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The Hollywood Series, Book 2

From the publisher:

She’s written off more than she can chew…

Romance author Sophie Lyon’s ironic secret just went viral: she’s never been in love—and it’s ruining her reputation. With a manuscript deadline looming, Sophie makes an ambitious plan to overcome her writer’s block: reunite with her exes (including her last girlfriend Carla, the one person she could have loved) to learn why she’s never fallen in love, and document it all for her millions of new online followers.

Luckily, Sophie’s reclusive landlord, Dash Montrose—a former teen heartthrob—has social media all figured out and is willing to help. What he doesn’t mention is that he’s an anonymous online crafter, a hobby that helps him maintain his sobriety. No one knows about his complicated relationship with alcohol, and with a family that’s Hollywood royalty, Dash has to steer clear of scandal.

As Sophie and Dash grow closer, they discover a heat between them that rivals Dash’s pottery kiln. But Sophie needs to figure out who she is outside her relationships, and Dash isn’t sure he’s stable enough for the commitment she deserves. So Sophie suggests what any good romance author would: a friends-with-benefits arrangement. Surely a strictly casual relationship won’t cause any trouble…

“Readers will swoon for Dash and Sophie as they struggle to resist their growing feelings. This is a true romance lover’s romance.” —Publishers Weekly

“An engaging novel that seamlessly weaves together an exploration of love, the challenges of sobriety, and robust sex.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This book takes on some very serious topics, which are lightened by Sophie’s zany antics, and will appeal to fans of Christina Lauren and Tessa Bailey.” —Booklist

https://amzn.to/4aJTJ4c

A writer with writer’s block. An actor trying to maintain his sobriety. Perhaps cliché, but these characters truly come to life on the page.

Sophie is on deadline for her next romance book, but she is struggling. It doesn’t help that she realizes that she’s never been in love, and when that goes viral, she’s in trouble for sure. Her landlord, Dash, was a former child star, and his parents and brother are Hollywood royalty. He is an alcoholic, his family has no idea, and he is working really hard on his sobriety, which means no time for any kind of relationship. Sophie needs help with her social media image, and Dash is an expert, so he offers to help her.

Sophie decides to revisit all her past relationships to try and figure out why she never fell in love, and Dash helps her document it on social media. Then Sophie and Dash decide on a “friends with benefits” relationship, but feelings soon emerge. There is a lot of humor here despite the seriousness of some of these issues, lending real depth to this story. I can only hope that there will be a book 3 in this series!

1/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

PLOT TWIST by Erin La Rosa. HQN; Original edition (July 26, 2022). ISBN:  978-1335506344. 368p.

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Knockemout Series, Book 1

From the publisher:

Bearded, bad-boy barber Knox prefers to live his life the way he takes his coffee: Alone. Unless you count his basset hound, Waylon.

Knox doesn’t tolerate drama, even when it comes in the form of a stranded runaway bride.

Naomi wasn’t just running away from her wedding. She was riding to the rescue of her estranged twin to Knockemout, Virginia, a rough-around-the-edges town where disputes are settled the old-fashioned way…with fists and beer. Usually in that order.

Too bad for Naomi her evil twin hasn’t changed at all. After helping herself to Naomi’s car and cash, Tina leaves her with something unexpected. The niece Naomi didn’t know she had. Now she’s stuck in town with no car, no job, no plan, and no home with an 11-year-old going on thirty to take care of.

There’s a reason Knox doesn’t do complications or high-maintenance women, especially not the romantic ones. But since Naomi’s life imploded right in front of him, the least he can do is help her out of her jam. And just as soon as she stops getting into new trouble he can leave her alone and get back to his peaceful, solitary life.

At least, that’s the plan until the trouble turns to real danger.

Book 1: Things We Never Got Over

Book 2: Things We Hide from the Light

Book 3: Things We Left Behind

https://amzn.to/47nikJ7

Being me, I started reading this series with book 3 (the last book?) and I liked it so much that I immediately sought out the first two books. This is the first book of the Knockemout series – Knockemout is a small town in Virginia, close to Washington D.C. This is not your stereotypical sweet, everyone loves and looks out for one another small town. This small town has some very rough edges, lending an interesting layer to this series.

Knox owns the nicest bar and barber shop in town, plus his name is on the municipal building that houses the sheriff’s department and library. His brother, Nash, is the sheriff, and they butt heads on the regular. When Naomi arrives in town, she hits the first coffee shop she sees, and is not completely surprised to see a picture of her twin on the wall with a do not serve notice on it. She orders her coffee and the barista asks her to leave, until she produces her drivers license that shows she is Naomi, not Tina. Never have twins been so biblical! Tina is evil, self destructive, and is always trying to keep one step ahead of the law. Naomi is the good daughter, striving to do the right thing at all times to make up for her horrible sister. But when Tina calls and says she’s in trouble, Naomi can’t help but come riding in for the rescue. But things don’t work out exactly the way she planned.

While Naomi is getting yelled at by Knox, her car, phone, and most of her belongings are stolen. Her sister is the thief, and to Naomi’s shock, Tina leaves behind a young daughter that no one in their family knew about. Of course Naomi steps up, but doesn’t alert her parents to their first grandchild since they are out of the country on their dream vacation.

Knox can’t help but feel bad for Naomi and arranges a place for her to stay and a job, at least temporarily. Knox and Naomi keep on fighting until they both give in to the explosive chemistry between them. Meanwhile, Naomi is falling in love with both her niece and Knox, maddening though they both are.

There are ups and downs galore here and a bit of suspense as well, making this a real page-turner. I loved these characters, and I’m happy to say it didn’t ruin things at all that I read the last book first; these books can easily stand alone. I highly recommend this series.

1/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THINGS WE NEVER GOT OVER by Lucy Score. Bloom Books (January 12, 2022). ISBN: 978-1945631832. 570p.

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Knockemout Series, Book 2

From the publisher:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lucy Score returns to Knockemout, Virginia, following fan-favorite Things We Never Got Over with Knox’s brother Nash’s story.

Nash Morgan was always known as the good Morgan brother, with a smile and a wink for everyone. But now, this chief of police is recovering from being shot and his Southern charm has been overshadowed by panic attacks and nightmares. He feels like a broody shell of the man he once was. Nash isn’t about to let anyone in his life know he’s struggling. But his new next-door neighbor, smart and sexy Lina, sees his shadows. As a rule, she’s not a fan of physical contact unless she initiates it, but for some reason Nash’s touch is different. He feels it too. The physical connection between them is incendiary, grounding him and making her wonder if exploring it is worth the risk.

Too bad Lina’s got secrets of her own, and if Nash finds out the real reason she’s in town, he’ll never forgive her. Besides, she doesn’t do relationships. Ever. A hot, short-term fling with a local cop? Absolutely. Sign her up. A relationship with a man who expects her to plant roots? No freaking way. Once she gets what she’s after, she has no intention of sticking around. But Knockemout has a way of getting under people’s skin. And once Nash decides to make Lina his, he’s not about to be dissuaded…even if it means facing the danger that nearly killed him.

Book 1: Things We Never Got Over

Book 2: Things We Hide from the Light

Book 3: Things We Left Behind

https://amzn.to/3tzIdrp

Being me, I started reading this series with book 3 (the last book?) and I liked it so much that I immediately sought out the first two books. I’m happy to say it didn’t ruin things at all that I read the last book first; these books can easily stand alone, and I highly recommend this series.

Book 2 centers around the local sheriff, Nash, in this small town outside of Washington D.C. Nash generally spends most of his time breaking up fights and giving out tickets. But on a traffic stop, he gets shot at point-blank range. Luckily, he survives but he finds himself spiraling into a severe depression, and even more fun, he’s having panic attacks. He also can’t remember anything from that night, including who the shooter was. He doesn’t tell anyone about the depression and hides it as well as he can, but he has a new neighbor, Lina, and she finds him on the floor mid-panic attack.

Lina has her own issues, and she is quite familiar with these types of attacks. She gets him into his apartment, and they both find themselves strongly attracted to one another. For some reason, Lina’s touch grounds Nash, makes him feel more like himself. Plus she’s hot as hell, and he can’t stop thinking about her. Lina thinks he’s hot as hell, too, and wouldn’t mind a brief fling.

Lina’s been in town for a few weeks, and all anyone really knows about her is that she works in insurance. What she really does is locate missing property, a sometimes dangerous job that is best kept secret. She also has no room in her life for relationships; she’s a one-night stand sort of girl, and that works for her. Until she meets Nash. She fights it every step of the way, and he’s fine with that – until he starts coming back to himself. He’s always been a traditional kind of guy, wanting the wife, the home, the white picket fence, the kids. But Lina is scared to death of domesticity.

As Nash tries to remember who shot him and Lina keeps searching for the missing property, their paths keep crossing and their attraction cannot be denied. There is quite a bit of suspense here, and the romance sizzles. This is another terrific entry into this series. Highly recommend!

1/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THINGS WE HIDE FROM THE LIGHT by Lucy Score. Bloom Books (February 21, 2023). ISBN: 978-1728276113. 592p.

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From the publisher:

ONE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES’ BEST ROMANCES OF THE YEAR!

“Martin’s prose is a live wire: There are little shocks of pleasure on every page.”—New York Times

Two rival candidates for a homeowner’s association presidency are about to find out how dirty suburbanites fight in this steamy new romantic comedy from Alexa Martin.

After years of hustling, Collins Carter has finally made it…back to her parents’ house. Between tending to the compost with her newly retired dad and running into her high school nemesis at the only decent coffee shop in town, Collins realizes this subdivision from hell she swore she’d never return to is her rock bottom.

Then the homeowner’s association complaint arrived.

Nathaniel Adams always dreamed of a nice, quiet life in his suburban hometown. Or at least that’s what he thought until Collins moved back and sent his quaint, organized life into a tailspin. He thought Collins was infuriating ten years ago, but when she announces she’s running against him for HOA president, all bets are off.

From secret board meetings to vicious smear campaigns whispered over backyard fences, Collins and Nate sink to levels their sleepy suburb has never seen before. But as hate turns into lust, these two enemies are forced to reckon with the feelings they’ve ignored for years. If only there were bylaws for real life.

“Martin’s prose is a live wire: There are little shocks of pleasure on every page. It’s incredible how epic this contest feels, even though the stakes are extremely local…Martin has a knack for layering vast emotional geographies onto cozy physical spaces.”—New York Times

“Martin’s (Better Than Fiction) sexy friends-to-lovers rom-com is full of endearing characters and emotional plotlines, set against a whimsical Midwestern backdrop. Will appeal to readers of feel-good contemporary romances.”—Library Journal (starred review)

“Martin’s latest is a witty, humorous rom-com that doesn’t skimp on the comedy; Collins and Nate’s conversational clashes are as engaging as their vulnerability…”—Kirkus

https://amzn.to/473HNHe

This book hits several of my favorite tropes; second chance romance, enemies to lovers, and small town romance. Martin is one of the best contemporary romcom romance writers out there, and I have loved every one of her books. This one is no exception.

Nate and Collins grew up in this small town as best friends, and then something more. Until the summer Nate ghosted her. Collins never understood why, and that hurt turned into hate. So when Collins ends up moving back in to the house she grew up in, she is shocked to find out that Nate not only still lives there (in his own house,) but that he is the president of the homeowner’s association. And he’s out to get her.

To retaliate, Collins decides to run against him in the next association election and then things really get ugly. Except their chemistry keeps veering between hate and lust, and eventually lust wins out. But can the hate turn into love? Of course, it does, but it is so much fun getting there! This was a terrific read with enough laughs, lust, and drama to keep those pages flying by. It was a great read to start the new year!

1/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

NEXT-DOOR NEMESIS by Alexa Martin. Berkley (November 14, 2023). ISBN: 978-0593337257. 368p.

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Knockemout Series, Book 3

From the publisher:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Lucy Score returns to spicy-sweet Knockemout, Virginia with Lucian and Sloane’s story.

There was only one woman who could set me free. But I would rather set myself on fire than ask Sloane Walton for anything.

Lucian Rollins is a lean, mean vengeance-seeking mogul. On a quest to erase his abusive father’s mark on the family name, he spends every waking minute pulling strings and building his empire. The more money and power he gains, the safer he feels.

Except when it comes to one feisty small-town librarian…

Bonded by an old, dark secret from the past and their current mutual disdain, Sloane Walton trusts Lucian about as far as she can throw his designer-suited body.

When bickering accidentally turns to foreplay, the flames are fanned, and it’s impossible to put them out again. But with Sloane more than ready to start a family and Lucian refusing to even consider the idea of marriage and kids, these enemies-to-lovers are stuck at an impasse.

Until Lucian learns the hard way that leaving Sloane is impossible―the very least he can do is to keep her safe.

Book 1: Things We Never Got Over

Book 2: Things We Hide from the Light

https://amzn.to/3TpSII9

December is usually a very slow month in publishing, so I’ve always used it to catch up on the books I missed during the year. I’m doing that, but there are still a handful of new books that I am reading as well. One of the nicest perks of my job is that I get 2 weeks off over the holidays, and I’m spending them baking, cleaning, reading, and watching Hallmark Christmas (& their one Hanukkah) movies! 

This was my first read in this series, although I’ve read Lucy Score before and really enjoyed her. I did find this a bit slow going in the beginning, and I’m going to blame that on missing the first two books (which I’m definitely going to read sooner rather than later!) Our two protagonists have a past, and it’s not pretty. Sloane doesn’t trust Julian at all, but no one can deny their chemistry is off-the-charts hot. They both have a lot of baggage, and honestly, Julian is drowning in it, but even he realizes that Sloane is offering a hand up.

There were a lot of laughs and a lot of tears produced by this story, not to mention the heat! It is a long book, but once I got past the first 50 pages or so, I couldn’t put it down. And I can’t wait to read the first two books in this series.

12/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THINGS WE LEFT BEHIND by Lucy Score. Bloom Books (September 5, 2023). ISBN: 978-1728276120. 592p.

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