Stacy Alesi's BookBitch.com™

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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From the publisher:

The rules of summer book club are simple:

• No sad books
• No pressure
• Yessssss, wine!

Besties Laurel and Paris are excited to welcome Cassie to the group. This year, the book club is all about fill-your-heart reads, an escape from the chaos of the everyday—running a business, raising a family, juggling a hundred to-dos. Even the dog is demanding (but the bestest boy).

Since Laurel’s divorce, she feels like the Worst Mom Ever. Her skepticism of men may have scarred her vulnerable daughters. Cassie has an unfortunate habit of falling for ridiculous man-boys who dump her once she fixes them. Paris knows good men exist. She’s still reeling after chasing off the only one brave enough—and foolish enough—to marry her.

Inspired by the heroines who risk everything for fulfillment, Laurel, Paris and Cassie begin to take chances—big chances—in life, in love. Facing an unwritten chapter can be terrifying. But it can be exhilarating, too, if only they can find the courage to change.

“Fans of Jill Shalvis and Robyn Carr won’t be able to put Mallery’s latest down. Readers who flock to Mallery’s heartfelt stories will be clamoring for her feel-good latest.” —Booklist

https://amzn.to/4am9c9l

Mallery writes about women, their friendships, their romances, and their lives and she does such a good job of it. She has found her niche for sure and I look forward to every one of her books.

Paris and Laurel are best friends and really have each other’s backs. Both are independent business women and Laurel has kids, too. Laurel owns a business where she buys used things like from thrift shops, fixes what needs fixing and resells the stuff. She has a store and an online presence as well, and she has grown the business tremendously. Paris owns a farm stand that draws customers from all around their small town.

Cassie moves to town and finds a job at the wine bar/bookstore, a terrific combination if I’ve ever heard one! Paris and Laurel have a book club, and they invite Cassie to join them. The three women quickly become good friends. They all have baggage they have to work through to find their happiness, but it’s the journey that makes this such a rewarding read. I loved how they each had an obstacle to overcome and how they had each other’s backs. Another terrific read from one of my favorite authors!

3/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE SUMMER BOOK CLUB by Susan Mallery. Canary Street Press; Original edition (February 13, 2024). ISBN: 978-1335448668. 416p.

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From the publisher:

A steamy, opposites-attract romance with undeniable chemistry between a grumpy retired footballer and his fabulous and very sunshine-y ghostwriter.

When grumpy ex-footballer Alfie Harding gets badgered into selling his memoirs, he knows he’s never going to be able to write them. He hates revealing a single thing about himself, is allergic to most emotions, and can’t imagine doing a good job of putting pen to paper.

And so in walks curvy, cheery, cute as heck ghostwriter Mabel Willicker, who knows just how to sunshine and sass her way into getting every little detail out of Alfie. They banter and bicker their way to writing his life story, both of them sure they’ll never be anything other than at odds.

But after their business arrangement is mistaken for a budding romance, the pair have to pretend to be an item for a public who’s ravenous for more of this Cinderella story. Or at least, it feels like it’s pretend―until each slow burn step in their fake relationship sparks a heat neither can control. Now they just have to decide: is this sizzling chemistry just for show? Or something so real it might just give them their fairytale ending?

“Upbeat, engaging, witty, and funny, this book from Stein… will captivate readers.” Library Journal, starred

“This, children, is how the professionals do it… It’s the difference between seeing choreography laid out in footprints on the floor, and being swept away by the dance. ” – New York Times

https://amzn.to/3vaPhvb

The grumpy/sunshine trope is a fan favorite, and it is right there in the title – I couldn’t pass this one up! Alfie Harding is the grump (think Ted Lasso’s Roy Kent) – a newly retired footballer with quite the reputation, all based on rumors and innuendo. He is convinced to write a memoir, but he needs a ghostwriter for sure. He rejects a parade of them until he meets Mabel Willicker. Somehow, this cheery, plus-size, bright-as-sunshine woman makes an impact, and she lands the gig.

Alfie is reticent to reveal much of anything, but Mabel has her ways and before he realizes what’s happened, his book is underway. But when the public spots them together, a fake romance is born in order to keep the ghostwriter secret, at least to the public. But as usually happens with fake dating, real feelings start to develop.

The banter is quick and funny, the sex is steamy, and the pages just fly by in this heartwarming romance. The characters are so likeable, even the grump, that I couldn’t help but root for their happily ever after, and it is delivered. This author was new to me, but I will be reading more of her for sure!

3/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

WHEN GRUMPY MET SUNSHINE by Charlotte Stein. Griffin (February 6, 2024). ISBN: 978-1250867933. 336p.

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Coyote Canyon, Book 3

From the Publisher:

When your life is chaotic, what’s one more complication?

Jane Tanner’s friends are settling down, while she’s been settling for less. She longs for adventure and the big city, but caring for her ailing grandfather means she’s shackled to her small town. She’s excited her vintage gift shop is  finally  up and running, but it’s not enough.

Longing to fulfill at least one dream—to become a mother before her biological clock ticks out—Jane drunkenly propositions the worst possible candidate for Dad . Kurt Elway is off-limits with a capital O . He’s a good friend, but he’s too young, too busy running his family’s ranch. Plus, he and Jane’s sister, Kate, used to date.  That kind of off-limits.

Unbeknownst to Jane, Kurt’s pining for her. When he’s fully on board to father her baby, she sees him in a new light. Then lingering baggage between Kate and Kurt suddenly surfaces and Jane is reminded of just how messy life is. But…so is parenting. Maybe it’s time to embrace the mess?

https://amzn.to/3SToAEu

This is the last book of the Coyote Canyon trilogy, and I’m sad it’s over. Talulah, Ellen, and Jane are good friends. All are independent business owners – Talulah owns a dessert diner, Ellen a well-digging business, and Jane has a vintage store, and all are trying to make a go of it in a small town. The first two books were about Talulah and Ellen; this time, it’s Jane’s turn.

Jane has been feeling out of sorts. All her friends are getting married and having babies, and she doesn’t even date. It’s not easy finding someone in such a small town. She really wants a family, and decides to go the single parent route and use a sperm donor. Once she has the baby, she thinks she might move away, to a bigger city.

Jane is friends with Kurt, who actually dated her younger sister a few times. He’s five years younger than she is, but one drunken evening, she asks if he would consider being her sperm donor. She’s thinking of artificial insemination, but Kurt has always had a crush on Jane, and he agrees, but to get her pregnant the old-fashioned way. There is a lot to consider, and if Jane does get pregnant, there will be even more issues to deal with.

Friends to lovers is a time-honored trope in romance, and Novak does a great job here, throwing up one roadblock after another until they reach their happy ending. I loved how Jane’s friends had her back, but also forced her to face reality. Great characters, a lovely small town, and enough angst to really keep those pages turning made this a terrific read. These books don’t have to be read in order, they all stand alone beautifully, but I liked having the background of the other characters here. This is another good read from Novak, who has become one of my favorite authors.

3/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE MESSY LIFE OF JANE TANNER by Brenda Novak. Forever (June 7, 2022). ISBN: 978-1538754764. 352p.

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