I was hooked by the first chapter of this book. I had just gone to an author signing the night before I started this and wondered if authors had thoughts like Aspen did!

I really liked Aspen Lourde, struggling author, and Brick Babel, struggling business owner’s characters. I really felt for Aspen, thinking she was just a one hit wonder in the book industry. Her plan to get into a relationship with Brick and then get hurt to fuel her writing was never going to work out the way she expected! In the beginning, she was too focused on her book and thought that Brick couldn’t just like her for her. Brick tells her:

“If I kiss you, it’s because I want to. If I put my hands on you, it’s because I want to.” Swoon…

I loved Brick’s character. The author wrote him so well that I could just picture him in my head—and it was nice! Plus, he was such a good guy that had gotten a bad rap from the town and its people.

Wonderful romance, wonderful side characters and I love Dug the dog. I’m looking forward to Kane and Sierra’s book next!

Thank you to Blue Box Press, Get Red PR, and the author for a #gifted book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.5 Outer Banks Stars

It was fun to read this one, mostly set in the Outer Banks after I just visited there. I love that setting, and it was fun to incorporate the beach, wild horses, and turtle rescue. It’s also fun that the female main character is an author.

Aspen has written one big bestseller and two mediocre books after that. Her books are just falling flat with readers, and they don’t have the passion and heartbreak of her first book. She escapes from New York for the summer to visit her sister in the Outer Banks, North Carolina. Her sister runs a successful clothing store and is also a great friend.

Aspen sees a gorgeous man one night at the bar and asks her sister about him. His name is Brick (my first time for that name), and he’s got an awful reputation with the ladies. Apparently, he abandoned his fiancée and broke hearts all over town. There’s even a support group in town for the women trying to recover from dating him. Aspen can’t wait to get to know him! She hopes to fall in love with Brick and start having some real feelings again that will translate into a better book. He’s not interested, though.

Brick runs a wild horse tour company that he inherited from his grandfather. He’s not booking many tours and may have to declare bankruptcy. Enter Aspen’s diabolical plan: hire Brick to seduce her, and she’ll fund the renovations for his touring company.

You can probably guess what happens next, so I won’t spoil the surprise. I wasn’t sure if Aspen would ever finish her book and if she could stay in the Outer Banks when her life was in New York. Does this one have a happy ending? This one was a bit predictable, but I loved the setting!

Aspen does not want to be another one hit wonder, her readers are asking for a part 2 of her book, and she has writers block. So she decides to go to visit her sister with hopes of getting inspiration, well when she sees the town’s biggest heartbreaker she comes up with a plan, and this plan was WILD, made NO SENSE and I was HERE FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!! Brick is the town heartbreaker, and the women are warning other women its crazy. But Aspen aint just any other woman, and she decides to approach him with an offer he cant refuse, fake date her, break her heart and she will help him where hes struggling with his family business and he also helps her with getting inspo for her new book. The chemistry between these two is WOW and the STEAM is STEAMING. Aspen is not someone to mess with and Brick isn’t what the town makes him out to be, it’s packed with inspiration, I loved this book.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

An honest review.

4.5/5 stars for me.

This book is so meta that it's hard for me to gather my thoughts. So, I hope I do this right.

Aspen Lourde is a writer with the hope that she doesn't end up being a one-hit wonder. This immediately caught my attention. Since that's all a creative person wants in life, right? To be able to strive for something and be a part of something bigger. Which is why I loved Aspen right from the word go.

Since I usually keep my reviews spoiler-free, I won't be getting into the plot much. But what I will say is that it grips you to a point where you are in the world along with the character, living vicariously in a little beach town during summertime (it's October now but God, do I feel the heat). Jennifer Probst has a way with her words and creates a world that is easy to understand and live in.

The characters that populate Aspen's world all have a reason to be there. They aren't just side characters to fluff the plot. And since it's a series, I do believe that this particular world will have the characters even more fleshed out and I cannot wait to read ahead.

Although Brick is a very odd name for a Male lead, I was intrigued by him. Grumpy at first and mushy after he opens up is just the kind of fictional(I wish he was real) man I would want for myself. To be honest, I fell in love with him. I'm not even sure when I did(probably just like Aspen).

I've only knocked out half a star because I think the plot dragged on a slight bit and the ending was a tad bit predictable but other than that, chef's kiss.

Spice wise, I'd say 2/5 but it wasn't why I read the book. I needed a book that would wrap me in warmth, comfort, and a sense of love. And this book gave me just that.

Will I be recommending this book to someone who wants to believe in love again after a shitty breakup? Yes, I will. Will I read the rest of the series? Definitely.

The irony of this book being about an author who is asked to write a book that isn't a trope every other author is doing kinda funny. What I like is that it subtly addresses the lack of quality in sequels when written because the fans and publisher want one as opposed to when the author wants to give the characters more life. The main story of an author in a writing rut, wanting to pay someone to break her heart so she has material for her next book is cute and full of witty banter. The supporting characters are hilarious.

I really enjoyed this romance. Makes me want to visit OBX and find Ziggy Tours and take the sunset tour to see the horses. Bonus would be if there was someone like Brick running it..

Poor Aspen. Her first novel was a huge success and her fans want more. Second and third books, not so much. Now, it's do or die time and if she doesn't present a best seller, she may be toast. Book one was a product of heartbreak. So get her heart broken again and write that book. Easy. She picks Brick, a known heartbreaker, and makes him an offer he can't refuse. Things go well. So well. To the point Aspen has to decide what is more important: fiction or reality? I enjoyed the characters, setting, and situations in this book, very much. A support group for Brick's dumped girlfriends? Really? There are a lot of hilarious bits in this story.

3 1/2 Stars

I really liked the premise of the book and although I liked Aspen and Brick ... I just didn't love them. They went from 0 to 60 in a heartbeat ... it would have been more enjoyable if they stopped at 30 for a bit. I thought the support group was a little ridiculous, but the steam was good and made up for it ... lol. I did laugh-out-loud a few times especially when she was trying to get Brick to notice her.

Aspen has been in a writing slump since her first book which became a huge success. So she decides to visit her sister for the summer and hopefully get some words on the page. Her first book was a big success because it was actually based on her story. She thinks she needs another broken heart to write another best seller. Brick moved to the Outer Banks when he inherited his grandfathers tour business and between the business failing and his reputation as a womanizer, he's wondering if it's all worth it. When the spunky writer propositions him that she'll pay him to date her and break her heart ... he agrees because he really needs the money. But will he be able to break her heart at the end of the summer?

I received an ARC courtesy of Blue Box Press through NetGalley.

4.5⭐ This was genuinely so hard to put down once I started reading because of how much I wanted to get to their happy ending. I really rooted for Aspen and Brick. After everything they've been through, they deserved their happily ever after 🩵

I think this book had a really good balance between emotional and romantic scenes. It also had a good amount of angst which just made the ending even sweeter.

When I realized that there would be a second book, I was excited. While I patiently wait for Sierra and Kane's book, I might check out the author’s other books too.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for allowing me to share my honest thoughts on this ARC read.

BOOK OF THE MONTH by Jennifer Probst is more than a romance. It is a journey of self discovery wrapped in traditional romance tropes. Fake dating? Small town? Summer romance? Sure, all those things are present, but they are backdrops to the main characters’ personal growth.

Aspen is a best selling author whose debut novel garnered accolades and a near cult following. Her next two books were not as commercially successful. Her fans want a sequel to her first novel, her publisher wants sales, and Aspen wants to recapture the magic. Since her first book was borne of the pain of her personal heartbreak, Aspen believes she needs emotional devastation to deliver another success.

Brick finds himself trying to rescue the floundering local tour business he inherited from his grandfather. In the short time he’s been in Corolla he has developed a reputation as a callous philanderer ruthlessly leaving devastation in his wake.

Aspen sees Brick as the key to unlocking her creativity. She offers a simple business proposal: Brick will romance her for the summer and leave her heartbroken so she can write another great angst-filled novel, in exchange for the funds he needs to save his failing business. What neither counted on was developing real feelings making it hard to walk away.

Parts of this book seemed a bit drawn out and the beginning was slow. The instalust felt a bit rushed, but began to make sense once more was revealed about each character. As the layers are peeled back and truths revealed, we watch both characters undergo significant transformations. Aspen and Brick are complemented by charming, quirky secondary characters who bring humor and insight to the story. I was happy to learn there will be a second book in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blue Box Press for the advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

This is a really great novel. Set in a small beach town in the Carolinas, it has an interesting plot. Aspen is an author facing writer’s block. Brick is a hot single guy struggling to save his business and recover his reputation. The premise of the plot which is a fake relationship that becomes all too real, will see readers drawn into the story. The characters are fun and relatable. Readers will enjoy turning the pages as they dig into the often funny dialogue. You will not regret getting a copy and reading.

Aspen's first book was a bestseller and beloved by so many. Her next, not so much and now she is stuck. Can’t get inspired and has no idea how she is going to get inspired to write and meet her deadline for she doesn’t want to go down in flames as a “one hit wonder”. She concocts a crazy scheme to kickstart her stagnant writing brain. We go along the ride on that scheme and some of it is sweet and funny and some of it not eh, but that leads two a wonderful happily ever after. Easy, fast read.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.com in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Book of the Month by Jennifer Probst is a romance, but not your typical one. Aspen was a successful writer. Well, she had been after her her first book. Her second and third, not so much. They were better but not as appealing. As she thought about it, she determined that the reason the first one was so good is because, at the time, she had been reeling with emotion. Then she had settled. What she needed was another heartbreak, another breakup. She decided to go visit her sister at the beach where she laid eyes on Brick. The man had a reputation and from the looks of him he deserved it. He was perfect. She approached him with her preposition: she would pay him to romance her and then breakup with her so she could feel the pain and then write another best seller. She told her sister but no one else. Her sister thought it was a bad plan, but Brick needed the money and so he went for it. The renovations on his grandfather’s tour company headquarters began immediately and he began romancing her. They were a good pair. They shared a sense of humor and an interest in life. It was working.

Even though she knew it was fake, she was falling for him. This was perfect. She would be miserable. Brick was falling, too. Despite his reputation, he was not a player and spent most nights at home. He had honed his reputation so they would leave him alone. His only real friend was the pothead who had a t-shirt shop next door. Aspen became his friend, too, and helped him with his business. On fact, she helped anyone who asked. The problem was: he was falling in love. This is a fun romance, different than most, simply because of the convoluted plot. The two main characters were excellent and the plot, despite the fact it made no sense, flowed well and had the reader rooting for them. I love romance but I love it more when there are quirks. This one definitely had those. What a fun read!

I was invited to read Book of the Month by Blue Box Press. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BlueBoxPress #JenniferProbst #BookOfTheMonth

3.5 ⭐️So cute! I loved it! I chose to read this book solely on the cover and it didn’t disappoint. A cute romcom with all the good feels.

Tropes:
Small town romance
Fake Dating
Summer Romance
Author x Tour Guide


Thank you NetGalley for the Arc

"𝑰𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒖𝒏𝒏𝒚 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒔 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒖𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒔? 𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒂 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒈𝒊𝒇𝒕? 𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒇𝒂𝒔𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒎𝒆."

I love the chemistry of the MCs to the secondary characters. Although there were few repetitive and lagged moments, I have many great favorite parts especially during the book signing. lol

As a book lover, I love that this portrays the life of an author. It invites us in the insights of becoming a writer, becoming a bestseller, the joys, doubts, struggles of making it big. It is so easy for us readers to judge the book, the author when we don't like the book and even leaving a very hurtful reviews without regarding the efforts they've done during the writing. I know that not all books are for us but to leave hateful reviews just because we hate it is just too much. Reading this, made me love and respect the writers more.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this one.

𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙝 by Jennifer Probst
Romance/ Women's Fiction
Pub Date: Oct 22, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you @authorjenniferprobst @1001darknights_blueboxpress @netgalley

Aspen is desperate for another bestseller… and she’ll go to any length to get it. Even if it means sacrificing her pride to chase the hottest bachelor in town and get him to break her heart…

Brick Babel is a romance novelist’s dream: a local heartthrob with a reputation as wild as the horses running free in the town. He’s everything Aspen needs for a muse kickstart—gorgeous, moody, and notoriously unattainable. His affairs are legendary in the small town, and every woman warns her off, including her sister.

Too bad a good heartbreak is exactly what she needs to meet her deadline.

Book of the Month isn’t just about finding love where you least expect it.
It’s about finding yourself in the pages of life’s unexpected chapters.

#NetGalley #ARCReview #kindle #kindleoasis #strapsickle

Thank you NetGalley, Blue Press Box and Jennifer Probst for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Book of the month is about famous author, Aspen, who had a breakout hit about her heartbreak but her two following books have been flops. She flees New York to spend the summer with her sister in the Outer Banks to get a change of scenery and hopefully inspire some quality writing.

Brick is a handsome man who is very misunderstood - from NY, he was brought to this small town after his grandfather leaves his house and struggling tour business to him. Drama quickly follows him to the town and small town gossip takes over leaving him with a reputation of a heartbreaker.

Desperate, Aspen decides what she needs to write her next great book is heartbreak and once she realizes Brick’s business is on the verge of bankruptcy she comes up with a plan that could benefit them both.

I struggled with the start of the book a bit - I didn’t love that Aspen wanted to “seduce” him and use him for her benefit. I also didn’t enjoy the way Brick referenced her looks and how ‘average’ they were compared to other woman.

However, after about 30% things really improved and I got into the book. It turned out to be really cute and I enjoyed the ending. I’m interested to read the next book about Sierra.

Open door.
Fake dating.
Small town.
Former (perceived) player

I was fond enough of the main characters and I really loved all the side characters. Ultimately, I’m glad I didn’t DNF it but boy did I come real close. Idk if it was the silly character names (Aspen Lourde and Brick Babel) or the gross way the mmc talked about women and specially the fmc’s physical appearance or the fact that the book being called book of the month is so shoehorned in, but a lot of the beginning of the book really didn’t work for. Push past that and there is a really cute love story.

When Aspen decides she cannot write another best seller unless she gets her heart broken again, she is not prepared for actually falling in love so quickly or that he will fall in love with her. Good story in a great setting. Quick read.

Aspen wrote a best-selling book, but 2 books later, she still hasn’t been able to repeat her success. She is under the gun to crank out another best-seller but can’t seem to find inspiration. She leaves New York City to stay with her sister in a small beach town in the Outer Banks in hopes that the change of scenery will inspire her.

Aspen's sister Sierra warns her about the town player, Brick, and informs her of the many broken hearts from his hands. Aspen can't help but wonder if a good heartbreak is exactly what she needs to get her creative juices flowing! She offers Brick whatever money it takes for him to save his family business in exchange for a Summer affair that ends in heartbreak! Win-win!

But, as they get to know each other better, Aspen sees the man behind the rumors, and Brick begins to wonder exactly whose heart will be broken by the end of Summer.

I enjoyed Brick and Aspen's banter and friendship that builds. There was a good sense of found family with the friends they make along the way.

4⭐ 2🌶️

I read an advanced copy of the this book, and this is my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Blue Box Press for the ARC!

Book of the Month is one of those books that proves fiction is still stranger than true even though it is said to be the opposite. Why would I say that/? Well, a writer having writer’s block is not going to make the news. However, a writer practically throwing herself at a local heart throb, hoping he will break her heart so she will have the needed emotional angst to write another blockbuster, certainly would make the news. A player who is not even interested in her or her heart at first, I might add.

Jennifer Probst has written a ridiculously silly story that is well-written, funny and has some unusual characters. It should be a block buster.