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Honeycrisp Orchard Romance, Book 1

From the publisher:

A Cozy Small-Town Romance of Rediscovery, Forced Proximity, and the Magic of Autumn Set on a Quaint Apple Orchard

For fans of the Lovelight series and The Pumpkin Spice Café, this cozy and sexy romance follows a young event planner who returns to her family’s inn on an apple orchard to help run their Harvest Festival—only to find herself butting heads with the handsome son of the apple orchard’s owners. 

Ellie Lawson’s city life was treating her just fine until a sour turn of events knocks her out in one fell swoop. Dumped by her boyfriend and fired from her event planning job, she is left with no choice but to return to her parents’ idyllic inn, nestled within a picturesque Honeycrisp orchard on Long Island. Anticipating a quiet hiatus in the attic apartment, she is instead met with Aiden, the stubborn, attractive son of the orchard owner who is currently occupying her planned refuge.

Forced together by circumstance, they find themselves not only roommates but also coworkers, when they’re put in charge by their parents of the orchard’s vital Harvest Festival, a lifeline for both the struggling orchard and the inn. Amidst the enchanting disorder of small-town life, Ellie and Aiden grapple with their conflicting values, burgeoning feelings, and an electrifying tension.

As Ellie discovers the unexpected charm of the life she left behind and Aiden learns there’s much more to Ellie than he’d first assumed, one fact remains: the future of the orchard and the inn depends on their unlikely collaboration.

Embark on a captivating journey of rediscovery, love, and the irreplaceable magic of small-town life.

https://amzn.to/3JbdMzD

Ellie Lawson was living the dream—sort of. She’d been put in charge of a major presentation for her event planning company’s biggest new client, and after months of preparation, she knew her plan was stellar. But the night before her big pitch, her boyfriend—who also happened to be her coworker and roommate—dumped her out of nowhere.

Heartbroken but determined, Ellie throws herself into work, hoping to impress the client and finally earn that long-awaited promotion. Instead, her presentation was met with stunned silence. Moments later, her boss pulls her aside to accuse her of plagiarizing her ex’s work—he had presented her exact plan just before her. Outraged, Ellie tries to explain, but her boss refuses to listen and fires her on the spot.

Now both jobless and homeless, Ellie has no choice but to return home to Long Island, where her parents run a charming inn on an apple orchard owned by their lifelong best friends. They’ve been begging her for years to come home and help with their annual fall Harvest Festival, but she’s always been too busy with her real job. This time, she has no excuse. Her parents are thrilled she’s coming and offer her the attic apartment in the inn—except when she arrives, she finds it already occupied by Aiden, the orchard owners’ son. They grew up together, and Ellie doesn’t realize that Aidan was disappointed that she moved away.

Aiden’s house is under renovation, so the two reluctantly agree to share the small two-bedroom apartment. But when Aiden learns Ellie plans to work on the Harvest Festival, he’s less than thrilled. The festival is his project, and he’s not keen on sharing control. She dives headfirst into planning a festival far grander in scale and budget than Aiden thinks prudent, and their clashing approaches set the stage for constant friction.

Apparently, it’s now mandatory for small-town romances to reference the Gilmore Girls, and this author delivers. As Ellie and Aiden navigate their differences, growing attraction, and shared hopes for the orchard’s success, the Harvest Festival becomes more than an event—it’s a chance to save both the orchard and the inn.

Through it all, Ellie realizes she loves event planning but hates the corporate world that crushed her creativity. When her ex and her former boss reach out—the event she designed is collapsing under his mismanagement—and the client tries to hire her directly, Ellie faces a choice: return to the city or stay in the only place that’s ever truly felt like home.

As Ellie rediscovers the unexpected magic of the life she left behind—and Aiden learns she’s far more than the city girl he assumed—their partnership proves vital to the orchard’s future.

My only quibble? The setting. As someone who grew up on Long Island, I’ve never encountered any small towns remotely like this. Sure, there are orchards, but not the kind that exist in quaint, Gilmore Girls-style villages. The story would have felt more believable to me if the orchard had been set in upstate New York, where quirky small towns abound—but most readers won’t know the difference. Nevertheless, this was a charming, heartwarming read filled with small-town magic and second chances, and I’m looking forward to whatever comes next.

11/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE HONEYCRISP ORCHARD INN by Valerie Bowman. Avon. (September 9, 2025). ISBN: ‎ 978-0063454033. 272p.

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From the publisher:

From New York Times bestselling author of Things We Never Got Over comes a hilarious, heart-stealing, small-town romance about starting over, finding your courage, and falling in love when you least expect it.

Marley left Culpepper to escape the whispers and the heartache. Now, thirty-eight and out of options, she’s back―living in her childhood bedroom, coaching the hopeless girls’ soccer team, and facing the town that never forgot her biggest mistake.

But sometimes rock bottom is exactly where a second chance begins.

When a fake relationship with the school’s most eligible coach becomes Marley’s only way to survive the rumor mill, sparks fly and hearts are on the line. 

Jake Weston is everything she never saw coming: tattooed, fiercely loyal, and hiding a vulnerability that matches her own. Their deal is supposed to fix their reputations, not change their lives. But with every laugh, every awkward team practice, and every not-so-pretend kiss, Marley must decide if it’s finally her turn for happily ever after.

If you crave fake relationship romance with real heat and heart, small-town second chances and slow-burn chemistry…then Rock Bottom Girl is your next must-read.

Warning: Story also includes a meet-puke, a bouffanted nemesis, a yard swan and donkey basketball, a teenage-orchestrated makeover, and a fake relationship that gets a little too real between the sheets.

https://amzn.to/3WEDqzy

My journey through Lucy Score’s backlist continues…

At 38, Marley finds herself back in her childhood bedroom in Culpepper, Pennsylvania—homeless, broke, jobless, and desperate for a fresh start. When her mom helps her land a temporary gig at her old high school as a gym teacher and girls’ soccer coach, Marley finds herself face-to-face with the ghosts of her past.

High school was rough; the mean girls made it miserable, and Marley couldn’t wait to escape. She left without looking back, hoping to find something better. But twenty years later, she’s still searching—and now she’s right back where she started: in her childhood home, in her hometown, and walking the halls of her alma mater.

Marley’s determined not to get stuck in the same small-town rut, especially with constant reminders of her past mistakes. One of those mistakes? Jake Weston—her high school crush who’s still in town and still just as irresistible. With the support of a few loyal friends and the unexpected reappearance of Jake, Marley might finally have a shot at turning things around.

Jake and Marley shared one unforgettable kiss in high school, but nothing more. Now, as fellow teachers, the chemistry between them is undeniable. Jake’s grown up—he’s grounded, loyal, and focused on what matters: his family, his dog, and his community. But as he nears 40, he’s realizing that casual flings aren’t cutting it anymore. Then Marley walks back into his life, and suddenly, he’s wondering if she’s the missing piece he didn’t know he needed.

When a twist of fate forces them to fake a relationship, they strike a deal: Jake helps Marley coach and teach, and Marley helps Jake navigate commitment. Very quickly, they both start to realize that maybe this pretend romance could be something real. Jake wants forever, but is he enough to make Marley give up her dreams of escape for a life with him?

Marley is feisty, sharp-witted, and a little down on her luck, but her killer sense of humor never quits. She’s relatable—down-to-earth, humble, and real—reminding us that we don’t have to have it all figured out by some arbitrary deadline. Jake is every kind of swoon-worthy: supportive, smart, with just enough bad-boy edge to keep things interesting.

This romcom is a heartwarming, hilarious, and feel-good ride from start to finish, with small-town charm, laugh-out-loud moments, and genuine heart. It’s entertaining and a feel-good read from start to finish. I loved it.

10/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

ROCK BOTTOM GIRL by Lucy Score. Bloom Books. (September 30, 2022). ISBN: ‎ 978-1728282619. 512p.

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From the publisher:

A SPARKLING ADULT DEBUT FROM BELOVED NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR STEPHANIE PERKINS!

Is it time to renew love or start a new chapter?

Ingrid Dahl, a cheerful twenty-nine-year-old librarian in the cozy mountain town of Ridgetop, North Carolina, has been happily dating her college boyfriend, Cory, for eleven years without ever discussing marriage. But when Ingrid’s sister announces her engagement to a woman she’s only been dating for two years, Ingrid and Cory feel pressured to consider their future. Neither has ever been with anybody else, so they make an unconventional decision. They’ll take a one-month break to date other people, then they’ll reunite and move toward marriage. Ingrid even has someone in mind: her charmingly grumpy coworker, Macon Nowakowski, on whom she’s secretly crushed for years. But plans go awry, and when the month ends, Ingrid and Cory realize they’re not ready to resume their relationship―and Ingrid’s harmless crush on Macon has turned into something much more complicated.

Overdue is a beautiful, slow-burn romance full of lust and longing about new beginnings and finding your way.

“Bestseller Perkins delivers a touching novel about self-discovery and growth…the tantalizing, slow-burning romance leads to a delicious payoff.” ― Publishers Weekly

“This cozy contemporary romance allows readers to consider their own life choices while enjoying a slow-burn love story.” ― Library Journal

https://amzn.to/3KHcwEF

Let me start by saying that I love the cover of this book, and there is a deluxe edition that looks incredible!

Ingrid, a 29-year-old librarian, has been with her boyfriend, Cory, for more than a decade. He was her first real boyfriend and relationship, so when her younger sister suddenly gets engaged after just two years of dating, Ingrid begins to wonder why her own relationship has never moved forward. After one difficult conversation, she and Cory agree to an unexpected plan: a one-month break, living separately and free to date other people to see if they’re truly right for each other. What’s meant to be thirty days of space slowly turns into months, forcing Ingrid to confront what she really wants.

At first, her attention drifts toward Macon, her 39-year-old grumpy coworker at the library. Their friendship has always felt like it could lead to something more, but when Ingrid impulsively kisses him, it backfires—creating an awkward rift between them. To distract herself, she dives into dating apps and new experiences, but Macon remains in the background: brooding, jealous, and unwilling to make a move..

Over the course of the year, Ingrid faces heartbreak, self-discovery, and the messy process of letting go and beginning again. The heart of the story lies in her growth—watching her evolve from someone clinging to comfort into someone willing to face change is deeply rewarding.

In the end, this novel shines in its themes of identity, change, and realizing that not every relationship—no matter how long—has to last forever. Ingrid’s journey feels authentic, and her transformation is satisfying to witness, but the slow pacing weakens the story’s impact. It’s a meaningful read with heartfelt themes, yet it drags in places.

This is the second time in recent memory that a Library Reads recommendation has disappointed—this one was even the top pick for October. I can’t help but think that if Ingrid were a baker, a florist, or a lawyer instead of a librarian, this book might not have made the list. Librarians, I say this with love: not every book about books, bookstores, and/or libraries needs a gold star!

10/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

OVERDUE by Stephanie Perkins. Saturday Books. ( October 7, 2025). ISBN: 978-1250313461. 416p.

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Lucky River Ranch, Book 1

From the Publisher:

Butting heads leads to knocking boots in this wildly sexy enemies-to-lovers, grumpy/sunshine, small town cowboy romance by Jessica Peterson.

One year on a Texas ranch.

One angry, ridiculously hot cowboy.

One clause in a will that changes everything.

Mollie Luck has run out of luck. When her estranged father unexpectedly dies, he leaves his massive cattle ranch to her―but not without a catch. To collect her inheritance, city girl Mollie will have to move back to the small-town Texas ranch she left as a child when her parents split and manage it for a full year.

Needing the money to invest in her company, Mollie resigns herself to moving to cowboy country. A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.

But there’s one giant roadblock to her plan: the ranch’s grumpy foreman, Cash Rivers. Never mind how good he looks in his Wranglers and chaps; he’s rude, growly, and wants Mollie gone.

Working side by side in the Texas heat turns into moonlit nights, slow dancing cheek-to-cheek in dusty bars, and moments where the line between hate and hunger gets real blurry.

But Mollie’s stay in Hartsville is only temporary. And you know what they say about cowboys: They may break horses, but they also break hearts.

Cash is the first standalone book in the steamy, interconnected Lucky River Ranch series, perfect for fans of Elsie Silver and Lyla Sage.

Delicious tropes:
All the banter!
Grumpy x sunshine
Cowboy x city girl
Forced proximity
Enemies to lovers vibes
Small town charm

https://amzn.to/469dAtm

This was the perfect start to the Lucky River Ranch series—a compelling blend of heart, humor, slow-burn tension, and just the right dose of cowboy angst.

When Mollie’s estranged father dies, she unexpectedly inherits his massive Texas ranch and fortune, despite not having visited in over twenty years. There’s a catch: the will requires her to live on the ranch for a full year to claim the inheritance. That’s when things get complicated.

Cash Cole, the ranch’s loyal foreman, had always believed the land would be left to him. Mollie’s father had practically raised Cash and his four younger brothers after their parents died twelve years earlier. So when Mollie shows up, Cash is blindsided—and not exactly welcoming.

The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Cash and Mollie sizzles from page one. He dismisses her as “city girl” and does everything possible to drive her away, while she stands her ground with wit, grit, and fierce independence, though she carries deep wounds from her complicated relationship with her father.

Her backstory adds emotional depth: after her parents’ divorce when she was small, Mollie moved to Dallas with her mother and rarely saw her father again, though he continued supporting her financially. Her mother’s bitterness toward the ranch and her father left Mollie with a tangled mix of resentment and confusion.

The inheritance isn’t just about money for Mollie—it’s about survival. She’s built a custom cowboy boot company with her best friend, funded initially by her mother’s investment. But now she desperately needs the inheritance to keep her dream business afloat.

Mollie’s journey of rediscovering the ranch becomes genuinely moving. She hasn’t ridden a horse in twenty years, but it comes back to her like second nature. She connects with the ranch hands, who welcome her warmly—everyone except Cash, of course. Watching these two wounded characters slowly understand each other, untangling their shared grief and hidden love, was deeply satisfying. Their sharp-tongued banter brought constant smiles, while their emotional moments felt authentically touching.

Thanks to my friend Nora for recommending this to me – I loved it!

10/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

CASH by Jessica Peterson. Bloom Books. (June 17, 2025). ISBN: ‎978-1464248290. 432p.

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