ROME by Jay Crownover

February 21, 2025

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Marked Men, Book 3

From the publisher:

A Sweet and Spicy Grumpy Military Hero Romance
from the Series That Inspired the Upcoming Film “Marked Men: Rule and Shaw“

Sometimes the wrong choice can be just right . . .

Fun and fearless, Cora Lewis knows how to keep her tattooed “bad boy” friends at the Marked in line. But beneath all that flash and sass is a broken heart. Cora won’t let herself get burned again. She’s waiting to fall in love with the perfect man—a baggage-free, drama-free guy ready for commitment. Then she meets Rome Archer.

Rome Archer is as far from perfect as a man can be. He’s stubborn, rigid, and bossy. And he’s returned from his final tour of duty more than a little broken. Rome’s used to filling many roles: big brother, doting son, supersoldier—but none of those fit anymore. Now he’s just a man trying to figure out what to do with the rest of his life while keeping the dark demons of war and loss at bay. He would have been glad to suffer through it alone, until Cora comes sweeping into his life and becomes a blinding flash of color in a sea of gray.Perfect may not be in the cards, but perfectly imperfect could just last forever . . .

New York Times and USA Today Bestseller

https://amzn.to/4hzaVfN

This third book of the Marked Men series is just as compelling a read as the first two. “The Marked Men” series is based around a group of friends, most of whom work in a tattoo shop in the Denver area and have various body modifications. This book centers around Rome and Cora. Rome’s brother Rule (first book in the series) is a tattoo artist, and Cora manages the store and does all the body piercing for their customers.

Rome is an Army veteran, recently retired and not sure what to do next. He had a big fight with his parents and hasn’t spoken to them in a while, but he and Rule are tight. Rome is suffering from PTSD and is mostly choosing vodka as a coping mechanism. Cora and Rome get off to a rocky start; she calls him Captain No-Fun and dumps a beer over his head. He takes off and finds himself in a dive bar, and the owner, Brite, recognizes something of himself in Rome. Rome gets pretty drunk, ends up in a fight with some bikers, and Brite calls the tattoo shop, hoping that Rule will take him home. Rule isn’t there; Cora is alone, closing up, and she decides she’ll pick up Rome so he can avoid more family drama with his brother.

Rome is a big guy, and Cora is tiny but strong, and somehow she maneuvers him into her bed. She’s planning on sleeping on the couch, but somehow Rome passes out on top of her, pinning her to the bed, and that’s how they stay. Until he wakes up and kisses her. Cora thinks Rome is the hottest guy she’s ever seen, and she is fine with a one-night stand. Cora had a bad breakup in her past, and she is determined to find what she calls Mr. Perfect; Rome is a long way from that.

Rome is smitten with the little pixie, who is nicknamed Tink, short for Tinkerbell. She is inked and pierced all over, and is surprised that Rome finds her attractive as he is straightlaced Army as they come. They continue sleeping together because the sex is so good, and he knows he is not her Mr. Perfect. But the more time they spend together, the more Cora realizes that perfection comes in many forms, and maybe Rome is perfect for her.

There is a lot of drama going on with the bikers and the bar, which adds a lot of tension to the story. This was another unputdownable read, and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

The Marked Men Series:

  1. Rule
  2. Jet
  3. Rome
  4. Nash
  5. Rowdy
  6. Asa

2/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

ROME by Jay Crownover. William Morrow Paperbacks (January 7, 2014). ISBN: 978-0062302427. 384p.

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Spotlight Review: THREE DAYS IN JUNE by Anne Tyler

February 18, 2025

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From the Publisher:

A new Anne Tyler novel destined to be an instant classic: a socially awkward mother of the bride navigates the days before and after her daughter’s wedding.

Gail Baines is having a bad day. To start, she loses her job—or quits, depending on whom you ask. Tomorrow her daughter, Debbie, is getting married, and she hasn’t even been invited to the spa day organized by the mother of the groom. Then, Gail’s ex-husband, Max, arrives unannounced on her doorstep, carrying a cat, without a place to stay, and without even a suit.

But the true crisis lands when Debbie shares with her parents a secret she has just learned about her husband to be. It will not only throw the wedding into question but also stir up Gail and Max’s past.

Told with deep sensitivity and a tart sense of humor, full of the joys and heartbreaks of love and marriage and family life, Three Days in June is a triumph, and gives us the perennially bestselling, Pulitzer Prize–winning writer at the height of her powers.

“Sweet, sharp, and satisfying. . . . Tyler’s touch is as delicate, her empathy for human beings and all their quirks as evident in her 25th work of fiction as it was in her first, published an astonishing 60 years ago.” —Kirkus Reviews

https://amzn.to/4jNVqCa

This story is literally set over three days in the life of Gail Baines. It doesn’t start off too auspiciously; she finds out her boss is retiring, and instead of the promotion she is sure she deserves, she is told that someone from outside the school is being hired, and bringing their own assistant. Her job is now redundant.

The timing couldn’t be worse. Gail’s daughter, Debbie, is getting married the next day. Gail is a bit of a prickly person, and when her boss tells her she doesn’t have the people skills for the job, she clearly demonstrates that her boss is right. Gail isn’t especially close with her daughter, but even so, she appears to be hurt that she wasn’t invited to the spa day before the wedding that Debbie’s future mother-in-law had arranged. Her in-laws are also hosting the wedding at their private club, leaving Gail to feel like a guest at her daughter’s wedding.

To complicate things further, her ex-husband, Max, shows up at her door with a foster cat. He was supposed to stay with Debbie, but her fiance is highly allergic to cats, so Gail takes in both her ex and his cat. Then he tries to convince her to keep the cat.

There is a lot happening in these three days in June. The day before the wedding, Debbie comes over and tells her parents that she thinks her fiance cheated on her – at least, that’s what her future sister-in-law has told her. Nevertheless, the rehearsal dinner goes more or less smoothly. The day of the wedding, Debbie decides her father needs to wear a suit, and takes him shopping. The wedding goes as well as these things usually go, and the day after the wedding there is a family reckoning of sorts.

It’s amazing how much Tyler can pack into such a short book (it’s under 200 pages.) The characters are well-drawn and interesting, the timeline moves things along rapidly, and there is enough drama to keep the pages turning. Another excellent read from one of America’s most treasured writers.

2/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THREE DAYS IN JUNE by Anne Tyler. Knopf (February 11, 2025). ISBN: 978-0593803486. 176p.

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Audiobook Sunday: KEEP ME by Sara Cate

February 16, 2025

Read by Kelli Tager & Will Watt

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Sinful Manor, Book 1

From the publisher:

Killian Barclay is a grumpy Scottish billionaire who hates me…and now I’m his wife.

Their marriage of convenience is anything but…

All Killian Barclay wants is to be left the hell alone. He’s had enough heartache to last a lifetime, and he has no more need for love—earning him the reputation of a broody Scot and eventually turning his famous ancestral home into a den of iniquity. It doesn’t take long for tales of his raunchy house parties to reach the rest of his family, though, inspiring them to hatch a plan to shake Killian out of his routine.

New Yorker Sylvie Devereaux is tough as nails—as the daughter of famous yet neglectful parents, she’s grown a hard shell and keeps everyone at arm’s length. So when she sneaks into Barclay Manor during a trip to Scotland to get a glimpse of a famous heirloom, she doesn’t anticipate facing off against the brutish, maddening highlander who lives there. And she certainly didn’t expect to ever see the bastard again.

Yet just weeks later, she’s approached by Killian’s family with a proposal—move to Scotland and marry Killian to improve his playboy reputation, and after one year, she’ll walk away with ten million dollars. Sylvie agrees, even knowing that their plan is more deceptive than he realizes. But as she grows closer to Killian and the end of their year together, she has to decide: Is the love of a good man with a dark soul worth keeping, or is she willing to break Killian’s heart now that it’s well and truly hers?

“Cate pairs a feisty American with a reclusive Scottish billionaire in the red-hot enemies-to-lovers romance that opens her Sinful Manor series . . . with scorching chemistry and real feelings. The kinky sex scenes between this pair of sparring hearts scorch the pages. Readers who like their romances on the extra spicy side will want to check this out.” —Publishers Weekly

“This sexy enemies-to-lovers story is filled with biting dialogue and page-melting chemistry. A great start to Cate’s new “Sinful Manor” series.”—Library Journal

https://amzn.to/3EMI9JO

This was the steamiest romance I’ve ever listened to, and despite some convoluted familial machinations at play, I was completely drawn into this story.

Sylvie is visiting Scotland with her boyfriend, and he takes her to see a beautiful manor house. She wants to see the inside, but it’s someone’s home, and her boyfriend isn’t going to take one step inside. But Sylvie is headstrong, and when the front door is unlocked, she takes it as an invitation to enter. The owner of the house, Killian, is shocked to find this woman in his home and they have words. She takes off, and that’s that. Until…

Sylvie lives in New York City. Her parents are famous artists, and she had an unusual upbringing. She has a very difficult relationship with them, and things come to a head at one of their gallery openings. Sylvie destroys a piece of art, enraging her parents, and they cut her off. She also loses her job. Broke, and soon to be homeless, things are dire.

A woman from Scotland visits her, and she turns out to be Killian’s sister. She has a proposition for Sylvie. The family wants Killian out of the house. This was a bit confusing for me. They are afraid he’s become agoraphobic, and they are also concerned about his reputation. He has been having BDSM sex parties at the house, and in this small town, everyone knows. Sylvie is offered a crazy proposition; she is to return to Scotland and marry Killian. If they stay married and don’t have any extramarital affairs for one year, the house will go to Sylvie, and she, in turn, will have to sign it over to the family, thus forcing Killian out. She can return to NY with enough money to make distance from her parents a reality. It makes no sense, but I just went with it anyway.

The fake marriage is off to a rocky start. Killian is told a completely different story – he is somehow coerced into marrying Sylvie to restore his reputation. He thinks staying married to her will get his family off his back, so he also agrees to this crazy plan. But when Sylvie gets there, Killian is openly hostile to her. Eventually, they find a way to get along, and he slacks off on the BDSM parties.

It takes some time, but real feelings start to grow, and Sylvie is torn. She has to go along with the contract she signed; she needs the money, and the only way out of it will cost her more money than she has. By the end of the year, they are in love but still need to get the paperwork all in order and get a divorce. Sylvie goes back to NY, and Killian stays in Scotland. But that is not the end! After a lot of trauma and drama, they eventually get their happy ending.

The narrators were excellent – I can still hear Killian’s voice in my head. There is a lot of sex, and the power dynamic is at play here as well. If you liked Fifty Shades of Grey and want something just as dark but well-written, try this. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

2/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

KEEP ME by Sara Cate. Narrators: Kelli Tager, Will Watt. Dreamscape Media; December 03, 2024. Listening Length: 10 hours and 39 minutes.

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JET by Jay Crownover

February 14, 2025

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Marked Men, Book 2

From the publisher:

A Spicy Opposites-Attract Rockstar Romance

With his tight leather pants and a sharp edge that makes him dangerous, Jet Keller is every girl’s rock and roll fantasy. But Ayden Cross is done walking on the wild side with bad boys. She doesn’t want to give in to the heat she sees in Jet’s dark, haunted eyes. She’s afraid of getting burned from the sparks of their spontaneous combustion, even as his touch sets her on fire.

Jet can’t resist the Southern Belle with mile-long legs in cowboy boots who defies his every expectation. Yet the closer he feels to Ayden, the less he seems to know her. While he’s tempted to get under her skin and undo her in every way, he knows firsthand what happens to two people with very different ideas about relationships.

Will the blaze burn into an enduring love. . . or will it consume their dreams and turn them to ashes?

https://amzn.to/4aWlxmb

This second book of the Marked Men series is just as compelling a read as the first. “The Marked Men” series is based around a group of friends, most of whom work in a tattoo shop in the Denver area and have various body modifications. This book centers around Jet and Ayden, neither of whom works there but are part of the friends circle.

Ayden is from Kentucky, and no one, not even her closest friends, knows much about her background, and she likes it that way. She is a college student and cocktail waitress at the bar where they all hang out, mostly because of the live, heavy metal music that is featured there. Jet fronts one of those bands, but his real love is in finding new talent and helping them create the best album they can in his studio. When Ayden first sees him perform, she is immediately drawn to him. But she is determined to change her past, and that includes dating bad boys. Instead, she’s been dating a classmate who is a really nice guy, despite his preppy clothes. Sadly, Ayden just doesn’t feel any kind of attraction to him, even though he is everything she has decided she needs; kind, steadfast, smart, and driven to succeed. Best laid plans and all that…

Despite all the drama in their lives, Jet and Ayden eventually realize that they are made for each other, and find their happy ending, but there are some crazy obstacles along the way. These characters have really interesting backstories, which lends a lot of depth to the story. Another excellent addition to this series – I’m looking forward to the next book for sure.

The Marked Men Series:

  1. Rule
  2. Jet
  3. Rome
  4. Nash
  5. Rowdy
  6. Asa

2/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

JET by Jay Crownover. William Morrow Paperbacks (November 19, 2013). ISBN: 978-0062302410. 394p.

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THE COWBOY OF MY DREAMS by A. J. Pine

February 14, 2025

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The Murphys of Meadow Valley, Book 3

From the publisher:

A washed-up country music cowboy on the run, a songwriter without a song, and a double-booked ranch guesthouse with both their names on it… What could possibly go wrong?

Ash Murphy sneaks home to the family ranch to escape the scandal that follows his successful country music career everywhere. He plans to rest up, get in his fair share of work on the ranch, connect with the new horses his brothers have taken in, and lay low for as long as it takes for the newest tabloid interest to blow over. Except when he arrives, his brother’s guest house isn’t empty; its current occupant is none other than Willow Morgan, country singer on the rise, hoping to finally finish the last song on her sophomore album―the one her label says must be a hit. But her small problem with writer’s block is nothing compared to her large problem: Ash Murphy broke her heart once before, and if she’s not careful, he just might do it again.

https://amzn.to/4aI3joC

I have read many of Pine’s cowboy romances but somehow missed this series until this third entry. This book spotlights country music sensation Ash Murphy, whose high-profile divorce forces him to seek refuge in his hometown. Ash has been on the road for a few years but seeks solace with his family. When he finally gets home late in the night, he retreats to his brother’s guest house, where he unexpectedly finds his former flame and rising country star Willow Morgan already in residence.

Morgan is hiding out herself, fighting her sophomore slump. Her first album was a hit, but she is having a hard time finishing her second album, especially because her producers are expecting a hit song, like that’s easy. She makes Ash sleep on the couch and wonders how she will protect her heart. Four years earlier, she was humiliated and heartbroken when Ash left her to marry a beautiful tennis star from the UK, and she hasn’t seen him since.

Ash’s manager proposes a strategic collaboration – a duet that could salvage Ash’s reputation while boosting Willow’s career. As they navigate close quarters and creative partnership, their old feelings begin to resurface. Then Ash admits that every song he has written since their breakup has been about Willow, and she starts letting her heart thaw towards the cowboy.

While Pine’s previous series delivered compelling narratives, this new one fell short of my expectations. The character development lacks depth, and certain plot elements strain credibility. Although the premise holds promise, the execution doesn’t quite hit the right notes. It was fairly obvious that this was part of a series, and maybe if I had read the first two books, I would feel differently. Not my favorite.

The Murphys of Meadow Valley Series:

  1. Holding Out for a Cowboy
  2. Finally Found My Cowboy
  3. The Cowboy of My Dreams

2/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE COWBOY OF MY DREAMS by A. J. Pine. Sourcebooks Casablanca (February 11, 2025). ISBN: 978-1728253817. 352p.

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Spotlight Review: FIRST-TIME CALLER by B.K. Borison

February 11, 2025

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Heartstrings, Book 1

From the publisher:

A hopeless romantic meets a jaded radio host in this cozy, Sleepless in Seattle–inspired love story from beloved author B.K. Borison.

Aiden Valentine has a secret: he’s fallen out of love with love. And as the host of Baltimore’s romance hotline, that’s a bit of a problem. But when a young girl calls in to the station asking for dating advice for her mom, the interview goes viral, thrusting Aiden and Heartstrings into the limelight. 

Lucie Stone thought she was doing just fine. She has a good job; an incredible family; and a smart, slightly devious kid. But when all of Baltimore is suddenly scrutinizing her love life—or lack thereof—she begins to question if she’s as happy as she believed. Maybe a little more romance wouldn’t be such a bad thing. 

Everyone wants Lucie to find her happy ending…even the handsome, temperamental man calling the shots. But when sparks start to fly behind the scenes, Lucie must make the final decision between the radio-sponsored happily ever after or the man in the headphones next to her.

“A wonderfully tender and sexy story full of swoon-worthy lines and perfect moments that will elicit smiles, sighs, and tears and keep readers thoroughly invested in the happily-ever-after.”—Library Journal (starred review)

“Lucie and Aiden are perfectly imperfect together and will have eager readers rooting for their romance. Quirky supporting characters… add depth, while Borison’s skillful plotting keeps the pages flying. This first-rate tale will resonate with true romantics.”—Publishers Weekly

“Warm-hearted and thoroughly delightful, Borison’s winning latest will likely expand the fan base that fell for her Lovelight series.”—Booklist

https://amzn.to/42aNXGS

Downloaded this so fast when I saw the comparison to “Sleepless in Seattle,” one of my favorite romcoms that I re-watch regularly, and I may have liked this book even more than the movie!

Lucie is a single mom who got pregnant the first time she had sex. Her baby daddy is married to his own husband, and they live next door. It’s an ideal situation, especially for their daughter, Maya, and everyone is great friends. One night, Lucie is lying in bed and hears voices. It turns out to be Maya on the phone with the local Baltimore radio station. Aidan Valentine is the host of the late-night romance talk show Heartstrings. Maya has never seen her mom go on a date, and she’s all of twelve years old. She calls in to get advice for her mom. Once Lucie realizes what is happening, she gets on the phone with Aidan and spills her guts, talking long after Maya has fallen asleep.

Within days, the broadcast, which is also a podcast, went viral, and the station manager seized it as an opportunity to save the station, which was being threatened with a hostile takeover. Lucie is invited to join Aidan in the studio a few nights a week, and all of Baltimore is now invested in finding her a date.

Aidan is quite cynical about love and romance, which Lucie finds odd as he hosts a romance podcast. But he has his reasons, most of which are based on his childhood growing up with a mother who has cancer, which returns time and again. Aidan is afraid to love anyone for fear of losing them. He has distanced himself from his parents, too, for the same reasons. But something is happening between Aidan and Lucie, and he fights it as hard as he can.

Unlike “Sleepless in Seattle”, this story is pretty much contained within the Baltimore city limits, making it much more intimate. People who know Lucie are listening, including her co-workers in the garage where she is a mechanic, her ex and his husband, and her daughter. A sponsor takes on the show, increasing revenue for the station, and Lucie even gets a couple of dates out of it. Those dates cause her to realize her feelings for Aidan, and eventually,y he can’t fight it his attraction to Lucie anymore. But he soon panics, pushing her away.

I could not put this book down. I know Borison has tons of fans from the Lovelight Farms series, and I’m one of them, but I loved this book so much more than those. I was so invested in these characters that I hated to leave them. Luckily, this is the first book of a new series, and I’m all in.

2/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

FIRST-TIME CALLER by B.K. Borison. Berkley (February 11, 2025). ISBN: 978-0593641194. 448p.

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Audiobook Sunday: DESIRE OR DEFENSE by Leah Brunner

February 9, 2025

Read by Dane Anderson & Alex Picard

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D.C. Eagles Hockey, Book 1

From the publisher:

I’m the notoriously angry, grouchy D.C. Eagles defenseman who just can’t keep his temper in check—a temper that leads to a fifteen-game suspension from the NHL.

As if that’s not bad enough, I’m forced into a short-term youth-hockey coaching gig—which my manager swears will “rebuild my image.”

But what I didn’t expect was for a gorgeous, spunky blonde to stomp onto the ice on day one and lecture me about being rude to her little brother.

Something about this spitfire of a woman, and the boy she’s so protective of, has my defenses melting.

And if I’m not careful, I’ll burst into flames, forever melting the ice I’ve carefully kept around my heart.

This is a closed-door romcom with mild language. Trigger warnings include parental substance abuse and dealing with grief/loss of parents.

https://amzn.to/4h6YkQt

I had to suspend my disbelief here; a hockey suspension for fifteen games is most unusual, but it does happen so I was able to go with it. Happily, it was worth it because I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book. And no worries if you are not a hockey fan, it will not affect your reading of this sweet romance.

Andie lost her parents and is raising her much younger, 12-year-old brother. Mitch is a defenseman for a fictional pro hockey team who gets this huge suspension for fighting. His coach orders him to therapy, and to help with a peewee hockey team as part of his penance for letting his team down. That’s where he meets Andie, whose brother plays in this league.

This isn’t instalove, but there is definite attraction from the start. Andie and Mitch have similar traumas in their backgrounds, but there is a lot of cute banter that keeps the story light. There was a really funny scene where Mitch is listening to an audiobook that turns out to be quite a spicy romance, which this book is not. This is a closed-door romance, but that said, there is still plenty of innuendo, and you can definitely feel the sexual chemistry between Andie and Mitch.

This was a fun read, and the narrators did a great job bringing me into the story. This was one of those books that I really couldn’t put down. While the narrators often make the difference, in this case, it was the collaboration between the writer and the narrators that made this such a good listen.

Note: there is a novella that starts before this, even though this is the first book in the series. I was able to borrow it from Hoopla through my library. Hopefully, I’ll be able to get all the books in this series that way.

2/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

DESIRE OR DEFENSE by Leah Brunner. Narrators: Dane Anderson, Alex Picard. Dreamscape Media; August 15, 2023. Listening Length: 7 hours and 52 minutes.

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ONCE SMITTEN, TWICE SHY by Chloe Liese

February 7, 2025

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The Wilmot Sisters, Book 3

From the publisher:

Star-crossed lovers learn that practicing romance leads to the perfect happy ending in this steamy reimagining of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.

Since heartbreak entered the scene, Juliet Wilmot, once a hopeless romantic, has sworn off love. But when she’s presented with the chance to revisit romance—purely for practice—with the gorgeous, off-limits guy she keeps serendipitously running into, it feels like a sign from the universe.

Quiet, shy Will Orsino knows happily-ever-after isn’t on his horizon. Problem is, for the sake of the family business, marriage is. Resigned to the inevitable, but with no confidence he can woo a wife, he can hardly say no when fate hands him the alluring, unattainable woman he keeps crossing paths with, offering to help him learn the ropes of romance.

Neither of them looking for love, Jules and Will agree they’re the perfect pair to practice romance. Except that practicing to perfection leads to an irresistible attraction. Their once smitten hearts, though still twice shy, might have happily-ever-after written in the stars for them, after all.

AN INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER!

“Liese continues her brilliantly conceived, wryly witty Wilmot Sisters series with a beguiling romance inspired by Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night….Liese writes with thoughtful insight about living with a chronic disease and neurodiversity.”—Booklist

https://amzn.to/3CqRtT9

This was an unusual romance in that the main protagonists never have a crisis or breakup of any kind. Instead, it’s a friends-to-lovers, slow-burn romance with interesting characters that we really get to know.

Jules has a debilitating illness that causes her pain and weakness at times, but that’s not her real problem. Her more significant issue is that she had a nasty breakup and has become extremely guarded and protective of her heart. Will is on the spectrum and doesn’t pick up on social cues, so he has difficulty dating. They meet briefly in Scotland when Jules is hiding out there, mending her broken heart. She knows she is in no position to start a new relationship, no matter how attractive she finds Will.

Will lives on his family’s farm and runs their distillery, but his sister schmoozes the customers, so at least he doesn’t have to socialize. He visits his best friend in the States and falls asleep in the greenhouse next door. He awakens to Jules attacking him, thinking he is stalking her. They eventually figure out that Jules’s next-door neighbor and good friend (who treats her like a sister) is Will’s best friend, and it’s smooth sailing after that. As they get to know one another, they each admit to their weaknesses with dating and are determined to help one another by pretend dating and practicing romance so they can be more comfortable with it. Will needs a wife who will be able to help him with his business but has no expectations of any kind of love story. Jules wants the romance but is afraid of getting hurt again.

The more time they spend together, the more they enjoy each other’s company, but Jules wants true love and is afraid Will isn’t looking for it. Eventually, they realize they are both exactly what the other needs, and they get their happy ever after.

This is a sweet romance with a bit of heat, but it’s the romance that truly carries the story. I loved Will’s habit of inadvertently saying his thoughts aloud; it added some lightness. This is the third book of a series that I haven’t read, and as far as I can tell, it stands alone beautifully. Happily, I have the first two books in the series on my Kindle.

2/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

ONCE SMITTEN, TWICE SHY by Chloe Liese. Berkley (January 14, 2025). ISBN: 978-0593441541. 384p.

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BETTER THAN FRIENDS by Jill Shalvis

February 7, 2025

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Sunrise Cove, Book 7

From the publisher:

A Cozy Romance with a Touch of Suspense, Perfect for Winter 2025, Snuggle Up and Fall in Love!

Old flames reignite in Sunrise Cove in this charming enemies-to-lovers, second-chance, small-town, forced-proximity love story about family, friendships, and true love from New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis.

When Olive Porter’s off-the-grid parents go missing, she reluctantly seeks out Noah Turner, her ex and the only person she both trusts implicitly and not at all.

As a special investigative agent for the National Park Service, Noah’s used to living under intense pressure. Or he was until he got injured on the job. Now unhappily recuperating at home while being smothered by his loving but nosy family, he’d love nothing more than a good distraction.

So when Olive shows up looking like a million bucks, he has to do a gut and heart check. Because nope, no matter what, he can’t fall for her again, the woman who once blew up his entire life and never looked back. How ironic then that his own personal hell (Olive) is also his ticket out of town. The question is, will the risk be worth the reward?

Bestseller Shalvis returns to Sunrise Cove (after Summer Escape) for an irresistible enemies-to-lovers romance . . . The drama pairs with tenderness and plenty of steam to keep the pages turning. Series fans and new readers alike will be drawn in by the clever plotting and buoyant prose. It’s another winner from Shalvis. —Publishers Weekly

https://amzn.to/4jJKp4L

Jill Shalvis has once again delivered a delightful tale in Better Than Friends, the seventh installment in her beloved Sunrise Cove series. This romance easily stands alone yet takes readers back to the charming small town near Lake Tahoe, where love, family, and second chances intertwine beautifully.

The story centers on Olive Porter, a PR firm owner who returns to Sunrise Cove under pressing circumstances: her best friend’s husband, Joe, is hospitalized and in a coma after an accident, then her off-the-grid parents mysteriously disappear. To find them, she must turn to Noah Turner, the man who still holds her heart despite their complicated past.

Noah, now a special investigative agent for the National Park Service, is recovering from a job-related injury that has left him temporarily sidelined and blames himself for Joe’s accident. Staying with his twin sister Katie while recuperating, he’s unprepared for the emotional whirlwind Olive’s return brings. Their chemistry is undeniable, and Shalvis masterfully weaves their shared history into the present-day narrative, revealing glimpses of their high school friendship and romance while unraveling the mystery of why Olive left him years ago.

The novel excels in its exploration of relationships—romantic, familial, and platonic. Olive’s bond with the Turner family, forged during her teenage years living next door to them, is heartwarming. Katie’s quirky personality and unfiltered honesty add humor and depth to the story, while Noah’s adorable nephew Joey steals scenes with his innocent charm (and his knack for catching Olive and Noah in compromising moments). Shalvis also introduces lovable animal companions—a dieting elderly dog and a stray cat named Pepper—who bring additional warmth and laughter.

As secrets from the past come to light and emotions run high, Better Than Friends delivers all the hallmarks of a great romance: second chances, forced proximity, and sizzling chemistry. Fans of these tropes will be captivated by Olive and Noah’s journey toward healing and love.

Whether you’re new to the Sunrise Cove series or a longtime fan, this book is a must-read. It’s sweet, heartfelt, and filled with character growth. I couldn’t help but root for Olive and Noah to finally find their happily ever after!

2/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

BETTER THAN FRIENDS by Jill Shalvis. Avon (January 21, 2025). ISBN: 978-0063353435. 336p.

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Spotlight Review: DREAM GIRL DRAMA by Tessa Bailey

February 4, 2025

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Big Shots, Book 3

From the Publisher:

A steamy chance encounter between a professional hockey player and the manic pixie dream girl he just can’t seem to forget takes a turn when the pair realize that their parents are engaged—in an all-new rom-com by #1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey.

When professional hockey player Sig Gauthier’s car breaks down and his phone dies, he treks into a posh private country club to call a tow truck, where he encounters the alluring Chloe Clifford, the manic pixie dream girl who captivates him immediately with her sense of adventure and penchant for stealing champagne.

Sparks fly during a moonlight kiss and the enamored pair can’t wait to see each other again, but when Sig finally arrives to meet his dad’s new girlfriend over dinner, Chloe is confusingly also there. Turns out the girlfriend is Chloe’s mother. Oh, and they’re engaged.

Sig’s dream girl is his future stepsister.

Though the pair is now wary of being involved romantically, Chloe, a sheltered harp prodigy, yearns to escape her controlling mother. Sig promises to teach her the ins and outs of independence in Boston—but not inside his bedroom. They both know there can never be more than friendship between a famous hockey player and his high-society, soon-to-be stepsister. But keeping their relationship platonic grows harder amid the developing family drama, especially knowing they were meant for so much more…

A Spicy Sports Rom-Com with an Unconventional Love Story, Perfect for Winter 2025: Heat Up Your Winter Nights!

“The latest sensually hot and sweetly heartfelt addition to Bailey’s Hot Shots hockey series rewards readers with an ingeniously inventive cast that not only includes some memorable secondary characters, including a fierce and fabulous harp mentor, but also a perfectly matched pair of protagonists, whose combustible sexual chemistry provides the fuel for several incendiary love scenes.”— Booklist

“Readers who don’t like the instalove trope may not buy into the immediate connection between the leads, but Bailey backs it up with thoughtful characterization and red-hot sex scenes. This is a winner.”— Publishers Weekly

“This love-at-first-glance romance between a gruff cinnamon-roll hero and a naive dream girl is swoon-worthy. The tension between the characters is palpable, and readers will be on a knife’s edge waiting for it to break.”— Library Journal

https://amzn.to/4jCtD7p

I love Tessa Bailey and this series is one of my favorites. This latest entry was unputdownable for sure, but I had a hard time suspending my disbelief with the reason these two couldn’t be together.

Let me backtrack. Sig is a professional hockey player coming to the end of his first contract. This was more real-life than almost any sports romance I’ve read; his salary is not in the millions of dollars, and that is a reality for most rookies. Sig was brought up by a single mother who told him his father had married her for her money, taken that money, and disappeared. She came from a wealthy family, but refused to lean on them for support, so they were dirt poor. Sig got in touch with his father as he became an adult, and they had an understandably strained relationship.

Chloe grew up in the wealthiest enclave in Connecticut and has been a harp prodigy since she was a young girl. But she never really studied her instrument, and only did performances at her mother’s request. She lives the life of a socialite, for the most part.

Sig and Chloe meet when his truck breaks down on his way to meet his father for dinner. He manages to get it into a parking lot of a very exclusive country club. His phone has died, and he has no way of getting help, so he goes into the club where the very snooty concierge tries to send him away. Chloe spots him from across the room and rushes in to help, telling the concierge that she’s been waiting for him. She shmoozes her way past him and takes Sig into the bar. It is love at first sight for both of them. They hang out while his phone charges and share a very heated kiss. Then she needs to get home, and he needs to go meet his father and they part.

It turns out that his father is getting married and he wants Sig to meet his fiancée. He hears the most beautiful music he’s ever heard coming from the next room. It turns out Chloe is the musician, and his father’s soon-to-be step-daughter, and even worse, Sig’s soon-to-be step-sister. The rest of the book is about Sig & Chloe becoming best friends who can’t be lovers, and the tension between them is excruciating. I have read thrillers that didn’t have this amount of tension! So kudos to Bailey, she really knocked it out of the park in that regard.

The only problem is that step-siblings have no blood relation, and no real taboo about being together, except in this book. The hockey team dangles an eight-figure salary and team captaincy for Sig, and Chloe has the opportunity to study with the first chair of the Boston Symphony, who is retiring and wants her to take that spot. But both of these incredible opportunities hinge on Sig and Chloe never seeing one another again.

The matter is settled by the end of the book, and of course, there is a happy ending. But plan on putting aside everything else once you pick up this book – I read it in one very late night. It truly is unputdownable!

2/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

DREAM GIRL DRAMA by Tessa Bailey. Avon (February 4, 2025). ISBN: 978-0063380776. 320p.

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Paperback: This deluxe paperback features gorgeous sprayed edges with stenciled artwork and colored illustrations on the inside cover, with fan favorite tropes! 

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