Romance | Stacy Alesi's BookBitch.com™

THE RULE BOOK by Sarah Adams

April 19, 2024

From the publisher:

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • College exes break all the rules when they reunite years later in this enemies to lovers, second-chance romance, the highly anticipated companion novel to the TikTok sensation The Cheat Sheet—from the New York Times bestselling author of Practice Makes Perfect.

“A really fun, chemistry-filled sports romance you don’t want to miss!”—Hannah Grace, author of Icebreaker

Nora Mackenzie’s entire career lies in the hands of famous NFL tight end Derek Pender, who also happens to be her extremely hot college ex-boyfriend. Nora didn’t end things as gracefully as she could have back then, and now it has come back to haunt her. Derek is her first client as an official full-time sports agent and he’s holding a grudge.

Derek has set his sights on a little friendly revenge. If Nora Mackenzie, the first girl to ever break his heart, wants to be his agent, oh, he’ll let her be his agent. The plan is simple: make Nora’s life absolutely miserable. But if Derek knows anything about the woman he once loved—she won’t quit easily.

Instead of giving in, Nora starts a scheme of her own. But then a wild night in Vegas leads to Nora and Derek in bed the next morning married. With their rule book out the window, could this new relationship save their careers or spark the romance of a lifetime?

“Adams dazzles in her latest, a saucy second-chance rom-com.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Readers “will love Adams’s newest laugh-out-loud and heartwarming tale.”—Library Journal
https://amzn.to/44c6lyc

This book is my happy place – a fast-paced, second-chance romance set in the world of professional sports, football to be exact, with lots of laughs and a bit of heat to keep things interesting.

Nora and Derek met and fell in love in college, but just when he thought things were going great, she dumped him and he has no idea why. All he knows is that his heart is broken, and even though he becomes a star tight end in the NFL with all the women a man could want, his heart just isn’t into it.

Nora was brought up by a fiercely independent single mom who taught her to follow her dreams, not some man’s. Nora broke up with Derek because she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to strike out on her own. She dreams of becoming a sports agent, definitely a man’s world, and her dream is on the precipice of coming true. She works for a misogynistic boss, along side several neanderthal men, but her immediate supervisor is a tough as nails woman. She hires Nora as an intern, which then turns into a full time job and then finally she is offered her own client – her first! But of course it turns out to be Derek. Nora is afraid to tell her boss that they have a past because opportunities like this don’t come up. Derek’s previous agent with the same firm has retired, and he is told that Mac will be his new agent. When he meets her and realizes that Mac is the girl who broke his heart, he figures it’s his turn for revenge.

Derek runs Nora ragged, making her do all his personal errands and treating her like the hired help. She grits her teeth and gets through it, working around the clock to do his bidding plus the actual work she needs to do as his agent. Derek is coming off a bad injury, and there are rumours that he is going to be replaced by the rookie who filled in when he got hurt.

Lots of balls in the air, but things take a turn when Nora and Derek end up in Las Vegas, get drunk together, and yeah, get married. Derek may treat her like his personal servant, but he still loves her and doesn’t want to see her get fired over a drunken mistake. They decide to stay married and well, you can figure out the rest.

I thoroughly enjoyed this laugh-out-loud romcom, with a bit of heat and lots of sweetness! I am a football fan so that worked for me, as did these characters who just came alive on the page. Another terrific read from one of my favorite authors.

4/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE RULE BOOK by Sarah Adams. Dell (April 2, 2024). ISBN: 978-0593723678. 368p.

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Spotlight Review: TOURIST SEASON by Brenda Novak

April 16, 2024

From the publisher:

A great new beach read from the New York Times bestselling author of The Bookstore on The Beach

A summer by the ocean promises new beginnings—until old secrets resurface.

Ismay Chalmers is ready for a relaxing summer reconnecting with her fiancé at his family’s luxurious beachfront cottage. But before Remy can join her, a hurricane bears down on Mariners Island. Alone in the large house, Ismay makes a disturbing discovery in Remy’s childhood closet. She’s not sure what to make of it, but is relieved when the property’s caretaker, Bo, checks in on her.

Bo’s home is damaged, so they temporarily shelter together, and Ismay is comforted by his quiet strength. But the unannounced arrival of a family member puts Bo back at his place and changes Ismay’s summer into something other than what she wants—or ever expected. With so many reasons to feel unsettled, Ismay finds herself turning to Bo, who gives her more than a sense of security; there’s something about him that makes her feel alive, stirring her to wonder what life might be like if she chose a different path…

As Ismay grows closer to Bo, she begins to hope the reclusive caretaker might eventually let down his guard. But when she finds out that he has secrets, too, she begins to question how well she knows any of the men in her life—and how well she can trust her own heart.

“While this novel is full of romance, Novak elevates mystery elements that will appeal to readers of Colleen Hoover.” —Booklist
https://amzn.to/3vZHCjL

This is a true case of “you can’t judge a book by its cover.” If you are looking for a sweet beach read, look elsewhere.

Ismay and Remy have been together for three years, but Ismay realizes something is off. After she completes her law degree, she agrees to spend a month with Remy at his parents’ beach house on Mariners Island. Remy is in medical school and is in the process of completing his exams, so Ismay goes to Mariners by herself.

The house is lovely, but that first night there is a freak hurricane. The power is out, but there is a caretaker, Bo, who lives in a cottage on the grounds. His cottage suffers serious damage when a tree falls onto the roof, making the cottage uninhabitable and even dangerous. He checks on Ismay to find that the generator hasn’t kicked in, so he fixes that for her. In turn, she invites him to stay in the main house until his cottage can be repaired. The storm rages on for another day, followed by a storm of a different kind – Remy’s twin brother shows up.

Ismay moves into Remy’s old bedroom, and discovers what appears to be a trophy bag of sorts hidden behind the wall of his closet. There is some jewelry, several pairs of women’s underwear, and an old photo of a young woman. It really shakes her up, and she isn’t sure how to broach Remy about it, especially as he is so far away. But she does, and shortly thereafter it goes missing. Since Remy’s twin is the only other person there, Ismay is sure he took it, but she has no idea why or what it’s about.

There is a definite creepiness factor in this story which I wasn’t expecting, but it sure helped keep those pages turning. Bo and Ismay grow close, but she is still engaged to Remy so it goes no further than friends who are majorly attracted to one another. But Bo has a secret as well, and when all these secrets start unraveling, so does Remy and Ismay’s relationship.

This book really is the quintessential beach read, part thriller/mystery, part romance, and it really delivers on both. It may be early for the beach, but grab it anyway!

4/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

TOURIST SEASON by Brenda Novak. MIRA; Original edition (April 2, 2024). ISBN: 978-0778305408. 400p.

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2 Comments | Book Reviews, Crime Fiction, Fiction, Romance | Tagged: Contemporary, Romantic Suspense | Permalink
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WHAT IS LOVE? by Jen Comfort

April 12, 2024

From the publisher:

Head and heart collide in a story of polar-opposite rivals that’s anything but trivial in this game show romance from Midnight Duet author Jen Comfort.

Answer: From the Latin word for crossroads, this is knowledge so common as to be obscure, the pursuit of which engages millions daily. Question: What is trivia?

Trivia is the magic in the mundane, the connection in the commonplace, and Maxine Hart’s second-favorite pastime. A self-proclaimed Brooklyn street rat and a high school dropout, Maxine has never been a fan of formal education, but thanks to her ADHD “superpowers,” she’s a glutton for knowledge—and a good fight. And when Maxine enters the trivia game show Answers!, her brilliance, coupled with her penchant for big bets, devastates her competition. Even record-holding, 76-time-winner Teddy Ferguson.

Or was it their kiss the night before they faced off that threw the buttoned-up professor off his game?

Now, Maxine and Teddy cross paths again in a high-stakes tournament against all-time Answers! winners, including undefeated champion Hercules McKnight. With nothing in common but an insatiable appetite for knowledge and a desire to win, Maxine offers Teddy a deal: combine their strengths to shore up their weaknesses. She’ll push his tolerance for risk and improve his buzzer speed, if he’ll find creative ways to fill in the gaps in her education.

Except neither one of them foresaw just how scintillating learning could be…

“Sensual, funny, and heartwarming, this brings the goods.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“A sizzling and smart rivals-to-lovers romance…” —Kirkus Reviews

“Comfort goes ‘to the Max’ with her plot choices, bold and hilarious banter, and full-on smoldering sexual tension, featuring two completely opposite yet perfect for each other trivia nerds. Patrons will want to buzz in early to get their hands on this wonderfully campy rom-com.” —Library Journal (starred review)
https://amzn.to/4arx0ZV

I was really expecting to love this book – the reviews were uniformly good, and I’ve been a Jeopardy fan since the Art Fleming days. I did end up enjoying it, but I had to struggle through the first half. I kept putting it down and looking for something else to read, and that is never a good sign. But eventually I got into it and raced through the second half of the book, which I enjoyed. I especially loved the little Jeopardy! easter eggs, like the name of the announcer, “Gilbert Johnson.”

The basic premise is enemies-to-lovers with an added twist – they are competitors in a game show called Answers, which is the author’s legal dodge to skirt using Jeopardy!, which I’m sure would have had some consequences. Each chapter is titled with a category, an answer, then a question, and that was a fun surprise. But the book was really about these characters; Theodore, a buttoned-up, conservative, bow-tie-wearing, Oxford-educated man, and the woman who broke his 76-game winning streak, Maxine, a high school dropout who suffers from ADHD. They have distinctly different playing styles, but that isn’t the biggest issue. From the moment Theodore laid eyes on Maxine, he was smitten, and that distracted him enough to make things more difficult.

They’ve both been approached about a tournament of champions type event, and have several weeks to prepare. The show is bringing back one of their first big winners, and no one has ever come close to catching him so Maxine and Teddy are intrigued. Teddy has some bad history with him, too, and that factors into it as well.

When Maxine shows up at Teddy’s house looking like she’s moving in, he is initially horrified. But she determines that the two of them can take down the former champion – she needs help filling in her knowledge gaps like geography, and he needs help getting faster on the buzzer and making less conservative bets. Sex seems to help both of them get to their goals.

I loved the ending of this book even though it required a complete suspension of disbelief, which I sometimes find annoying, but not here. This is a sexy, funny story set in a game show that I love, and the happy ending make the struggle to get there worthwhile. If you’re a Jeopardy fan, give it a try!

Note: Amazon.com offered this book for free as part of their Prime monthly Kindle giveaways. They are also the publisher.

4/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

WHAT IS LOVE? by Jen Comfort. Montlake (April 1, 2024). ISBN: 978-1662516443. 351p.

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SET ON YOU by Amy Lea

April 12, 2024

The Influencer Series, Book 1

From the publisher:

One of…
Amazon’s Best Romances of 2022
Bustle’s Most Anticipated Books of May
Goodreads’ Most Anticipated May Romances
SheReads’ Best Romance Books Coming in 2022

A gym nemesis pushes a fitness influencer to the max in Amy Lea’s steamy debut romantic comedy.

Curvy fitness influencer Crystal Chen built her career shattering gym stereotypes and mostly ignoring the trolls. After her recent breakup, she has little stamina left for men, instead finding solace in the gym – her place of power and positivity.

Enter firefighter Scott Ritchie, the smug new gym patron who routinely steals her favorite squat rack. Sparks fly as these ultra-competitive foes battle for gym domination. But after a series of escalating jabs, the last thing they expect is to run into each other at their grandparents’ engagement party.

In the lead up to their grandparents’ wedding, Crystal discovers there’s a soft heart under Scott’s muscled exterior. Bonding over family, fitness, and cheesy pick-up lines, they just might have found her swolemate. But when a photo of them goes viral, savage internet trolls put their budding relationship to the ultimate test of strength.

“Lea’s steamy debut romance features well-developed, likeable characters with slow-build chemistry…Hand this one to fans of Helen Hoang and Talia Hibbert.”—Library Journal

“Lea debuts with a heartwarming rom-com centered on body positivity…Lea’s prose is clear, witty, and powerful, delivering an ode to all those who struggle with self-acceptance…Lea is a writer to watch.”—Publishers Weekly

“Lea’s debut romance is a terrific rom-com that offers an essential message about accepting oneself, and it is a pleasure to read…Fans of Jennifer Weiner may enjoy this, and all who read it will look forward to more romance from Lea.”—Booklist
https://amzn.to/43RMLHp

I started reading this series last year with Exes and O’s and the third book, The Catch, came out earlier this year so I figured it was time to find the first book in the series, and I’m glad I did! Even if I didn’t understand half of the gym talk.

Yes, most of this book is set in a gym, which is not my native habitat, to say the least. The main character, Crystal, is half Asian and curvy, and she is a social media influencer in the realm of body positivity. Her family can’t understand how she makes a living that way, but she is very successful, and that means lots of followers. And when there are lots of followers, there are lots of comments and while the positive outweighs the negative, sometimes it is hard not to take the criticism to heart.

When a rather fit young man takes her squat rack (whatever that is) even though she left her stuff on it, she is incensed, and he becomes the “squat rack thief” in her mind. They butt heads all over the gym and this continues for weeks, until they find themselves alone in the gym one day. Crystal is sure the squat rack thief has taken her phone, and she follows him into the men’s locker room to get it back. She doesn’t get her phone back, but she does get a makeout session that leaves her breathless.

Crystal is very close with her family, and when her widowed grandmother brings a man to meet the family, Crystal is very happy for her. Until the grandfather-to-be’s grandson shows up. He is none other than squat rack thief, only now he has a name, Scott Richie. He is a firefighter and he’s built like he belongs on the firefighters’ calendar. They have to get along for the family’s sake, difficult as it may be. But it becomes even more difficult when they start spending time together.

Crystal and Scott are trying to things quiet until after the wedding, but she can’t resist posting a picture online of the two of them at the beach. The vitriol that she takes after that picture goes viral is really upsetting, and Crystal pushed Scott away to try and figure how to move forward.

A health scare in the family brings them back together, but they have a lot to work out before they can really be a couple again. Fortunately, there is a happy ending but as usual, it’s the journey that is the most fun. This book stands alone as do all the books in this series, so they do not need to be read in order – but they should be read! This is a fast, fun read with a little more depth than a lot of romcoms, and it’s the emotional pull that really makes this a worthwhile read.

4/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

SET ON YOU by Amy Lea. Berkley (May 10, 2022). ISBN: 978-0593336571. 384p.

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Spotlight Review: EXPIRATION DATES by Rebecca Serle

April 9, 2024

From the publisher:

From the New York Times bestselling author of In Five Years and One Italian Summer comes a love story that will define a generation.

Being single is like playing the lottery. There’s always the chance that with one piece of paper you could win it all.

Daphne Bell believes the universe has a plan for her. Every time she meets a new man, she receives a slip of paper with his name and a number on it—the exact amount of time they will be together. The papers told her she’d spend three days with Martin in Paris; five weeks with Noah in San Francisco; and three months with Hugo, her ex-boyfriend turned best friend. Daphne has been receiving the numbered papers for over twenty years, always wondering when there might be one without an expiration. Finally, the night of a blind date at her favorite Los Angeles restaurant, there’s only a name: Jake.

But as Jake and Daphne’s story unfolds, Daphne finds herself doubting the paper’s prediction, and wrestling with what it means to be both committed and truthful. Because Daphne knows things Jake doesn’t, information that—if he found out—would break his heart.

Told with her signature warmth and insight into matters of the heart, Rebecca Serle has finally set her sights on romantic love. The result is a gripping, emotional, passionate, and (yes) heartbreaking novel about what it means to be single, what it means to find love, and ultimately how we define each of them for ourselves. Expiration Dates is the one fans have been waiting for.

“Daphne’s sometimes heart-wrenching, often heartwarming search for meaningful relationships, both romantic and platonic, is sure to inspire.”—Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

“Serle’s compulsively readable prose will attract fans of Jennifer Weiner and Emily Henry.”—Booklist

“Serle provides an interesting conceit and a healthy dose of wit that readers will appreciate. An entertaining love story with moments of depth.” —Kirkus
https://amzn.to/3PRLF8G

Serle always writes smart, interesting books, and she did it again with her latest. Daphne is a millennial with an unusual dating life, going all the way back to her childhood. She lives in Los Angeles, which almost becomes another character in the book. She works as an assistant to a movie producer and enjoys her work.

But Daphne has a secret – she receives a slip of paper, a letter, or a postcard with the man’s name and the time frame every time she goes out with a new man. That’s it. That time frame turns out to be the expiration date of the relationship. The only exception is at first, Hugo. They break up at the time on the note, but they remain friends, and Hugo is the only one Daphne has told about these notes.

When a friend offers to fix her up on a blind date, Daphne gets her usual note but this time all it says is “Jake.” There’s nothing else, no number of days, so does that mean he is the one? Will they stay together forever?

This book isn’t your typical romcom, so there is another expiration date that we don’t find out about until much later in the book. Jake is a kind man, but honestly, there was no chemistry between them. But Daphne couldn’t find fault with him and things develop as one would assume. But there is a twist coming, and it wasn’t as shocking as I suspect it was meant to be, but it did take the story in a different direction in an emotional way. All in all, this was a short, fast read and a good one. These characters will be staying with me for a while, and I always enjoy a touch of magical realism in a romance. This was very well done, and I highly recommend!

4/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

EXPIRATION DATES by Rebecca Serle. Atria Books (March 19, 2024). ISBN: 978-1982166823. 272p.

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FALLING FOR ALASKA by Belle Calhoune

April 5, 2024

From the publisher:

Don’t miss the first trip to Moose Falls, Alaska where a down-on-his-luck football player and a sassy restaurant owner find themselves going from enemies to lovers in this small-town romance — perfect for fans of Brenda Novak and Annie Rains!

A small-town restaurateur and a big city former football player go head-to-head in this heartfelt enemies-to-lovers romance . . .

As the oldest of three brothers, former pro-football player Xavier Stone is no stranger to making tough calls. Like returning to his small hometown of Moose Falls, Alaska to help run his grandmother’s hard cider company and gastro pub. He agrees to keep an open mind, but between working with his estranged father and confronting heavy childhood memories with his brothers, Xavier’s ready to rush back to civilization. Even the stunning woman who runs his grandmother’s restaurant seems to instantly dislike him . . .

True Everett knows better than to let a ridiculously handsome man distract her, especially when it’s the same guy who stands between her and owning Northern Exposure, the tavern she manages. She didn’t pour her soul into the restaurant just for Xavier to swoop in and snatch away her dreams. But amid all the barbs—and, fine . . . all the sparks—flying, True glimpses the man beneath the swagger. That version of Xavier, the real one, might just steal True’s heart.

“Calhoune provides an enjoyable read, particularly for those seeking a quick and engaging escape.—Library Journal

“The scenic small-town setting and intense connection between the bickering leads are sure to suck readers in. Calhoune knows how to do cozy.” —Publishers Weekly.

“Calhoune delivers all the best elements of a small-town romance. The townspeople are charming and quirky, the fractures and rifts in the Stone family are healed, and everyone pulls together to support the romance between Xavier and True. Most conflicts are low stakes and easily resolved. A charming, sweet romance highlighting the importance of family.—Kirkus Reviews

https://amzn.to/3Tzyv0U

I haven’t read this author before, but I’ll be keeping an eye out for future books for sure. Regular readers know I am slightly obsessed with Alaska, and I’m always happy to read any book set there. Maybe because I live in South Florida? Alaska is an upside-down world to me – I pull out the Uggs when the temperature dips below 70! I can’t imagine living in that sort of climate, but I love reading about people who do. (As an aside, my husband and I have been watching Northern Exposure on Amazon Prime, and it holds up remarkably well!)

Xavier Stone and his brothers grew up in Moose Falls, Alaska but when their parents divorced, they moved with their mom to the lower 48. Their father pretty much disappears from their lives, but his mother, their grandmother Hattie, keeps in touch, although she hasn’t seen them in years. She runs several businesses in Moose Falls and never leaves home. Among other businesses, she owns a hard cider brewery and a tavern.

True Everett has been working at the tavern forever and is now the manager. Her long term goal is to buy the tavern from Hattie when she’s saved up enough money. So when Hattie invites her grandsons to Moose Falls, True isn’t sure what to think.

Xavier played in the NFL until he got injured. When Hattie asks him to move back to Moose Falls along with his brothers, she dangles her businesses as an incentive to get them to visit. They are all adults now, and she tells them she is ill, but if they stay for a year and learn how to run the businesses, they will inherit them all. What she doesn’t tell them is that she wants them to reconcile with their estranged father, and they will have to work with him as part of this process to their inheritance.

True isn’t sure what Hattie promised the brothers to get them to come back, and she can’t help being resentful. But there is a strong connection between True and Xavier, as much as she wants to dislike him, she just can’t. True lost her parents in a plane crash and is raising her much younger brother, so she has other obligations.

True and Xavier try to fight their attraction to one another, but it’s hopeless and eventually, they get their happy ending. There is a lot of family drama before they get there in this enemies-to-lovers, small-town romance. This was a fast read, and a good one!

4/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

FALLING FOR ALASKA by Belle Calhoune. Forever (March 26, 2024). ISBN: 978-1538758205. 304p.

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THE DIAMOND AND THE DUKE by Christi Caldwell

April 5, 2024

All the Duke’s Sins, Book 3

From the publisher:

When a wounded soldier and self-proclaimed “beast” finds unlikely friendship with a headstrong and unconventional beauty, they quickly find themselves weaving a tale as old as time…

Despite a hero’s return to England from the Napoleonic Wars, Wesley Audley isolates from the ton. Deep wounds from the horrors of combat—and the despair of a broken heart—left him scarred. As he struggles to cope and resume his place in Polite Society, Wesley is quick to cut himself off from everyone…except for Ellie Balfour.

Independent and strong-willed, Ellie has dreams of captaining her own husband-free life and a penchant for meddling in other’s business. She knows befriending Wesley is a risk but Ellie can’t bear to see his heartache. Nor can she seem to silence all the temptingly intimate thoughts his nearness provokes.

But Ellie is yet to face a battle she can’t win—and Wesley’s heart is worth the fight. If only her campaigns ever went to plan…

“A must-read for both fans and newcomers to Caldwell’s work.”—Library Journal
https://amzn.to/3TY8fPc

This latest entry into All the Duke’s Sins series is pretty good. The storyline definitely held my attention, I liked the characters, and the passion just leapt off the page.

Wesley Audley has returned from the Napoleonic wars just a shell of a man. He has suffered physical injuries and what today would be called post-traumatic stress disorder. He is in a great deal of pain due to an injury to his leg that the finest doctors in Regency England simply cannot help. His family tiptoes around him, and aren’t sure what to do, but they try their best because they love him.

Lady Eleanor “Ellie” Balfour has recently lost her abusive father, so she’s not mourning the loss. But she has decided to never marry. The thought of another man having control of her life is just not bearable. When Wesley returns home, she stops by to pay a visit. She is only one who will actually look him in the eye and talk to him. He’s very rude to her, but she doesn’t let that bother her; she understands where it is coming from.

The more time they spend together, the more their feelings grow, despite both of them trying to avoid marriage at all costs. I also really liked the medical side of things, it added some depth to this story. Any reader of romance will know how it ends, but it is the journey here that is so emotionally wrought and wonderful.

All the Duke’s Sins

Book 1: Along Came a Lady

Book 2: Desperately Seeking a Duchess

Book 3: The Diamond and the Duke

4/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE DIAMOND AND THE DUKE by Christi Caldwell. Berkley (February 20, 2024). ISBN: 978-0593334959. 304p.

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Spotlight Review: FLIRTY LITTLE SECRET by Jessica Lepe

April 2, 2024

From the publisher:

You’ve Got Mail meets Abbott Elementary in this sweet, sexy romantic comedy for fans of Lynn Painter and Lyssa Kay Adams.

School counselor Lucy Galindo has a secret.

To her coworkers, friends, and even family, she’s shy, sweet, and constantly struggling to hold off disaster (read: manage her anxiety and depression). But online? She’s bold, confident, and always knows what to say—it’s how she’s become the wildly popular @TheMissGuidedCounselor. It’s also why she keeps her identity anonymous. Her followers would never trust the real Lucy with their problems.

History teacher Aldrich Fletcher thought a new job would give him some relief from his drama-filled family. Instead, he’s dodging his ex-girlfriend and pining over his new co-worker—who only ever seems to see him at his worst. Thankfully, he can count on his online confidant for advice . . . until he discovers @TheMissGuidedCounselor is Lucy.

Now Fletcher has a secret too. And while Lucy can’t deny there’s something between them, she’s not sure she can trust him. Can they both find the courage to share the truth and step out from behind their screens?

“This sparkling debut marks Lepe as a writer to watch when it comes to modern rom-coms.”―Kirkus, Starred Review

“The romance plays out as a fresh, diverse twist on You’ve Got Mail . . . Fans of Abbott Elementary will be especially charmed.”―Publishers Weekly

“Unputdownable; will leave readers clamoring for more.”―Library Journal
https://amzn.to/3xaiCXh

I love reading debut novels, but I’ve been burned before by publicists creating “debuts” under a new name for a previously published author, so I’m just going to ignore that. This is a good read, and that’s the most important thing to know.

“You’ve Got Mail” is one of my favorite movies, and I enjoy “Abbott Elementary,” so this mashup of the two sounded promising; I’m happy to say it lived up to the hype. Lucy is a guidance counselor who truly loves her job, but with her depression and anxiety disorders, she feels like a fraud most of the time, except when she is posting on her anonymous Instagram account. Hiding behind a pseudonym, gives Lucy the courage of her convictions, and she offers great advice to her followers. One follower is also hiding behind a pseudonym, but he and Lucy become great internet penpals. Neither knows the others true identity, or where they live, or where they work. But they know other more intimate details of their lives.

Aldrich Fletcher is a new history teacher at the public high school where Lucy is a guidance counselor. He is also her secret penpal, and neither knows who the other is. He and Lucy have a hot meet-cute when she trips and spills tea down the front of his pants. On his first day at the new school. She compounds the problem when she tries wiping down the front of his pants, never a good idea to do to a stranger. Nevertheless, Fletcher finds her extremely attractive and the feelings are returned, except Lucy is pretty sure that he couldn’t possibly be interested in someone who is such a hot mess.

As Lucy and Fletcher get to know one another, they start sharing some of the past with one another. A new Instagram post from Lucy triggers Fletcher to realize who she is, but he’s afraid to let he know. Their relationship is tenuous at best, as both have a lot of baggage to work through.

This book delivered on the hype and was a thoroughly enjoyable, one-night read for me. I am looking forward to whatever Lepe puts out next.

4/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

FLIRTY LITTLE SECRET by Jessica Lepe. Forever (March 19, 2024). ISBN: 978-1538739341. 384p.

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TANGLED IN TEXAS by Kari Lynn Dell

March 29, 2024

Texas Rodeo, Book 2

From the publisher:

It took 32 seconds to end his career, but it only took 1 to change his life.

Thirty-two seconds. That’s how long it took for Delon Sanchez’s life to end. One minute he was the best bronc rider in the Panhandle and the next he was nothing. Knee shattered, future in question, all he can do is pull together the pieces…and wonder what cruel trick of fate has thrown him into the path of his ex, the oh-so-perfect Tori Patterson.

Tori’s finally come home, intent on escaping the public eye. It’s just her luck that Delon limps into her physical therapy office, desperate for help. All hard-packed muscle and dark-eyed temptation, he’s never been anything but a bad idea. And yet, seeing him again, Tori can’t remember what made her choose foolish pride over love…or why, with this second, final chance to right old wrongs, the smartest choice would be to run from this gorgeous rodeo boy as fast as her boots can take her.

“A sexy, engaging romance set in the captivating world of rodeo.”―Kirkus

“Illuminating…a standout in western romance.”―Publishers Weekly

Texas Rodeo Series:

Reckless in Texas (Book 1)

Tangled in Texas (Book 2)

Tougher in Texas (Book 3)

Fearless in Texas (Book 4)

Mistletoe in Texas (Book 5)

Relentless in Texas (Book 6)

https://amzn.to/3IShytP

This author was new to me, and her spin on the Western romance was interesting. Usually when there are cowboys and rodeos, the cowboy is hurt and retired and his family/girlfriend is glad and willing to do whatever it takes to keep them from that dangerous sport. But not here!

Delon is an up and coming star in the rodeo, expected to win it all until a bad accident sidelines him. He goes home to recuperate in this tiny Montana town, but when he checks in for his physical therapy, he is shocked to find the one who got away. Delon and Tori had a hot and heavy relationship for a long while, but it was always superficial. He’d show up and she was always happy to see him, but each thought the other was only interested in hooking up, when in fact it was quite the opposite. Once Tori disappeared on him, he had a one night stand with the woman who was his best friend. They both knew they didn’t belong together, but the night produced a son they both fiercely love. They are co-parenting and things are working out just fine. But when Tori shows up in town, all those feelings come rushing back.

Their history keeps them apart for sure, but as he improves, so does their relationship. I loved that Tori was also a rodeo rider; that was a nice twist! There are a lot of obstacles to overcome, but a happy ending is guaranteed. This is a slow-building romance with interesting characters and a lot of insight into the rodeo as a career, which I found really interesting. If you’re looking for a quick read, this isn’t that, but it is a very good read.

3/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

TANGLED IN TEXAS by Kari Lynn Dell. Sourcebooks Casablanca (February 6, 2024). ISBN: 978-1728280080. 480p.

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IN WANT OF A VISCOUNT by Lorraine Heath

March 29, 2024

The Chessmen: Masters of Seduction, Book 3

From the publisher:

New York Times bestselling author Lorraine Heath’s next novel in The Chessmen: Masters of Seduction series where the price is always high…

American Leonora Garrison has come to England in desperate search of investors to keep her family business afloat but instead finds surprising pleasure when she visits an exclusive ladies’ club and dares to kiss a stranger, who leaves her yearning for more.

With a libertine for a father, Viscount Wyeth, more commonly known as Rook, vowed to live his life above reproach, with nary a hint of disgrace. Until one night, he takes a mysterious beauty into his arms, a lady who tempts him to cast his sterling reputation aside in favor of more wicked pursuits.

When fate reunites the couple, they are torn between desire and duty. Leonora may want the viscount, but she needs a stakeholder not a lover. When caught in a compromising situation that places everything they hold dear at risk, they must determine how best to win. However, in this scandalous game, nothing except love takes all.

“Featuring a strong, independent heroine to break down Rook’s walls, this slow-burn romance from Heath (The Notorious Lord Knightley) pays off, and the appearance of endearing series characters will please fans. Hand to readers who like Sarah MacLean and Christy Carlyle.” — Library Journal

“This final book in Heath’s Chessman series, like the others, features a brainy woman who wouldn’t make a traditional bride for a nobleman, and it’s a pleasure to watch Rook appreciate the very qualities in Leonora that many men find odd. Heath fans will enjoy spending time with the Chessmen . . . A delightful fantasy for awkward, intrepid women. —Kirkus Reviews
https://amzn.to/4csBAJ1

I’ve really enjoyed this series that requires a leap to suspend your disbelief. These are probably best read in order, although they each stand alone. There are also references to the Trewlove series with some overlapping characters. I always enjoy Heath’s books – she writes interesting stories with unique characters and enough heat and drama to keep those pages turning.

This book centers of one of the three life long friends known as the Chessmen – this is Rook’s story. His father was a terrible womanizer, and he is determined to steer clear of any women who could harm his fragile reputation. But when his brother asks him to fill in at the women’s club and grant this American visitor a kiss, he obliges. But she is not the shrinking violet he was expecting.

Leonora has come to England from America to find investors for her father’s company. He has passed away, but she is determined to see his invention, a typewriter, come to fruition. Her mother, an obnoxious social climber, is more interested in seeing Leonora marry someone with a title, and her brother really hates the business and is happily making his way through all the clubs in London.

Leonora has little interest in getting married, though. She is not the marrying kind – she has more interest in inventions and how things work than in men. But that man who kissed her at the club has definitely intrigued her. Will she settle for an investment or does she want more? Will he put up the money she needs and forget about that kiss? A happy ending is assured, but it is so much fun getting there. This is another terrific read by an author who consistently turns out good stories. Don’t miss it!