This book was a mixed read for me. The first half went very slow for me and I struggled to get invested. The second half moved much faster and I enjoyed much more. I struggled with the characters feeling a bit late— of course, Aspen is able to instantly win everyone over and solve everyone’s business problems (despite her little business experience) and Brick leaned a bit too far into misunderstood male-written-by-a-woman. I also thought the world building left something to be desired. Overall, a fine beach read but not my favorite.

Book: Book of the Month
Author: Jennifer Probst
Rating: 3 Out of 5 Stars

I would like to thank the publisher, Blue Box Press, for sending me an ARC. I had not idea what to expect when I picked this one. It was a solid read.

In this one, we follow Aspen, who is an author and looking for her next big hit. She had one, but her other books have not done so well. Everyone wants her to bring back the magic of her first book. The problem is her first book was based on her own life. In order to bring back the magic, she decides to go to her sister’s place in the Outer Banks and hope that something good happens. It does. She finds Brick, who is the local bad boy. If she has a fling with him, then, maybe, she will end up finding the spark her writing has been missing. They decide to do it and it ends up being more than either of them bargained for.

This is another case of people coming into peoples’ lives at the right time. Both of these characters have hit rock bottom-even if they don’t think they have. Aspen is struggling with her writing, while Brick is struggling with his own business. This is supposed to be a relationship of convenience, but it ends up turning into something more. Both of them find that the other brings something more to their lives. They end up inspiring each other. However, Aspen is still struggling to write the story the world wants, no matter how hard she tries. It’s not all peaces and roses, which is something I really enjoyed with this book. We get to see both characters at the very bottom. It takes time and it is not easy for them to rebuild from hitting rock bottom.

I found the writing to be engaging. I thought it did what the story needed. I thought it was fun when it needed to be and serious when it needed to be. It did keep me reading. Now, there were parts that I was not the biggest fan of-hence the three star rating. I didn’t like that the author kept bringing certain things up time and time again. Most of the time it did not really add anything to the story. I also did not like how Aspen harassed Brick. It was supposed to come across as cute, but it didn’t. If the genders had been reversed, this book would have been labeled as problematic. Gender does not matter. If someone is harassing you, it is harassment.

Overall, I thought this was a decent book. It just was not quite a four star read for me. I still did enjoy it.

DNF at 20%

I loved the cover of this book, and I love a good romance which is why I chose to read this one. Unfortunately the things I disliked about this book outnumbered the things I did like, and that was very apparent from the start.

What I liked: the setting. I love a good beach setting, and this was perfect for that. A coastal town the main character travelled to escape the city? Sign me up!

What I didn’t like: the main character. It’s not often an unlikeable main character causes me to stop reading a book but this unfortunately happened with this book. The main character acted so predatory toward the love interest, repeatedly doing things to get his attention (specifically to get him to have a summer fling with her) even though he did not reciprocate her enthusiasm and turned her down more than once. And everything she did, she did for the reason of writing a novel and profiting off of that? No thank you.

Though I am usually a fan of a quick romance read, this one just wasn’t for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

*Book of the Month* by Jennifer Probst is an engaging, heartwarming story about Aspen Lourde, a struggling writer searching for inspiration and love. Probst masterfully combines romance, humor, and self-discovery, making it a joy to read. The characters are relatable and well-developed, especially Aspen's journey toward personal growth.

While the plot is charming and enjoyable, some moments felt a bit predictable. Nonetheless, the book is a delightful read for fans of romance and stories about second chances. A solid four-star read!

It's a good read. I wanted to see how their feelings would evolve. How easy or hard it would be for Brick due to his reputation. How open Aspen would be to their arrangement. I can't say i connected completely with the characters. At times I felt like I could be reading the actual book Aspen was struggling with. But, it wasn't an issue. I was always invested in their relationship.

I enjoyed this unlikely story of two people who agree to "date" so she can write a novel and he can revamp his inherited story. Only Sparks fly and romance blooms. I enjoyed these characters and the story. Some graphic sexy bits, in case that's not your thing.

Once the literary world’s golden girl, Aspen Lourde can’t seem to produce another successful book, and the pressure’s on to prove she’s not just a one-hit-wonder. But there’s a catch: her bestseller was a heartbreak hit, straight from her own love life disaster. Without any fresh romantic turmoil to fuel her pen, Aspen needs inspiration quick enough to create a book her agent can sell to her publisher. So she escapes for the summer to the Outer Banks with a plan to live a story worth writing.

First things first: Outer Banks setting... A+! While I didn't particularly connect with any of the characters, I loved Marco, and the author sets up for there to be a sequel about Aspen's sister, Sierra, which I would love to read. I did appreciate the way Aspen and Brick's romance unfolded, and it did feel genuine. The way Aspen handles Brick and her feelings and a breakup wasn't my favorite. I thought the premise of the book sounded really interesting and unique, and I really wanted to love this story, but it took me a while to get through it.

If you love the fake dating, misunderstood bad boy, summer fling tropes, you might enjoy this one.

Aspen had a best seller a few years ago, but her next two books didn't do nearly as well. Under pressure from her agent to write another blockbuster, Aspen goes to visit her sister in NC, and is intrigued by Brick, the local heartbreaker. She offers him money to make her fall in love with him then break her heart, as she thinks that will help her write another best seller. As you might guess, things don't go quite as planned...

This is a steamy and emotional romance with bits of humor (Dug the dog is quite a character) that despite its improbability, I found quite enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

To be totally honest I didn’t love this book. I found it way way too predictable and so wordy and hard to get through. For a romance, it was extremely silly and unbelievable. The ending was so ridiculous, and the character names (Ursula? maleficent?) were beyond silly. Maybe I wasn’t the target audience but it wasn’t for me.

3.5 stars for me. The premise seemed fun and reading Brick and Aspen’s relationship evolve was interesting. But Aspen seemed one foot out the door the whole time all because of her book, even though she found a happiness she never experienced before.

I found it implausible that a group of local women would create a club to bash Brick when the rumors about him weren’t true. Some elements of the story made it seem like the town had a population of 2000 but yet there was so much focus on the tourism the town attracts. It just didn’t fit in my mind.

That said, there is obviously a a good follow up in the making with Sierra and Kane’s story.

First of: I’ve read (and really enjoyed) over twenty books from Jennifer Probst. So, maybe my expectations were just a bit too high. But, although I liked the blurb and the whole concept of the story, Aspen and Brick just didn’t work for me. (Especially Aspen, she tended to get on my nerves). But secondly, the moment I start reading other books in between, then we really have a problem. And boy, did I have some problems with the whole book: a Brick ‘anti’ fan club of people who are actually meeting? Brick accepting Aspen’s proposal in the first place and becoming her boyfriend just like that? The whole build up was a bit too slow, so my mind wandered off and I ended up in another book. And another. Before I dragged my ass back to Book of the Month. Honestly, further down the road the pace picks up and I ended up enjoying the remainder of the book. But still, I’ve read better books from Jennifer. Will I pick up one of her next stories? Most definitely! And you should too! Three out of five stars and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

Aspen is a writer living in NY that needs to write another best seller after her last two books flopped. She goes to the Outer Banks to stay with her sister for the summer and meets Brick. Brick has a reputation in town of being the jerk that destroys all the ladies’ hearts. They strike up a mutually beneficial deal to help her write her next best seller and help save his tour guide business. Things go as they planned but almost too well…

Aspen is a FC I can relate to. She talks about her looks and feels the way I do about myself. I don’t think I’m ugly but I definitely don’t look like the “typical pretty” girl. She focuses on a goal and blinders come up and she doesn’t take the time to see what really makes her happy.

Brick has me swooning. Grumpy facade, player reputation, but a genuine, caring heart under it all. He really played the part of doting boyfriend and then ended up falling for Aspen. I loved that he read her books and got to know her and then was the one to point out the truth about her writing.

I had a hard time putting this book down and wanted to get to the end to see how Aspen and Brick’s arrangement ended.

I liked the supporting characters Aspen’s sister, Sierra and Brick’s work neighbor/friend, Marco. It looks like Sierra will be getting her story told in the next book! Marco added a fun lighthearted sidekick vibe that I really liked.

I dropped my rating from 5 to 4 stars because of terminology that was used to describe Apen’s vagina. (“Mound”, “channel”, “swollen tissues” 🤨)

The total page count is wrong on Goodreads.

I LOVED THIS BOOK AND I DON'T CARE WHO KNOWS IT! This book was such a fun premise. I am a sucker for a good love story, an enemies to lovers plot and the build of a friendship. This one had all 3. There were some parts that made me extremely frustrated but what rom-com doesn't?! This was well set up for the second book, too. Thanks so much Blue Box Press and NetGalley for this ARC!

I received an early review copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Aspen is struggling to write her next best seller. Her first novel was a major hit but her last two books have been duds. Getting pressure from her publisher and editor, she decides to visit her sister in the Outer Banks to reset away from her isolating writers life in NYC.

Brick has a reputation around town for destroying the ladies’ hearts. Trying to bring his grandfather’s tour camping back to life, he just wants to focus on his business but can’t get a loan to make the improvements he needs.

Enter Aspen. Offering to pay Brick to renovate his business in exchange for a summer love and heartbreak so she can write her book full of real emotions she experiences with him.

I really enjoyed this book. Of course you know they are really going to fall in love. And honestly, I wish the heartbreak hurt more. It felt rushed at the end when Aspen eventually left at the end of the summer to write her book. I wanted more tears and pain (as we all do with these books, right?). I also am so excited to have another with her sister and another character. Overall, an easy, cute read!

Thank you to Netgalley for a preview sneak peek at Jennifer Probst's newest novel, BOOK OF THE MONTH.
Aspen is a writer who's afraid she's a one-hit wonder. Her first book was a tome to her failed relationship with a guy who sounds like a real tool. Now, she's blocked and her fans and publisher want a sequel to book # 1 - something she has no desire to write.
Aspen comes to visit her sister for the summer hoping the change of scene will help get her unblocked.
There she meets Brick,, a guy with a horrible reputation with women and a failing business.
Aspen devises a way to get her writing mojo back by offering Brick a deal: have an affair with her, then break up with her so she can get her heart broken and have fodder for a new book, and she'll help his business get back on track. He agrees, And of course, nothing goes the way either of them plan.
I struggled with a few parts of this book. First, the name Brick. I know it's dumb, but I really hated the name.
Second, Aspen, at times, sounds like a teenager in the way she thinks about herself and the situation she's in. She whines, and frets, and then has a stubborn unacceptance to something that would easily make her life better - just write the sequel. She doesn't want to do that and that sets up the rest of the book.
Also, the sex scenes in the book read more like an erotic romance to me than something romcommy and sensual. The language Brick used while having sex was a little harsh for me and made me like him just a little bit less. Aspen didn't seem to mind his dominance though, and she's the one who counts, I guess.
As in all Probst books, animals play a huge role and in this one, there is no difference. A dubious-breed of dog, wild horses and endangered sea turtles are paramount plot points and are written with love and kindness - something Probst is famous for and rightly so. I adore that she always finds a way to insert animals into her stories and they always elevate the storyline.
I enjoyed the book overall, and am rating it 4 stars.

Book of the Month by Jennifer Probst was a fun, lighthearted read with plenty of charming moments. I especially appreciated the main female character, Aspen, and how she navigated her friendships and relationships throughout the story. Her moments of vulnerability and the way she showed up for the people around her were relatable and added depth to her character.

However, what detracted from the story for me was how oblivious Aspen was to her own issues. Her lack of self-awareness made it difficult to fully invest in her journey, and the premise of her engineering a heartbreak to fuel her writing felt a bit far-fetched. It left me questioning the realism of the plot, even within the playful, romantic tone of the book.

That all being said, I’ll absolutely be reading the next book because I’m eager to see what happens with Kane and Sierra. I can't wait to learn more about their relationship. Probst has definitely hooked me for the next installment!

Book of the Month is told in third person POV from both Aspen and Brick's viewpoint. Aspen is a romance author who is on her last chance with her publisher to release a bestseller after her previous two books flopped. She goes to OBX to find a change of scenery and hopefully get inspired to write. While she's visiting her sister they come up with a plan to reenact what gave her her first bestseller, heartbreak. Brick is the town playboy and Aspen thinks he's perfect for the job. Brick is trying to revive his grandfathers touring company and is struggling and on the verge of bankruptcy. Aspen gives him a deal, money to bring his business back from the brink in exchange for a fake relationship meant to make her fall in love and then break her heart.

It's rare when I'm absolutely enthralled by both MCs. But Aspen is a gem and Brick is relationship goals. Everyone falls for Aspen, not all romantically, and I can see why. Her heart is pure gold and she never belittles anyone to get her way or make her point across. Her awkward tendencies are also pretty funny. I definitely laughed out loud a few times. There's way more than meets the eye to Brick. I wasn't really put off by his character in the beginning but by the middle I think I fell in love too.

The side characters are so cute too. Dug, was so adorable I wish I was able to give him some puppy love. The friends and family also just made this story more cherished. Marco, Patsy, Burger, Kane, and Sierra added so much to the story. Marco had to be my favorite side character. He bleeds sugar sweetness.

The only things I wasn't a fan of was how long it took me to get invested into the characters. The beginning was a little slow and it was a good few chapters in before things started progressing with the main characters. But once it hit, it really hit. The ending was also sped up. It jumped over timelines quickly and though I know there wasn't much to write in between the fast forwarded periods it still felt a bit rushed.

Even with those, I loved the book. In Marco's words...its fire.

By the way, I have been salivating to find up whats up with Sierra and Kane. So much anticipation was sprinkled in the book about what happened to the two that I NEED to know. I cannot wait for their book!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

Thank you NetGalley for this arc.

3.5⭐️ This is my first Jennifer Probst book and I’m looking forward to reading more. I got vibes that she was setting up a second book and I can’t wait to read their story. As for Aspen and Brick, I love a good fake dating story, but I could have used a lot less of Brick telling us how average Aspen was. It felt a little unnecessary after the first one or two times but I got over it because I did like their story.

There is nothing better than going on vacation and reading a book where the book location is the same as your vacation spot! Yes, I was in OBX and the book was based in the OBX!
This was my 1st Jennifer Probst book and will not be my last!
Aspen is an author who needs another hit book. She goes to NC to visit her sister.
Brick is a local heartthrob who is trying to keep his grandfather's tour business alive.
A quick easy beach read with humor, some spice, and an overall feel-good story.
Thank you to the author and publisher for my advanced copy for my honest review.

I love fake dating romances, and this was a good one . I didn’t really like Aspen’s character especially by the end, but I did love Brick. The scenery itself was almost a character in itself.