Contemporary | Stacy Alesi's BookBitch.com™

Spotlight Review: THE NIGHT WE MET by Abby Jimenez

March 31, 2026

Say You’ll Remember Me, Book 2

From the publisher:

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Say You’ll Remember Me comes a beautiful, compelling novel that revels in laughter, friendship, and the messy choices life can throw our way.

In everyone’s life, there’s a split-second decision that can change everything …

For Larissa, it came when choosing who to ride home with after a concert. That night, she had no idea she’d met the perfect man. She and Chris are great friends, co-parenting a slightly unhinged rescue Yorkie, sharing their favorite books, and judging bread (pumpernickel for the win!). For the first time amid all her side hustles to scrape by, things finally feel easy.

But she didn’t choose Chris to drive her home all those months ago—she went with his best friend, and he became her boyfriend. All Chris wants is for Larissa to be happy. Standing by on the sidelines is slowly killing him, but making a move would destroy someone else.

How can something that feels so right be absolutely impossible?

Publishers Weekly Top 10 Romance Releases for Spring 2026

“In turns heart-wrenching and humorous, tear-jerking and laughter-inducing, Jimenez’s latest is unputdownable until the inevitable, but seemingly impossible, HEA.” ―Library Journal, starred review

“A compulsively readable slow-burn romance full of grown-up worries and plenty of pining.”
―Kirkus, starred review

“The palpable yearning and slow-burning sexual tension keep the pages flying.”―Publishers Weekly

“Jimenez once again demonstrates a rare flair for love and laughter in this radiantly rewarding romance.”―Booklist
https://amzn.to/4sIrNX2

Chris and Mike have been inseparable since childhood. One night at a concert, they meet Larissa, a young woman who needs a ride home. Both men offer, but she chooses Mike—and that single decision sparks a relationship. Mike falls fast and hard, while Larissa, slower to trust, prefers to take things one careful step at a time.

Larissa carries a heavy load. Her father stole her mother’s identity, racked up debt, and then did the same to her, leaving her with a wrecked credit score and bills she can barely manage. She works as a diner waitress—grateful the menu is nut‑free because of her severe allergies—and picks up any side job she can, from mystery shopping to selling homemade nut‑free snacks. She lives with her mother because she can’t afford her own place, but despite everything, she stays upbeat and determined to claw her way out of poverty.

One morning, Mike wakes Chris in a panic. Mike was supposed to drive Larissa and her mother to the hospital for her mother’s surgery, but he’s so hungover he can barely stand. He lies to Larissa about having a migraine and sends Chris in his place. That day becomes a turning point: Chris and Larissa finally connect. When they find an abandoned dog, Chris takes it to the vet and ends up keeping it because every shelter is full. The dog isn’t housebroken, so Larissa offers to help—and their bond deepens. The little Yorkie also adds some welcome humor to the story.

As Larissa spends more time with Chris, she grows close to him but sees him as a good friend, unaware that he has quietly fallen for her. Meanwhile, Chris is constantly covering for Mike, who hides his drinking from Larissa. Chris is the one digging out her car after a snowstorm, checking restaurants for nut safety, quietly smoothing every rough edge in her life. But Larissa assumes Mike is the one doing all these thoughtful things, and Chris never corrects her.

Everything comes to a head when Larissa mother decides to move to another state with a man Larissa doesn’t care for. Feeling trapped, she finally acquiesces and moves in with Mike. But she arrives a day early, and everything Mike has been hiding comes to light. The whole friend group spends Christmas at a family cabin, and the tension between Larissa and Mike is impossible to ignore. This isn’t a dramatic third‑act breakup—it’s a reckoning. And once again, Chris is the one who shows up for her. By now, Larissa is starting to see the truth: every kindness she attributed to Mike was really Chris.

But Chris has no family beyond this friend group, and he’s convinced that pursuing Larissa would destroy the only community he has. So they remain “just friends,” aching for each other in a way that feels almost unbearable.

It’s a gorgeous, heartfelt story—full of longing, quiet devotion, and the kind of love that grows in the spaces between grand gestures. And yes, there is a happy ending. Don’t skip the author’s note; it’s incredibly moving. This might be Jimenez’s best book yet – don’t miss it.

3/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE NIGHT WE MET by Abby Jimenez. Forever (March 24, 2026). ISBN: 978-1538759226. 400p.

Kindle

Audible

Leave a Comment » | Book Reviews, Fiction, Romance | Tagged: Contemporary, sweet romance | Permalink
Posted by Stacy Alesi

Audiobook Sunday: FALLING FOR TROUBLE by Carly Phillips

March 29, 2026

Narration by Verla Bond & Charlie Fog

Dare to Fall Series, Book 1

From the publisher:

He’s the bad boy my family warned me about—and the one man I can’t have.

I just landed the job of my dreams—planning the Miami Thunder football team’s 50th-anniversary celebration—and I can’t afford distractions. Especially not tattooed billionaire and reformed troublemaker Lucas Carras. He exudes alpha-hero intensity, and he’s been off limits for as long as I’ve known him.

But the kickoff party is happening at the nightclub he co-owns with my brother…and with my sibling out of town, I’m stuck working with Lucas.

Forced proximity ignites the desire we’ve both been pretending doesn’t exist. From bedrooms to storage rooms, the scorching tension causes us to cross every line we swore we wouldn’t. On paper, we’re complete opposites. In reality, the chemistry is undeniable.

This party is everything I’ve worked for—my moment to prove myself. Until the sabotage starts.

Orders vanish. Vendors back out. Someone is determined to ruin the anniversary…and my reputation along with it.

Suddenly Lucas isn’t just a distraction. He’s my protector, my anchor, and the only man I trust to stand by my side.

But when my brother finds out about us, family drama explodes. And I’m torn between being the good girl who plays by the rules…and falling for trouble.

Perfect for fans of Carly Phillips and high-heat sports romance, Falling for Trouble features a possessive hero, high-stakes suspense, and a guaranteed HEA.

https://amzn.to/3PqGGP2

Rainey Dare’s father is presumably a billionaire — he owns a professional football team in Miami — but she’s determined to make it on her own. Sort of. I found this plot point genuinely annoying. She’s a party planner in Miami, competing for the contract to plan her father’s anniversary party for the team. No nepotism here, though. She wins the gig on the merits of her sterling presentation, because surely no one would hand it to her just to curry favor with dear old dad. Did I mention how much this bothered me?

Problems begin almost immediately: missing shipments, changed orders, the works. The culprit is telegraphed early on, making the whodunit drama feel over-the-top; the real mystery was more about how and why it happened than who did it.

Rainey wants to host the party at her brother’s nightclub. Again, no nepotism here. Conveniently, her brother is out of town, leaving her to work with his partner, the gorgeous billionaire Lucas. Their chemistry is off the charts, though Rainey is determined to keep things professional. That resolve lasts about five minutes.

Lucas turns out to be genuinely helpful, and his money is only a small part of it. As they spend more time together, their relationship deepens, and the “bro code” between Lucas and Rainey’s brother quietly goes out the window.

Plot holes aside — and there are enough to drive a train through — I still enjoyed this one. The narrators were new to me, but they did a great job bringing the characters to life and keeping me engaged. I always enjoy Carly Phillips books, and while this isn’t her best, it’s still an entertaining read.

Just wanted to add that I’m really loving that Netgalley is offering early copies of audiobooks in addition to egalleys, and I’m taking full advantage!

3/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

FALLING FOR TROUBLE by Carly Phillips. Narrators: Verla Bond & Charlie Fog. Dreamscape Media (March 17, 2026). ASIN: B0GDS2YL2G. Listening Length: 6 hours and 15 minutes.

Kindle

Paperback

Leave a Comment » | Book Reviews, Fiction, Romance | Tagged: Audiobook, Contemporary | Permalink
Posted by Stacy Alesi

JETT by Lily Zante

March 27, 2026

Knight Empire, Book 1

From the author:

She’s been in love with her grumpy billionaire boss for years. Quitting should be easy. So why can’t she walk away?

Cari’s done. Three years of running Jett Knight’s life—dodging his moods, cleaning up his messes, and watching him date women who aren’t her—has finally pushed her over the edge. She’s handing in her resignation.

But Jett Knight doesn’t take orders. He gives them. And there’s no way in hell he’s letting Cari go.

He needs her—more than he’ll ever admit. His billion-dollar empire runs smoother when she’s by his side. His five-year-old daughter adores her. And the thought of Cari walking away? Unacceptable.

So he makes her an offer. One she should refuse.

But resisting Jett? That’s never been Cari’s strong suit…

JETT is an age gap, single dad, steamy billionaire boss romance. It’s the first book in a scorching billionaire series featuring six powerful brothers, a ruthless family empire, and the cold, calculating father who rules it all.

https://amzn.to/485rCMX

This is a self-published book, and my first read by this author.

Jett, 33, is the eldest of the Knight brothers. His personal assistant, Cari, is 24 years old, and he treats her abominably. Somehow, she has a massive crush on him, despite him sending her out to buy gifts for his girlfriend of the month, pick up his dry cleaning, and so forth. His only redeeming quality is his five-year-old daughter. Cari feels stuck in her job because she is taking care of her mother, who is ill, but when she passes, her priorities change. She finally summons up the courage to turn in her resignation. Unfortunately, Jett doesn’t even see it in the pile of mail he is neglecting.

When Jett’s nanny refuses to cut her vacation short because he forgot about a business trip, he fires her. Then he finds Cari’s letter of resignation and talks her into staying on for just a few weeks and working as his temporary nanny. She acquiesces, and they fly off on a business trip/vacation to Bermuda. Meanwhile, Jett’s father has arranged a marriage for him with a business deal in mind, but Jett is appalled and refuses to even consider it. His father, however, isn’t taking no for an answer.

Cari enjoys spending time with her young charge, even though the people she has to deal with at various social events for the kids are incredibly rude and unkind, even to the child. When Jett sees how Cari stands up for his daughter, he is truly touched.

Eventually, Jett starts falling for Cari, and their relationship takes a steamy turn. While there is a happy ending, it’s more of a happy for now than forever – at least until the next book unfolds. I dislike romance books with ambiguous endings, and the push-pull between the main characters eventually got old. Not my favorite, and I won’t be searching out the rest of this series.

3/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

JETT by C. Self-published. ( February 25, 2025). ASIN: B0DTJ88NF6. 462p.

Paperback

Leave a Comment » | Book Reviews, Fiction, Romance | Tagged: Contemporary, steamy | Permalink
Posted by Stacy Alesi

LUCKY COWBOY by Heatherly Bell

March 27, 2026

The Cowboys of Stone Ridge, Book 1

From the author:

In a small Texas town where cowboys outnumber women, one rule keeps the peace: Don’t fall for your best friend’s sister.

He’s the grumpy one—the steady, hard-working cowboy who keeps his head down and his feelings locked tight. She’s the one woman he’s never been allowed to want. Off-limits. Untouchable. Completely wrong.

In a town where everyone knows everyone’s business, temptation is everywhere—and so are the consequences.

Breaking the rule could cost him his best friend.

Following his heart could cost him everything else.

Because in a place this small, secrets don’t stay hidden…and love has a way of rewriting every rule.

A slow-burn, small-town cowboy romance featuring a grumpy hero, forbidden feelings, forced proximity, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

https://amzn.to/4lu01KO

This is a self-published ebook I got through BookBub. I don’t review many self-published books, but they are a huge part of the book market now, and the numbers keep growing. There are a few self-published authors I review regularly (Piper Rayne and Amy Dawes spring to mind), and many of them are being picked up by mainstream publishers as well, with the authors often keeping the digital rights and selling print rights, like Lucy Score. It’s all changing rapidly, not to mention the influx of AI into the publishing realm, especially in romance. But I’ll leave those thoughts for another day.

Stone Ridge, Texas—still clinging to its Old West roots—has one big problem: men outnumber women five to one. It’s a close-knit community where everyone knows everyone’s business and has an opinion about it.

Sadie Stephens, the town’s new schoolteacher, has loved her older brother’s best friend, Lincoln Carver, since she was sixteen, but to him she was always just her brother Beau’s little sister. Back then, he barely noticed her. Lincoln grew up fast after his mother walked out on the family, leaving him to raise his younger siblings and teaching him not to trust love or permanence. Sadie, meanwhile, left Stone Ridge for college, only to have her confidence shattered by a cheating boyfriend. Now she’s back home, wary of men and trying to rebuild her life.

Her best friend, Eve, once engaged to Lincoln’s younger brother Jackson, fled on their wedding day. The Carver family blamed Sadie for not talking Eve out of it, and the fallout cracked something between the two families that never fully healed. Eve has since become a veterinarian and carries her own scars, including partial hearing loss and unresolved feelings for Jackson. But that’s a story for another book.

Sadie’s return to Stone Ridge isn’t smooth. She’s back, teaching at a start-up school for the town’s youngest children, so they won’t have to ride a bus halfway across the county. On her first day, a student pushes her to the brink of exasperation, and her frustrated stomp sends her foot straight through the rotting floorboards. Repairs are needed immediately, and in a town full of men eager to help, Lincoln is one of the first to step up. A rancher and former rodeo star, he’s respected, capable, and determined to keep his distance from anything resembling emotional entanglement—especially with Sadie.

But everything shifts when Sadie invites him to speak to her students about rodeo life. The kids convince him to demonstrate his lasso skills, and in the chaos, Sadie—true to her klutzy nature—trips, hits her head, and ends up with a concussion. Lincoln feels responsible and refuses to leave her alone when she declines a hospital visit. Dinner and a reluctant checkup follow, giving them their first real chance to see each other clearly.

Their chemistry is undeniable, but both carry deep‑rooted fears. Sadie doesn’t trust easily anymore. Lincoln doesn’t trust love at all. Her mother has opinions about cowboys and financial futures. The road to their happy ending takes more than a few wrong turns — but in a town like Stone Ridge, the community has a way of closing ranks around the people who need it most. Through missteps, misunderstandings, and a few emotional detours, Sadie and Lincoln slowly learn to let go of old wounds and take a chance on something real.

3/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

LUCKY COWBOY by Heatherly Bell. Heatherly Bell Books. (April 6, 2021). ASIN: B08L1HMYM4. 318p.

Audible

Leave a Comment » | Book Reviews, Fiction, Romance | Tagged: Contemporary, Cowboy, steamy | Permalink
Posted by Stacy Alesi

Spotlight Review: HOW TO WRITE A LOVE STORY by Catherine Walsh

March 24, 2026

From the publisher:

One writer, one editor, one hot summer . . . Will this be a romance for the books?

Ciara Sheridan’s father has left her with three things: a sprawling and distinctly ramshackle estate on the Irish coast, the outline for the finale to his bestselling epic fantasy series that he wanted her to finish—and writer’s block.

Enter Sam Avery: Frank Sheridan fanboy and hotshot editor, sent from the New York publishing house direct to Ciara’s doorstep—red pen ready.

At first, Ciara and Sam butt heads with crackling energy. But with the deadline looming, Ciara and Sam have just a few weeks to stop bickering, write this novel, and secure Frank’s legacy.

As the summer heats up, so, too, does the tension between them. Will their own love story be the plot twist neither of them see coming?
https://amzn.to/3NrhRBP

Famous fantasy author Frank Sheridan (think Tolkien or Rowling) wrote the Ravian series of nine books. He never got to write the tenth and final book in the series as he passed away, leaving his notes and his estate to his daughter, Ciera. A mystery writer under a pseudonym, Ciera stopped writing when her real name was outed, followed by the typical online hate.

Sheridan’s publisher offers Ciera a contract to write the last book, but she is experiencing severe writer’s block and hasn’t turned in a single page. As her deadline nears, the publisher decides to send their top editor, Sam, over to Ireland to help her out. Sam is a lifelong Ravian fan, and no one knows the series or the characters better.

Frank’s house is almost as famous as his books, and fans have been trying to find it for years. They show up occasionally, but Ciera has no patience for them. It’s in a tiny hamlet in Ireland, where she grew up, so the locals are protective of her. Sam arranges to stay in the only “inn” in town. It’s a tiny room above the local pub, but it will suffice. The pub owner refuses to give him directions to Ciera’s house, so he sets off on foot, figuring he’ll find it eventually. He does, and talks her into getting to work.

They work together, and eventually she starts churning out pages, and things are going well. Sam tries to stay professional, but Ciera is pushing all his buttons, and eventually they fall into a friendship and then more. But when word leaks out that the final book is being written, all hell breaks loose. It is up to Sam to protect Ciera and help her get to the finish line, but it becomes increasingly difficult, and eventually, Sam has to go back to New York to deal with the fallout.

This was a slow-burn romance, emphasis on the slow. I’m not sure if it is the start of a new series; Ciara’s best friend, Maddie, seems ripe for a book of her own, but only time will tell. Walsh delivers a solid romance, but I expected more.

3/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

HOW TO WRITE A LOVE STORY by Catherine Walsh. Dutton (March 10, 2026). ISBN: 979-8217043781. 352p.

Kindle

Audible

Leave a Comment » | Book Reviews, Fiction, Romance | Tagged: Contemporary | Permalink
Posted by Stacy Alesi

Audiobook Sunday: THE SLOW BURN by Ali Rosen

March 22, 2026

Narration by Dominique Salvacion

From the publisher:

From the bestselling author of Unlikely Story comes a warm, witty novel about a chef whose unexpected summer in Italy turns messier and richer than any recipe she ever would’ve planned.

Between a breakup and a burned-down restaurant, there’s nothing left in New York for Kit Roth except the ashes of her success.

Needing distance and distraction, she agrees to work for her best friend’s pasta-making nonna in the Italian countryside. But instead of providing a quiet sabbatical to eat up time while her kitchen is rebuilt, the small town of Manciano keeps pulling Kit into its rituals and rhythms. And before long, it shows her everything she’s been missing. Simpler cooking, community…and Nico Ruspoli, an olive oil producer with his own scorched past. But with Kit determined to leave after three months, and Nico rooted to his grove, their growing chemistry is at odds with what they both want for their future.

Yet with each passing week, Kit finds herself measuring less and tasting more. And when it’s time to go back to her life in New York, she doesn’t know what—or who—she’s willing to leave behind.

https://amzn.to/3Pjg9my

I visited Italy many years ago and have longed to go back. It was glorious! So any time I can read a book that takes me back, I’m all in.

Kit is a chef who doesn’t just love her job — she is her job. So when the restaurant she helms catches fire, she’s completely devastated. Her breakup with her boyfriend — who is also her business partner, and yes, they were sleeping together — barely registers by comparison. What matters is that she can’t cook.

Panicking, Kit’s best friend steps in with a solution: go to Italy and stage at her grandmother’s restaurant in the tiny town of Manciano.

And so Kit lands in Tuscany, in an entirely different world. Nonna’s restaurant lives and dies by pasta, and Nonna is no pushover. She refuses to let this celebrated visiting chef anywhere near the flour — for weeks, Kit is stuck doing scut work. But she’s in a kitchen, and that makes her happy.

Next door lies an olive grove, tended by Nico — producer of the finest olive oil in the region and, not incidentally, very easy on the eyes. He’s also genuinely kind. Kit starts spending time with him, a friendship takes root, and the slow burn begins. Very slow. Glacially slow, really. Eventually they move toward something deeper, though a complication looms: Kit has a newly refurbished restaurant waiting in New York and no shortage of other opportunities, while Nico has olive trees rooted firmly in Tuscan soil. They find a way to bridge the distance — in a manner most readers will see coming long before they get there.

What elevates this one for me is the setting. Italy does a lot of heavy lifting, and I’m happy to let it. I don’t mind a slow burn in principle, but this one tests the limits. There is a bit of steam that frankly, helps. The ending, though, is telegraphed so clearly that the drama leading up to it feels overwrought.

That said, if you love Italy and Italian food as much as I do, it’s an enjoyable read. The narrator handles the material well, and I’d gladly listen to her again. Viva Italia!

3/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE SLOW BURN by Ali Rosen. Narrator: Dominique Salvacion. Brilliance Audio (January 27, 2026). ASIN: B0FNRYSVCK. Listening Length: 9 hours and 16 minutes.

Kindle

Paperback

Leave a Comment » | Book Reviews, Fiction, Romance | Tagged: Audiobook, Contemporary | Permalink
Posted by Stacy Alesi

TAKE A NUMBER by Amy Daws

March 20, 2026

Wait With Me, Book 4

From the author:

A brand new standalone romantic comedy from Amazon Top 13 bestseller, Amy Daws!

Norah is certain that fake dating the cocky silent investor of her bakery could be messy…but that’s what aprons are for.

Norah Donahue wants to run bakeries not have babies, but her matchmaking mother won’t stop trying to play Cupid. She has her hands full getting her new business off the ground while dealing with her frustratingly flirty financial partner, Dean.

Dean Moser is a cocky stock market savant whose friends are all settling down, leaving Boulder’s infamous ladies’ man all alone. Recently he’s set his sights on Norah, who brushes off his advances like flour from her apron.

But when Norah needs a fake date for her parents’ anniversary party, her new silent investor might be just the guy for the job. He’s charismatic, successful, and too much of a playboy to take it seriously. It seems like a foolproof plan…

That is, until Norah decides to break her biggest rule and lock lips with Dean in the middle of the party.

Turns out that Dean and Norah’s chemistry is sizzling hot, but mixing business with pleasure could turn out to be a recipe for disaster.

Or maybe they can have their cake and eat it too.

Take A Number is a 92,000 word full-length rom com best enjoyed with lots of pastries.

https://amzn.to/4lu01KO

Norah Donahue grew up learning to bake at her mother’s side, and the moment she sold her first box of homemade cookies, she knew she’d found her calling. Culinary school sharpened her instincts, and her creativity led her to invent her own croissant–donut hybrid—distinct from the famous Cronut—which helped launch her thriving bakery, Rise and Shine. Now she’s opening a second location in Denver with franchise ambitions on the horizon.

Norah is driven, hilarious, and fiercely independent, though she undersells herself — she doesn’t see how remarkable she is. What should be a triumphant moment is complicated by her mother, who dismisses Norah’s success and focuses instead on her lack of a husband and children. Norah has poured everything into her business and has zero interest in dating, convinced her work is enough.

Dean Moser is a charming, flirtatious hedge fund guy who has coasted on casual hookups since his two best friends, Kate and Lynsey, paired off and left him behind. Lately, though, the easy lifestyle feels hollow. The one constant brightening his days is his morning ritual at Rise and she decides to expand to a second shop in Denver, he becomes her silent partner—partly because it’s a smart business move, partly because he can’t resist helping her succeed.

When Norah’s mother tries to set her up with an old flame at an upcoming family anniversary party, she goes into a panic. Dean needs a credible date for a friend’s wedding, and the solution is obvious: a fake relationship, complete with Norah’s carefully drafted list of rules.

What follows is the classic slow burn — two people with real reasons to avoid love who find that their chemistry and connection keep undermining their best intentions. Dean won’t risk becoming his emotionally damaging father; Norah won’t sacrifice her empire for anyone.

As their fake dating arrangement blurs into something real, both must confront the emotional baggage holding them back. Dean’s missteps can be maddening, but his heart is genuine. Norah’s growth—from list‑making perfectionist to someone willing to take emotional risks—is both funny and inspiring.

Take a Number blends humor, heat, and heart as Norah and Dean navigate meddling friends, overbearing parents, and their own fears. It’s a swoony, sexy rom‑com with surprising depth, a hero you’ll want to shake and hug in equal measure, and a heroine who discovers she can build an empire and open herself to love.

3/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

TAKE A NUMBER by Amy Daws. Stars Hollow Publishing. (October 8, 2020). ISBN: 978-1944565336. 300p.

Kindle

Audible

Leave a Comment » | Book Reviews, Fiction, Romance | Tagged: Contemporary, football, sportsromance, steamy | Permalink
Posted by Stacy Alesi

AND THE CROWD WENT WILD by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

March 13, 2026

Chicago Stars, Book 11

From the publisher:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Elizabeth Phillips is back with the latest novel in her beloved Chicago Stars series, featuring a romance between a star quarterback and one of the country’s most beautiful—and misunderstood—actresses.

After a mortifying—and very public—humiliation, Dancy Flynn is desperate to find sanctuary far from the crowd. But where can a washed-up sex symbol hide? How about making an unannounced appearance at the secluded lake house of the sweet, sensitive high school boyfriend she hasn’t seen in almost twenty years?

But Chicago Stars quarterback Clint Garrett is no longer the kid Dancy remembers. Now he’s a gridiron superhero, still holding a massive grudge against her for breaking his teenage heart. With no room in his life for either complexity or distractions, he banishes Dancy to a refurbished old railroad caboose tucked away in the woods…and out of his sight.

Except Dancy’s not good at staying invisible. Her efforts to rebuild her career clash with Clint’s desperation to regain his focus, all made more challenging by a rescue dog, a local woman in trouble, a meddling mother, an ex with an agenda…and the sizzle of rekindled emotions.

As Dancy attempts to get her life on track and Clint tries to get his groove back, can these two one-time lovers navigate their rocky pasts and complicated present to find themselves…and each other?

Tropes include:

childhood sweethearts
second-chance romance
enemies to lovers
forced proximity

“From the insightful characterization to the wit-infused dialogue to the smoking-hot chemistry between the book’s marvelously original protagonists, everything in Phillip’s latest addition to her Chicago Stars series is done with a seemingly effortless ease that belies the true literary skill needed to produce this swoon-worthy masterpiece.”—Booklist, starred review

https://amzn.to/3NiiFst

SEP is the original sports‑romance queen, and two decades later, her books still land exactly where they should. The execution is flawless.

At its core, this is a story about heart, hope, and rebuilding.

Dancy Flynn — a former Hollywood Bond Girl and the ex-wife of a famous action hero — hits rock bottom when her glamorous comeback attempt at a gala ends in public humiliation. The moment is made worse when her ex shows up with his pregnant new girlfriend after insisting for years that he never wanted children. Desperate to escape the spotlight, Dancy flees to the last place anyone would expect to find her: the lake house of her high-school boyfriend, Clint, now an NFL quarterback struggling through his own career slump.

Their shared history is complicated, and Clint wants nothing to do with reopening old wounds. Still, he offers her the refurbished caboose on his property as a temporary refuge. From there, two wounded people slowly begin to piece their lives back together.

Dancy’s story is the emotional heart of the novel. She’s truly at rock bottom — depressed, neglecting herself, numbing the pain with alcohol, and feeling utterly alone. Despite her beauty and fame, she carries deep scars from her divorce, a miscarriage, and years of being dismissed as a blonde bimbo instead of being taken seriously. Watching her slowly reclaim her sense of self — through an unlikely friendship with a kindergarten principal and a stray dog she rescues from the road — is deeply moving. Her mental-health crisis is portrayed with honesty and compassion, and her path forward is rooted in acceptance, self-worth, and learning to choose herself again.

This isn’t just a romance; it’s a story about female empowerment and rediscovering your own strength before opening your heart to someone else.

Clint is equally compelling, though his presence is quieter by design. Controlled, gentlemanly, and outwardly perfect, he’s still carrying the hurt from their teenage breakup while quietly battling his own depression under the pressure of being a star athlete. His characterization is intentionally understated. Clint matters, but he’s not the center of the story — he’s the steady presence who supports Dancy without overshadowing her. This is her story first, and the romance rekindles alongside her recovery rather than driving it.

This story is an exceptional addition to the series. It has everything: palpable tension, emotions that sneak up on you, and moments of joy that linger long after the final page. Dancy and Clint’s journey from heartbreak to healing completely pulled me in — witty banter, forced proximity, sizzling second-chance romance, a rescue dog, and a meddling family all woven together into something impossible to put down.

One of my favorite elements was the emotional maturity of the relationship. Clint communicates like an adult, respects boundaries, and creates a sense of emotional safety without ever feeling boring. These are characters in their thirties navigating real-life transitions with nuance and growth. There’s no manipulation, no contrived misunderstandings, and no cheap miscommunication drama.

I laughed, and I cried. Just a spectacular read.

Trigger warning: The heroine experienced sexual violence at age 17; the story takes place when she is 35.

3/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

AND THE CROWD WENT WILD by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Avon. (February 10, 2026). ISBN: 978-0063248625. 352p.

Kindle

Audible

Leave a Comment » | Book Reviews, Fiction, Romance | Tagged: Contemporary, football, sportsromance, steamy | Permalink
Posted by Stacy Alesi

HARRIET IN WAITING by Rachel Del Grosso

March 13, 2026

Lost and Found, Book 1

What does starting over really mean when the life you knew calls it quits?

Harriet Langley never realized how much of her life revolved around her husband, Alex, until they separated. Now that she’s free to eat what she wants, watch what she likes, and ditch all the emotional heavy-lifting, she’s feeling…oddly liberated. But just as she’s settling into her new routine, Alex drops a bomb: he wants the kids every second weekend—and that’s it. Harriet, now officially the primary parent, can’t decide if she should celebrate or scream into a pillow.

Between co-parenting disasters, Alex’s smug post-separation glow, and his younger sister, Charlie, moving in, Harriet’s so-called fresh start quickly starts to feel like a chaotic juggling act.

As Harriet rediscovers old passions and confronts uncomfortable truths about herself, she begins to rebuild her life—this time on her terms. Charlie, with her endless crop tops and unnerving honesty, somehow becomes both a total pain…and an unexpected lifeline.

With sharp wit and a lot of heart, Harriet in Waiting explores how communication can make or break a relationship, and what happens when one woman decides she’s done playing by the rules. Perfect for fans of Abbi Waxman and Fleishman Is in Trouble.

Appeals to readers of: Women’s Fiction, Small Town & Rural fiction, Friendship Fiction, Women’s domestic life fiction, Humorous fiction, Marriage and divorce fiction.

Key Tropes include: Second chances, second act, reinvention, Divorce glow-up, Urban landscape, Conflict comes from interpersonal relationships, and reluctant single motherhood.

Harriet in Waiting is book one in the Lost and Found Series set in the small town coastal city of La Jolla, California.

https://amzn.to/4rq5UKB

At first glance, this novel seems to follow the familiar midlife-crisis-sparked-by-a-cheating-husband trope—but it’s far more nuanced than that. At its heart, it’s a story about the slow unraveling of a marriage, the ripple effects on an entire family, and one woman’s journey back to herself.

Harriet is an easy protagonist to root for: capable, funny, overwhelmed, and painfully aware that she’s been running on empty for years. When her husband confesses to an affair and quickly moves on to a shiny new life—complete with a new apartment, new car, and minimal parenting time—Harriet is left holding everything together. She’s juggling two hurt teenagers, a mother-in-law determined to paint her son as blameless, and Charlie, her free-spirited sister-in-law, who arrives unannounced and brings both chaos and unexpected clarity.

What follows is messy, funny, and genuinely moving. As Harriet navigates the early months after the separation, the novel traces her attempts to understand what went wrong, reconnect with old passions, form new friendships, and figure out who she is outside of marriage. Watching her stumble, regroup, and slowly reclaim her sense of self is both inspiring and deeply relatable.

Charlie—known for her crop tops, blunt observations, and surprising wisdom—becomes an essential sounding board. The bond that develops between the two women gives the story much of its heart. Their relationship feels authentic and layered, more like true sisters than in-laws brought together by circumstance.

This isn’t a tidy post-divorce fantasy. Set against the breezy coastal backdrop of La Jolla, the novel blends humor, emotional honesty, and sharp insight into identity, communication, and second chances. The characters feel real, and their struggles are believable. Harriet’s eventual love interest—complete with an Irish lilt—adds a spark of joy without overshadowing her personal journey.

The emotions feel earned, the humor lands well, and Harriet’s growth is satisfying without ever feeling unrealistic. A final twist adds an extra layer of satisfaction to the story. I should add, I appreciate a romance with characters well out of their twenties and even thirties. Mid-life may not be as sexy, but for me, it is more relatable.

Thoughtful, funny, and quietly powerful, this is a promising start to the Lost and Found series.

3/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

HARRIET IN WAITING by Rachel Del Grosso. Love N. Books Press. (January 9, 2026). ISBN: 979-8895676899. 310p.

Kindle

Leave a Comment » | Book Reviews, Fiction, Romance | Tagged: Contemporary | Permalink
Posted by Stacy Alesi

Spotlight Review: MISTAKES WERE MADE by Lucy Score

March 10, 2026

Story Lake, Book 2

From the publisher:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Lucy Score, whose smash hit Things We Never Got Over captured millions of hearts, invites you back to Story Lake for a swoon-worthy new small town romantic comedy.

He’s looking for the perfect wife. She’s looking for the perfect one-night stand.

Literary agent Zoey Moody doesn’t like small town life, but here she is: exiled from Manhattan’s publishing scene and trapped in a tiny Pennsylvania town with her BFF and only remaining client, Hazel. The problem? She’s totally broke.

All she needs is for Hazel’s next romance novel to become a gigantic hit, and Zoey will be back in New York. Nothing will stand in her way. Nothing except her six-foot-two-inch landlord, Gage Bishop. He’s smart, serious, and sexy. Worst of all, he’s ready to settle down.

Zoey might be the most beautiful woman Gage has ever met, but it’s clear they’re all wrong for each other. She’s allergic to commitment and can’t work a calendar app; he’s looking for a wife and has the next five years all planned out. She’s afraid of animals. He lives in a literal barn. But when Gage’s world is rocked by a devastating family secret, he turns to Zoey for one night to forget everything. That one night just might change everything…or ruin it.

Perfect for fans of the heart, humor, and hope found in Things We Never Got Over and Things We Left Behind, Mistakes Were Made is a steamy escape to small town romance―full of emotional twists, slow-burn tension, and Lucy Score’s trademark charm.
https://amzn.to/49MVH59

Score (Story of My Life) returns readers to the delightfully quirky town of Story Lake, where Gage Bishop collides—literally and emotionally—with literary agent Zoey Moody. After being fired from her Manhattan agency and losing her apartment to a condo conversion, Zoey finds herself stuck in Story Lake. With her finances in shambles and her only client—best friend Hazel—living in town, Zoey hunkers down and focuses on getting Hazel’s next book onto the bestseller list.

Gage is a genuinely good man: a devoted son and brother, a successful attorney, and a construction contractor. His life runs on careful plans and a steady routine, until Zoey arrives; one look at her, and he falls off a roof. Zoey is his complete opposite—a big-picture thinker who is warm-hearted, creative, and delightfully chaotic. Their opposites-attract chemistry is instant, messy, and irresistible. Zoey’s journey toward understanding her neurodiversity adds emotional resonance, while Gage’s quiet, unwavering devotion gives the romance its heart. Packed with humor, heat, and heartfelt moments, this story shines with warmth and inclusivity.

VERDICT: Big laughs, big feelings, and a love story that celebrates imperfection make this a charming read. Recommend to fans of B.K. Borison or Helen Hoang.

3/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

MISTAKES WERE MADE by Lucy Score. Bloom Books (March 10, 2026). ISBN: 978-1728297064. 560p.