Audiobook Sunday: WHEN YOU BLUSH by Kristen Proby

January 25, 2026

Narration by Stella Hunter & Jason Clarke

The Blackwells of Montana, Book 4

From the publisher:

From New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby comes When You Blush, a small–town, forced–proximity romance set in Bitterroot Valley!

Blake

I don’t do relationships, but I’m excellent at casual hookups. That’s not to say I’m a jerk. Not at all. I respect women—all women—and I know the value of love. But I’m married to my job as a physician. In fact, I’m married to the hospital, having a full–time affair with the clinic, and my family is my side piece. I don’t have time for a relationship with a woman. But then the most beautiful human I’ve ever laid eyes on walks onto my plane, and my world tilts. Thanks to a Montana snowstorm, I spend one incredible night with Harper, but wake up alone. She never told me her last name. She’s just . . . gone. It would figure that the one woman I could see myself breaking my own rules for is the one I can’t have.

Harper

It’s time for me to come home to Montana to help take care of my dad and pick up the slack for my siblings. I’ve been gone for a long time, but this beautiful corner of the world is my home. I’m excited to start my job as a NICU nurse at Bitterroot Valley General and begin a new chapter in my life. A fresh start. A clean slate. Then he walks into the room, and it’s suddenly hard to breathe. Blake was the one–night stand who still haunts my dreams. The man can do things. Amazing things. But I never thought I’d see him again. Okay, that’s a lie. I knew he worked at this hospital, but he’s an ER doctor. I’m in a different department, so I planned to avoid him. Yet that didn’t last more than the first hour of my first shift. Now, he’s pursuing me and saying things like forever. But with a past like mine, can I trust that he won’t tire of me and leave? Or is this finally my happily ever after?feeling like I’m the most important woman in his world. But being with a high-profile billionaire comes with a price. Can we withstand the storm headed our way, or are we destined to fall apart like delicate blooms in the wind?

https://amzn.to/49HXM2m


This is the fourth book in the series, but each installment works perfectly as a standalone. If you haven’t started the series yet, this is a great place to jump in—it may even be my favorite so far.

Blake and Harper meet on a flight and share one unforgettable night together, only for Harper to ghost him the next morning. When Harper later moves to Bitterroot Valley to help her adoptive father and family, she ends up working as a NICU nurse in the same hospital where Blake is an ER doctor. Blake is stunned to see the woman he’s never been able to forget. Despite his long-standing habit of avoiding relationships, Blake falls fast and hard—and with Harper, he’s all in, determined to win her heart.

Their chemistry is undeniable, and their connection is genuinely beautiful, even as their demanding careers keep them busy. Harper is still carrying emotional baggage from a past relationship, but Blake meets her with patience, steadiness, and unwavering support. She tries to push him away, yet he remains grounded and present for her every step of the way.

I also found it utterly believable that Blake’s family embraces Harper so quickly. If Blake loves her, they love her too—It really can be that simple, and that complicated. Families can be like that; I’ve seen it myself.

The heat between Blake and Harper definitely sizzles, so if you prefer low‑spice romances, you may want to skim those scenes—or skip ahead in the audio. But the story is absolutely worth it. The narrators are fantastic, bringing these characters to life in such a vivid way, and I loved watching their relationship unfold. Another wonderful read from one of my favorite authors.

1/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

WHEN YOU BLUSH by Kristen Proby. Narrators: Stella Hunter & Jason Clarke. Dreamscape Media. October 02, 2025. Listening Length: 8 hours and 50 minutes.

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Audiobook Sunday: WHERE WE BLOOM by Kristen Proby

January 18, 2026

Narration by Emma Wilder & Connor Crais

The Blackwells of Montana, Book 2

From the publisher:

From New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby comes Where We Bloom, an Age Gap, Billionaire, Best Friend’s Brother romance set in Bitterroot Valley!

Connor

After an explosive night together, I thought I’d never see the gorgeous bookstore owner again. We didn’t exchange names and numbers, and when I left her asleep the following morning, I didn’t intend to pursue her. I don’t have time for relationships or entanglements.

I’m the CEO of Gallagher Hotels, and my life is spent traveling around the world, focusing on my business, not a small town in Montana. Even if my thoughts keep returning to the most incredible woman I’ve ever met.

It turns out, my mystery woman, Billie, is my sister’s best friend, and she’s suddenly everywhere I turn. She’s become my obsession and all I think about. She’s become the only thing that means more to me than running my empire. And I’m determined to have her.

Billie

Owning a bookstore in my hometown of Bitterroot Valley has been my lifelong dream since I was a little girl. The only thing that brings me more joy is my love of thrift stores and coffee.

And, maybe, the sexy Irishman with intense emerald-colored eyes that take my breath away. His charming accent, how he looks at me, and the way he spoils me with lavish gifts are just the icing on the cake. I’ve tried to stay away from him, but my resolve is slipping. Nothing is better than being in Connor’s arms and feeling like I’m the most important woman in his world. But being with a high-profile billionaire comes with a price. Can we withstand the storm headed our way, or are we destined to fall apart like delicate blooms in the wind?

https://amzn.to/49HXM2m


Where We Bloom is Book 3 in The Blackwells of Montana series and tells Connor and Billie’s long-anticipated story. One explosive night between them is meant to be a no-strings encounter—until Connor realizes Billie is his sister’s best friend. Suddenly, avoidance becomes impossible, and their undeniable chemistry refuses to stay buried. With Connor’s high-profile billionaire life adding pressure, staying away proves harder than either expected.

Connor, the CEO of a global hotel chain, insists relationships don’t fit into his life. Billie tries to enforce boundaries once the truth comes out, but stolen moments and unresolved feelings keep pulling them back together. The push-and-pull tension is delicious, and watching Connor slowly abandon his “no attachments” rule is incredibly satisfying.

I’ve been waiting for Billie’s book since her story was first teased, and it did not disappoint. Their romance is sweet, sexy, and swoony, filled with sneaky kisses, mounting tension, and genuine emotional growth. Billie stands out as a confident, strong woman who handles drama from Connor’s ex and flirty admirers with impressive grace. As a plus-sized heroine, her self-assuredness feels particularly relatable and inspiring. She’s a thrift-shopping, designer-loving bookworm with sass and honesty that make her irresistible. Connor is completely smitten—protective, generous, and devoted, spoiling her endlessly with eyes only for her.

The audiobook elevates the story even further. Dual narration by Connor Crais and Emma Wilder is excellent. Connor’s Irish accent is spot-on, bringing depth and longing to his performance, while Emma perfectly captures Billie’s sass, confidence, and vulnerability. Their character transitions are seamless and engaging throughout.

As always, the author delivers a well-balanced mix of plot, spice, and character development. The chemistry between Connor and Billie is electric, the family dynamics are strong, and the return to Bitterroot Valley feels like coming home. While each book stands alone, longtime readers will appreciate the payoff after seeing their connection build across the earlier installments.

Where We Bloom is a sexy, age-gap, best friend’s brother romance with just the right amount of tension, heart, and heat—made even better by an irresistible Irish hero. I loved it!

1/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

WHERE WE BLOOM by Kristen Proby. Narrators: Emma Wilder & Connor Crais. Dreamscape Media. July 17, 2025. Listening Length: 10 hours and 17 minutes.

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Audiobook Sunday: WHEN WE BREAK by Kristen Proby

January 11, 2026

Narration by Stephanie Németh-Parker & Connor Crais

The Blackwells of Montana, Book 2

From the publisher:

From New York Times Bestselling author Kristen Proby comes When We Break, a small-town, cowboy, heroine-in-danger romance, set in Bitterroot Valley!

Beckett

I’ve seen the gorgeous redhead with the big black dog that never leaves her side around town. She’s impossible to miss with that lush red hair and perfect green eyes. But it’s when she opens her plump lips and the sound of Ireland comes out of her kissable mouth that I know I’m a goner. I know she’s the one for me and I’ll do whatever it takes to make Skyla Gallagher mine. I can be a patient man and all I want in the world is to worship every bit of her, inside and out.

Skyla

I moved to the lovely town of Bitterroot Valley, Montana, because I needed a safe place. I left my life in New York as a prima ballerina after an injury that I never fully healed from, and to escape the obsession of a madman. I adore this new community, but I must admit that Beckett Blackwell is the very best part. I love his kindness, his patience, and his thoughtfulness. But most of all, I can’t get enough of the way he worships my body, and then does everything he can to pamper me afterwards. Beckett is a drug that I’ve become addicted to. But will my stalker find me in Montana, ruining everything we’ve started together, before we have had our chance at forever?

https://amzn.to/3N0D6df


Skyla was once a prima ballerina in New York, until crossing paths with the wrong man changed everything. His obsession with her escalated into violence, leaving Skyla with a career-ending injury and forcing her to flee the city she loved. She finds refuge in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley, where she opens her own dance studio and slowly builds a new life. In this small town, she makes genuine friends and finally begins to feel safe again—especially with her loyal guard dog, Riley, by her side.

Originally from Ireland, Skyla and her protective brother, Connor, come from a family of billionaires, but Skyla has always been fiercely independent and determined to earn her own success. Connor shares that strong work ethic and makes it a priority to check in on his sister often, quietly watching over her.

One night at a local bar, Skyla meets the Blackwell brothers, and Beckett immediately catches her attention. He asks her out, but Skyla—haunted by her past—hesitates and turns him down. Beckett is instantly taken with her, yet he recognizes her emotional scars and approaches her with patience and care.

Despite her fears, Skyla can’t help but fall for a man who so clearly cherishes her. Beck is a natural caretaker, and his love language is unmistakably acts of service. He shows up for Skyla in countless thoughtful ways—from reading to her to making sure Riley feels completely at home. The man even buys five dog beds, so her dog will always have a place to sleep—thoughtful doesn’t even begin to cover it. Beckett is the ultimate caretaker.

Proby delivers a perfect blend of small-town heat and gripping suspense, even giving us chilling glimpses into the stalker’s mind. The audiobook experience is elevated by fantastic narration; Stephanie Németh-Parker delivers an Irish lilt for Skyla that is both authentic and perfectly clear. This is a standout in the series, and I’m already eager for the next installment.

1/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

WHEN WE BREAK by Kristen Proby. Narrators: Stephanie Németh-Parker & Connor Crais. Dreamscape Media. May 08, 2025. Listening Length: 8 hours and 45 minutes.

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Audiobook Sunday: A CROSS COUNTRY CHRISTMAS by Courtney Walsh

December 28, 2025

Narration by Reba Buhr & Will Collyer

Road Trip Romance, Book 1

From the publisher:

Lauren Richmond isn’t a fan of Christmas.

Which is why she rarely makes the trip home to the Midwest for the holidays. After all, she has plenty to keep her busy—namely, her duties as a set decorator on a TV sitcom.

But this December, Lauren‘s brother and his wife are expecting a baby, so her brother arranges a ride home for her with his good friend, Will.

Unfortunately for Lauren, she’s been trying to forget college baseball coach and childhood crush Will Sinclair for more than 10 years.

Now, thanks to her fear of flying, she’s stuck in a car with him from California to Illinois.

She’s circumspect and organized. He’s flirty and spontaneous.

She’s convinced that people don’t change. He’s trying to prove to her (and himself) that he has.

On this cross-country road trip, they’ll both discover that history doesn’t exactly repeat itself…but like any good Christmas carol, it does have a second verse.

https://amzn.to/3KQjmZ4


Lauren has never been much of a Christmas person. As a busy set decorator for a TV show, she rarely makes it back to her Midwest hometown—especially not during the holidays. But this December is different: her brother and his wife are expecting a baby, and they’re determined to have her there. Knowing she’s terrified of flying, her brother arranges a ride for her with Will, his best friend. It’s a road trip, he promises. It’ll be fun. And since she already knows Will, she reluctantly agrees.

Ever the planner, Lauren maps out a three‑day route complete with hotel stops. But when Will shows up, it’s immediately clear he has no intention of following her itinerary. He’s set on a week‑long adventure and refuses to change course—or let her drive. Frustrated but out of options, Lauren climbs in.

Will’s easygoing nature contrasts sharply with Lauren’s prickly mood, but he takes it in stride. She doesn’t like road trips, and she’s not particularly fond of Will either, yet the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes for her to stay frosty. Along the way, she uncovers a difficult truth about him that shifts her perspective entirely. By the time they reach home, their relationship has transformed. They might even be falling in love.

This closed‑door romance is a charming holiday read, and the narration really brings the characters to life. A great pick for fans of cozy holiday storytelling and Debbie Macomber’s warmhearted romances.

12/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

CROSS COUNTRY CHRISTMAS by Courtney Walsh. Narrators: Reba Buhr & Will Collyer. Courtney Walsh. June 13, 2022. Listening Length: 6 hours and 34 minutes.

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Audiobook Sunday: CHECKING IT TWICE by Kendell Ryan

December 21, 2025

Narration by Grayson Owens & Rose Dioro

Must Love Hockey, Book 3

From the publisher:

Fake dating a hockey player for Christmas wasn’t on my bingo card.

Clare Johnson’s job is handling PR for the Dallas Stampede—not getting tangled up with one of the players. But when Mitchell Drake—charming forward, fan favorite, and very off-limits—asks her to pose as his girlfriend for one week in small-town Minnesota, she reluctantly agrees. What’s the worst that could happen?

Mitchell’s had six months to get over his very public broken engagement, and his family is done waiting. The last thing he needs is pitying smiles and whispered gossip. Clare is smart, sharp, and strong enough to hold her own with both fans and family—the perfect fake girlfriend.

But holiday lights and snowy nights have a way of blurring the line between pretend and real. Clare fits too easily into his world—bonding with his grandma, winning at pond hockey, and looking unfairly good in his flannel. The more time they spend together, the less fake it feels.

Full of small-town holiday magic, meddling relatives, and sizzling chemistry, Checking It Twice is a hockey romance about second chances and falling in love when you least expect it. Perfect for fans of fake dating, one-bed tension, forced proximity, and happily-ever-afters wrapped in Christmas lights.

Because sometimes the best gifts aren’t under the tree—they’re standing right in front of you.

https://amzn.to/3MrNtX3


Clare loves her job in PR for the Dallas hockey team, but she has one firm rule: never get involved with the players. After being burned at her last job, she’s determined to keep her distance. That resolve wavers, however, when Mitch enters the picture. Despite his profession, she thinks highly of him, so when he asks her to pose as his fake girlfriend and go home with him for the holidays, she actually considers it. His family has been relentless since his ex left him for his best friend, and even six months later, he’s still not fully over it.

Clare reluctantly agrees, and the holiday adventure begins. The two are forced to share Mitch’s childhood bedroom—complete with the tiny bed he grew up in—and his family’s meddling only adds to the chaos. Clare rolls with it, reminding herself it’s all pretend and will be over soon. Of course, the more time they spend together, the less fake it feels.

As real feelings start to surface, Clare does her best to keep them in check, while Mitch is more than ready to lean into whatever’s happening between them. He understands her hesitation and past hurt, and his patience and kindness only make him more irresistible. Eventually, they surrender to the simmering attraction, and sparks fly.

This is a charming holiday romance filled with warmth, humor, and plenty of heat. Ryan proves once again that she’s a dependable storyteller who delivers every time. My only real complaint was the female narrator, whose constant whispery delivery made her sections frustrating to listen to. Mitch’s narrator, thankfully, did a great job. I found myself constantly adjusting the volume—turning it up for her parts and down for his—and while driving with Apple Maps, the sudden blare of navigation directions was genuinely jarring. It wasn’t the most enjoyable listening experience, even though I liked the story itself. I may need to start keeping track of narrators I don’t enjoy and steer clear of their audiobooks in the future.

12/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

CHECKING IT TWICE by Kendell Ryan. Narrators: Grayson Owens & Rose Dioro. Dreamscape Media. November 25, 2025. Listening Length: 7 hours and 56 minutes.

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Audiobook Sunday: HONEYMOON PHASE by Amy Daws

December 14, 2025

Duet narration by Erin Mallon & Teddy Hamilton

Mountain Men Matchmaker, Book 3

From the publisher:

Fact or fiction: proposing to your best friend so she can inherit her family business is a great idea.

When Addison “Roe” Monroe tells me she’s going on a husband hunt at the local lumberjack competition so she can inherit her father’s lumberyard, desperate times call for desperate measures.

She’s sworn off romance. Says she’s been through enough tragedy. So I offer myself as an alternative, ’cause that’s what best friends are for.

But my stubborn friend, who would rather drive a forklift than get her nails done, refuses to accept my help, and now I find myself training to become a lumberjack.

I refuse to let Roe hitch her wagon to some hulking ax wielder who might be a serial killer. She means too much to me.

And I swear there are moments where she looks at me like I mean something more to her, too.

On the surface, I’m offering a marriage of convenience to protect her. But the truth is…I’m hopelessly in love with my best friend.

So if I have to marry her and move her up to Fletcher Mountain just to see if she could love me back, so be it.

Because my only regret would be losing her forever, and that’s a fact.

Mountain Men Matchmaker:
Book 1: Nine Month Contract
Book 2: Seven Year Itch
Book 3: Honeymoon Phase

https://amzn.to/3MrNtX3


I’m so glad I gave this series another chance! I liked the first book, wasn’t crazy about the second, but this third installment might be my favorite yet.

Addison “Roe” Monroe has spent her life working at her family’s lumberyard, and with her father thinking about retirement, she’s poised to take over. There’s just one complication: her grandfather’s will stipulates that only married family members can inherit. Roe has never been interested in marriage, but if a wedding is what it takes to secure the business, she’s willing to make it happen. Her plan is simple: find someone willing to marry her for a year, fulfill the estate’s terms, then divorce amicably.

Her best friend, Luke Fletcher, is horrified. He’s been secretly in love with Roe for years, but has accepted friendship as all she’ll offer. After the longtime lumberyard workers politely decline her proposal plan, Roe turns her sights to the annual lumberjack competition, assuming she can easily find a willing candidate there.

Luke, determined not to lose her to a stranger, writes Roe a heartfelt letter offering to marry her. She refuses, afraid of jeopardizing their friendship—he’s the only friend she has. Undeterred, Luke enters the competition himself, with the full support of his family and the enthusiastic matchmaking schemes of his niece, Everly.

The competition doesn’t go Luke’s way, but ultimately, he wins where it matters: Roe agrees to marry him. She abandons her plan to wed a stranger and instead chooses the man she trusts most. She moves up to Fletcher Mountain so their marriage will look legitimate. Roe believes she can divorce him after the required year and return to their friendship, while Luke sees the year as his chance to prove his love and make their marriage last.

Their courthouse wedding doesn’t sit well with Roe’s father, who insists on giving her a proper ceremony in six weeks before he retires to Florida. Roe is completely overwhelmed, but fortunately, her new mother-in-law is thrilled to take over the planning.

Meanwhile, Everly warns Luke that when Roe sees his face as she walks down the aisle, she’ll know that he’s truly in love with her—and she needs to feel the same for the marriage to have a future. The following weeks are full of highs and lows, but in the end, Roe and Luke get their well-earned happily ever after.

This was such a fun read with characters I genuinely cared about. The narrators did a fantastic job bringing them to life, which really speaks to the material they had to work with since they also narrated the first two books. Now that all the Fletcher brothers are happily married, it looks like it’s finally Everly’s turn to find her happily ever after, and I can’t wait to read her story.

12/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

HONEYMOON PHASE by Amy Daws. Narrators: Erin Mallon & Teddy Hamilton. Harlequin Audio. November 11, 2025. Listening Length: 11 hours and 40 minutes.

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Audiobook Sunday: MERRY KISSMAS by Piper Rayne

December 7, 2025

Read by Shane East &  Stella Hunter

Standalone Holiday Romance

From the author:

Six years ago, he was her one-night stand, and now they’re sharing a villa for the holidays.

I thought I was over him. That his good looks and British accent couldn’t affect me anymore. But the minute our eyes lock across the elevator, all those feelings come roaring back to life.

Then I find out we’re competing for the same job.

Next comes the realization that we have to spend a week together on a ski vacation because of some six-degree-of-separation nonsense.

The real kicker is when I find out the two of us have to share a villa. A very small, very cozy villa.

Needless to say, this Christmas getaway is starting off rockier than the mountains we’ll be skiing down.

I’ve stayed away for years, what’s one week? But I forgot how much easier it is to ignore him with an ocean separating us—especially when he’s determined to win me back.

https://amzn.to/4pK2Ok1


Suspend your disbelief and dive into this sweet and spicy holiday rom-com! Six years ago, Brynn was studying abroad in the UK when she met Pierce at a local pub the weekend before classes began. Their chemistry was instant, and they spent a whirlwind weekend together—until Brynn walked into her first class and discovered he was the teaching assistant. Wanting to maintain professionalism, Pierce kept his distance, leaving Brynn confused and hurt.

Years later, they cross paths again—first in an elevator while interviewing for the same job, and then on a flight to Utah. In a twist of holiday coincidence, they realize their families are connected through mutual in-laws and friends, and they are headed to the same vacation destination. Cue the forced proximity: they’re assigned to share a villa.

For Pierce, Brynn is the one who got away, and he’s determined not to waste his second chance. Brynn does her best to keep her guard up, but it’s only a matter of time before Pierce’s charm wears her down. Between festive family antics and cozy holiday moments, old wounds resurface, but so does their undeniable connection—leading Brynn to finally embrace the happy ending she once thought impossible.

The narrators do a terrific job bringing the story to life. I especially loved Pierce’s British accent—crisp, clear, and deliciously charming. (I often need subtitles for British TV, so East’s narration was a delight: authentic but perfectly understandable!) This isn’t trying to be great literature; it’s a fun, feel-good holiday rom-com. If that’s your jam, you’ll have a great time. I borrowed my copy through my library’s Hoopla app.

11/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

MERRY KISSMAS by Piper Rayne. Narrators: Shane East &  Stella Hunter. Piper Rayne Inc.; November 18, 2024. ASIN: B0DNFXRWKG. Listening Length: 4 hours and 53 minutes

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Audiobook Sunday: CHASING LOVE by Piper Rayne

November 30, 2025

Read by Erin Mallon & JF Harding

Plain Daisy Ranch, Book 5

From the author:

It was over between Bennett Owens and me—until I had no place to go but back to Willowbrook.

Seven years ago, he walked away, and I built a new life for myself, swearing never to look back. But when my husband is arrested, that life collapses, leaving my daughter and me with nothing but a three-month plan to return to the small ranch town before disappearing again.

Bennett’s a single dad now. Our girls become inseparable on sight, making it impossible to keep him at arm’s length. Especially when I end up working alongside him, where every glance chips away at the walls I’ve built.

The years apart haven’t dulled the pull between us. Bennett remains protective and patient, determined to prove that we deserve a second chance. But he has no idea about the secret I’ve kept since the day he left.

Because once he learns the truth, he may never forgive me. And like it or not, we’ll be bound together forever—by the daughter he never knew was his.

https://amzn.to/3Xbn69V


This one was a bit of a tough read for me. I’m not comfortable with cheating—it’s a personal trigger, thanks to my father being a manwhore. Still, I love this series, so I pushed through. There was also some controversy around this book when it first came out: an AI prompt was accidentally left in the text, and people lost their minds over it. I’m not getting into all that, just mentioning it. Google can fill in the details if you’re curious.

So…this is Bennett’s story. He’s been hovering around the edges of the entire series. He’s a single dad to a seven-year-old daughter, Wren, who he raises with plenty of help from his family. His high school sweetheart, Delainey, has moved back to town after her husband was arrested. She’s divorcing him and returned so her parents can help support her and her own seven-year-old daughter, Leia. She ends up working for the town florist—who happens to be Bennett’s sister—and discovers that Bennett works out of the shop too. He’s a landscape architect, and that shared love for growing things is one of the many threads connecting him and Delainey.

But Delainey is keeping a huge secret: Leia isn’t her husband’s child—she’s Bennett’s. Years ago, Bennett had left his wife and moved away, eventually landing at the same company where Delainey worked. Their reunion was intense and fast. But then Bennett’s wife showed up at Delainey’s door, claiming she was pregnant and hoping Delainey wouldn’t keep Bennett from returning home. Bennett did what he thought was the right thing; he went back to his wife, but ultimately, she died in childbirth. Delainey remained where she was, met her husband, and he raised Leia as his own. After his arrest, though, he and his family cut ties with both Delainey and Leia, prompting her to return home.

When Delainey finally tells Bennett the truth about Leia, everything becomes strained. He’s angry and hurt; she’s guilty but still believes she made the best choice for her daughter at the time. Now they all have to adjust to their new reality. I understood why Delainey stayed silent, though obviously she shouldn’t have. In the end, they manage to find their way back to each other and finally get their long-awaited happily ever after.

The duet narration was excellent and helped me through the parts I struggled with. I may have even skipped ahead a few times—which is very unlike me. Overall, this was my least favorite book in the series.

11/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

CHASING LOVE by Piper Rayne. Narrators: Erin Mallon & JF Harding. Piper Rayne Inc.; October 17, 2025. ASIN: B0FWS27CR1. Listening Length: 7 hours and 45 minutes

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Audiobook Sunday: THE BOOK CLUB BOYFRIEND by Kendall Ryan

November 23, 2025

Read by Ryan West & CJ Bloom

Must Love Hockey, Book 2

From the publisher:

She doesn’t believe in love. He doesn’t believe in losing. Let the games begin.

Scarlett “Scottie” Calloway built her career writing books about why women don’t need men. Romance? Overrated. Soulmates? A marketing ploy. The last thing she wants is to spend a summer co-hosting a romance book club with an arrogant, insufferably handsome hockey player who thinks he knows a thing or two about love. Immediate no. Chase Remington lives for three things: hockey, winning, and pushing Scarlett’s buttons. He’s never met a challenge he couldn’t charm his way through—until her. The queen of anti-romance loathes him, and frankly? He’s having the time of his life getting under her skin.

But when a PR stunt forces them together, their battle of wits turns into something far more dangerous—an attraction neither can afford. She swears she won’t fall. He bets she will. By summer’s end, only one will be right.

And if there’s one thing they do have in common? Neither likes to lose.

The Book Club Boyfriend is a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers sports romance featuring professional athletes, shameless flirting, and a hero who falls first—and hard. Expect banter, chemistry, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

https://amzn.to/47JheuE


Scarlett “Scottie” Calloway is a best-selling author known for her sharp, witty books about how romance is a scam and how women don’t need men to be happy. But with the deadline for her latest manuscript looming, she finds herself stuck and uninspired. Hoping a change of scenery will spark her creativity, she rents a house on Lake Michigan for a month.

Meanwhile, Chase Remington—a professional hockey player for a (fictional) Dallas team—has his own reasons for escaping. With a reputation that precedes him, he decides to lay low and rents a house on Lake Michigan as well. By coincidence, his place is right next door to Scottie’s. The two cross paths in a grocery store, unaware they’re neighbors, and their meet-cute sets the stage for what’s to come.

Chase falls first—and falls hard—for Scottie. Despite his so-called bad-boy image, he radiates Golden Retriever energy: loyal, eager, and endlessly sweet. His lovable dog wins Scottie over even faster than he does. As they spend more time together, Scottie finds herself questioning the very beliefs that made her famous, all while still struggling to write..

Everything comes to a head when Scottie’s publisher ropes her into co-leading the hockey team’s romance book club—with none other than Chase by her side.

The result is a light, heartwarming romance filled with sharp banter, palpable chemistry, and plenty of charm. The narrators bring both the characters and the story to life, making it fun to listen to. Highly recommended!

11/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE BOOK CLUB BOYFRIEND by Kendall Ryan. Narrators: Ryan West & CJ Bloom. Dreamscape Media; November 11, 2025. ASIN: B0FR5X3ZSR. Listening Length: 7 hours and 30 minutes

Kindle

Paperback


Audiobook Sunday: ROUGHING THE KICKER by Emily Silver

November 16, 2025

Read by Rose Dioro & Teddy Hamilton

Denver Mountain Lions, Book 1

From the publisher:

He’s my best friend. He’s a pro football player. He’s famous. I’m just the girl next door.

And I’ve been in love with him since I was thirteen.

He doesn’t know. He can never know. But will I be able to hide my feelings when I move in with him?

Jackson Fields. Denver’s star kicker. My best friend since ninth grade.

When an injury sidelines him, I step up. Living with him will be easy. I can hide my feelings long enough to take care of him. Piece of cake.

Except he depends on me for everything. Every touch, every move he makes has butterflies swarming my stomach. I can’t fall for him. Because he’s my friend. And he doesn’t see me as anything else.

But when his situation changes, and he sees me in a new light? Am I willing to risk everything to see if we’ll be good together? Or will we always be destined to be just friends? What’s a girl to do?

https://amzn.to/4oU6HSY


Roughing the Kicker is a charming, feel-good friends-to-lovers romance that kicks off Emily Silver’s newest series with heart and humor. From the very first page, you can’t help but fall for Tenley and Jackson — two lifelong friends whose chemistry has been simmering beneath the surface for years. Add in the easy camaraderie and brotherly banter of Jackson’s Denver Mountain Lions teammates, and you’ve got a story that’s as playful as it is heartwarming.

Tenley and Jackson have known each other since childhood. Both are now living the lives they once dreamed of — Tenley as a beloved kindergarten teacher, and Jackson as the star kicker for the Denver Mountain Lions professional football team. For Jackson, their friendship has always been a steady constant: Tenley is the girl next door, always there when he needs her.

For Tenley, though, it’s been years of secretly loving him from afar — ever since a fateful high school party. Playing Seven Minutes in Heaven in a dark closet gave Tenley the secret kiss she’s never forgotten. Jackson thinks he was in the closet with Rachel, leading to a thirteen-year, on-and-off-again romance. With the wrong girl.

When Jackson suffers a knee injury during the preseason, his world is upended. He quickly realizes his self-centered, self-serving girlfriend, Rachel, isn’t the support he needs. He ends the relationship and turns to Tenley—the one person he knows he can count on. She’s there for him in an instant, moving in to help him through recovery. The close quarters and unexpected intimacy begin to stir something new in Jackson — or maybe it’s something that’s been there all along.

As the two navigate late-night talks, laughter, and Tenley’s lingering memory of that long-ago kiss, Jackson starts to see Tenley in a new light. Thirteen years after that fateful kiss, Jackson finally learns the truth: it was Tenley in the closet that night. The revelation ignites a slow-burn romance that’s both sweet and sensual.

Tenley has a heart full of love and a quiet strength that shines through. Jackson is charming, driven, and unexpectedly tender once he realizes how much Tenley means to him. Their journey isn’t without bumps—Jackson’s doubts and emotional walls add tension—but the payoff is a deeply satisfying happily-ever-after.

This is a quick, heartwarming read filled with humor, tenderness, and plenty of team camaraderie. The glimpses of Jackson’s teammates — and their hilarious, supportive banter — promise even more delights as the series continues.

The only negative was that it felt a bit rushed, given its brevity. I would have liked to see more development between the characters and their relationship. That said, this is a quick, feel-good read that blends flirty fun with emotional depth. If you love friends-to-lovers romances with heart, humor, and a swoon-worthy hero finally waking up to the love that’s been in front of him all along, this one’s for you.

11/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

ROUGHING THE KICKER by Emily Silver. Narrators: Rose Dioro & Teddy Hamilton. Tantor Audio; February 06, 2024. ASIN: B0CRZTCTRV. Listening Length: 4 hours and 50 minutes

Kindle

Paperback