3 stars! I both found the concept of this book to be really enjoyable and also that it held the book back. I liked Brick and Aspens romance; it was definitely sweet and lovely to read. On the other hand, the terms of their deal made it difficult to ascertain whether any of Bricks words were sincere or just an adherence to their rules. All I kept thinking that if I were Aspen this would make me question everything and go absolutely bonkers. I also did not care for Bricks actions at the end. Overall I did enjoy the book but wish there were a few changes. Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Such a fun read! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

This was a fun read about a writer who writes a hit book and then can't seem to write another hit. She decides to take a summer away from everything and live a life worth writing. Off to the Outer Banks she goes. She meets Brick (no I am not lying about the name). He needs a way to save the family business & she needs a new book. Can their summer romance save their careers? Or will everything blow up?

Wonderful read based in a local town. Multiple facets of relationships keeps you wanting the next read. Based in NC, writers block finds business failure. Superstition and pride make life's challenges even harder.

Aspen is searching for inspiration for her new book. In somewhat of a slump, she finds herself approaching Brick and making him an offer he can't refuse. With Brick playing his part in a summer romance, Aspen finds herself getting more material for her novel. But of course, we all know feelings get involved...

I really enjoyed this book! Fake dating is my favourite and I always love the moment when our characters realize the fake part is no longer there and they want more. Both our main characters were likable and I loved seeing their relationship blossom. The ending was sweet and I am excited to see that Sierra will be getting her own story next.

sweet funny and adorable, the chemistry between the characters is so fun and palpable which made me enjoy it even more
the world building by the author was so original and it totally felt like a perfect summer read

This was such a fun read! I loved the setting in the Outer Banks and the romance was witty and adorable. Aspen and Brick made for the perfect couple despite their differences. I was looking for a cute contemporary romance to enter into the fall season and this was just the right thing.

A love story of Millennials! I’m new to the Jennifer Probst world but am so excited to read more by her. This story was captivating & felt like real life reading it. An easy read!

The book starts out with Aspen, who has recently published two less than stellar books after her larger than life debut. She is visiting her sister in OBX hoping to get the inspiration to needs to write another bestseller to satiate her contract terms.

Que in town heartthrob, Brick Babel, who recently lost his uncle and inherited his failing tour business, house, and slightly scary-looking dog. He has quite the reputation around town for being a player. Aspen decides this is just what she needs to produce another bestselling novel. Heartbreak was what gained her fame for her first novel after all.

Aspen presents Brick with a deal he cannot refuse. She bankrolls the funds to give Brick's business the revamp it needs to survive in exchange for an epic heartbreak at the end of summer. They both naturally fall completely head over heals for each other before the disastrous end of summer hits. Will their love prevail or will it crumble for the bestseller Aspen was hoping to achieve?

This book was so stinking cute. Honestly, I was worried that this would be just another run of the mill romance novel that is impossible to distinguish from the rest. The characters were unique and the book definitely seemed to touch on the normal romance troupes in a humerus light. Overall, I felt this book packed in sadness, laughter, heartbreak, and happiness throughout the book. I am so excited to read the sequel so I can finally know what happened with Sierra and Kane!!

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this digital arc in exchange for an honest review!

Book of the Month…. You win! Aspen is an author who after striking gold with her debut album loosely based off her own experience with her ex. She’s written two books since then but the hype over her first book has overshadowed all of her other work. She decides to stay with her sister in OBX for the summer, hoping to be inspired to write her next big hit.

Brick is a known ladies man. So much so that there’s a support group that meets every week. Haunted by his ex, he meets Aspen at a bar where she was hearing all about him and his previous flames. Suddenly Aspen got inspired: agree to get her heart broken by Brick. On purpose. Use the heartbreak as inspiration to write a sequel to her most popular work. Seems like a great idea, right?

I loved Aspen but I absolutely fell in love with Brick. The story moved at a steady enough pace that I wasn’t constantly checking my progress. The spice was there, it was unexpected and sometimes felt like it wasn’t needed, but just a default to smut when they could have just moved the story along. All in all I’m very happy with it and would definitely read more of her work.

Thank you NetGalley for the book in exchange for my honest review.

This book and the main characters relationship felt realistic and not at all hard to imagine actually happening in a real life scenario. These two characters were both flawed and have pasts that they weren’t proud of but they loved each other no matter what. The side characters were a nice addition to add a “found family” aspect. Can’t wait for Sierra’s book next!!

Aspen Lourde is desperate to write another bestseller but has no inspiration. Since her bestseller was written from her own heartbreak, she escapes to the Outer Banks to visit her sister for the summer to find a story. Brick Babel is the town heartbreaker and Aspen is sure he is the answer to her writers block. She propositions him to have her help save his business in exchange for him to fake a romance her and then ditch her. Best laid plans!!



Thanks to Jennifer Probst and Blue Box Press for the book!

Aspen has been living off her first bestseller for years, and, although her two most recent books were well-written (even better than her first), they have lacked a connection with her fans. When her editor talks her into finally writing a sequel to her bestseller, Aspen reluctantly agrees, and leaves her NYC apartment and life of solitude to live with her sister for the summer, where she's swept into friend groups and living life. Knowing that experiencing a heartbreak will help her write another bestseller, she strikes a deal with the town's heartthrob, Brick, and through their growing relationship realizes that all the gossip may not have been true. But is Aspen willing to give up a chance to prove she's not a one-hit wonder for the love of a lifetime?

Book of the Month was such a pleasant read. It made me laugh, it made me think. Can there be a better combination? The style of writing is simple and creative, characters are well created and we are getting all needed information about them. I am really glad that this book has avoided some of the clichés I thought it could have. I would recommend it to everyone who is searching for a lovely book that will make you believe in people, but also teach you that sometimes it is the most important to love yourself if you want to love others.

3 stars

I read this book and had really high hopes to be the amazing and different romance book. I did overall enjoy it but nothing about it stood out to me. I really enjoy the setting being in Corolla/OBX because I just visited there this summer and it felt like I was revisiting. I thought the romance was just fine but again, nothing that really stood out to me.

4🌟
Firstly, the cover is sooo pretty.
The concept was something I loved.
I love that the FMC was an author herself and she could show us the struggles that come with it.
I loved the way they connected and the way MMC loved the FMC.
The conflict, after a long time, felt valid in a book and that's the biggest plus point for me.
I will definitely read the next book in this series because i am so excited for the romance hinted in this one.

Thank you to GetRedPR and Blue Box Press for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

This title is certainly apt. Book of the Month features Aspen, an author whose first book made all the lists and became an amazing bestseller. But her subsequent two novels haven't been received as well, and the future of her career is in jeopardy. Since her first book was semi-autobiographic about a failed love affair, Aspen determines she must again seek heartbreak in order to improve her writing.

I found this concept absolutely fascination. I love books that highlight the process of writing, and this was great. Both in terms of the plot and the structure, it was almost like we were reading the book as the FMC was writing it. And simultaneously, I kept guessing what would happen next and if the plot she scripted would match what in its conclusion.

I loved the MMC, Brick. He initially presents as the pretty heartbreaker and town bad boy. But his character doesn't match his reputation at all. And I also appreciated the greatly nuanced side characters, the beauty of nature including wild horses and sea turtles, and the love of the environment.

This book showed such depth and character growth. I am so, so, so excited for Sierra and Kane's story next.

3.75 stars

Book of the Month by Jennifer Probst
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶

Aspen is a famous author, but two of her three books are a flop, and she knows it's because her first book was a trauma dump built from an epically failed relationship. The only cure? Get her heart demolished again.

Brick is desperately trying to overcome his reputation as the local heartbreaker while trying to save his late grandfather's failing business.

Obviously, the only solution is for Aspen to pay Brick to woo her and then break her heart. Right? 🙄

Cringy premise aside, I actually loved this book. Brick is adorable, sweet, and charming without actually trying. Aspen is tolerable if you get past her weird obsession with forcing heartbreak to find her muse. The side characters are quirky and intrusive and feel like the townsfolk from Gilmore Girls, so if you loved that show, you'll love them.

This was such a great read! I usually don’t choose books with dual points of view, but I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of cringe inducing anecdotes… anywho… please read this if you want a rom com reminiscent of the spectacular rom coms of the 90s/2000s. I’ll be looking out for more from Jennifer Probst in the future!!

Thank you net galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

I have enjoyed a few books by Jennifer Probst and I was not disappointed. I have been visiting OBX since 1981 so I loved the setting so much. It was like another main character in the book. It was a fun enjoyable read, with a slight twist on the fake dating to romance trope. I was slightly put off by the desperation of the main character that she was so willing to just turn her back on love to write a book. Maybe because I have never been that desperate to achieve a goal I couldnt relate. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.