DNF @22%. The writing is fast paced and witty, but the characters weren’t it for me. It’s dual POV, which is nice.

The FMC is kind of stalking the MMC and refusing to take “no” for an answer. It just feels icky. She’s experiencing writer’s block and wants to hook up with the town “bad boy” so her heart gets broken and she’ll have a new muse.

They keep referring to other women as “females” and the MMC goes on and on about how ugly his dog is and how he doesn’t want it. When the dog started humping his leg, I decided I couldn’t keep pushing through.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my advanced digital copy!

I've seen a lot of hype around this book, but for me it didn't really live up. I feel as if the author walked us through her thought process of how to write a book just to be successful, but not necessarily to be enjoyed. Because of that I had a really hard time looking past the writing aspects to really get to the story. I also really disliked the almost insta-love that these characters had.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This book was pure chaotic comfort. “Book of the Month” has all the things I love.. second chances, bookstores, pining, and messy adults trying (and often failing) to communicate like grown-ups. I cackled, I squealed, I wanted to shake them and also hug them. It feels like if a rom-com tripped on a library cart and spilled heart-shaped confetti everywhere. Jennifer Probst, you romantic menace, I’ll be thinking about this one every time I walk into a bookstore acting like love might be hiding behind the romance section.

2.75! ⭐️

Unfortunately this just wasn’t my cup of tea. The plot was a bit underwhelming and the characters lacked depth. This was, however, a better contemporary romance than most.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the ebook arc.
Publication Date: October 22, 2024 and is now available.

*Truly, apologize for the late review, it was not my intention and will not happen again.*

This was such a cute book, loved the premise. I have spent time in the Outer Banks and loved the imagery this provoked for me.

This book took me a few tries to get through. The pace was slower than i prefer but it was also odd to me how fixated Aspen was with getting her heart broken and how she strongly believed that that was the only way she could get inspired again. The ending was good (!) and I really wish I enjoyed the whole book more so I could have given it 4 stars.

I love a fake dating with a twist type of book but this one was just lowkey depressing. It’s an ok read but I probably won’t be re-reading it anytime soon. I’d recommend to folks who are patient lol and enjoy rom coms that center around fixing up broken businesses.

I can’t get behind the name Brick because all I can think of is Brick Heck from The Middle. I’m not a heathen– I’m aware of the name’s origin— but still, it’s hard to use the name when it’s so strongly associated with a character from a sitcom with over 200 episodes.

That being said, the plot was a bit unsettling. Aspen believes that she needs Brick to break her heart in order to inspire her to write another bestseller like her debut book. Her banter game is…questionable. She thinks the best way to get his attention is to open with a line about kids being allowed to change the name their parents gave them when they turn 12. Her tactics border on stalking as she barrels over his clear signs that he wants to be left alone.

The best part of this book was Dug the dog.

I received a digital ARC of this book from Blue Box Press.

Cute, cozy, and charming. The grumpy-meets-sunshine romance hits the sweet spot, even if a few plot turns feel a little too neat. It’s not perfect and could use a bit more attitude or personality in the character’s personalities, but perfect for a rainy afternoon.

I know that I'm absolutely delayed in reading and reviewing this and I'm so sorry for that! I was right though about waiting because I had a feeling this book wouldn't work for me, and sadly I was right. I've noticed the recent trend of MCs as authors rarely works for me, it's almost as if it feels too meta? The tropes and the characters felt really forced to me as well, and I fear that Aspen will go down as one onf my most disliked heroines. This was just a not for me book all around!

Book of the Month was a charming and heartfelt romance that I really enjoyed. Jennifer Probst created relatable characters with genuine chemistry, making their journey feel both sweet and believable. The story had just the right mix of humor, emotion, and romantic tension to keep me engaged throughout. It was a delightful read that left me smiling and satisfied by the end

This looked like a cutie, but I ended up DNF'ing. I wasn't able to connect with the characters and I just felt like I didn't care to keep reading. I might circle back to it in another season of life and try again!

A great love story set in the OBX about an author looking to recreate her first big book break. A sweet story in a beautiful beach setting.

Thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

What’s not to love about a book about books. An author struggling with her work and her love life. A cute guy who wants none of it. Sign me up. This was fun and cute and had a lot of heart

Fake dating trope with a twist and gone awry. Aspen has had an amazing best seller and cannot seem to produce another so she hires “bad boy” Brick to date her in exchange for helping revamp his grandfather’s dilapidated business. She is hoping his bad boy reputation will produce a heartbreak that will help her write another best seller!. Of course through all their fake dating, feelings develop… Will she or won’t she?
Thank you to Net Galley for an ARC .

Great, light romance. Easy beach read. This is the story of a writer who is looking for inspiration for a bestseller. She goes to the town's heartbreaker looking for help and there is a bit of back-and-forth but we always look for that hea,

Loved it! Aspen produced 1 successful book but she can't seem to provide another. The inspiration is just not there. Her first book was about what happened to her in real life. She decides Outer Banks may be just the place to lend her fresh inspiration.

Aspen finds a local cutie in Outer Banks that would be a perfect muse but he refuses to join in the fun. Aspen has to think outside the box if she wants him to join her.

Great pacing and you will devour this book in one sitting!

This was such an emotionally stimulating read in the romance/rom-com genre. I loved the premise, the characters, and the fact that I could live on the beach vicariously through Aspen and Brick for a few days. Aspen is a struggling writer who is afraid she had a one hit wonder after a devastating heart break. She tries to recreate the scenario of heartbreak that helped with her bestseller by making a deal with Brick to make her fall in love with him and then break her heart. The sweet relationship they form throughout the summer was great, but I LOVED the ending. The fact that after her big gesture of not publishing and then moving back to OBX he didn't instantly cave was SO REFRESHING! She hurt him and broke his trust, and I think it was so fair that he waited until she showed him he could trust him again. I loved and hated the fact that throughout the book Brick didn't stand up for himself or try to correct anyone about his relationship with Anastasia or the other women around town. I can absolutely see this happening in real life where sometimes women will just blindly trust other women's stories, and how fast and crazy a rumor mill can start. It goes to show that you really should take gossip with a grain of salt and trust your gut and what you have observed and come to know about a person and their character over what other people might tell you. This book had a powerful message about success. It really makes you stop and think about what your definition of success is, and if your perception of success and your goals will actually make you happy.

Thanks NetGalley for this eARC (even though I'm a year late and getting ready to read the sequel eARC- this is what happens when you have a toddler. You forget to read books on time 😅😭🫣)!

Very good writer. Sweet love story. The book had a good pace, grabbed me from the start, and stayed interesting. Great characters. Loved the details about The Outer Banks. 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author and publisher for a copy of this ARC
All opinions are my own.

Love the characters in this book and the story line. The viewpoint of a writer trying to write her next big book was different. It gave the reader a chance to understand the pressures writers have to keep up with themselves as well as other authors trying to make the best seller list. Aspen and Brick were an unexpected but likable couple. Aspen was willing to risk her heart for a best seller while Brick had a reputation that was undeserved while also dealing with the troubles he inherited from his grandfather’s business. Loved Aspen‘s relationship with her sister and look forward to the next book in the series.

A charming, playful romance about love, ambition, and the messy stories we tell ourselves. Probst delivers heart, humor, and just the right touch of drama in this feel-good read about chasing inspiration—and finding something real along the way.