Contemporary | Stacy Alesi's BookBitch.com™

SWEPT AWAY by Beth O’Leary

April 4, 2025

From the publisher:

Two strangers find themselves stranded at sea together in this epic new love story by bestselling author Beth O’Leary.

What if you were lost at sea…with your one-night stand?

Zeke and Lexi thought it would just be a night of fun. They had no intentions of seeing each other again. Zeke is only in town for the weekend to buy back his late father’s houseboat. Lexi has no time for dating when she needs to help take care of her best friend’s daughter.

Going back home with a stranger seems like a perfect escape from their problems. But a miscommunication in the dark, foggy night means no one tied the houseboat to the dock. The next morning, Zeke and Lexi realize all they can see is miles and miles of water.

With just a few provisions on the idle boat, Zeke and Lexi must figure out how to get back home. But aside from their survival, they’re facing another challenge. Because when you’re stuck together for days on end, it gives you a lot of time to get to know someone—and to fall in love with them.

“Romance readers looking for deep emotions and relationship fiction aficionados who want a little heat with their stories will enjoy this unique tale.”—Library Journal

https://amzn.to/43ZKLi6

I had been listening to an audiobook, Crash Landing by Annie McQuaid, which was about a couple whose plane crashes but leaves them safe and sound on a remote island in the Caribbean. Then I started reading this book, Swept Away, about a houseboat that becomes unmoored during the night, stranding a couple at sea. The similarities are obvious, but the differences were just as stark. I stopped listening to the audiobook at about the halfway point; it had devolved into silliness, and I hated the whiny characters. I settled in with this unputdownable read instead and started a new audiobook. And here we are.

Zeke’s father owned a houseboat for many years, but Zeke had a difficult relationship with him. After his father passes away, he leaves Zeke the boat, which he promptly sells. Five years later he has seller’s remorse, and buys the boat back from the new owner. She is a single mom who lives with her best friend, Lexi, who is helping to raise her daughter.

Lexi meets Zeke in the bar where she works, and decides it is time for a one night stand. She is open about what she wants, just a night of fun, and Zeke surprises himself by agreeing. Zeke has spent years on one night stands, and several months earlier finally realized it wasn’t working for him anymore. He started therapy and hadn’t been with a woman in months. Why he decided to sleep with Lexi surprises even himself.

Lexi’s roommate owns the houseboat, but Lexi is unaware that she has just sold it. There is some confusion between Lexi and Zeke the next morning over who owns the boat and who needs to get off of it immediately. But when they go above board, they are at sea in a houseboat that may or may not be seaworthy. They are in the North Sea, which is one of the roughest oceans in the world, but luckily, for most of the time, the waters are calm. But they don’t see another boat for days.

As Lexi and Zeke rally together to try and live through this horrific experience, one thing leads to another, and they fall in love. They also adopt an injured seagull, Lexi accidentally knives Zeke, and they have all manner of trouble with the boat. All of these disasters tend to bring them closer together, and when eventually they are saved (no spoilers here, this is a romance, after all, so the happy ending is guaranteed), they run into a whole set of different problems, one of which seems insurmountable.

I loved this book, which is no surprise – I think I’ve loved all of Beth O’Leary’s books. They usually have a slow start, but not here – this book is completely engaging from the get-go. This is a very different take on the forced proximity romance, and it really worked here. I loved the unusual plot line, the characters, and their happy ever after. Don’t miss it!

4/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

SWEPT AWAY by Beth O’Leary. Berkley (April 1, 2025). ISBN: 978-0593640142. 384p.

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BEACH VIBES by Susan Mallery

March 28, 2025

From the publisher:

The Perfect Summer Beach Read about Found Family, Secrets and Betrayal on the Sun-Kissed Beaches of Malibu

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery comes an unforgettable beach read about love, secrets, betrayal and the family we’re born into—and the one we choose for ourselves, perfect for fans of Emily Giffin and Mary Kay Andrews.

What would you do if you caught your brother cheating on your best friend?

While Beth is proud of her Malibu beach shop, Surf Sandwiches, she’s even prouder of her charismatic brother Rick, who rose from foster care through surgical residency. She makes subs, he saves lives. Life takes a turn for the happy after she finds out Rick is dating her new best friend, Jana. Then Jana’s handsome brother adds even more sparkle to Beth’s days…and nights.

But when she catches Rick with another woman—like, with-with—her visions of an idyllic family future disappear in one awful instant. Either she betrays her brother, or she keeps his secret and risks losing the man she loves and her best friend.

Love and loyalty collide with secrets and betrayal in this witty and emotional tale about the lengths we’ll go to for family, from Susan Mallery, New York Times bestselling author of The Boardwalk Bookshop.

https://amzn.to/3DRSx33

Beth is lonely. She has a successful business that she loves, a sandwich shop on the beach, but her only friends are her employees and her brother, Rick. Rick is a surgeon and doesn’t have a lot of time for Beth, but she always makes time for him. Beth and Rick have been through so much; they lost their parents and ended up separated in foster care until their mother’s estranged sister found them. Beth still lives with her aunt, and her aunt isn’t very close with Rick. Beth has spent her life taking care of her smart younger brother, and she loves feeling needed, but he isn’t always kind to her even though she makes excuses for him.

Beth decides to start volunteering one afternoon a week at the local food bank. There she meets Jana, another volunteer who helps train her, and they become friends. Beth brings leftover sandwiches from her shop for them to eat after their shift, and she learns that Jana is a single mom living with her brother, a widower with three young children. They help each other out while Jana works in medical billing and is going to community college with an eye on getting into a nursing program. Busy as she is, Jana doesn’t date much so when this gorgeous surgeon helps her out one morning, she can’t help but wonder what it would be like to date someone as kind as he appears to be. He has an office in the same medical building, and he stops by her desk every so often to chat. Finally she agrees to go out with him. and while she really enjoys his company, there is something in her gut that just feels wrong about him. She pushes that feeling aside and continues to date him.

Turns out her date is Beth’s brother, and when Beth runs into Rick kissing another woman, she is torn. He profusely apologizes and tells her that he broke up with the other woman and that he wants to make things work with Jana. Reluctantly, Beth agrees to keep his secret.

Meanwhile, Beth meets Jana’s brother Teddy and they have an instant connection. Teddy hasn’t dated at all since his wife died unexpectedly, so Jana is thrilled that he likes her friend. But when the truth about Rick comes out, it turns out he has way more problems than just cheating, and Beth is devastated. It costs her her friendship with Jana and her relationship with Teddy.

This was such an emotional rollercoaster of a read for me. I understand estrangement between a brother and sister as I have lived it for more than thirty years, so I also know that sometimes it is for the best. The ending happens probably a bit too quickly, but it ends as it should. Mallery delivers another enjoyable, heartfelt read about family and love. Don’t miss it.

3/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

BEACH VIBES by Susan Mallery. Canary Street Press; Original edition (March 18, 2025). ISBN: 978-1335402530. 384p.

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SPRING FLING by Annie England Noblin

March 21, 2025

From the publisher:

Rekindle your belief in the magic of first love and the charm of small towns with Annie England Noblin’s delightful friends-to-lovers romantic comedy, perfect for readers of Jill Shalvis and Sarah Adams.

Spring is in the air and Mylie has everything she could ever want: her tackle shop is thriving and employs a third of Clay Creek, Arkansas, and she lives with her beloved Granny and little sister Cassie, who both keep her on her toes. As tourists pour into town for the annual fishing tournament, Mylie is in her element and ready to bring her all-women team to victory.

After moving to Chicago, Ben never thought he would return to Clay Creek. But with both his grandfather and mother gone, he’s left to deal with their estate. His plan is simple: come in quietly, fix up his lakeside childhood home, sell it quickly, and get out. He underestimates how quickly his arrival will stir up the local gossip, and how intensely his unresolved feelings for Mylie, his childhood best friend, will resurface.

Amid the buzz of competition and the rhythm of small-town life, Mylie and Ben find themselves unable to ignore their shared history. They tentatively explore a future together, despite the impending sale of Ben’s house and Mylie’s insistence on staying put in Clay Creek. Flings are easier said than done, and Mylie and Ben will have to address their clashing lifestyles before their feelings get away from them.

Told with Annie England Noblin’s signature wit, cozy charm, and a dash of spice, Spring Fling is the perfect friends-to-lovers read.

https://amzn.to/4iVLkOv

This is a small-town, second-chance romance that follows Mylie and Ben. They grew up together and were good friends through high school, but after graduation, Ben and his mom moved to Chicago, where he attended college, and he and Mylie lost touch.

Mylie is a big deal in the small town of Clay Creek, Arkansas. She owns a company that creates fishing lures and is probably the town’s largest employer. Her company is also the largest sponsor of the town’s biggest event, a fishing tournament that brings in people from all over to compete for a cash prize.

When they meet, Ben and Mylie quickly find they have something in common; both their fathers have passed away and a friendship is formed. But at least Ben has his mom; Mylie’s mom is a flake and basically dumps her and her much younger sister on their grandmother, who everyone in town calls Granny. Mylie becomes a mother-substitute to her baby sister Cassie, and even though Cassie is in high school now, they all still live together and are very close.

It’s been ten years since Ben has been in Clay Creek. His grandfather had retired there, but instead of staying retired, he opened a small clinic and saw to the medical needs of the town. When he passed away, Ben’s mom moved them into his home. Before his mom passed away, she made him promise he would return to Clay Creek before he sells the family home there. Despite their prolonged separation, Mylie and Ben swiftly rekindle their friendship and seize the opportunity to explore their relationship in ways they previously hadn’t.

I found the narrative somewhat lacking and ultimately underwhelming. The plot itself is not fundamentally flawed, but beyond the engaging characters and the charming town setting, the romance feels rushed and underdeveloped. Although Mylie and Ben were endearing together, their relationship progressed too quickly. Where was the emotional connection, tension, and build-up typically associated with second-chance romances? Not here.

Overall, while the small-town charm was present, the romance was overshadowed by secondary characters and subplots, leaving me desiring more depth and development in the central relationship. It is still an enjoyable read, a testament to Noblin’s skills as an author, but I really wanted more.

3/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

SPRING FLING by Annie England Noblin. Avon (March 18, 2025). ISBN: 978-0063427587. 304p.

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Spotlight Review: THE STRAWBERRY PATCH PANCAKE HOUSE by Laurie Gilmore

March 11, 2025

Dream Harbor, Book 4

From the publisher:

Every book in the Dream Harbor series can be read as a standalone.

As a world-renowned chef, single dad Archer never planned on moving to a small town, let alone running a pancake restaurant. But Dream Harbor needs a new chef, and Archer needs a community to help raise his daughter, Olive.

Iris has never managed to hold down a job for more than a few months. So when it’s suggested that Archer is looking for a live-in nanny, she almost runs in the opposite direction.

Now, Iris finds herself in a whole new world. One where her gorgeous new boss lives right across the hall and likes to cook topless… Keeping everything strictly professional should be easy, right?

The Strawberry Patch Pancake House is a cozy romance with a single dad and found family dynamic, a small-town setting and a HEA guaranteed!

https://amzn.to/3Dwq42u

This is such a fun series, and I love that each book stands alone. This story centers around Archie, a renowned chef, who discovers he is the father of a five-year-old girl named Olive after her mother’s untimely passing. To secure full custody, Archie relinquishes his prestigious career in Paris and relocates to Dream Harbor, where he takes a position at a local diner. His goal is to demonstrate his ability to provide a stable environment for Olive.

However, Archie faces numerous challenges as he adjusts to his new life. The townspeople resist the changes he makes to the diner’s menu, Olive initially refuses to talk to him, and the elderly ladies of the town frequently visit – daily – to assess his parenting skills. Overwhelmed, Archie desperately needs assistance.

Enter Iris, who is struggling to maintain employment, is facing financial difficulties, and is about to be evicted. Becoming Olive’s nanny seems like an ideal opportunity for her, despite the challenges of working with Archie, who is both gruff and captivating, and the fact she’s never worked with or really been around children; Iris figures her experience dealing with senior citizens is close enough. Iris has never had a serious relationship, or really any kind of relationship, past a couple of weekends of sex. Archie has been so focused on his career that he, too, has never been in a relationship.

As Iris navigates her role, she finds herself increasingly drawn to Archie, but both are aware that pursuing a romantic relationship could jeopardize their goals. Archie is committed to being a good father and securing full custody, while Iris cannot afford to lose another job, especially one that offers stability. However, a purely physical relationship could be an option…

As time passes, the attraction between them intensifies despite the promise of trouble if they continue. The question arises whether this connection could evolve into something more meaningful, potentially forming the kind of family neither had envisioned nor really ever wanted. Could these two individuals, each facing their own struggles, come together to create a lasting and fulfilling family unit?

The story incorporates the forced proximity, grumpy meets sunshine, and opposites attract tropes. Additionally, the themes of a single dad, found family and slow-burn romance are skillfully woven throughout, making it incredibly engaging and impossible to put down – I read it on a Sunday, and it was the highlight of my weekend! (To be fair, the bar was set pretty low; my usual highlights are cooking, cleaning, and laundry.) If you haven’t read this series, this is a good place to start, although reading the first book that introduces the town, the element that ties these books together, is also a good idea. If you like small-town romances with a bit of heat, give this series a look. I love it!

3/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE STRAWBERRY PATCH PANCAKE HOUSE by Laurie Gilmore. HarperCollins (March 13, 2025). ASIN: ‎B0DDSVS6MY. 345p.

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ASA by Jay Crownover

March 7, 2025

Marked Men, Book 6

From the publisher:

A Police Officer Falls for a Bad Boy Criminal in this Spicy Romance Novel
from the Series That Inspired the Upcoming Film “Marked Men: Rule and Shaw“

Jay Crownover’s New York Times and USA Today bestselling Marked Men series continues with the much anticipated story of southern charmer and certified criminal Asa Cross.

Starting over in Denver with a whole new circle of friends and family, Asa Cross struggles with being the man he knows everyone wants him to be and the man he knows he really is. A leopard doesn’t it change its spots and Asa has always been a predator. He doesn’t want to hurt those who love and rely on him, especially one luscious arresting cop who suddenly seems to be interested in him for far more than his penchant for breaking the law. But letting go of old habits is hard, and it’s easy to hit bottom when it’s the place you know best.

Royal Hastings is quickly learning what the bottom looks like after a tragic situation at work threatens not only her career but her partner’s life. As a woman who has only ever had a few real friends she’s trying to muddle through her confusion and devastation all alone. Except she can’t stop thinking about the sexy southern bartender she locked up. Crushing on Asa is the last thing she needs but his allure is too strong to resist. His long criminal record can only hurt her already shaky career and chasing after a guy who has no respect for the law or himself can only end in heartbreak.

A longtime criminal and a cop together just seems so wrong . . . but for Asa and Royal, being wrong together is the only right choice to make.

“Crownover wraps up her Marked Men series in safe mode, giving Asa Cross—maybe the baddest of her bad-boy heroes—a convenient redemption plot . . . What might have been an edgy plot with spiky sex is instead predicable and tame.” –Publishers Weekly

“The final book in Crownover’s popular Marked Men series tells the story of the cop and the criminal . . . Crownover has created a well-developed cast of strong and realistic characters who are living interesting lives and dealing with compelling contemporary issues.” –Booklist

https://amzn.to/41EXbus

This is the last book of the Marked Men series, and I’m sorry to say it ended with a whimper. “The Marked Men” series is based around a group of friends, most of whom work in a tattoo shop in the Denver area and have various body modifications. This book centers around Asa and Royal.

Royal is a cop so that automatically makes her of no interest to Asa. Asa’s sister, Ayden, is married to one of the Marked Men, Jet, but Asa and Ayden had a terrible childhood that carried over to adulthood. Asa had spent most of his adult life as a con man and crook, and his past finally catches up with him when he steals from a drug cartel. They beat him senseless and leave him for dead, but somehow, he survives. He moves to Denver to recuperate, and Ayden’s friend hires him to bartend. He’s good at it and finally realizes he needs to change, or he will die. It’s not easy, but Asa becomes a straight-up good citizen, despite all the drama thrown in his direction.

Royal has issues of her own. Her best friend/partner was hurt on the job, and she is trying to deal with her feelings of guilt about it. She doesn’t really have any other friends until she befriends her neighbor’s girlfriend, or rather, she is befriended. Royal has the hots for Asa, but after she arrests him for fighting, he is just not interested. Turns out the charges against him were phony and were dropped. Royal starts hanging out in the bar where he works, and the more time they spend together, the more difficult it becomes for Asa to resist the gorgeous woman in uniform.

This book felt drawn out and somewhat repetitive to me. There wasn’t enough drama here, and what there was just felt manufactured rather than real. I loved this series, but if this is the way it ended, I’m glad it did. I’m hoping that the next series, The Saints of Denver, will be more in line with the first several books of this series.

The Marked Men Series:

2/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

ASA by Jay Crownover. Avon (March 30, 2015). ISBN: 978-0062333070. 379p.

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ROWDY by Jay Crownover

February 28, 2025

Marked Men, Book 5

From the publisher:

A Spicy Forbidden Ex’s Older Sister Romance
from the Series That Inspired the Upcoming Film “Marked Men: Rule and Shaw“

The New York Times and USA Today bestselling Marked Men series continues with this sizzling, sexy story of love, heartbreak, fate, and second chances.

After the only girl he ever loved told him that he would never be enough, Rowdy St. James knocked the Texas dust off his boots and set out to live up to his nickname. A good ol’ boy looking for good times and good friends, Rowdy refuses to take anything too seriously, especially when it comes to the opposite sex. Burned by love once, he isn’t going to let himself trust a woman again. But that’s before his new co-worker arrives, a ghost from the past who’s suddenly making him question every lesson he ever learned.

Salem Cruz grew up in a house with too many rules and too little fun—a world of unhappiness she couldn’t wait to forget. But one nice thing from childhood has stayed with her; the memory of the sweet, blue-eyed boy next door who’d been head over heels in love with her little sister.

Now, fate and an old friend have brought her and Rowdy together, and Salem is determined to show him that once upon a time he picked the wrong sister. A mission that is working perfectly—until the one person that ties them together appears, threatening to tear them apart for good.

“The characters of Crownover’s Marked Men series are all outlandishly colorful and irresistably passionate, while still being so genuine that their stories become unforgettable. This fifth installment, which reunites old friends and lovers, is no exception.” — RT Book Reviews (top pick)

“Full of intimate yet spicy scenes, this novel takes readers on an emotional ride. Though it is mostly lighthearted, Crownover’s frank novel does addresses domestic violence and abuse.” — Booklist

https://amzn.to/41gvGpk

This is the fifth book of the Marked Men series and I just can’t stop reading them. “The Marked Men” series is based around a group of friends, most of whom work in a tattoo shop in the Denver area and have various body modifications. This book centers around Salem and Rowdy.

Rowdy is a tattoo artist, and Salem is hired on to run their new store. Rowdy and Salem, and Salem’s younger sister Poppy, all grew up together and all had unhappy childhood homes. Salem ran away when she turned 18, leaving her sister and Rowdy behind to struggle along as best as they could. They ended up going to college together, but then a rift occurred, and Salem doesn’t know why. Rowdy acts like Poppy was the love of his life, but he is Salem’s true love, so she is happy to be working with him. Until she finds out he proposed to her sister.

I don’t generally like sisters vying for the same man, but even though it sounds like that, it isn’t. Crownover takes it in a different direction, and it makes sense. Salem’s parents were super religious, and she was a constant disappointment to them, while Poppy did everything they wanted of her, with some dire results. Salem and Rowdy find their way to friendship and more, with a lot of heat and fun interactions until they reach their happy ending. But there is a lot of drama before that happens, making this another unputdownable read. I can’t wait to read the last book in the series, but I’m also sad it is ending. Luckily, Crownover has many more series to explore.

The Marked Men Series:

2/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

ROWDY by Jay Crownover. William Morrow Paperbacks (October 21, 2014). ISBN: 978-0062333056. 416p.

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NASH by Jay Crownover

February 28, 2025

Marked Men, Book 4

From the publisher:

A Second Chance, Former School Bully Romance
from the Series That Inspired the Upcoming Film “Marked Men: Rule and Shaw“

From New York Times bestselling author Jay Crownover comes the fourth book in the Marked Men series.

Saint Ford has worked hard to achieve her childhood dream of becoming of nurse. Focused on her work and devoted to her patients, there’s no room for love. She doesn’t need a guy making waves in her calm, serene life—especially when he’s the unforgettable hottie who nearly destroyed her in high school. Dark, brooding Nash Donovan might not remember her or the terrible pain he caused. But he turned her world upside down . . . and now he’s trying to do it again.

Saint has no idea that Nash isn’t the cocky player he once was. Uncovering a devastating family secret has rocked his world, and now he’s struggling to figure out his future. He can’t be distracted by the pretty nurse he seems to meet everywhere. Still, he can’t ignore the sparks that fly between them—or how she seems so desperate to get away from him. But the funny, sweet, and drop-dead gorgeous Saint is far too amazing to give up on—especially since she’s the only thing in his life that seems to make sense.

When Nash discovers the truth about their past, he realizes he may have lost her heart before he could even fight for it. Now, Saint has to decide: is Nash worth risking herself for all over again?

https://amzn.to/41vgAOn

This is the fourth book of the Marked Men series and I just can’t stop reading them. “The Marked Men” series is based around a group of friends, most of whom work in a tattoo shop in the Denver area and have various body modifications. This book centers around Nash and Saint. Nash is one of the tattoo artists in the shop, and Saint is a nurse in the hospital where Nash’s Uncle Phil has been taken. He has cancer, which he neglected to mention to Nash, and he is devastated. He runs into Saint and doesn’t really remember her at first, but boy, does she remember him. They went to high school together, but ran in very different crowds. Saint was overweight and bookish, and Nash ran with the wild bunch. But senior year their lockers were next to each other, and Nash, unlike the rest of his crowd, was always friendly and kind to her.

What Saint doesn’t know is that Nash always thought that she was out of his league – too smart for the likes of him. What Nash doesn’t know is that Saint had so few friends that his kindness was a big deal to her, and she had a major crush on him. When he asked her if she would be at a party one Friday night, she took that to be an invitation and said yes. But when she got there, he was drunk and making out with someone else. Distraught, she took off, only to overhear him talking to his friends. He made some very disparaging remarks about a girl, and she assumed it was her he was talking about. It devastated her to the point where she still had no self-confidence, even though she was a grown woman. Childhood traumas can be lasting, that’s for sure, especially during the teen years.

Nash is strongly attracted to the beautiful nurse, but she wants no part of him. But they keep running into one another, and the kindness that she can’t help but show him leads to real sexual tension between them. They are at Rule and Shaw’s wedding when Saint has a bit of a panic attack and leaves. Nash goes after her, and the next thing you know, they are in bed together. He gets her off, and she is so shocked that she orgasmed with a man that she bursts into tears and takes off, leaving him, shall we say, unfulfilled.

Nash is the only man Saint has ever had real feelings for. There is a great scene when her boss pressures her into going out to a party with the hot doc at the hospital, and she agrees, only to walk out on him and his pretentious friends. I liked seeing Saint grow a bit of a spine, which carries over to her relationship with Nash. Eventually, they find their way to one another, but it is a difficult journey for both of them.

This book wasn’t as good a read for me as the previous books in the series, but it was still very enjoyable. I’m looking forward to Rowdy’s story next!

The Marked Men Series:

2/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

NASH by Jay Crownover. William Morrow Paperbacks (April 29, 2014). ISBN: 978-0062333032. 400p.

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Spotlight Review: CLOSE YOUR EYES AND COUNT TO TEN by Lisa Unger

February 25, 2025

From the Publisher:

An extreme game of hide-and-seek turns deadly in this riveting new thriller from New York Times bestselling author Lisa Unger

When the real game begins, who will make it to the count of 10?

Charismatic daredevil and extreme adventurer Maverick Dillan invites you to the ultimate game of hide-and-seek. But as the players gather on Falcao Island, the event quickly spirals into a chilling test of survival. A storm rages as a deadly threat stalks the contestants, turning the challenge into something far more sinister than the social media stunt it was intended to be.

Enter Adele, a single mother with a fierce determination to protect her children at all costs. When she begins the game, she unwittingly enters a twisted web of deception and intrigue. Can she maneuver through the treacherous storm and the relentless competition and get home to her family? In a ruthless battle for survival where the stakes are higher than ever, the blurry line between the virtual and the real proves that the only person we can trust is ourselves.

“Unger plunges the reader right into a sense of dread, then skillfully ratchets up the physical terrors of the challenge while revealing one disturbing secret after another. The perils of the real and virtual worlds collide effectively in this relentlessly paced thriller.” —Kirkus, starred review

“Twists arrive relentlessly, keeping readers on edge and guessing until the final, breath-stealing twist.” —The Seattle Times

“Unger’s latest is a fast-paced, atmospheric, locked-room thriller…Readers of Lucy Foley and Ruth Ware will surely enjoy this nail-biter.” —Booklist

https://amzn.to/42OrnEm

This was an interesting premise for a thriller. Let me preface this by saying I don’t watch reality TV shows – I used to watch some, most recently “Love is Blind” and “Married at First Sight,” but I couldn’t get through their last seasons, so I just gave it up. I haven’t watched Survivor since the first season, or any of the Beast Games, or whatever else is out there, so I am not that familiar with how these things work lately. I pretty much went into this book just believing whatever the author told me, and that worked just fine. I also need to add that I really hated the title of this book; it’s too long, and while I understand the implication, I just didn’t care for it. On the other hand, I loved the cover.

Dylan Maverick is the star of the Extreme games that he produces for an online audience. He is a young white man, and his best friends and girlfriend all work with him. He cheats on his girlfriend quite a bit, and that becomes a problem. He slept with Chloe supposedly before he hooked up with Angeline, his girlfriend, but he actually slept with her a few times, ghosting her after each occasion. She ends up on one of his challenges, a Hide & Seek event where she hides and is never found. Chloe has gone missing, and while the Extreme team are all questioned, they are pretty much cleared of her disappearance. There are supposed sightings of the young woman, but none are proven, and she become fodder for a true crime podcast.

This new Extreme Hide & Seek event is set on Falcao Island, a fictional island owned by Portugal, loosely based on the Azores. There is an old abandoned hotel on the island, and that is where the event is taking place. There is an old woman who tries to warn them off, and they ignore her and her private security force. There are supposed to be four contestants: a wildlife animal TV star who has been canceled due to his supposedly killing a lion; a young woman with a large following on social media; a mystery contestant; and Adele, a single mom whose husband embezzled millions of dollars from his company and disappeared with all the money, abandoning his wife and children. Adele has created a social media channel following her rebuilding her life and her body. Her kids are in high school, and it is her son who finds out about the contest as he is a huge fan of Dylan and Extreme. He convinces his mom to enter the competition, and when she sees the prize is a million dollars, she decides to go for it. To her surprise, she is selected, and her kids convince her that they can take care of themselves for the few days she will be gone.

These characters are skillfully brought to life, and the setting is basically another character. There is a hurricane-type storm moving onto the island, making everything that much more difficult for the contestants and the Extreme team. Some weird things start happening, adding to the drama, and the tension becomes almost unbearable. There is a lot more going on than anyone realizes at first, and as the mystery deepens, so does the danger.

This is a fast-paced thriller with great characters and enough pressure and strain on them to take this to a very dark place. Fans of these types of reality shows will probably love this, and even if you aren’t (like me,) it is still an unputdownable locked-room thriller. Don’t miss it!

2/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

CLOSE YOUR EYES AND COUNT TO TEN by Lisa Unger. Park Row; Original edition (February 25, 2025). ISBN: 978-0778333364. 384p.

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MOST VALUABLE PLAYBOY by Lauren Blakely

February 21, 2025

Ballers and Babes, Book 1

From the publisher:

When the hot new quarterback desperately needs a fake girlfriend he turns to his best friend’s sister, only to find that she may turn out to be the woman of his dreams even though she’s been right there all along…

When I enter the Most Valuable Playboy charity auction, my goal is simple―be the player who goes for the most dough. But when trouble shows up at the auction, I need a whole new play.

Enter Violet―she’s my best friend’s sister and she’s my close friend too. With a smile as sweet as cherry pie and a mind that runs quicker than the 40-yard-dash, Violet saves the day with the highest bid. I don’t even give her a two-minute warning before I kiss her in front of the whole crowd and then announce that she’s my girlfriend.

Which would be fine except my agent tells me we’ve got to keep up the act while he’s negotiating my contract. Violet takes one for the team and pretends to be mine, and soon our boyfriend-girlfriend scrimmage quickly turns into a full contact sport.

But falling for her wasn’t in the playbook…

“A Lauren Blakely book is a guarantee of a good time.” ―Meghan Quinn, New York Times bestselling author

https://amzn.to/3QbC0JU

Cooper doesn’t mind being auctioned off for charity. In previous years, the NFL star was the top money draw, and he had interesting one-night stands with the winners. But this year he is in trouble. There is a local radio talk show host who has been talking about him in terms that make him very uncomfortable. Cooper is panicking that she might win him in the auction, and he really needs to avoid that.

Violet is Cooper’s best friend’s sister, and the three of them have been friends for most of their lives. Violet is at the auction to do hair for the players, so when Cooper realizes what is afoot with the auction, he begs her to bid on him with his own money. Once Vi sees what’s happening, she’s happy to step up, and she wins the auction. To really seal the deal, Cooper kisses her in front of the crowd and announces that she is his girlfriend, hoping to keep that talk show host at bay.

Cooper’s contract is up for renewal at the end of the season, and his agent thinks he needs to keep Violet as his girlfriend to help with the negotiations. Since she won him at the auction, Violet’s hair salon has been super busy with people trying to catch a glimpse of the football star, but her landlord is giving her a hard time about a new lease. They come to an agreement; they will fake-date until his contract is signed and her lease is renewed. But of course, pesky feelings get in the way.

This was a super flirty read with terrific banter and some steamy sex. Another hit for Blakely!

2/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

MOST VALUABLE PLAYBOY by Lauren Blakely. Sourcebooks Casablanca (February 18, 2025). ISBN: 978-1464228865. 336p.

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ROME by Jay Crownover

February 21, 2025

Marked Men, Book 3

From the publisher:

A Sweet and Spicy Grumpy Military Hero Romance
from the Series That Inspired the Upcoming Film “Marked Men: Rule and Shaw“

Sometimes the wrong choice can be just right . . .

Fun and fearless, Cora Lewis knows how to keep her tattooed “bad boy” friends at the Marked in line. But beneath all that flash and sass is a broken heart. Cora won’t let herself get burned again. She’s waiting to fall in love with the perfect man—a baggage-free, drama-free guy ready for commitment. Then she meets Rome Archer.

Rome Archer is as far from perfect as a man can be. He’s stubborn, rigid, and bossy. And he’s returned from his final tour of duty more than a little broken. Rome’s used to filling many roles: big brother, doting son, supersoldier—but none of those fit anymore. Now he’s just a man trying to figure out what to do with the rest of his life while keeping the dark demons of war and loss at bay. He would have been glad to suffer through it alone, until Cora comes sweeping into his life and becomes a blinding flash of color in a sea of gray.Perfect may not be in the cards, but perfectly imperfect could just last forever . . .

New York Times and USA Today Bestseller

https://amzn.to/4hzaVfN

This third book of the Marked Men series is just as compelling a read as the first two. “The Marked Men” series is based around a group of friends, most of whom work in a tattoo shop in the Denver area and have various body modifications. This book centers around Rome and Cora. Rome’s brother Rule (first book in the series) is a tattoo artist, and Cora manages the store and does all the body piercing for their customers.

Rome is an Army veteran, recently retired and not sure what to do next. He had a big fight with his parents and hasn’t spoken to them in a while, but he and Rule are tight. Rome is suffering from PTSD and is mostly choosing vodka as a coping mechanism. Cora and Rome get off to a rocky start; she calls him Captain No-Fun and dumps a beer over his head. He takes off and finds himself in a dive bar, and the owner, Brite, recognizes something of himself in Rome. Rome gets pretty drunk, ends up in a fight with some bikers, and Brite calls the tattoo shop, hoping that Rule will take him home. Rule isn’t there; Cora is alone, closing up, and she decides she’ll pick up Rome so he can avoid more family drama with his brother.

Rome is a big guy, and Cora is tiny but strong, and somehow she maneuvers him into her bed. She’s planning on sleeping on the couch, but somehow Rome passes out on top of her, pinning her to the bed, and that’s how they stay. Until he wakes up and kisses her. Cora thinks Rome is the hottest guy she’s ever seen, and she is fine with a one-night stand. Cora had a bad breakup in her past, and she is determined to find what she calls Mr. Perfect; Rome is a long way from that.

Rome is smitten with the little pixie, who is nicknamed Tink, short for Tinkerbell. She is inked and pierced all over, and is surprised that Rome finds her attractive as he is straightlaced Army as they come. They continue sleeping together because the sex is so good, and he knows he is not her Mr. Perfect. But the more time they spend together, the more Cora realizes that perfection comes in many forms, and maybe Rome is perfect for her.

There is a lot of drama going on with the bikers and the bar, which adds a lot of tension to the story. This was another unputdownable read, and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

The Marked Men Series:

2/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

ROME by Jay Crownover. William Morrow Paperbacks (January 7, 2014). ISBN: 978-0062302427. 384p.