Thank you Netgalley and publisher for this ARC.

As much as I wanted to really love this book and dive into it, I just couldn't get into it. It just seemed to go steady and flat line.

DNF'd at the 70% point. I thought the plot sounded interesting enough, but unfortunately I had a problem with the pacing. There is a big stretch in the first half of the book where as a reader I was struggling to find the plot. And by the time things were really moving, I had no attachment to the characters. It was a sweet story with a sweet blossoming romance at the heart of it, but it all fell really flat for me. It wasn't the right book for me, but it might be for you. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was unlike any other book I’ve read! I enjoyed it for sure and can see it being popular at book clubs all around.

Dnfed it after the first few chapters. It was very uncomfortable the way the fmc was acting, certainly not my cup of tea.

Aspen Lourde had a runaway bestseller with her debut novel. FIFTY WAYS TO LEAVE YOUR LOVER resonated with many readers. Aspen had used her devastating betrayal and heartbreak in this book as an effort to heal and move on. Aspen is now struggling with her writing. Books two and three from her contract haven’t done well. Her agent warns her that she needs to get her mojo back if she wants to continue with her publisher and suggests she write a sequel to her first book.

Aspen decides to spend the summer in the Outer Banks where her sister lives. It will be much quieter than NYC and maybe it will lend more inspiration.
Not long after Aspen arrives in the Outer Banks, she meets Brick Babel. He is drop dead gorgeous and has a reputation with women. Even Aspen’s sister warns her to not get involved with Brick. Aspen thinks what better way to pen a new novel about heartbreak than get involved with the someone like Brick who seems to have a love ’em and leave ’em attitude.

Aspen asks Brick to be her summer fling and then they can both walk away at the end. Brick is very reluctant until Aspen makes him an offer he can’t refuse.
Brick had moved to the Outer Banks after his grandfather died and left him a tour company. The problem is the company is almost bankrupt with many costly repairs needed. Aspen tells Brick she will make him a loan to repair and upgrade the tour company if he accepts her “fake romance” offer. Brick finally agrees. Will the two really be able to walk away at the end of the summer?

I loved how the author slowly revealed more about what Brick had really been through and what his true nature was. He is a gentleman with Aspen and very kind.
Aspen has been traumatized by her recent past so it’s easy to understand how she is torn between wanting heartache for her next book to do well and wanting to protect her tender heart.This story really catches on fire about 60% in. There is plenty of sizzle.

The setting is just perfect. What’s more charming than a beach town with lots of fun places to go and activities.
There were several secondary characters who led extra humor or drama to the plot. My favorite was Marco. He may come off as a stoner, but he has pearls of wisdom mixed in with his escapades. The other characters of note are Sierra, Aspen’s sister and Kane, Brick’s best friend. I am excited to see they will have their own tale in the future.

Aspen Lourde achieved stardom with her first book, a loose adaptation of her real life love affair with her professor. Her fans loved the book and clamored for a sequel. Aspen instead wrote two follow up novels which were not widely loved. In a last ditch effort for inspiration, she flees to the Outer Banks to visit her sister for the summer. Enter Brick Babel, the grumpy heart throb with a bad reputation and a failing tour business. A complicated business deal and heartbreak makes this romance a delicious read.

I enjoyed some parts of this book and didn't enjoy some other parts. I could have done without the crazy ex girlfriend and support group subplot as I don't ever like that trope, but overall I enjoyed the story of Aspen and Brick. I am interested to see where the story of Sierra and Kane goes as there was some foreshadowing to that as well.

Jennifer Probst’s Book of the Month is an absolute delight—a heartwarming blend of humor, romance, and emotional depth. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Outer Banks, this story captures the magic of second chances, both in love and in life.

Aspen Lourde, a writer grappling with creative burnout, is a relatable and endearing protagonist. Her journey of rediscovering inspiration by orchestrating a fake relationship with the charming yet enigmatic Brick Babel is both captivating and amusing. The chemistry between Aspen and Brick is electric, brimming with witty banter and tender moments that tug at the heartstrings.

Probst masterfully balances lighthearted romantic escapades with deeper explorations of vulnerability, self-discovery, and the courage it takes to face the past. The supporting characters, from quirky locals to Aspen's inner circle, add layers of charm and richness to the narrative.

The Outer Banks setting feels like a character itself, described so vividly that you can almost feel the ocean breeze and hear the waves crashing. Probst’s writing is immersive and evocative, making it easy to lose yourself in Aspen and Brick’s world.

Ultimately, Book of the Month is more than a romance—it’s a story about the transformative power of love, not just between two people but also within oneself. Fans of contemporary romance will adore this book, and newcomers to Jennifer Probst’s work will find themselves hooked.

Whether you’re looking for a feel-good read or a story with a bit more emotional weight, Book of the Month is a must-read. Highly recommended!

Jennifer Probst’s "Book of the Month" is a charming romance that blends humor, heart, and the creative struggles of a writer in search of her next big hit. While the premise follows familiar tropes, Probst’s engaging writing keeps it fresh and enjoyable. Perfect for fans of contemporary romance, this story is a delightful exploration of love and creative inspiration.

It’s been way over a decade since I picked up a Jennifer Probst book, and honestly? I’m furious with myself. What have I even been doing with my life?! Huge thanks to NetGalley and Blue Box Press for the ARC—I’m beyond grateful!

Let me tell you, I adored this book. Like, full-on smitten. Where do I apply to get myself a Brick or a Kane? One? Both? I’m not picky. 😉 Probst has absolutely mastered that perfect balance of gripping plot, swoon-worthy spice, and deep, layered character development.

And can we take a second to talk about how much I devoured the behind-the-scenes peek into the publishing and marketing side of the book world? It was FASCINATING. It gave me a whole new appreciation for what authors go through—and a simmering Rage about how dependent everything is on BookTok. There are so many brilliant authors out there who deserve more hype, more shelf space, and more love! The system is broken, and I’ll happily die on this hill.

Okay, stepping off my soapbox now because I have a decade’s worth of Probst’s backlist to binge. Jennifer, if you’re reading this… how does one go about getting a shoutout in your next book? Asking for me. 😏 @pagerage_podcast

Thank you again for this masterpiece—I’ll be screaming about it for months to come! If you’re not reading Probst yet, what are you even doing?
4 stars!

This one wasn't my favorite. It was good, there were cute moments, but it fell a little flat for me. There were times where it felt like the author was trying to be funny but instead came across cringy instead. That being said, I still finished it and didn't find it hard to read. I won't be reading it again, but I don't regret adding it to my Goodreads goal.

Thank you NetGalley, Blue Box Press, and Jennifer Probst for the early access copy of Book of the Month.

Book of the Month follows the story of Aspen and Brick. Aspen is a famous author who has been struggling to write. She's written three books, but only the first was successful. Now Aspen is desperate to get back to how she wrote her first story, brokenhearted and bleeding onto the pages. In comes Brick, with legends of breaking many hearts. While he refuses all of Aspen's advances, when she offers to help his soon-to-be bankrupt company in exchange for a fake dating experience, he agrees. But what happens when lines blur, barriers break, and real feelings form? Is writing a book of the month worth the cost?

Probst does a fantastic job at her character development and creating tension between Brick and Aspen. It was hard to feel the emotions of the lead characters and wish for an easier path for them.

This was cute. A story about a writer who wants to write a best seller so she decides to use the town playboy for inspiration. The characters were fun and the story was fun. I liked Brick's character the most.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-Arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked the concept of this book, I thought it sounded pretty interesting. However, it just wasn’t for me. I DNF’d the book at 37%.

Mostly I didn’t like the main character, Aspen. I thought she was a little entitled and quite me-me-me, which is something I can’t stand in people, fictional or real. Aspen is also very much ‘not like the other girls’ - another trait that sucks no matter where you are. I wasn’t a fan of Aspen’s plan to get Brick (MMC) to break her heart just so she could write another bestseller. It’s such a stupid idea to begin with, and very obviously was always set to backfire, there’s no way they couldn’t see that. Also it’s a bit icky at the start where she keeps pursuing him even though he very plainly said no. If it was the other way around, it would be viewed very differently.

Maybe the book got better after 37%, so I can’t say anything about the rest of it. I have seen plenty of great reviews for this, so I would definitely say to give it a try if you think it sounds interesting. And if you did enjoy it, I’m happy for you!

Book of the Month is an absolute delight—charming, heartwarming, and a true love letter to readers and writers alike. Jennifer Probst weaves a story that feels like a warm hug, celebrating the magic of books, second chances, and the unexpected ways life can surprise us.

The characters are the heart of this novel. Probst creates people who feel real, with flaws, dreams, and struggles that make them easy to root for. I especially loved how the story explored the connections we make through stories—both the ones we read and the ones we live. The romance is sweet and satisfying without feeling rushed, and the themes of growth and self-discovery added emotional depth to the plot.

While the story follows a somewhat predictable path, the journey itself is so enjoyable that it didn’t matter. Probst’s writing flows effortlessly, and the small details—whether about books, relationships, or personal growth—make this novel truly shine.

If you love stories about love, life, and the transformative power of books, Book of the Month will leave you smiling and feeling inspired. A wonderful read for book lovers everywhere!

Thank you @BlueBoxPress and @NetGalley for the ARC. Books about writers are one of my favorites. Aspen is a writer whose first book was a hit, unfortunately it was about the worst time in her life. Her next two books are not so popular so she decides to fall in love and than have her heartbroken so she can write a sequel to her first book. Her fans want a happy ending but Aspen has other plans.

The Book of the Month is a charming, feel-good novel that will appeal to all book lovers and fans of character-driven stories. Jennifer Probst captures the magic of books and the beauty of relationships, reminding readers that healing and love often come when you least expect them.
This book is perfect for fans of The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan, This book is a warm, uplifting read for anyone looking to escape into a story about the power of friendship, love, and, of course, books!

This was a fun, steamy romance set in the world of books. Our FMC is an author and I thought it was fascinating to peer behind the veil and learn more about the struggles that authors go through while writing and publishing a book. It really gave me pause and made me sympathetic to how brave it is to put your craft out there to have the masses criticize (or love!) it.
Brick (could’ve done with a different name) is a MMC with emotional depth. He is beautiful on the outside and also pretty great on the inside. His stubbornness towards the end was frustrating but I thought both characters were refreshingly mature throughout most of the book.
I loved learning more about OBX and the wild horses and sea turtles!
My biggest problem was the unrealistic plot. I just didn’t believe in the plausibility of the “contract” and it was a little distracting.
However, I very much enjoyed this book and think that it will make a great summer read.

Overall, a good book.

I really enjoyed the characters. The chemistry is off the page. Brick and Aspen spark from first look, and it was so fun to watch that develop. The setting was a dream. I would LOVE to sign up for one of Brick's tours just to get a glimpse of those wild horses. Take me to OBX! The supporting cast was also pretty three dimensional. Marco and his crew added some loveable levity, and Sierra was the perfect foil to Aspen. Would love to get more into that sisterhood.

Downgraded a bit because the conflict was a streeeeetch. I think if we had a little more insight into the relationship that essentially ruined Aspen, it would have added some realistic development. I just had a hard time believing she *had* to create issues to write the story. Again, a little more context to just how broken Aspen was probably would have gone a long way.

Would generally recommend this read. 3.5 stars.

When Aspen is struggling to write her next novel, she goes to the Outer Banks to visit her sister.
What Aspen did not expect was the big and beautiful Brick. Of course, her sister Sierra has warned him away from Aspen.
Aspen has a big idea if she fake dates Brick and breaks up at the end of summer. She will get her writing mojo back.
What Brick.finds since he hasn't dated in a while is Aspen isn't afraid to speak her mind and challenge him.
Brick shows Aspen all the joys of living by the ocean and to appreciate nature.
When these two confess to loving one another, Aspen leaves and goes to New York. She writes the sequel to her 1st novel, but she is sad and miserable.
Aspen retur.s to fight for Brick, but he pushes her away. It takes a while, but with the encouragement of friends, Brick rethinks of all he has lost.