𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁:

I loved the small town beach setting of this read it felt super cozy. I love that the two MCs crossed paths in NYC year prior in different stages in their lives and we see them collide again in the small town, it’s the perfect second chance setup.This is a fun read with a nice layer of depth and the perfect career vs love dilemma.

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬:

Sierra built the perfect life for her and her husband then she found him with another woman. Needless to say she’s now divorced and starting over in Corolla a small town in the Outer Banks. At first she worked at a store but she soon realized her dream was to open her own Boutique. A few years later and alot of hard work she is now the proud owner of: Flirt.

Kane worked in investment in NYC, he had millions in his bank account and he was the best. The problem is he trusted the wrong mentor, and ended up in jail framed by the man he trusted. He lost everything and he took a deal to ensure his brother didn’t loose everything too. Kane had no place to go so he turned to his best friend and ended up in Corolla.

Four years prior Kane and Sierra met at a bar in NYC and they hit it off, there was an undeniable spark between them. But Sierra was newly divorced and at her low while Kane was thriving and at his high, she decided they didn’t have a future and left without saying goodbye. So when Sierra is introduced to Kane at the local bar, she panics and runs. Kane on the other hand is overjoyed he finally gets a chance with the woman he could never forget, now he just has to get her to see they are meant to be.

𝙁𝙖𝙫 𝙌𝙪𝙤𝙩𝙚:

“Sierra may have run four years ago, but now there was nowhere left to hide. And he was coming for her.”

𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅:

* Second Chance - 4 Years Later
* Boutique Store Owner FMC
* Blacklisted NYC Investor MMC
* Boy Obsessed
* One Night Stand in NYC
* Grumpy Rescue Cat
* Complicated Childhood’s
* Small Town
* Dual POV w/ Spice

☀️👠💕 ☀️👠💕 ☀️👠💕☀️

I understand being a cuckold, LOL. I found the book a delight to read. The way the characters interact is really fun, and as time goes on, I find myself becoming more and more interested in books that begin with a night in the past. I found the plot very interesting, in addition to the romance. It made me connect more with these characters.
I loved it. Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the eARC.

This book was entertaining. I love getting to know and following the story of Aspen and Brick. The characters had off the charts chemistry and the story itself definitely pulled on my heartstrings.

Not really for me. The writing is very choppy and the main characters had no chemistry. The FMC was really snooty and the MMC was....too much for me.

Sierra and Kane had a one-night stand years ago and now they met in Sierra's town. Will this be a chance for them to rekindle their fire?

Started out slow, but kept me on my toes in the middle! Sierra and Kane's chemistry is off the charts. Sierra may play hard-to-get, but Kane is all-in and won't stop until he gets the girl. This is my first book by this author and it won't be my last! It gave me an insight on how her stories flow and how it matches my reading preferences. A solid 4 out of 5 for me!

Sierra and Kane first meet when Sierra is trying to escape her problems. They spend an amazing night together and then Sierra leaves in the morning without a word.

Sierra moves to the Outer Banks and opens a cute boutique that she has worked very hard for. One day a developer walks into her shop and it is none other than Kane. Sierra refuses everything and she is determined to keep her shop, Flirt, and will stop at nothing to make sure that it is okay.

Kane is shocked when he sees Sierra again, but he is in Outer Banks for business purposes. Even though he is strictly there for business he cannot escape the feelings he has for Sierra.

The banter and the feelings that Sierra and Kane have for one another is amazing and I loved this second chance romance.

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me. I found the continued use of full names a bit annoying and there were a lot of themes and vibes that felt over repeated in such a short space of time. It also took a bit too long for the crux of the conflict to come to fruition and then everything else felt a bit rushed. It might just have been a case of this particular writing style not suiting me.

I loved this second chance after a no name one night stand! After Sierra's husband cheated on her she is struggling with trust issues. A few years after a no name one night stand she runs into him again, this time in her hometown. Kane has taken refuge in the Outer Banks after shady things went down in NYC, which included a few nights in jail for him. Kane's storyline really pulled at my heartstrings, and I loved seeing him figure out a new life for himself. Sierra and Kane make a great couple and I enjoyed every minute of this one!

I really enjoyed reading this book. I think it’s great summer read. I really loved the chemistry and that spark that was between Kane and Sierra right when they first meet! Loved their whole encounter at the bar, how Kane rescues Sierra from the guy that wouldn’t leave her alone to their instant connection they shared, their whole interaction in the beginning of this story was just my favorite, and the spice throughout this book was so good too! I thought the cat was hilarious, made me laugh! Thank you for the opportunity to read and review your book, I had a great time reading this book!

In The Reluctant Flirt, Sierra Lourde seeks solace in New York City after discovering her husband's affair. A carefree one-night stand with a charming stranger offers her a brief escape, but she leaves before dawn, determined to move on. Fast forward to her new life as the owner of Flirt, a trendy boutique in the Outer Banks. Just when she thinks life is good, Kane Masterson, the man she left behind, reenters her life as the developer threatening to demolish her shop for a new project. Their undeniable chemistry ignites old feelings, leading to a spirited battle of wills. With sharp dialogue, emotional depth, and a picturesque coastal setting, Sierra and Kane navigate heartbreak and second chances, making for a captivating read.

This book has a great balance of sizzling chemistry and heartfelt moments. The dynamic between Sierra and Kane is rich with tension and layered emotions, making their journey compelling. Probst’s signature witty banter and engaging side characters add depth to the story, while the slow-burn romance keeps readers invested. The intimate moments are described with a focus on connection and vulnerability, allowing readers to feel the tension and passion that build throughout the story. I love the Outer Banks setting. It's the first time I have read a romance series set the in Outer Banks. It makes for a perfect beach read or just a weekend getaway. I am a big fan of this author's books and this one did not disappoint. There are two books in this series and while I like reading them in order, this can be a standalone read.

Great addition to series!

I love Jennifer Probst's small town romance. She writes with heart. Kane and Sierra had the best meet up and I hated that it started as a one night stand. This had the perfect amount of push and pull. I was grinning from ear to ear by the HEA. A great read.

Jennifer Probst returns with The Reluctant Flirt, a sweet and spirited second-chance romance set against the charming backdrop of the Outer Banks. Book two in the Outer Banks series, this novel delivers all the hallmark Probst elements—snappy banter, emotional depth, and undeniable chemistry—while standing perfectly well on its own for new readers.

Sierra Lourde is licking her wounds after discovering her husband’s affair, and a tipsy one-night stand in New York with a handsome stranger feels like the start of something healing. But Sierra is done with vulnerability, so she leaves before dawn, determined to bury the memory. Fast-forward to her new life as the owner of Flirt, a thriving boutique that symbolizes her independence and reinvention.

Enter Kane Masterson—the very man she ghosted. He’s no longer just a memory; he’s the developer threatening to raze her beloved shop for his latest project. Cue the fireworks.

The dynamic between Sierra and Kane crackles from the moment they're reunited. Their enemies-to-lovers tension is delicious, with layered emotional stakes that elevate it beyond the typical romance arc. Probst excels at creating characters who are both wounded and strong, and watching Sierra rediscover her vulnerability without giving up her power is deeply satisfying. Kane, too, is more than a smooth-talking suit—his motivations and loyalties give him a compelling emotional arc that makes the romance feel grounded and earned.

Add in a coastal setting that feels like its own character, a quirky supporting cast, and a forced proximity twist thanks to a family wedding, and you’ve got the perfect mix of comfort and spice. The pacing is tight, the dialogue smart, and the chemistry believable—Probst knows exactly how to toe the line between heat and heart.

Freshly divorced Sierra travels to New York to visit her sister when she has an unforgettable one night stand with a man she meets in a bar. No names. No promises. The next morning she leaves without looking back. Sierra reinvents herself in OBX post-divorce as the owner of a trendy boutique and life is good until the man she left behind walks into town.
 
Kane Masterson is starting over in Outer Banks after his career in New York crumbles. At the invitation of his best friend Brick. He gets a job with a developer who turns out to want to buy the land Sierra’s boutique is on to turn it into a hotel resort. He never forgot that night with Sierra and she was the one who got away.
 
This was a such a fun and cozy read! I didn’t want it to end. I loved Sierra and Kane’s chemistry, their sensual tension and their banter. This was a slow burn and I loved how Kane worked on himself to overcome his flaws and make Seirra fall for the real him. This was an emotional story of starting over and second chances. I’m happy Sierra got her happily ever after. Jennifer Probst did it again!

Thank you to NetGalley and Blue Box Press for an e-Arc copy of this book.

loved this romance of second chance at love. loved how they were able to meet up again and find love. Great journey for this couple.

Flirty, heartfelt, and full of charm

The Reluctant Flirt was such a fun, feel-good read! Sierra and Kane’s romance had the perfect blend of chemistry, emotional depth, and playful tension. I loved watching their connection grow—both characters had layers, and their story felt warm, real, and satisfying.

Even though this is the second book in the series, it reads perfectly as a standalone. That said, the tie-ins from The Book of the Month were a great bonus if you’ve read the first one—familiar faces and subtle callbacks made it even more enjoyable.

The side characters truly brought this story to life. Duncan didn’t get a lot of page time, but he was easily one of my favorites—every scene he was in stood out. And Montgomery? Absolutely hilarious and full of personality. He added such a fun and unexpected spark to the story.

This is everything I love about Jennifer Probst—great banter, heartfelt moments, and characters you want to spend more time with. A cozy, romantic win!

Thank you NetGalley and Blue Box Press Publishing for my DRC!

Sierra Lourde is the definition of fierce. A woman who had to grow up way too fast, she’s always been the responsible one—taking care of her younger sister, Aspen, after their parents chose adventure over parenting…and ultimately left them behind for good. So when her marriage crashes and burns? Sierra doesn’t break—she reinvents.

Now she’s thriving with her boutique Flirt in the Outer Banks, living life on her terms. Until he shows up. The sexy one-night-stand she never forgot. No names. No expectations. Just one unforgettable night. And now he’s back—Kane Masterson, best friend of her sister’s fiancé and the new developer threatening to bulldoze her shop. Plot twist, anyone?

Kane has spent years carrying a quiet torch for the woman who ghosted him at sunrise. Now that fate’s thrown them back together? He’s not letting her slip away again—cat or no cat. (Yes, Montgomery the cat has very strong opinions about Kane, and he’s not afraid to show them.)
This story brings all the swoons, sass, and second-chance tension. Sierra’s independence makes her tough to crack, but Kane’s charm (and persistence) makes him impossible to ignore. Watching these two navigate heartbreak, healing, and hilarious feline interference made for such a satisfying read.

If you're in the mood for:
✨ Strong women reclaiming their lives
🐾 Cats with opinions
🔥 A slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers twist
👰‍♀️ Family drama and destination wedding chaos...
Then The Reluctant Flirt should be your next must-read.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Have you ever started a book, and really wanted to like it? That was how I felt with this one. The cover was striking. The plot sounded interesting. Everything was lining up for a good romance it seemed. Then it didn't. It fell flat, and never really picked itself back up.

Spoilers possible ahead**

Sierra and Kane had a wild, no names, one-night-stand four years ago. Their meeting prior to going to his room was all by chance. The dialogue between them was fun, and you were rooting for them, as it seemed they really hit it off. However, Sierra slips out before Kane wakes up, and they don't see each other until fate throws them together four years later.

When Sierra "meets" Kane again, she finds out he is the best friend of her sister's fiance. She completely freaks out, and leaves. Kane follows her, and tells her he's going to "catch her". Basically, he's going to force this relationship regardless of her feelings. I know it's meant to be romantic, but it reads as creepy.

The first half of the book, Sierra avoids him as much as possible, and tries to say no to his constant push for her. By the middle of the novel, she agrees with him that they definitely fell in love as strangers that first night, and they should give it a try. While Sierra is written to let us know she did have thoughts of Kane, I still wish there wouldn't have been the creepy aspect to it. The author could have worked around that in a much better way. Instead, it feels like Sierra wasn't actually given a choice, and was gaslit into her relationship with him in the end.

On top of everything, Kane notices Sierra's shoes all the time. He likes to tell us why she chose those specific shoes. It's giving serial killer vibes. I know he's into fashion the way she is, but maybe I've just read too much true crime in my life.

Overall, I am disappointed in this book. It had potential, but just didn't live up to it for me. 2/5 for what the plot could have been. 3.5/5 for spice.

Okay, I didn't realize (I don't know why because it literally says as much) that this was a sequel. Regardless of that, it was pretty easy to follow and reinforces why Probst is one of my favorite authors. Characters were well-fleshed out, and the pages were dripping in atmospheric glory!

Thank you to Probst and the publisher for this e-arc!

I didn’t love the first book in this series and I’m not sure why I thought the second would be any different. I just love this authors books so much.

It started out strong but the timelines got confusing and it almost seemed like you had to know the time lines in the first book to make sense of this one. I also really really despised the female main character. 5!4 male was hilarious but she was so immature and annoying,
I get that they both had trauma to work through but there were better ways to do it

Dnf at 38%

Having read the first in the series, I was excited for the second book featuring Sierra and Kane. It did not disappoint.

Jennifer Probst does a great job of bringing such emotion to her characters. The Reluctant Flirt was a nice, solid read. Sierra and Kane have their own demons they have been fighting, but they slip into such an understanding of each other. I love that they pick up right where they left off years before. Montgomery the cat was such an awesome addition to the story. I could totally picture that ladies' man of a cat.

Plenty of steam in the book if you're looking for that, but not totally slam down dirty.

Thank you to NetGalley, Blue Box Press, and Jennifer Probst for the e-ARC. This review is my own opinion.