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From the publisher:

Andrews has gone back to her roots and given us a cozy mystery; actually two cozies for the price of one! It’s still as beachy a read as you could want, but the romance that was her hallmark has definitely taken a backseat. This also felt like it could be the first book of a series, so I’m curious to see how that plays out.

Drue is a terrific character, someone I enjoyed spending time with. Her curiosity drives the stories, and you can’t help but root for her to solve them. The family dynamics add another layer to the story as well. Having lost her mother, her career, her boyfriend and her home, Drue really can’t fall any lower so it’s up she will have to go. Her stepmother doesn’t help much with that and their relationship is tricky, to say the least, as is her relationship with the father that was absent for a good part of her life. But Drue is a tough cookie, able to pick herself up and move ahead, even when everyone around here is discouraging.

The two storylines, one present day and one set in the 1970’s, are intriguing for sure, and I thought they were going to come together at some point. I was wrong. But they both get resolved in very different yet interesting ways.

All in all, I enjoyed my first beach read of the summer!

5/19 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

SUNSET BEACH by Mary Kay Andrews. St. Martin’s Press (May 7, 2019).  ISBN  978-1250126108. 432p.

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Montgomery Brothers, Book 8

From the publisher:

He’ll have to play his cards just right for her to take a chance on him…

Megan Montgomery has always been careful…except that one time she threw caution to the wind and hooked up with a sexy groomsman at her cousin’s wedding. But that was two years ago―so why can’t she stop thinking about Alex Rebat?

Alex has been living the good life. He loves his job, has a great circle of friends, and doesn’t answer to anyone. The problem? There’s only one woman he wants and she ran out on him after one amazing weekend. But now that Megan’s coming back to town, Alex hopes he can convince her to take another chance on him…and on a future that can only be built together.

Montgomery Brothers Series:
Wait for Me (Book 1)
Trust in Me (Book 2)
Stay with Me (Book 3)
Return to You (Book 4)
Meant for You (Book 5)
I’ll Be There (Book 6)
Until There Was Us (Book 7)

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This was my first book by this author and I have a theory about why that is. I got this book as a digital galley, pre-publication. In many instances, the books I’m reviewing don’t have cover art yet, so I get a white cover with the title and author in black print on it and that’s it.

There is an old adage not to judge a book by its cover, except publishers often spend quite a bit on cover art so really, don’t they want us to judge their books by their expensive covers? The publisher here chose not to go that route. Or if they did, it was not money well spent. I found this book on my Kindle (I have close to 3000 books on there so stuff gets missed sometimes) and I read it. I really liked it, too. When I went to write this review, I finally got a gander at the cover and I was surprised. To me, this looks like one of those cheesy romance novels from the 1980’s. I really dislike this cover and had I seen it, I probably would not have picked up this book and that would have been a shame. Plus I had no idea this was the eighth book in a series; that information is not always included in the advanced reader copy either.

This series apparently centers around the Montgomery family, and I’m guessing the brothers started out the series. But by book 8, we are dealing with a Montgomery sister, Megan. Megan has some baggage, as most of us do, and after spending a crazy, sex filled weekend with Alex, they sort of tried to keep it going. Except she lived on the east coast, and he lived on the west coast. And the one weekend they were supposed to meet up, she didn’t show up.

In an interesting twist, Megan is a workaholic who has spent her life trying to prove her worth to her father. He seems to think that women should be raised to get a husband and men to be brought into the ultra successful family business. But Megan is an IT expert, and has proven her worth to the company by being that workaholic. When she is offered a position working with her brothers on the west coast, she moves there. Her first night there, she runs into Alex, her brother’s best friend.

It may have been two years since they were together, but time has not lessened their attraction to one another. As much as she tries to fight it, Megan just can’t help herself. And the fact that her brothers are really big on work-life balance and refuse to allow her workaholic ways into their business, she has time to have a social life. And finds herself re-prioritizing her life.

I liked this book enough to search out the rest of the series. It really does seem like there is an endless supply of good romance series. And while good is subjective, that is the point of this blog. I am still in need of happily ever afters and thoroughly enjoyed my escape with the Montgomery family.

4/19 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

UNTIL THERE WAS US by Samantha Chase. Sourcebooks Casablanca (May 1, 2018). ISBN 978-1492655909. 384p.

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From the publisher:

I had read Meet Cute by this author and really enjoyed it, so I went looking for more and found this book in my library’s ebook collection. I love the subgenre of sports romances, and this one, centered on a hockey player, was a really good one.

There is also the trope of high school sweethearts breaking up and finding each other again as adults, and Hunting does a really good job of it. Lilah is a strong woman and she is confused by the relationship that is rebuilding with Ethan. She felt like as a teen, she lost herself in that relationship. It was all about Ethan, with her needs and desires coming in second, if at all. Not that it was his fault, she allowed it. So now, as an adult who has been on her own for a while and has a failed marriage behind her, Lilah is determined to have equity in this relationship and it’s not easy for her, or for him.

As an aside, my son is getting married this summer and we recently had a conversation about the difference between equality and equity in a relationship, so I think that is probably why that stood out for me.

I liked the subplot about athletes and their superstitions. If you’ve ever known any athletes, or if you are an athlete, you can probably relate. I sure did.

I really enjoyed this romance and feel like Hunting is growing as a writer. I will be on the lookout for her next book for sure. If you like Sally Thorne or Christina Lauren as much as I do, you should enjoy Hunting as well.

4/19 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

GOOD LUCK CHARM by Helena Hunting. Forever (August 7, 2018).  ISBN 978-1538760147. 352p.

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©Library Journal, 2019

4/19 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE KEY TO HAPPILY EVER AFTER by Tif Marcelo. Gallery Books (April 23, 2019). ISBN 978-1501197581. 320p.

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From the publisher:

The New York Times bestselling author of Big Girl Panties puts a modern twist on My Fair Lady in this funny, romantic confection in which a canny young woman makes over her awkward millionaire client . . . with some hot, sexy, and surprising results.

Suffocating in a dead-end marriage, Midwesterner Zoey Sullivan fled to New York and moved in with her older sister Ruth, a carefree, vivacious beauty with a string of eligible bachelors at her beck and call. Giving herself three months in the city to clear her head and find a direction, Zoey dodges calls from her ex Derek, and distracts herself by cooking and catering a few private dinners and parties. Pursuing her passion for cooking was never an option when she was with Derek, and now Zoey relishes her independence.

When Zoey’s meets reclusive millionaire Tristan Malloy, she’s blown away by his kitchen—a marble and stainless steel temple worthy of the culinary gods—and charmed by his impeccable gentlemanly manners. But despite his firm body, handsome looks, and piles of cash, Tristan—a computer programmer—is shy and more than a little socially awkward. Zoey is sure that Tristan has all the right raw ingredients—and she’s the right person to spice them up turn him into a delectable dish.

But Zoey’s unprepared for just how well her makeover works. Tristan turns out to be even sexier once he’s gained a little confidence and the right wardrobe. Beneath the gorgeous package, Tristan is a great guy who deserves a woman who really appreciates him. Slowly but surely, Zoey realizes she may have found her perfect match—but does Tristan even know how her feelings have changed? Is that warm look in his eyes gratitude for the new and exciting world she’s ushered him into, or something more? And what will happen when Zoey’s ex comes to town, looking to win her back?

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I was so excited that Evanovich finally had a new book coming out – it had been about three years since her last book (The Total Package) and I really loved all three of her previous books. While I enjoyed this one, I must admit that I was the tiniest bit disappointed.

This is a very short book (272 pages) and a very quick read. The basic plot line is good, but I would have liked a bit more character development, especially for Tristan, our man of the hour, and Derek, the ex. I felt like I got to know Zoey pretty well and this is definitely her story to tell, but her ex was a real mystery. He barely made a blip in the story even though a lot of the plot, Zoey’s reason for being in New York, the reason she almost loses Tristan, depended on Derek. There was just enough back story to make the major plot points feasible but I would have liked more, especially his relationship with Zoey’s family – as lifelong friends before marriage, that seemed important but is barely glossed over.

Tristan was also a bit of an enigma but definitely a man in want of a makeover. We do get most of his backstory, but some of the choices he makes throughout the book weren’t always clear to me. That said, I couldn’t help but root for Zoey and Tristan to find their way to one another so I did get my happy ending. There’s not as much sizzle as in previous books, but that really worked well for these characters in this story.

There are some really funny moments in the story, as well as some sweet ones. And of course, I loved the foodie subplot. Wishing hard for that kitchen! Ultimately, I couldn’t put the book down and read it in one sitting, despite my minor quibbles. Now I hope I don’t have to wait as long for the next book!

4/19 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

UNDER THE TABLE by Stephanie Evanovich. William Morrow (April 16, 2019). ISBN 978-0062415929. 272p.

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From the publisher:

The New York Times bestselling author of Pucked and The Good Luck Charm delivers a Hollywood happily-ever-after where a famous heartthrob falls for his ultimate fangirl.

 

“As charming as its title, but it’s also so much more… Fans of Jasmine Guillory’s The Wedding Date and Helen Hoang’s The Kiss Quotient will love Meet Cute.” —The Washington Independent Review of Books

 

Kailyn Flowers was always calm, rational, and controlled–until she ended up sprawled all over Daxton Hughes, the former actor she totally crushed on as a teenager. Then she did the unthinkable: She became a mortifying fangirl in five seconds flat, which may or may not have included professing her undying love. And oddly, he didn’t run away. In fact, their meet cute led to a friendship she never saw coming. Of course, she never saw his betrayal coming, either…

Now Dax needs her help. As guardian to his thirteen-year-old sister, he’s in way over his head. And though Kailyn hasn’t forgiven Dax, she isn’t heartless enough to make him fend for himself, either. Soon their friendly meetings turn into flirty dinner dates, and Kailyn can feel their chemistry is as explosive as ever. But how can she possibly let down her guard again to a guy who has heartbreak written all over him?

Goodreads Hottest Romances of 2019

Featured in Entertainment Weekly

Featured on PopSugar

SheReads Most Anticipated Reads of 2019

Heroes & Heartbreakers Anticipated Books of 2019

Chatelaine’s Hottest Romances of 2019

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This was the first book I’ve read from this author and I immediately put her last book, Good Luck Charm, on reserve at my library. I really liked this book – it lives up to its “meet cute” title. In a delicious twist, it’s the male protagonist, Dax, who explains what a meet cute is to our heroine.

I loved these characters. Kailyn is a smart cookie, and even though she’s definitely a fangirl, her anger over a perceived slight from their law school days keeps her emotions in check. That is, until she starts having to spend time with Dax and his teenage sister. As their relationship deepens, there is a secret that Kailyn is keeping. Yes, that old trope rears its ugly head again. But it almost works here, the rationale seems fairly logical even though it’s dragged out a little too long. But then again, they need a good hurdle to make the ending worthwhile. I could live with it because I liked both of these characters and wanted them to work out. And of course they do, with enough sex thrown in to keep it interesting.

My only (minor) quibble is with the subplot that deals with a custody battle between Dax and his aunt over his little sister. It was pretty obvious what was going on but the why was at least interesting. The denouement could have been a little less obvious, too – it seemed like Hunting got to that point and said okay, time to fix this and boom, there you have it.

Give me great characters, a decent storyline, and enough drama to keep me turning the pages. Throw in some laughs and I’m a happy reader. Well done.

4/19 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

MEET CUTE by Helena Hunting. Forever (April 9, 2019). ISBN 978-1538760185. 384p.

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