4.5 STARS: This excellently written book with fully-fleshed characters is a mixed bag for me. Of the two MCs, Brick proved to be a complex, complicated and perfectly written character that I fell in love with. I loved the trio of young goofs who run the shop next door to Ziggy's. I even liked Aspen's tough older sister, Sierra. (And I really loved Dug - that mess of a dog!) I wanted to love Aspen, but I didn't quite get there. Her stubbornness showed itself early on and only intensified as the story progressed. Her inflexibility and how badly she hurt Brick really bothered me. Brick - who is a pretty perfect mix of smart, sweet, vulnerable and hot - will stay with me for long while. That he forgave Aspen "fits" and Brick may be just the guy who can completely let it go and trust Aspen. Eternal optimist that I am, I'm moving forward imagining that Aspen will always put that sweet man first and picture them living their beautiful HEA! This angst-filled book gives readers plenty of snarky humor, steamy times and heartbreak. I do recommend.
WHAT I LOVED: Entertaining-Funny-Romantic-Steamy-Witty-Wonderful Characters-HEA

I received a complementary copy of this book and am voluntarily providing my honest review.

Probst’s latest offering has it all. A broody bachelor who finds himself in a financial pickle, a desperate heroine, a stunning small-town beach setting sea fauna and villager busybodies included; just enough steaminess and a generous amount of laugh-your-socks-off scenes to keep you stuck to the pages.

Interestingly, the author’s story is about a writer who mentions the qualities a romance novel should have. However, Aspen is a realist; gets her ideas from personal experience, and a true-to-life happy ending is something she has yet to have. With only one bestseller in which she refers to her muse–an ex-fiancé in Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover, the two following novels were flops. So, she needs to get her mojo back and wow her readers with that one heart-wrenching Book of the Month. Yes, the title is spot on, and the premise intriguing, so I couldn’t wait to see how Aspen would pull her next novel off.

Her modus operandi is to get Brick, the town’s presumed ladykiller to fall head over heels with her at a price attached, and well, the question is if either of them would get hurt when the win-win arrangement reached its expiry date. Although the story is pretty well-paced and pure escapism, a scene or three baffled me, especially seeing that I’d worked some of their issues out before they did. But, I’m glad I went with the flow.

Brick was an unexpectedly delightful guy I connected to easily. On the other hand, Aspen came across as needy, and there were moments when her actions frustrated the pants off me. That said, not only was I taken with her towards the end and there’s a good reason why I changed my opinion, but I also enjoyed everything behind the book publishing process and the pressure it causes.

A mutt you can’t help adore, secondary characters that’ll make you sit back and think about, this easy-to-read fake dating novel is worth a one-click.

I gratefully received the ARC from Blue Box Press and the opinions expressed are my own.

This is my first time reading Jennifer Probst’s books - and I am thankful to NetGalley for an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I really loved this story. It was very interesting seeing how Aspen was trying to get out of her writing slump. The plan was unique, and the possibility of it not working was always something she had to consider. Brick had his own reasons for agreeing to Aspen’s plan but the possibilities of him getting caught up in the actual performance was a whole different story for him to deal with! I loved how they figured out what was part of the deal and what was real in the end. I recommend it.

I was interested in reading this book based on its bookish plot summary, but I found it more retrograde than the cover's contemporary rom com vibes suggested. The main character initially irritated me with her naivete and entitlement, although she did grow on me as the book progressed, and the central relationship was mostly based on (somewhat skeevy-feeling) sex. The best parts were the sections devoted to Outer Banks wildlife and the revitalization of the love interest's tour business.

This was my first Jennifer Probst book and it won't be my last. I found the book engaging and witty. I enjoyed the characters, especially Aspen, and the plot keep me reading a a pretty quick pace. Aspen's character gave me insight into some of the nuances of an author's life that I had not considered before. The spicy sex scenes were also well done.

Thank you Net Galley, Jennifer Probst and Blue Box Press for the opportunity to preview this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

Book of the Month is set to be released Oct. 22, 2024.

This was such a fun read. Books about books are always a hit. Aspen is a writer and decided to pay Brick to romance her so that she can get some inspiration for what she hopes and needs to be her next best seller. I loved this take on fake dating! Brick jumped in so fast it seriously made me laugh. As well as the banter between the two of them. The spice was so perfect too. It's undeniable the connection between them even with how much Aspen wants to stick to the original plan. I loved the small town setting. But I thoroughly enjoyed getting a little sneak peek behind the scenes of what some authors go through. Such a good premise.

4 stars for Book of the Month! Set in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Aspen has relocated from NYC to try and write a redeeming follow-up to her super successful debut novel (there were a couple of her books that missed the mark since). Her debut was autobiographical and Aspen believes if she writes based on her own life again, she will once again have the "Book of the Month". She catches sight of Brick, a local heartbreaker, and is determined to have her next novel reflect her relationship with Brick.

I really enjoyed the plot of this book and as a North Carolina resident, was really excited to see it set in the Outer Banks. I found Aspen and Brick's relationship to be believable and progressed nicely. I feel like it is nit picky to knock a star for Brick's name but I'm going to do it. Like, why Brick? I would literally pause every time I saw his name because it kept taking my attention away from the book. Makes me think back to 2023 when a certain romance novel had the MMC named Beat.....
Ok, 1/2 star off for Brick's name and 1/2 star off for Aspen's immaturity at times.

Thank you to Blue Box Press and NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book started out so strong and while i loved the concept and the characters; the plot itself got really weird and I ended up having to DNf

Happy Pub day (tomorrow)!!!

Book of the Month was a fun delight. I found Probst’s writing to be cleverly written and easy to follow. I enjoyed the plot of this book and the complex characters! Their backstories and histories had me invested!

I loved the side plot of Aspen being a writer and her struggles with trying to keep up with writing best sellers. This reminded me a lot of Elle Kennedy’s series on the beach! This one is set in the Outer Banks. I love the small community of beach side towns.

I struggled with certain points of the story and the end conflict and misunderstand had me docking the two stars! Would definitely recommend though. Think this will be a hit with some readers!

Will come back to add review link on pub day!

I love the cover of this book as well as the general description. I was afraid I wouldn’t like the book as the male main character is a tad grumpy at the start but the book picks up and the second half of the book is very cute and was an enjoyable read. Interesting character names and a great plot as well. Overall a very fun read.

Thank you so much, NetGalley and Blue Box Press, for the early copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book had so many sweet parts, meaningful moments, and cute quotes, but some parts were a little cringey. Overall, I enjoyed it a lot. It felt more like a summer read than the cozy read I was expecting.

The audiobook was great as well, the narrators did an excellent job bringing the characters to life and made it easy to imagine everything happening. They were funny and felt so real. I loved it so much!

Book of the Month left me stunned… I was not expecting such an emotional and steamy read. This was my first book from this author but it will not be my last - I will be going back into their backlist and I’m very much looking forward to the next in this series with Sierra and Kane! But first, about this book… Aspen is an author who hit it big with her debut, which was written from a place of heartbreak and pain, a love story (not romance) that made her famous. But her next two books didn’t do so well, and she’s on the verge of losing her contract for her next book. Which is a problem when you’ve got writer’s block because she can’t seem to come up with a story good enough to write about. Thinking she needs both a change of location - NYC to Corolla NC - as well as a side of heartbreak to get the emotions and story pouring out of her, she makes a deal with local heartbreaker Brick: she’ll pay him to have an affair with her only to break her heart at the end of the summer so she can find what she needs to finally write her new book. Brick needs the cash - he inherited his grandfather’s failing beach tour business and is on the brink of bankruptcy, and he already has a reputation around town as a playboy. But the pair have dynamite chemistry, and despite each having a reason to hold up their end of the bargain, they fall head over heads for one another. But end of summer looms, and they each have a choice to make: stick to their bargain, walk away from one another broken hearted, but getting out of it what they need. OR… give up the money and story for a chance at a happy ending together. The story was compelling, the writing flowed, and the characters well-developed. And the chemistry between these two was intense. If you love the writings of Tarah DeWitt, this one is for you!

Aspen is a best selling author, chasing her next great book. She is having a tough time getting getting past her writer's block. Brick is the hottie with a reputation the town heartbreaker, who is trying to keep his failing grandfather's tour company alive. Aspen hires Brick to make her fall in love with him and then break her heart. They both catch feelings, and drama ensues.

One nitpick. Aspen and Brick are dumb names. Having both MCs have nouns-as-names is just silly. I kept thinking of Brick as Rick.

The romance is decent. It's essentially a fake dating slash paid escort type of situation. It's sweet, and hard to put down. Brick, while he has a dumb name, the character is incredibly sweet and thoughtful, so your heart aches a little over his reputation as a jerk. Aspen is definitely delusional, and naive, thanks to a terrible ex. She's probably in her mid 20s, but acts like a clueless teenager when it comes to romance. That part annoyed me. The good news, I guess, is that the love interest is written as a gentle giant kind of guy.

This is cheesy romance. It's not intellectual literature. But it's definitely a fun adventure.

Aspen is a bestselling author who struggles to write her next book. She leaves NYC for Outer Banks to stay with her sister in hopes of finding inspiration. Her bestselling book was inspired by her own heartbreak, so Aspen thinks that to write another bestseller, she needs to experience another heartbreak. She sets her eyes on the local bad boy, Brick. At first, Brick does not seem interested in Aspen, but when she offers to help save his failing business in exchange for dating and then breaking up with her, Brick agrees.

Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes, so I enjoyed the premise. Despite their rough start, Aspen and Brick had great chemistry, and I loved how their relationship progressed. I liked the small-town setting with its quirky characters. I especially enjoyed reading about the wild horses and sea turtles. The ending was very satisfying, with a promise of a second book centering on Aspen's sister's love story.
I look forward to reading the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
I thought this book was cute but it seemed more like a summer themed book than a fall book to me so I am curious as to why it was released during the fall months and not the summer months. I thought the romance was pretty good. While I didn't love this book, I also didn't hate it. It was just middle of the road for me. Unfortunately I was expecting to enjoy this book more than I did. Still if you are looking for a cute romance, I think this book is enjoyable. Something about it just fell a bit flat for me.

Many thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

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Book of the Month was such a pleasant surprise for me.

This book follows Aspen who is a writer that needs some heartbreak to inspire her next book because she has been struggling. She strikes up a deal with Brick who has a reputation for making women fall in love and then breaking their hearts.

This book was so sweet and I found myself smiling throughout reading.

I loved the setting, the side characters and the spice! There were some nit picky things I didn't love but overall I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a fake dating trope, summer romance or just a fast, easy to read romance.

Happy Publishing Week and Book Tour Review!

Book of the Month
Author Jennifer Probst
Publishes 10.22.24!

Thank you, @getredpr @authorjenniferprobst @netgalley and @1001darknights_blueboxpress, for my #gifted e- arc and printed copy!

How much do we all love books about books? One- hit- wonder author Aspen Lourde can't seem to write a book that was as successful as her first. Looking for inspiration, she drives to her sister's home in the Outer Banks to find her story. Brick Babel, the local hottie bachelor with quite the reputation, is who Aspen decides will make for the most perfect story... except, he's not interested. So, naturally, Aspen makes him a deal he can't refuse. Friends, I now love fake dating mor than I thought I could!

What follows is a fun and atmospheric summer of romance and excitement where our fakers find themselves maybe not faking at all and learning a little bit about themselves along the way. Book of the month is a wonderful novel with an inspiring message - live a life that's worth writing about!

This is a difficult book to review. There were parts I loved and I have to say that Jennifer Probst writes a damn good spicy scene. However, there were other moments where the writing pulled me straight out of visualizing and made me feel as if I were being told instead of shown. This was more common toward the beginning of the book.

The love story was cute although, the conflict was one that made absolutely no sense whatsoever.

All in all, it was a cute book but I think it could have used another edit to try and iron out those wrinkles that distracted me from the world it took me into.

I also found myself questioning the research into the location. I grew up spending time in the OBX as a kid and young adult (mostly Kitty Hawk or even further south) and the idea of there being a basement, left me confused.

Thank you to Net Galley and Blue Box Press for the eARC!

This is a generic rom com that didn’t grab me honestly. I appreciated the approach of the character being an author and trying to find her creative spark and write another smash rom com by channeling her own heartbreak but the characters seemed very flat and one dimensional, especially Brick. There wasn’t much chemistry between the two main characters and their relationship dragged for me.

3.5 stars - an enjoyable read
A fun, easy to ready small town romance. That said I struggled with the main character, Aspen, I couldn’t relate to her or her decisions. I know it’s a story, and it’s spun that way, but it doesn’t mean I have to like her. Now, Brick. That’s a different story. I loved him. He was my perfect character. Grouchy and stubborn, as well as a little bit vulnerable and a whole lot of the sexy. The scenes with Brick in were definitely my favourite. Their love story was doomed from the start, thanks to Aspen’s thought process, she too was a stubborn character, not in a cute way. I loved the support characters, and of course Dug, the cutest, ugliest dog. I did actually warm to Aspen in the last couple of chapters, I even had a tear in my eye at one point. The book club questions at the end were an added bonus. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.