This is my first time reading this author and I LOVED this book so much. It was different, original and I truly adored it. Its a fake relationship in the political world between two people who have an almost one night stand. When images of them together get out well thats when the shenanigans begin. I didn't just love the main couple Alexis and Logan but I also adored the supporting cast and my favorite was Kate.

This book is told from Alexis' POV 99% of the time which is not my favorite way to read a story but it totally worked in this story. We only get Logan's POV in one chapter closer to the end. This is a story about Alexis finding herself and her voice. She is the sister of a politician and has always been in the background. When Logan and his team invite her to be a fake girlfriend, she finds her voice and her cause and fights for education and libraries and kids.

I seriously loved this book so much. It was a total Girl Boss story and I could not put it down.

Having only known Ashley Winstead as a mystery/thriller author, I was intrigued by her latest book: a romance novel titled, "The Boyfriend Candidate." Winstead's newest book includes some of my favorite literary tropes: a meet-cute, fake dating, and lots of unresolved sexual tension! Alexis and Logan meet in a swanky hotel bar one night and sparks fly. But before they can get much farther in the night, they're interrupted. When they cross paths once more, they pretend to be dating in order to help Logan's political career. Along the way, the lines get blurred between what is just for show and what is real.

I really enjoyed this book! The chemistry between the characters was steamy and fun, and both of them are highly rootable! I will definitely read more of Winstead's books. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I will, unfortunately, be withholding my review until a fair contract agreement is reached with the HarperCollins Union.

Witty, charming and a perfect romcom to get you hooked on to it since the very beginning. And also could get you out of the book slump? That’s magical and powerful. Highly loved and enjoyed it. Can’t wait for it to be out and about in the world so that I can start recommending it to almost everyone I can.

I loved this -- it was so funny, genuinely, which I find is a rarity in romcoms these days. The premise was fantastic, and the chemistry between the characters really sold it.

Eek!! This was so so good. Just a delicious read with incredibly relatable characters. A sure bet for fans of Red White and Royal Blue.

Book Title: The Boyfriend Candidate
Author: Ashley Winstead
Publisher: Harlequin Trade Publishing ~ Graydon House
Genre: Rom-com
Pub Date: May 9, 2023
My Rating: 3.2 Stars

I read Ashley Winstead’s book "The Last Housewife" and gave it 4 stars.
I actually went into this not really know what it was about only that I liked the last book I read by Ms. Winstead.
I now am embarrassed that I didn’t do some research as I am not a big rom-com fan nor am I usually taken in by a blurb that states
~ A laugh-out-loud rom-com about learning to embrace living outside your comfort
zone!
Our protagonist Alexis Stone is a shy school librarian and is dumped for being too meek.
She decides treat herself to a night out and pretends she is Ruby Dangerfield and tries to act the way Rudy would. She puts on a plunging red neckline dress and heads to the bar and is ready to take the first man who makes her an offer. Except the first man is not THE man but some old guy.
Alexis worries she's gotten herself into a horrible, scary mess, but a handsome stranger comes to her defense. She and her rescuer Logan share a couple of drink. Alexis is enjoying being "Ruby" and having this adventurous life which, of course, very different from her own as an elementary school librarian.

Logan and ‘Ruby’ leave the bar and get a room in the ‘Governor’s Suite’ in the hotel next. Before they enter the room, disaster strikes as reporters immediately take pics of them.
Hmmm have any ideas who this handsome stranger might be?

As mentioned I am not rom-com fan however since this story is about going outside your comfort zone I hung in there.

I always enjoy reading the author’s notes and/or Acknowledgements. In this case [author: Ashley Winstead]’s comments are very touching.
She tells us that on August 10. 2022 right before she got this book’s copyedits, her beloved father Ron Winstead died. ~ Having lost my dad I know this was a very difficult time for her.

Want to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing ~ Graydon House for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 9, 2023

This is the second book that I've read from Ashley Winstead. I read one of her thrillers "The Last Housewife'. I didn't realize that this is the second book in a series about the Stone sisters. I will be reading the first book also.

In 'The Boyfriend Candidate', Alexis is an elementary school librarian going through a bad breakup. To blow off some steam, she decides to go out to a fancy bar to find a one-night stand. Things don't go her way when she winds up being caught up in a scandal. The sexy stranger that she meets at the bar turns out to be Logan Arthur, who is running for governor of Texas. To help save his campaign, Alexis agrees to fake date him until the election is over.

I liked the banter and chemistry between Alexis and Logan, but I wanted more of it! I feel like for most of the book, the two characters aren't together enough. I wanted more romance and more buildup. I understand why there was so much about his campaign and policies, but I could have used more romance. As a public school educator myself, I really appreciated the content about more funding for public schools.

Overall, I love a fake dating trope, and 'The Boyfriend Candidate' delivers!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an ARC of this book.

Brilliant plot, absolutely one of my most unputdownable readings!

Shy, coy, nerdish librarian Alexia meets with charismatic, straightforward, sexy Texan/ British politician Logan in lowest terms. Their disastrous night ends with scandalous consequences!
Of course this wasn’t Alexis’ fault! She was impeccable!

There is nothing wrong with her looks! She dressed to kill! She was about to celebrate her Independence Day! Her one of a kind ex cheated on her twice! Because Alexis bored him to death in bed!!! Yes, I’m screaming what a jerk, too! He insisted he got special needs and as a boring mouse, Alexis couldn’t give him what he desired! And he’s not the only one makes her feel incompetent. Her high achiever big sister Lee always criticizes her life style, pushing her limits.

She decides to cross the boundaries, having a passionate one night stand, finding a guy at Fleurs de Lis ( you know it symbols Virgin Mary which is poetic name for a place) Even the name of the bar is a sign how things turn into catastrophe!

Alexia is adamant to find a man with no strings attached, no stakes or expectations. But she finds the most troubling guy! Yes, the attraction is palpable and Alexis finds herself kissing him passionately. Her charming guy pays fortune for suit room. As soon as the doors are closed and they start tearing each other’s clothes, the siren warns them there’s fire in hotel ruins everything.

Logan Carrie’s Alexia in her arms and when he sees vultures out there to take their photos, he just vanishes into thin air without saying goodbye.

The very next day their photos are all over the internet. Alexis finds out Logan Arthur is not regular guy, he’s hotshot Texan politician challenging the Texas’ governor’s seat. The images posted online can ruin both of their careers.

The consultant of Logan summons Alexis with solution. They can fake dating till the Election Day. And after Logan wins the governor seat, they can break up because of irreconcilable differences.

Alexis reluctantly accepts to offer! Her attraction for him grows more as they have more prearranged dates. Then she realizes another man is attracted to her. She finds herself in the middle of love triangle! But she has to sacrifice her happiness for saving Logan‘s career even though she likes him way too much!

Could Alexis cross the lines and reinvent herself to find her own HEA?

I’m giving 3.5 stars to round up four entertaining, sentimental 4 stars!

I loved to read about how Alexis’ character evolved, how she learned to stand up for herself! Her sister Lee and her love interest Logan rubbed me wrong. They were alpha characters and I didn’t like their attitudes around my precious Alexis! That’s why I didn’t give five stars!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/ Graydon House for sharing this lovely digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

I love learning new things about myself.

When I read thrillers I can’t turn the page fast enough, I’m so eager to get to the twist and get my “ah ha” moment. When I read romcoms I’m usually laughing so hard I just want to go slower to laugh a bit longer .

Who’s with me?

Now, can an author be both thrilling and funny? You betcha! We all know Ashley Winstead, right? There is not a soul in the world who can scare the life out of me and also have me doubled over laughing like Winstead can .

What do you think, when you think of a “shy” librarian?

I think about a freak in the sheets.

right?

What happens when said librarian is told she’s awful in bed? No, there is no murder in this book kids but I like where your head is at 🤣

Revenge Sex !

Or even better, one night stand kind of revenge sex ! But after an unexpected fire alarm this is not what ends up happening to Alexis because she just ended up in the oh so sexy arms of future (possible) Texas Governor, Logan ….. and it was all caught on camera .

What is it with guys named Logan? Or Brads and Chads? Will they call you an Uber the morning after? Probably not, make sure to keep your phone charged!! It’s like you almost know where this one is going to go, yet, I promise, you don’t.

This is a laugh out loud, can’t catch your breath, kicking and screaming with your legs flailing in the air kind of book. I loved every last word of it. My preferred genre is definitely thrillers but when it comes to Ashley Winstead I would be happy to read a phone book if that is what she decided to write next.

I could go on and on but all you really need to know is that if a thrill chasing wild woman who really doesn’t believe in happily ever afters could love this book as much as I do, you will too.

Go on now, it’s time to pre-order

5 stars

Teaser :

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

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

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

Perfection is all I can say about this romantic comedy. It was absolute perfection. I haven’t read any other titles by Ashley Winstead, but I definitely will be in the future. The synopsis of this one caught my eye on NetGalley and it did not disappoint. This one is hilarious and heartwarming, and just as swoony as I was hoping. Alexis is a school librarian (see why this one caught my eye?) that quite prefers to be out of the spotlight. However, after her boyfriend dumps her, she decides the salve for her humiliation will be a one night stand. She meets Logan (so swoony), but before they seal the deal, a hotel evacuation ends up with her picture splashed all over the news. Turns out Logan is a gubernatorial candidate, and now Alexis has to fake a relationship with him to save his election chances.
So, this is one of my favorite romance tropes (the fake dating), and Logan was absolutely the politician we all wish we had running our state elections. Alexis is an amazing educator, and I absolutely loved that issues and education policy had such a spotlight in this book. Even more than all of that though, this one was so much fun to read. I genuinely enjoyed watching their relationship develop, loved the side characters-the whole thing was just so much fun.
The Boyfriend Candidate is out today, and I highly recommend picking up a copy for your summer reading!

Thank you to @netgalley, @harlequinbooks, and @graydonhousebooks for this review copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a pretty cute, quick read. It's predictable and full of tropes, but it's easy to read. When I started the book, I thought this was easily going to be a 4 star read, but as it progressed, I felt my rating start to slip. The MC's characterization felt all over the place. The political stuff all felt very preachy--and that's coming from someone who agreed with all of it. (I will say though, as someone who works in a public school library and sees firsthand the screwing over of public schools, I did really appreciate seeing fictional characters fight for educators and public education--even if it felt soapbox-y)

Also, had no idea that this was a follow-up/spin-off of another book.

when the book hooks you so much that you have to stay up to read it in one night, you know it's good. while I think I preferred Fool Me Once to the Boyfriend Candidate, this companion novel was an absolute delight. it had me laughing out loud while still pulling on my heartstrings over Alexis's insecurities. it was almost frustrating that Alexis took so long to realize that Logan was into her but at the same time, it provided just the right amount of angst/dramatic irony. I cannot wait to get a physical copy for my shelves.

somewhat spoilery but once again.......it is ironic that Harper Collins can publish this book that features a scene about a walkout because of poor working conditions/wages and yet can ignore their employee union!

Back again with characters like the ones I've come to know and expect, that fill my romance-loving heart with joy is Ashley Winstead with her sophomore romance novel, THE BOYFRIEND CANDIDATE. After ending 2021 with FOOL ME ONCE, as soon as this title hit my Kindle I knew it was THE perfect book to be my first read of 2023 and it did NOT disappoint! With loyal and somewhat self-critical main character, Alexis Stone, Winstead managed to exceed my expectations and give me a character I loved just as much as her sister, the incredible Lee Stone who will forever be one of my favorite MCs & Alexis is now definitely on that list!

Even in the first title, Alexis was a memorable character, but in this book, her Virgo qualities made her so relatable for me and I was instantly attached to her well-being and caught up in the emotion of her journey. Once again, Winstead had me getting into politics, which is such a surprise for me, and I couldn't believe she did it AGAIN. The drama and how it plays out, the surprise of Logan's identity adds to the story in the best way, as Alexis puts herself out there in an attempt to move on from her past, by having her first one-night stand. She finds herself instead tangled up with Logan and instead of fulfilling her goal, she finds herself under scrutiny by the press and forced to fake-date the governor to save both of their reputations.

"I thought back to what Nora said, that love was political, whether you acknowledged it or not. I added to that: simply existing was political - taking up space in the world, on bookshelves."

There were so many swoon-worthy, hilarious moments that had this Disney adult melting, from the hilarious moment Alexis catches Lee in a Belle costume, to how Logan shows her SHE has main character qualities and deserves love. That who she is, is more than enough, and who doesn't want to fall for someone who reminds you of that and makes you better? THE BOYFRIEND CANDIDATE gave me hope, with incredible chemistry and an MC that truly has you rooting for her to find her confidence in life and love.

"No love was free: you had to constantly earn it, or else lose it."

Thank you Netgalley + Graydon House for the eARC and the chance to read and review this title early! Absolutely cannot wait to see the COVER, and already looking forward to her next book.

After getting dumped for being too people-pleasing (but too meek in bed *eye-roll*), shy school librarian, Alexis Stone, is on a mission to prove - for herself - that her ex was wrong by attempting to engage in a one-night-stand. With an alias of Ruby Dangerfield...she encounters Logan - a man who is not afraid to say what's on his mind with no regard to filters and foul language - yet a hotel fire puts a damper on "Ruby" and Logan's night. When news cameras arrive, Logan quickly scurries away leaving Alexis reeling. She is even more dumbstruck the following day, when Alexis discovers that Logan From-The-Bar/One-Night-Stand-Candidate is a gubernatorial candidate and a scandal bubble bursts in the wake of a photo from the fire evening emerges. The best way to navigate the scandal: pretend to date, obviously, at least until election day.
Told from Alexis's POV, this romance is a classic fake-dating-to-falling-in-love romcom. Alexis is endearing as a character and her growth throughout the novel is so empowering as she goes from meek school librarian to someone who is able to stand in her convictions. Logan Arthur does not want to get distracted in the middle of his campaign, but he can't seem to ignore his growing feelings for Alexis...but he can hide them! There are moments along the way that made me cringe from second-hand embarrassment, but overall, this was a funny book about Alexis finding confidence, realizing her worth, and learning to see herself from the eyes of her loved ones. Solid 4. I love a good book that is topical, funny, demonstrates character growth, shows women supporting each other, and has a librarian as the MC >.<.

I Loved this book. The writing was entertaining, but also really beautiful when Alexis and Logan were alone. As a librarian, I'm thrilled to see a librarian portrayed as something other than your typical stereotype. And i liked the side story of Alexis fighting for her fellow libs, and finding her voice! And Logan, well, he was a dreamy book boyfriend!

This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it.

I was hooked right off the bat, the chemistry between Alexis and Logan is off the chart. I have to say honestly though that I almost completely stopped reading the book at the half way point. I understand that there needed to be some major conflict but the situation with Lee/ Ben/Will honestly made no sense overall. With Lee and Ben being in the political arena too, it made the situation seem thoughtless. They both understand the ways things work, why would they have not just waited the couple months. I pushed through and finished, and the ending is wonderful. I wish we could have gotten a chapter or two with Logan's POV to just be icing on the cake.

Looking forward to the next book, which I am guessing will be Will's since he had such a part in this one.

I really loved Logan and Alexis story it was so fun to read and it was just a fun story in general I loved how he just gave her what she wanted and barely got mad at her and they basically fell in love at first sight

I wasn't immediately drawn to The Boyfriend Candidate and had not read any of Winstead's previous books, but when I saw the reviews from some of my other favorite authors (Abby Jimenez, Mazey Eddings, Jen Devon) I decided to give it a try. I'm happy to say I wasn't disappointed! Some of the other reviews mentioned their negative opinions of the poor political portrayal, but I just kept in mind this was a a work of fiction and didn't read too much into that part of the book - it wasn't anything outlandish that's for sure! I thought the scenes were funny, steamy, and the chemistry between the characters was spot on. I didn't realize this was part of series - so I'll definitely be looking up the previous books now.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, Graydon House for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Absolutely loved this newest Ashley Winstead romcom featuring the youngest Stone sister, Alexis. After trying to get over a bad break up she seeks out a one night stand to clear her mind and stumbles onto the perfect man, who turns out to have plenty of secrets of his own. Hilarious and tender and full of the classic banter we got in our first Stone sister romance, this one is on the exact same level!