Romance is the biggest scheme of them all in this laugh-out-loud romantic comedy from beloved author Alexa Martin.
Emerson Pierce loves everything about being a kindergarten teacher except the painfully low salary. It isn’t until she hears about Petunia Lemon—an opportunity to sell makeup products, make some extra money, and meet a group of skin-care aficionados—that she begins to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Sure, it sounds a little too good to be true, but what’s the worst that could happen?
Investigative reporter Lucas Miller didn’t always have a chip on his shoulder…until his wife joined Petunia Lemon, drained their savings, and filed for divorce. Now he’s a little bitter, a lot single, and determined to expose the company. After infiltrating their largest convention yet, the last thing he expects is to lose sight of his mission for one night with the gorgeous woman at the bar.
When Emerson and Lucas learn that she’s his daughter’s teacher, they decide to ignore their scorching chemistry. Until things with Petunia Lemon turn downright diabolical and Emerson turns to Lucas for help. They work together to bring the company down but can the two come out on top in this pyramid scheme of love?
Emerson is a young kindergarten teacher who genuinely loves her job — so much so that I couldn’t help wishing my own kids had a teacher like her. But teaching, like many professions dominated by women, is notoriously low-paying. So when her principal enthusiastically invites her to a Petunia Lemon meeting, promising she’ll have a great time, Emerson decides to give it a try.
The event is a high-energy affair that sweeps Emerson up in its excitement, and she signs up on the spot. Petunia Lemon sells skincare products through multi-level marketing, but like most MLMs, it requires a substantial upfront investment and ongoing costs that Emerson can barely afford. She makes her first payment with her emergency credit card—already a red flag.
After the meeting, Emerson heads to the hotel’s rooftop bar. She loves Old Fashioneds and heard this place makes exceptional ones. The crowded bar offers only a tiny corner table, but before her drink even arrives, a gorgeous man asks to share her space. He introduces himself as Luke Miller, and Emerson is immediately smitten. That Old Fashioned gives her more courage than usual, and soon she and Luke are heading to his room for what she assumes will be a one-night stand—one that will change her life in ways she never imagined.
The next morning, Emerson finds Luke working on his laptop. When he reveals he’s writing an exposé about Petunia Lemon, she’s furious and storms out, convinced she’ll never see him again. So much for the best sex of her life.
As the new school year approaches, Emerson busily prepares her classroom. To her complete shock, Luke walks in with his adorable daughter Isla, who will be in Emerson’s kindergarten class. Luke is divorced and shares custody with his ex-wife—a difficult woman who happens to be close friends with Emerson’s principal. It turns out his ex-wife’s involvement with Petunia Lemon contributed to their marriage’s collapse, which sparked Luke’s investigation into the company.
Meanwhile, Emerson’s financial situation deteriorates as she gets deeper into Petunia Lemon. While she enjoys the friendships she’s formed at the weekly parties, months pass without a single sale or new recruit. When she tries to invoke the company’s “money-back guarantee,” she wastes days on fruitless phone calls that lead nowhere.
As Luke and Emerson see more of each other through his daughter, their attraction reignites. When Luke asks her to spy on Petunia Lemon from the inside, Emerson is fed up enough to agree.
Once Luke’s exposé is published, chaos ensues. When Emerson’s principal discovers she was the informant, she tries to have Emerson fired. But while Emerson is a people-pleaser by nature, she refuses to be a pushover. She fights back — and with Luke by her side, they get the happy ending they deserve.
This was an entertaining read with just the right amount of spice. Martin is one of my favorite contemporary romance authors, and this book showcases her talents beautifully. If you haven’t discovered her work yet, this is an excellent starting point. My only minor complaint is the book’s title, which doesn’t seem to connect to the story in any meaningful way—but that’s a very small quibble with an otherwise terrific read.
7/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
HOW TO SELL A ROMANCE by Alexa Martin.Berkley (July 15, 2025). ISBN: 978-0593816356. 384p.
Love, forgiveness, and renewal take center stage in the haven of a quiet lakeside town when two very different women bond over one man’s betrayals in this uplifting new series from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster.
Marlow Heddings is starting over. She’s carried the outrage of her husband Dylan’s affair with a younger woman—and the expectations of his family’s powerful Chicago holdings company—long enough. Now, after another devastating twist of fate, she’s unapologetically moving on.
Arriving in tiny Bramble, Kentucky, Marlow revels in her freedom, swapping her executive suits for sundresses . . . and scouting places to open her dream boutique. Best of all is her new residence, an adorable cottage with gorgeous lake views—and a breathtaking landlord, former Marine Cort Easton. Soon they’re sharing dockside morning coffee and nighttime firefly gazing. Marlow’s new life feels like a dream.
Then Pixie Nolan arrives on her doorstep. With a shocking secret.
To Marlow’s astonishment, Dylan’s “other woman” is a desperate girl of nineteen, destitute, exhausted, and disowned by her family. Defying her manipulative in-laws’ demands, and surprising even herself, Marlow vows to lay down roots in Bramble and help Pixie get on her feet. Then they’ll part ways. But empathy has a way of forging bonds. As Marlow grows close to the hard-working, devoted young woman, she becomes something of a big sister to Pixie.
Now, with each sunrise, Marlow awakens to the life she was truly meant to live, one filled with deepening connections, supportive friendship . . . and even a second chance at love.
This is a sweet, small-town romance with interesting characters who grow and change. Marlow thought she had her future figured out—until her husband cheated on her. They were in the process of divorcing when he died unexpectedly in an accident. His overbearing parents refuse to believe he ever did anything wrong and smother Marlow with denial and blame. Feeling trapped and emotionally exhausted, Marlow knows it’s time to start over and leave Chicago.
She finds a charming cottage for rent in the quiet town of Bramble, Kentucky, and sets out to rebuild her life. With dreams of opening a boutique and hope for a fresh start, Marlow begins to settle into her new surroundings. The cottage’s owner, Cort Easton—a retired Marine who is as kind as he is handsome—helps make Bramble feel like home.
Just as Marlow starts to feel at peace, a surprise visitor throws everything into turmoil. Pixie, a 19-year-old woman her late husband had an affair with, shows up pregnant and alone after being disowned by her family. Desperate, she turns to Marlow for help. Even Pixie is stunned by the compassion Marlow shows her. Their unlikely alliance blossoms into a sisterhood that withstands threats from Marlow’s hostile in-laws. Marlow stands firm in supporting Pixie.
What follows is a touching story of love, forgiveness, and chosen family, set against the backdrop of a welcoming small town. Foster draws readers into Bramble with warmth and depth, making it hard to leave. Thankfully, this is just the first in a new series—and I can’t wait to return.
7/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
THE GUEST COTTAGE by Lori Foster.Kensington (May 27, 2025). ISBN: 978-1496752352. 304p.
A Heartwarming Novel of Reconciliation, Forgiveness, and Unlikely Love in the Midst of Family Secrets and Life’s Unexpected Turns
Welcome back to Sunrise Cove for this heartwarming enemies-to-lovers tale where found family, forgiveness, and love may just be the key to finding yourself, from New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis.
Lexi Clark’s life is falling apart around her, so when she’s summoned home to Sunrise Cove, the last thing she wants to do is face all the complications she left behind. Her past, her stepsister Ashley, and especially her infuriatingly gorgeous childhood nemesis-turned-crush Heath Bowman.
Yep, Lexi’s pretty sure being home again just might kill her. She’s an overachieving art appraiser who doesn’t believe in trust, love, or Happily Ever Afters. Free spirit Ashley, on the other hand, is so full of life it hurts to look at her. But Lexi can’t refuse Ashley’s plea to honor their late mother’s final wish to make amends with the people she’d wronged. So, on behalf of her estranged mother’s estate—and with Heath in tow as the executor—Lexi embarks on a road trip to repay all the people her gambling addicted mother owed money to.
Complicating everything are the feelings that well up for Lexi: for her mom, for Ashley, and most of all, for Heath. And for the record, she doesn’t like it, or the way he has of scaling the walls she’s built around her heart. The road trip shenanigans that ensue are both funny and heartbreaking, but Lexi finds something shocking along the way. Acceptance. Family. And unbelievably—if you ask Lexi anyway—love.
Jill Shalvis (Better Than Friends) continues her Sunrise Cove series with this eighth entry centering around stepsisters Lexi and Ashley and their childhood friend, Heath. Ashley and Heath have lived in Sunrise Cove pretty much all their lives, but when Lexi was ten years old, her father got sole custody and brought her to live with his second wife and her children.
Lexi had a very unhappy childhood, first with her mother, Daisy, who was an inveterate gambler, and then with her father’s new family, who were cruel to her. The final straw was when her long-time boyfriend and boss dumped her when she was accused of stealing from the antique appraisal company where they both worked. An investigation was launched, and Lexi didn’t worry since she knew she was innocent, but nonetheless, it hardened her heart even further.
Shortly before Daisy died, she won quite a bit of money in the lotto. After her death, she leaves instructions with her lawyer, Heath, that he follows to the letter. A year after her passing, both Lexi and Ashley are to distribute six letters, in person, to people Daisy felt she wronged, along with checks for varying amounts. Lexi had no relationship with her mother, so she was surprised when Ashley insisted she had to come home to Sunrise Cove to take care of this. Since she was no longer employed and running out of money, Lexi couldn’t really say no.
Ashley is thrilled that Lexi agrees, and the stepsisters start to get to know one another again as adults. Ashley is big hearted and kind, and Lexi can’t help her heart thawing towards her. More surprising is how she feels about Heath. Heath also had a tumultuous childhood, but neither of them knew that about the other. They have a bit of history, none of it very good, but slowly he worms his way into her heart, and she into his.
As Lexi, Ashley, and Heath work on fulfilling Daisy’s final wishes, they reconnect as adults, creating a heartwarming tale of found family, forgiveness, and love. The setting of Sunrise Cove is the tie-in for this series, and each book stands alone beautifully.
VERDICT Shalvis’s fans will love this, and it should gain her new fans as well. Recommend to readers who enjoy Susan Mallery, Kristan Higgins, or Lori Wilde.
Perry and Daisy’s fake relationship is fooling everyone . . . but they’re the ones who might be getting fooled.
When Daisy Hershberger and Perry Bontrager meet, they discover they have one thing in common: both their families are way too eager to see them matched with the person of their dreams. Daisy is convinced that Maynard is the one for her, but her parents have their doubts. And Perry? His family wonders if there’s anyone out there for a quirky guy like him. He’s also certain that some people–himself included–are destined to be single for life.
After comparing notes, Perry and Daisy agree to a pact. He’ll help her make Maynard realize what he’s missing, and she’ll pretend to be Perry’s love interest to keep his matchmaking mother satisfied. For a while, their pact seems to be working.
Maybe their imagined futures aren’t exactly what fairy tales are made of, but they’re committed to their plan . . . until they realize that a real-life fairy tale is happening where they least expect it. Sometimes, you don’t have to pretend to be anything but yourself in order for love to find you.
The final book in the Amish of Marigold series is a heartwarming, cozy inspirational romance featuring a pretend relationship and plenty of small-town charm. A perfect read for fans of Beverly Lewis and Suzanne Woods Fisher.
A new Amish romance set in a sect that is not quite a strict as others I have read about. Daisy has a crush on Maynard, and he comes over to see her fairly often, but he is a cold fish. Her parents are not too fond of this match, so they get the idea to send her to visit her cousin, Grace, who is engaged. They tell Daisy that Grace needs help planning her wedding, even though it is several months away. A dutiful daughter, Daisy goes off to see her cousin in another state but tries to get Maynard to commit to her in some way before she goes, but that is a fruitless endeavor.
When Daisy arrives at her cousin’s house, no one is home so she wanders over to the neighbor to see if he knows where they are. She meets Perry, a young man with a successful farrier business but he doesn’t know where the family is. They chat a bit and it seems they have something in common. Perry comes from a very large family and he is the only one who isn’t married. He feels like an outsider in this community because the woman he had courted rebuffed him, and he figures he’ll just always be single, but his mother is working overtime to find him someone. Daisy’s family wasn’t thrilled with Maynard, but they want Daisy to find someone, too, and are hopeful her cousins will find her someone.
Meanwhile, Perry hires an older man to help him with his business but he gets hurt, and ends up staying in Perry’s tiny house as he recovers. Daisy feels bad for him and comes over to help out. As Perry and Daisy get to know one another, they come up with a scheme – they will tell their parents that they are dating. Daisy hopes to make Maynard jealous, and Perry wants his mom to step back a bit. But both are too honest to keep the ruse going for very long, and all their plans are upended as they realize they have fallen in love.
This was a sweet Amish romance, a fast read, and a perfect escape. I didn’t realize it was the third book of a series, so it easily stands alone – and I get to go hunt down the first two books in the series.
6/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
THE MARRIAGE PACT by Kathleen Fuller.Zondervan (May 6, 2025). ISBN: 978-0840713384. 304p.
For fans of Elin Hilderbrand, USA Today bestselling author Pamela Kelley invites readers to step onto the shores of Nantucket, the perfect backdrop for your summer beach read.
Three sisters, each at her own crossroads in life, inherit a Nantucket restaurant and embrace working together.
Mandy, Emma and Jill O’Toole are as close as three sisters who live hundreds of miles apart can be. They grew up together on Nantucket, but have scattered around the country. When their beloved grandmother passes peacefully in her sleep a week before her ninety-ninth birthday she leaves them quite a surprise. In addition to her Nantucket home, they learn that they’ve inherited Mimi’s Place, one of Nantucket’s most popular year-round restaurants. They had no idea that she was the silent owner of a restaurant, and no idea how they’re going to handle this kind of inheritance.
There is of course, a catch―she left the restaurant equally to Mandy, Emma, and Jill―and also to Paul, the executive chef for the past fifteen years.
And before they can sell, all three women need to work at the restaurant for a period of one year. Now they have to examine their priorities and figure out a way to make it work, all while discovering that Mimi’s Place is in serious need of a facelift. The restaurant hasn’t changed in years, and its finances are declining. Meanwhile, Nantucket is a special place, a tight-knit and insular upscale beach community, both supportive and challenging.
Three sisters, each at a crossroads in her own life, facing the challenges of a surprise inheritance in the close-knit community of Nantucket.
This novel was previously self-published and is now traditionally published. It is also considerably longer with more depth.
It’s a character-driven story following three sisters unexpectedly reunited on Nantucket—exactly the kind of feel-good beach read that delivers emotional depth alongside comfort. When Mandy, Jill, and Emma O’Toole return home to Nantucket after their grandmother’s death, they discover she secretly owned Mimi’s Place, a beloved local restaurant. Her final wish: the sisters must run it together for one year alongside longtime chef Paul before deciding its future.
Each sister brings distinct baggage to this unexpected inheritance. Mandy, the only island resident, feels restless and unfulfilled. Married to a wealthy businessman who doesn’t want his wife working, this provides the opportunity for Mandy to stretch her wings a bit. Jill and her business partner run an uber-successful job placement firm in New York City, so she struggles between her New York ambitions and this new family obligation, not to mention a change in her relationship with her partner. Emma is in the middle of an amicable divorce and sees this opportunity as a chance for the new beginning she needs. They are all genuinely flawed, hopeful people navigating uncertainty with authenticity.
As they stumble through restaurant ownership—harder than expected—the story unfolds with gentle humor and brings Nantucket to life. Kelley captures the restaurant industry, from morning deliveries to lunch and dinner rushes, while exploring grief, family duty, and finding your place in the world. Paul, the loyal head chef, adds both heart and humor as he navigates sudden co-ownership with three women who know nothing about running his kitchen, but are happy to leave it to him. Watching them preserve their grandmother’s legacy while figuring each other out drives much of the story’s charm, and Paul adds a bit of romance as well.
The Nantucket Restaurant celebrates family in all its messy glory. Despite financial setbacks and self-doubt, hope and warmth prevail. It’s about starting over at any age, finding strength through difficulty, and self-discovery. By the end, each woman has transformed and truly finds her place in this world. Perfect for fans of Elin Hilderbrand, this comfort read delivers emotional growth and a satisfying resolution. I loved it.
6/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
THE NANTUCKET RESTAURANT by Pamela M. Kelley.Sourcebooks Landmark (June 10, 2025). ISBN: 978-1464246197. 352p.
I started this series – which I read in order! – with The Nantucket Inn, and I reviewed that first one here. I was able to find the entire series on Hoopla, through my public library, and listened to them all. These are self-published, and I’m sorry to say it shows.
Since Elin Hilderbrand retired, I was so happy to find this series. Hilderbrand created a world in Nantucket that I loved, and Kelley continues that magical feeling about the place. Not magical like the inexplicable, but magical as in a lovely, peaceful community where friendships are easy and love happens for everyone open to it.
The books revolve around the Beach Plum Cove Inn on Nantucket, which is at the center of the first book in the series. The subsequent books introduce new characters to Nantucket who stay at the inn, and most usually end up moving to the island permanently. It works beautifully. It truly feels like an escape to listen to these books, and I really appreciate that.
There are a few drawbacks to this audiobook series. The original reader, Karissa Vacker, did a terrific job and I really loved the first five books. However, the last four books in the series are read by Leslie Howard, and honestly, if I wasn’t already invested so deeply into the series, I would have stopped with Nantucket Threads. Howard is a breathy whisperer. Every voice she does sounds like they are whispering, and I find it super annoying. It reminded me of Marilyn Monroe singing “Happy Birthday, Mr. President,” which I guess is sexy for a two minute song, but becomes grating many hours in. I haven’t checked to see who is reading other Kelley books, but Leslie Howard is the first performer since I started my audiobook journey that is going on my “do not read” list.
They are self-published and, unfortunately, not carefully edited. One of the things I really like about this series is the constant food references, where the characters are dining, what they order, and what they prepare for dinner at home. I’m a foodie and enjoy this aspect. Except in this series, a character orders one thing at dinner, then a minute later are taking a bite of something else. There are little inconsistencies like that throughout this series, and most are just slightly annoying – they pull me out of the story for a moment. Maybe it wouldn’t have been so obvious if I hadn’t basically binged them all in order, but it became apparent that Kelley did not spring for a line editor. There are different types of editors in publishing, but a line editor is especially important in a series. They are responsible for pointing out repetition and inconsistencies in the story line.
This became a huge issue for me in the last book of the series, Nantucket Summer House. Like most romances, each book centers around one couple finding their happy ending. In the third book, Nantucket White Christmas, the romance centers around Angela and Philippe. Philippe is a minor character throughout the series until the third book when he took center stage. He was mentioned from time to time in all the books that followed until the last book, when inexplicably he became Pierre! I cringed every time I heard it and was thrilled this was the last book of the series. That is a major mistake, and I was shocked that no one pointed this out to the author. Or maybe someone did and she didn’t care? I don’t know, but as far as I’m concerned it is the height of hubris to think no one will notice or care if you change a character’s name after 8 previous books.
I have a few other minor quibbles. All the characters sound like fifty-something-year-olds, even the twenty and thirty-somethings, so the dialogue often feels stilted to me. I do love that there are successful writers living in Kelley’s Nantucket, as well as artists and photographers. I like to think that artists can make a living and afford the Nantucket lifestyle. On the other hand, everyone eats dinner at 6:00 pm and goes to bed early. Kelley has favorite wines that appear in every book, most of which are good (yay!) but I couldn’t help but think product placement?? If not, Kelley should definitely look into that. Everyone has “appetizer parties” on Nantucket, all of which feature cheese & crackers plus some interesting sounding dips and spreads – maybe that is really a thing? I don’t know.
Rant over. Bottom line is I did enjoy this series, and I’m continuing to read more of Kelley’s work – but with a jaded eye on the continuity of the books and making sure any audiobooks are performed by anyone other than the whisperer. I do love the sense of family Kelley creates with all these charaxters, and I couldn’t help but care about them, plus it’s fun to see what they are all up to with each book.
Right now, I’m reading the Kindle version of the first book of a new series, The Nantucket Restaurant (review to follow!) This book (and the sequel) were originally self-published, but the copy I have is published by Sourcebooks, a traditional publisher, so I feel comfortable that I won’t have to deal with any of the consistency issues that cropped up in the Nantucket Beach Plum Cove series.
Lisa Hodges needs to make a decision fast. Thanks to her dead husband’s gambling addiction, their savings is almost gone. In her early 50s with a large, waterfront home on Nantucket to support, Lisa hasn’t worked in over 30 years, has no in-demand skills and is virtually unemployable.
Her only options are to sell the house and move off-island, or, she could use her cooking and entertaining skills and turn her home into a bed and breakfast. She desperately needs it to succeed because she has four grown children with problems of their own and wants to stay close to them. Her oldest daughter, Kate, has a fabulous career in Boston – working as a writer for a popular fashion magazine and engaged to a dangerously handsome, photographer, who none of them have met. Kate’s twin, local artist, Kristen, has been reasonably content with her on-again off-again relationship with an older, separated businessman. Her son, Chase, runs his own construction business and is carefree, happily dating here and there but nothing serious. Youngest daughter, Abby, is happily married to her high school sweetheart, and they’ve been trying to have a baby. But it hasn’t happened yet, and Abby wonders if it’s a sign that maybe their marriage isn’t as perfect as everyone thinks.
Come visit Nantucket and see how Lisa’s new bed and breakfast has an impact on almost everyone in her family. It’s the first book in a new series that will follow the Hodges family, friends, and visitors to Nantucket’s Beach Plum Cove Inn.
Book your visit to the Beach Plum Cove Inn today…meet widow Lisa Hodges and her four adult children, friends, and visitors to the newly opened waterfront bed and breakfast.
In the first book, The Nantucket Inn, Lisa learned that her deceased husband had a hidden gambling addiction and had blown through their retirement savings. Since she’d been raising four children and hadn’t worked in years, she had no employable skills. Her only option if she wanted to stay on the island near her loved ones, was to rent out her second floor rooms. And she’s loving it so far. Lisa’s first guest, restaurant owner Rhett Byrne quickly became a close friend and then something more. In her early fifties, it sounds strange to her to call him her boyfriend, but that’s what he is.
Her daughter Kristen, finally ended things with Sean, the separated man that no one in the family was excited about. It wasn’t until she was beginning to move on, that he filed for divorce, and then begged her for another chance. So she gave him one, much to everyone’s dismay. But then the cottage next door is sold, and she discovers who her new neighbor is. Chase, the only boy in the family, has never been serious about anyone before. But he’s suddenly withdrawn and has been secretive about who he’s seeing, which only makes everyone that much more curious. When they learn who it is, the concern grows as no one wants to see Chase hurt, again. Lisa’s best friend, Paige, has a new neighbor too and it’s one she is most decidedly not enthused about. Violet was one of the women who stood up at town meeting and protested against Lisa’s inn being approved by the selectman. Because the house is right next door, Paige can’t help but notice the steady stream of traffic. Violet seems to be very popular with a lot of people.
The inn is doing well and bookings are up, but then one Friday night, a guest that prepaid for the weekend never shows up. And quite a few people, including the police, come asking questions.
Visit Nantucket’s Beach Plum Cove Inn this Christmas for a feel-good holiday story from the author of The Nantucket Inn and Nantucket Neighbors. Born on Christmas, Angela Stark has always hated the holiday. Bad things always seem to happen and this year is no exception when she is fired and evicted on the first day of December. She was living and working as a maid in San Francisco. Who will hire her at this time of year, especially if they learn why she was fired?
Her only family is Sam, an elderly and quite vocal orange cat. Her only option is to stay temporarily with her best friend Jane, but she is extremely allergic to cats. It’s not ideal, but it doesn’t look like she has a choice, until a certified letter arrives that changes everything. The next thing she knows, she and Sam are flying to Nantucket, a place they’ve never been before. It’s meant to be a temporary visit. But then Angela meets the Hodges family and friends and begins to question where home really is.
Everyone thought they had the perfect marriage. But things are sometimes not what they seem. Lisa Hodges has always thought her best friend Sue had a dream marriage. She’d married Curt, her high school sweetheart and current business partner. After 35 years of marriage, she never doubted him once – until Brandi Morgan joined their thriving insurance company. Brandi is 35, blonde and beautiful, and is also excellent at her account manager job. All the clients love her and business is up. Sue liked her quite a bit too – until the rumors started swirling.
And it all began with A Nantucket Affair, the island’s biggest charity gathering with a catered dinner and dancing on the beach. As usual, Curt is the chairman for the gala, and this year, he has a new second-in-command, Brandi. Sue didn’t give it a second thought, until Curt suddenly dropped the fifteen pounds he’d been whining about wanting to lose and a few well meaning friends started asking her what was going on. Meanwhile, Kristen’s boyfriend, Tyler is dealing with a devastating loss and Kristen wants to be there for him, but isn’t sure how best to support him, especially when she discovers a secret he’s been keeping, one that could have devastating consequences for both of them.
Abby is busy learning how to be a new mother, and Lisa is madly in love with her first grandchild. And Chase and Beth have discovered a new passion project – flipping houses. Beth does the research to find the undervalued homes and Chase works his magic to renovate them. But then they get in over their heads when a project requires more than they could ever have imagined.
Mia Maxwell used to have her dream job. She is a sought after wedding planner on Nantucket, with no shortage of business. But she is struggling a bit to get back to loving her job. It has been bittersweet to plan other people’s weddings – ever since her own fiance died two weeks before their wedding.
That was a year ago and she was just starting to feel better, when she came back from a vacation to find her house burned down. So she will be staying with Lisa at the Beach Plum Cove Inn for a while, until her house is renovated. Mia’s also worried about her younger sister and best friend Izzy – she has a serious boyfriend who has grown more controlling over the past year. As it turns out, there are several member of the Hodges family that may be in need of Mia’s services – she’ll be planning not one but two weddings. There are a few road bumps along the way however.
Lisa has another long-term guest that she eagerly introduces to Mia. She finds this temporary neighbor equally intriguing and frustrating and she makes it clear that she’s not even close to ready to date. She’s not sure if she ever will be.
Izzy’s life is about to change soon in the biggest way possible. She is excited and nervous and torn about whether or not to give her ex, Rick Savage, another chance. Rick has tried to be a better man. He’s gone through anger management classes and really seems to be making an effort. But is that enough? Does she owe it to him, to them, to try one more time? Or is it okay for her to move on and possibly even consider a future with someone else? Not that she is looking to do that, but there is someone else who she has known as a friend for a long time.
He’s a very good friend, and at times, she wonders if there could be something more there. But, she has bigger things to consider first. Someone other than herself, and it’s all new to her. But, her sister Mia is there to help. Izzy is now living with Mia since her condo was renovated. And Mia has a promising new romance. And there’s a lot going on with the Hodges family, too. Kate has a very big announcement, and Lisa learns that she has been violating a major rule for her bed and breakfast. So, changes are coming….
Charleston native, Taylor Abbott, has just relocated to Nantucket for her dream job as a junior news reporter at the local paper. Ten years ago she was Abby Hodges’ college roommate and is looking forward to living near her best friend again. Until her rental cottage is available, she’s going to stay at the Beach Plum Cove Inn, Abby’s mother’s bed and breakfast.
Abby, meanwhile, is dealing with an issue she thought she’d resolved. Rhett discovers someone that works for him is a thief and tries to figure out who it is. Rumor is, there’s a celebrity or two on the island, and the media (including Taylor’s coworker, Victoria), is in hot pursuit to track them down.
It’s Fall on Nantucket—and change is in the air! There’s a new arrival to the island. Kay Johnson, a widow, was a friend of Lisa’s mother and is like an aunt to Lisa. Kay is excited to relax and enjoy Nantucket—she’s already signed up for a Needlepoint class. She’s not at all looking for romance, but she is happy to make a new friend in neighbor Walter Sturgess, a widower.
When the story begins, Walter’s son Travis, CEO of a tech company he founded in Silicon Valley, and his four-year-old daughter, Sophie, are living with Walter until Travis’s new home is ready for them to move in. That new home is being built by Chase Hodges, Lisa’s son, and is located on the ocean, next to the home where Victoria grew up—and is now living temporarily with her parents, since she and Sean—her long-term boyfriend and fiancé, broke up.
When she sees Travis for the first time in many years, Victoria realizes he is in a similar place, since his divorce. She didn’t even recognize Travis at first. He had to remind her that they’d once dated in high school, before she dumped him for Sean, the star quarterback. Travis is all grown-up now, but even if she was interested in dating, Victoria has never been anxious to have children, let alone take on someone else’s.
Lauren is up for the opportunity of a lifetime, to be the lead producer for a new reality show set in Nantucket. Nantucket Influence will follow a group of young influencers as they spend the summer at a gorgeous waterfront home. It is a concept that Lauren has worked on successfully before and the job is hers—as long as she doesn’t mind that one of the influencers is Billy—the ex that she caught cheating on her. Does she really want to spend the summer working with him every day? This is her first chance to run a show, though, and she can’t pass it up.
Hudson, runs a Nantucket based production company, with famous actress and new Nantucket resident, Cami Carmichael. Hudson is good friends with Billy, but Lauren finds herself drawn to him. But she knows they shouldn’t be more than friends since they are working together—and since Lauren will be heading back to LA when filming ends.
Meanwhile Angela is thrilled to see her college friend Lauren and has some exciting news to share. And Lisa discovers that her nemesis, Violet, who runs a competing inn is ready to declare herself as the top lobster quiche maker on the island. But not if Lisa has anything to say about it—she signs up for the local food festival as well and will let the people decide who makes the best quiche.
6/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
Nantucket Beach Plum Cove (9 book series) by Pamela M. Kelley.Audible Audiobook Edition. 2019-2024.
Rivalry and romance spark when two bookstore managers who are opposites in every way find themselves competing for the same promotion.
Despite managing bookstores on the same Boston street, Josie Klein and Ryan Lawson have never interacted much—Josie’s store focuses on serious literature, and Ryan’s sells romance only. But when the new owner of both stores decides to combine them, the two are thrust into direct competition. Only one manager will be left standing, decided by who turns the most profit over the summer.
Efficient and detail-oriented Josie instantly clashes with easygoing and disorganized Ryan. Their competing events and contrasting styles lead to more than just frustration—the sparks between them might just set the whole store on fire. Their only solace during this chaos is the friendship they’ve each struck up with an anonymous friend in an online book forum. Little do they know they’re actually chatting with each other.
As their rivalry heats up in real life, their online relationship grows, and when the walls between their stores come tumbling down, Josie and Ryan realize not all’s fair in love and war. And maybe, if they’re lucky, happily ever afters aren’t just for the books.
“Cleverly riffing on “You’ve Got Mail” and “The Little Shop around the Corner”, Brady, the pseudonym for Alison Hammer and Bradeigh Godfrey, fashions another fun, flirty, and fiercely romantic love story about a literary-fiction reader and a romance devotee falling in love. This also serves as a beautifully written paean to the magic of bookstores, the power of romance novels, and the joy of reading.” —Booklist (STARRED)
This is a sweet, spicy, and utterly bookish rom-com that gives strong You’ve Got Mail vibes—in the best possible way. When Josie, the manager of a serious literature-focused bookstore, and Ryan, the charming owner of a romance-only bookshop, find themselves competing for the same promotion, sparks fly. Their boss decides to merge their stores, forcing these polar opposites into a rivalry that soon evolves into something much more complicated—and much hotter.
One of my favorite parts of the story is the anonymous forum friendship subplot. Having a secret online confidante to vent about work chaos, especially when your new boss pits you against your rival, adds such a fun twist—and even more tension when identities start to come into focus. At first, I thought the setup was a little far-fetched, but Brady makes it all work with surprising finesse. The story develops with heart, humor, and a deep love for books. The inclusion of real authors, bookish references, review culture, and spicy risqué book nights makes the setting feel rich and fun.
Ryan and Josie both carry emotional weight from their pasts, and their relationship progresses in a believable, rewarding way—from reluctant co-workers to reluctant allies to something deeper. I appreciated how their connection grows through shared work challenges and a mutual passion for reading. Ryan, in particular, is adorable, emotionally in-tune, romance-obsessed, and definitely written to make readers swoon.
While I had a bit of a rocky start getting used to the writing style, the story eventually found its rhythm. Readers less familiar with bookish acronyms might feel a little lost at times, but overall, the pacing and flow work well.
This is a fun, slow-burn, opposites-attract, “he falls first” romance that celebrates books, bookstores, and the people who love them. It’s both sweet and a little steamy, with enough charm to satisfy fans of both romance and women’s fiction.
6/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
BATTLE OF THE BOOKSTORES by Ali Brady.Berkley (June 3, 2025). ISBN: 978-0593640845. 432p.
Kristy Woodson Harvey returns with a delightfully moving new novel about a mother-daughter duo learning to lean on their community of women—and each other—after their world is turned upside down.
When Charlotte Sitterly’s husband is arrested for a white-collar crime, she and her daughter Iris are locked out of their house by the FBI and—what’s potentially even worse—thrust into the spotlight of @JuniperShoresSocialite, the town’s snarky anonymous Instagram account. Cut off from her bank accounts and feeling desperate, Charlotte takes up an acquaintance’s offer to stay at a beachfront former bed-and-breakfast that’s home to a community of single mothers and draws plenty of gossip in the small coastal North Carolina town.
Charlotte and Iris find solace and are surprised by how much fun they’re having with the other families despite their circumstances. But when the women discover a secret link between them, it changes everything they thought they knew about the unconventional family they’ve created and leaves them wondering whether their coming together was a coincidence at all. Will the skeletons in the mommune closets help Charlotte and Iris reclaim their place in the Juniper Shores community—or shatter the sisterhood forever?
“Perfect for fans of Elin Hilderbrand and Jennifer Weiner” (Country Living), Beach House Rulesis a charming exploration of the joy of friendship, the true meaning of family, and reclaiming the power to reshape our own destiny.
“Charming and beachy in the best way, Beach House Rules will appeal to those looking for an escape with emotional depth.” ― –Booklist, starred review
Charlotte Sitterly’s comfortable existence in the affluent beachfront town of Juniper Shores, North Carolina, crumbles overnight when her husband Bill is arrested for securities fraud. She and her fourteen-year-old daughter Iris suddenly find themselves homeless and nearly penniless, with their assets seized and bank accounts frozen. In a tight-knit community where news travels fast—amplified by both a persistent journalist and an anonymous gossip Instagram account—everyone knows their business.
When Charlotte discovers she can’t even withdraw money from her account, an unlikely savior appears. Alice Bailey, overhearing Charlotte’s predicament at the bank, extends an invitation to join her unconventional household. Alice owns a former beachfront bed-and-breakfast that she’s transformed into a “mommune”—a shared living space for single mothers and their children. Despite Alice’s whispered reputation as the town’s “Black Widow” (she’s buried three husbands), Charlotte accepts the offer out of desperation.
What Charlotte finds at the mommune is far from what she expected. Living alongside two other displaced mothers and their children, she must navigate new house rules, unfamiliar dynamics, and her own wounded pride. The concept of the mommune really works—these women create a functioning family unit despite their individual struggles, insecurities, and complicated pasts.
As Charlotte adjusts to her new reality, she becomes entangled in a web of small-town gossip, shifting loyalties, and questions about public perception versus private truth. The mystery surrounding Bill’s guilt or innocence adds layers of intrigue, while Charlotte grapples with themes of trust, reputation, and identity. Through moments of both heartbreak and surprising humor—including snarky commentary from the anonymous “Juniper Shores Socialite”—she discovers that friendship, family, and loyalty can emerge from the most unexpected places.
This story explores the delicate balance between judgment and compassion, reminding readers not to rush to conclusions while examining how people rebuild their lives after everything falls apart. Romance and mystery weave through the narrative, but at its heart, this is a tale about women supporting women through life’s most challenging moments. Don’t miss it.
6/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
BEACH HOUSE RULES by Kristy Woodson Harvey.Gallery Books (May 27, 2025). ISBN: 978-1668074800. 368p.
From the USA Today bestselling author of Nora Goes Off Script, a novel about a former adolescent TV actress-turned-Hollywood producer whose “fake it till you make it” mantra sets her on a crash course with her past, forcing her to spend a week on Long Island with the last man she thinks might make her believe in love.
Love is a lie. Laughter is the only truth.
Jane Jackson spent her adolescence as “Poor Janey Jakes,” the barbecue-sauce-in-her-braces punch line on America’s fifth-favorite sitcom. Now she’s trying to be taken seriously as a Hollywood studio executive by embracing a new mantra: Fake it till you make it.
Except she might have faked it too far. Desperate to get her first project greenlit and riled up by pompous cinematographer and one-time crush Dan Finnegan, she claimed that she could get mega popstar Jack Quinlan to write a song for the movie. Jack may have been her first kiss—and greatest source of shame—but she hasn’t spoken to him in twenty years.
Now Jane must turn to the last man she’d ever want to owe: Dan Finnegan. Because Jack is playing a festival in Dan’s hometown, and Dan has an in. A week in close quarters with Dan as she faces down her past is Jane’s idea of hell, but he just might surprise her. While covering up her lie, can they find something true?
“[A] bingeable beachy contemporary . . . Monaghan mines a lot of joy out of [a] close-knit family dynamic and the scenic coastal setting, while creating a heroine readers will root for. This is an addictive romp.” —Publishers Weekly (starred)
“[T]here is satisfying depth to the story . . . Monaghan writes another charming rom-com, this time with enemies-to-lovers and forced-proximity tropes. Monaghan fans will not be disappointed.” —Library Journal
A People Romance Book to Read After Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry A Woman’s World New Book from a Bestselling Romance Author A New York Post Most Anticipated Book of the Year A BookBub Most Anticipated Book of the Year A Zibby Owens Most Anticipated Book of the Year A Brit & Co. Most Anticipated Summer Read A GoodReads New Romance Book to Heat Up Summer
Monaghan delivers another heartwarming romance, this time centered on a relatable woman in her thirties navigating a world that doesn’t always play fair. Jane Jackson, once a child star, grew up in front of the camera as the comedic sidekick on the wildly popular sitcom Pop Rocks. She played Janey Jakes, the quirky keyboardist in a teen band known for her signature “Oof” face whenever things went wrong—always good for a laugh.
Now in her thirties, Jane works behind the scenes as a Creative Executive at Clearwater Studios. She’s found what she believes is the perfect script: a tender love story titled True Story. But her enthusiasm isn’t shared by the studio—or by Dan Finnegan, the arrogant but talented cinematographer—who both believe the project isn’t commercial enough.
Determined to get her first project greenlit, Jane makes a bold claim: she says she can secure an original song from Jack Quinlan, today’s hottest pop star. Jane and Jack once performed a duet on Pop Rocks, though neither received credit due to NDAs. The show’s stars lip-synced their vocals, leaving Jane and Jack’s real contributions behind the scenes. Jack was also Jane’s first kiss, though they haven’t spoken in years.
After failing to reach Jack through social media, Dan suggests another route: Jack is set to perform at a music festival in Dan’s hometown on Long Island, where one of Dan’s brothers is involved with the event. Jane agrees to travel to New York and stay with Dan’s family in hopes of making her pitch to Jack in person.
While searching for Jack, Jane finds herself drawn into the warmth and chaos of Dan’s large family, who have gathered to celebrate their parents’ 40th wedding anniversary. Whether or not she gets the song, Jane’s time on Long Island—and her growing connection with Dan—will change her life in ways she never expected.
Monaghan’s stories always shine with lovable characters and a healthy dose of humor, and this one is no exception. This charming romance had me rooting for the characters from the start, and the Long Island setting felt like a sweet trip home—even though I haven’t lived there since the 1970s! Monaghan has become one of my favorite authors, and I highly recommend all of her books!
6/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
IT’S A LOVE STORY by Annabel Monaghan.G.P. Putnam’s Sons (May 27, 2025). ISBN: 978-0593714102. 368p.
From New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde comes her newest story about three generations of women, an island with an air of mystery and magic, and one summer that changes everything—perfect for fans of Jill Shalvis and Susan Mallery.
In the Gulf of Mexico, near South Padre, sits a private island with a bit of a magic about it: the colors are brighter, the food tastes better, and turtles and cranes find sanctuary there. The billionaire heiress who built the thriving resort on Hobby Island exclusively for crafters, Eloisa Hobby, is as much a mystery as she is a mentor. Those with troubles are invited in the aftermath of an emotional turmoil, and with help from the other crafters on the island Eloisa acts as a sounding board while she gently and unobtrusively guides the visitors toward healthy resolutions in their lives. Only a few receive the honor of a golden ticket.
Luna, ever the pragmatist, is reeling in the wake of tragedy: she’s just moved with her fierce, opinionated teenage daughter Artemis to her mother’s house, after they lost their husband and father. But her mother, Jeanie, artistic and sensitive, has faced her own troubles recently, and her home may not be the stable sanctuary the three women so desperately need.
When Jeanie receives one of the coveted tickets, inviting her and her family to Hobby Island, the blessing is one they can’t turn down, though both Luna and Artie remain skeptical of their eccentric host and benefactor. Together, the three of them will have to learn to trust one another again, accept help from those who love them, and embrace life—during a summer they’ll never forget.
“Fans of Jill Shalvis and Susan Mallery will relish the complex family relationships Wilde creates.” — Booklist
Jeanie wins a golden ticket to Hobby Island—a two-month, all-expenses-paid getaway. Wanting to share the joy, she invites her daughter Luna and granddaughter Artie to join her. The timing couldn’t be better: the entire family has been through a rough patch. Luna is grieving the tragic murder of her husband, only to discover he had secretly gambled away everything they owned. Forced to leave their home, she and Artie have moved in with Jeanie. Meanwhile, young Artie is struggling with the loss of her father, and Jeanie herself is reeling after falling victim to a scam that’s left her on the brink of losing her house. Added bonus: there is a quilt competition on the island, and the prize is substantial.
Everyone is carrying emotional baggage, but that’s what Hobby Island is for—a place to heal, reconnect, and rediscover joy. Over the course of their stay, the three women must confront their pasts and embrace change in order to emerge stronger. Along the way, new friendships are formed, and even romance—new or rekindled—might be on the horizon.
This heartwarming story follows three generations of women as they navigate personal challenges, family dynamics, and emotional growth. I appreciated how the book wove together themes of forgiveness, coming of age, and second chances. The layered character arcs, combined with a compelling mystery subplot and a touch of second-chance romance, kept the narrative engaging and heartfelt.
Whimsical and dreamy, this is a beautiful tale of self-discovery, community, and learning to let go of what no longer brings joy. If you’re in the mood for something cozy and uplifting, with relatable characters and a soothing, picturesque setting, this story delivers a moving journey of love, healing, and hope.
Just a personal side note: Hobby Island gets its name from the woman who owns it, but also because every type of craft is available here. I am not the least bit crafty; a visit to Michaels make me feel very uncomfortable! But I do appreciate those with the talent and patience to enjoy crafts. My mother-in-law was incredibly crafty – she knitted, crocheted, did macrame, quilting, shell art, needlepoint, sewing (she made my sister-in-law’s wedding gown and all the bridesmaid dresses!) She was amazing and so talented – and also a great cook. She taught my daughter some, but I was hopeless. I just don’t have the patience for it. If you are someone who enjoys crafting, that should be another level of enjoyment here for you in this book.
6/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
THE SUMMER THAT SHAPED US by Lori Wilde.Avon (April 22, 2025). ISBN: 978-0063352155. 352p.
Posted by Stacy Alesi 
Stacy Alesi's BookBitch.com™ 