Fiction | Stacy Alesi's BookBitch.com™

Spotlight Review: THE REBOUND by Catherine Walsh

February 15, 2022

From the publisher:

An absolutely hilarious romantic comedy set in Ireland…
A newly single girl. A tall dark handsome stranger. What could go wrong?
It’s 7 a.m. on a Monday morning and Abby Reynolds isn’t where she wants to be. She wants to be in her beautiful loft apartment in Manhattan, drinking a coffee with her fiancé.
Instead, she’s heading back to the childhood home in rural Ireland she swore she’d never return to, with some big old secrets. Namely that she’s suddenly found herself unemployed, homeless, and absolutely 100% single.
She’s feeling all out of luck. Until the first person she meets after she touches down is an absurdly hot guy called Luke, who offers her a lift home. Gazing deep into his sparkling emerald-green eyes, Abby knows instantly that he’s exactly what she needs to take her mind off everything. The perfect rebound.
It’s a flawless plan. Until the next day, when Abby realizes who he actually is. Not just a stranger. He is, in fact, Luke Bailey, aka the boy next door. Luke Bailey who—so help her God—she’s pretty sure she once shared baths with, back when they were kids. Not that she can allow herself to imagine him in a bath now, not without blushing from head to foot.
And judging by the smirk on his face, the same Luke Bailey who’s known exactly who she was the whole time… And who, like everyone in the village, still thinks she’s a high-flying New Yorker… who’s getting married next year.
Abby is certain getting under Luke will help her get over her ex. But the truth is stopping her. Can she admit to everyone back home that she’s single and has lost everything? Because, if she wants the boy next door, she may just have to…
The perfect feel-good romantic comedy that will make you laugh until you cry and fall completely in love. Fans of Sophie Kinsella, Marian Keyes, and Emily Henry won’t be able to put this down!
https://amzn.to/3oNEOzw

Abby has been dumped. Her fiancé has decided that he doesn’t want to get married. Luckily, the mega financial company she works for has some apartments, generally used for new hires, available so at least she has a place to live.

Abby has always been driven, leaving the small town of Clonard, Ireland for college and never looking back. She loves the Manhattan lifestyle afforded her by her years with the company, and has all her funds tied up with them. So when they go under, she and thousands of others find themselves out of work and broke. Plus she’s now homeless as well. The only solution she sees is to go home to Ireland.

Abby’s sister is living in their family home and while they don’t really get along – she is a strong environmentalist/activist while Abby is working for the epitome of corporate greed, she knows her sister will take her in. But she’s embarrassed to admit she is no longer engaged on top of everything else.

Luke gives Abby a ride home when she is stranded at the airport. He remembers her well – he always had a crush on her. Abby flirts the whole way home without realizing that this hot man is actually the neighbor she grew up with. Once she figures it out, and he figures out she is engaged, things get complicated between them in spite of their growing attraction.

There are a lot of laughs and some angst before they reach their happy ending. Abby is a strong woman and Luke is an honorable, honest man, and I really liked them both. The setting and secondary characters were quirky and fun, and altogether this was a terrific, heart warming read.

2/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE REBOUND by Catherine Walsh. ‎ Bookouture (February 9, 2022). ISBN: 978-1800195677. 324p.

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TEMPTED BY THE BILLIONAIRE by Shayla Black

February 11, 2022

Forbidden Confessions, Book 9

From the publisher:

What price will he extract for the career of her dreams?
I’m Savannah. I’m a recent college grad in desperate need of a job.
When Billionaire CEO Chad Force interviews me, I’m blindingly attracted to him. But he’s older. Wiser. And notorious about going after what he wants.
That will never be me. Except the way he’s looking at me says it might.
Just how far am I willing to go for the opportunity of a lifetime?
https://amzn.to/3sttVUv

This is publicized as a “two hour read” but I it only took me half that time. It went by so fast because it’s only 99 pages. That means there is no character development or back story and not much plot to speak of either. It is a very steamy romance, but I felt unsettled after reading it. I need more book in my book, I guess.

This was the first time I’ve read this author. I don’t read a lot of self published books because they are not often available to reviewers. I got this one through Black’s publicist – yes, she has one. And I’m pretty sure she has an editor, too, and that is not always the case with either self published writers or some bestselling, traditionally published authors – I wouldn’t swear to it but I don’t think that last Stephen King novel ever saw an editor. But I digress.

I liked this book but wanted more. Black is a very popular author and I can certainly see why. I am not a fan of novellas no matter how well done they are, and this is well done for what it is. If you like sexy romances and don’t want to invest too much time, then this is your book.

2/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

TEMPTED BY THE BILLIONAIRE by Shayla Black. Self published (February 8, 2022). ASIN: 978-1957573007. 99p.

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ON A NIGHT LIKE THIS by Lindsey Kelk

February 11, 2022

From the publisher:

The brand new funny and heartwarming romantic comedy!
It only takes one night to fall in love…
Within days of wishing she could change her life, Fran Cooper is acting assistant to a celebrity, on a yacht in the Mediterranean, and en route to a tiny Italian island and the glittering Crystal Ball, along with the world’s rich and famous.
When she – quite literally – bumps into a handsome American called Evan, a man able to keep his cool in the face of chaos, the magic really begins.
Evan makes her a promise: no last names, no life stories, just one unforgettable night. Yet Evan belongs at the Crystal Ball and Fran is a gatecrasher. They may be soulmates, but their homes are an ocean apart, and their lives a world apart. They’ll never meet again – unless, on a night like this, everything can change forever…
Don’t miss the most romantic story of 2022!
https://amzn.to/3GB9J8b

Fran is engaged to Stew and they recently moved into his grandmother’s house in a small town far outside of London. She doesn’t love the house and Stew is starting to get on her nerves, too. He doesn’t want her leaving the small town but she needs a job. She’s been working temp jobs as an assistant and she loves it, but there isn’t any work in this tiny town and the holidays are looming. She calls a contact with a temp agency she’s used many times.

Until she signs an NDA, she can’t even learn who she will be assisting. All she knows is that she needs the money and after a strange interview, Fran is hired. It turns out she will be working for a world famous singer, Juliette. She is scheduled to perform at the Crystal Ball, the world’s most excusive party. They will be taking a yacht to the party, and on the way Fran and Juliette form a strange sort of friendship, mostly based in alcohol, but it works for them. Until Juliette strands her new pal in Sicily.

Fran is stuck but at least she has the fancy hotel suite to stay in. When the makeup artist arrives and Juliette isn’t there, she convinces Fran to dress up and go to the party. She sneaks her in and Fran is determined to have a good time. She quickly meets a gorgeous man, Evan, and the sparks fly. They spend a crazy evening together and then…the happy ending you can’t help but wish for them.

This was a very funny book and a sweet romance. It is a true feel-good read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

2/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

ON A NIGHT LIKE THIS by Lindsey Kelk. HarperCollins (January 18, 2022). ISBN: 978-0008496753. 352p.

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THE DATING DILEMMA by Mariah Ankenman

February 11, 2022

Mile High Firefighters, Book 2

From the publisher:

Lexi’s Reminders:
Work.
Don’t think about your birthday tomorrow. Or debt, your crappy apartment, and nonexistent social life.
Re-stock wine and ice cream because that’s coming.
Die in a raging blaze of humiliation when the super-hot and very delicious fireman waiting in your office is not in fact the strip-o-gram birthday present you suspected.
Reschedule the fire safety inspection you 100 percent failed because of said humiliation.
Figure out how you, in fact, agreed to fake dating Mr. Not a Strip-O-Gram Fireman to help him with a bet.
Oh yeah, and do not fall for this guy. Seriously, they call him One Night O’Neil. Red flags all over the place.
Remember, this is fake dating, even though his very talented, very real lips are doing some sexy things you definitely like.
Realize bending one tiny rule can’t be that bad, can it?
Except bend too far, and something breaks. Something you can’t get back.
https://amzn.to/3GyH6IL

Lexi is one of those selfless angels – she works in a center that keeps kids off the street. Money is super tight so when the man she thinks is a stripper turns out to be a fire inspector and the center fails the inspection, things are not good. They don’t have the money to hire anyone to make the necessary fixes, and the kids really can’t afford for the center to close, plus there is the added humiliation of thinking the gorgeous firefighter is a stripper. Not one of her best days!

The firefighter, Dyson, also turns out to be an angel. He is single and his loving but nosy sisters have been trying hard to set him up. He comes up with the perfect solution: he will do the fixes for the center but Lexi has to pretend to date him to get his sisters off his back. I love the fake dating trope – not sure why because I have never heard of anyone in real life ever being in a fake dating (or fake marriage!) situation, but it makes for a fun plot point. As soon as all parties agree to this scheme, you know what is going to happen. But it is so much fun to get there.

Lexi and Dyson have plenty of ups and downs before they reach their happy ending, and there are a lot of laugh out loud moments along the way. I loved the family relationships and how Lexi and Dyson become friends before they have a physical relationship, makes it more believable. I didn’t read the first book in this series and didn’t feel like I missed anything, so it stands alone perfectly well. That said, I enjoyed this so much I wanted to read the first book. Unfortunately, my library only has the audiobook so that’s a no for me. I’ll just hope it shows up as a freebie on Book Bub! (With several hundred unread books on my Kindle, I cannot justify buying a book. I just can’t.) But read this one!

2/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE DATING DILEMMA by Mariah Ankenman. Entangled: Amara (January 24, 2022). ASIN: B09MBRG4CY. 286p.

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Spotlight Review: LEASE ON LOVE by Falon Ballard

February 8, 2022

From the publisher:

Sadie wasn’t looking for love until it landed on her doorstep.
After getting passed over for an overdue—and much-needed—promotion, Sadie Green is in desperate need of three things: a stiff drink, a new place to live, and a one-night stand. But when an accidental mix-up lands her on the doorstep of Jack Thomas’s gorgeous Brooklyn brownstone, it’s too bad Sadie is more attracted to the impressive real estate than she is to the man himself.
Jack, still grieving the unexpected death of his parents, has learned to find comfort in video games and movie marathons instead of friends. So while he doesn’t know just what to make of the vivaciously verbose Sadie, he’s willing to offer her his spare bedroom while she gets back on her feet. And with the rent unbeatably low, Sadie can finally pursue her floristry side hustle full-time. The two are polar opposites, but as Sadie’s presence begins to turn the brownstone into a home, they both start to realize they may have just made the deal of a lifetime.
https://amzn.to/3J48y2K

This story really stretches the boundaries of suspension of disbelief, but it was worth it just for the scene where Sadie loses her job – one of my favorite scenes, ever! She says what anyone in that position would think but probably never say and I loved it. The rest of the story was good, too, just a little bit over the top.

Finding a beautiful brownstone in the trendiest section of Brooklyn with a room to rent for some ridiculously cheap rent – no. But it was important to the story so I pretended to believe it. Maybe if there was some sort of explanation about why Jack was willing to rent it so cheap I would have understood it better, but nope. Anyway, it doesn’t really matter except that these decisions set the story in motion.

Jack lost his parents several years earlier and has had a very hard time dealing with it. Sadie loses her job and with the cheap rent she is now paying, she can afford to pursue her dream of starting her own floral business. All that aside, it is the relationship that grows between the mysterious, close mouthed Jack and the outgoing social butterfly, Sadie, that is at the heart of this story. Everything else doesn’t really matter.

This was a very enjoyable read and a sweet romance. I loved these characters and the setting and highly recommend!

2/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

LEASE ON LOVE by Falon Ballard. G.P. Putnam’s Sons (February 1, 2022). ISBN: 978-0593419915. 352p.

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MY FUNNY VALENTINE by Lydia Michaels

February 4, 2022

Jasper Falls, Book 5

From the publisher:

A blizzard leaves Erin stranded and at the mercy of her childhood nemesis. Trapped, with no electricity or dry clothes, things heat up when two frienemies are forced to share a bed.
From bestselling and award winning author, Lydia Michaels, comes a second-chance bully romance about love and redemption that will touch readers’ hearts!
Giovanni Mosconi has returned to Jasper Falls after years of touring as a standup comedian. When Erin Montgomery, his childhood enemy, heckles his performance at O’Malley’s Pub, he holds nothing back and roasts her in front of the whole town. Emotions run wild and secrets are exposed when hate turns to lust and lines begin to blur.
Can trust form where betrayal began? Or should some secrets go to the grave?
https://amzn.to/3KJU4a2

This was a difficult read, and may be triggering for some readers.

Erin was an abused child. Her father beat her mother until she left. He beat his kids on the regular, and when Erin’s older brother makes his escape, that leaves Erin to take the brunt of his never ending anger. At one point she leaves, and I wasn’t quite clear on why she goes back to that situation. I suspect it is more psychological than anything and frankly, I don’t really understand it. Michaels does a good job describing Erin’s life growing up, and it is heartbreaking. But I don’t understand a woman who would leave her children with an abuser. I don’t understand why victims go back. I would live in my car with my children before I allowed their father to hurt them. Or me. But I’ve been fortunate in that I’ve never had to deal with physical abuse like that. I think we try and relate in some way to what we read, even if it is outside our scope of knowledge or understanding. At least I do.

Due to her bruises and injuries, Erin misses a lot of school. School is the one place she feels safe, even though the other kids make fun of her. She develops a very hard shell and in this small town, has no friends other than Finn. They have been best friends since elementary school but in high school, their relationship develops more intimacy, and that is something Erin can’t handle. She knows Finn wants more than she can give him, and when he decides to go into his family’s business, she ends things between them. She wants to escape and knows if he works there, he will never leave.

Erin’s father owns a hardware store in town and is beloved by everyone except his family, who are the only ones who know the truth of his abuse. She has returned to this town and works for her father, increasing her abuse as she spends more time with him. She has zero self esteem, no self confidence, and is quite sure she has never been loved in her life – other than maybe Finn. She knows that anyone who gets to know her will leave her, just like her mother and brother did.

One night Finn convinces her to meet up with him, his wife and family at the local bar. His cousin Giovanni, a comedian, is working that night. Grudgingly she agrees, but when she makes a nasty comment during his set, Giovanni eviscerates her. She runs out into a snowstorm and ends up in a ditch. Giovanni is passing by and sees the car so he stops to try and help. He is shocked to find Erin barely conscious. He gets her out of the car and they walk up the road to the motel where he is staying. The power is out, and they use body heat to stay warm.

They have sex, and Giovanni is surprised by his attraction to the hard, bitter woman. But as they spend time together, he begins to see beneath her shell. There are several steamy sex scenes here, but it is the emotional connection that has Erin so scared. Giovanni is the first man to be truly kind to her, and they do get a happy ending, but it is a very bumpy road to get there. This is not a romcom nor a light, frothy Valentine’s Day read, so if that is what you are looking for, look elsewhere. It is an interesting story but very dark, especially for a romance.

2/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

MY FUNNY VALENTINE by Lydia Michaels. Bailey Brown Publishing (January 31, 2022). ISBN: 978-1957573007. 262p.

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DISORDERLY CONDUCT by Tessa Bailey

February 4, 2022

The Academy, Book 1

From the publisher:

New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey returns with a sexy and hilarious series about three hotshot rookie cops in the NYPD police academy.
You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone…
Police academy cadet Charlie Burns can’t believe his luck when the gorgeous blonde he meets in a bar murmurs those magic words: “Nothing serious, ’kay?” Mind-blowing, no-strings sex with Ever Carmichael—it’s the holy grail of hookups for a guy who’s too busy following in his law enforcement family’s footsteps to think about getting serious. Charlie’s all about casual…that is, until Ever calls it quits and his world tilts on its axis.
Ever knows that when you control the relationship game, you can’t get played. But for the first time, she wants more than short-term satisfaction. Step one: end her fling with commitment-phobic Charlie. Step two: sacrifice herself to the ruthless NYC dating scene. Yet everywhere she turns, there’s Charlie, being his ridiculously charming self. No online match or blind date compares to the criminally hot cop-in-training, but they’re over. Aren’t they?
If love is a four-letter-word, why does the idea of Ever seeing someone else tie Charlie up in knots? Now he’s desperate to win her back…and a little date sabotage never hurt anyone, right?
https://amzn.to/3oiS5jn

This romance is HOT, HOT, HOT! What starts out as a one night stand quickly evolves into a month’s worth of sexual satisfaction. There isn’t much in the way of talking, but when the month ends and Ever tries to enforce her 30 days and it’s over rule, Charlie is surprised. It’s not that he’s looking for a relationship, he swears he isn’t, but the sex is so crazy good he doesn’t want it to end. Plus there is something about Ever that has crawled into his heart, and try as he might, he can’t escape his feelings.

Ever was taught by her mother to keep her heart safe. Her mother only dates married men, but Ever can’t bring herself to do that. She sticks to single guys but doesn’t do relationships. At all. But then her mother tells her she was wrong, so Ever decides she will try dating for real. But Charlie can’t handle that and unbeknownst to Ever, starts interfering in her life.

Ever really likes Charlie but he has made his feelings about avoiding relationships perfectly clear. But no other man can seem to measure up, especially once Charlie gets in the way.

This was a sexy romance with a lot of humor and heart and I really enjoyed it. Can’t wait for the next one in this series!

2/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

DISORDERLY CONDUCT by Tessa Bailey. Avon (August 29, 2017). ISBN: 978-0062467089. 384p.

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CUPID CALAMITY by Kelly Kay & Evie Alexander

February 4, 2022

Evie and Kelly’s Holiday Disasters, Book 1

From the publisher:

Valentine’s day romantic comedy at its finest!
One cupid, two calamities, four uproarious lovers. Insta-love meets insta-disaster in these laugh-out-loud Valentine’s day novellas.
Animal Attraction by Evie Alexander: Overworked, underpaid, and perpetually single, Laurie is stuck in a rut. A birthday on Valentine’s day is bad enough, but when her insensitive colleagues drag her to a secret Safari dining experience, her day hits rock bottom – she’s terrified of animals. Workaholic Ben has just swapped the States for Somerset. He’s on track to fulfil a childhood dream, and the only date he wants on Valentine’s day is a business one. But when his fantasy woman approaches with an offer he can’t refuse, his priorities start to change. Laurie and Ben have an instant connection and their chemistry is wild. Unfortunately so are the animals. When the menagerie goes into meltdown they’re thrown into a Darwinian Hunger Games, fighting for their lives as well as love. Can Businessman Ben unleash his inner Tarzan and save Laurie? Or has this survival of the fittest reached the point of no return?
Stupid Cupid by Kelly Kay: Resourceful Sabrina always puts others’ needs first. She never thought she’d be abandoning a blind date to run off with a stranger. But now she’s got the chance to face her demons and choose happiness – even if it’s just for one night. Charmer Patrick can make any situation work in his favor. But snark and humor won’t be enough to win Sabrina’s heart. He’s got to dig deep, open up, and take on fate as well as New York City. Armed with a fire extinguisher, a cobbler’s hammer, and an EpiPen, can Patrick and Sabrina survive the worst-best date of their lives and find true love? Or will they lose each other as well as the plot?
Evie and Kelly’s Holiday Disasters are a series of hot and hilarious romantic comedies with interconnected characters, focusing on one holiday and one trope at a time. No cheating, no cliff-hangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after (HEA).
https://amzn.to/3L1GjUj

I don’t usually love novellas, but this was such a fun read! Plus there are two novellas, so twice the fun, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Because these are so short, there is not a whole lot of character development or back story, but it doesn’t seem to matter. I was immediately drawn in to both of these stories. They are both set on Valentine’s Day, one a blind date gone sideways, the other a disastrous dinner with friends. I don’t want to give anything away, so bear with me.

The disastrous dinner is set in a restaurant that has wild animals roaming around, including chimpanzees, a talking bird, and an elephant. It is a bit over the top, but the meet-cute is heroic, and the romance is fun.

The blind date goes sideways when Patrick and Sabrina lay eyes on each other. They are each at this restaurant to meet someone else, blind dates, but their attraction is instantaneous and strong. Their rejected dates are not happy about the situation, to say the least. Patrick and Sabrina take off and encounter one problem after another, making this the date from hell that brings them impossibly close in one night.

This is the first book of a series set around holidays. This is the light, frothy, fun read I wanted for Valentine’s Day. It made me laugh out loud several times, which is always a plus. Even though it is two novellas, it is still a very short book (less than 200 pages) and a very easy read. Enjoy!

2/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

CUPID CALAMITY by Kelly Kay & Evie Alexander. Emlin Press (January 10, 2022). ISBN: 978-1914473098. 172p.

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Spotlight Review: HIS LESSONS ON LOVE by Cathy Maxwell

February 3, 2022

A Logical Man’s Guide to Dangerous Women Novel, Book 3

From the publisher:

New York Times bestselling author Cathy Maxwell’s delicious Logical Man’s Guide to Dangerous Women series continues with this provocative romance between a reprobate earl and a sensible spinster who agree to marry under scandalous circumstances. Perfect for fans of Sophie Jordan and Sabrina Jeffries.
Lesson #1: A man, even titled and handsome, cannot be careless forever.
The Earl of Marsden—better known as Mars to all—has lived his life by his own rules…until he is presented with a very big problem in a very tiny package—a baby girl, his daughter cast off by his ex-mistress. Mars won’t let his child be cast adrift, except he doesn’t know the first thing about babies.
Panicking, he turns to a woman for help. Not just any woman, but Clarissa Taylor, village spinster, matron-in-training, and Mars’s greatest critic. Still, who better to tend a motherless child than a woman who was abandoned as a babe herself?
Lesson #2: Life always plays the upper hand—especially when it comes to love.
Clarissa desperately wishes to not to be beholden to anyone. She has spent a lifetime being pitied by the village. Her plan is simple—to use what the intolerable earl will pay her to become her own woman. It all sounds so straightforward until the threat of scandal sends her and the one man she can’t abide toward . . . marriage?
Mars and Clarissa are about to learn the greatest lesson of all—that sparks always fly when the iron is hot.
https://amzn.to/3uh7ioZ

I haven’t read Maxwell in a few years, so I missed the first two books of this series. That said, I kind of knew there were stories before it (I thought just one) but it didn’t really matter. I didn’t feel like there were any holes in the story or that I was missing some crucial plot point. It stands alone beautifully – but now I want to read the first two books in this series!

Mars is local royalty in this small town and his nemesis has been a foundling raised by the village cleric and his wife, Clarissa. They just rub each other the wrong way. But when an ex-paramour dumps a baby in his lap and takes off, he falls in love instantly but quickly realizes he is in over his head. While the baby isn’t a newborn, she is well under a year old and he has zero experience with babies. He turns to the town matrons, who immediately push Clarissa to take care of the babe.

Clarissa can’t stand Mars, but as an abandoned baby herself, she can’t bear the thought of this little girl growing up unloved, so she reluctantly agrees to help out. Fairly quickly Mars realizes that he needs a wife and mother for his daughter, and somehow manages to convince Clarissa to take on the role. There is some family drama going on that adds some hurdles to their happily ever after, but that is the fun of a romance!

I really enjoyed this book. I like learning how babies were fed and cared for when they didn’t have a mother to nurse them, for instance. Mars and Clarissa both had interesting back stories and I liked getting to know them. I couldn’t help but root for them to find their happily ever after, and there was some real chemistry between them – along with some hot bedroom scenes. This was a terrific Regency romance, so if you enjoy those, don’t miss this one.

A Logical Man’s Guide to Dangerous Women, books in order:

2/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

HIS LESSONS ON LOVE by Cathy Maxwell. Avon (January 25, 2022). ISBN: 978-0062897350. 400p.

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THE SWEETHEART DEAL by Miranda Liasson

January 28, 2022

Blossom Glen, Book 1

From the publisher:

From the bestselling author of the Angel Falls series, two enemies say “I do” in the first irresistible book about Blossom Glen.
Pastry chef Tessa Montgomery knows what everyone in the teeny town of Blossom Glen says about her. Spinster. Ice Queen. Such a shame. It’s enough to make a woman bake her troubles away, dreaming of Parisian delicacies while she makes bread at her mother’s struggling boulangerie. That is until Tessa’s mortal enemy―deliciously handsome (if arrogant) chef Leo Castorini, who owns the restaurant next door―proposes a business plan…to get married.
Leo knows that the Castorinis and the Montgomerys hate each other, but a marriage might just force these stubborn families to work together and blend their businesses for success. The deal is simple: Tessa and Leo marry, live together for six months, and then go their separate ways. Easy peasy.
It’s a sweetheart deal where everyone gets what they want―until feelings between the faux newlyweds start seriously complicating the mix. Have they discovered the perfect recipe for success…or is disaster on the way?
https://amzn.to/3KJU4a2

This was such a fun read! And look at me, starting a series with the first book. I will definitely be looking for the next.

Tessa and Leo have some history, and their families do as well. In fact, the feud between the Montgomerys and the Castorinis goes back almost a hundred years. Tessa and Leo have been competitive since high school, when Leo beat out Tessa for a coveted college scholarship that allowed him to escape their small town and go to school in New York City. He graduated and worked in the financial market there for ten years, while Tessa stayed, working in her family’s boulangerie but dreaming of owning her own pastry shop. For those of you who didn’t have Mlle. Levitt for French class, (she of the love affair with all French food,) or you were smarter than me and took Spanish, a boulangerie is a bakery that only sells bread. A patisserie sells pastry, cake, cookies, etc., and never the twain shall meet under the same roof. In France. In America, it’s a rare bakery that narrows itself that much, but I digress.

Leo and Tessa have more in common than a lifelong rivalry. He lost his mother when he was young; Tessa lost her father. Their family businesses are next door neighbors, which only increases the friction. Now that Leo has returned from New York, he wants to help his father save the family business, an Italian restaurant that has been in decline since his mother died. But his father isn’t interested in Leo’s ideas or trying anything new. All he wants is for Leo to get married. Leo soon realizes that the only way he will be able to help save the restaurant is if he gets married, but Leo has been a player for years, not interested in any kind of relationship. Until now.

Tessa’s family business is also on the skids. They lost their biggest account, a small grocery chain that was swallowed by a bigger one. Her mother will not allow her to sell any pastries in the shop, and is also stuck in the mindset of it used to work just fine this way and it will again. But will they have the time to find that out?

Leo proposes a marriage of convenience to Tessa; they will work together to save both family businesses, then in six months or so, divorce. It takes some persuading but Tessa finally caves. The fake marriage, a variation of the fake dating trope, is always fun and it is here. Do I have to tell you that Tessa and Leo fall in love? That they have a major falling out that threatens everything? And that they find their way back to one another?

I loved these characters and their stubbornness. I loved how they both caved, dragging their families out of the Romeo & Juliet feud into a happy ending. There is a lot of humor here, and a lot of heart in this sweet romance. The only thing that could have made this book better would have been recipes! I can’t wait for the next book in this series, The Sweetheart Fix. Sadly, it will be a bit of a wait.

1/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE SWEETHEART DEAL by Miranda Liasson. Montlake (January 18, 2022). ISBN: 978-1649370273. 330p.