Stacy Alesi's BookBitch.com™

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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Hardcover

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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Read by Charlotte North & Stephen Dexter

The Wilmot Sisters, Book 1

From the publisher:

One of Amazon’s Best Romances of 2022!

Opposites become allies to fool their matchmaking friends in this swoony reimagining of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, Much Ado About Nothing.

Jamie Westenberg and Bea Wilmot have nothing in common except a meet-disaster and the mutual understanding that they couldn’t be more wrong for each other. But when the people closest to them play Cupid and trick them into going on a date, Jamie and Bea realize they have something else in common after all—an undeniable need for revenge.

Soon their plan is in place: Fake date obnoxiously and convince the meddlers they’re madly in love. Then, break up spectacularly and dash everyone’s hopes, putting an end to the matchmaking madness once and for all.

To convince everyone that they’ve fallen for each other, Jamie and Bea will have to nail the performance of their lives. But as their final act nears and playing lovers becomes easier than not, they begin to wonder: What if Cupid’s arrow wasn’t so off the mark? And what if two wrongs do make a right?

“From a meet-cute that crackles with wit and humor to pages upon pages of scorching tension, Liese has crafted a warm, delightful novel that emphasizes acceptance, communication, and the self-worth we can discover by both daring to love and letting ourselves be loved…An effervescent reimagining of the Bard packaged in an opposites-attract romance.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“In this lighthearted rom-com riff on Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing from Liese… the banter is easy and the heat level is high.”—Publishers Weekly

“In this exceptionally smart and charming romance… Liese’s writing is crisp and funny, the characters are fully engaging, and the story is delightful.”—Booklist
 
“Liese (Everything for You) nods to Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing here, and readers will enjoy the snarky banter and other similarities to the play, along with the enemies-to-lovers plot, solid character development, and a little heat. Perfect for fans of The Hating Game by Sally Thorne.”—Library Journal

https://amzn.to/41umz5L

I actually read the third book in this series, Once Smitten, Twice Shy, and loved it, so I hunted down the first book, and I’m very glad I did. This is a contemporary retelling of “Much Ado About Nothing,” with inclusiveness, which I loved. The female main character, Bea, is neurodivergent, and the male main character, Ben, has anxiety issues. We get the enemies-to-lovers and fake dating, the witty banter, and the happy ending – not to mention a super fun read! The narrators were wonderful and really helped draw me into the story.

The premise is that Bea’s sister and her boyfriend set up Bea and Ben without telling them. Their first meeting is a disaster; it’s hate at first sight. Their second meeting is a disaster; more hate. But once they figure out they are being set up, they decide the best way to handle it is to get revenge by fake dating and then breaking up. If you’ve ever read a romance, or Shakespeare, you know that they fall in love while fake dating and live happily ever after.

The fake dating did seem forced at times, but not in a good way. They were obviously attracted to one another and understood each other’s social anxiety, which was heartwarming. I reached the point where I wanted to shout at them, enough already. Just admit you have feelings and move on. But it took many, many pages until that finally happened. Luckily, that witty banter helped move the story along anyway.

This was a fun, sexy read with a lot of humor. I’m hunting down book two next.

3/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

TWO WRONGS MAKE A RIGHT by Chloe Liese. Narrators: Charlotte North & Stephen Dexter. Penguin Audio; November 22, 2022. Listening Length: 11 hours and 30 minutes

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Read by Alex Finke

Dial Delights*

From the publisher:

A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The Washington Post, NPR, Elle

Eve Hatch lives for surprises! Just kidding. She expects every tomorrow to be pretty much the same as today. She loves her cozy apartment in Brooklyn that’s close to her childhood best friend Willa, and far from her midwestern, traditional family who has never really understood her. While her job is only dream-adjacent, it’s comfortable and steady. She always knows what to expect from her life . . . until she finds herself expecting after an uncharacteristic one-night stand.

The unplanned pregnancy cracks open all the relationships in her life. Eve’s loyal friendship with Willa is feeling tense, right when she needs her the most. And it’s actually Willa’s steadfast older brother, Shep, who steps up to help Eve. He has always been friendly, but now he’s checking in, ordering her surprise lunches, listening to all her complaints, and is . . . suddenly kinda hot? Then, as if she needs one more complication, there’s the baby’s father, who is (technically) supportive but (majorly) conflicted.

Up until this point, Eve’s been content to coast through life. Now, though—maybe it’s the hormones, maybe it’s the way Shep’s shoulders look in a T-shirt—Eve starts to wonder if she has been secretly desiring more from every aspect of her life.

Over the course of nine months, as Eve struggles to figure out the next right step in her expanding reality, she begins to realize that family and love, in all forms, can sneak up on you when you least expect it.

“Accidental pregnancy is a love-it-or-hate-it construct for most romance fans, which could leave Cara Bastone’s friends-to-lovers entry in a tough position. But for those willing to jive with that particular plot twist—and trust me, it’s worth it—Ready or Not is an absolutely buoyant read. Vivacious and funny, Bastone’s first-person perspective through protagonist Eve traces the tricky threads of single parenthood, long-term friendship, infertility, grief, and (yes) sex with skill.”—Elle

“I’ve never read a contemporary romance novel quite like this one. This friends-to-lovers trope centers on a surprise pregnancy that’s filled with heartfelt dialogue, unexpected love and a slow burn. It’s incredible and I found myself not wanting to put it down. This story is endearing, life-affirming, and left me feeling buoyed and hopeful.”—New York Post, “The 15 Best Books We Read in February”

“Sure, this is a love story. But it’s also about all the ways love shows up. . . . And at the end of the day, that’s the ideal family, right? Never perfect but always trying.”—NPR

“This pitch-perfect rom-com . . . could be the guidebook on how to successfully execute the ‘friends-to-lovers’ trope. Bastone carefully captures the slow-burning magic of seeing someone familiar in a new light, and Shep is so wonderful he deserves a place in the Book Boyfriend Hall of Fame.”—The Washington Post

https://amzn.to/41umz5L

I have to start this review by saying I loved the narrator – Alex Finke made me understand why audiobook readers often follow narrators even more than authors. I am looking forward to listening to more Finke!

Eve is a young woman in her twenties with a crappy job but living her dream in New York City. She’s trying to find her path forward when she gets a sharp dose of reality; her one night stand has left her pregnant. Her best friend, Willa, is not happy with her, but Willa’s brother, Shep, becomes someone she can lean on.

I often wonder about these romances that begin in pregnancy because, let’s face it, most women are not always themselves while pregnant; those hormones are no joke! But Shep is such a sweet, supportive guy that I couldn’t help but root for them. The baby daddy, Ethan, turns out to be more than just a one night stand, too, so lucky Eve in that regard.

This is a slow-burn, sweet romance, and I really enjoyed it. Sometimes, you just want to feel good escaping into a book, and this certainly filled that need for me. As the world around me is burning to the ground, books remain my escape, and I am most grateful for it.

*Dial Delights is a series put together by Random House. All the books are contemporary romances but written by different authors, so they do not need to be read in any order. There are a few more books coming out later this year, including Promise Me Sunshine (3/3/2025), also by Cara Bastone and read by Alex Finke. I am especially looking forward to that one!

3/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

READY OR NOT by Cara Bastone. Narrator: Alex Finke. Random House Audio; February 13, 2024. Listening Length: 10 hours and 50 minutes

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