Stacy Alesi's BookBitch.com™

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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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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