This was one of those books that I was either totally into or meh on at various times. Don't get me wrong. I didn't hate it. It'll be an all-around hit for many. I just couldn't fully connect to the characters or scenario. I mean, main character Aspen spends a great deal of time telling us she's not particularly attractive, just average, has a too large nose, etc etc etc, but at the same time she's confident enough to believe she can win over the town's seemingly hot guy. Brick? He did have a dog, though, so he won points from me. Grin.

The basis of the plot was both a bit egotistic and self-centered. Aspen needed inspiration for another potential book-of-the-month. Her plan was to have a hot summer romance with Brick, whose reputation for loving them and dumping them seemed to be legend, thus breaking her heart and giving her he perfect plot for her next novel. Brick earned a few more point with me for initially rebuffing her. It's only because he needs to save the business he inherited from his grandfather that he comes around when Aspen offers something too much needed to turn down. Let's face it. Albeit in different ways, both Aspen and Brick are under great pressure to produce results. He rather envies his friend Marco's seemingly carefree lifestyle while Aspen admires her sister Sierra's life choices that lead her to settle in the Outer Banks after the pain of a divorce from her cheating husband, so you know right away these two may have more in common than they think.

The story really begins here after he accepts and begins to actually like this wannabe-girlfriend. And, she likes him back. Plot twist. Only Aspen isn't quite ready to give up on her original idea that easy. That's when things get both hot and complicated. I won't detail the plot further other than to say that the sexual encounters seem to be what is now being tagged as open-door. I've reached the point where that doesn't really intrigue me much any longer, so I tend to lean toward closed-door, only in my imagination encounters, which may be why I found myself impatiently skimming through the sexual bits that may entice others. To each his own. We do get sections from Brick's point-of-view, btw, which is where he details not just his family ties/situation but Aspen's, uh, mind-blowing skills....and he doesn't mean as a writer, although he's quite supportive.
Bottom line, the book was alternately a 3.5/4.0 for me. I'd fall into a scene only to suddenly realize I was skimming and wasn't interested enough to go back and reread. Again, that's is probably on me, not the author. As noted, I enjoyed the story, especially as it spurred my thoughts on the pressure even best selling authors are under to constantly produce another best seller. There also seemed to be more telling than showing, if that makes sense. I definitely enjoyed the Outer Banks as a setting, especially the idea of wild horses. What can I say? I was a horse crazy girl. So, while I didn't love the book, I enjoyed it. Thanks #BlueBoxPress for sharing the story of Aspen and Brick with me. Looking forward to seeing what happens with Marco and Sierra.

The beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina is the perfect setting for “Book of the Month”, the latest romance from Jennifer Probst. Her heroine, Aspen, is a successful author who gained instant fame with her debut novel. Since then she has written two more books that just didn’t live up to the standards her fans were expecting. The reason behind this was that when she wrote her first book, she was coming off a terrible break up that left her broken, depressed and ready to give up, but surprisingly this mind set resulted in a deeply personal story that spoke to the masses. Aspen went on a whirlwind book tour and was the darling of the literary world, but even now, her fans only wanted to talk about “that book” and what it meant to them. Her current ideas are stale, her motivation non-existent, so she decided to escape to the beach to find her mojo once again.

Who would have thought Aspen would find inspiration with a very handsome, local business owner, who needed her help as much as she needed him? Brick was the most popular, single man in town, but romance was not on his agenda. He was working hard to revitalize his grandfather’s tour business, but when Aspen offered him the deal of a lifetime, it was impossible to say no. When you think about it, who would intentionally fall in love with someone in order to write a new book, then turn around and break up with them? That is what Aspen’s plan was, but did she really think she wouldn’t break Brick’s heart in the process? Aspen enjoyed spending time with Brick, but for the sake of her sanity, they could only be friends. I thought Brick was perfect and I felt bad for him because he was crazy about Aspen and she was only using him to further her career. I had no idea what would happen between these star crossed lovers, but as with any new romance, I was hoping for a magical happily ever after!

In Book of the Month, Jennifer Probst crafts a contemporary romance that intertwines the struggles of a fading literary star with the intoxicating allure of summer love. Aspen Lourde, once the darling of the book world, finds herself grappling with the daunting pressure to pen another bestseller. Her debut—a heartfelt narrative drawn from her own love misadventures—has left her at a creative standstill, and Probst skillfully captures the anxiety and desperation that accompany a fear of being a one-hit-wonder.
Probst’s narrative excels in its exploration of the theme of sacrifice for creativity. Aspen’s decision to pursue a faux romance with Brick—framed as a desperate need for fresh heartbreak—adds layers of complexity to her character. The tension between ambition and authenticity is palpable, forcing Aspen to confront the morals of her quest.
The chemistry between Aspen and Brick crackles throughout the pages. Their initial contractually obligated fling is filled with comedic moments and heartfelt interactions that oscillate between lighthearted banter and deeper emotional revelations. The writing is quintessential Probst—witty, engaging, and filled with relatable sentiments about love, ambition, and the pursuit of happiness. The outer landscape of the Outer Banks reflects the inner turmoil of the characters, drawing readers into a world that feels both familiar and enchanting.
This book is more than just a story about finding love; it’s an exploration of what it means to truly live one’s story. As Aspen navigates her mixed feelings towards Brick and her career, you’ll find yourself rooting for her triumph over both internal and external obstacles.
Overall, Jennifer Probst delivers a delightful summer read that captures the essence of romance, creativity, and the complexities of human emotions. For anyone yearning for a tale that balances lighthearted escapism with deeper personal growth, this book is sure to satisfy.

I was hoping I would love this book, especially after reading the plot, but I’m sad to say the book fell a little flat for me. I wasn’t a big fan of the writing style, the “steamy” scenes or fully interested in the characters. I found myself struggling to finish the book, and I believe it was mostly because everything felt predictable but easy.

Book of The Month is about a bestselling author who is desperate to recreate the success of her first novel, but unfortunately it was completely based off of her own heartbreak. Without the drive of inner turmoil, she’s struggling to catch the spark to write - until she meets the town’s local heartbreaker. A few eventful things later and a deal for a fake summer romance is struck.

This being my first Probst novel, I wasn’t completely sure what to expect. I found this book to be a fun summer romance with good banter and great secondary characters. I really enjoyed the premise of the story and thought that it had excellent potential, but I was left feeling as though I wanted a bit more from it (specifically with the heartbreak) and wishing that I felt a bit more of a connection with the primary characters. I think that the writing style and overall execution was a bit difficult for me to grip onto and found myself putting the book aside before I could finish it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blue Box Press for the eARC!

I can’t recommend Book of the Month by Jennifer Probst. While the characters are interesting (I am more interested in Sierra’s and Kane’s story to come), they were predictable. But the worst part of the book was writing. It needed serious editing. “The roof sloped at an angle..” Well, that’s what sloped means, doesn’t it? “A hammock was strung between two weeping willow trees.” A weeping willow is a tree. A beach-scented candle? What does that mean? “Spinning a romance story within the bitter edges of reality.” What does that mean? What did it make him feel?

Please help her become a better writer by giving her real criticism.
I won't be reviewing this book on Goodreads.

Best-selling novelist Aspen Lourde has writer’s block and decides to visit her sister in Myrtle Beach in hopes of finding lnspiration.

An ok read — I did skim a lot of the middle. Came across as a little silly and self-centered to me. Probably geared to a younger generation.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review

3.5 rounded up because I was left with a cliffhanger wanting to read the next book so badly! I loved the spice, it wasn't at all cheesy and had me aching for more. The premise was interesting but I wish there was more about the heart break, it seemed too simple and easy to forgive. I loved the journey of the book but I didn't think the plot was all that gripping. More excited to read about Kane and Sierra!

Thank you to NetGallery and Blue Box Press for the eARC!

The beginning of this book felt really slow, and I struggled to push through the first 25%. Things did pick up later on, but i still didn't really love it until the last pages

I had a really hard time connecting with the main character, Aspen. Her decisions made me extremely angry throughout the book, although i understand they were necessary for the plot.

The flirting scenes were embarrassing and the smut was pretty bad for me but overall i did enjoy how the relationship between Aspen and Brick (why does his name have to be Brick😭) was developed over time. I think they make a really cute couple

I absolutely loved the secondary characters, specially Kane, and i almost screamed when i saw that his book is gonna be released next year. I'm really looking forward to reading it!

So yeah, it wasn't an extraordinary book that made me feel things and kick my feet but it was a good time. If you want to read a cute summer romance this is definitely worth a try :)

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review 🤍

This is my first time reading a Jennifer Probst novel & it will not be the last! A good romance story should make you swoon & your heart rate raise a few beats while reading a great sex scene. Book Of The Month definitely has passion in it & a few moments of swoon, but the storyline builds up to what you hope will be a fantastic happy ending & although (spoiler alert) Aspen & Brick do end up together, the ending leaves feeling, really that was it? The ending felt rushed & more like a quick velcro type closure instead of a continuation of the romance storyline between these two great characters.
Thank you, #NetGalley, as I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own, but do yourself a favor & read this story cause, besides a rushed ending, it's well written with a great balance of passion, friends, family, drama, & romance that will make you swoon.

I tried but this book was not for me and I DNF’d. FMC basically pays MMC to be in a physical relationship with her. He clearly says no multiple times but she continues to harass him until she gets her way. No matter how you spin it, kind of an icky plot, writing is not great either. Lots of people seem to love her books but this author is just not for me!

this book was super cute! i was hesitant about the premise going into it, only because sometimes i hate books where the characters go into a relationship of sorts thinking its casual or friends with benefits, but this was even worse since it was going into a relationship with the plan to break up but not necessarily fake dating, like they were actually trying! all that to say - i was unsure going in

however, i found i really enjoyed myself throughout this. the banter was great and i found myself really getting through it quickly. it definitely pleasantly surprised me!

i do at times wish the fmc was described a little more desirably lol. not that ever fmc needs to be pretty, but i do prefer when the mmc has initial attraction towards them!

4/5

A sweet and spicy romance set in the Outer Banks. Imagine my surprise when I found it was set in my favorite OBX town, Corolla! If you've ever been the story will bring back all the feels, and have you planning your next trip.

Best-selling author Aspen is having trouble replicating the success of her first book. She escapes to her sister's beach house to hopefully write her next big hit. She decides her writers block is because she wrote her first book following major heartbreak, and the only way to move forward is to get her heart trampled again. Enter Brick, the recent transplant with a bad reputation, who is desperately trying to keep his legacy business alive. Aspen offers a cash infusion to help his business, if only he will break her heart by the end of Summer. What could possibly go wrong?

It's a steamy read filled with thoughtful ups and downs. There were some inconsistencies in the story, but overall I enjoyed the story, hence the four stars. Recommend for a quick beach read.

The "fake" dating trope was handled differently in this one, and sadly not in a way that I loved. It was okay, But, not my favorite. I'm actually more intrigued by the idea of hearing Sierra and Kane's story. I was not as invested in Aspen's story as I would have hoped. I have a feeling the next one in this story will be more compelling for me. I did want to spend some quality time with the wild horses and baby turtles though, GUSH!!

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

I am a big fan of Jennifer Probst and love her work and once again she does not disappoint. Beautifully written with loveable characters and perfect palate cleanser for in between my fantasy reads!

This book was pretty well written, but I just couldn't buy into the premise. It wasn't at all believable- especially the support group. It was all just a little too far-fetched to me. I will likely read something else by this author as this was my first book that I've read that she wrote, so I'd like to give her another chance.

First and for most thank you to Net Galley. For allowing me to enjoy the love of reading arc's. Anyone looking for a fun end of the summer rom com. This book hit the right spot like drinking a nice, fresh, ice cold glass of lemonade. The storyline & character's were an absolute delight. I love how the author tied in Dug to the storyline. Dug is my favorite character in the book. Lovable, adorable & goofy. Thank you Jennifer Probst! I hope to read more of your books in the future!

“Love isn’t something you just walk away from because you weren’t expecting it.”

Thank you Blue Box Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I’m a huge fan of books about books and this one was so sweet!

Aspen is an author chasing the success of her first book and determined to not be a one hit wonder. Desperate to recreate the feelings she had when she wrote her bestseller, she comes up with a plan to fall in love with the local heartbreaker. What starts as fake dating soon spins out of control and the line between reality and true love blurs completely.

I have read quite a few of Jennifer Probst earlier books and they always hit just right! This one is no exception -- a perfect blend of spice and sweetness! The setting is also so lovely! If you are looking for a perfect summer into fall romance then this is the one for you!!

Dnf @ 50% I think this was more of a me issue because I wasn’t in a great headspace when I started this. I thought it was fun but I wasn’t attached to it, I do think it’s an easy read and the magical realism side is cool but just wasn’t for me !

This book was so different and fun from the start. I loved both characters and how they grew with each other through the book. It felt more real life situations than some romcoms and I enjoyed that very much. I can’t wait for the follow up with the next characters, the author sets that up really well!