Contemporary | Stacy Alesi's BookBitch.com™

LAST BRIDE STANDING by Ginny Baird

July 21, 2023

Majestic Maine, Book 3

From the publisher:

Opposites attract―and go head-to-head―in this cheerfully irresistible small-town romance.

With just ten days left till her folks’ loan comes due, ever-pragmatic Charlotte Delaney is officially throwing in the towel on the bet that she made with her sisters. It looks like it’s up to her to save their parents’ café and beloved home with a marriage of convenience to her family’s rival. It’s time to get the in-name-only nuptials over with. Of course, Charlotte’s never been one to easily admit defeat…

Aidan Strong has exactly zero intentions of marrying one of the Delaney sisters―even Charlotte, his first crush. He’s come to Majestic, Maine, to make things right…only Charlotte has other plans.

She’s challenging Aidan to a new wager. And the prize? His billion-dollar coffee empire. Now the tiny seaside town of Majestic is about to witness the ultimate game of hearts…and winner takes all.

Each book in the Majestic Main series is STANDALONE:
* First Bride to Fall
* Second Bride Down
* Last Bride Standing

“There’s no denying the appeal of this quaint Maine town and the loves that blossom within it.”-Publishers Weekly
https://amzn.to/3D0O1es

At one time, Aidan and Charlotte’s parents were best friends and business partners, but that time is long past. While Aidan’s parents turned their half of the business into a global empire, Charlotte’s parents ended up with a coffee shop. After a death in the family, the moms have cooked up a plan to marry off Aidan to Charlotte, as she is the only sister not engaged already. Charlotte is ready to do her part in saving her parent’s business, so she is shocked when Aidan arrives from England to announce he is not marrying anyone. He offers them half his business, but that’s not good enough for Charlotte. She challenges him to a wager: whoever sells the most cups of coffee at the upcoming town festival gets the entire company. And a bet is made.

What Aidan and Charlotte didn’t count on was falling in love. Spending all that time together has brought them closer than ever, but Charlotte is stubborn and has dug her heels into this competition. The happy ending is inevitable, and it is easy to suspend your disbelief until they get there. This is the third book in the series (somehow, I missed the second one,) and it is a good ending to the series. I’m looking forward to whatever Baird does next.

7/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

LAST BRIDE STANDING by Ginny Baird. Entangled: Amara (June 27, 2023). ISBN:‎ 978-1649373724. 384p.

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SATISFACTION GUARANTEED by Lauren Blakely

July 21, 2023

Always Satisfied, Book 1

From the publisher:

Indulge in a second chance standalone romance by #1 NYT bestseller Lauren Blakely!

The first rule of working together? Don’t fall for the boss’s daughter. Definitely don’t fall for her when you’re trying to buy the business.
The trouble is Sloane is smack dab next me from 9 to freaking 5. And she’s as captivating, brilliant, and sexy as ever, which means I’m taking more than the recommended dosage of office romance temptation every day. Make that every single second, because she’s not only “the one” — she’s the one who got away.
But she’s the very definition of off-limits, so I keep my hands to myself. Fine, we might flirt. Okay, we do indulge in the occasional dirty text. And there was that one time when we kissed on the street. But we’ve been good since then.
Until the night she issues me a challenge — seven nights of O lessons and then we walk away. Sounds like a simple arrangement.
But I was never good with those kind of rules
https://amzn.to/43oJAVL

I love Lauren Blakely’s books – she is a great storyteller, writes great sex scenes, and imbues her romances with enough angst, drama, and laughs to make the pages flow. She is mostly (entirely?) a self-published author, and I have yet to find advance copies of her books on either of the mainstream egalley providers. That means I either have to buy them, a big no-no for a reviewer with access to thousands of egalleys, or get them from my library when they have them (on occasion) or through Kindle Unlimited. I grabbed the three-month free trial of Kindle Unlimited right before Prime Days, and I plan to utilize it as much as I can (see former comment about thousands of egalleys!) This was one of the first books I grabbed.

This is a super steamy, second-chance romance in a work setting. Malone is a veterinarian, like his father was before he passed away. Even though his father is gone, he feels a strong desire to please him, to follow the career path that would have made his father proud. He lands a job in an upscale clinic in Manhattan, and his boss becomes his mentor.

Just before landing this job, he met Sloane, and they shared an incredible week together. But when Malone interviews for this job, he notices a picture of Sloane on his new boss’s desk – he’s her father. Malone ends things with Sloane because he’s pretty sure his new boss wouldn’t like it. One of the things they had in common was their love of animals – Sloane has her own foundation and animal rescue.

Meanwhile, Malone is hoping his mentor retires so he can take over the practice, but it is happening on a much longer timeline than he envisioned. As Sloan comes around the office and eventually moves her office there, they are both sure they did the right thing by ending it seven years earlier. But it is impossible to work next to one another and ignore their explosive chemistry. Eventually, they both get everything they want and their happy ending. Blakely is always a sure thing for a fast-paced, sexy romance.

7/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED by Lauren Blakely. Little Dog Press (June 10, 2019). ISBN:‎ 978-1732575561. 302p.

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BUSINESS OR PLEASURE by Rachel Lynn Solomon

July 14, 2023

From the publisher:

A ghostwriter and a struggling actor help each other on the page and in the bedroom in this steamy romantic comedy from the New York Times bestselling author of The Ex Talk.

Chandler Cohen has never felt more like the ghost in “ghostwriter” until she attends a signing for a book she wrote—and the author doesn’t even recognize her. The evening turns more promising when she meets a charming man at the bar and immediately connects with him. But when all their sexual tension culminates in a spectacularly awkward hookup, she decides this is one night better off forgotten.

Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. Her next project is ghostwriting a memoir for Finn Walsh, a C-list actor best known for playing a lovable nerd on a cult classic werewolf show who now makes a living appearing at fan conventions across the country. Chandler knows him better from their one-night stand of hilarious mishaps.

Chandler’s determined to keep their partnership as professional as possible, but when she admits to Finn their night together wasn’t as mind-blowing as he thought it was, he’s distraught. He intrigues her enough that they strike a deal: when they’re not working on his book, Chandler will school Finn in the art of satisfaction. As they grow closer both in and out of the bedroom, they must figure out which is more important, business or pleasure—or if there’s a way for them to have both.

ABOUT BUSINESS OR PLEASURE

An Indie Next Pick
A LibraryReads Hall of Fame Pick

Named a Most Anticipated Summer Read by Buzzfeed, Glamour, Town & Country, BookRiot, and more!

“Solomon consistently balances spicy and sweet, making her romance novels a sure bet for a good read. A must-read modern romance that emphasizes silliness and sexiness in equal parts. Solomon’s best yet.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Solomon delights with this hot and heartfelt rom-com…This is a joy.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Sweet, steamy, and satisfying, this is sure to please readers.”—Library Journal

“Fans of comic conventions and Hollywood crushes will adore Solomon’s sexy celebrity romance…Finn is exactly the book-boyfriend readers will adore.”—Booklist
https://amzn.to/3D0O1es

I loved Solomon’s earlier books and this one is another winner! It is also one of the sexiest romances, so if you are not a fan of sex on the page, look elsewhere.

Chandler and Finn meet at a bar next door to the bookshop where she attended a signing. The author didn’t recognize Chandler, which she found really off-putting since she was the actual ghostwriter of the book. Finn seems like a nice guy and there is some real chemistry there, so they end up in his hotel room where sadly, Chandler fakes an orgasm before sneaking out of the room.

When Chandler’s agent calls with her next ghostwriting job, it turns out to be a memoir of a TV cult classic star who has spent most of his career since that show doing Hallmark movies and traveling the Comic-Con circuit. And he is also her one-night stand.

Chandler takes the job; the money is too good to pass up, plus she’ll get to travel to all the Comic-Cons with Finn. As they get to know one another, Chandler tells him she faked it with him. A blow to the male ego for sure, but then he asks his former long-time girlfriend, and she concurs. Humbled, Finn asks Chandler if she would perhaps help him learn how to please a woman in bed. She agrees, and as they travel the country, she learns more about him and his definite ideas about what he wants his book to say. They fall in love, but as always, there are obstacles in their way.

What I loved about this book was how they both learned from one another, and helped each other grow and achieve more than they dreamed possible. There are a lot of laughs along the way as well. This was a fast, fun, sexy read, and I highly recommend it.

7/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

BUSINESS OR PLEASURE by Rachel Lynn Solomon. Berkley (July 4, 2023). ISBN:‎ 978-0593548530. 384p.

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BETTING ON A GOOD LUCK COWBOY by Sara Richardson

July 14, 2023

Star Valley, Book 2

From the publisher:

A former SEAL and his best friend’s widow find that the path of healing leads to forbidden feelings in this emotional western romance for fans of Maisey Yates and Jennifer Ryan!

For widow Tess Valdez, there are two things keeping her husband’s memory alive: her daughters and the ranch he loved. And Tess has thrown herself into caring for both. But when the wild horses that roam her land are threatened, Tess seizes the opportunity to become their advocate—and finds a new purpose that is hers alone. She expects resistance from some of the locals, but what she doesn’t anticipate is needing the one man she can’t have by her side…

No one understands Tess’s pain better than SEAL Silas Beck. He lost his best friend on the battlefield, and he’s spent every day since living up to the promise he’d made Jace to take care of the family he left behind. Falling for Tess was never supposed to happen, and Silas knows he should leave for both of their sakes—but he can’t say no when she asks him for one last favor. Even if staying means confronting feelings they’d both rather ignore . . .

“This is a must-read for cowboy romance fans.”—Publishers Weekly
https://amzn.to/3JRQ8oF

I’ve read many of Sara Richardson’s books and enjoyed them all, but somehow I miss books in every series. I need to pay closer attention! This is the second book of a series, and I have the first book but haven’t read it yet – but I will.

This is a good cowboy romance with a strong storyline besides the romance – saving wild mustangs. In this small ranching town, Tess is shocked to learn that some of her neighbors are killing the wild horses. Tess is a widow whose husband was a Navy SEAL. His friends and fellow SEALs have returned to town and have a construction company. When Tess finds an injured mustang and Silas, her husband’s best friend, helps bring the horse back to the ranch so he can heal.

Silas has strong feelings for Tess but thinks she wouldn’t be interested. Until they have a one-night stand. There is a lot of chemistry there but Tess thinks they shouldn’t let anyone know and that pisses Silas off. Nevertheless, he’s on board to help with the injured animal and helps her try and rally the town to stop hurting these horses. Most of the ranchers agree except one…

Meanwhile, Silas thinks he’s not good enough for Tess and decides to re-up with the SEALs. Tess finds out who is shooting at the horses, and things heat up between Silas and Tess. There are a lot of hurdles before these two can find their happy ending, and I couldn’t put the book down until everything was resolved. This is another good read from a terrific author.

7/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

BETTING ON A GOOD LUCK COWBOY by Sara Richardson. Forever (June 6, 2023). ISBN:‎ 978-1538725900. 480p.

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Spotlight Review: GOOD FORTUNE by C.K. Chau

July 11, 2023

From the publisher:

A whip-smart and charming debut novel that brilliantly reimagines Pride and Prejudice, set in contemporary Chinatown, exploring contemporary issues of class divides, family ties, cultural identity, and the pleasures and frustrations that come with falling in love.

When Elizabeth Chen’s ever-hustling realtor mother finally sells the beloved if derelict community center down the block, the new owners don’t look like typical New York City buyers. Brendan Lee and Darcy Wong are good Chinese boys with Hong Kong money. Clean-cut and charismatic, they say they are committed to cleaning up the neighborhood. To Elizabeth, that only means one thing: Darcy is looking to give the center an uptown makeover.

Elizabeth is determined to fight for community over profit, even if it means confronting the arrogant, uptight man every chance she gets. But where clever, cynical Elizabeth sees lemons, her mother sees lemonade. Eager to get Elizabeth and her other four daughters ahead in the world (and out of their crammed family apartment), Mrs. Chen takes every opportunity to keep her investors close. Closer than Elizabeth likes.

The more time they spend together, the more conflicted Elizabeth feels…until a shocking betrayal forces her to reconsider everything she thought she knew about love, trust, and the kind of person Darcy Wong really is.
https://amzn.to/3SIxNOb

This debut novel by the pseudonymous C.K. Chau is an updated retelling of Pride and Prejudice with an Asian American twist, set in New York City’s Chinatown around the turn of the 21st century. The protagonists are Elizabeth Chen, Darcy Wong, and their families and friends, all with similar Austen-like names. Elizabeth’s mother is a realtor who has finally sold her white whale, the community center of Chinatown. Darcy heads the company that purchased the building, putting him in direct conflict with Elizabeth, who’s determined to keep the community center from becoming an upscale mall.

Darcy and Elizabeth come from different worlds; his, a wealthy Hong Kong family, and hers, a large family all crammed into a tiny NYC apartment, adding humor amid the chaos. The plot line of Pride and Prejudice remains intact here, and the story reaches its denouement with Darcy to the rescue, causing Elizabeth to reexamine her prejudices and forcing Darcy to set aside his pride. While it takes a while to get there, the rest of the novel speeds by until everyone gets their happy ending.

Verdict: Jane Austen fans should enjoy this, especially those who like the modern, multicultural reimaginings of her novels, such as Sonali Dev’s Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors and Uzma Jalaluddin’s Ayesha at Last.

©Library Journal, 2023

7/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

GOOD FORTUNE by C.K. Chau. HarperVia (July 11, 2023). ISBN: 978-0063293762. 416p.

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THE LITTLE BOOKSTORE ON HEART LAKE LANE by Sarah Robinson

July 7, 2023

Heart Lake, Book 2

From the publisher:

In this charming installment of the Heart Lake series, a grumpy single dad and a small-town bookseller—who’s secretly an advice columnist—find love when they least expect it.

As chaotic as it can be, Rosie Dean loves her unruly life. But between raising twins alone, running her struggling bookshop, and secretly writing a parenting advice column, the single mom can’t think about dating. At least that’s what she tells herself . . . until her high school crush (and his incredible blue eyes) return to Heart Lake for the summer. Even though Evan has grown into a huge grump, he’s still a super sexy one, and soon sparks begin to fly.

Single dad and widower Evan Mills is used to hearing he’s too serious. But with a grieving tween daughter to raise on his own, the graphic designer is just trying to stay strong for her. He hopes a few weeks at the lake will be the fresh start they both need. Evan never anticipated reconnecting with Rosie, or that she could make him feel whole again—if he’d give her the chance. Will one steamy summer with Rosie be long enough to melt Evan’s heart?
https://amzn.to/44hgSHH

I think this was my first time reading this author, and this book is part of a series. To be honest, I never would have known that so I think it’s fair to say it stands alone. And it was a really good read!

Sometimes I just want complete fluff, an escape from everything going on in the world that terrifies me, but other times I want my happy ending but with a bit more substance. I think this books falls into the latter category.

Evan is a widower with a young daughter and both are still grieving their loss. He decides to move home to this small town for the summer, thinking a change of scenery will do them both good. He was so very right about that.

Rosie is a single mom raising her twins on her own. She is definitely not one to feel sorry for herself; instead, she works hard to give her kids all the love they need, struggles to make her bookstore a success, and on the side, she writes a parenting column, which of course Evan stumbles upon. They start a correspondence while in real life, Evan and Rosie reconnect. Evan was her high school crush, so it’s been a while, but the attraction is still there. On both sides.

It is easy to see where the romance is heading, but it’s the complications of being a single parent and grieving in a small town that really makes this story stand out. It’s also a story about blending families and dating while also being a parent. Highly recommend, and I will be looking for the first book in this series, Dreaming of a Heart Lake Christmas. Robinson also writes a lesbian romance series, and I may be checking those out as well.

7/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE LITTLE BOOKSTORE ON HEART LAKE LANE by Sarah Robinson. Forever (May 23, 2023). ISBN:‎ 978-1538755129. 336p.

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THE FAKE OUT by Sharon M. Peterson

July 7, 2023

From the publisher:

I can’t lock up the library until the guy asleep at his desk leaves. Thank the universe for audiobooks because I could be here all night. But I see his mouth twitch at the exact moment a steamy kiss takes place. My face burns when I realize my headphones aren’t plugged in and my phone is at full volume.

It’s not every day you see a new face in my small hometown of Two Harts, let alone one belonging to an annoyingly handsome all-star NFL player. But for some reason Chris Sterns has decided that the library where I work is his go-to spot to hide from his mega-fans, and unfortunately, winding me up is his new favorite sport.

Being crowned “world’s sexiest man” has done little to curb his confident charm and when he somehow ropes me into his two-person book club, I can’t help warming to his endless positivity.

But when a photo of him stumbling out of a Las Vegas club with a woman in tow is leaked to the press, I can’t help but question whether his good boy persona is just an act.

And that’s far from the only answer I’m left searching for when Chris pops the question I’ve only ever heard in my favorite romance books. Did he really just ask me to marry him?

It’s not the proposal I was expecting, but with my mom’s medical bills piling up faster than I can pay them, and with the scandal threatening to ruin everything Chris has worked for; could an engagement be the perfect fake out for us both? Or is this a game we’ll both lose?

A totally uplifting and addictive friends-to-lovers romance full of laugh-out-loud moments. Perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Sarah Adams and Olivia Dade.
https://amzn.to/3PJbWGV

This author was new to me, and I think this is just her second novel after The Do Over, (which I will be reading for free thanks to Kindle Unlimited!)

This is a sweet romance between a grumpy girl, our librarian heroine Mae, and the man of sunshine and forever in a good mood, star football player Chris. He is hiding out in this small town and the meet-cute happens in the library, where he is napping when Mae is trying to close up. Turns out Chris is a reader, and he talks her into joining his romance book club. This two-member club brings them together, but when a video of Chris and a half-naked woman goes viral, Mae suspects he might not be completely forthcoming with her.

Chris is one of the good guys of football, spending his off time helping raise funds for a children’s hospital and pediatric cardiac research. But the hospital is having doubts about having him as their spokesperson in light of the recent video. His agent and publicist cook up an idea; get him a fiancee stat. Who better than the sweet librarian, Mae, to turn around his reputation? Turns out Mae is more than a librarian, she moonlights on weekends at a Hooters-type restaurant. Her mother had a severe stroke, and even with insurance, the medical bills are astronomical. Chris offers her money to be his fake fiancee for three months and not being an idiot, she takes him up on his offer and takes a leave of absence from her waitressing job.

The more time they spend together, the more real their feelings grow, but Chris isn’t going to force himself on her – he wants Mae to want him for real too. Once their families get involved, things really get complicated, especially when an anonymous source is keeping the viral video in the spotlight.

This is a sweet romance, and I liked the juxtaposition of grumpy girl versus happy guy. For some reason, it’s usually the men who are the grumps in contemporary romcoms, so I liked that Peterson turned that on its head. I didn’t quite understand why Chris freezes Mae out before their happy ending, but I went with it. This was a laugh-out-loud yet heartfelt romance, and a thoroughly delightful read, perfect for summer.

One last comment: each chapter is titled with a bad pickup line, but I really loved some of them!

–Life without you would be like a broken pencil. Pointless

–Even if there was no gravity on Earth, I’d still fall for you

–Our love is like Pi, irrational and endless

7/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE FAKE OUT by Sharon M. Peterson. Bookouture (June 30, 2023). ISBN:‎ 978-1803149370. 384p.

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A LOVE CATASTROPHE by Helena Hunting

June 30, 2023

From the publisher:

The fur is about to fly between a cheerful cat sitter and a grumpy hockey nerd in this hilarious and charming rom-com by the New York Times bestselling author of Meet Cute.

Kitty Hart has become internet famous as the Kitty Whisperer for her expertise on all things feline, and as a result, her cat-sitting business is booming. But lately, she has a terrible feeling that maybe her life isn’t quite going where it’s supposed to—especially after falling face-first into her newest client. Not exactly the best first impression.

Fortunately, Miles Thorn is just as bad at first impressions. Strike one: he doesn’t like cats, especially Prince Francis, the haughty and mischievous Sphynx his mom left in his care. Strike two: tackling Kitty to the floor in a misguided attempt to save the pet he continually calls “the gremlin.”

As awkwardness slides into attraction and things start to turn purr-sonal, will these two complete opposites ever be able to find their furry-tail ending?

“Hunting tugs at the heartstrings with this thoroughly charming and unexpectedly deep contemporary romance. …This fresh, fun, and at times heartbreaking tale will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.”―Publishers Weekly

“A delightful tale that will appeal to animal and romance lovers alike.”―Library Journal
https://amzn.to/3JzbBTf

I’ve read several of Hunting’s novels, and she is a good storyteller, but this one really pushes the boundary of cuteness. If you read the publisher’s synopsis, you will get an idea of what you are in for, more cutesy puns on cats than I even knew existed. And I am a cat person! However, cutesiness aside, the romance at the heart of this book is a good one. Plus there are some serious issues, so a break from that is welcome.

Miles Thorn is stuck taking care of his mother’s Sphynx cat, and apparently, there is no love lost between them. The cat attacks him on the regular, so when he learns about the “Kitty Whisperer,” he is thrilled to find a catsitter to help out. Their first meeting is a disaster, but it’s the meet-cute that gets the story going.

As Kitty and Miles become closer, a romance starts to brew and these two really complement one another. Miles is dealing with the fact that his mother has pretty bad dementia, and the way she confuses him with his younger brother, who died in a terrible accident as a teen, isn’t making things any easier. The only light in his life is Kitty.

This was a fast read, and despite the seriousness of the storyline, there are still a lot of laughs here, along with a bit of heat. There was a lot of interesting cat information in this book as well, which I really enjoyed. I’ve heard of cats being toilet trained to literally use a toilet and flush it, which is mentioned here, but I didn’t know about cats being trained to ask for things (treats, pets) by stepping on corresponding buttons on something like a toy. I’ve heard about dogs being trained this way, but not cats, so that was interesting.

I did have a personal problem with a minor plot point. Miles drives a Tesla, which is great, except Kitty has to drive it in a few instances, so he gives her the keys. The first time she has to drive his car, he tells her you don’t need keys, which is correct. But two times after that, he gives her the key so she can drive it. This immediately pulled me out of the story. Teslas don’t have keys; they run off of an app on your phone, or a credit card looking thing for valets, or you can purchase a key fob from the company. As I read an early galley, I asked the publisher if this was corrected in the final copy. She asked for page numbers, which the egalley did not provide, so I sent her locations and screenshots of the text in question. This was her response:

“My sister actually works for Tesla so good questions – they don’t need an actual key to drive but they do need something to access the car. Although a lot of people just use their phones to access the car. (I can see why that wouldn’t work here.)”

She admitted it was a legitimate question, but just sort of intimated that it probably wasn’t changed because it wouldn’t have worked in the story. Which is just some lazy ass bullshit, so I’m calling her on it. Ms. Hunting, your publisher should have been on top of this.

If you don’t drive a Tesla, or don’t care about these kinds of details, please feel free to ignore it. Obviously, it bothered me, probably because I drive a Tesla! Other than that, it is a really good read.

6/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

A LOVE CATASTROPHE by Helena Hunting. Forever (June 13, 2023). ISBN:‎ 978-1538720066. 384p.

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Spotlight Review: THE BOYFRIEND CANDIDATE by Ashley Winstead

June 27, 2023

From the publisher:

A Sizzling Slow-Burn Romantic Comedy

A laugh-out-loud rom-com about learning to embrace living outside your comfort zone.

As a shy school librarian, Alexis Stone is comfortable keeping out of the spotlight. But when she’s dumped for being too meek—in bed!—she decides she needs to change. And what better way to kick-start her new more adventurous life than with her first one-night stand?

Enter Logan, the gorgeous, foul-mouthed stranger she meets at a hotel bar. Audacious and filterless, Logan is Alexis’s opposite—and boy, do opposites attract! Just as she’s about to fulfill her hookup wish, the hotel catches fire in a freak lightning storm. In their rush to escape, Logan is discovered carrying her into the street, where people are waiting with cameras. Cameras Logan promptly—and shockingly—flees.

Alexis is bewildered until suddenly pictures of her and Logan escaping the fire are all over the internet. Turns out Logan is none other than Logan Arthur, the hotshot candidate challenging the Texas governor’s seat. The salacious scandal is poised to sink his career—and jeopardize Alexis’s job—until a solution is proposed: he and Alexis could pretend to be in a relationship until election day…in two months. What could possibly go wrong?

“Winstead brings both hilarity and heartfelt moments to this rousing rom-com. Readers will cheer Alexis on her path to discovering her inner strength and swoon over idealistic Logan. This is a winner.”—Publishers Weekly, *STARRED review*

“This is a fast-paced, hard-to-put-down novel whose happily-ever-after isn’t what readers will expect; it’s better.”—Library Journal, *STARRED review*

“Mixing political and romantic intrigue, Winstead’s novel combines the darker side of politics with the lighter side of life. With a few steamy encounters and a ripped-from-the-headlines feel, The Boyfriend Candidate will appeal to fans of Lianne Moriarty, Ellen Meister, Amy Mason Doan, and anyone looking for a little more escapism in their political diet.”—Booklist

https://amzn.to/42OjJ9m

While I wouldn’t say I like politics, I am assiduously invested in what is happening in this country. I am well aware of the Texas governor and the contempt he holds for people who are BIPOC or immigrants and the man who tried (unsuccessfully) to take him down, Beto O’Rourke. This book is a true delight with a kinder, gentler view of Texas politics.

Alexis is devastated when her boyfriend dumps her and tells her she is lousy in bed. She decides the best way to get over him is to get under someone else, a one-night-stand, something she has never done before. She meets Logan in a bar and there is a really strong attraction between them. She goes with him to a hotel, prepared to take the plunge into sex with a stranger, when the fire alarm goes off and everyone is forced to evacuate. What she doesn’t understand is why he takes off as soon as he sees the cameras, but it’s too late. A photo of him carrying her out of the building is everywhere.

Turns out Logan is a young, good-looking politician running against the Republican governor. Being caught out like this could detonate his political future, so he and his team come up with a plan, if they can get Alexis on board, Logan and Alexis will pretend to be in a relationship until election day, two months down the road.

I always enjoy the fake dating trope, especially because I know where it will end, and this one has a bit more depth than most. Alexis is a shy, introverted librarian who is not used to being in the spotlight at all. She agrees to the fake dating but is soon feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the attention. Logan has a reputation as a player, but in truth, he is over it. Alexis is the first woman to grab his attention in a while.

As the race heats up, so does their relationship. There are hurdles galore and a lot of laughs along with the heat, making this a terrific, fast-paced, unputdownable romance. Don’t miss it!

6/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE BOYFRIEND CANDIDATE by Ashley Winstead. Graydon House; Original edition (May 9, 2023). ISBN:‎ 978-1525804960. 384p.

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Posted by Stacy Alesi

ALWAYS HER COWBOY by Addison Fox

June 23, 2023

Rustlers Creek, Book 3

From the publisher:

Back in Rustlers Creek, one cowboy discovers that a lifelong feud could become his forever romance…

Charlotte Wayne has detested Chance Beaumont since the fourth grade. Her bickering with the big, rugged cowboy has become legendary around their small Montana town. But little does anyone know, Charlotte’s animosity masks unspoken feelings… because underneath it all, Chance is the only man who ever truly claimed her heart.

Chance has spent his whole life in Rustlers Creek, but he’s always been on the outside looking in. He needs to focus on keeping his ranch afloat amid the massive debt left by his late father, and the feelings he harbors for Charlotte don’t make it any easier. She’s ranching royalty and he’s perpetually scrubbing mud off his boots. It’s safer to push her away than hope for something he can never have.

When a business opportunity forces Charlotte and Chance to work together, they share a heated moment in each other’s arms. The simmering attraction they’ve fought for years can no longer be ignored, but will Chance’s doubts stand in the way of their happiness? Or will he finally declare his love and prove to Charlotte that he’s always been her cowboy?

“Steamy sex scenes… Charlotte’s loyalty, however, is admirable and Chance’s big heart shines through all the drama. It’s a worthy addition to the series.” — Publishers Weekly
https://amzn.to/445ZvZI

This was my first time reading this author, so here I am again, starting a series completely out of order. I don’t think it mattered much, as I didn’t realize it was part of a series when I read it! There were no weird gaps or references to things I didn’t know about, or if there were, I didn’t notice, so kudos to Ms. Fox. Well done.

Chance and Charlotte grew up together and always had a special closeness. But Charlotte is the daughter of the most successful rancher in this small town, and Chance’s father was a bad businessman and a terrible father. Chance inherits a debt-ridden ranch and doesn’t feel worthy of Charlotte, no matter how much they adore one another. Men and their foolish pride make up many male protagonists in romance novels, and probably in life, for that matter.

Charlotte is a strong, smart young woman, and even though this is a chauvinistic culture she is working in, she is nonetheless taken seriously because she works hard at it. I really liked how the idea of using drones for land surveying was introduced here; it made the book seem really up-to-date, at least in regards to ranching. But she still has to deal with small-town gossip, and that’s never fun.

When Chance finds out his land is worth way more than the debt his father ran up, you would think he may feel like things could work out with Charlotte, but it still takes a long time for him to get there. I really liked that money wasn’t the cure-all, it lent some realism to the story. I loved how connected I felt to these characters and couldn’t help but want them to find their happy ending. It was a struggle to get there, but it was all worth it in the end. If I can find the earlier books in this series in my library’s ebook collections, I’ll be back with more reviews. Meanwhile, I’m adding Addison Fox to my must-read list.

6/2023 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

ALWAYS HER COWBOY by Addison Fox. Avon (May 23, 2023). ISBN:‎ 978-0063135307. 384p.