This book had an interesting premise. The main female character seemed like a driven woman with some issues to face. The male main character is a gentleman. However, as the plot progressed, I just found myself slowly losing interest. I could not move past the reason for the two to start a relationship. I also felt that the plot felt flat. It might be because I have not read enough romance or I'm just not the target audience for this book. However, in the hands of the right reader, this book will thrive. I hope this book finds its way to a more experienced romance reader.

Book of the Month is an entertaining romance with a wonderful setting - North Carolina's Outer Banks - which are so beautifully and evocatively described that I'd love to pack and visit without delay! Brick is a wonderful, completely misunderstood hero and his dedication to his family and friends, his dog and the wild animals of his chosen home made me root for him to find the woman to love and complete him. I had a harder time liking Aspen, as she came across as an unreasonably stubborn, materialistic person with regards to her writing while being generous with her time and dedicated to helping others others. The chemistry between them is palpable, leading to steamy sexy times with Brick turning out the be quite the take-charge, dirty talker. Secondary characters add both fun, angst and interest to the story. I found the ending to be very abrupt but look forward to catch up with them again when Aspen's sister and Brick's best friend get their story next.

Thank you Blue Box Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

This book was just silly. The premise was pretty unbelievable, and there were a lot of things that just seemed really far-fetched in this book. A support group that people created because of a man? Characters named Brick, Ursula, and Maleficent? Paying someone thousands of dollars to purposely break your heart?

It was out there for me, and sadly I didn't enjoy. But I appreciate the arc nonetheless!

It's been awhile since I've read a Jennifer Probst book and after reading this, I need to read everything of hers on my TBR pile! I loved this story! Aspen is a writer who hasn't been able to recreate the success of her first book. Her readers want a sequel and she wants to move on from that book because it was written because of her personal heartbreak. Brick has been left his grandfather's struggling business in OBX and when Aspen goes to OBX to spend the summer with her sister and try to finish another book, she meets the notorious Brick. Great book!

Thank you to Blue Box Press & NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

Okay I am an immediate sucker for any type of book with bookish characters in the story. So I loved Aspen and Brick together so much! I love that their story wasn’t only about them getting together but also them learning and discovering things about themselves!

Great premise and well fleshed out characters. Overall I found the FMC to be a little bit annoying and dramatic. This felt like a miscommunication trope that could have been more easily solved. I found myself frustrated with her POV. Overall 3 stars. Did not love, did not hate, just not for me. Curious about the sister's story though!

This was a great story and I really loved the unique plot line. Aspen the struggling writer just needs her heart broken to write her next best seller. Brick and his bad reputation is just the man for the job, even getting money to complete renovations for his tour company.
Once these two meet and agree to summer dating terms, including Aspen’s heart breaking, the fun begins. and sparks fly. Aspen is such a sweet and charming character, and can you blame the town for befriending her. There were so many funny moments, including her book signing. Also the side characters really made his book special and showed how loved Aspen truly was.

Brick was your typical hot bad boy, that really wasn’t a bad boy. I felt for him when Aspen moved back to New York to finish her book and left him and his broken heart. The ending was worth it.

I can’t wait for Sierra & Kane story next!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. This story is about Aspen who is a writer. Her first book was a great success but the sequel just isn’t happening. Her agent has suggested she get away for awhile nd find some inspiration. After all, her first book was about her journey through getting her heart broken so she decides to visit her sister who lives on the beach. While she is there, she meets Brick who is trying to save his grandfathers business which he inherited. So, Brick has agreed to give Aspen the inspiration she need to write her sequel and Aspen has agreed to help Brick financially with saving his grandfathers business. Sounds like a great plan. Right?? But, will they be able to stay within their agreement and not allow their feelings get in the way? You might want to add this to your list of want to read to find out what happens. You will not be disappointed in this interesting heartfelt romance.

Book of the Month by Jennifer Probst is a romcom about a writer who's first book was a bestseller, but who is having trouble reaching that same level with her subsequent books. Her solution is to hire someone to break her heart so that she can reach the same level of emotion she had when writing her first book.

Aspen Lourde is the struggling writer, and Brick Babel is a tour operating with a failing business that he's hoping to rejuvenate.

While I initially thought this premise sounded like it could be fun, the execution fell a bit flat for me. I did end up enjoying the book by the end but there were things that really bothered me in the beginning of the book that I just couldn't brush off.

Very early in the book Aspen's actions and attitude left a bad taste in my mouth. When she first approached Brick and he brushed her off, she was shocked that he didn't immediately respond to her advances given his reputation in town. She was so sure that she was attractive to him and that he should respond, that she just kept going after him, and finally, when she couldn't get him to respond naturally, she proposed an arrangement between the two of them. I felt like this smacked of harassment, and wouldn't be acceptable to readers if the situation were reversed.

The attraction between Aspen and Brick also felt very forced to me. I don't know why, it just didn't seem like a natural progression. Maybe it was because of those first scenes where Aspen was so pushy, I don't know.

I did come to enjoy the story more after a certain scene (I don't want to spoil it) which had me literally laughing out loud, it was so funny.

I loved some of the side characters, especially the owners of the souvenir shop next to Brick's business. They really made the book more enjoyable for me.

My other big beef, and it's a me problem because I'm sure it doesn’t bother a lot of people, but I despise when women are called "baby" by a love interest, and I can't tell you how many times Brick called Aspen baby. I had to grit my teeth every time I read it.

All that said, the book wasn't terrible but it wasn't a great fit for me. I do think lots of people will enjoy it. I'm more interested in reading Aspen's sister's story and will probably be watching for that.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I wanted to read this book because of the title and the first sentence of the blurb—so bookish: about the book and the writer's life. The book about book is so popular lately, I thought I didn't want to miss out on this one and yesh, I was satisfied with Book of The Month ✨

This book fulfilled my current needs: a book for refreshments. In my terms: romance which makes my stomach full of butterflies. But this book did more. Its wittiness made me laugh so hard, especially at the moment when Aspen was high.

This book was too hot to meet 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ I don't usually read this kind of spicy book. A little bit shy to read in public while hoping people won't sneak my phone 😣 But I enjoyed the spiciness 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

The serious insight from the book is about marketing. How Aspen seemed so versatile. Not only wrote well, she also understood marketing strategy well. A little bit unfair to me, I mean... how could someone be so easily loved and master many things at once? ☹️ Don't you envy her? I do!

I only need 2 days to read this book. It's fast-paced and page-turning. I kept wanting to know what Aspen and Brick did.

I had my imagination of their ending. Not completely right but the real ending of the book took a little U turned to make it happen. And, somehow I thought how Brick made things work in the end was too simple. I meant if you were really hurtful, would you be moved just like that? That easy? If he was me, I wouldn't.

But I'm happy for the ending. Probably will research Jennifer Probst's works after this because I was engaged with her story.

This was just fine for me. Maybe I’m not not a good romance girl because I cringed quite a bit. Male mom character calls female main character baby- makes me gag. Make it stop. But also, the story was sweet and the setting was dreamy, so I’m torn!

I always enjoy books involving books and this one is Aspen, a writer with writers block, goes to the Outer Banks to stay with her sister for inspiration. Aspen needs a heartbreak for inspiration and focus on the town bad boy, Brick.

I really Brick as a character and how he resisted Aspen and to me it was weird how aggressive Aspen was in the beginning. They strike up a deal that benefits both of them and really start enjoying each other's company and falls for each other.

I thought the side characters added a lot of humor to the story. The one part of the story I found odd is the women that formed a support group for dating and scorned by Brick. This was just a bit far fetched and petty for me.

Overall, a fun story that has a happy ending and I can feel the next story between Aspen's sister and Brick's best friend and I am excited for it.

Thank you @getredpr @1001darknights_blueboxpress for a copy of the book.

This zany romance held my attention from start to finish. Aspen was an author who lived in New York. She had written a bestseller and then two follow-up books that didn't do so well. Her best seller had been fiction, but it was about her romance with one of her professors that blew up in her face. Her agent had asked her for a sequel but she felt she couldn't do it without the angst of a romance gone bad. Her agent suggested that she go to stay with her sister, Sheila, in the outer back where she had the ocean for inspiration.

When she got there, she met gorgeous Brick, who ran a touring company that was not thriving. And he had a horrible reputation with women. She decided she would have a heartbreaking relationship with him, so she approached him with a proposition. She proposed that they go into this relationship with their eyes open. They would carry on as a couple and she would finance the upgrade to his business. The relationship would go on, full speed ahead, and in the end he would break her heart. They had the entire summer.

Their relationship progressed nicely but there were two snags. One, she was having difficulty writing the book. And two, they fell in love. When the end of the summer came, she had no book. Brick asked her to stay with him and she refused, sticking to their bargain. She was heartbroken when she went back to New York. That was enough to propel her to write a successful sequel. Her agent loved it, but she wasn't happy. She was heartbroken.. So she decided to pull the book and not allow her agent to publish it.

She decided to go back to OBX and beg Brick for a second chance. But he refused. They had what could have been a promising relationship but she blew it. They'd had something beautiful but she hadn't bargained for them falling in love.

The author did a fabulous job weaving the ins and outs of this story. The characters were totally believable, as was the storyline. This drama had all the markings of a good romance and it pulled at my heartstrings. It was masterfully written. I gave it five stars.

Aspen wrote a best seller, and hasn't been able to reach the same level of popularity since it. Maybe it's because she wrote about her own heartbreak the first time and hasn't felt that way since. Enter Brick the notorious ladies man that lives in her sisters small town. Maybe Brick can break her heart and give her the inspiration she needs for a new bestseller.

This was my first Jennifer Probst book and I really enjoyed it. I found even the secondary characters interesting, and can't wait to read about what happens to the others in the next novel taking place in this world.

Book of the Month by Jennifer Probst 4 ⭐️

Aspen Lourde is a best selling author who lives in New York. She’s currently promoting her newest book but it seems to be falling flat. What better way to reinvigorate her muse than to visit her sister in the Outer Banks for the summer?

Brick Babel is a former business bro who moved to the Outer Banks to take over his grandfather’s tour guide company after his grandfather passed away. He’s the town playboy and there’s even a support group for all the women scorned he’s left in his wake.

Aspen and Brick come to an agreement where he can save his failing business and she can get the ammunition she needs to write her next best seller. Instead, the fake emotions turn real and now hearts are at risk.

I loved this book’s take on fake dating and the twist on a typical third act break up was refreshing to read. I loved the community that Aspen built around herself while staying in OBX. Brick is hot and way too smooth with it. Some of the things he said had me squawking. I loved watching their love story unfold and seeing how they came to a solution in the end. Book of the Month took me on an emotional rollercoaster and I’m looking forward to reading the next one!

Book of the Month by Jennifer Probst is such a sweet and feel-good read for book lovers! I loved the charming small-town setting and how it’s filled with relatable characters who find love and connection through their shared passion for books. It’s a bit predictable, but in that comforting, cozy way that just makes you smile—perfect for when you want something light, romantic, and heartwarming. Rating: 4 stars.

Thank you Net Galley, Blue Box Press and Jennifer Probst for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars rounded up!

This story is about Aspen, a writer who doesn't want to be a one-hit wonder and Brick, the sexy tour guide who she hires to help her.

Aspen wrote her first book when she was in despair after the ending of her previous relationship. Her subsequent books were fine, but didn't garner the love her first book did. She decides that she needs to get her heart broken again in order to write another amazing book. Enter Brick, a man with a reputation as a heartbreaker who is a tour guide at her late grandfather's tour company and a total smoke show. Aspen and Brick strike a deal where they each get what they need during the summer Aspen spends with her sister, Sierra, in OBX.

I loved so many things about this book. First and foremost, Brick, who is misunderstood, kind to animals and really cares about the people in his life. The relationship between Sierra and Aspen was lovely. Marco and the "weed boys" were hilarious comic relief. (I know the next book is about Sierra and Kane; can the one after that be about Marco?!) I seriously laughed out loud several times during the "accidental stoning."

Aspen was a perfectly imperfect character, who embodied writers block and the lengths people will go to make their dreams come true.

This book has the perfect amount of spice, not too much to make it pure smut, but enough that you're not thinking "one sex scene, seriously?!"

The reason I went with 4.5 instead of 5 stars is that some of the dialogue is a little cringey. In addition, Aspen's grand gesture made me unhappy. Thank God it was rectified in the epilogue!

I absolutely can't wait for the Sierra and Kane story!!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. This is the first book I've ever read by Jennifer Probst and it certainly won't be my last, especially since she teases the next book, which is always fun to me! Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It hits some classic tropes, such as fake dating, really well and I found that the purpose behind the ruse for the two main characters was different and interesting. What happened to MMC was a little far fetched to me, but I can tell that it needed to be that way for the storyline. Any books that are about books and authors always grab my attention because I'm so curious of the behind the scenes and an author's perspective. The introverted nature of the FMC, truly makes you respect and think about what author's go through for the full process of writing not only a best seller, but then the pressure that comes afterwards too. Another point to highlight is that this book was surprisingly SPICY and I loved it! The chemistry between the two characters was perfect! Truly the only thing that bothered me about this book was the title. Unless I missed something, I felt like it didn't necessarily make sense for the story and plot as a whole.

I really struggled with this one. While the premise seemed intriguing, I found the plot to be drawn out and irritating. The whole “support group” piece was a complete turn off. Aspen was frustrating as a main character and screamed red flag a lot of the time. The third act break up felt drawn out and then the resolution was 2.5 pages long. The one part of the book I liked was the preview for the next because it sounds like it would be better than this one.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

In Jennifer Probst's "Book of the Month", Aspen Lourde is an author who is desperate to write another best-selling book. She's insistent that if she can just make her life more exciting, she'll be able to channel that into her writing as well. Enter cowboy Brick Babel, who has a reputation as a womanizer. Who better to start a "friends with benefits" relationship in order to accomplish her goal? But what happens when she realizes that she wants more from Brick and begins to understand that her career isn't the most important thing about her?

I thought this was an okay book, but the relationship between Brick and Aspen wasn't very compelling. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.