Romance | Stacy Alesi's BookBitch.com™

Spotlight Review: ANY TROPE BUT YOU by Victoria Lavine

April 22, 2025

From the publisher:

A bestselling romance author flees to Alaska to reinvent herself and write her first murder mystery, but the rugged resort proprietor soon has her fearing she’s living in a rom-com plot instead in this earnestly spectacular debut by a stunning new voice.

Beloved romance author Margot Bradley has a dark secret: she doesn’t believe in Happily Ever Afters. Not for herself, not for her readers, and not even for her characters, for whom she secretly writes alternate endings that swap weddings and babies for divorce papers and the occasional slashed tire. When her Happily Never After document is hacked and released to the public, she finds herself canceled by her readers and dropped by her publisher.

Desperate to find a way to continue supporting her chronically ill sister, Savannah, Margot decides to trade meet-cutes for murder. The fictional kind. Probably. But when Savannah books Margot a six-week stay in a remote Alaskan resort to pen her first murder mystery, Margot finds herself running from a moose and leaping into the arms of the handsome proprietor, making her fear she’s just landed in a romance novel instead.

The last thing Dr. Forrest Wakefield ever expected was to leave his dream job as a cancer researcher to become a glorified bellhop. What he’s really doing at his family’s resort is caring for his stubborn, ailing father, and his puzzle-loving mind is slowly freezing over—until Margot shows up. But Forrest doesn’t have any room in his life for another person he could lose, especially one with a checkout date.

As long snowy nights and one unlikely trope after another draw Margot and Forrest together, they’ll each have to learn to overcome their fears and set their aside assumptions before Margot leaves—or risk becoming a Happily Never After story themselves.

“Lavine turns many of the common romance novel tropes on their heads in this stunning debut. Top-notch banter will have readers laughing out loud as they root for Margot to finally achieve her own happily-ever-after.”—Library Journal, starred review, Romance Debut of the Month

“A love letter to ‘romancelandia’ and the tropes it celebrates.”—LibraryReads Top Ten Books for April 2025

“In Lavine’s often humorous, sometimes heart-wrenching debut, a jaded romance author navigates a slew of rom-com tropes…It’s sweet to watch the leads bond over their mutual understanding of caretaking and sacrifice. Readers will have no trouble rooting for this pair’s happy ending.”—Publishers Weekly

“This debut romance is beautifully written, nicely balancing humor and heat with realistic drama and conflict…Margot and Forrest’s roles as caretakers to their relatives ground the story in deeper emotion and lead to refreshing attitude shifts and insights for the characters.”—Kirkus

https://amzn.to/4cv9HAx

If this is a debut, Lavine knocked it out of the park. I hesitate to validate that because I’ve been burned too many times before by publishers (usually it’s the publisher) creating a “debut author” by changing the name of an established author. A new name does not a new author make. But I did my due diligence and searched the Library of Congress Authorities, and Lavine appears to be a debut author. Yay!

This was a very clever premise for a romance. The main character, Margot, is a best-selling romance writer who has been burned by relationships to the point where she is a complete skeptic about romance – but she keeps those thoughts to herself. She is beloved by her readers until someone hacks her computer and shares her “Happily Never After” file with the internet. This is a file where she writes what her cynical heart truly believes to be more realistic endings to her novels; instead of happily ever afters, there is violence, divorce, etc. Her fans are outraged and Margot is canceled, and her publisher drops her.

Margot is mortified and totally despondent. Her sister arranges for Margot to spend six weeks at a “resort” in a small town in Alaska, but when she gets there, Margot quickly realizes this is no luxury resort but rather a backwoods lodge, ready for ice fishing, snowshoeing, and hiking through snowy mountains, none of which appeal to Margot. But her sister has thought this through, and she is stuck but good. There’s no internet or cell service, so she can’t even call her sister to berate her.

Forrest runs the inn along with his incapacitated dad and the hotel manager. They have several regular guests staying with them who are there for adventure, and Margot’s sister has roped her into trying some of these events. For every event she completes, Forrest has a letter from her sister for Margot. Margot has always taken care of her sister, who has severe health issues, and she really needs the income from another book to help pay medical bills. So Margot decides to write a mystery, seeing if she can capture the same magic as her romance novels did. Her agent is on board, but the first problem is that Margot is not really familiar with the mystery genre or the terminology generally used in those types of books, and without the internet, she is sort of stuck. But she plots and schemes and writes anyway, figuring she’ll fix any technicalities later.

Meanwhile, Margot and Forrest spend time together, and the attraction is real. They go through several romance tropes, laughing all the way from no connection with the outside world for six weeks to forced proximity to enemies-to-lovers to sleeping in one tent and so forth, and it is a brilliant plot device. This is a laugh-out-loud romcom with some real heat, and it is definitely going to make my list of the best books of the year. Don’t miss it!

4/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

ANY TROPE BUT YOU by Victoria Lavine. Atria Books (April 1, 2025). ISBN: 978-1668079270. 336p.

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Audiobook Sunday: MR. BROODY by Piper Rayne

April 20, 2025

Read by JF Harding, Brooke Bloomingdale, Sean Masters, Connor Crais, Troy Duran, Teddy Hamilton, & CJ Bloom

The Nest, Book 2

From the author:

I’ve loved Henry Hensley since I was seven years old. We’ve gone from best friends to lovers to nothing.

To most people, he’s the Chicago Falcons starting right winger and hot single dad, but to me, he’s my first boyfriend, my first kiss, my first love.

Eight years ago, that all changed when our lives took us in two different directions. Our break-up almost broke me, so I kept my distance until our hometown called me back to where our story began.

I promised myself a quick visit to help my family out, and then I’d leave town before he even knew I was back, which should have been easy. He’s way too busy being a professional hockey player and raising his son to ever find out.

Of course, I’m only in town for a week before I run into him, and one thing is clear from our brief encounter—Henry wants to hash out our past, whereas I’d rather forget it.

But my plan really goes up in flames when I take a temporary substitute teaching job, and on day one, his son walks into my classroom. Boom.

https://amzn.to/4cmqMfV

This story centers on Jade and Henry and is a second-chance romance. They dated in high school and after, but they went in different directions, so they broke up. Henry has an adorable young son, Bohdi, and he even gets some of his own chapters, which is really sweet.

Jade is back in Chicago but hopes to avoid Henry, meaning she runs into him immediately. She takes a job as a substitute teacher, and of course, Bohdi is in her class. There is no escape for these two, and they start talking and it quickly becomes apparent that there are still feelings there. Bohdi is all for it; he wants them to get together, so that’s helpful in avoiding the usual kid hates the new woman issue in so many single-parent romances.

I loved the humor here; it helped lighten the tension a bit, and there was plenty of tension between Henry and Jade! This is a great second chance romance, and the hockey was just an added bonus for me. While this can definitely be read as a standalone, I think it’s more meaningful when following the first book.

This is a Full Cast production in Duet Style, which I really loved. Basically, it is read more like a play, with each actor reading a specific role, rather than dual style, with two actors alternating chapters. JF Harding and Brooke Bloomingdale lead an incredible cast featuring Sean Masters, Connor Crais, Troy Duran, Teddy Hamilton, and CJ Bloom. Their performances brought the story to life in such an engaging way that I can’t recommend this audiobook series highly enough. This book is an entertaining escape with heat, heart, and humor. I loved it.

4/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

MR. BROODY by Piper Rayne. Narrators: JF Harding, Brooke Bloomingdale, Sean Masters, Erin Mallon, Connor Crais, Troy Duran, Teddy Hamilton, & CJ Bloom. Piper Rayne Inc.; December 26, 2024. Listening Length: 9 hours and 13 minutes.

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Spotlight Review: THE GRIFFIN SISTERS’ GREATEST HITS by Jennifer Weiner

April 15, 2025

From the publisher:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner comes The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits, a deeply moving novel set against the glitz and chaos of early 2000s pop stardom. Equal parts heartfelt family saga and behind-the-scenes look at fame, this is a story about sisters, secrets, and the power of second chances.

Cassie and Zoe Grossberg were thrust into the spotlight as The Griffin Sisters, a pop duo that defined the aughts. Together, they skyrocketed to the top, gracing MTV, SNL, and the cover of Rolling Stone. Cassie, a musical genius who never felt at ease in her own skin, preferred to stay in the shadows. Zoe, full of confidence and craving fame, lived for the stage. But fame has a price, and after one turbulent year, the band abruptly broke up.

Now, two decades later, the sisters couldn’t be further apart. Zoe is a suburban mom warning her daughter Cherry to avoid the spotlight, while Cassie has disappeared from public life entirely. But when Cherry begins unearthing the truth behind their breathtaking rise and infamous breakup, long-buried secrets surface, forcing all three women to confront their choices, their desires, and their complicated bonds.

With richly developed characters, a nostalgic nod to the pop culture of the 2000s, and a resonant tale of ambition, forgiveness, and family, The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits will captivate readers from the first note to the final encore. Whether you’ve followed Jennifer Weiner for years or are discovering her for the first time, this book is a must-read for music lovers, fans of sisterly dramas, and anyone who cherishes a great story of second chances.

“Weiner is at her best when she’s writing about sisters, and her latest (after The Breakaway, 2023) features a memorable pair. A story about the ways those closest to us can hurt us the most deeply, the destructive power of guilt, and the rough road to forgiveness. This is an irresistible, multigenerational tale from a master of her craft. A compelling family drama [that] fans will gobble up.” — Booklist (starred review)

“Irresistible. [Weiner] breathes new life into the love triangle trope and offers a nuanced view of sisterhood’s complexities. [Her] fans will be delighted.” — Publishers Weekly

“Weiner excels at capturing the complex relationships among sisters, mothers, and daughters, and the novel’s nonlinear structure and multiple viewpoints add both nuance and interest. An excellent addition to the current crop of Y2K pop culture–themed novels; this will satisfy Weiner’s many fans.” — Library Journal

“Weiner deftly explores the pop landscape of the early 2000s. Zoe and Cassie are both realistic and flawed characters, each with their own challenges. There’s a compelling and dramatic love triangle here, too, but the true love story is between two sisters and their music. A heartfelt look at sisterhood, forgiveness, and the courage it takes to follow your dreams.” — Kirkus Reviews

Pre-order now to receive the stunning DELUXE LIMITED EDITION—only available on the first printing while supplies last! This collector’s hardcover features unique stenciled edges, specially illustrated endpapers, and a shiny stamped case.

https://amzn.to/4i91h31

I love Jennifer Weiner! I would read her grocery list should she choose to share it. She has this way of drawing the reader into her stories, her worlds, and it’s just magical.

This is ostensibly a story about two sisters who join a band, reach the pinnacle of success, and have a falling out, each going their own way. But it is about so much more than that.

Cassie is a musical prodigy, born to a lower-middle-class family who just doesn’t know what to do with her. She has the voice of an angel and can play anything on the piano. But she’s also painfully shy, and understands that she is different from everyone else, especially her younger sister. Zoe is the pretty one, the “normal” child, but the sisters are close and Zoe makes sure Cassie is included and berates anyone who offends her.

As they get older, Zoe longs for attention and joins a band despite not having much in the way of musical talent. When the band kicks her out on the eve of a “battle of the bands” competition, she is incensed and wants to get even. She persuades Cassie to join her on stage, and with her piano skills and her unbearably beautiful voice, they win the competition. Someone in the audience that night has a relative in the music business, and the next thing you know, they are signed to a record label and are in the studio. The record label hooks them up with a songwriter/guitarist, Russell, and they form a new band. Russell and Cassie are a perfect match, creating beautiful songs together, but Zoe thinks he’s cute and seduces him. Russell is torn between the beautiful Zoe and the immensely talented Cassie, and they all make some bad decisions along the way.

The band breaks up, and Cassie takes off, leaving her family and her career behind. She goes into hiding in the wilds of Alaska, living the spartan life she feels she deserves. Zoe tries to make a solo career with her music, but eventually ends up married and living the suburban mom life. The two sisters don’t talk for twenty years or more. Zoe’s eldest daughter, Cherry, inherited some musical talent and wants to pursue it as a career, but Zoe is adamantly against it. Eventually, Cherry runs away to California and lands a spot on a musical competition reality show. She decides to try to find the aunt she’s never met and manipulate her into helping with her music career.

The story moves back and forth in time and alternates viewpoints between the characters, so we really get to know them and can’t help but root for them. The family dynamics between sisters, then mother and daughter, a love triangle, the music business, and dealing with fame all make for a truly compelling read, and I couldn’t put it down. If you love family sagas, pop culture, or Daisy Jones and the Six, you won’t want to miss this book. I loved it.

4/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE GRIFFIN SISTERS’ GREATEST HITS by Jennifer Weiner. William Morrow (April 8, 2025). ISBN: 978-0063342446. 384p.

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Audiobook Sunday: SOME LIKE IT SCOT by Pepper Basham

April 13, 2025

Read by Joshua Manning & Stina Nielsen

From the publisher:

She lives her life on the fly. His heart is double-knotted to home. Can two different souls create a life together?

Popular travel writer and podcaster Katie Campbell roams the world collecting other people’s stories. She’s built a career as “Miss Adventure,” known for saying yes to anything new—country, food, or experience—and predictably finding those adventures taking a downward turn into misadventures.

Offered the chance to explore her ancestral roots through a three-week Edwardian experience, Katie finds herself immersed in the beauty and eccentricity of Scotland. In her period attire, with traditional foods and activities, the opportunities for misadventures are endless, especially with the presence of a maniacal macaw, a jealous co-worker, and an all-too-surly Scotsman.

Reclusive and protective Graeme MacKerrow doesn’t venture far from his island home. A stoic Scotsman, Graeme’s comfort zone has always been family, and after his sister’s death, he’s even more determined to save the MacKerrow ancestral home and keep those he loves close. The sudden intrusion of a six-foot-one American lass, famous for her traveling misfortunes, was far from his plan.

As this world of folklore, community, and woodworkers-in-kilts tempts Katie to discover her own story, could this one grand series of misadventures lead her directly to where she belongs? And would a settled-in-Scot ever risk loosening his grip on what’s familiar to allow a wanderlust writer a home in his heart? How could their very different worlds share the same page of life’s story when “home” is in two very different places? But maybe home—and the future—isn’t quite what either one imagined it would be. Maybe home is less about a place . . . and more about a person.

https://amzn.to/43zu8tA

I love anything set in Scotland, and this was no exception. I wasn’t exactly sure where – possibly a fictional island near Skye, at least that was my impression. Please feel free to enlighten me! It’s a small island several hours away from Inverness, which I’m guessing was the closest big city. So it’s a small town and a beautiful setting.

Katie has Scottish heritage, and her grandparents often spoke of their life in Scotland. They are both gone, and being in Scotland makes Katie feel closer to them. She is a travel writer, and has been assigned to this small island for a special event. There is a large manor house, and a couple has leased it to present an Edwardian experience to their guests. She is to spend three weeks living like they did in Edwardian times, and Katie is up for it. There are a handful of other guests, including a young man, Mark, who considers Katie a rival. They have both been nominated for a Vision Award for bloggers or podcasters or something, I wasn’t 100% clear on that. Katie won the award the previous year, and Mark is determined to win it this year, no matter what it takes.

Katie goes by Miss Adventure online – get it? Misadventure, due to her clumsiness and unfailing ability to fall into all sorts of unplanned mishaps. Scotland is no different. Her first day out wandering she sees an enormous animal which turns out to be a moose, and frightened out of her mind she leaps into the arms of a nearby Scotsman. Graeme is a local artist who creates beautiful wood sculptures. He’s also very good looking and very glad to be holding Katie! Turns out Graeme’s family owns the manor house, and he is in the process of restoring it. They are renting it out to help fund the renovations. Katie has another mishap in the house when an enormous parrot swoops by her, causing her to break the stair railing that Graeme has been working on, so lots of interaction between the grumpy Scot and perky American.

Graeme is hired on to play a butler so he gets to spend a lot of time with Katie. Meanwhile, Katie is getting to know the town and its people, including Graeme’s mother who owns the local bookshop, her friends, and Graeme’s nephew, a young boy named Lachlan. Graeme and Katie have something in common; both have lost their sisters and he is Lachlan’s legal guardian. That cost him his fiancee, so he is no rush for another relationship. But the heart wants what the heart wants.

This was my first listen to a Thomas Nelson book – this publisher specializes in Christian fiction, and I didn’t realize this was theirs when I started it. For the most part, religion doesn’t play much of a role but there are a few mentions here and there, a visit to church, and so forth. As a nice Jewish girl, I didn’t mind it and, in fact, liked some of it. It worked with the story. The characters were interesting and the storyline was fun, and I loved learning more about Scotland. It’s a bumpy road for Katie and Graeme, but eventually they reach their happy ending, and it was so much fun getting there. The narrators did a really good job, especially Manning with his Scottish brogue, which sounded realistic to me, yet I was still able to easily understand him, (which is not always the case.) If you like sweet romances with interesting settings and warm, loveable characters, this is a winner.

4/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

SOME LIKE IT SCOT by Pepper Basham. Narrators: Joshua Manning & Stina Nielsen. Thomas Nelson; April 8, 2025. Listening Length: 12 hours and 29 minutes.

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SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME by Abby Jimenez

April 11, 2025

From the publisher:

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Just for the Summer comes a playful yet deeply emotional romance where one date is all it takes for two people to know they’re perfect for each other . . . until one of them moves 2,000 miles away the next day.

There’s no such thing as a perfect guy, but Xavier Rush comes disastrously close. A gorgeous veterinarian giving Greek god vibes—all while cuddling a tiny kitten? Immediate yes. That is until Xavier opens his mouth and proves that even sculpted gods can say the absolute wrong thing. Like, really wrong. Of course, there’s nothing Samantha loves more than proving an asshole wrong . . . unless, of course, he can admit he made a mistake.

But after one incredible and seemingly endless date, Samantha is forced to admit the truth, that her family is in crisis and any kind of relationship would be impossible. Samantha begs Xavier to forget her. To remember their night together as a perfect moment, as crushing as that may be. Only no amount of distance or time is enough to forget what’s between them. And the only thing better than one single perfect memory is to make a life—and even a love—worth remembering.

“Jimenez’s latest soul-satisfying love story spotlights two memorably messy yet all-too relatable protagonists, a couple of totally adorable four-legged characters, and writing imbued with a deliciously wicked sense of humor. Gracefully folded into all this is an insightful and sympathetic take on the challenges and rewards of caring for a loved one with dementia.” —Booklist, Starred Review

“Another winner from Jimenez. Readers won’t be able to put down this laugh-out-loud funny romance and will be cheering for Samantha and Xavier even when the chips are stacked against them. A must-have for all public libraries.—Library Journal

“Love conquers all in this heartwarming contemporary from bestseller Jimenez . . . The author expertly weaves a beautiful budding romance with real-life struggles: elder care, complicated family dynamics, the stress of veterinarian services, and overcoming mental, emotional, and physical childhood trauma. Jimenez knows just how to tug on the heartstrings. —Publishers Weekly

https://amzn.to/4cq8YR9

This was such a heart-wrenching read, but the happy ending made all the angst worthwhile. Xavier had a rough childhood, but he came out of it a good man. He’s a veterinarian and worked hard to open his own practice. Bringing the realities of crushing debt into the story was eye-opening, but he never complains, just keeps his head down and works hard. He knows in a few years there will be light at the end of the tunnel, and he is in no rush. Until he meets Samantha.

Samantha brings in a stray kitten who ends up needing very expensive surgery, so Xavier recommends putting the kitten down. Whatever strong attraction she felt for the good-looking vet flies out the window at his suggestion. Samantha is a social media marketer, and she decides to raise the money she needs online to save her kitten. Much to her surprise, the hunky vet even makes a sizeable contribution. The kitten survives, and Xavier apologizes, then asks Samantha out on a date. What he doesn’t know is that she is moving the next morning from Minnesota back to California, where she’s from.

That date turns out to be the perfect date, and after one night together, they both realize that there is something strong going on here. But Samantha has no choice; her mother has early onset Alzheimer’s disease, and she is needed at home to help her siblings, father, and grandmother take care of her mother. She tells Xavier to forget her, and she tries to forget him. Neither succeeds.

That leads to several weeks of silence, then long-distance dating. It becomes more and more difficult to say goodbye each visit, but they are both stuck in their geographic silos. Samantha can’t leave her family to deal with her mother alone, and Xavier can’t afford to even sell his practice, he’d end up bankrupt. Theirs is a torturous love affair that spans time and distance until a series of events lets them find their happy ending.

I loved this book, even though it was difficult to read at times. The nightmare of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is brought to life on these pages but is never overdone or maudlin, and it just feels real – as does the way all these characters deal with it all. It was a completely engaging story with so much tension that I found it impossible to put down. Don’t miss it.

4/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME by Abby Jimenez. Forever (April 1, 2025). ISBN: 978-1538759196. 368p.

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Audiobook Sunday: YOU MAY KISS THE GROOMSMAN by Samantha Chase

April 6, 2025

Read by Avery Reid

Meet Me at the Altar, Book 3

From the publisher:

It seemed like a good idea at the time….

When Josie Sullivan agrees to marry her friend Tyler, it’s just so he’ll get a promotion at work. That’s what friends do, right? But what should have been a quick, quiet affair starts to look like the real thing when his family shows up in the middle of the “proposal”. Now, it’s no longer a quick stop at the courthouse during a lunch break but a full-blown wedding, and there’s nothing Josie can do to stop it.

There was no way he could hold his peace….

Daniel Alexander hasn’t been home in years. After 15 years as a Navy SEAL, he’s more than ready to return to civilian life. Being away for so long, he’s missed a lot of his younger brother’s life, and it seems like he’s back just in time to stop him from making the biggest mistake of his life. No matter how he breaks it down, something’s just not adding up about this wedding, and he’s determined to figure out why. And he’s not just trying to stop it from happening because he’s finding himself wildly attracted to the bride-to-be…or because they can’t stop kissing each other.

Josie had given up on finding her own happily ever after, and as her attraction to Daniel keeps growing, she’s suddenly regretting her decision to help out a friend. Now she just needs to decide if she wants to kiss the groom…or the groomsman.

https://amzn.to/4imfKcz

I have not read any of the books in this series, and it never felt like I was missing something, so kudos to Chase. This was a fun read, and I enjoyed listening to it. It usually takes me a few weeks to finish an audiobook; my commute to work is only 20 minutes, and I don’t always remember to put in my AirPods while I’m doing laundry or cooking, but when I do, I get through books a lot quicker. If it’s really good, then I find myself listening all the time. Not too many books like that, though.

The premise of this book was a bit farfetched. Josie is a people pleaser, so when Tyler tells her he can get promoted to partner at his law firm if he’s married, and floats the idea of Josie doing him “a favor” and marrying him, she agrees. She’s not in a relationship, and Tyler is a friend. She has a hard time saying no to friends. Then he throws in a sweetener. Josie has a wedding planning business but wants to expand to other types of events, and Tyler tells her as his wife, she will get all the law firm’s business. It’s a done deal.

They meet for dinner to iron out the details but his parents show up and immediately jump to the wrong conclusion. Tyler doesn’t want to disappoint them and decides to go along with his family’s wishes about the wedding without consulting Josie. This makes her very uncomfortable, but every time she tries to talk to him about it, he manipulates her into doing what he wants.

Meanwhile, Josie meets a really great guy, Daniel, who has just retired from the Navy SEALs. They have a strong attraction, and go out for dinner. The shocker is that Daniel is Tyler’s brother. Daniel can’t understand how this woman he had dinner with and made out with is supposed to marry his brother. And Tyler is just avoiding both of them.

Things get complicated, but no worries, there is a happy ending! If Josie had a spine, there would have been no plot so that worked in this sweet romance. This was a fun listen and a nice escape. I’ve read other books by this author and enjoyed them, but the narrator was new to me, and she did a great job.

4/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

YOU MAY KISS THE GROOMSMAN by Samantha Chase. Narrator: Avery Reid. Dreamscape Media, LLC; September 09, 2021. Listening Length: 7 hours and 22 minutes

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SWEPT AWAY by Beth O’Leary

April 4, 2025

From the publisher:

Two strangers find themselves stranded at sea together in this epic new love story by bestselling author Beth O’Leary.

What if you were lost at sea…with your one-night stand?

Zeke and Lexi thought it would just be a night of fun. They had no intentions of seeing each other again. Zeke is only in town for the weekend to buy back his late father’s houseboat. Lexi has no time for dating when she needs to help take care of her best friend’s daughter.

Going back home with a stranger seems like a perfect escape from their problems. But a miscommunication in the dark, foggy night means no one tied the houseboat to the dock. The next morning, Zeke and Lexi realize all they can see is miles and miles of water.

With just a few provisions on the idle boat, Zeke and Lexi must figure out how to get back home. But aside from their survival, they’re facing another challenge. Because when you’re stuck together for days on end, it gives you a lot of time to get to know someone—and to fall in love with them.

“Romance readers looking for deep emotions and relationship fiction aficionados who want a little heat with their stories will enjoy this unique tale.”—Library Journal

https://amzn.to/43ZKLi6

I had been listening to an audiobook, Crash Landing by Annie McQuaid, which was about a couple whose plane crashes but leaves them safe and sound on a remote island in the Caribbean. Then I started reading this book, Swept Away, about a houseboat that becomes unmoored during the night, stranding a couple at sea. The similarities are obvious, but the differences were just as stark. I stopped listening to the audiobook at about the halfway point; it had devolved into silliness, and I hated the whiny characters. I settled in with this unputdownable read instead and started a new audiobook. And here we are.

Zeke’s father owned a houseboat for many years, but Zeke had a difficult relationship with him. After his father passes away, he leaves Zeke the boat, which he promptly sells. Five years later he has seller’s remorse, and buys the boat back from the new owner. She is a single mom who lives with her best friend, Lexi, who is helping to raise her daughter.

Lexi meets Zeke in the bar where she works, and decides it is time for a one night stand. She is open about what she wants, just a night of fun, and Zeke surprises himself by agreeing. Zeke has spent years on one night stands, and several months earlier finally realized it wasn’t working for him anymore. He started therapy and hadn’t been with a woman in months. Why he decided to sleep with Lexi surprises even himself.

Lexi’s roommate owns the houseboat, but Lexi is unaware that she has just sold it. There is some confusion between Lexi and Zeke the next morning over who owns the boat and who needs to get off of it immediately. But when they go above board, they are at sea in a houseboat that may or may not be seaworthy. They are in the North Sea, which is one of the roughest oceans in the world, but luckily, for most of the time, the waters are calm. But they don’t see another boat for days.

As Lexi and Zeke rally together to try and live through this horrific experience, one thing leads to another, and they fall in love. They also adopt an injured seagull, Lexi accidentally knives Zeke, and they have all manner of trouble with the boat. All of these disasters tend to bring them closer together, and when eventually they are saved (no spoilers here, this is a romance, after all, so the happy ending is guaranteed), they run into a whole set of different problems, one of which seems insurmountable.

I loved this book, which is no surprise – I think I’ve loved all of Beth O’Leary’s books. They usually have a slow start, but not here – this book is completely engaging from the get-go. This is a very different take on the forced proximity romance, and it really worked here. I loved the unusual plot line, the characters, and their happy ever after. Don’t miss it!

4/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

SWEPT AWAY by Beth O’Leary. Berkley (April 1, 2025). ISBN: 978-0593640142. 384p.

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Audiobook Sunday: THE ENEMY by Sarah Adams

March 30, 2025

Read by Connie Shabshab & Will Damron

It Happened in Charleston, Book 2

From the publisher:

From the New York Times bestselling author of Practice Makes Perfect and The Cheat Sheet comes an expanded edition of The Enemy—a laugh-out-loud romance about rekindling old flames, with a never-before-seen chapter.

Enemies should never get a second chance. But this one might…

It’s been twelve years since June Broaden has seen her high school enemy (and secret crush), Ryan Henderson. That’s a long time to hold a grudge over some petty feud, but the sharp memory of him dangling a kiss at graduation, then pulling away at the last second, has fueled many angry fantasies since. Now’s her chance to get even.

Ryan, along with most of her high school class, is back in town for her best friend’s wedding, and June is eager to show the former bully exactly what he missed out on. A lot has changed since their high school days; June is the Southern queen of gourmet donuts now, not to mention one of the most desired bachelorettes in her small town.

What’s she’s not expecting, though, is for Ryan to show up looking like Adonis and touting his own career success as the youngest chef to ever win three Michelin stars. How dare he try to one up her revenge plot? Luckily June never backs down from a challenge…

“As they are thrust back together by a friend’s wedding, high school “enemies” June and Ryan are brought to life by narrators Connie Shabshab and Lee Samuels . . . The story is set in Charleston, and both narrators provide just the right level of Southern accents. – AudioFile Reviews

https://amzn.to/4imfKcz

This was such a cute romance! This novel follows the blossoming romance between Ryan and June, characters whose relationship evolves over time. I loved the first book, “The Match,” and June is one of Jake’s sisters. The narrators are really engaging and helped bring the story to life.

From the start, Ryan and June’s interaction is charming, with their witty banter and undeniable chemistry making for a compelling read. It becomes apparent that both characters view each other as the one who got away, a realization that eventually prompts them to act on their feelings. The progression of their relationship is satisfying, even if it takes time for them to acknowledge their mutual attraction.

The development of Ryan and June’s relationship is heartwarming, and their eventual union feels well-deserved. Adams excels at the sweet, closed-door romance, and the heat between Ryan and June is palpable nonetheless. The book is captivating and hard to put down – I’m looking forward to the next book in this terrific series!

3/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE ENEMY by Sarah Adams. Narrators: Connie Shabshab & Will Damron. Dreamscape Media, LLC; May 10, 2022. Listening Length: 8 hours and 38 minutes

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BEACH VIBES by Susan Mallery

March 28, 2025

From the publisher:

The Perfect Summer Beach Read about Found Family, Secrets and Betrayal on the Sun-Kissed Beaches of Malibu

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery comes an unforgettable beach read about love, secrets, betrayal and the family we’re born into—and the one we choose for ourselves, perfect for fans of Emily Giffin and Mary Kay Andrews.

What would you do if you caught your brother cheating on your best friend?

While Beth is proud of her Malibu beach shop, Surf Sandwiches, she’s even prouder of her charismatic brother Rick, who rose from foster care through surgical residency. She makes subs, he saves lives. Life takes a turn for the happy after she finds out Rick is dating her new best friend, Jana. Then Jana’s handsome brother adds even more sparkle to Beth’s days…and nights.

But when she catches Rick with another woman—like, with-with—her visions of an idyllic family future disappear in one awful instant. Either she betrays her brother, or she keeps his secret and risks losing the man she loves and her best friend.

Love and loyalty collide with secrets and betrayal in this witty and emotional tale about the lengths we’ll go to for family, from Susan Mallery, New York Times bestselling author of The Boardwalk Bookshop.

https://amzn.to/3DRSx33

Beth is lonely. She has a successful business that she loves, a sandwich shop on the beach, but her only friends are her employees and her brother, Rick. Rick is a surgeon and doesn’t have a lot of time for Beth, but she always makes time for him. Beth and Rick have been through so much; they lost their parents and ended up separated in foster care until their mother’s estranged sister found them. Beth still lives with her aunt, and her aunt isn’t very close with Rick. Beth has spent her life taking care of her smart younger brother, and she loves feeling needed, but he isn’t always kind to her even though she makes excuses for him.

Beth decides to start volunteering one afternoon a week at the local food bank. There she meets Jana, another volunteer who helps train her, and they become friends. Beth brings leftover sandwiches from her shop for them to eat after their shift, and she learns that Jana is a single mom living with her brother, a widower with three young children. They help each other out while Jana works in medical billing and is going to community college with an eye on getting into a nursing program. Busy as she is, Jana doesn’t date much so when this gorgeous surgeon helps her out one morning, she can’t help but wonder what it would be like to date someone as kind as he appears to be. He has an office in the same medical building, and he stops by her desk every so often to chat. Finally she agrees to go out with him. and while she really enjoys his company, there is something in her gut that just feels wrong about him. She pushes that feeling aside and continues to date him.

Turns out her date is Beth’s brother, and when Beth runs into Rick kissing another woman, she is torn. He profusely apologizes and tells her that he broke up with the other woman and that he wants to make things work with Jana. Reluctantly, Beth agrees to keep his secret.

Meanwhile, Beth meets Jana’s brother Teddy and they have an instant connection. Teddy hasn’t dated at all since his wife died unexpectedly, so Jana is thrilled that he likes her friend. But when the truth about Rick comes out, it turns out he has way more problems than just cheating, and Beth is devastated. It costs her her friendship with Jana and her relationship with Teddy.

This was such an emotional rollercoaster of a read for me. I understand estrangement between a brother and sister as I have lived it for more than thirty years, so I also know that sometimes it is for the best. The ending happens probably a bit too quickly, but it ends as it should. Mallery delivers another enjoyable, heartfelt read about family and love. Don’t miss it.

3/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

BEACH VIBES by Susan Mallery. Canary Street Press; Original edition (March 18, 2025). ISBN: 978-1335402530. 384p.

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Spotlight Review: CODE WORD ROMANCE by Carlie Walker

March 25, 2025

From the publisher:

One fake prime minister, one ridiculously hot handler, and one Italian summer collide in this thrilling adventure rom-com.

Max is just your average girl. She works odd jobs, has a soul-crushing amount of debt, and happens to bear an uncanny resemblance to Europe’s youngest female prime minister, Sofia Christensen. Sofia is powerful, beautiful—and unfortunately, someone is trying quite hard to assassinate her.

When the CIA approaches Max with a deal, a life-changing amount of money if she pretends to be Sofia on the prime minister’s annual Italian vacation, Max packs her bags for the Amalfi Coast. The delicious food, the breathtaking views—this trip would be a dream if it weren’t for those pesky assassins and Flynn, the handler assigned to Max’s case. Flynn, who has an unexpected history with Max, from another sun-drenched summer years and years ago. Now he’s instructed to stay in Max’s suite to protect her, as old passions and assassins collide.

Losing herself in the role of a prime minister is one thing. But losing her heart to Flynn again? Now that’s a risk she isn’t willing to take . . .

“A sharply written novel with surprise comedic twists. Readers will enjoy this tale of two ex-lovers who are reunited by espionage and who ultimately find true love as they race through the beautiful streets of Italy, trying to stay alive.”—Library Journal (STARRED)

“The tightly plotted mystery is leavened by moments of laugh-out-loud humor and endearing supporting characters, especially the scene-stealing Giorgio, a bumbling but jolly hotelier. Walker’s sophomore novel is sure to please existing fans and win her plenty of new ones.”—Publishers Weekly

https://amzn.to/4h7TBgV

Max, an ordinary young woman facing severe financial difficulties due to her restaurant’s failure during the pandemic, bears a striking resemblance to Sofia Christensen, Europe’s youngest female prime minister. When a credible death threat is made against the prime minister, the CIA approaches Max with a lucrative offer to impersonate Sofia during her annual Italian vacation.

The assignment, while financially attractive, is complicated by the presence of assassins and Max’s handler, Flynn, who Max fell in love with one summer several years earlier. When Flynn dumped her, she was heartbroken. Max finds herself in a precarious situation, balancing the need to convincingly portray the prime minister while safeguarding her emotions from Flynn.

This book presents a unique blend of high-stakes espionage and second-chance romance. The narrative skillfully combines elements of a spy thriller with a romantic comedy, creating an engaging and multifaceted story. Max’s commitment to her role as the prime minister is commendable, adding depth to her character development.

The novel’s pacing is enhanced by its mystery elements and plot twists, maintaining reader engagement throughout. The author successfully integrates action, humor, and romance, resulting in a reading experience reminiscent of a cinematic action-romance hybrid. This book is particularly recommended for readers who appreciate spy-themed narratives and romances set in Italian locales. Its distinctive premise and well-balanced combination of genres make it a noteworthy addition to contemporary romantic fiction.

3/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

CODE WORD ROMANCE by Carlie Walker. Berkley (March 18, 2025). ISBN: 978-0593640418. 320p.

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