambiguous endings, and the push-pull between the main characters eventually got old. Not my favorite, and I won’t be searching out the rest of this series.

3/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

JETT by C. Self-published. ( February 25, 2025). ASIN: B0DTJ88NF6. 462p.

Paperback

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LUCKY COWBOY by Heatherly Bell

March 27, 2026

The Cowboys of Stone Ridge, Book 1

From the author:

In a small Texas town where cowboys outnumber women, one rule keeps the peace: Don’t fall for your best friend’s sister.

He’s the grumpy one—the steady, hard-working cowboy who keeps his head down and his feelings locked tight. She’s the one woman he’s never been allowed to want. Off-limits. Untouchable. Completely wrong.

In a town where everyone knows everyone’s business, temptation is everywhere—and so are the consequences.

Breaking the rule could cost him his best friend.

Following his heart could cost him everything else.

Because in a place this small, secrets don’t stay hidden…and love has a way of rewriting every rule.

A slow-burn, small-town cowboy romance featuring a grumpy hero, forbidden feelings, forced proximity, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

https://amzn.to/4lu01KO

This is a self-published ebook I got through BookBub. I don’t review many self-published books, but they are a huge part of the book market now, and the numbers keep growing. There are a few self-published authors I review regularly (Piper Rayne and Amy Dawes spring to mind), and many of them are being picked up by mainstream publishers as well, with the authors often keeping the digital rights and selling print rights, like Lucy Score. It’s all changing rapidly, not to mention the influx of AI into the publishing realm, especially in romance. But I’ll leave those thoughts for another day.

Stone Ridge, Texas—still clinging to its Old West roots—has one big problem: men outnumber women five to one. It’s a close-knit community where everyone knows everyone’s business and has an opinion about it.

Sadie Stephens, the town’s new schoolteacher, has loved her older brother’s best friend, Lincoln Carver, since she was sixteen, but to him she was always just her brother Beau’s little sister. Back then, he barely noticed her. Lincoln grew up fast after his mother walked out on the family, leaving him to raise his younger siblings and teaching him not to trust love or permanence. Sadie, meanwhile, left Stone Ridge for college, only to have her confidence shattered by a cheating boyfriend. Now she’s back home, wary of men and trying to rebuild her life.

Her best friend, Eve, once engaged to Lincoln’s younger brother Jackson, fled on their wedding day. The Carver family blamed Sadie for not talking Eve out of it, and the fallout cracked something between the two families that never fully healed. Eve has since become a veterinarian and carries her own scars, including partial hearing loss and unresolved feelings for Jackson. But that’s a story for another book.

Sadie’s return to Stone Ridge isn’t smooth. She’s back, teaching at a start-up school for the town’s youngest children, so they won’t have to ride a bus halfway across the county. On her first day, a student pushes her to the brink of exasperation, and her frustrated stomp sends her foot straight through the rotting floorboards. Repairs are needed immediately, and in a town full of men eager to help, Lincoln is one of the first to step up. A rancher and former rodeo star, he’s respected, capable, and determined to keep his distance from anything resembling emotional entanglement—especially with Sadie.

But everything shifts when Sadie invites him to speak to her students about rodeo life. The kids convince him to demonstrate his lasso skills, and in the chaos, Sadie—true to her klutzy nature—trips, hits her head, and ends up with a concussion. Lincoln feels responsible and refuses to leave her alone when she declines a hospital visit. Dinner and a reluctant checkup follow, giving them their first real chance to see each other clearly.

Their chemistry is undeniable, but both carry deep‑rooted fears. Sadie doesn’t trust easily anymore. Lincoln doesn’t trust love at all. Her mother has opinions about cowboys and financial futures. The road to their happy ending takes more than a few wrong turns — but in a town like Stone Ridge, the community has a way of closing ranks around the people who need it most. Through missteps, misunderstandings, and a few emotional detours, Sadie and Lincoln slowly learn to let go of old wounds and take a chance on something real.

3/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

LUCKY COWBOY by Heatherly Bell. Heatherly Bell Books. (April 6, 2021). ASIN: B08L1HMYM4. 318p.

Audible

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Posted by Stacy Alesi

Spotlight Review: HOW TO WRITE A LOVE STORY by Catherine Walsh

March 24, 2026

From the publisher:

One writer, one editor, one hot summer . . . Will this be a romance for the books?

Ciara Sheridan’s father has left her with three things: a sprawling and distinctly ramshackle estate on the Irish coast, the outline for the finale to his bestselling epic fantasy series that he wanted her to finish—and writer’s block.

Enter Sam Avery: Frank Sheridan fanboy and hotshot editor, sent from the New York publishing house direct to Ciara’s doorstep—red pen ready.

At first, Ciara and Sam butt heads with crackling energy. But with the deadline looming, Ciara and Sam have just a few weeks to stop bickering, write this novel, and secure Frank’s legacy.

As the summer heats up, so, too, does the tension between them. Will their own love story be the plot twist neither of them see coming?
https://amzn.to/3NrhRBP

Famous fantasy author Frank Sheridan (think Tolkien or Rowling) wrote the Ravian series of nine books. He never got to write the tenth and final book in the series as he passed away, leaving his notes and his estate to his daughter, Ciera. A mystery writer under a pseudonym, Ciera stopped writing when her real name was outed, followed by the typical online hate.

Sheridan’s publisher offers Ciera a contract to write the last book, but she is experiencing severe writer’s block and hasn’t turned in a single page. As her deadline nears, the publisher decides to send their top editor, Sam, over to Ireland to help her out. Sam is a lifelong Ravian fan, and no one knows the series or the characters better.

Frank’s house is almost as famous as his books, and fans have been trying to find it for years. They show up occasionally, but Ciera has no patience for them. It’s in a tiny hamlet in Ireland, where she grew up, so the locals are protective of her. Sam arranges to stay in the only “inn” in town. It’s a tiny room above the local pub, but it will suffice. The pub owner refuses to give him directions to Ciera’s house, so he sets off on foot, figuring he’ll find it eventually. He does, and talks her into getting to work.

They work together, and eventually she starts churning out pages, and things are going well. Sam tries to stay professional, but Ciera is pushing all his buttons, and eventually they fall into a friendship and then more. But when word leaks out that the final book is being written, all hell breaks loose. It is up to Sam to protect Ciera and help her get to the finish line, but it becomes increasingly difficult, and eventually, Sam has to go back to New York to deal with the fallout.

This was a slow-burn romance, emphasis on the slow. I’m not sure if it is the start of a new series; Ciara’s best friend, Maddie, seems ripe for a book of her own, but only time will tell. Walsh delivers a solid romance, but I expected more.

3/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

HOW TO WRITE A LOVE STORY by Catherine Walsh. Dutton (March 10, 2026). ISBN: 979-8217043781. 352p.