Women’s Fiction | Stacy Alesi's BookBitch.com™

Spotlight Review: THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE COMMON OCTOPUS by Emma Knight

March 4, 2025

From the publisher:

A witty, atmospheric, and brilliantly told novel that offers compelling portraits of womanhood, motherhood and female friendship, along with the irresistible intrigue surrounding an extraordinary British family

Arriving at the University of Edinburgh for her first term, Pen knows her divorced parents back in Canada are hiding something from her. She believes she’ll find the answer here in Scotland, where an old friend of her father’s—now a famous writer known as Lord Lennox—lives. When she is invited to spend the weekend at Lord Lennox’s centuries-old estate with his enveloping, fascinating family, Pen begins to unravel her parents’ secret, just as she’s falling in love for the first time . . .

As Pen experiences the sharp shock of adulthood, she comes to rely on herself for the first time in her life. A rich and rewarding novel of campus life, of sexual awakening, and ultimately, of the many ways women can become mothers in this world, The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus asks to what extent we need to look back in order to move forward.

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“Knight’s gorgeously intimate, cleverly insightful wordsmithing will certainly impress and entertain.”—Booklist

https://amzn.to/42fXg8H

Two friends from Toronto, Pen and Alice, begin their first year at the University of Edinburgh. Over the course of the year, the novel explores their journey as they grow both together and apart, forming new friendships and navigating romantic relationships. Pen also delves into her family’s past by tracing one of her father’s old university friends in Scotland from the 1980s, seeking answers about her parents’ divorce and her unusual middle name.

This book is a nostalgic read, filled with themes of female friendship, empowerment, first love, and family secrets. Both Pen and Alice’s storylines showcase their development as young women in the early 2000s. The author tackles complex issues such as sexual misconduct through a student-professor affair, infidelity, single motherhood, and more, weaving these narratives into a rich tapestry of life and relationships.

Unfortunately, the book really dragged for me. I kept picking it up and putting it down, and that’s never a good sign. It was very slow, but because it was a book recommended by Jenna Bush and was published by Pamela Dorman, whose books I usually adore, I plodded on, but it wasn’t worth it.

Finally, the title kinda pissed me off – it made me think of the fabulous Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, which I’m sure was a deliberate choice, and trust me, it had nothing in common with that book. The octopus doesn’t even show up until almost the end, and it is no Marcellus! The octopus is used as a metaphor over the course of a page or two, and that’s it. So, if you are looking for charm, look elsewhere.

Normally, I wouldn’t even have finished this book and I should have trusted my instincts. I really hate to pan a first novel, but with all the marketing and buzz this book has gotten, I’m going to live with it. I know some people love it, but I am not one of them.

1/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE COMMON OCTOPUS by Emma Knight. Pamela Dorman Books (January 7, 2025). ISBN: 978-0593830451. 384p.

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Spotlight Review: WHAT IT’S LIKE IN WORDS by Eliza Moss

December 3, 2024

From the publisher:

Eliza Moss’s intoxicating debut novel is a dark, intense, and compelling account of what happens when a young woman falls in love with the wrong kind of man.

Enola is approaching 30 and everything feels like a lot. The boxes aren’t ticked and she feels adrift in a way she thought she would have beaten by now. She wants to be a writer but can’t finish a first draft; she romanticizes her childhood but won’t speak to her mother; she has never been in a serious relationship but yearns to be one half of a couple that DIYs together at the weekends.

Enter: enigmatic writer. Enola falls in love and starts to dream about their perfect future: the wedding, the publishing deals, the house in Stoke Newington. But the reality is far from perfect. He’s distant. But she’s a Cool Girl, she doesn’t need to hear from him every day. He hangs out with his ex. But she’s a Cool Girl, she’s not insecure. Is she? He has dark moods. But he’s a creative, that’s part of his ‘process’. Her best friend begs her to end it, but Enola can’t. She’s a Cool Girl.

She might feel like she’s going crazy at times, but she wants him. She needs him. She would die without him…That’s what love is, isn’t it? Over the next twenty-four hours (and two years), everything that Enola thinks she knows is about to unravel, and she has to think again about how she sees love, family, and friendship and―most importantly―herself.

With notes of Fleabag & I May Destroy You but with the sparseness and emotional accuracy of writers like Ali Smith and Lily King, What It’s Like in Words is a close examination of what it means to experience the intense emotional uncertainty of first love.

“It’s an arresting portrait of manipulation.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Dynamic debut … A searing novel about why we love people who are bad for us.”―Kirkus
https://amzn.to/3Au1PAD

This debut novel is about a young woman so desperate for love that she falls into a dysfunctional relationship. Enola works as a barista by day with her best friend, Sarah, and is an aspiring writer by night. She is having difficulty with the actual writing process, and when she meets B at her writer’s group, there is an instant attraction. Enola becomes obsessed with him, but what she doesn’t realize is that B is a master manipulator. Enola lost her father when she was young, and her relationship with her mother is fragile at best. B’s constant cutting remarks cut deep and while Sarah tries to be supportive, she can’t help reminding Enola that she deserves more. Eventually, Enola manages to extricate herself and immediately falls for someone else. But B isn’t letting her go that easily, and it takes more courage than Enola thinks she has to move on.

Verdict: Obsessive love is at the heart of this compulsively readable debut novel, and should appeal to fans of Colleen Hoover.

©Library Journal, 2024

12/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

WHAT IT’S LIKE IN WORDS by Eliza Moss. Henry Holt and Co. (December 3, 2024). ISBN: 978-1250355058. 320p.

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Spotlight Review: COUNTING MIRACLES by Nicholas Sparks

October 8, 2024

From the publisher:

From the acclaimed author of The Longest Ride and The Notebook comes an emotional, powerful novel about wondering if we can change—or even make our peace with—the path we’ve taken.

Tanner Hughes was raised by his grandparents, following in his grandfather’s military footsteps to become an Army Ranger. His whole life has been spent abroad, and he is the proverbial rolling stone: happiest when off on his next adventure, zero desire to settle down. But when his grandmother passes away, her last words to him are find where you belong. She also drops a bombshell, telling him the name of the father he never knew—and where to find him.

Tanner is due at his next posting soon, but his curiosity is piqued, and he sets out for Asheboro, North Carolina, to ask around. He’s been in town less than twenty-four hours when he meets Kaitlyn Cooper, a doctor and single mom. They both feel an immediate connection; Tanner knows Kaitlyn has a story to tell, and he wants to hear it. To Kaitlyn, Tanner is mysterious, exciting—and possibly leaving in just a few weeks.

Meanwhile, nearby, eighty-three-year-old Jasper lives alone in a cabin bordering a national forest. With only his old dog, Arlo, for company, he lives quietly, haunted by a tragic accident that took place decades before. When he hears rumors that a white deer has been spotted in the forest—a creature of legend that inspired his father and grandfather—he becomes obsessed with protecting the deer from poachers.

As these characters’ fates orbit closer together, none of them is expecting a miracle . . . but that may be exactly what is about to alter their futures forever.

“The romance between Tanner and the doctor sizzles, and Sparks is a master at creating fully developed, sympathetic characters with complete and compelling backstories. Readers will be drawn into this touching story of hope, faith, and love, and Spark’s many fans will find just what they’re looking for.”—Booklist, starred review

“Bestseller Sparks brings all the emotion fans expect in his heart-tugging latest. . . . Sparks enriches Kaitlyn and Tanner’s love story with a striking supporting cast, especially Kaitlyn’s kids, Casey and Mitch, and an elderly neighbor named Jasper. The mystery of Tanner’s parentage finally unravels at the story’s end, delivering an emotionally satisfying finale. This is sure to be another hit for Sparks.”—Publishers Weekly

https://amzn.to/3zMTxTU

I was a bookseller for Borders when The Notebook came out. My mom asked me to get her a copy – she wasn’t much of a reader, maybe read a book a year, but I was happy to get it for her. I had an appointment to get my brakes done, and since I had the book with me, I started reading it. I finished it before they finished my brakes, and had to pay through my tears. I didn’t pick up another Sparks book for many years.

Ron Charles of The Washington Post reviewed this, and snarky as his review was, it was the headline that grabbed my attention: “Nicholas Sparks knows what he’s doing; Sparks’s new romance novel, “Counting Miracles,” might be just the escape readers are looking for.” He followed that up with “As a professional book reviewer, confessing how much I enjoyed “Counting Miracles” is almost more humiliation than I can bear, but what can I say?” The snark got deep after that, but I was intrigued, so I started reading. As with most of Sparks’ books, at least the few I’ve read, once you start, it is almost impossible to stop, and that was certainly the case here. I am also happy to say I didn’t find myself in tears as I turned the last page. I also didn’t know how religious his books could be, and this one has enough bible quotes to please any fan of inspirational fiction, I’m sure. There is also just the intimation of sex – they kiss, and the next scene is a few hours later getting dressed. So maybe not inspirational enough. What do I know?

The story revolves around Tanner Hughes, an ex-military man who has traveled and worked all over the world, eventually as part of the elite Rangers, then Delta Force, followed by some private security work for organizations doing good work, like vaccinating kids in Africa. Raised by his grandparents after his mother died in childbirth, he never knew who his father was. As his grandmother lay dying, she told him his father’s name and the town he was from; Asheboro, North Carolina. Although he’s a young man, Tanner is basically retired until he agrees to go work with a friend in Cameroon, but before he leaves, he hits the road visiting friends until he finally arrives in Asheboro.

His first night there, a teenager backs up her Suburban into his brand new muscle car. Being the gentleman that he is, he calms her down and drives her home. There he meets her mom, Kaitlyn, and there is instant attraction. Kaitlyn has been divorced for several years, and has two kids. She is a doctor that does quite a bit of volunteer work, too. While theirs is the romance in this story, there is another plot line.

Jasper lives nearby and has been teaching Kaitlyn’s young son how to whittle, a lost art for sure. We slowly learn Jasper’s incredibly biblical backstory, and it is pretty easy to figure out where these two plotlines will intersect. Nevertheless, the fun is in getting there.

The scenery is beautiful, the characters full realized, and the story moves along at a good pace. While there are a few pages that had me tearing up on occasion, it is not his usual weepie, especially since there is a happy ending. This book is on par with a Hallmark romance movie – if you like those, you will like this. I did.

10/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

COUNTING MIRACLES by Nicholas Sparks. Random House (September 24, 2024). ISBN:‎ 978-0593449592. 368p.

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Spotlight Review: THE BANNED BOOKS CLUB by Brenda Novak

September 27, 2024

From the publisher:

She left her hometown following a scandal—but family loyalty is dragging her back…

Despite their strained relationship, when Gia Rossi’s sister, Margot, begs her to come home to Wakefield, Iowa, to help with their ailing mother, Gia knows she has no choice. After her rebellious and at-times-tumultuous teen years, Gia left town with little reason to look back. But she knows Margot’s borne the brunt of their mother’s care and now it’s Gia’s turn to help, even if it means opening old wounds.

As expected, Gia’s homecoming is far from welcome. There’s the Banned Books Club she started after the PTA overzealously slashed the high school reading list, which is right where she left it. But there is also Mr. Hart, her former favorite teacher. The one who was fired after Gia publicly and painfully accused him of sexual misconduct. The one who prompted Gia to leave behind a very conflicted town the minute she turned eighteen. The one person she hoped never to see again.

When Margot leaves town without explanation, Gia sees the cracks in her sister’s “perfect” life for the first time and plans to offer support. But as the town, including members of the book club, takes sides between Gia and Mr. Hart, everything gets harder. Fortunately, she learns that there are people she can depend on. And by standing up for the truth, she finds love and a future in the town she thought had rejected her.

“Filled with mystery and drama, coupled with themes of family ties and secrets. This page-turner will not disappoint.”—Booklist

https://amzn.to/4epTDjf

Regular readers of this blog know I am horrified by the book bannings going on all over this country, especially in Florida where I live. I was happy to see Novak take on the topic in her latest, and while I applaud her for bringing this topic gently into her readers’ hands, I would have liked to see a bit more about the problem. That said, I am truly grateful for the books she does mention.

Gia’s mother is dying of cancer, and while her father is amazing, her sister Margot has been the one to take on a lot of her care. But Margot knows the end is coming soon, and she begs Gia to come home and spend some time with their mother, and give Margot a bit of respite. What Margot doesn’t tell Gia is that she is planning on leaving her husband, and needs Gia there for their mom before she can disappear.

Gia has never liked Margot’s husband, but Margot rarely says a bad word about him and, in fact, defends him as needed. What she is too ashamed to admit is that he is extremely abusive to her – not physically, but emotionally. And those scars run just as deep.

Gia left town as a teenager after her favorite teacher molested her. When she reported him, it created a major division in the small town. He was convicted, but never confessed or admitted anything, and blamed Gia for making it up due to a bad grade. His son is the town veterinarian, and he has moved into the house behind Gia’s family. As her presence becomes known, the town starts dividing up once again. Gia never felt like she had much support – even her parents weren’t especially supportive. But when she starts talking with Cormac, the teacher’s son, he comes to realize that maybe she wasn’t lying after all.

Eventually, the truth comes out and Gia is vindicated in the eyes of the town. Gia and Cormac fall in love and find their happy ending. This was a really good read with a lot of heart, that delved into some serious topics. Very well done.

9/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE BANNED BOOKS CLUB by Brenda Novak. MIRA; Original edition (September 17, 2024). ISBN:‎ 978-0778387329. 352p.

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Spotlight Review: LOVE STORY by Lindsey Kelk

September 24, 2024

From the publisher:

She’s a small-town schoolteacher, he’s a hotshot creative director. Together, it’s hate at first sight.

Sophie Taylor has a secret and Joe Walsh is the last person she’d tell. He’s devilishly handsome, incredibly hot – and far too sure of himself.

But Sophie desperately needs his help.

Because she’s not just hiding something small. She is Este Cox, the mysterious romance author the entire world is desperate to unmask.

When a trip to the countryside means sharing a cottage with only one bed, it’s a short step to sharing a whole lot more besides… Can Sophie trust Joe with the truth – and be herself?

https://amzn.to/4epTDjf

“What can you say about a 25-year-old girl who died?”

Oops, wrong Love Story. But that’s what I think of with that title. I know the Erich Segal book is decades old, but so am I. I read it over and over again when I was in junior high school. Teen girls always love a good tear jerker! And I loved the movie, too. Now it is looked on as something of a joke (“Love means never having to say you’re sorry) but in my defense, it was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Picture. But I digress.

Kelk’s Love Story is a whole different kettle of fish. Sophie Taylor grew up in the publishing business. Her mother is a revered literary critic, and her father edits some of the best writers in the world. Her brother is a literary agent, and Sophie is an elementary school teacher. Yep, missed the family business all together. Or did she? Turns out Sophie has written one of the bestselling romances; it reminded me of the brouhaha with Fifty Shades of Grey. with a little less kink. But she published it under a pseudonym, Este Cox, and everyone is dying to meet her. Her brother is her agent, her uncle is her publisher, and they’re not telling, as much as they want to. Everything comes to a head at her father’s 60th birthday weekend lollapalooza.

Sophie’s young sister, who has just turned 18, is also in the family business – she’s opening a bookstore and is a social media book influencer. And Butterflies by Este Cox is her favorite book. Sophie meets Joe Walsh at the party. Turns out he is her father’s best friend/nemesis’s son and is good-looking and quite the charmer. There is a strong attraction between Sophie and Joe, but Sophie has been hurt before and is leery of letting anyone get close. But this is a rom-com, so due to the over capacity crowd, Joe is invited to share the guest cottage with Sophie, against her wishes, may I add.

Forced proximity is always a fan fave, as is sharing the one bed. And falling fast, especially when he falls first. As the literati gather for the party – many, many famous names are dropped here – the talk turns to the publishing sensation that is Este Cox. Turns out Joe has figured out Sophie’s secret, but he won’t out her. Instead, he declares that he is Este Cox, making everyone rethink what they know of the bestselling romance.

Lots of hijinks ensue, the truth eventually comes out, and family relationships are buoyed, but Joe and Sophie have hit a brick wall. Can this relationship be saved? You’ll have to read it, but it is a romance so….yes. This was an enjoyable read; I especially loved all the literary name-dropping, but I would have liked a bit more depth to the actual romance.

9/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

LOVE STORY by Lindsey Kelk. HarperCollins (September 17, 2024). ISBN:‎ 978-0008695484. 384p.

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Spotlight Review: THE BOOK SWAP by Tessa Bickers

September 17, 2024

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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Spotlight Review: CONSIDER ME by Becka Mack

September 10, 2024

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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Spotlight Review: HAUNTED EVER AFTER by Jen DeLuca

September 3, 2024

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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Spotlight Review: THE BREAK-UP PACT by Emma Lord

August 27, 2024

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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Spotlight Review: MORBIDLY YOURS by Ivy Fairbanks

August 20, 2024

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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