Spotlight Review: THE BRIGHT SPOT by Jill Shalvis 

February 6, 2024

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The Sunrise Cove Series, Book 5

From the publisher:

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis returns to Sunrise Cove with a heartwarming story about the choices we make and the love we let into our lives…

Luna Wright is a lot of things, but sweet and trusting isn’t on the list. However, she’s a sucker for the underdog and a hard-luck story. Adopted at birth, with scant knowledge of her biological family, she’s created her own inner circle, a motley crew which includes her bestie Willow, to help her run the struggling but charming Apple Ridge Farm.

With a farm-to-table café as well as a menagerie of rescued animals (complete with a baby goat who keeps escaping to the pantry to eat the secret stash of decidedly not organic potato chips), it’s the best home she’s ever known. But when the owner Silas, who they secretly call The Grinch, passes away, Luna discovers the farm is now under control of his investment manager, the enigmatic Jameson Hayes….and her. And that Silas had many, many secrets.

Now Luna’s carefully controlled corner of the world is threatened and she—along with some help from her friends—has to dig deep to find true strength and the real meaning of love and family.

“An easy-to-read, forced-proximity romance filled with quirky characters, strong—but flawed—women, and supportive men.” – Kirkus Reviews

https://amzn.to/4aJTJ4c

Shalvis is one of my favorite authors, and I’ve actually read this entire series in order! The latest is another excellent addition to the series.

Luna’s had a rough childhood, but landing this management job at Apple Ridge Farm is a dream come true. From the rescue animals to working with her best friend, Willow, to creating a family of sorts with all the staff, Luna has never been happier. The only slightly sore spot is her boss, Silas, who is a bit of a grump, but luckily, he rarely checks in. When he passes away, Luna is shocked to find out he left her half the farm. The other half was left to Jameson Hayes, the number cruncher.

That’s not the only shock though – it turns out that Silas was her grandfather and that he was supplementing the farm income as they were losing money hand over fist. Jameson promised Silas he would look over things for a couple of months and turn the farm around if at all possible. But first, he has to get along with Luna, who isn’t taking his suggestions very well.

If you enjoy the enemies-to-lovers trope, this is a good one. It was a heartwarming romance with a lot of drama along the way before the happy ending was reached, and I loved every page. These books all standalone so feel free to start here if you haven’t tried this series yet. Highly recommended!

2/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE BRIGHT SPOT by Jill Shalvis. Avon (January 16, 2024). ISBN: 978-0063235762. 368p.

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THE SEVEN YEAR SLIP by Ashley Poston

February 2, 2024

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From the publisher:

A New York Public Library Best Book of 2023

A Most Anticipated Book by Entertainment Weekly ∙ Harper’s Bazaar ∙ PopSugar ∙ Real Simple ∙ BookRiot ∙ and more!

An overworked book publicist with a perfectly planned future hits a snag when she falls in love with her temporary roommate…only to discover he lives seven years in the past, in this witty and wise new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Dead Romantics.

Sometimes, the worst day of your life happens, and you have to figure out how to live after it.

So Clementine forms a plan to keep her heart safe: work hard, find someone decent to love, and try to remember to chase the moon. The last one is silly and obviously metaphorical, but her aunt always told her that you needed at least one big dream to keep going. And for the last year, that plan has gone off without a hitch. Mostly. The love part is hard because she doesn’t want to get too close to anyone—she isn’t sure her heart can take it.

And then she finds a strange man standing in the kitchen of her late aunt’s apartment. A man with kind eyes and a Southern drawl and a taste for lemon pies. The kind of man that, before it all, she would’ve fallen head-over-heels for. And she might again.

Except, he exists in the past. Seven years ago, to be exact. And she, quite literally, lives seven years in his future.

Her aunt always said the apartment was a pinch in time, a place where moments blended together like watercolors. And Clementine knows that if she lets her heart fall, she’ll be doomed.

After all, love is never a matter of time—but a matter of timing.

https://amzn.to/3u3FeHZ

This was one of those books that I somehow overlooked last year, so when it showed up on some of the best books of the year lists, I dug around and found it on my Kindle. And here we are!

This is the sort of book I love - a good romance set in the publishing industry, with a touch of magic, or in this case, time travel. That is as close to sci-fi/fantasy as I usually get, and Poston does a bang-up job with it.

Clementine has inherited her beloved aunt’s apartment in New York City. Her aunt had always said there was something magical about the place, but it wasn’t until she found a good-looking man in her home that she started to suspect her aunt wasn’t lying. Iwan introduces himself and says he is subletting the apartment for the summer. But it isn’t this summer; it was a summer seven years earlier. A tiny bit confusing, at least for Clementine!

Her aunt had two rules:  

1. Take off your shoes when you enter

2. Don’t fall in love in the apartment

Clementine starts to understand that second rule as they get to know one another. Strong feelings develop, but she never knows if Iwan will be in the apartment when she returns until she gets there. Then time shifts again to the present day, and Iwan is now an award-winning chef set to take Manhattan by storm in a new restaurant of his own. Clementine works for the publisher who is desperate to get his cookbook, sure to be a bestseller, but it seems like their past may get in the way.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read, with interesting, well-developed characters and a plot line so good it should win over everyone. Highly recommend!

2/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE SEVEN YEAR SLIP by Ashley Poston. Berkley (June 27, 2023). ISBN: 978-0593336502. 352p.

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THE TALK OF COYOTE CANYON by Brenda Novak 

February 2, 2024

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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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Spotlight Review: LAST CALL AT THE LOCAL by Sarah Grunder Ruiz

January 30, 2024

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From the publisher:

Opposites attract when a free-spirited American singer-songwriter with ADHD teams up with a charming Irishman to revitalize his family’s pub in the next heartfelt romance from the author of Luck and Last Resorts.

Raine Hart is used to the challenges of living with ADHD. It’s why she ditched her life in Boston to busk around Europe as a traveling musician. No boss. No schedule. No one to disappoint but herself. But when a careless mistake in Ireland leaves her unable to perform, she sees no other option but to give up her nomadic life.

Since inheriting the Local, Jack Dunne has wanted to make the pub his own. But the baggage of running a family business and the intrusive thoughts that stem from his OCD make changing things a challenge.

Over a pint with handsome, tattooed Jack, Raine accidentally insults him and the pub. Instead of taking offense, Jack, impressed by her vision of what the pub could be, offers her a job bringing it to life.

But when Raine and Jack develop feelings for one another their opposite lifestyles won’t accommodate, it becomes clear the pub isn’t the only thing that needs reinventing. As the end of their business collaboration draws near, they’ll have to find a way past the limits they’ve placed on themselves or let go of a love that could last a lifetime.

With the clock ticking and time running out to win her dream job in Paris, Georgia begins to unravel some astonishing secrets that make her wonder if the true recipe for a charmed life might look—and taste—very different than she ever imagined.

“This warm romance sparkles with Irish charm and is filled with delectable banter. The leads are immensely lovable and thoughtfully crafted…Compassionate and completely charming.”—Kirkus (starred)

“Ruiz shines in this moving and adorable tale of neurodivergent love in a cozy Irish town…Ruiz handles her characters’ intrusive thoughts and exaggerated fears with uncommon grace and sensitivity and makes it clear throughout that, despite their anxieties, these two are perfect for each other.”—Publishers Weekly (starred)

“Readers will be drawn to Ruiz’s sweet romance about taking a chance on something and someone new.”—Booklist

“Ruiz (Luck and Last Resorts) writes sensitively about two people trying to thrive amid personal issues and the relief one feels in finding a kindred soul.”—Library Journal

https://amzn.to/3HxVHan

An American singer-songwriter, Raine Hart, has learned to live with her ADHD by moving across the pond and busking her way through Europe. She lands in a pub in a small town in Ireland after she is robbed of everything – her guitar, her cell phone, everything she needs to make a living. She ends up in a discussion with a good looking man named Jack about the pub. He asks her opinion about it, and she is frank in her assessment. Then she finds out he is the owner and is mortified. Much to her surprise, instead of anger, she gets a job offer to make her vision for the pub a reality.

Raine needs to earn enough money to buy a new guitar – hers was irreplaceable. Jack gives her a place to stay – his apartment above the bar, while he stays with his brother. As they spend time together, they both recognize that they each have some issues; Raine with her ADHD, and Jack, with OCD. They learn to work together and no one is surprised when they develop feelings for one another. But Raine can’t stay in one place, and Jack can’t leave his family business.

This is a charming, witty read and the romance rings true. These two imperfect people find one another and manage to get to their happily ever after, and it is a joy to take that journey with them. Highly recommend!

1/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

LAST CALL AT THE LOCAL by Sarah Grunder Ruiz. Berkley (January 2, 2024). ISBN: 978-0593549063. 368p.

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TALULAH’S BACK IN TOWN by Brenda Novak 

January 19, 2024

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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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ON THE PLUS SIDE by Jenny L. Howe 

January 19, 2024

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From the publisher:

What Not to Wear and Queer Eye meet All the Feels in this sparkling romantic comedy by Jenny L. Howe, in which the new guest on a popular plus-size makeover show has her style―and her love life―transformed.

Everly Winters is perfectly happy to navigate life like a good neutral paint color: appreciated but unnoticed. That’s why she’s still a receptionist instead of exploring a career in art, why she lurks but never posts on the forums for her favorite makeover show, On the Plus Side, and why she’s crushing so hard on her forever-unattainable co-worker. When no one notices you, they can’t reject you or insist you’re too much.

This plan is working perfectly until someone secretly nominates Everly for the next season of On the Plus Side. Overwhelmed by the show’s extremely extroverted hosts and how much time she’ll have to spend on screen, she finds comfort in a surprising friendship with the grumpy but kind cameraman, Logan. Soon Everly realizes that he’s someone she doesn’t mind being noticed by. In fact, she might even like it.

But when their growing connection is caught on camera, it sends the show’s ratings into a frenzy. Learning to embrace all of herself on national TV is hard enough; can Everly risk heartbreak with the whole world watching?

“Howe dazzles with this pitch-perfect rom-com about learning to love oneself at any size…timely, humorous, and heartfelt.” –Publishers Weekly (starred)

“Everly is presented as beautiful, capable, and the star of her own story. A romantic comedy that’s both cozy and empowering.” –Kirkus Reviews

“Folks standing up for what is right always makes for a good story, and the friendship-to-love relationship between Everly and Logan is fun and fulfilling. For fans of All the Feels by Olivia Dade and Curves for Days by Laura Moher.” —Booklist

“Featuring a curvy heroine finding confidence while falling in love, Howe’s latest is a fun mix of What Not To Wear and Queer Eye. Recommended for fans of Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade and The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun.” –Library Journal

A book set in the world of reality TV? Yes, please! They got me by comparing it to “What Not to Wear” – I miss that show. This book is very loosely based on that premise, but On the Plus Side, the name of the TV show in the book (and the book), focuses on women who are large, and they go beyond the usual makeover. The way the show works is that they select a few women and follow them on their journey throughout the season. They help them figure out their career moves, fashion, and all the usual makeover stuff, plus so much more. Everly is a huge fan, as is her best friend/sister-in-law, so when Everly is nominated, she’s pretty sure she knows who did it.

For most of her life, Everly felt like she was “too much.” Her mother constantly harps on her weight, and they aren’t close. It was her grandmother who most made Everly feel seen for who she was. So when she loses her grandmother, it feels like a part of herself is gone. She retreats from wearing the clothes she loves and being her best and loudest self to try and blend in more. But she is not happy.

Everly has work friends who basically use her, and she doesn’t see it. When Logan, the cameraman who follows her around, breaks the fourth wall to defend her, Everly starts to see that maybe she can be herself after all. As she deals with all the changes in her life, her job, and a flirtation with Logan, things start looking up. Until the show pulls a stunt that could cost Everly her job, not to mention her reputation.

No worries, everything works out in the end, and Everly gets her happily ever after in so many ways. This was such an inspiring, joyful read – I really loved it.

1/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

ON THE PLUS SIDE by Jenny L. Howe. Griffin (December 26, 2023). ISBN: 978-1250837882. 368p.

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Spotlight Review: RECIPE FOR A CHARMED LIFE by Rachel Linden

January 16, 2024

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From the publisher:

After a day of unrivaled disappointments, a promising young chef finds every bite of food suddenly tastes bitter. To save her career, she travels to the Pacific Northwest to reconnect with her estranged mom, and discovers a family legacy she never suspected in this delicious novel from the bestselling author of The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie.

American chef Georgia May Jackson has one goal—to run her own restaurant in Paris. After a grueling decade working in Parisian kitchens, she is on the cusp of success. But in one disastrous night, Georgia loses her sous-chef position, her French boyfriend, and her sense of taste! Renowned for her refined palate and daring use of bold flavors to create remarkable dishes, Georgia is devastated to discover her culinary gift has simply…vanished.

When she receives a surprising invitation from her estranged mother, Georgia flees to a small island near Seattle hoping the visit will help her regain her spark in the kitchen. As she tentatively reconnects with her mom, a free-spirited hippie eager to make up for her past mistakes, Georgia realizes there is something about the enigmatic island she just cannot piece together. Good luck charms start appearing in the oddest places. Her neighbor is a puzzlingly antagonistic (and annoyingly handsome) oyster farmer. And her mom keeps hinting at a mysterious family legacy.

With the clock ticking and time running out to win her dream job in Paris, Georgia begins to unravel some astonishing secrets that make her wonder if the true recipe for a charmed life might look—and taste—very different than she ever imagined.

“With delicate touches of magical realism and an abiding sense of comfort, Linden offers a gentle hug of a story.” —Library Journal

“This poignant story folds in themes of food and cooking with magical realism, grace, and a touch of romance.” —Booklist

https://amzn.to/3RRikv9

I read The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie and I loved it, so I was excited to get this new book by Linden. This book also has a touch of magic to it, so if that isn’t your thing, I get it, but it definitely works for me.

Georgia grew up in a small town in Texas on her family’s ranch. Her mother left when she was a young child, and she was raised by her father and his sister. No mention of her mother was ever made again after she left, and Georgia was never told anything about what happened or why, and she intuited enough not to ask.

Georgia loved to watch Julia Child on TV as a child, it was her most cherished memory, and Julia becomes a hero and a role model. Georgia takes herself off to culinary school when she is old enough, then works her butt off for twelve years in Paris kitchens to land the sous chef position at a Michelin starred restaurant. Her dream is to run her own kitchen in Paris, and she is in the running for a new restaurant executive chef position.

Georgia is also in a relationship with her boss, voted sexiest chef in Paris, and it’s been a couple of years. You know this isn’t going to end well, and it doesn’t. Then she gets an email from her mother, asking her to visit, and says she has life changing information for Georgia. Needing to get out of Paris for a bit, she writes her mother back and flies off to visit her at San Juan Island, in Washington state. There Georgia learns that the women in her family all her gifts. Her mother’s is her green thumb, her ability to make things grow and bloom despite the seasons or the weather. Georgia’s gift has to do with the food she cooks, but unfortunately, in addition to all her other problems, Georgia has lost her sense of taste. No Covid, but nonetheless everything she eats or drinks just tastes bitter.

Following Georgia’s journey is worthwhile and I couldn’t wait for her happy ending. There is a lot of drama before she gets there, and this was a terrific story to get lost in. I loved the touch of magical realism here, and that the romance actually takes a back seat to Georgia’s growth as a character. Very well done, engaging, and even inspiring - a wonderful read!

1/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

RECIPE FOR A CHARMED LIFE by Rachel Linden. Berkley (January 9, 2024). ISBN: 978-0593440216. 384p.

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PLOT TWIST by Erin La Rosa 

January 12, 2024

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The Hollywood Series, Book 2

From the publisher:

She’s written off more than she can chew…

Romance author Sophie Lyon’s ironic secret just went viral: she’s never been in love—and it’s ruining her reputation. With a manuscript deadline looming, Sophie makes an ambitious plan to overcome her writer’s block: reunite with her exes (including her last girlfriend Carla, the one person she could have loved) to learn why she’s never fallen in love, and document it all for her millions of new online followers.

Luckily, Sophie’s reclusive landlord, Dash Montrose—a former teen heartthrob—has social media all figured out and is willing to help. What he doesn’t mention is that he’s an anonymous online crafter, a hobby that helps him maintain his sobriety. No one knows about his complicated relationship with alcohol, and with a family that’s Hollywood royalty, Dash has to steer clear of scandal.

As Sophie and Dash grow closer, they discover a heat between them that rivals Dash’s pottery kiln. But Sophie needs to figure out who she is outside her relationships, and Dash isn’t sure he’s stable enough for the commitment she deserves. So Sophie suggests what any good romance author would: a friends-with-benefits arrangement. Surely a strictly casual relationship won’t cause any trouble…

“Readers will swoon for Dash and Sophie as they struggle to resist their growing feelings. This is a true romance lover’s romance.” —Publishers Weekly

“An engaging novel that seamlessly weaves together an exploration of love, the challenges of sobriety, and robust sex.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This book takes on some very serious topics, which are lightened by Sophie’s zany antics, and will appeal to fans of Christina Lauren and Tessa Bailey.” —Booklist

https://amzn.to/4aJTJ4c

A writer with writer’s block. An actor trying to maintain his sobriety. Perhaps cliché, but these characters truly come to life on the page.

Sophie is on deadline for her next romance book, but she is struggling. It doesn’t help that she realizes that she’s never been in love, and when that goes viral, she’s in trouble for sure. Her landlord, Dash, was a former child star, and his parents and brother are Hollywood royalty. He is an alcoholic, his family has no idea, and he is working really hard on his sobriety, which means no time for any kind of relationship. Sophie needs help with her social media image, and Dash is an expert, so he offers to help her.

Sophie decides to revisit all her past relationships to try and figure out why she never fell in love, and Dash helps her document it on social media. Then Sophie and Dash decide on a “friends with benefits” relationship, but feelings soon emerge. There is a lot of humor here despite the seriousness of some of these issues, lending real depth to this story. I can only hope that there will be a book 3 in this series!

1/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

PLOT TWIST by Erin La Rosa. HQN; Original edition (July 26, 2022). ISBN:  978-1335506344. 368p.

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FOR BUTTER OR WORSE by Erin La Rosa 

January 12, 2024

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The Hollywood Series, Book 1

From the publisher:

A FEMINIST BOOK CLUB CHOICE AWARD WINNER!

They go together like water and oil…

All chef Nina Lyon wants is to make a name for herself in the culinary world and inspire young women everywhere to do the same. For too long, she’s been held back and underestimated by the male-dominated sphere of professional kitchens, and she’s had enough. Now, as co-host of the competitive reality TV series The Next Cooking Champ!, she finally has a real shot at being top tier in the foodie scene.
Too bad her co-host happens to be Hollywood’s smarmiest jerk.

Restaurateur Leo O’Donnell never means to get under Nina’s skin. It just seems to happen, especially when the cameras are rolling. It’s part of the anxiety and stress he has come to know all too well in this line of work. So nothing prepares him for the fallout after he takes one joke a smidge too far and Nina up and quits—on live TV.

To make matters worse, the two are caught in what looks like a compromising situation by the paparazzi…and fans of the show go absolutely nuts. Turns out, a “secret romance” between Nina and Leo may just be what their careers need most.

Now all they have to do is play along, without killing each other…and without catching feelings. Easy as artisanal shepherd’s pie. Right?

Food Network meets The Hating Game!

“[A] sparkling romance…witty and lighthearted, with plenty of tender moments to keep readers invested, this work gets the enemies-to-lovers trope right.”—Publishers Weekly

“This sexy, steamy contemporary romance, told from both Leo’s and Nina’s points of view, is well written and engaging. Descriptions of food and food metaphors are lightly laced throughout the novel, bringing humor to the story, and delightful secondary characters provide support and counterbalance to the protagonists. Issues of sexism and mental health are handled gently but realistically and add emotional depth to the well-developed characters..—Library Journal

https://amzn.to/41M9vrh

So I did actually read the second book in this series first, but then immediately sought out the first. I cannot believe I actually missed reading this one – it was on my Kindle, and it’s a romance set in the food world, definitely one of my favorites. Although the second book is set in book world, so hard to make a choice there. Let’s just say I’m very happy I read both!

Nina Lyon is a classically trained chef trying to make a name for herself in what is still a man’s world. Yes, there are dozens of well-known female chefs now, but it still seems like the patriarchy is hard at work in the restaurant industry. Anyway, when Nina is tapped to judge a cooking show, she’s thrilled. She’s a tough judge but fair – unlike her co-host, Leo. He owns a chain of family-style Italian restaurants, and he brings the charm to the TV show. They really don’t get along, and things come to a head when he makes fun of her on live TV, and she walks off the show. Makes for great television, but they both really need the show to build their credibility. Nina’s restaurants are in trouble, and so are Leo’s.

While they can’t stand one another, they need one another, so we delve into enemies to lovers, fake relationship territory here, and I loved it. Leo has some mental health challenges, which add depth to his character and the story. Food is always in the background, so don’t read this while hungry! This was a delicious read, and I enjoyed every morsel.

1/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

FOR BUTTER OR WORSE by Erin La Rosa. HQN; Original edition (July 26, 2022). ISBN:  978-1335506344. 368p.

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Spotlight Review: THE SECOND CHANCE YEAR by Melissa Wiesner

January 9, 2024

From the publisher:

In this unforgettable story full of charm, wit—and just a bit of magic—a woman down on her luck is given a second chance at fixing her life and trying one year all over again. Perfect for readers of Josie Silver and Rebecca Serle. 

Sadie Thatcher’s life has fallen apart in spectacular fashion. In one fell swoop, she managed to lose her job, her apartment, and her boyfriend—all thanks to her big mouth. So when a fortune teller offers her one wish, Sadie jumps at the chance to redo her awful year. Deep down, she doesn’t believe magic will fix her life, but taking a leap of faith, Sadie makes her wish, opens her eyes, and . . . nothing has changed. And then, in perhaps her dumbest move yet, she kisses her brother’s best friend, Jacob.

When Sadie wakes up the next morning, she’s in her former apartment with her former boyfriend, and her former boss is expecting her at work. Checking the date, she realizes it’s January 1 . . . of last year.  As Sadie navigates her second-chance year, she begins to see the red flags she missed in her relationship and in her career. Plus, she keeps running into Jacob, and she can’t stop thinking about their kiss . . . the one he has no idea ever happened. Suddenly, Sadie begins to wonder if her only mistake was wishing for a second chance.

“A touch of magic and a heap of self-growth animate this sparkling and sophisticated rom-com.”―Publishers Weekly, Starred review

“A swoony romance with a subplot about harassment and sexism in the workplace, Wiesner’s latest will resonate with every reader who’s wondered, “What if?”―Booklist, Starred review

“An ambitious woman finding her way in the world and the heart-meltingly caring man who loves her for who she is combine to make this a charming romance.”―Library Journal

“Tough themes with a light touch and many winning characters.”―Kirkus

https://amzn.to/47m6Nd8

The chance to relive a year of your life? Why not! Everything goes wrong for Sadie – she loses her job, her boyfriend dumps her, and she can no longer afford her apartment. Think this is improbable? Ha! This exact scenario happened to a family member several years ago, all in the space of one week, so yeah, I have no trouble with this premise. Where this story veers off is into the magical, and it really worked here.

After spending a few months on her brother’s best friend, Joshua’s, charity in his spare bedroom, Sadie attends a circus-themed New Year’s Eve party replete with disgusting cotton candy cocktails, clowns, and a fortune teller. The fortune teller grants her one wish, and Sadie wishes to have a do-over for the past year.

Sadie has a big mouth, something else I could relate to! She strongly defends right over wrong, despite the consequences, and there are many. So in this year of do-over, she is determined to keep her mouth shut and get her job, her boyfriend, and her apartment back. And it works. Except as the year goes on, she isn’t entirely sure she wants it all back.

Turns out Joshua is a really great guy who she had been ignoring for years. But as she gets to know him, her boyfriend isn’t as appealing. She takes a part-time job baking for her favorite cafe, and that job becomes even more fulfilling than that full-time gig she had lost the first time around. Her world has turned topsy-turvy, and by year-end she no longer is in the same place anymore, nor does she want to be.

I don’t want to give anything more away, so suffice it to say I loved this book! The characters are well defined, the story is somehow totally believable, and I hated turning that last page. My first read of the new year was a winner!

1/2024 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE SECOND CHANCE YEAR by Melissa Wiesner. Forever (December 5, 2023). ISBN: 978-1538741917. 336p.

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