Stacy Alesi's BookBitch.com™

From the publisher:

A story of second chances and new beginnings, this is a love letter to books—and a love letter to life

Still reeling from a recent tragedy, Erin Connolly knows she needs to start living, but has no idea how. When she accidentally donates her favorite book—a heavily annotated copy of To Kill a Mockingbird containing a memento she can’t be without—to a local little community library, she’s devastated. But then the book turns up a week later, back in the library with fresh notes in the margins, along with an invitation in a copy of Great Expectations to meet her newfound pen pal.

A life-changing conversation, written only in the margins of beloved classic books, begins between Erin and her Mystery Man. Following each other through the pages of their favorite novels as the book exchange continues, they both begin to open up, falling into a friendship…and maybe something more.

But Erin and her pen pal have a shared history that neither of them has guessed. Faced with painful reminders of the past—and the one person she swore never to forgive—Erin finds herself at a crossroads. One that could change her life forever.

A book-lovers dream! References to the following classics can be found in The Book Swap:

• TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
• GREAT EXPECTATIONS
• WUTHERING HEIGHTS
• MANSFIELD PARK
• THE GREAT GATSBY
• MIDDLEMARCH
• BELOVED
• ON THE ROAD
• THE BELL JAR

“A lovely and lively tale of second chances, following one’s dreams, and books. Bickers deals with sensitive topics with a deft and delicate hand…Highly recommended.” – Booklist starred review

“Bickers charms in her depiction of how James and Erin bond through literature, and how literature changes their lives. This will have bookworms swooning.” – Publishers Weekly

https://amzn.to/4epTDjf

This debut novel borrows heavily from “You’ve Got Mail” but takes it in a slightly more bookish direction. Erin has lost her best friend, and when she accidentally leaves her favorite book along with the last gift from her friend in the local Little Free Library, she is understandably upset. She returns daily until luckily, someone brings it back. Erin loves writing in the margins of books, and this one is no different. But when she gets it back, she realizes someone else has added to the marginalia, and invited her to read his favorite book.

James always had a love of literature and wanted to be a writer when he was young. Instead, he changed majors and ended up a corporate trainer, raking in the big bucks but not especially liking the work. Sharing thoughts about great works of literature is awakening his inner writer though, and he finds himself at a crossroads.

Unbeknownst to them, James and Erin have a history together, and it is not a good one. As books are shared, eventually James finds out who his mystery pen pal of the books is, and he is torn about what to do about it. When Erin finds out, things really come to a head and they both have to deal with the consequences.

A romance in letters is the fun part of this read, but the story moves back and forth in time as their back story and current story collide. I can understand why librarians voted it one of their favorite reads for September, but unfortunately, I loved the concept more than the actual book. I found it very slow, especially the first half, and the ending wasn’t entirely satisfactory to me. Maybe an epilogue would have helped there. While it’s not the best debut I’ve ever read, I would definitely pick up another book by this author.

9/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE BOOK SWAP by Tessa Bickers. Graydon House; Original edition (September 3, 2024). ISBN:‎ 978-1525836701. 336p.

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Playing for Keeps, Book 1

From the publisher:

In the sizzling hockey romance that has taken TikTok by storm, the ultimate player turns romantic to charm the woman he is desperate to win over.

“Endlessly sexy and funny. Consider Me will have you fanning yourself and googling your closest hockey team hangout.” ―Hannah Grace, New York Times bestselling author of Wildfire and Icebreaker

The first book in the globally popular Playing for Keeps series.

For a shot at love, he’ll do whatever it takes…

Carter Beckett is the NHL’s best player―both on and off the ice. His career is at its peak, his friends are performing better than ever, and there’s no shortage of women to spend the night with. What more could he want?

Olivia Parker isn’t new to professional hockey players, thanks to her best friend’s boyfriend, but she has no interest in dating one herself―no matter how hot he is. And anyway, she loves working as a teacher and hanging out with her best friend, drama-free. Why would she want to spend her time stroking the ego of an arrogant athlete?

But once Carter meets Olivia, he can’t think of anything else. Too bad for him, Olivia is hellbent on keeping him at arm’s length, with no intention of giving into his charms. Perhaps it’s time for Carter to up his game…after all, nobody said he had to play fair.

Sparks will fly as Carter does whatever it takes for Olivia to consider him.

https://amzn.to/3MzXNJr

I have tried a couple of the “TikTok” sensation book series, or rather read the first book, or sometimes even only part of the first book, and not bothered with the rest. I didn’t have high hopes for this one, but I do like to try new authors and I figured eventually TikTok, or rather BookTok as it is affectionately known, would lead me to a good read. Becca Mack did just that.

Just to clarify – I rarely go on TikTok. I am a reader and not a fan of the short video. Or the longer, YouTube or whatever video. When I want to know how to reset the timer on my coffeemaker, I do not want to slog through a five minute video. Just tell me what buttons to push and be done with it. But I digress.

This book is the first of a series, I have them all on my Kindle, and I’m looking forward to the rest. That said, I do have some criticism here. The book is too long and too repetitive; he’s huge, she’s tiny, we get it and don’t need to be told that over and over and over. It is also searingly hot, so if you don’t like reading sex scenes, this is definitely not your book. I’d guess at least half the book contains sex scenes; if it isn’t half, it felt like half, so same difference.

This is a hockey romance, so I love that. Big, burly hockey players with a heart of gold and the willingness to do whatever it takes to get the girl works for me. Carter is a fun character; dorky, sweet, hot as hell, and willing to give up his man-whore ways for Olivia. Olivia, the best friend of Carter’s best friend/teammate’s fiancee who has been warned away – actually, they’ve both been sternly warned away from each other but attraction cannot always be held at bay.

Olivia is a petite woman whose hockey-player-possible-boyfriend has always gone out with tall supermodel types, which doesn’t help her insecurities. Nor does the fact that any time they are out together, or he is out with the team, women just throw themselves at him. She also has trust issues, so this is not going to be an easy road to a relationship. On the opposite end, Carter has never been in a relationship longer than a weekend, so this is all new to him. But lots and lots of sex and fun and Oreos later, Olivia and Carter reach their happily ever after. Next up: book 2, Play With Me.

9/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

CONSIDER ME by Becka Mack. Zando – Slowburn (September 3, 2024). ISBN:‎ 978-1638932413. 480p.

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Boneyard Key, Book 1

From the publisher:

It’s love at first haunting in a seaside town that raises everyone’s spirits from USA Today bestselling author Jen DeLuca.

Small Florida coastal towns often find themselves scrambling for the tourism dollars that the Orlando theme parks leave behind. And within the town limits of Boneyard Key, the residents decided long ago to lean into its ghostliness. Nick Royer, owner of the Hallowed Grounds coffee shop, embraces the ghost tourism that keeps the local economy afloat, as well as his spectral roommate. At least he doesn’t have to run air-conditioning.

Cassie Rutherford possibly overreacted to all her friends getting married and having kids by leaving Orlando and buying a flipped historic cottage in Boneyard Key. Though there’s something unusual with her new home (her laptop won’t charge in any outlets, and the poetry magnets on her fridge definitely didn’t read “WRONG” and “MY HOUSE” when she put them up), she’s charmed by the colorful history surrounding her. And she’s catching a certain vibe from the grumpy coffee shop owner whenever he slips her a free slice of banana bread along with her coffee order.

As Nick takes her on a ghost tour, sharing town gossip that tourists don’t get to hear, and they spend nights side-by-side looking into the former owners of her haunted cottage, their connection solidifies into something very real and enticing. But Cassie’s worried she’s in too deep with this whole (haunted) home ownership thing…and Nick’s afraid to get too close in case Cassie gets scared away for good.

A LibraryReads Pick!

“DeLuca (Well Matched, 2021) imbues her characters with heart (even the dead ones), making this a feel-good read spiced with romance, friendships, and mystery. It is a delightful escape. Readers will enjoy the gentle haunting and ghostly communication along with the sweet love story.” –Booklist

“Boneyard Key has all the small-town charm a contemporary romance reader could want, with a slightly scary addition that adds a thrill without courting nightmares. A must-buy where romantic comedies are popular.” –Library Journal

https://amzn.to/4g8vAGW

I loved Jen DeLuca’s first series, Well Met, so I was eagerly anticipating the start of this new series. I don’t read much in the paranormal romance genre, so hauntings and ghosts usually aren’t in my repertoire, but if DeLuca writes it, I’m going to read it, and I loved this book, ghosts and all.

Boneyard Key, a fictitious small town on Florida’s west coast, is a huge tourist attraction because of all the hauntings. All the businesses promote their town’s ghosts, and there is even a ghost tour. Cassie has just moved there from Orlando, having scoured the state to find a home she could afford. Little does she know that she has purchased the Hawkins House, a home that was deserted for decades until a couple of investors bought it, did a bare bones flip, and now it’s Cassie’s home. She also didn’t know that it came with a ghost, mean old Mrs. Hawkins.

Down the street is Haunted Grounds, a lovely cafe where Cassie ends up when her laptop refuses to charge in her new home. The cafe owner, Nick, is surprised to hear where she is living and offers up the town handyman to look into her wiring issues. Nick is related to one of the founding families of Boneyard Creek, and he, too, lives with a ghost. Like Cassie, Nick bought the business for a song since the previous several owners couldn’t handle the ghostly interference.

This is all fun and games until Cassie puts some magnetic poetry on her refrigerator and her ghost starts leaving her messages. Slightly freaked out, Cassie isn’t sure she is going to stay, no matter how cute the local barista is. Oh yes, there is a strong attraction between Cassie and Nick, but Nick has serious issues with people leaving him. He doesn’t want to get involved with Cassie because she isn’t sure she is staying.

This is another charming DeLuca read and is supernaturally fun, something I don’t say very often (ever?!) The ghosts are more in the vein of Disney’s Haunted Mansion than Poltergeist. I loved this little town and its inhabitants, real and revenant, and I’m looking forward to the next book in this new series.

9/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

HAUNTED EVER AFTER by Jen DeLuca. Berkley (August 13, 2024). ISBN:‎ 978-0593641217. 352p.

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From the publisher:

Most Anticipated by Goodreads, Cosmo, E! News, and more!

Two best friends who haven’t spoken in ten years pretend to date after break-ups with their respective exes go viral, in this delightfully fun and deeply emotional novel from New York Times bestselling author Emma Lord.

June and Levi were best friends as teenagers―until the day they weren’t. Now June is struggling to make rent on her beachside tea shop, Levi is living a New York cliché as a disillusioned hedge fund manager and failed novelist, and they’ve barely spoken in years.

But after they both experience public, humiliating break-ups with their exes that spread like wildfire across TikTok rabbit holes and daytime talk shows alike, they accidentally make some juicy gossip of their own―a photo of them together has the internet convinced they’re a couple. With so many people rooting for them, they decide to put aside their rocky past and make a pact to fuel the fire. Pretending to date will help June’s shop get back on its feet and make Levi’s ex realize that she made a mistake. All they have to do is convince the world they’re in love, one swoon-worthy photo opp at a time.

Two viral break-ups. One fake relationship. Five sparkling, heart-pounding dates. June and Levi can definitely pull this off without their hearts getting involved. Because everyone knows fake dating doesn’t come with real feelings. Right?

A LibraryReads Pick!

“Light, feel-good fare that’s perfect for the beach.” – Publishers Weekly

“A relatable rollercoaster for anyone who has ever found themself at an impasse in life…a charming story about the power of second chances.” – Kirkus (Starred Review)

“The perfect small-town romance for summer…for fans of Sarah Adams and Emily Henry.” – Library Journal

https://amzn.to/46VWbTA

June and Levi were best friends in high school, had a falling out, and haven’t spoken since. June just got dumped on TV and turned in a “crying girl” meme. Levi, a writer, also has a very public breakup when his fiancee leaves him for an A-list celebrity. They both end up in their hometown of Benson Beach to lick their wounds.

June lost her sister and has taken over her tea cafe. But her heart isn’t in it without her sister, and business reflects that. Levi is having difficulty with his book and a deadline is looming. He starts writing in the tea cafe, and June and Levi fall into an easy friendship after all those years. When a picture of the two of them goes viral, they decide to cash in on it and start fake dating, with June’s friend documenting their dates on social media. Business is booming at the tea cafe, with tourists wanting to take selfies with the crying girl and her new hot boyfriend. Not to mention both of their exes are getting jealous.

This seems like a win-win for both of them. Levi wants to get back together with his ex, and while June is glad her ex is gone, she is starting to develop feelings for Levi. He is fighting the same feelings and it all blows up eventually, but there is a lot of angst and plenty of laughs along their journey.

The fake dating trope is extremely popular, and this is a good example of why. I personally don’t know anyone who has ever fake-dated, but I guess it must be a thing as there are so many romance novels based on it. If you like your beach read with some laughs and some heat, this is your book! It is a fast, fun read.

8/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE BREAK-UP PACT by Emma Lord. Griffin (August 13, 2024). ISBN:‎ 978-1250845306. 320p.

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A Love in Galway Novel, Book 1

From the publisher:

TikTok sensation Morbidly Yours, an opposites-attract romantic dramedy about a shy, demisexual Irish mortician who must marry by his 35th birthday to keep his beloved family business, and the Texan widow escaping her past who moves in next door.

Falling for the wrong person? Bury your feelings.

Painfully shy Callum Flannelly would rather dive into an open grave than take a stranger to dinner. But he can only inherit the family undertaking business under one condition: He must marry before his 35th birthday. Texan animator Lark Thompson moved to Galway, Ireland, to restart her life and career, not be reminded of losing her husband by moving in next to a funeral home.

But when she learns of Callum’s dilemma, Lark’s certain she can help him find The One, even if she’s sworn off love herself. Though as the dating project progresses and Lark spends more time with straight-laced, sarcastic Callum, he starts to crack the ice around her grieving heart. And the more joy that vivacious Lark brings to Callum’s grey existence, the less he can imagine letting her return to Texas.

If they think they can ignore their connection, they’re dead wrong.

“[A] charming romance…Poignant and heartwarming, this is a quirky love story you won’t forget.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred)

“The setting is unique, and Fairbanks is admirably frank about death and grieving… Callum himself is an admirable hero, with impressive depths…This will appeal to readers who don’t mind some death in their “til death do us part.” –Publishers Weekly

“With a fantastic Irish setting; sensitive portrayals of demisexuality, grief, and workplace misogyny; and a sexy friends-to-lovers romance, Fairbanks makes an excellent debut.” –Library Journal

An LA Times Romance Novel to Heat Up Your Summer
An August LibraryReads Pick

https://amzn.to/46KULLC

I think this was my first romance with an undertaker as the main love interest, but it worked!

Lark is a young widow, and she is tired of talking about it. When an opportunity comes up for her to work in Ireland for nine months, she jumps at the chance to escape. She moves into her new apartment which she believes is next to a Bed & Breakfast – their sign is in Irish Gaelic with no English translation. She decides to pop in to say hello and is shocked to find Callum, her new neighbor, is an undertaker. The building is, in fact, a funeral home, not the B&B she was expecting. Lark’s previous experience with a funeral home was when her husband died, and they tried to upsell her and rip her off in a myriad of ways, so she’s not too interested. But there is something about Callum…

Callum grew up in the family business and takes his work seriously. His grandfather raised him as his parents weren’t interested and took off. But when his “granda” dies, Callum is devastated to find that the only way he can inherit the family business is if he is married by age 35. At 34, the clock is ticking with nary a prospect on the horizon. Callum has a stutter and consequently has difficulties in talking to the opposite sex. He also isn’t the type to just fall in bed with anyone; he needs to feel an emotional connection before he makes a physical connection.

Lark bursts into his life like a ray of sunshine. She doesn’t appear to be bothered at all by his stutter and is kind, sweet, and patient. In need of friends herself, Lark quickly befriends Callum, despite his initial standoffishness. She enjoys her new co-workers, well, most of them. There is one who apparently wanted the job she got and does not hesitate to make that known or to belittle her and her work as often as he can. So Callum is a bit of respite from that problem. But she has no interest in ever marrying again. She blames herself (and so does her sister-in-law) for her husband’s death and doesn’t want to ever feel that way again.

Lark decides to help Callum find the wife he desperately needs. Dating apps and the subsequent dates from hell gleaned from them add some humor here. This is a slow burn, opposites attract romance that really works. If you were a fan of Six Feet Under (I loved it!) this book has some of that same appeal in the setting.

Their duplicate deadlines – Lark’s time in Ireland is fast coming to a close, and 35 is mere months away for Callum – dictate a moment of sudden realization, an epiphany if you will, for the both of them. There are some very steamy moments and some real obstacles along the way to their happily ever after. I am really looking forward to the next book in the series.

8/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

MORBIDLY YOURS by Ivy Fairbanks.  G.P. Putnam’s Sons (August 20, 2024). ISBN:‎ 978-0593851869. 352p.

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From the publisher:

A REESE’S BOOK CLUB PICK

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Eleanor & Park and Attachments comes Slow Dance—a novel of true love and friendship.

Back in high school, everybody thought Shiloh and Cary would end up together . . . everybody but Shiloh and Cary.

They were just friends. Best friends. Allies. They spent entire summers sitting on Shiloh’s porch steps, dreaming about the future. They were both going to get out of north Omaha—Shiloh would go to go to college and become an actress, and Cary would join the Navy. They promised each other that their friendship would never change.

Well, Shiloh did go to college, and Cary did join the Navy. And yet, somehow, everything changed.

Now Shiloh’s thirty-three, and it’s been fourteen years since she talked to Cary. She’s been married and divorced. She has two kids. And she’s back living in the same house she grew up in. Her life is nothing like she planned.

When she’s invited to an old friend’s wedding, all Shiloh can think about is whether Cary will be there—and whether she hopes he will be. Would Cary even want to talk to her? After everything?

The answer is yes. And yes. And yes.

Slow Dance is the story of two kids who fell in love before they knew enough about love to recognize it. Two friends who lost everything. Two adults who just feel lost.

It’s the story of Shiloh and Cary, who everyone thought would end up together, trying to find their way back to the start.

“A will-they, won’t-they second chance romance for the ages, this one is poised to be one of summer’s breakout hits.” —People

“Rowell takes her time revealing the couple’s origins as high-school besties, the conflicts they helped each other through as teens in working-class families and those they’re dealing with now, the long period of silence between them, and the undeniable glimmers of their enduring mutual attraction. Their dance is sweet and sexy, and Rowell draws out the whole, simmering affair as she ping-pongs through her characters’ past and present. . . . [Slow Dance is] sure to be a crowd-pleaser.”— Booklist (starred review)

“Rich, real, and emotionally raw, this satisfying contemporary is sure to impress.”  — Publishers Weekly

https://amzn.to/3SFJuq8

This is Rowell’s first adult novel in ten years, so I was very excited about it. I read all of her earlier books and loved them. I met her at the American Library Association’s annual conference many years ago, and loved her! She verged off into graphic novels after writing a couple of novels with some graphic elements, but I am not a fan of graphic novels (for the most part), so I didn’t read them. All that said, as much as I was looking forward to this book, I almost didn’t finish it.

The “slow” of the title is appropriate. I was maybe a quarter of the way in and put it down. It felt like nothing was happening of any consequence, and I wasn’t invested enough with these characters to care. But then I saw Reese Witherspoon had selected it for her book club, and I almost always like the books she chooses, so I picked it back up. At about three-quarters of the way through, I finally felt invested. We are talking super s-l-o-wwwwwwwww here. I realize not every book has to be fast-paced, but that is my preference whether a romance, a thriller, or anything else.

Cary and Shiloh grew up together as the best of friends. But then life happened; he joined the Navy, and she went off to college. They got together once during that time, but hadn’t spoken in many years before a mutual friend’s wedding brought them back together. But it took a lot more time for them to really find their way back to one another as friends, and a lot more time after that to find their way into love and a lasting relationship.

Neither of them had good role models growing up. They both came from toxic, dysfunctional families and really were the glue that held them together. Now Shiloh is back home, living with her mother, and trying to raise her two kids alone. Luckily, her mother is a better grandmother than she was a mother.

Carey is dealing with an elderly parent who needs more help than his half-siblings care to give her, so he is constantly having to step in, taking leave from the Navy as he can. As he and Shiloh become friends again, she starts helping with his mom as well. It seems like they both have emotional and mental struggles that need more attention than they are getting.

Eventually, they realize they are in love and find their happy ending, but it is such a long, difficult road to get there. I did end up liking this book, but not to harp on it or anything (and sorry if I’m being too repetitive), it was slow going.

8/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

SLOW DANCE by Rainbow Rowell. William Morrow (July 30, 2024). ISBN:‎ 978-0063380196. 400p.

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From the publisher:

Ali Hazelwood promises “the cello scene in this book will change your life” in this Reylo-inspired grumpy-sunshine romance full of sharp banter, deep emotion, and irresistible humor.  
 
When professional—and self-taught—violinist Gwen Jackson plays, she disappears into the peaks and valleys of each song, a quiet passion that never quite explodes into pure emotion. Xander Thorne is the exact opposite. A cellist and a rock star, he’s all about big emotion, but not even his six-foot-four frame can contain his skill, his genius . . . and an attitude that borders on jerkitude. 

Not only did it take Xander a year to notice that he and Gwen both play in the Manhattan Pops, but he also always seems to have the perfect cutting criticism about her technique. When Gwen is offered the role of first chair of the orchestra, something Xander has secretly coveted for years, their existing hostility goes up a notch. Yet, despite her best efforts, Gwen can’t ignore the sizzling chemistry between them.
           
Forced to work more closely with each other, they can’t help exploring their attraction. As they begin to compose and play songs together, it’s clear that their powerful connection could make for a performance that would blow everyone’s minds. Suddenly, they’re box office dynamite, and the fragile romance growing between them is in danger of being crushed beneath a publicity stunt.

https://amzn.to/3y419kh

Gwen is an orphan who was raised by her grandfather, and now he’s gone, too. She is a violin prodigy, started playing when she was a child and her teacher owned a music store. While she is trying to decide if she wants to audition again for Julliard, she is playing in the Manhattan Pops orchestra. The first chair, Ava, is married to the conductor and the two of them run the Pops. When they lose a major grant, they decide that Ava will retire and they audition Gwen for first chair. At 22, she would be the youngest first chair in the history of first chairs, and the board decides the publicity alone would garner them enough money to keep the Pops going.

One of the cellists is Xander, who is known for playing original rock music on an electric cello along with a few other bandmates. They are owned by their manager in one of those contracts that seem like something out of The Godfather.

Gwen and her roommate. a gay pianist, are hired to play a weekend wedding. But when she gets there. the wedding planner realizes she wanted a cellist. Xander happens to be in the wedding party, and get gives Gwen his cello to use. Since Gwen once played the cello, no problem! I get the sight reading at a concert – my daughter is a talented musician, and it was amazing to me to see her high school orchestra get a piece of music, read it once through, then perform it so I know that can easily be done by decent musicians, never mind professionals. And I’ve seen my daughter switch instruments to ones she’d never played when they needed her to fill in, so I know that is plausible as well. I mention this because some of the negative reviews I’ve seen of this book just couldn’t buy these things happening, but I know it is entirely possible and have seen it myself. But I digress!

Turns out Xander is a truly gifted musician, plays cello and violin, and composes. When he and Gwen start playing together. the heat is palpable even if we can’t hear the music. There is a lot of drama between them and the Pops and Xander’s rock band, but eventually they reach their happy ending. and it was a treat getting there. Even if you know nothing about music, this is still a wonderful glimpse into that world and a terrific romance. Don’t miss it! I actually have this author’s first book, Forget Me Not, on my Kindle so will be reading and reviewing that one shortly.

Note: I had no idea what a “Reylo-inspired grumpy-sunshine romance” was but it turns Reylo is “a nickname for the romantic relationship between Star Wars characters Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and Rey Skywalker (Daisy Ridley.)” Apparently, there is a ton of fanfiction about them, some of which have become bestselling novels, including Ali Hazelwood’s The Love Hypothesis. It is her blurb at the top of this page that sent me down this particular rabbit hole. 

7/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

NOT ANOTHER LOVE SONG by Julie Soto. Forever (July 16, 2024). ISBN:‎ 978-1538740910. 384p.

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