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The Influencer Series, Book 3

From the publisher:

A grumpy lobster fisherman tosses a fashion influencer’s impeccably curated life overboard in the next romantic comedy from international bestselling author Amy Lea.

In a last-ditch effort to rescue her brand from the brink of irrelevance, Boston fashion influencer Melanie Karlsen finds herself in a rural fishing village on the east coast of Canada. The only thing scarier than nature itself? The burly and bearded bed-and-breakfast owner and fisherman, Evan Whaler—who single-handedly disproves the theory that Canadians are “nice.”

After a boating accident lands Evan unconscious in the hospital, Mel is mistaken for his fiancée by his welcoming yet quirky family, who are embroiled in a long-standing feud over the B&B. In a bold attempt to mend family fences, Mel agrees to fake their engagement for one week in exchange for Evan’s help with her social media content.

Amid long hikes and campfire chats, reeling in their budding feelings for each other proves more difficult by the day. But is Mel willing to sacrifice her picture-perfect life in the city for a chance at a true, unfiltered love in the wild?

“Lea’s talent for writing complicated but ultimately likable characters is on full display as things between Melanie and Evan become more and more comically disastrous before they start to get better, and her expert knack for comedy makes this story a standout. This last chapter in Lea’s Influencer series is a heartwarming wrap-up with a strong sense of place and hilarious side characters. A sweet conclusion to a swoony contemporary romance trilogy.”—Kirkus (starred review)

“Lea tugs heart strings in her final Influencer romance… Lea handles these heavy themes with grace, never allowing them to overpower the fun, or vice versa. Readers will both laugh and cry.”—Publishers Weekly

“Snarky bickering between the main characters makes for enjoyable dialogue, and the romantic development is wonderful despite Melanie and Evan’s opposing personalities and different backgrounds… Lea’s final “Influencer” novel is a fabulous rom-com brimming with magnetic chemistry and delightful tropes.”—Library Journal

https://amzn.to/3uxFfEg

Much to my surprise, this is the final book of a trilogy, and I had no idea reading it that I was missing anything. It took me a little while to get into this, but once I did, I couldn’t put it down. Turns out I read the second book, EXES AND O’S, and it even made my best books of 2023 list!

Melanie is a social media influencer in Boston, but she’s been losing followers and branding partners. When she is offered an opportunity to partner with a swanky resort in Nova Scotia, she jumps at the chance. But when she arrives, she is told they gave her the wrong date; they weren’t expecting her for another week and have no rooms available. It’s the height of tourist season, and it takes a while before she finally finds a place to stay, a bed and breakfast more than an hour away. Nonetheless, she books it through Airbnb, but when she arrives, things are not off to a great start.

The big grumpy guy, Evan, who greets her, tells her she is mistaken; they are not open for business. As they argue, his sister Lucy turns up, takes matters into her own hands, and gets Melanie situated. But the B&B is a mess, with all sorts of projects going on, and a lot more fixing up is needed. But it’s a bed, and she needs one.

The constant bickering between Melanie and Evan takes a turn when he agrees to take her whale-watching out on his boat. But when he falls overboard and loses consciousness, Mel is beside herself. He is rescued, and she goes with him in the ambulance to the hospital, with no way to contact any of his family. At the hospital, things go a bit “While You Were Sleeping” when the only way they will let her in is by telling them she is Evan’s fiancée. Eventually his family shows up en masse, and they are thrilled to meet her. She doesn’t have to heart to tell them she isn’t really engaged to Evan, and when his sister begs her to keep the secret for another day, the guilt lets her agree.

That day turns into a week, and it also turns into a bit of a family reunion for Evan’s family. There had been a major falling out between his mother and aunt, but they pulled together to help Evan and his fiancée. The more time Evan and Mel spend together, the more they realize they have feelings for one another, but Mel has to get back to the resort and then home to Boston. Evan is a lobster fisherman, so he can’t leave. They are in a bit of a pickle – first, Mel decides to blow off the resort and spend another week with Evan. But she still has to return home, and just when you think that’s that, they find a way to make it work and get their happy ever after. Lots of fun, snarky dialogue, some heat, and an ensemble cast of terrific secondary characters make a good read. Now I must find the first book in this series, Set on You! Read an excerpt below.

2/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE CATCH by Amy Lea. Berkley (February 13, 2024). ISBN: 978-0593336618. 416p.

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Excerpt: Thanks, Amy Lea, for sharing this!

THE CATCH Nonexclusive excerpt

“Put me down! My underwear is showing,” I demand as a gust of wind hits my ass cheeks. At least I’m wearing a cute lace thong.

“Rest assured, I’m not looking,” he mutters as I flail like an eel the entire ascent up the staircase. He doesn’t put me down until we’re outside my bedroom.

“I’m taking a star off your Airbnb review for manhandling,” I warn as he attempts to steady me against the wall just as Lucy passes by with a mini garbage can.

“Double bagged. Just in case. Looks like she might need it,” she says, giving Evan a troubled look as she turns to get out of my vicinity. “Sorry, I’m out. I don’t do puke. Night, guys.”

“I won’t puke. I’m feeling fan-tas-tic!” I shout after her with unfounded confidence. I push the door open the tiniest crack, revealing the disaster I left my room in. My cheeks flush with embarrassment. I’m a secret slob—someone who looks neat and tidy to others but is most comfortable in my own chaos (when no one’s looking).

“I can take it from here,” I assure Evan, righting myself.

His expression is quizzical. “No. You can barely stand.”

“I’m great. You can retire to your underground candlelit lair now.” I take an eager stride into my room, which to me was pretty smooth, but apparently I’m useless.

He leads me to the bench at the foot of the bed, where I proceed to topple face-first into the mattress, legs spread like a mannequin. The compromising position isn’t lost on me.

“I feel the need to warn you, I have some pretty lethal hair spray. Just as effective as bear mace, according to Cosmo,” I say, voice muffled by the mattress.

“What are you gonna do? Blind me with it?” he asks, bending over to retrieve it from under the bed.

“If you try anything, I’ll have no choice.”

“You don’t have to worry about that, Mel.” He softens his tone considerably, which is comforting. I’m pretty sure this is the first time he’s ever referred to me by name.

Any lingering appreciation is short lived when he jabs my shoulder without an ounce of delicacy. I must have drifted out of consciousness for a minute or two, because when I open my eyes again, Evan is placing a garbage bin next to me.

“It’s right beside the bed if you need it,” he says slowly, like I’m a small child. “Do you need me to ask Lucy to help you change? A glass of water?”

“No. I’m perfectly fine,” I mumble, flopping over onto my side. He’s weirdly attractive from a horizontal perspective, and I don’t like it one bit.

He watches me for a couple of peaceful breaths before abruptly pivoting on his heel. “This is going in your Airbnb guest review, by the way.”

I glare at him, blowing at the hair stuck to my lip gloss. “The intoxication? Or my veiled threat?”

“Both. Mostly the drunk part. I did warn you about the Screech,” he reminds me, hands flexing at his sides.

“It wasn’t the Screech. Your friends were the ones pouring shots down my throat. Who am I to deny Canadian hospi-taly?”

He cocks his head. “Hospitality, you mean. And you’re wasted.”

“Perfectly sober,” I mumble, sliding under the covers without taking my shoes off.

“Wears shoes in bed. Another star off,” he mutters.

“Mean host. One and a half stars off,” I retort, squeezing my eyes shut when the room starts to spin.

“Scratched the shit out of me with those claws. Minus two stars,” he says, pretending to rub a hand over his shoulder. I definitely scratched him while holding on for dear life as he hauled me up the stairs.

“Hey, I paid a lot for these nails.”

Despite my questionable eyesight in my current state, I’m pretty sure I catch his lips draw upward into the tiniest smile before my eyes close.

Excerpted from The Catch by Amy Lea Copyright © 2024 by Amy Lea. Excerpted by permission of Berkley. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

From the publisher:

From the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Things We Left Behind

The bride is a doll. The groom is the perfect gentleman. But the rest of the wedding party? They’re the stuff of nightmares. Rich? Check. Vapid? Double Check. Entitled? Not enough checks in the world. And the Best Man? More like the Worst Man.

But Maid of Honor Franchesca Baranski takes her duties seriously. Kidnapped groom? She’s got this. Rude attendees? You just watch her handle them. So a Best Man with a big attitude and an even bigger…checkbook? Yeah, there’s no way she’s going to let that pretentious, judgmental jackhole ruin her best friend’s wedding. No matter how sexy he is. (Well, that’s the plan anyway…)

Aiden Kilbourn doesn’t do long-term relationships. He’s busy ruling the business world, and has yet to find a woman he can tolerate for longer than a month, two at the outside. Conquering the unconquerable is basically his bread and butter. And he hasn’t met a challenge that he can’t win. But Franchesca Baranski? This smart-mouthed girl from Brooklyn may just be his downfall.

https://amzn.to/3wlPiN0

I’ve read several Lucy Score books lately and thought this was a newer one, but it turns out it’s only a newer publisher. It looks like it was originally released in 2018, probably self-published. But like I tell people who are looking for a new book, if you haven’t read it, it’s new to you!

Franchesca Baranski, AKA Frankie, is a Brooklyn born, curvy brunette whose best friend is getting married. The bride is lovely, but all her other attendants are wealthy, skinny, obnoxious blondes. The best man, Aiden Kilbourn, is your typical snotty billionaire, only interested in the blonde trophy on his arm for a week or two. And he cannot understand why he is so drawn to Frankie.

Frankie is smart, quick, funny, and is quite good at skewering Aiden, probably part of his attraction to her. She thinks he is gorgeous, but she is not looking for a one-night stand. As they spend time together sparring, they end up giving in to their sizzling chemistry. But the road to love is never easy, especially when there is class disparity and blonde roadblocks in the way.

This was a pretty good read – it held my attention, the characters were quirky enough to be interesting, and the sex was hot, but I really had to suspend my disbelief more than I like to buy some of the more outlandish plot points. I’ve enjoyed all of Score’s books, including this one, and look forward to whatever is coming next. She is an author to watch for me.

2/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE WORST BEST MAN by Lucy Score. Bloom Books (January 16, 2024). ISBN: 978-1728295169. 432p.

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From the publisher:

Full of cats, coffee, and charm, this laugh-out-loud, fake-dating romance between a brilliant baker and a charismatic commitment-phobe is the perfect treat for fans of Lyssa Kay Adams and Jasmine Guillory.

Frenemies + Fake Dating = Falling for the wrong person…for all the right reasons

Charity Simmons may have great taste in friends, felines, and fruit tarts, but if there’s one thing the baker and co-owner of Meow and Furever Cat Café knows, it’s that she has horrible taste in men. Case in point: Will Schwartz. He may be the best friend of her best friend’s boyfriend, but after their one night together, Charity is positive Will’s nothing but a womanizing charmer—despite his nice-guy persona and adorable, crooked smile. So why then did she pick him to pretend date to get her parents off her back about being single?

Will Schwartz may give relationships a hard pass, but he’s not about to say no to fake dating Charity. She’s brilliant, hilarious, and best of all, she’ll put an end to his mother’s interrogations about his love life. And maybe, after all this time giving him the cold shoulder, Charity will finally warm up to him.  But it’s not long before Will and Charity realize they got much more than they bargained for–and they’re freaking out. What if what they have isn’t make believe but the real, forever kind of love?

“The fake-dating trope and some feisty felines animate this effervescent sequel to Gary’s A Cat Café Christmas. Witty banter between the leads and cameos from the café’s mischievous kittens lace the heartfelt love story… Readers will relish this lighthearted romp.”  ―Publishers Weekly

https://amzn.to/3wfqvKv

This is the sequel to A Cat Café Christmas, which I didn’t know when I read this one -but I sort of wondered. The main characters, Will and Charity, are the best friends of a couple who think they are a good match. But Charity thinks Will is just a playboy, and he doesn’t know how to convince her otherwise. When they both end up at a resort together, they ignore one another until New Year’s Eve, when they create fireworks of their own. But morning comes around, and perspectives shift.

Charity owns a cat cafe and rescue operation with her best friend, a veterinarian. Charity bakes all the treats, and has applied to be on some reality TV baking show. If she wins, the money will certainly help expand their operation. She is in no mood for a meaningless fling; she feels like she deserves more.

Will is strongly drawn to Charity, but because of his family background, he fears relationships, mostly because of money. His parents weren’t good with it, and he is determined to keep his out of the clutches of any woman. But he can’t stop thinking about Charity.

There are a lot of hurdles here, but even more laughs along the way. This was a really fun read, especially if you like cats and baking as much as I do. I loved this lighthearted, fun, terrific, swoony read, and I’m going to hunt down A Cat Café Christmas!

2/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

FINDING MR. PURRFECT by Codi Gary. Forever (January 16, 2024). ISBN: 978-1538708187. 384p.

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Coyote Canyon, Book 2

From the publisher:

She’s not here to make friends. She’s here to make trouble.

With her piercings, tattoos and spiky blond hair, Ellen Truesdale doesn’t quite fit in with the other folks in Coyote Canyon—and that’s just fine with her. She’s only here to put her father out of business, as payback for abandoning her when she was young.

Or is she more interested in finally proving that she was worth keeping?

Either way, she’s struggling to keep her rival well-drilling company afloat. And being a single woman in a male-dominated field has started to take a toll. So when Hendrix Durrant steps in to help, Ellen has no choice but to let him—even though he happens to be her father’s business partner and therefore her enemy. But the closer she works with him, the more she sees what she’s been missing…in life and love. And once she lets go of her anger long enough to learn the truth about her past, she might just find the family she’s always wanted.

Coyote Canyon Series

Book 1: Talulah’s Back in Town
Book 2: The Talk of Coyote Canyon
Book 3: The Messy Life of Jane Tanner

https://amzn.to/3ud98cI

This is the second book of the series set in the small Montana town of Coyote Canyon. This one centers on Ellen and Hendrix, sworn enemies for most of their lives. Ellen’s parents divorced when she was a young child, and her father quickly remarried a woman named Vicki. Shortly after they wed, her sister died, leaving her son Hendrix an orphan. Vicki took him in and raised him as her own. But her husband’s daughter, Ellen, was a different matter; she was a tough kid, and Vicki wanted nothing to do with her. It comes out that she was jealous of her husband spending any time with his daughter, and he acquiesced to keep his wife happy.*

Fast forward many years, Ellen has moved into her grandparents’ home that she inherited in Canyon Creek and started her own well drilling company - in direct competition with her father’s company. Her goal is to put him out of business, revenge for abandoning her and her mother. Ellen’s mother is none too stable, and is constantly needing bailing out, adding more stress to Ellen’s life.

When Ellen steals a job out from under Hendrix, he is livid. In retaliation, he offers her one and only employee a job with a huge increase in salary. Things couldn’t be any worse between these companies and people, but when Ellen’s employee puts the screws to her to pay him or he’s leaving, she doesn’t feel like she has much choice. There is no way she can get the drilling done alone. But then he takes off on vacation, stranding her anyway, and shockingly, Hendrix steps in to help, feeling guilty about what he’d done. As they work together and get to know one another, everything starts to change.

There are a lot of family dynamics going on here, some of which really hit home for me. The enemies-to-lovers trope is beautifully and realistically played out here. This was a solid entry into this new series, and I can’t wait for the next book – luckily, I won’t have to wait long. It comes out February 20th, review to follow!

*My parents divorced when I was eight years old. My father flew to Mexico for a quickie divorce and came home a week later married to another woman. He didn’t abandon me or my brother, but she made my life hell, especially after I was forced to move in with them.

I was a hellion as a child, pretty much your basic parental nightmare, especially once I hit my teens and my mother couldn’t handle me anymore. I spent two and a half years living with my father, his wife, and her three children, and it took many years to recover. I had always suspected that his wife was jealous of me; I was my father’s favorite which made her crazy, but I couldn’t understand how a grown woman could be jealous of a child. It made no sense to me, but it finally came out right before my own wedding. We didn’t speak or have any kind of relationship for a few years until he wormed his way back in.

We had several hellish years before I finally found the strength to walk away from all the toxicity. My father was a sociopath, a narcissist, and if his lips were moving, he was lying. I’m not sure he even knew the difference between the truth and a lie; whatever suited him best was always his answer. His wife was another kind of monster. They are both dead and left behind a bunch of screwed-up children who have been squabbling over money for years now. I walked away from it all – and them all – about thirty years ago and never regretted it.

I think this was the first time I have seen a similar situation with the second wife jealous of the first wife’s child. I would hope it’s not a common problem, but I felt almost vindicated to see it here, if that makes any sense!

2/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE TALK OF COYOTE CANYON by Brenda Novak. MIRA; Original edition (November 28, 2023). ISBN:  978-0778305323. 384p.

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Coyote Canyon, Book 1

From the publisher:

Sometimes the past we leave behind leads us right where we belong.

Talulah Barclay doesn’t like complications. Unfortunately, they seem to love her. Fourteen years after leaving her fiancé at the altar, Talulah returns to her hometown of Coyote Canyon, Montana, to settle her great-aunt’s estate. As she’d feared, her “runaway bride” reputation is waiting right where she left it, and her ex’s best friend, Brant, isn’t about to let her slip by unnoticed.

Brant has always been a loyal friend, but Talulah’s decision to run isn’t the only thing he hasn’t forgotten. He remembers more about Talulah than he cares to admit. Vividly. And it’s increasingly difficult to ignore her now, especially when they find themselves in close quarters. Talulah has no plans to stay in town after she fixes up her aunt’s Victorian farmhouse, even if the unbridled sparks with Brant give her a good reason to linger. Besides, bailing on relationships is kind of her thing. But a lot has changed since Talulah last turned tail—maybe her heart has changed, too?

Coyote Canyon Series

Book 1: Talulah’s Back in Town
Book 2: The Talk of Coyote Canyon

This is the first book of a new series set in a small town in Montana. Talulah was engaged to be married, but left her groom at the altar and left town. Fourteen years later, she’s back to settle her great aunt’s estate and surprisingly, her ex is still not over her. But when his best friend, Brant, sees her, she knows she is in for a hard time. Her own parents left town shortly after the wedding debacle, and are now doing missionary work in Africa, her father’s dream. Her sister is very pregnant and Talulah is happy to help her out, but pretty much everyone else in town has been gunning for her all these years. Small towns, long memories…

Brant keeps running into Talulah and quickly realizes that the girl he had a crush on in high school is even more gorgeous now. He was able to get past his crush when his best friend started dating her, and there is plenty of anger over how she dumped him. but still, there is something more there. Even after she confesses she is a serial runaway bride, always committing until the last possible moment. Even after his best friend confesses he still loves her and refuses to move on. Fighting those feelings is exhausting, and eventually they both give in. But can Talulah commit to anyone? Is Brant “the one?” So much drama!

Luckily, Talulah is a very likeable character, so I couldn’t help but root for her to find her happily ever after. Brant has the kind of patience she needs in a man, and he is willing to wait for her. And wait he does. There are a lot of laughs along their journey, and of course, the happy ending.

Brenda Novak has become one my favorite authors, in the same realm as Debbie Macomber but maybe not as sugary sweet. Looking forward to the next book in the series!

1/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

TALULAH’S BACK IN TOWN by Brenda Novak. MIRA; Original edition (August 22, 2023). ISBN:  978-0778386179. 368p.

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