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THE HONEYCRISP ORCHARD INN by Valerie Bowman

November 7, 2025

Honeycrisp Orchard Romance, Book 1

From the publisher:

A Cozy Small-Town Romance of Rediscovery, Forced Proximity, and the Magic of Autumn Set on a Quaint Apple Orchard

For fans of the Lovelight series and The Pumpkin Spice Café, this cozy and sexy romance follows a young event planner who returns to her family’s inn on an apple orchard to help run their Harvest Festival—only to find herself butting heads with the handsome son of the apple orchard’s owners.

Ellie Lawson’s city life was treating her just fine until a sour turn of events knocks her out in one fell swoop. Dumped by her boyfriend and fired from her event planning job, she is left with no choice but to return to her parents’ idyllic inn, nestled within a picturesque Honeycrisp orchard on Long Island. Anticipating a quiet hiatus in the attic apartment, she is instead met with Aiden, the stubborn, attractive son of the orchard owner who is currently occupying her planned refuge.

Forced together by circumstance, they find themselves not only roommates but also coworkers, when they’re put in charge by their parents of the orchard’s vital Harvest Festival, a lifeline for both the struggling orchard and the inn. Amidst the enchanting disorder of small-town life, Ellie and Aiden grapple with their conflicting values, burgeoning feelings, and an electrifying tension.

As Ellie discovers the unexpected charm of the life she left behind and Aiden learns there’s much more to Ellie than he’d first assumed, one fact remains: the future of the orchard and the inn depends on their unlikely collaboration.

Embark on a captivating journey of rediscovery, love, and the irreplaceable magic of small-town life.

https://amzn.to/3JbdMzD

Ellie Lawson was living the dream—sort of. She’d been put in charge of a major presentation for her event planning company’s biggest new client, and after months of preparation, she knew her plan was stellar. But the night before her big pitch, her boyfriend—who also happened to be her coworker and roommate—dumped her out of nowhere.

Heartbroken but determined, Ellie throws herself into work, hoping to impress the client and finally earn that long-awaited promotion. Instead, her presentation was met with stunned silence. Moments later, her boss pulls her aside to accuse her of plagiarizing her ex’s work—he had presented her exact plan just before her. Outraged, Ellie tries to explain, but her boss refuses to listen and fires her on the spot.

Now both jobless and homeless, Ellie has no choice but to return home to Long Island, where her parents run a charming inn on an apple orchard owned by their lifelong best friends. They’ve been begging her for years to come home and help with their annual fall Harvest Festival, but she’s always been too busy with her real job. This time, she has no excuse. Her parents are thrilled she’s coming and offer her the attic apartment in the inn—except when she arrives, she finds it already occupied by Aiden, the orchard owners’ son. They grew up together, and Ellie doesn’t realize that Aidan was disappointed that she moved away.

Aiden’s house is under renovation, so the two reluctantly agree to share the small two-bedroom apartment. But when Aiden learns Ellie plans to work on the Harvest Festival, he’s less than thrilled. The festival is his project, and he’s not keen on sharing control. She dives headfirst into planning a festival far grander in scale and budget than Aiden thinks prudent, and their clashing approaches set the stage for constant friction.

Apparently, it’s now mandatory for small-town romances to reference the Gilmore Girls, and this author delivers. As Ellie and Aiden navigate their differences, growing attraction, and shared hopes for the orchard’s success, the Harvest Festival becomes more than an event—it’s a chance to save both the orchard and the inn.

Through it all, Ellie realizes she loves event planning but hates the corporate world that crushed her creativity. When her ex and her former boss reach out—the event she designed is collapsing under his mismanagement—and the client tries to hire her directly, Ellie faces a choice: return to the city or stay in the only place that’s ever truly felt like home.

As Ellie rediscovers the unexpected magic of the life she left behind—and Aiden learns she’s far more than the city girl he assumed—their partnership proves vital to the orchard’s future.

My only quibble? The setting. As someone who grew up on Long Island, I’ve never encountered any small towns remotely like this. Sure, there are orchards, but not the kind that exist in quaint, Gilmore Girls-style villages. The story would have felt more believable to me if the orchard had been set in upstate New York, where quirky small towns abound—but most readers won’t know the difference. Nevertheless, this was a charming, heartwarming read filled with small-town magic and second chances, and I’m looking forward to whatever comes next.

11/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE HONEYCRISP ORCHARD INN by Valerie Bowman. Avon. (September 9, 2025). ISBN: ‎ 978-0063454033. 272p.

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Spotlight Review: HER ONE REGRET by Donna Freitas

November 4, 2025

From the publisher:

From the author of the book club favorite The Nine Lives of Rose Napolitano comes a riveting feminist thriller that tackles an unspeakable taboo: regretting motherhood.

When successful Rhode Island real estate agent Lucy Mendoza vanishes, leaving her baby behind in a grocery store parking lot, the news quickly makes national headlines. Lucy’s best friend, Michelle, is devastated, and terrified that Lucy’s life is at stake. But she knows something that could complicate the police investigation. Lucy had confessed something unspeakable: She regretted becoming a mother so much that she’d fantasized about faking her own kidnapping. If the police and media were to find out, Lucy would become a monster in public opinion. Michelle is sure Lucy would never abandon her daughter. But could she be wrong? Could Lucy have been so desperate she chose to escape her life?

Bestselling author Donna Freitas has drawn from ground-breaking research to bring readers this unforgettable novel. Her One Regret is at once a pulse-pounding feminist thriller, a moving depiction of the realities of motherhood, and a rich exploration of a subject our culture and society have rendered nearly verboten—the possibility that for some women, motherhood is an unfixable mistake.
https://amzn.to/3YbzdVn

Freitas (The Nine Lives of Rose Napolitano) pens both a gripping mystery and a provocative social commentary that is an emotional rollercoaster of a read. When Lucy Mendoza vanishes from a supermarket parking lot, leaving her infant daughter behind, her husband becomes the prime suspect. Despite Lucy’s hints about escape, her best friend Michelle knows something darker is at play. As the investigation unfolds, secrets surface and public opinion turns vicious, casting Lucy as a mother who abandoned her child. Lucy becomes a monster in the media—a woman who dared to regret motherhood. What begins as a missing person case becomes a searing examination of maternal ambivalence, female friendship, and society’s ruthless judgment of women who don’t conform to the motherhood myth that all women long to be mothers. The story exposes the impossible standards placed on mothers and the taboo reality that some women struggle with maternal feelings they are not supposed to have. The book’s most poignant moment may be Freitas’s final note, where she explains her personal struggle with this issue and how she was too afraid to tell this story – until now.

VERDICT Sure to appeal to book groups, this emotionally charged feminist thriller holds up a mirror reflecting the impossible expectations placed on women, inspiring a necessary conversation about choice and regret.

©Library Journal, 2025

11/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

HER ONE REGRET by Donna Freitas. Soho Crime (November 4, 2025). ISBN: 978-1641296380. 384p.

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Audiobook Sunday: DIRTY FLIRTY ENEMY by Piper Rayne

November 2, 2025

Read by Samantha Summers & Daniel Chambers

White Collar Brothers, Book 2

From the author:

He’s the arrogant Manhattan realtor with billboards advertising his six-pack more than his expertise in negotiations.

I’m the competing broker who stupidly moved across the hall from his office.

From day one, I’ve been his sworn enemy. Okay, so I might have accidentally stolen one of his clients. Well, is it stealing if the client comes to me?

Even our vicious banter and loathing gazes can’t hide the chemistry between us. Who can blame me? He has enough charisma to make every hot-blooded woman in the city melt with a single word.

Just when I think a mutual respect could be born between us, the biggest developer in the city offers us an opportunity that pits us against each other.

Time to forget Carmelo Mancini’s dreamy eyes and tight abs.

Game on.

https://amzn.to/4hIriaD

We first met Carm in the series opener, Sexy Filthy Boss, where he didn’t make the best impression—and honestly, he didn’t win me over in this book either. Still, it’s Piper Rayne, so I stuck with it, and I’m glad I did.

Carm is a Manhattan real estate agent who markets himself by posing shirtless on billboards. Not exactly professional, but it certainly attracts attention. He’s notorious for his one-night stands and total disinterest in commitment—until Bella enters the picture.

Bella, a former real estate agent, has struck out on her own with a For Sale By Owner (FSBO) business model, helping clients list their properties on the MLS. Her new office space was a bargain, but there’s a catch: it’s right across the hall from Carm’s agency, setting the stage for a classic enemies-to-lovers workplace romance.

Their first real clash comes when Bella unwittingly steals a client who was actually on his way to meet with Carm. Despite finding each other attractive, they’re at odds: Carm resents Bella’s FSBO model threatening traditional agents, while Bella dismisses him as a player and keeps her guard up.

When Bella’s mother’s boyfriend proposes a contest between them—whoever sells more condos in his new building wins—it feels like Bella’s big break. Carm is confident he’ll crush her, certain that buyers in this price range want personal attention, not a DIY approach. But as the competition intensifies, so does their chemistry. Despite their best efforts to stay professional, something deeper starts to grow.

It’s always satisfying to watch the player fall hard, and Carm definitely does. With Piper Rayne’s trademark witty banter, sizzling heat, and fast-paced fun, this one delivers plenty of entertainment—even if it’s not my favorite in the series, it’s still a solid, enjoyable read.

11/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

DIRTY FLIRTY ENEMY by Piper Rayne. Narrators: Samantha Summers & Daniel Chambers. Piper Rayne Inc.; August 14, 2019. ASIN: B07WC7JT2L. Listening Length: 7 hours and 45 minutes

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AND TO ALL A GOOD BITE by David Rosenfelt

October 31, 2025

Andy Carpenter Mysteries, Book 32

From the publisher:

Reluctant lawyer Andy Carpenter investigates a murder that left a dog stranded in And to All a Good Bite, the latest Christmas mystery in David Rosenfelt’s bestselling series.

Reluctant lawyer Andy Carpenter can’t wait for Christmas. He doesn’t care much about the season, unless it’s football season. Andy’s excited to finally relax and watch the games. But when there’s a murder related to an old case in Paterson, New Jersey, Andy puts the games on pause.

Two years ago, a gas leak in an office building led to a tragic explosion that killed seven people. Jeff Wheeler was there to pick up his girlfriend and ran into the building to help. All he heard was the barking of a dog, Rufus, and was able to save him. The pup was the sole survivor and Jeff was named a hero. Initially, Rufus went to the Tara Foundation since his owner had died in the accident. But Andy met Jeff and liked him, respecting his courage and allowed him to adopt Rufus. Since then, Jeff and Rufus have formed an unbreakable bond.

The accident never sat right with Jeff. He believed that one of the building owners was responsible for the tragedy. Now that owner has been murdered and Jeff is arrested for the crime, Rufus is left with Jeff’s sister, who begs Andy to take the case. Andy remembered Jeff’s tremendous bravery and with the lingering Christmas spirit, decides to help reunite the two.

With David Rosenfelt’s signature humor and hijinks, it’s time to close this case for good and bid it a good night.

“[An] unfailingly entertaining series.”―Kirkus Reviews

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I’ve gone years between reading installments in this series, but now I’ve read two since July. This one helped pull me out of a reading slump—kudos to Rosenfelt for that. I’ve always loved his books: his distinctive voice, clever cases, and trademark blend of wit and warmth make this series such a joy to return to. His “happy pessimism,” sharp humor, memorable cast of recurring characters, and, of course, his deep love of dogs, are what keep me coming back.

Once again, Rosenfelt delivers with a witty, smartly written courtroom mystery filled with heart. In recent years, he’s started releasing an annual Christmas-themed book, which always feels a little extra special. They’re never overly holiday-centric; rather, the season serves as a subtle backdrop. This time, Andy’s wife Laurie has Christmas music playing on a loop since Halloween, much to Andy’s dismay. He tries to tune it out while focusing on what he truly loves: football season. Now semi-retired, Andy would much rather watch sports than work—until a case comes along that he can’t ignore.

Andy is, as always, the champion of the underdog. This time, that underdog is Jeff Wheeler, a man Andy met a few years earlier under tragic circumstances. Jeff had gone to pick up his girlfriend from work when the building exploded. Though he couldn’t reach her, he managed to rescue a puppy trapped in a crate near the entrance. The dog ended up at Andy’s shelter, where Jeff later adopted it. Andy’s philosophy is simple: anyone who runs into a burning building to save a dog can’t possibly be a murderer.

But now Jeff stands accused of killing his late girlfriend’s boss. The evidence is circumstantial but damning, and Andy can’t resist taking the case. He also takes in Jeff’s dog, keeping him safe among his own pack until he can clear Jeff’s name.

Proving Jeff’s innocence requires Andy and his capable team to dig deep—through ashes, lies, and a handful of suspicious characters, each with possible motives. What follows is a race against time, featuring Andy’s trademark courtroom antics, sarcastic charm, and surprising brilliance beneath the bumbling exterior. The tension builds to a sharp, satisfying climax, reminding readers why Andy Carpenter remains one of the most endearing lawyers in fiction.

This is a fast-paced, tightly woven mystery full of humor, heart, and Rosenfelt’s signature snark. His ability to keep the series fresh after thirty-two books is truly impressive. Fans will appreciate seeing all the familiar faces—Laurie, Sam, Eddie, Marcus, Edna—and, of course, Andy’s beloved dogs. New readers can jump right in without having read the earlier installments.

I also have deep admiration for Rosenfelt and his wife, who run the real-life Tara Foundation, responsible for rescuing thousands of dogs. Through his cozy mysteries, Rosenfelt continues to highlight the importance of animal adoption with warmth and compassion.

And To All A Good Bite is the perfect holiday read—or gift—for anyone who loves a smart murder mystery with a generous helping of humor and heart. And dogs.

10/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

AND TO ALL A GOOD BITE by David Rosenfelt. Minotaur Books. (October 14, 2025). ISBN: 978-1250324573. 304p.

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Spotlight Review: BREATHE WITH ME by Becka Mack

October 28, 2025

Playing for Keeps, Book 5

From the publisher:

From bestselling author and TikTok sensation Becka Mack comes the final book in her sizzling hockey romance series about a couple who face an agonizing challenge that could bring them closer—or tear them apart.

Cara Hunter is a self-made woman. Driven and fearless, she’s never lost a battle. In fact, the only time she’s fallen to her knees was, well . . . for him.

Emmett Brodie might be one of hockey’s hottest players, but the moment he sees Cara, he’s reduced to a single word: hers. And he’ll stop at nothing to change her last name.

With a love as all-encompassing and fierce as theirs, they become the ultimate power couple and the backbone of their family. But when they decide it’s time to have a baby, they discover their journey to conceiving will be anything but easy. As they face off with infertility, a battle that strips them to their bones, they’ll see just how unshakable their foundation really is.

They thought they could survive anything together, but how do you survive when you’re barely breathing?

https://amzn.to/3MzXNJr

This final installment of the series delivered an emotional gut-punch that left me reeling—and not just because it’s the end. Cara and Emmett’s story takes an unexpectedly heavy turn that hit close to home.

Their relationship starts with instant chemistry. For Emmett, a notorious player who’s never met a puck bunny he didn’t take home, meeting Cara is a thunderbolt—love at first sight. Despite her attempts to resist, their connection is undeniable. Soon they are married, and life seems perfect.

Everything changes when they decide to start a family. While intimacy comes easily, pregnancy doesn’t. After more than a year of trying, they consult a fertility specialist who delivers devastating news: Cara has diminished ovarian reserve with poor egg quality. What follows is a grueling odyssey of treatments—hormone injections, embryo transfers, and month after month of crushing disappointment. For anyone who has experienced infertility (as I have), this was almost unbearably painful. I found myself putting the book down repeatedly to give myself emotional breaks. The author’s unflinching portrayal of this journey is both authentic and agonizing.

Cara’s struggle is raw and real. She becomes depressed, despondent, and barely recognizable to herself, yet refuses to give up. Emmett remains steadfast beside her, but even he can’t reach her anymore. She withdraws completely, and you begin to understand exactly how infertility destroys so many relationships. She tries to leave, but he cannot let her go.

Their eventual path to parenthood comes through fostering (not really a spoiler—you can see it coming). This helps them reconnect and find their way back to each other. Their hard-won happy ending feels earned after such a harrowing journey.

I finished this book emotionally drained yet deeply satisfied—and melancholy that the series has concluded. Despite the difficulty of this particular story, I loved every moment of this series.

10/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

BREATHE WITH ME by Becka Mack. Zando – Slowburn (October 28, 2025). ISBN:‎ 978-1638932451. 448p.

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Audiobook Sunday: THE ONE I STOOD BESIDE by Piper Rayne

October 26, 2025

Read by Rose Dioro & Tory Duran

Plain Daisy Ranch, Book 2

From the author:

It’s the classic story— best friends since childhood agree to a fake marriage, thinking they can pretend to love each other without their relationship changing.

Jude would do anything for me. He’s stood by my side since we were six, and I’ve done the same for him.

When my father dies, leaving our family farm drowning in debt and on the brink of being auctioned, I’m not surprised Jude steps in to help. I just never dreamed he’d fall to bended knee and devise a plan for us to fool everyone into thinking there’s more than a lifelong friendship between us.

Soon, I’m moving into his house, we’re planning a wedding on his family’s ranch, and we discover a new side to our relationship. I keep reminding myself it’s not real—it’s only to secure a loan to save the farm.

I’ve secretly loved Jude all my life, and now that I know how good we are together, I’m not sure we can return to being just friends.

https://amzn.to/3LrR6eU

The book opens with a tender flashback: young Jude grieving his mother’s death while his best friend Sadie sits beside him. Though embarrassed by his tears, Jude finds comfort when Sadie promises to keep his vulnerability secret, allowing him to truly let go. This bittersweet moment sets the emotional foundation before launching into the present day.

When Jude’s father informs him and his brothers that Sadie’s family farm is struggling, they offer what help they can—but for Jude, it’s not enough. Sadie is his best friend, and he’s determined to do more. The situation becomes dire when Sadie’s father dies unexpectedly, leaving her and her mother (who suffers from fibromyalgia) unprepared to manage the farm. Her father’s old-fashioned belief that only men should handle business affairs has left them vulnerable, and they soon discover the farm is in foreclosure.

Refusing to give up, Sadie approaches the bank with a plan to pivot from soybeans to a more profitable free-range chicken operation. However, the banker delivers crushing news: without collateral, she doesn’t qualify for a loan, but adds that if she were married, her husband might. Talk about a throwback to the 1960s!

Devastated but not defeated, Sadie finds an unexpected ally in Jude. When his father prevents him from loaning her the money directly, Jude proposes a different solution: a marriage of convenience to secure the loan. For Sadie, who has secretly loved Jude for years and dreamed of marrying him, this isn’t the romantic proposal she’d imagined—but desperation wins out, and a hasty wedding is arranged.

Since their families have long expected them to marry anyway, no one questions the union itself—only the rushed timing. Once wed and living under the same roof, both Jude and Sadie struggle with their unspoken feelings. The tension builds as they navigate their arrangement, each afraid to confess their true emotions. Eventually, their walls crumble, leading to a passionate, emotionally satisfying happily-ever-after. The farm is saved, their families are thrilled, and their chemistry is absolutely scorching.

The duet narration was excellent, and it is my preferred audiobook format. The narrators brought Jude and Sadie’s story vividly to life and kept me engaged throughout. Overall, this is another heartwarming, sizzling romance from the talented Piper Rayne writing duo.

10/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE ONE I STOOD BESIDE by Piper Rayne. Narrators: Tory Duran & Rose Dioro. Piper Rayne Inc.; June 28, 2024. ASIN: B0D8BRXLLT. Listening Length: 6 hours and 25 minutes

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WYATT by Jessica Peterson

October 24, 2025

Lucky River Ranch, Book 2

From the Publisher:

Roping horses leads to riding cowboys in this sexy friends-to-lovers, fake-dating, lessons-in-seduction romance by Jessica Peterson.

One fake dating plan.

One cowboy Casanova.

One very real case of falling way too hard.

Wyatt Rivers is the perfect no-strings hookup―a cowboy Casanova who rocks a Stetson, looks smokin’ hot in his Wranglers, and never rests his head on the same pillow twice.

He’s exactly what she’s looking for. If only he wasn’t also her best friend…

Sally Powell is back in her hometown of Harstville, Texas, waiting for her dream job to start thousands of miles away. While she’s here, she hopes to end an epic dry spell in the bedroom, preferably with a local cowboy. If the rumors are true, they really do ride harder and stay on longer.

Wyatt has been her best friend since second grade, and she’s been in love with him for almost as long. But he’s as wild and untamed as a colt that can’t be broken―not to mention, totally out of her league with his good looks and heartbreaker reputation.

Then Sally gets to thinking: since Wyatt is such an expert, why doesn’t he teach her the ropes of how to find a hookup? He begrudgingly agrees, and a little fake flirting leads to fake dating, which leads to real kissing, which leads to real…well, everything else.

And let her just say, the rumors are absolutely true.

Sally wants so badly to be Wyatt’s last rodeo. But she’s leaving town soon, and even if she wasn’t, she’s not sure Wyatt would ever change his playboy ways.

Cowboys can’t be tamed. And apparently, neither can hearts.

Wyatt is an interconnected standalone novel in the Lucky River Ranch series, perfect for fans of Elsie Silver and Lyla Sage.

Delicious tropes:

All the pining!
Friends to lovers (with DECADES of tension)
Fake dating
Lessons in seduction
Small town
Hot cowboys

https://amzn.to/4nhIkgM

Sally has just finished her veterinary studies and is preparing to start her new job in New York. In the meantime, she’s back in the small town she loves, helping her father at his veterinary practice. Her dad is immensely proud of her and sees her upcoming move as the chance for her to achieve everything he never did. But while he dreams big for her, Sally feels happiest at home—and quietly dreads leaving. Still, her father won’t hear of her staying; he’s determined for her to make it in the big city.

Her childhood best friend, Wyatt, is now the foreman of the ranch where he grew up. Seeing Sally again brings back old memories—she was there for him during some of the hardest times in his life, especially after his mother died. Though they’ve always been close, Sally has long been in love with Wyatt but has never found the courage to tell him. Wyatt, for his part, cares deeply for her but has never been the settling-down type. A lifelong flirt, he’s never seen himself in a serious relationship, not even with Sally.

Sally’s romantic history is virtually nonexistent, leaving her feeling sexually inexperienced and insecure. Hoping to change that, she turns to the one person she trusts most—Wyatt—and asks him to teach her about sex. What starts as an arrangement quickly spirals into a fake dating situation, with all the tension and confusion that comes with it.

This book leans heavily on the sexual side of their relationship, with more emphasis on steamy scenes than emotional development. While I still enjoyed the story, I found myself eager to reach the end—something that rarely happens for me. I love spice, but I also want to see a deeper connection and growth between the characters, and that felt lacking here. Hopefully, the next book in the series will balance passion with a stronger romantic arc.

10/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

WYATT by Jessica Peterson. Bloom Books. ( August 19, 2025). ISBN: ‎978-1464248306. 418p.

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Spotlight Review: THE PROVING GROUND by Michael Connelly

October 21, 2025

Lincoln Lawyer, Book 8

From the publisher:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Michael Connelly, the Lincoln Lawyer is back with a case against an AI company whose product may have been responsible for the murder of a young girl.

Following his “resurrection walk” and need for a new direction, Mickey Haller turns to public interest litigation, filing a civil lawsuit against an artificial intelligence company whose chatbot told a sixteen-year-old boy that it was okay for him to kill his ex-girlfriend for her disloyalty.

Representing the victim’s family, Mickey’s case explores the mostly unregulated and exploding AI business and the lack of training guardrails. Along the way he joins up with a journalist named Jack McEvoy, who wants to be a fly on the wall during the trial in order to write a book about it. But Mickey puts him to work going through the mountain of printed discovery materials in the case. McEvoy’s digging ultimate delivers the key witness, a whistleblower who has been too afraid to speak up. The case is fraught with danger because billions are at stake.

It is said that machines became smarter than humans on the day in 1997 that IBM’s Deep Blue defeated chess master Garry Kasparov with a gambit called “the knight’s sacrifice.” Haller will take a similar gambit in court to defeat the mega forces of the AI industry lined up against him and his clients.

“Connelly works in extensive (and never tedious) background on the perils of AI by having an investigative writer join forces with Haller. As always, it’s fun to watch Haller argue, manipulate, and wheedle his way from pre-trial through the explosive trial itself. One of the best yet from best-selling author Connelly.” – Booklist, starred review

“Bestseller Connelly crafts a riveting eighth case for attorney Mickey Haller . . . Connelly effectively dips his toe into topical waters here, touching on adolescent male loneliness and the dangers of AI without skimping on the propulsive plotting he’s known for. Newcomers and series fans alike will find this fast-paced legal procedural intensely satisfying.” – Publishers Weekly

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Few authors match the remarkable consistency of Michael Connelly. Whether he’s writing about Bosch, Haller, Ballard, or crafting a standalone, his ability to deliver two exceptional novels a year is nothing short of astonishing.

This latest book is no exception—gripping, immersive, and impossible to put down. Mickey Haller shifts from criminal defense to civil litigation, venturing into the complex realm of artificial intelligence. After years of watching him navigate criminal cases from the backseat of his Lincolns (now reduced to just one), seeing him tackle a case focused not on guilt or innocence but on corporate accountability in our tech-driven age proves surprisingly captivating.

Each of Connelly’s protagonists brings something distinct: Mickey Haller transforms courtrooms into theater with his charm and sharp wit; Harry Bosch remains the embodiment of relentless justice, while Renee Ballard, Connelly’s newest series lead, continues to push against a resistant system. In this novel, Haller channels all three—commanding the spotlight while relying on meticulous research and strategy to challenge a billion-dollar corporation with everything to lose. Watching him penetrate the corporate veil designed to bury secrets and execute high-stakes courtroom gambits perfectly captures why this character continues to resonate.

What elevates this book beyond a typical legal thriller is its relevance. The central lawsuit—exploring the role of AI in a young man’s tragic decision to kill the girl who broke his heart—doesn’t feel far-fetched but more like a headline waiting to happen. The ethical questions it raises are urgent and unsettling: when chatbots influence vulnerable users toward dangerous behavior, who bears the responsibility? This dilemma drives the narrative, even as the courtroom drama keeps the tension high.

Bringing back Jack McEvoy (from The Poet) reinforces that justice doesn’t begin and end in courtrooms—investigative journalism often exposes the truths that eventually land there. Connelly also weaves in the broader landscape of Los Angeles, with wildfires serving as a haunting metaphor for the internal and external battles his characters face, adding a layer of darkness that extends beyond legal proceedings.

Ultimately, Connelly delivers a timely legal thriller that is entertaining yet thought-provoking, deeply personal yet universally resonant. Mickey Haller may be known as the Lincoln Lawyer, but here, he becomes something greater: a champion of truth in a world where truth itself is under siege.

10/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE PROVING GROUND by Michael Connelly. Little, Brown and Company. ( October 21, 2025). ISBN: 978-0316563826. 400p.

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Audiobook Sunday: THE ONE I LEFT BEHIND by Piper Rayne

October 19, 2025

Read by CJ Bloom & Robert Hatchet

Plain Daisy Ranch, Book 1

From the author:

It’s the classic story—boy goes off into the world to fulfill his dreams and leaves the girl behind.

Not every boy returns home, and I wish Ben Noughton wouldn’t have come back to our small ranching town at all after he retired from playing professional football.

I figure it’s a quick layover for him. He always wanted out of this town and off his family’s ranch. I just have to bide my time until he turns his back on all of us again.

Then he takes on the coaching position for the high school football team and starts milling around too much, bulldozing the protective walls I’ve built around myself. But he goes too far when he takes my son under his wing to help him be the best player he can be. Leaving me to protect not only my own heart but my son’s too.

Because I promised myself a long time ago that I’d never be the girl in the rearview mirror again.

https://amzn.to/476BWTS

As usual for me, I started this series somewhere in the middle, so now I’m backtracking to read all the rest of the books in order. They easily stand alone, but I feel more connected to the characters when I can watch them grow and change.

Ben and Gillian were once inseparable—high school sweethearts madly in love until college and an NFL career pulled Ben away. Now retired, he’s facing a wide-open future and returns to his hometown to reconnect with family. Seeing Gillian again isn’t part of the plan. She’s the girl he walked away from, the one he’s tried to forget—though his heart never truly let go. The moment he sees her, every buried feeling resurfaces. He wants to explain, to make things right, but she refuses to listen.

When Ben’s former high school football coach suffers a medical setback, Ben steps in to coach for the season. Suddenly, he can imagine building a life in Willowbrook again—one that includes Gillian—if it’s not already too late.

Gillian is a single mother studying for the bar exam, determined to launch her law career and escape small-town Willowbrook. The news of Ben’s return shakes her, and she’s determined to keep her distance to avoid reopening old wounds. But when circumstances force them to work together, she realizes she may not be strong enough to resist a second chance with her first love.

Gillian has never revealed the identity of her son’s father, and while most of the town assumes it’s Ben, they’re wrong. She’s kept that part of her life private—even from her son, Clayton. Still, her feelings for Ben linger, and as they grow closer, new challenges emerge: how long will Ben actually stay in Willowbrook, and will Clayton ever accept him?

This is a heartfelt small-town romance filled with second chances, single-parent dynamics, irresistible charm, and sizzling chemistry. Gillian shines as a strong, sassy heroine and a fiercely devoted mother. Her bond with Clayton feels genuine, and his guarded reaction to Ben rings true for a protective teenager. The story strikes a perfect balance between the angst of past hurt and the spark of playful, flirtatious banter as the couple discovers they still can’t resist one another.

The duet narration really adds to the story and brings these characters to life. Breezy, light, and utterly escapist, this compulsive read left me eager to return to Plain Daisy Ranch.

10/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE ONE I LEFT BEHIND by Piper Rayne. Narrators: CJ Bloom & Robert Hatchet. Piper Rayne Inc.; May 13, 2024. ASIN: B0D42D7RTV. Listening Length: 6 hours and 33 minutes

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Posted by Stacy Alesi

ROCK BOTTOM GIRL by Lucy Score

October 17, 2025

From the publisher:

From New York Times bestselling author of Things We Never Got Over comes a hilarious, heart-stealing, small-town romance about starting over, finding your courage, and falling in love when you least expect it.

Marley left Culpepper to escape the whispers and the heartache. Now, thirty-eight and out of options, she’s back―living in her childhood bedroom, coaching the hopeless girls’ soccer team, and facing the town that never forgot her biggest mistake.

But sometimes rock bottom is exactly where a second chance begins.

When a fake relationship with the school’s most eligible coach becomes Marley’s only way to survive the rumor mill, sparks fly and hearts are on the line.

Jake Weston is everything she never saw coming: tattooed, fiercely loyal, and hiding a vulnerability that matches her own. Their deal is supposed to fix their reputations, not change their lives. But with every laugh, every awkward team practice, and every not-so-pretend kiss, Marley must decide if it’s finally her turn for happily ever after.

If you crave fake relationship romance with real heat and heart, small-town second chances and slow-burn chemistry…then Rock Bottom Girl is your next must-read.

Warning: Story also includes a meet-puke, a bouffanted nemesis, a yard swan and donkey basketball, a teenage-orchestrated makeover, and a fake relationship that gets a little too real between the sheets.

https://amzn.to/3WEDqzy

My journey through Lucy Score’s backlist continues…

At 38, Marley finds herself back in her childhood bedroom in Culpepper, Pennsylvania—homeless, broke, jobless, and desperate for a fresh start. When her mom helps her land a temporary gig at her old high school as a gym teacher and girls’ soccer coach, Marley finds herself face-to-face with the ghosts of her past.

High school was rough; the mean girls made it miserable, and Marley couldn’t wait to escape. She left without looking back, hoping to find something better. But twenty years later, she’s still searching—and now she’s right back where she started: in her childhood home, in her hometown, and walking the halls of her alma mater.

Marley’s determined not to get stuck in the same small-town rut, especially with constant reminders of her past mistakes. One of those mistakes? Jake Weston—her high school crush who’s still in town and still just as irresistible. With the support of a few loyal friends and the unexpected reappearance of Jake, Marley might finally have a shot at turning things around.

Jake and Marley shared one unforgettable kiss in high school, but nothing more. Now, as fellow teachers, the chemistry between them is undeniable. Jake’s grown up—he’s grounded, loyal, and focused on what matters: his family, his dog, and his community. But as he nears 40, he’s realizing that casual flings aren’t cutting it anymore. Then Marley walks back into his life, and suddenly, he’s wondering if she’s the missing piece he didn’t know he needed.

When a twist of fate forces them to fake a relationship, they strike a deal: Jake helps Marley coach and teach, and Marley helps Jake navigate commitment. Very quickly, they both start to realize that maybe this pretend romance could be something real. Jake wants forever, but is he enough to make Marley give up her dreams of escape for a life with him?

Marley is feisty, sharp-witted, and a little down on her luck, but her killer sense of humor never quits. She’s relatable—down-to-earth, humble, and real—reminding us that we don’t have to have it all figured out by some arbitrary deadline. Jake is every kind of swoon-worthy: supportive, smart, with just enough bad-boy edge to keep things interesting.

This romcom is a heartwarming, hilarious, and feel-good ride from start to finish, with small-town charm, laugh-out-loud moments, and genuine heart. It’s entertaining and a feel-good read from start to finish. I loved it.

10/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

ROCK BOTTOM GIRL by Lucy Score. Bloom Books. (September 30, 2022). ISBN: ‎ 978-1728282619. 512p.