Stacy Alesi's BookBitch.com™

Read by Savannah Peachwood & Jeremy York

From the publisher:

From the author of Bad Reputation comes a smart and sexy second-chance romance, where exes reunite to adapt a memoir, only to discover that after a decade apart, they might finally be ready for more.

Working with your ex isn’t that bad an idea—not with artistic integrity on the line. Jaime Croft is determined to prove his directorial range, and Scarlett Arbuthnot’s biography is the perfect project. He once thought Scarlett was his perfect match too, but it’s been seventeen years. Surely he’s over it by now.

Or maybe not.

Scarlett is a grand master taking the chess world by storm. If she can handle that pressure, she can handle Jaime Croft. Even if that means working together in close quarters…and constant reminders of how she broke his heart. She didn’t do it without reason, but if he knew the details, he would despise her even more.

As Jaime and Scarlett pore over her memoir, they unlock their own memories, and old feelings rise to the surface. But giving in means abandoning the walls they’ve built to protect themselves, and that’s a move neither one seems ready to make.

https://amzn.to/4ib9PX5

Scarlett Arbutnot is at the top of her chess game—both literally and figuratively. She’s breaking barriers in a historically male-dominated field, working tirelessly to carve out her own legacy while also advocating for greater diversity and inclusion, particularly for women and the LGBTQIA+ community. Her journey is a solo one, navigating the isolation that often comes with standing out. In a bold move against the powers that be in the competitive chess world, she releases a tell-all biography.

When Jaime Croft, an old high school flame turned award-winning documentarian, approaches her with the idea of adapting the book into a TV series, she agrees. As they collaborate closely on the project, old memories and unresolved feelings resurface. Their shared history is complex: their previous relationship ended abruptly when Scarlett left to pursue her chess ambitions, leaving emotional scars on both sides.

There was little depth to their connection beyond physical attraction, and that shallowness came through clearly in both characters’ points of view. At no point during the story did I feel that they were genuinely in love or that they truly belonged together. And isn’t that the point of a romance?

I also expected a more in-depth look into the chess world, especially given Scarlett’s status and the premise of her biography. I was hoping for insight into her mindset during matches, her preparation strategies, or even detailed accounts of her most pivotal games. Unfortunately, the book only briefly touched on a few matches. I loved the Netflix show, “The Queen’s Gambit,” and was hoping for something similar here, so it was very disappointing.

In the end, this book didn’t make the bold move I was hoping for. It was a struggle to get through it. That said, the narrators did a fine job with the material they were given – it was the actual story, the writing, that was the issue for me.

5/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

BOLD MOVES by Emma Barry. Narrators: Savannah Peachwood & Jeremy York. Brilliance Audio; April 22, 2025. Listening Length: 10 hours and 40 minutes.

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Read by Karissa Vacker

Nantucket Beach Plum Cove Series, Book 1 

From the publisher:

Lisa Hodges needs to make a decision fast. Thanks to her dead husband’s gambling addiction, their savings is almost gone. In her early 50s with a large, waterfront home on Nantucket to support, Lisa hasn’t worked in over 30 years, has no in-demand skills and is virtually unemployable.

Her only options are to sell the house and move off-island, or, she could use her cooking and entertaining skills and turn her home into a bed and breakfast. She desperately needs it to succeed because she has four grown children with problems of their own and wants to stay close to them.

Her oldest daughter, Kate, has a fabulous career in Boston – working as a writer for a popular fashion magazine and engaged to a dangerously handsome, photographer, who none of them have met.

Kate’s twin, local artist, Kristen, has been reasonably content with her on-again off-again relationship with an older, separated businessman.

Her son, Chase, runs his own construction business and is carefree, happily dating here and there but nothing serious.

Youngest daughter, Abby, is happily married to her high school sweetheart, and they’ve been trying to have a baby. But it hasn’t happened yet, and Abby wonders if it’s a sign that maybe their marriage isn’t as perfect as everyone thinks.

Come visit Nantucket and see how Lisa’s new bed and breakfast has an impact on almost everyone in her family. It’s the first book in a new series that will follow the Hodges family, friends, and visitors to Nantucket’s Beach Plum Cove Inn.

https://amzn.to/3GBn2eN

I was so sad that Elin Hilderbrand decided to stop writing her Nantucket stories, but now that I’ve found Pamela Kelley and this wonderful series, I am sad no more! There is something magical about stories set in Nantucket, and Kelley captures that magic beautifully. This is the first book of a series, and while I haven’t read any of the others yet, I definitely will.

Lisa Hodges is a woman in her early fifties who owns a large, waterfront home on Nantucket that she can no longer afford. After the death of her husband, she discovers that he had a terrible secret; he has left her with no money at all due to his gambling addiction. Lisa hasn’t worked in thirty years and with the scarcity of jobs on the island and her lack of any kind of experience, finding a job is proving impossible. Saddened that she may have to sell her home, a friend suggests she turn her house into a bed and breakfast. At first, Lisa doesn’t think it will work, but the more she thinks about it, she realizes she doesn’t really have any other option if she wants to stay on Nantucket and be near her four adult children.

Lisa’s eldest daughters are twins: Kate and Kristen. Kate lives in Boston, where she writes for a fashion magazine and is engaged to a photographer. Her world is shaken when the magazine is sold, and she uncovers unexpected truths about her fiancé. Kate ends up moving home with her mom.

Kristen, an artist living in Nantucket, is romantically involved with a man who is separated from his wife. They’ve been dating for a while and the divorce has yet to be filed, leaving Kristen unhappy and insecure.

Lisa’s only son, Chase, runs his own construction business. Lisa approaches Chase about doing some renovations on the house so she can maintain some privacy while still being able to rent out some of the bedrooms. He thinks it’s a great idea, and with her only having to pay for materials on a minor renovation, it’s an affordable option.

Her youngest daughter, Anna, is married to her high school sweetheart, Jeff. The couple is struggling with infertility, which may be jeopardizing their marriage.

The book also introduces a variety of local business owners and friends, laying the foundation for future installments in the series. There appear to be nine books in this series, and possibly a spin-off series as well. I will investigate!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the cozy atmosphere it created. The characters are likable, and the story is engaging. I especially appreciated getting to know Lisa’s family, with a particular focus on the women. While Chase’s character plays a smaller role in this installment, I expect we’ll be seeing him and his siblings in the later books. I enjoy stories with strong character growth, and this one delivers. I recommend it to anyone looking for a sweet—if occasionally predictable—read, and I’m looking forward to continuing the series.

I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by Karissa Vacker. Her performance was articulate and expressive, and I especially appreciated how convincingly she voiced the male characters. I was pleased to see she narrates other books in the series as well. I highly recommend the audiobook for fans of this format.

5/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE NANTUCKET INN by Pamela M. Kelley. Narrator: Karissa Vacker. Piping Plover Press; August 17, 2019. Listening Length: 6 hours and 19 minutes.

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Read by Connor Crais, Luci Christian Bell, Sean Masters, JF Harding, Troy Duran, Teddy Hamilton, & CJ Bloom

The Nest, Book 3

From the author:

Hockey players were never my type.

At least, that’s what I thought—until I met Conor Nilsen. In truth, I didn’t know he was the goalie for the Chicago Falcons when he struck up a conversation the night of my bachelorette party.

He proved he wasn’t just some hot guy looking to score when he helped me get my drunk bridesmaid safely back to our hotel. That’s when he discovered my 30-before-30 bucket list—a list I hadn’t managed to check a single item off.

What was meant to be a night of stargazing turned into so much more. The chemistry between us was undeniable, and after one innocent night together, I started to question everything—especially my upcoming wedding to a man I wasn’t sure loved me.

Fast forward to my wedding day, and just as I’m standing at the altar, Conor bursts through the church doors to object. And now, somehow, I’m his roommate. Yikes.

https://amzn.to/4ib9PX5

Conor is one of the best goalies in the NHL; he got there by keeping his head down and working on it all through high school and college, leaving no time for relationships. As a professional hockey player, he sticks with the puck bunnies to avoid any entanglements that could detract from his game. While he played for another team in Florida, he had a woman who, after a one-night stand, became his stalker to the point where he had a restraining order against her. But he’s in Chicago now, living in the Nest, and keeping his reputation as a playboy intact. Until he meets Eloise…

Eloise is engaged to a clone of her dad; a rich finance bro. Her bachelorette party gets derailed from her highly anticipated spa weekend to a night out clubbing, but her friend is drinking enough for the both of them, so Eloise is just hanging out in the booth with her bottle of water. She’s wearing the bridal regalia of most bachelorette parties, with the added bonus of a QR code so people can buy her drinks. Conor spots her and wanders over. He’s not the type to go after a woman who is taken, but he can’t help but notice she’s not having any fun. The fixer in him wants to help, and they hang out, talking, until her very drunk friend is ready to go. Conor helps pour her into a cab, then into her hotel room. He accidentally sees Eloise’s bucket list, and offers to help her out with it. They head out into the night to go stargazing, and spend the night talking.

Conor has never felt anything like this for a woman. She’s all he can think about, but she’s getting married in a week, so he tries to forget about her. Eloise is ruminating about her upcoming wedding, wondering if she is making the right decision. When she’s walking down the aisle, she can’t help but notice her groom isn’t even looking at her. She decides to back out, but before she can say anything, a slightly inebriated Conor bursts into the church and stops the wedding.

Next thing you know, Eloise is moving into Conor’s spare bedroom, and they start hanging out, platonically. Eloise decides she wants more, but Conor is holding off, wanting to make sure he’s not just a rebound. Meanwhile, the puck bunnies are constantly circling him, and things take a turn for the worse when his Florida stalker shows up.

Conor finally sees the light and lets Eloise decide what she is ready for, and the sex is beyond good for both of them. He decides to try and fix the stalker issue without letting Eloise know, wanting to spare her feelings, but of course, that backfires and causes the mini-breakup in the third act. No worries, though; Conor and Eloise get the happy ending they both want.

This is a Full Cast production in Duet Style, which I really love. Basically, it is read more like a play, with each actor reading a specific role, rather than dual style, with two actors alternating chapters. Connor Crais and Luci Christian Bell lead an incredible cast featuring Sean Masters, JF Harding, Troy Duran, Teddy Hamilton, and CJ Bloom. Their performances bring the story to life in such an engaging way that I can’t recommend this audiobook series highly enough. Like all the books in this series, it is an entertaining escape with heat, heart, and humor. I loved it.

5/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

MR. SWOONY by Piper Rayne. Narrators: JF Harding, Brooke Bloomingdale, Sean Masters, Erin Mallon, Connor Crais, Troy Duran, Teddy Hamilton, & CJ Bloom. Piper Rayne Inc.; February 24, 2025. Listening Length: 8 hours and 40 minutes.

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Read by Erin Mallon & Sean Masters

The Blackwells of Montana, Book 1

From the publisher:

From New York Times Bestselling author Kristen Proby comes When We Burn, a single-dad, friends-to-lovers, small-town romance, and the first in the Blackwells of Montana series, set in Bitterroot Valley!

Bridger: I’m her safe place. I always have been. The torment that Dani Lexington went through at the hands of her father was something no child should have had to endure. But I was the lucky one she turned to. Our age difference and the fact that her brother was my best friend kept her off-limits, even though something was always there, lingering under the surface. But when she was old enough, she left Bitterroot Valley, and I was forced to move on with my life. I got married and had my little girl. Now, I’m a single dad, focused on my job as fire chief and making sure my daughter stays healthy after a mysterious illness has plagued her for the past year. But after Dani’s father dies, she returns to Bitterroot Valley and is now living across the street from my daughter and me. Dani’s no longer a child. No longer off limits. This time, I won’t let anything or anyone stop me from being her safe place again.

Dani: I’ve been in love with Bridger Blackwell for as long as I can remember. He’s a smoke show, kind, and gives the best hugs in the world. But best of all? He’s everything my sorry excuse for a father wasn’t. Now, I’m back in Bitterroot Valley, living across the street from Bridger and his adorable daughter. It doesn’t take long for all those old feelings to come rushing back, and every cell in my body knows that I belong with them. That they’re mine. Bridger’s arms are where I feel safest. They feel like home. I’m growing to depend on him, to truly love him and his daughter. But I have deep-rooted baggage, and Bridger’s past has decided to rear its ugly head. Will we survive this, or is our relationship doomed from the start?

https://amzn.to/43zu8tA

This book touches on child abuse and animal abuse; those parts were very difficult to read and may be triggering to some.

Bridger and his family were always Dani’s safe haven when her childhood became too chaotic, thanks to her deeply troubled father. As her brother’s best friend, Bridger stepped in to protect Dani during those moments when his friend was dealing with their volatile home life. After high school, Dani left town for college, and life took them in different directions.

Bridger had a one-night stand that left his partner pregnant, and he did what he thought was best and married her. Turned out she was not fit to be a mother, and took off before their premature baby even left the hospital, relinquishing her parental rights, and leaving Bridger to raise his baby girl, Birdie, on his own. Years later, Dani returns to town and moves in across the street from Bridger—rekindling a connection that never truly faded. Their lives become even further entangled when Birdie starts kindergarten and Dani is her teacher.

Bridger Blackwell is a fiercely protective, dirty-talking firefighter, and Dani is a resilient, emotionally complex woman still navigating the scars of her past. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and their banter helps lighten the story a bit. Birdie is a standout character, and her bond with Dani is heartwarming. The warmth of their extended families adds richness and support to the story, making the emotional moments hit even harder. Add in a touch of the “you weren’t old enough for me then” trope, and you’ve got a powerful, emotionally charged romance that’s impossible to put down.

I enjoyed listening to the audiobook. Sean Masters was perfect in voicing Bridger, and Erin Mallon truly captured Dani. Together, they did an excellent job bringing this book to life. I borrowed this audiobook through my public library’s app, Hoopla.

4/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

WHEN WE BURN by Kristen Proby. Narrators: Erin Mallon & Sean Masters. Dreamscape Media. February 20, 2025. Listening Length: 8 hours and 45 minutes.

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Read by JF Harding, Brooke Bloomingdale, Sean Masters, Connor Crais, Troy Duran, Teddy Hamilton, & CJ Bloom

The Nest, Book 2

From the author:

I’ve loved Henry Hensley since I was seven years old. We’ve gone from best friends to lovers to nothing.

To most people, he’s the Chicago Falcons starting right winger and hot single dad, but to me, he’s my first boyfriend, my first kiss, my first love.

Eight years ago, that all changed when our lives took us in two different directions. Our break-up almost broke me, so I kept my distance until our hometown called me back to where our story began.

I promised myself a quick visit to help my family out, and then I’d leave town before he even knew I was back, which should have been easy. He’s way too busy being a professional hockey player and raising his son to ever find out.

Of course, I’m only in town for a week before I run into him, and one thing is clear from our brief encounter—Henry wants to hash out our past, whereas I’d rather forget it.

But my plan really goes up in flames when I take a temporary substitute teaching job, and on day one, his son walks into my classroom. Boom.

https://amzn.to/4cmqMfV

This story centers on Jade and Henry and is a second-chance romance. They dated in high school and after, but they went in different directions, so they broke up. Henry has an adorable young son, Bohdi, and he even gets some of his own chapters, which is really sweet.

Jade is back in Chicago but hopes to avoid Henry, meaning she runs into him immediately. She takes a job as a substitute teacher, and of course, Bohdi is in her class. There is no escape for these two, and they start talking and it quickly becomes apparent that there are still feelings there. Bohdi is all for it; he wants them to get together, so that’s helpful in avoiding the usual kid hates the new woman issue in so many single-parent romances.

I loved the humor here; it helped lighten the tension a bit, and there was plenty of tension between Henry and Jade! This is a great second chance romance, and the hockey was just an added bonus for me. While this can definitely be read as a standalone, I think it’s more meaningful when following the first book.

This is a Full Cast production in Duet Style, which I really loved. Basically, it is read more like a play, with each actor reading a specific role, rather than dual style, with two actors alternating chapters. JF Harding and Brooke Bloomingdale lead an incredible cast featuring Sean Masters, Connor Crais, Troy Duran, Teddy Hamilton, and CJ Bloom. Their performances brought the story to life in such an engaging way that I can’t recommend this audiobook series highly enough. This book is an entertaining escape with heat, heart, and humor. I loved it.

4/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

MR. BROODY by Piper Rayne. Narrators: JF Harding, Brooke Bloomingdale, Sean Masters, Erin Mallon, Connor Crais, Troy Duran, Teddy Hamilton, & CJ Bloom. Piper Rayne Inc.; December 26, 2024. Listening Length: 9 hours and 13 minutes.

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Read by Joshua Manning & Stina Nielsen

From the publisher:

She lives her life on the fly. His heart is double-knotted to home. Can two different souls create a life together?

Popular travel writer and podcaster Katie Campbell roams the world collecting other people’s stories. She’s built a career as “Miss Adventure,” known for saying yes to anything new—country, food, or experience—and predictably finding those adventures taking a downward turn into misadventures.

Offered the chance to explore her ancestral roots through a three-week Edwardian experience, Katie finds herself immersed in the beauty and eccentricity of Scotland. In her period attire, with traditional foods and activities, the opportunities for misadventures are endless, especially with the presence of a maniacal macaw, a jealous co-worker, and an all-too-surly Scotsman.

Reclusive and protective Graeme MacKerrow doesn’t venture far from his island home. A stoic Scotsman, Graeme’s comfort zone has always been family, and after his sister’s death, he’s even more determined to save the MacKerrow ancestral home and keep those he loves close. The sudden intrusion of a six-foot-one American lass, famous for her traveling misfortunes, was far from his plan.

As this world of folklore, community, and woodworkers-in-kilts tempts Katie to discover her own story, could this one grand series of misadventures lead her directly to where she belongs? And would a settled-in-Scot ever risk loosening his grip on what’s familiar to allow a wanderlust writer a home in his heart? How could their very different worlds share the same page of life’s story when “home” is in two very different places? But maybe home—and the future—isn’t quite what either one imagined it would be. Maybe home is less about a place . . . and more about a person.

https://amzn.to/43zu8tA

I love anything set in Scotland, and this was no exception. I wasn’t exactly sure where – possibly a fictional island near Skye, at least that was my impression. Please feel free to enlighten me! It’s a small island several hours away from Inverness, which I’m guessing was the closest big city. So it’s a small town and a beautiful setting.

Katie has Scottish heritage, and her grandparents often spoke of their life in Scotland. They are both gone, and being in Scotland makes Katie feel closer to them. She is a travel writer, and has been assigned to this small island for a special event. There is a large manor house, and a couple has leased it to present an Edwardian experience to their guests. She is to spend three weeks living like they did in Edwardian times, and Katie is up for it. There are a handful of other guests, including a young man, Mark, who considers Katie a rival. They have both been nominated for a Vision Award for bloggers or podcasters or something, I wasn’t 100% clear on that. Katie won the award the previous year, and Mark is determined to win it this year, no matter what it takes.

Katie goes by Miss Adventure online – get it? Misadventure, due to her clumsiness and unfailing ability to fall into all sorts of unplanned mishaps. Scotland is no different. Her first day out wandering she sees an enormous animal which turns out to be a moose, and frightened out of her mind she leaps into the arms of a nearby Scotsman. Graeme is a local artist who creates beautiful wood sculptures. He’s also very good looking and very glad to be holding Katie! Turns out Graeme’s family owns the manor house, and he is in the process of restoring it. They are renting it out to help fund the renovations. Katie has another mishap in the house when an enormous parrot swoops by her, causing her to break the stair railing that Graeme has been working on, so lots of interaction between the grumpy Scot and perky American.

Graeme is hired on to play a butler so he gets to spend a lot of time with Katie. Meanwhile, Katie is getting to know the town and its people, including Graeme’s mother who owns the local bookshop, her friends, and Graeme’s nephew, a young boy named Lachlan. Graeme and Katie have something in common; both have lost their sisters and he is Lachlan’s legal guardian. That cost him his fiancee, so he is no rush for another relationship. But the heart wants what the heart wants.

This was my first listen to a Thomas Nelson book – this publisher specializes in Christian fiction, and I didn’t realize this was theirs when I started it. For the most part, religion doesn’t play much of a role but there are a few mentions here and there, a visit to church, and so forth. As a nice Jewish girl, I didn’t mind it and, in fact, liked some of it. It worked with the story. The characters were interesting and the storyline was fun, and I loved learning more about Scotland. It’s a bumpy road for Katie and Graeme, but eventually they reach their happy ending, and it was so much fun getting there. The narrators did a really good job, especially Manning with his Scottish brogue, which sounded realistic to me, yet I was still able to easily understand him, (which is not always the case.) If you like sweet romances with interesting settings and warm, loveable characters, this is a winner.

4/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

SOME LIKE IT SCOT by Pepper Basham. Narrators: Joshua Manning & Stina Nielsen. Thomas Nelson; April 8, 2025. Listening Length: 12 hours and 29 minutes.

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Read by Avery Reid

Meet Me at the Altar, Book 3

From the publisher:

It seemed like a good idea at the time….

When Josie Sullivan agrees to marry her friend Tyler, it’s just so he’ll get a promotion at work. That’s what friends do, right? But what should have been a quick, quiet affair starts to look like the real thing when his family shows up in the middle of the “proposal”. Now, it’s no longer a quick stop at the courthouse during a lunch break but a full-blown wedding, and there’s nothing Josie can do to stop it.

There was no way he could hold his peace….

Daniel Alexander hasn’t been home in years. After 15 years as a Navy SEAL, he’s more than ready to return to civilian life. Being away for so long, he’s missed a lot of his younger brother’s life, and it seems like he’s back just in time to stop him from making the biggest mistake of his life. No matter how he breaks it down, something’s just not adding up about this wedding, and he’s determined to figure out why. And he’s not just trying to stop it from happening because he’s finding himself wildly attracted to the bride-to-be…or because they can’t stop kissing each other.

Josie had given up on finding her own happily ever after, and as her attraction to Daniel keeps growing, she’s suddenly regretting her decision to help out a friend. Now she just needs to decide if she wants to kiss the groom…or the groomsman.

https://amzn.to/4imfKcz

I have not read any of the books in this series, and it never felt like I was missing something, so kudos to Chase. This was a fun read, and I enjoyed listening to it. It usually takes me a few weeks to finish an audiobook; my commute to work is only 20 minutes, and I don’t always remember to put in my AirPods while I’m doing laundry or cooking, but when I do, I get through books a lot quicker. If it’s really good, then I find myself listening all the time. Not too many books like that, though.

The premise of this book was a bit farfetched. Josie is a people pleaser, so when Tyler tells her he can get promoted to partner at his law firm if he’s married, and floats the idea of Josie doing him “a favor” and marrying him, she agrees. She’s not in a relationship, and Tyler is a friend. She has a hard time saying no to friends. Then he throws in a sweetener. Josie has a wedding planning business but wants to expand to other types of events, and Tyler tells her as his wife, she will get all the law firm’s business. It’s a done deal.

They meet for dinner to iron out the details but his parents show up and immediately jump to the wrong conclusion. Tyler doesn’t want to disappoint them and decides to go along with his family’s wishes about the wedding without consulting Josie. This makes her very uncomfortable, but every time she tries to talk to him about it, he manipulates her into doing what he wants.

Meanwhile, Josie meets a really great guy, Daniel, who has just retired from the Navy SEALs. They have a strong attraction, and go out for dinner. The shocker is that Daniel is Tyler’s brother. Daniel can’t understand how this woman he had dinner with and made out with is supposed to marry his brother. And Tyler is just avoiding both of them.

Things get complicated, but no worries, there is a happy ending! If Josie had a spine, there would have been no plot so that worked in this sweet romance. This was a fun listen and a nice escape. I’ve read other books by this author and enjoyed them, but the narrator was new to me, and she did a great job.

4/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

YOU MAY KISS THE GROOMSMAN by Samantha Chase. Narrator: Avery Reid. Dreamscape Media, LLC; September 09, 2021. Listening Length: 7 hours and 22 minutes

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Read by Connie Shabshab & Will Damron

It Happened in Charleston, Book 2

From the publisher:

From the New York Times bestselling author of Practice Makes Perfect and The Cheat Sheet comes an expanded edition of The Enemy—a laugh-out-loud romance about rekindling old flames, with a never-before-seen chapter.

Enemies should never get a second chance. But this one might…

It’s been twelve years since June Broaden has seen her high school enemy (and secret crush), Ryan Henderson. That’s a long time to hold a grudge over some petty feud, but the sharp memory of him dangling a kiss at graduation, then pulling away at the last second, has fueled many angry fantasies since. Now’s her chance to get even.

Ryan, along with most of her high school class, is back in town for her best friend’s wedding, and June is eager to show the former bully exactly what he missed out on. A lot has changed since their high school days; June is the Southern queen of gourmet donuts now, not to mention one of the most desired bachelorettes in her small town.

What’s she’s not expecting, though, is for Ryan to show up looking like Adonis and touting his own career success as the youngest chef to ever win three Michelin stars. How dare he try to one up her revenge plot? Luckily June never backs down from a challenge…

“As they are thrust back together by a friend’s wedding, high school “enemies” June and Ryan are brought to life by narrators Connie Shabshab and Lee Samuels . . . The story is set in Charleston, and both narrators provide just the right level of Southern accents. – AudioFile Reviews

https://amzn.to/4imfKcz

This was such a cute romance! This novel follows the blossoming romance between Ryan and June, characters whose relationship evolves over time. I loved the first book, “The Match,” and June is one of Jake’s sisters. The narrators are really engaging and helped bring the story to life.

From the start, Ryan and June’s interaction is charming, with their witty banter and undeniable chemistry making for a compelling read. It becomes apparent that both characters view each other as the one who got away, a realization that eventually prompts them to act on their feelings. The progression of their relationship is satisfying, even if it takes time for them to acknowledge their mutual attraction.

The development of Ryan and June’s relationship is heartwarming, and their eventual union feels well-deserved. Adams excels at the sweet, closed-door romance, and the heat between Ryan and June is palpable nonetheless. The book is captivating and hard to put down – I’m looking forward to the next book in this terrific series!

3/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE ENEMY by Sarah Adams. Narrators: Connie Shabshab & Will Damron. Dreamscape Media, LLC; May 10, 2022. Listening Length: 8 hours and 38 minutes

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Read by Alex Picard

Oaks Sisters, Book 1

From the publisher:

Fake dating, enemies to lovers, and a wonderfully unique forced proximity debut romance, perfect for fans of Elena Armas’s The American Roommate Experiment and Drew Barrymore’s classic rom-com Fifty First Dates.

Elle’s grandmother Lovie has always taken care of her, as long as she can remember. But remembering is just the problem. With Lovie’s Alzheimer’s progressing fast, it’s Elle’s turn to step up.

Leaving Chicago behind, the last thing she expects when she walks through the door of her childhood home is Adam Wheeler—in her bed. Live-in nurse and pain in the ass, Adam is here to do his job. Eat, sleep, nurse, repeat.

Thrown together to care for Lovie, tensions rise and lines are drawn, but there’s a bigger problem: in her Alzheimer’s riddled mind, Lovie’s convinced that Elle and Adam are madly in love.

Certain she’ll forget by morning, Elle and Adam play along. The only snag? She doesn’t forget.

Lovie is the only person who thinks this fake dating scheme is real…so why is Elle fantasizing about Adam when he’s not around? And why is it getting harder to pretend?

Fake It Like You Mean It is the perfect blend of romance, laugh-out-loud comedy, and heartbreaking beautiful moments.

“The fake dating trope takes on unexpected emotional depth in Murphy’s utterly endearing debut . . . [With] perfect pacing and chemistry that leaps off the page.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Elle and Adam have so much chemistry . . . A moving romance that balances the heartbreak of slowly losing a relative to Alzheimer’s with the thrill of falling in love.” —Kirkus Reviews

https://amzn.to/4hyfRR8

This is a heartwarming yet emotionally charged romance that balances laughter, sizzle, and poignant moments. The story follows Elle, who returns home to care for her grandmother, Lovie, as Alzheimer’s takes its toll. Elle’s life is complicated by Adam, Lovie’s live-in nurse, with whom she shares a dynamic that evolves from sharp banter to a deep connection. When Lovie mistakenly believes they are a couple, they play along, leading to an intimate and tension-filled fake relationship.

As they care for Lovie together, their bond grows naturally through shared vulnerability, humor, and care. The novel compassionately portrays Alzheimer’s, making Lovie a central figure in the narrative. Beyond romance, it explores the pain of losing a loved one and Elle’s journey of self-discovery amidst grief and family responsibilities. This book is a gem for fans of fake dating and slow-burn romances, offering a blend of light-hearted moments and emotional depth.

This was the first romance I’ve listened to in a while with only one narrator, and Picard does a great job with it. Murphy’s debut is a winner, and I’m looking forward to her next book!

3/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

FAKE IT LIKE YOU MEAN IT by Megan Murphy. Narrator: Alex Picard. Dreamscape Media; March 18, 2025. Listening Length: 10 hours.

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Read by Jason Clarke & Victoria Connolly

Oaks Sisters, Book 1

From the publisher:

A swoony, steamy, STEM romance in which two curators at a science museum—a handsome but grumpy astronomer and an anxious but sunshine-y entomologist—realize they are the perfect match. Now with exclusive bonus content!

Millie has never taken the expected path. Her childhood love for bugs and science led her to entomology, and her role as a curator, inspiring museum visitors every day. It’s her dream to run her own department—so when a rare director position opens, she is determined nothing will distract her from her goal. Especially not Finn, her grumpy coworker with his permanent scowl, electric blue eyes, and endless supply of astronomy ties.

. . . Not that she’s spent time noticing any of those things.

Finn doesn’t mean to glare at everyone, but he’s juggling his role at the museum, navigating the grief of losing his sister, attempting to make his nieces smile, and trying not to ruin dinner for the fifth night in a row. He can’t afford to let anything slip, and certainly doesn’t need more to deal with—especially not Millie literally stumbling into him, with her bright smile and sunny optimism.

He bugs her. She’s too starry-eyed for him. They want nothing to do with each other. But with Finn on the interview committee, avoidance is impossible. And Millie soon realizes it’s one thing when a job is on the line. It’s quite another when it’s her heart.

Give Me Butterflies is a sweet and sexy STEM romance, featuring:

• Grumpy x Sunshine
• Heroine in STEM
• Slow burn
• Open door spice
• Found family
• Nerdy banter

“Meadows wows with a contemporary that’s funny, sexy, sweet, and deliciously nerdy all at the same time…Fans of Ali Hazelwood’s STEMinist series should snap this up.” — Publishers Weekly *STARRED* review

“Collectors of perfectly executed grumpy sunshine love stories will want to snare a copy of Meadows’ superbly written romance in their reading nets. With an intriguing STEM-centered storyline, an abundance of steamy sexual chemistry, and plenty of sharp wit, the start of Meadows’ ‘Oak Sisters’ series is a rare specimen indeed.” — Booklist *STARRED* review

“A companionable romance that emphasizes family and friends, support and mental wellbeing, and building a happy life.” — Library Journal

“Narrators Victoria Connolly and Jason Clarke enchant listeners in this heartfelt contemporary romance . . . Both narrators use authentic-sounding voices in the delivery of dialogue, making this a memorable audio experience that will leave listeners smiling.” — AudioFile Reviews

https://amzn.to/41umz5L

This was such a fun, nerdy read! Millie and Finn both work at a science museum; she’s a curator of the entomology department and he’s the director of astronomy. Finn’s face is permanently etched with a scowl, and Millie is all sunshine and rainbows, at least in public. Turns out Finn has good reason for his unhappy face – his only sister died a few months earlier, and he is now guardian to her twin girls. He loves the girls, but it is a lot and it cost him his last relationship when his girlfriend didn’t want to deal with kids.

Millie was in a long-term relationship with Kyle, a man who was manipulative and cruel to her. Eventually, she ends things but is still recovering and certainly not looking to start anything new. But then she runs into Finn, literally, and spills coffee all over him. Then she hits his car. This is a very damaging meet cute, but he is so kind about it all that it really surprises her.

Millie has applied for the open director position in her department, and Finn is on the hiring committee. She works hard to ace her first interview, and it goes really well. But the more she runs into Finn, the more she sees the man behind the scowl, and when he brings his nieces in for a week-long camp program, it totally changes her opinion of him. She adores the girls, and they love her, too. Next thing you know Finn and Millie are hanging out, usually with the girls, and they start developing feelings for one another. This is a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance, and I was completely drawn into their story.

There is a lot of humor and some sizzling sex once they get together. I loved the way they dealt with their respective families – Millie’s is the type of family most people wish for, loving, caring, and close, while Finn’s parents are stuffy and incredibly rude, even to their grandchildren. They are pissed that their daughter left Finn her daughters to raise, but it is easy to understand once they enter the story.

The narrators were great, and I was very excited to recognize Jason Clarke’s voice from another book I listened to. They both do a great job drawing me in and more importantly, keeping my attention. This is a dual narration, with each of them reading their respective chapters as the story moves between Finn and Millie’s viewpoints. There is some added drama with a second candidate vying for the director position, and I loved how Finn handled all that. I couldn’t wait for their happy ending, but the epilogues (plural!) went on too long. The first epilogue was great, but the second one was like a sex scene had been cut from the book and added back on at the end. There are also recipes – well, at least one for Snickerdoodles, but I stopped listening at that point, so there may be more.

All in all, this was a really good story, and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series, which, going by the title of the series, will be based on one of Millie’s sisters.

3/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

GIVE ME BUTTERFLIES by Jillian Meadows. Narrators: Jason Clarke & Victoria Connolly. HarperAudio; January 21, 2025. Listening Length: 10 hours and 45 minutes.

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