I loved the chemistry between Logan and Alexis. I liked that they both were working on themselves and helped each other along the way. I liked that it was set in Austin, TX. I am from Texas and I lived in Austin for awhile so I could see the setting and picture some places where they were.
I don't want to give anything away, but I really liked the ending.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

Such a fun take on the fake dating trope set amongst a backdrop of (idealistic) Texas politics. I loved our foul-mouthed half Texan/half British main love interest so much. Contrasting with sweet, trodden over librarian Alexis, this couple made no sense and absolutely all the sense in the world. My only wish is that I could have a celebrity cast formed before I started reading so I could better play out this book in my mind like the romcom movie it felt like!

This is the second in the Stone Sisters series and can be read as a standalone but there are some really stellar scenes with Lee Stone that you would appreciate more if you've read Fool Me Once first.

Ashley Winstead sure can write some twisted psychos that will have your eyes bulge out when you're reading her thrillers but her romance is where she shines for me!! I'm obsessed with her writing, her banter, and how relatable her characters are. I was truly cackling out loud throughout that my husband even asked what was going on in the book which he rarely does anymore!! One of my favorite scenes is when Ruby Dangerfield was describing the plot to a children's book as one of her own life experiences.

The Boyfriend Candidate is a romance in a political setting and is a fake dating, m. Alexis is so relatable and is a shy girl that is an introvert, complex, likable, inspirational, and passionate. I love how much you learn about the education and political world from this story. I also loved their story arcs and where the characters ended up with their professional and personal goals

Recommend if you enjoy
Political world setting
Fake dating
Mutual pining
Pro teachers!

My new favorite romance book from Ashley Winstead!

Thank you to HTP Books and Ashley Winstead for our copy of The Boyfriend Candidate!

This book is available May 9, 2023!

Rating: 4.5 star
Genre: Romance

Thoughts - Alexis and Logan....I LOVED them! Swoon! I really loved this book.

Full disclosure - there are heavy political topics throughout the book.

I was just sucked in from the beginning and flew through this book. It was one of those books where you just love the main characters and cannot stop reading! A fake dating trope can be hit or miss for me, but this one worked!

Oh Ashley Winstead how I love you!

When I saw this book had a school librarian as one of the main characters, I knew I had to read it. I think most librarians can agree there is always a little extra fun when there is a main character who is a Librarian. This book was done especially well because the library side fit pretty well with reality, though a more optimistic one then the one we are currently struggling through. The romance, too, was well done. It was a very slow burn with a fake dating premise. Admittedly, more slow burn then I generally enjoy. At times, I felt like yelling "Just be honest with each other!". But, there is an appeal with this and the book did end in an HEA, so I can't complain. Will definitely be recommending this one for people who like some political drama, fake dating with real feels, and an HEA.

There isn't an Ashley Winstead book I haven't loved. Alexis is mousy and shy and is trying to fly out of her comfort zone by trying a one night stand. Unfortunately, true to form, things don't go her way. Just when things heat up, they really heat up with a fire in the hotel and they are caught leaving the hotel together. On camera. Just like that, her hookup flees without a glance backward.
Logan is running for governor and doesn't need bad press. When he sees the paps taking his picture with Alexis, he can't get out of there fast enough. This looks bad for the campaign and so they need an angle. They ask Alexis to pose as Logan's girlfriend just for the election, so he has a chance to redeem himself.
I related to Alexis so much in this story. She was shy, yes, but she also spoke up for what she believed in and made a crappy situation better by using it to benefit her agenda. The fact that her sister is Lee, yes that Lee from Fool Me Once, doesn't hurt matters. I loved seeing their sisterly bond grow through this novel and I also loved seeing what a goner Logan was for Alexis at every turn. His words often didn't match his actions. He wanted to be near her so badly the pining was palpable, and it wasn't even from his POV.
"Do you know what it's like to work for something your whole life and then have someone walk in and become the most important thing to you in an instant?" And I just swooned myself onto the floor.
Thank you to Harlequin, Ashley Winstead and Netgalley for an early copy.

omG i loved it so much. i knew i would. AW has become a favorite author of mine at an incredibly quick rate. her ability to write so well across so many different genres is incredibly inspiring. and the fact that she has written 5 books in 3 years is crazy ridiculous 🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃 but i look forward to every single she you will put out.

I cannot describe how much I loved this swoon worthy slow burn. Logan and Alexis’s fake dating, mutual pining story is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Did I go back and reread each of their 1:1 scenes before savoring the ending? Definitely. Loved this even more than the first in the series. Alexis is a relatable shy girl’s dream; it’s rare to feel like introverts are represented in romance novels in a way that is so likable, complex, and genuine. I’m sure I’m not the only reader who saw so much of myself in her. And what can I say about Logan except that he is absolute perfection to complement her, so passionate and so in love with her. If we can just make a trope out of this book I would read so many more versions of it. Can you tell I’m gushing? Thank you for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This is out in May and you should run, not walk, to preorder it.

Logan Arthur is running for Governor of Texas. 🇺🇸 Alexis Stone is a shy librarian. 📚 You wouldn’t expect their paths to cross. But when Alexis goes out on the town with a mission of proving herself to be the new and improved, bold & daring Alexis, she and Logan have quite the meet-cute. After being photographed in a compromising position, 📸 Logan’s team decides to do damage control by asking Alexis to fake-date Logan until the election. 🗳 But as Alexis and Logan spend time together, things begin to feel less fake and more real… ❤️

The Boyfriend Candidate can be read as a stand-alone novel, but all the characters from Fool Me Once are back in this book. 🥳 SO, I highly recommend reading Fool Me Once while you wait for The Boyfriend Candidate to be released.

Okay where do I start??? The tension. 😍 The whispered moments. 😍😍 THE LIBRARY SCENE. 😍😍😍 I devoured this book and I cannot wait for Winstead’s next romance!

You know what’s funny? I JUST said that I didn’t like a different book because of all the political talk. This book was FULL of politics, but I loved it. The difference is that I never felt like Winstead was pushing her political views down my throat. I appreciate politics, different views, and I love when an author can meld politics and romance without the book being a turn off for either side. Winstead is great at this. Winstead did it with Fool Me Once & she did it again with The Boyfriend Candidate. 👏🏼 I cannot recommend this one enough!

There's this scene where they're at a restaurant, but Winstead keeps describing the servers in increasingly discomfiting ways and...I laughed hard enough to startle the dog awake when a disembodied arm slid an entre in front of a character. That's all I'm saying.

This is my first time reading this author and I LOVED this book so much. It was different, original and I truly adored it. Its a fake relationship in the political world between two people who have an almost one night stand. When images of them together get out well thats when the shenanigans begin. I didn't just love the main couple Alexis and Logan but I also adored the supporting cast and my favorite was Kate.

This book is told from Alexis' POV 99% of the time which is not my favorite way to read a story but it totally worked in this story. We only get Logan's POV in one chapter closer to the end. This is a story about Alexis finding herself and her voice. She is the sister of a politician and has always been in the background. When Logan and his team invite her to be a fake girlfriend, she finds her voice and her cause and fights for education and libraries and kids.

I seriously loved this book so much. It was a total Girl Boss story and I could not put it down.

Having only known Ashley Winstead as a mystery/thriller author, I was intrigued by her latest book: a romance novel titled, "The Boyfriend Candidate." Winstead's newest book includes some of my favorite literary tropes: a meet-cute, fake dating, and lots of unresolved sexual tension! Alexis and Logan meet in a swanky hotel bar one night and sparks fly. But before they can get much farther in the night, they're interrupted. When they cross paths once more, they pretend to be dating in order to help Logan's political career. Along the way, the lines get blurred between what is just for show and what is real.

I really enjoyed this book! The chemistry between the characters was steamy and fun, and both of them are highly rootable! I will definitely read more of Winstead's books. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I will, unfortunately, be withholding my review until a fair contract agreement is reached with the HarperCollins Union.

Witty, charming and a perfect romcom to get you hooked on to it since the very beginning. And also could get you out of the book slump? That’s magical and powerful. Highly loved and enjoyed it. Can’t wait for it to be out and about in the world so that I can start recommending it to almost everyone I can.

I loved this -- it was so funny, genuinely, which I find is a rarity in romcoms these days. The premise was fantastic, and the chemistry between the characters really sold it.

Eek!! This was so so good. Just a delicious read with incredibly relatable characters. A sure bet for fans of Red White and Royal Blue.

Book Title: The Boyfriend Candidate
Author: Ashley Winstead
Publisher: Harlequin Trade Publishing ~ Graydon House
Genre: Rom-com
Pub Date: May 9, 2023
My Rating: 3.2 Stars

I read Ashley Winstead’s book "The Last Housewife" and gave it 4 stars.
I actually went into this not really know what it was about only that I liked the last book I read by Ms. Winstead.
I now am embarrassed that I didn’t do some research as I am not a big rom-com fan nor am I usually taken in by a blurb that states
~ A laugh-out-loud rom-com about learning to embrace living outside your comfort
zone!
Our protagonist Alexis Stone is a shy school librarian and is dumped for being too meek.
She decides treat herself to a night out and pretends she is Ruby Dangerfield and tries to act the way Rudy would. She puts on a plunging red neckline dress and heads to the bar and is ready to take the first man who makes her an offer. Except the first man is not THE man but some old guy.
Alexis worries she's gotten herself into a horrible, scary mess, but a handsome stranger comes to her defense. She and her rescuer Logan share a couple of drink. Alexis is enjoying being "Ruby" and having this adventurous life which, of course, very different from her own as an elementary school librarian.

Logan and ‘Ruby’ leave the bar and get a room in the ‘Governor’s Suite’ in the hotel next. Before they enter the room, disaster strikes as reporters immediately take pics of them.
Hmmm have any ideas who this handsome stranger might be?

As mentioned I am not rom-com fan however since this story is about going outside your comfort zone I hung in there.

I always enjoy reading the author’s notes and/or Acknowledgements. In this case [author: Ashley Winstead]’s comments are very touching.
She tells us that on August 10. 2022 right before she got this book’s copyedits, her beloved father Ron Winstead died. ~ Having lost my dad I know this was a very difficult time for her.

Want to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing ~ Graydon House for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 9, 2023

This is the second book that I've read from Ashley Winstead. I read one of her thrillers "The Last Housewife'. I didn't realize that this is the second book in a series about the Stone sisters. I will be reading the first book also.

In 'The Boyfriend Candidate', Alexis is an elementary school librarian going through a bad breakup. To blow off some steam, she decides to go out to a fancy bar to find a one-night stand. Things don't go her way when she winds up being caught up in a scandal. The sexy stranger that she meets at the bar turns out to be Logan Arthur, who is running for governor of Texas. To help save his campaign, Alexis agrees to fake date him until the election is over.

I liked the banter and chemistry between Alexis and Logan, but I wanted more of it! I feel like for most of the book, the two characters aren't together enough. I wanted more romance and more buildup. I understand why there was so much about his campaign and policies, but I could have used more romance. As a public school educator myself, I really appreciated the content about more funding for public schools.

Overall, I love a fake dating trope, and 'The Boyfriend Candidate' delivers!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an ARC of this book.

Brilliant plot, absolutely one of my most unputdownable readings!

Shy, coy, nerdish librarian Alexia meets with charismatic, straightforward, sexy Texan/ British politician Logan in lowest terms. Their disastrous night ends with scandalous consequences!
Of course this wasn’t Alexis’ fault! She was impeccable!

There is nothing wrong with her looks! She dressed to kill! She was about to celebrate her Independence Day! Her one of a kind ex cheated on her twice! Because Alexis bored him to death in bed!!! Yes, I’m screaming what a jerk, too! He insisted he got special needs and as a boring mouse, Alexis couldn’t give him what he desired! And he’s not the only one makes her feel incompetent. Her high achiever big sister Lee always criticizes her life style, pushing her limits.

She decides to cross the boundaries, having a passionate one night stand, finding a guy at Fleurs de Lis ( you know it symbols Virgin Mary which is poetic name for a place) Even the name of the bar is a sign how things turn into catastrophe!

Alexia is adamant to find a man with no strings attached, no stakes or expectations. But she finds the most troubling guy! Yes, the attraction is palpable and Alexis finds herself kissing him passionately. Her charming guy pays fortune for suit room. As soon as the doors are closed and they start tearing each other’s clothes, the siren warns them there’s fire in hotel ruins everything.

Logan Carrie’s Alexia in her arms and when he sees vultures out there to take their photos, he just vanishes into thin air without saying goodbye.

The very next day their photos are all over the internet. Alexis finds out Logan Arthur is not regular guy, he’s hotshot Texan politician challenging the Texas’ governor’s seat. The images posted online can ruin both of their careers.

The consultant of Logan summons Alexis with solution. They can fake dating till the Election Day. And after Logan wins the governor seat, they can break up because of irreconcilable differences.

Alexis reluctantly accepts to offer! Her attraction for him grows more as they have more prearranged dates. Then she realizes another man is attracted to her. She finds herself in the middle of love triangle! But she has to sacrifice her happiness for saving Logan‘s career even though she likes him way too much!

Could Alexis cross the lines and reinvent herself to find her own HEA?

I’m giving 3.5 stars to round up four entertaining, sentimental 4 stars!

I loved to read about how Alexis’ character evolved, how she learned to stand up for herself! Her sister Lee and her love interest Logan rubbed me wrong. They were alpha characters and I didn’t like their attitudes around my precious Alexis! That’s why I didn’t give five stars!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/ Graydon House for sharing this lovely digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

I love learning new things about myself.

When I read thrillers I can’t turn the page fast enough, I’m so eager to get to the twist and get my “ah ha” moment. When I read romcoms I’m usually laughing so hard I just want to go slower to laugh a bit longer .

Who’s with me?

Now, can an author be both thrilling and funny? You betcha! We all know Ashley Winstead, right? There is not a soul in the world who can scare the life out of me and also have me doubled over laughing like Winstead can .

What do you think, when you think of a “shy” librarian?

I think about a freak in the sheets.

right?

What happens when said librarian is told she’s awful in bed? No, there is no murder in this book kids but I like where your head is at 🤣

Revenge Sex !

Or even better, one night stand kind of revenge sex ! But after an unexpected fire alarm this is not what ends up happening to Alexis because she just ended up in the oh so sexy arms of future (possible) Texas Governor, Logan ….. and it was all caught on camera .

What is it with guys named Logan? Or Brads and Chads? Will they call you an Uber the morning after? Probably not, make sure to keep your phone charged!! It’s like you almost know where this one is going to go, yet, I promise, you don’t.

This is a laugh out loud, can’t catch your breath, kicking and screaming with your legs flailing in the air kind of book. I loved every last word of it. My preferred genre is definitely thrillers but when it comes to Ashley Winstead I would be happy to read a phone book if that is what she decided to write next.

I could go on and on but all you really need to know is that if a thrill chasing wild woman who really doesn’t believe in happily ever afters could love this book as much as I do, you will too.

Go on now, it’s time to pre-order

5 stars

Teaser :

As a shy school librarian, Alexis Stone is comfortable keeping out of the spotlight. But when she’s dumped for being too meek—in bed!—she decides she needs to change. And what better way to kick-start her new more adventurous life than with her first one-night stand?

Enter Logan, the gorgeous, foul-mouthed stranger she meets at a hotel bar. Audacious and filterless, Logan is Alexis’s opposite—and boy, do opposites attract! Just as she’s about to fulfill her hookup wish, the hotel catches fire in a freak lightning storm. In their rush to escape, Logan is discovered carrying her into the street, where people are waiting with cameras. Cameras Logan promptly—and shockingly—flees.

Alexis is bewildered until suddenly pictures of her and Logan escaping the fire are all over the internet. Turns out Logan is none other than Logan Arthur, the hotshot candidate challenging the Texas governor’s seat. The salacious scandal is poised to sink his career—and jeopardize Alexis’s job—until a solution is proposed: he and Alexis could pretend to be in a relationship until election day…in two months. What could possibly go wrong?