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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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From the publisher:

AN INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLER

The romantic and hilarious story of a professional organizer whose life is a mess, and the summer she gets unstuck with the help of someone unexpected from her past, by the bestselling author of Nora Goes Off Script.

Benefits of a summer romance: It’s always fun, always brief, and no one gets their heart broken.

Ali Morris is a professional organizer whose own life is a mess. Her mom died two years ago, then her husband left, and she hasn’t worn pants with a zipper in longer than she cares to remember.

No one is more surprised than Ali when the first time she takes off her wedding ring and puts on pants with hardware—overalls count, right?—she meets someone. Or rather, her dog claims a man for her…by peeing on him. Ethan smiles at Ali like her pants are just right—like he likes what he sees. He looks at her like she’s a younger, braver version of herself. The last thing newly single mom Ali needs is to make her life messier, but there’s no harm in a little summer romance. Is there?

A Parade Best Beach Read
A Today Show Best Summer Read
A BookBub Best Romance of the Year
A PureWow Best Beach Read of the Summer
A Brit & Co Perfect Beach Read
A Southern Bride Best Beach Read
A Marie Claire Beach Read to Devour While Soaking Up the Sun This Summer

“The ideal beach read.”—Publishers Weekly (starred)

“The romance strikes the perfect balance of stomach-butterflies and the realities of dating with kids. Sweetly satisfying.” —Booklist (starred)

“May as well have been created in a laboratory to be the perfect beach read.” –Seattle Times

“Easy, breezy, and big-hearted, Summer Romance is quintessential poolside reading.” —theSkimm

https://amzn.to/4cSrv7O

Monaghan writes crazy good romances with interesting, well-developed characters and believable plotlines. This is another terrific read.

Single mom Ali is struggling to find her footing after losing her mom and then her husband. Her best friend is pressuring her to join the living and put on actual clothes rather than the sweats she’s been living in. Overalls it is, and when she heads to the dog park, she is completely embarrassed when her dog pees on Ethan, this gorgeous young guy. He’s probably too young for her, but maybe a fling would be helpful?

Turns out Ethan is the last person she should be dating, but the attraction is real on both sides. But this book is about more than just the romance; we see Ali growing into herself and recovering from two of the most devastating losses a woman can have. Her three kids add some levity and lightness, and there is some serious flirting going on, along with a bit of heat. The relationship dynamics are all part of the overarching themes here, from parenting to friendship to romance, and I couldn’t help but root for Ali to find her happy ever after. And it was a joy getting there!

7/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

SUMMER ROMANCE by Annabel Monaghan. G.P. Putnam’s Sons (June 4, 2024). ISBN:‎ 978-0593714089. 368p.

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From the publisher:

One impulsive lie leads to a weeklong adventure of fake dating for two bickering coworkers in this swoony destination wedding rom-com by Sajni Patel, author of The Trouble with Hating You.

Sunshine incarnate Bhanu brings big UX energy to whatever she does, including going for the promotion where her only serious competition is her work nemesis, AKA Sunny, the grump with the Denzel voice. She expected to get a reprieve from him while visiting her family in Hawai’i, but the universe has other plans. When Bhanu runs into Sunny at the hotel and witnesses his ex criticizing him about being single, Bhanu does the first thing that comes to mind: she impetuously claims to be Sunny’s girlfriend just to get some peace and quiet. Except Sunny is on island for a friend’s wedding and his ex has already texted the entire wedding party about this mysterious girlfriend.

Bhanu truly is the bane of Sunny’s existence. But the last thing he wants to do is cause tension during his friend’s wedding festivities, much less be the object of their pity. He has no choice except to play along, if only he and Bhanu can put aside their quarreling and act like a real couple.Between Bhanu’s hilariously meddling family and Sunny’s ecstatic friends, the two are pushed closer together, even as stress mounts over the impending promotion.

They say what happens on island, stays on island. But as Sunny and Bhanu let their guards down, will either of them be able to resist this romantic getaway without crossing the line?

“Patel (Isha, Unscripted) makes computer coding sexy in this winning enemies-to-lovers romance…. The supporting cast of Indian aunties charms, and the saltiness between the protagonists loses none of its oomph when it turns into sweetness. Readers will cheer for these two to find their well-deserved happily ever after.”—Publishers Weekly

“Patel (Isha, Unscripted) expertly designs a modern beach read and a sassy rom-com filled with fun tropes and a gratifying slow burn.”—Library Journal

“The lushly detailed Hawaiian setting provides a vivid backdrop to their delicious slow-burn romance.”—Booklist

https://amzn.to/465psdY

This was a very enjoyable read as I’ve come to expect from this author, and she never disappoints. I know less than nothing about computer coding and UX (luckily, an explanation is woven seamlessly into the story) yet it didn’t matter. Those are just jobs, and this is a romance!

This story encompasses some of my favorite romance tropes – enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and fake dating all rolled up into one good read. Sunny and Bhanu only know each other from all the online work calls they have together. They work in different departments but on the same projects, and their antagonism towards one another has led to betting pools among their co-workers. Bhanu’s sister lives in Hawaii and is the general manager of a large, luxurious resort where she gets amazing discounts. Bhanu flies out to spend a couple of weeks with her sister, but her peace is disturbed when Sunny shows up in the bar, his ex-girlfriend just ragging on him something awful.

As much as she dislikes Sunny and is very sorry he has shown up in the same hotel during her vacation, nonetheless, she can’t let this woman ruin her afternoon, so she takes her down a peg, claiming to be Sunny’s new girlfriend. Sunny and his ex are there for a mutual friend’s destination wedding, and the next thing you know, Bhanu is now part of the pre-wedding fun. Of course the more time they spend together, the more they realize everything they have in common and how much they actually like one another.

There is a job promotion waiting for one of them, lending another layer to their toxicity, but that resolved pretty much as I thought it might. This was a terrific beach read with some heat and some laughs, and I highly recommend it!

7/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE DESIGN OF US by Sajni Patel. Berkley (July 16, 2024). ISBN:‎ 978-0593547854. 368p.

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From the publisher:

For fans of Emily Henry, a debut about a rom-com screenwriter who doesn’t believe in love and a divorce attorney who does, forced together at their high school reunion fifteen years after their breakup

Molly Marks writes Hollywood rom-coms for a living—which is how she knows “romance” is a racket. The one and only time she was naive enough to fall in love was with her high school boyfriend, Seth—who she ghosted on the eve of graduation and hasn’t seen in fifteen years.

Seth Rubinstein believes in love, the grand, fated kind, despite his job as, well…one of Chicago’s most successful divorce attorneys. Over the last decade, he’s sought “the one” in countless bad dates and rushed relationships. He knows his soulmate is out there. But so far, no one can compare to Molly Marks, the first girl who broke his heart.

When Molly’s friends drag her to Florida for their fifteenth high school reunion, it is poetic justice that she’s forced to sit with Seth. Too many martinis and a drunken hookup later, they decide to make a whoever can predict the fate of five couples before the next reunion must declare that the other is right about true love. The catch? The fifth couple is the two of them.

Molly assures Seth they are a tale of timeless heartbreak. Seth promises she’ll end up hopelessly in love with him. She thinks he’s delusional. He has five years to prove her wrong.

Wickedly funny, sexy, and brimming with laughs and heart like the best romantic comedies, Just Some Stupid Love Story is for everyone who believes in soulmates—even if they would never admit it.

“A flirty, sexy read…Fresh and fun as hell―Katelyn Doyle is absolutely an author to watch.” ―People Magazine

“Refreshing…A joy to read…Much like When Harry Met Sally but with way more angst (and sex). Doyle creates a strong, winning chemistry between Molly and Seth…A smart, slightly meta romance that plays out like the best movies.” ―Kirkus (starred review)

“Doyle, who writes historical romance as Scarlett Peckham (“Society of Sirens” series), pens her first contemporary, a unique, sizzling second-chance rom-com with an HEA that will leave readers cheering.” ―Library Journal

And this is fun – “Featuring bright purple sprayed edges!” on the hardcover edition.

https://amzn.to/4ck9YoZ

This is the author’s first contemporary romance, and as far as I’m concerned, she hit it out of the park. The timeline is occasionally bouncy, but it was done in a way that made it very clear, which is not always accomplished in fiction. The story takes place over five years, with a glimpse back fifteen years earlier when Molly and Seth were inseparable, and in love. But Molly dumps Seth with no explanation and ghosts him for the next fifteen years.

Molly has left Florida for the spoils of California; she has become a screenwriter, writing romcoms and hoping to the the new Nora Ephron. She has some success, but is sort of stuck lately. Her oldest friends convince her to attend their 15 year high school reunion, and she reluctantly agrees. Her doubts about this adventure come home to roost when she ends up sitting next to her ex.

Seth moved to Chicago and became a very successful family lawyer, AKA a divorce lawyer. Molly’s parents had divorced when she was a kid and he knew how devastating that was for her, so she is shocked to learn he is practicing in that area. So we have the woman who writes happily every afters, but who doesn’t believe in them, and the divorce lawyer who actually does.

Seth has dated a lot – he tends to rush his relationships to the next level in hopes of finding his soulmate. It never works out for him, maybe because he believes deep in heart and subconscious that you only get one soulmate, and Molly was his.

Molly and Seth end up having a very hot one night stand during the reunion weekend, and make a bet about the outcome of five couples currently in relationships. They are one of the couples. The next five years are a rollercoaster ride for both of them, and just when I was convinced that there was no way for this couple to ever get together and move forwards. the author takes me there.

This was a bit of an emotional read for me; my parents also divorced when I was a kid, and I still have issues with it. But it was also a fun and funny romcom – I wouldn’t mind seeing this on the big screen! I don’t think I’ve read her historical romances (written by Scarlett Peckham,) but I will be seeking those out.

7/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

JUST SOME STUPID LOVE STORY by Katelyn Doyle. Flatiron Books (June 4, 2024). ISBN:‎ 978-1250328090. 336p.

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From the publisher:

“New York Times bestselling author and southern sensation Kristy Woodson Harvey” (Good Morning America) presents a touching novel about eternal love and the places we call home.

The historic houses in the seaside town of Beaufort, North Carolina, have held the secrets of their inhabitants for centuries. One of the most enduring refuses to be washed away by the tide: What happened to Rebecca and Townsend Saint James on that fateful night of their disappearance in 1976?

Now, the granddaughter they never knew, Keaton Smith, is desperate for a fresh start. So when her mother needs someone to put her childhood home in Beaufort on the market, she jumps at the chance to head south. But the moment she steps foot inside the abandoned house, which has been closed for nearly fifty years, she wonders if she’s bitten off more than she can chew. Wading through the detritus of her grandparents’ lives, Keaton finds herself enchanted by their southern traditions—and their great, big love. As she gets to know her charming next-door neighbor, his precocious ten-year-old son, and a flock of endearingly feisty town busybodies, Keaton begins to wonder if the stories she has been told about her grandparents are true.

Keaton’s grandmother, Rebecca “Becks” Saint James’s annual summer suppers are the stuff of legend, and locals and out-of-towners alike clamor for an invitation to her stunning historic home. But, in the summer of 1976, she’s struggling behind the facade of the woman who can do it all—and facing a problem that even she can’t solve.

As Keaton and Becks face new challenges and chapters, they are connected through time by the house on Sunset Lane, which has protected the secrets, hopes, and dreams of their family for generations.

“The novel to read this year” (Annabel Monaghan) explores the power of family, the boundless nature of love, and the idea that discovering where we came from just might lead us to A Happier Life.

“This is women’s fiction at its best.” ― Publisher’s Weekly

“Harvey delivers another beautiful and heartfelt novel filled with romance, mystery, and her signature Southern charm. A multigenerational story told through dual timelines, A Happier Life invites readers to deeply savor its pages.”—Library Journal

https://amzn.to/3RQR6pv

What a compelling read! I started reading it Sunday morning and finished it Sunday evening – and I hated turning that last page. And I’ think ‘m pretty sure I still have a load of towels in the dryer…

The dual timelines really worked here – I wish other authors had this kind of finesse. Keaton never knew her mother’s parents, they died in a car crash before she was born. She also didn’t know that they had a beautiful home in Beaufort, North Carolina, until her uncle asked her to go down there, clean it out and get it ready for sale. The house was essentially abandoned fifty years earlier. Since she just got fired from her job and simultaneously found out her ex and her boss were having a baby, it seemed like a great idea to get out of town.

This home has been in the family for generations; it is older than America, built in the 1700’s. But when Keaton arrives, she is in for a shock. The house has been left a shrine to the 1970’s – it’s as if the family went out one day and never came back. And that is exactly what happened.

Much to her surprise, Keaton is having a hard time throwing anything away. She loves learning to get to know her grandparents, especially her grandmother, Becks, through a book she left for Virginia, Keaton’s mom. The book contains life hacks and recipes, lists of dinner parties, what was served, and who attended. There are tips on conversation starters, how to pick a good mix of people for a successful dinner party, and so on.

Keaton is also getting to know the hunky single dad next door and his amazing son, as well as a group of older women who knew and loved her grandparents. The story moves between what was happening in the 1970’s with Becks, and what Keaton is learning.

I really don’t want to give anything more away except to say Keaton’s grandparents’ death is something of a mystery. The romance, while secondary to the story, adds something special as do the descriptions of the area, the historic homes, and the southern charm. As a bonus, there are a couple of recipes at the end that I can’t wait to try. This is only the second book I’ve read by Harvey, but she is most definitely on my must-read list now, and I’m seeking out her older books as well. If you love multigenerational family stories that really resonate and are filled with charm and lots of heart, you won’t want to miss this glorious read!

7/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

A HAPPIER LIFE by Kristy Woodson Harvey. Gallery Books (June 25, 2024). ISBN:‎ 978-1668012192. 384p.

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