This is my first Jennifer Probst novel. It took me a while to get into and I found the main female character to be super frustrating at times, but the second half of the book picked up and I wanted to know how it ended. I definitely want to visit the horses of OBX now!

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

I have been an avid romance reader for many years and I believe this is my tenth read by Jennifer Probst. I have loved many of her previous books. This book was just ok. The main characters didn’t have believable chemistry. The flirting felt corny and forced. I don’t mind instant attraction, and I don’t mind slow burn, but it seemed like this book was trying to do both and neither were successful. The plot moved way too slowly and it was a struggle to keep reading. Since I’ve enjoyed this author’s books in the past I’m open to reading more, but this one was a miss for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This is the first story I read by Jennifer Probst and I was hooked from the start and I absolutely loved it! The characters Aspen and Brick have instant chemistry. Aspen is a best selling author who has writers block and tries to get inspiration by visiting her sister for the summer in Corolla, North Carolina. She decides she needs a hot summer romance and heartbreak, to inspire her to write another best seller. Brick is the local heart throb with a wild reputation. I love the wild horses that he does tours around. This book was easily a favorite of mine!

after getting into the book it was hard to put it down. i was looking for another romance book and this was really good! i loved the plot and characters

Wow, I had no idea when I picked up this book that it would be set in Corolla, North Carolina, where I just happened to vacation a couple months ago! That alone made the book worth a read. I enjoyed going back in (my) time to visit Corolla and now I want to head back to check out the locations I missed!

This book was spectacular. The hero and heroine were some of my favorite characters I've ever had the pleasure of spending time with. Initially it seems like the heroine will try to take advantage of the hero but when she approaches him honestly with her proposal I love how that put them both on level playing field. Their relationship was swoonworthy to watch develop and the side characters really enhanced the story. This book felt so lived in and it is definitely going on my keeper shelf.

Aspen had a best selling debut novel, and is struggling to deliver after her follow up books flop. She visits her sister for the summer and meets Brick, the man with a reputation for breaking hearts. When she learns Brick’s business is struggling, she comes up with a plan to spur her novel drafting. Her hit book drew inspiration from heartbreak, so the best way to write another hit it to get her heart broken again. Brick agrees to take a loan in exchange for fake dating, with the understanding to break up at the end of the summer. Ending things to spur heartbreak gets more tricky when they both start to fall in love.

Overall, this was a cute story. Fake dating is always fun. Nature and Brick’s respect for the local horse and turtles play a nice a role. Connecting with the writing style was a little tricky (personal preference) and the ending felt a little quick, but this was a decent read.

Thank you to netgalley and blue box press for providing this ARC!

Overall this book was cute but its characters were forgettable. The author did an excellent job depicting details of the Carolina shore. As a beach girl this was the main part of the book that kept me hooked.

Although I wasn't thoroughly invested in the main characters, the secondary characters were fun and added life to the story.

The ending of this book was a great conclusion and a saving grace for the story overall. The MMC, Brick was such an awesome character in comparison to Aspen. Brick kept me invested in the story.

Overall, I enjoyed Book of the Month! This was a good happily ever after but not a must-read for me.

I enjoyed this small town, fake dating romance between Aspen and Brick. Aspen is a best selling author who has writers block and in an attempt to find inspiration she goes to visit her sister for the summer & live a whirlwind romance. Brick is the local heart throb with a reputation as wild as the horses that run free in the Outer Banks.

I found some of the scenes and dialogue a little awkward in this novel, such a pet names and the support group for people who Brick rejected. I also was a little lost how Aspen and Brick first connected to make the fake dating deal.

However the lessons learned, the chemistry, the adorable dog and the real feelings emerging for both characters are so well done.

Thank you Blue Box Press for the ARC.

I feel like Book of the Month is a great romance for readers who love romance, but it wasn't right for me. I prefer more of a slow burn, and this one kind of went from 0-60 to me; I think one of my main struggles was difficulty pinning down Aspen as a character, as a lot of her decisions didn't align with the way she was described. However, if you're looking for a super spicy, quick romance with lots of fun side characters, I think you'll love this book.

The story begins with Aspen Lourde, a writer known for books like Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover and others. She’s a funny and outgoing person. Recently, she released a new book, but it didn’t get the reception she had hoped for. I think it’s a rom-com, which I personally enjoy.

I couldn’t help but feel bad for Aspen in this moment. Her agent was thrilled about the turnout at her book signing, but Aspen was left disappointed, having sold just one book. As I read Chapter 1, we start to learn more about Aspen and her life. She has a fiancé named Ryan, but he left her at the altar to run off to California with her so-called friend and classmate. That’s what inspired her to write Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover. I felt even worse for Aspen because she comes across as such a genuinely nice person, and that betrayal must’ve been devastating.

As the story progresses, Aspen leaves New York and moves in with her sister, Sierra. I really liked Sierra—she’s warm, funny, and their relationship feels so real. At one point, they go to a bar together, and that’s where Aspen first meets Brick Babel, a local tour operator and notorious heartbreaker in the town of Corolla. I looked up Corolla, and it turns out it’s in North Carolina. It seems like a beautiful place, popular with beachgoers, especially during the summer.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Blue Box Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Super cute and enjoyable read! Perfect if you wanna cosy up and sink into a nice book.

Thank you NetGalley, Jennifer Probst and Blue Box Press for giving me an ARC for this book!

I had high hopes for this one but the tropes were poorly written and I struggled with the relationship between the two main characters. It lacked spark and believability.
It just felt too forced.
DNF at 56%

I found this book to be a quick and easy escape from the day to day tasks I neglected while reading this book
Was I blown away? no. Did I feel like it was a wasted use of my time? No but because I was left feeling that the end was rushed, I was not satisfied and felt my time would have been better spent doing other tasks. As I neared the end of the book and I realized it was quickly coming to a conclusion, I had a light bulb moment where I concluded the author just had an idea for another book and wants to finish this one now so she can start the book idea she can’t stop thinking about. Because of that I felt she rushed the ending and didn’t give it the time and attention needed to make it an amazing book.
I enjoyed the concept and the writing style and thought it would be a solid 4 star book until the end

Thank you netgally for an advanced opportunity to read this book

This was such an enjoyable read. I absolutely fell in love with the characters (but especially Sierra). I loved that Brick was so standoffish and slowly opened up, and how Aspen was able to really flourish...

The story was also just super enjoyable and moved smoothly. I am a rather big fan of fake dating, so I might be biased, but the way Jennifer Probst utilized that trope was a fresh take. I really enjoyed it!!!

I enjoyed this book, but didn't love. I liked Aspen and her story. I felt the ending felt forced and left me wanting a bit more. But a fun read

Pause. This book was so cute and so good!!

My first by Jennifer Probst and I found it undoubtedly the first of many I want to read. I was STOKED when I found out there would be a second book!

This was such a unique and interesting take on the fake dating trope but I couldn’t put this book down. It was so much more fun to read this take than the usual. I can admit, the same tropes can get old after awhile but Jennifer changed the game.

The romance was organic and had me giddy. The characters were so fun, especially Sierra. I loved her! Brick’s storyline and character development made the love story that much better. I think you’ll fall in love with him.. it’s hard not to.

Thanks so much NetGalley and Blue Box for the eARC.

The ending of this book felt really rushed, but other than that, I really enjoyed the rest of the book.
It was a sweet read about an author trying to find love and heart break to produce a more authentic book, since she’s had two out of three of her books flop.

Aspen leaves New York City behind to visit her sister for the summer in the Outer Banks. Aspen is suffering from writers block, and is hoping the change in scenery will help her write her next big seller. Brick is the town heartthrob, and his horse tour business is suffering as well.

I have to start by saying I’ve spent many summers in the small town in OBX where this book takes place, so having that connection right away really drew me to this story. Aspen and Brick have amazing chemistry, and the fake dating trope is becoming a favorite of mine. I felt the characters were multi dimensional, and the story had more than just a surface level romance. I struggled at times feeling the story was too slow, but that might have been a me problem. If you enjoy books set in the summer, with fake dating and steamy romance, pick this up when it hits shelves in October!✨