This is a pretty cute, quick read. It's predictable and full of tropes, but it's easy to read. When I started the book, I thought this was easily going to be a 4 star read, but as it progressed, I felt my rating start to slip. The MC's characterization felt all over the place. The political stuff all felt very preachy--and that's coming from someone who agreed with all of it. (I will say though, as someone who works in a public school library and sees firsthand the screwing over of public schools, I did really appreciate seeing fictional characters fight for educators and public education--even if it felt soapbox-y)

Also, had no idea that this was a follow-up/spin-off of another book.

when the book hooks you so much that you have to stay up to read it in one night, you know it's good. while I think I preferred Fool Me Once to the Boyfriend Candidate, this companion novel was an absolute delight. it had me laughing out loud while still pulling on my heartstrings over Alexis's insecurities. it was almost frustrating that Alexis took so long to realize that Logan was into her but at the same time, it provided just the right amount of angst/dramatic irony. I cannot wait to get a physical copy for my shelves.

somewhat spoilery but once again.......it is ironic that Harper Collins can publish this book that features a scene about a walkout because of poor working conditions/wages and yet can ignore their employee union!

Back again with characters like the ones I've come to know and expect, that fill my romance-loving heart with joy is Ashley Winstead with her sophomore romance novel, THE BOYFRIEND CANDIDATE. After ending 2021 with FOOL ME ONCE, as soon as this title hit my Kindle I knew it was THE perfect book to be my first read of 2023 and it did NOT disappoint! With loyal and somewhat self-critical main character, Alexis Stone, Winstead managed to exceed my expectations and give me a character I loved just as much as her sister, the incredible Lee Stone who will forever be one of my favorite MCs & Alexis is now definitely on that list!

Even in the first title, Alexis was a memorable character, but in this book, her Virgo qualities made her so relatable for me and I was instantly attached to her well-being and caught up in the emotion of her journey. Once again, Winstead had me getting into politics, which is such a surprise for me, and I couldn't believe she did it AGAIN. The drama and how it plays out, the surprise of Logan's identity adds to the story in the best way, as Alexis puts herself out there in an attempt to move on from her past, by having her first one-night stand. She finds herself instead tangled up with Logan and instead of fulfilling her goal, she finds herself under scrutiny by the press and forced to fake-date the governor to save both of their reputations.

"I thought back to what Nora said, that love was political, whether you acknowledged it or not. I added to that: simply existing was political - taking up space in the world, on bookshelves."

There were so many swoon-worthy, hilarious moments that had this Disney adult melting, from the hilarious moment Alexis catches Lee in a Belle costume, to how Logan shows her SHE has main character qualities and deserves love. That who she is, is more than enough, and who doesn't want to fall for someone who reminds you of that and makes you better? THE BOYFRIEND CANDIDATE gave me hope, with incredible chemistry and an MC that truly has you rooting for her to find her confidence in life and love.

"No love was free: you had to constantly earn it, or else lose it."

Thank you Netgalley + Graydon House for the eARC and the chance to read and review this title early! Absolutely cannot wait to see the COVER, and already looking forward to her next book.

After getting dumped for being too people-pleasing (but too meek in bed *eye-roll*), shy school librarian, Alexis Stone, is on a mission to prove - for herself - that her ex was wrong by attempting to engage in a one-night-stand. With an alias of Ruby Dangerfield...she encounters Logan - a man who is not afraid to say what's on his mind with no regard to filters and foul language - yet a hotel fire puts a damper on "Ruby" and Logan's night. When news cameras arrive, Logan quickly scurries away leaving Alexis reeling. She is even more dumbstruck the following day, when Alexis discovers that Logan From-The-Bar/One-Night-Stand-Candidate is a gubernatorial candidate and a scandal bubble bursts in the wake of a photo from the fire evening emerges. The best way to navigate the scandal: pretend to date, obviously, at least until election day.
Told from Alexis's POV, this romance is a classic fake-dating-to-falling-in-love romcom. Alexis is endearing as a character and her growth throughout the novel is so empowering as she goes from meek school librarian to someone who is able to stand in her convictions. Logan Arthur does not want to get distracted in the middle of his campaign, but he can't seem to ignore his growing feelings for Alexis...but he can hide them! There are moments along the way that made me cringe from second-hand embarrassment, but overall, this was a funny book about Alexis finding confidence, realizing her worth, and learning to see herself from the eyes of her loved ones. Solid 4. I love a good book that is topical, funny, demonstrates character growth, shows women supporting each other, and has a librarian as the MC >.<.

I Loved this book. The writing was entertaining, but also really beautiful when Alexis and Logan were alone. As a librarian, I'm thrilled to see a librarian portrayed as something other than your typical stereotype. And i liked the side story of Alexis fighting for her fellow libs, and finding her voice! And Logan, well, he was a dreamy book boyfriend!

This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it.

I was hooked right off the bat, the chemistry between Alexis and Logan is off the chart. I have to say honestly though that I almost completely stopped reading the book at the half way point. I understand that there needed to be some major conflict but the situation with Lee/ Ben/Will honestly made no sense overall. With Lee and Ben being in the political arena too, it made the situation seem thoughtless. They both understand the ways things work, why would they have not just waited the couple months. I pushed through and finished, and the ending is wonderful. I wish we could have gotten a chapter or two with Logan's POV to just be icing on the cake.

Looking forward to the next book, which I am guessing will be Will's since he had such a part in this one.

I really loved Logan and Alexis story it was so fun to read and it was just a fun story in general I loved how he just gave her what she wanted and barely got mad at her and they basically fell in love at first sight

I wasn't immediately drawn to The Boyfriend Candidate and had not read any of Winstead's previous books, but when I saw the reviews from some of my other favorite authors (Abby Jimenez, Mazey Eddings, Jen Devon) I decided to give it a try. I'm happy to say I wasn't disappointed! Some of the other reviews mentioned their negative opinions of the poor political portrayal, but I just kept in mind this was a a work of fiction and didn't read too much into that part of the book - it wasn't anything outlandish that's for sure! I thought the scenes were funny, steamy, and the chemistry between the characters was spot on. I didn't realize this was part of series - so I'll definitely be looking up the previous books now.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, Graydon House for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Absolutely loved this newest Ashley Winstead romcom featuring the youngest Stone sister, Alexis. After trying to get over a bad break up she seeks out a one night stand to clear her mind and stumbles onto the perfect man, who turns out to have plenty of secrets of his own. Hilarious and tender and full of the classic banter we got in our first Stone sister romance, this one is on the exact same level!

Thank you to @netgalley, @harlequinbooks, and @graydonhousebooks for this review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Kicking the new year off right with Ashley Winstead’s forthcoming rom-com, 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙤𝙮𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚! This is a follow-up to last year’s 𝙁𝙤𝙤𝙡 𝙈𝙚 𝙊𝙣𝙘𝙚 (which I also adored!), but this time focusing on Lee’s younger sister, Alexis. We are back in Texas, and we kick the novel off with Alexis trying to find a one-night stand to take her mind off her (loser) ex-boyfriend. Insert meet cute and here comes our leading man, gubernatorial candidate Logan Arthur.

I mentioned that I loved Winstead’s earlier foray into the rom-com genre, but honestly? I loved this one even more! This has all the fun political vibes, but with a protagonist I identify more strongly with — an introverted, public school librarian with a need of a confidence boost.

I just adored Alexis and this entire story. I was happy to be back in the land of Lee Stone, who is a secondary character here, and all the friends from the earlier novel. But this one has a better love story (seriously, Logan — *swoon*) and one of my favorite tropes — fake dating.

Beyond this, there was a great sub-theme involving Alexis truly diving deeper through personal reflection to not only find her own passion (separate from her love interest) and learning more about her family. I really loved watching that part of the story unfold.

This was pure fun, start to finish, with heart in the middle. I loved the characters, I enjoyed the plot, and I finished it all in one day. I adored it.

Also, the acknowledgements/author’s note made me cry. So. 😭

If you loved 𝙁𝙤𝙤𝙡 𝙈𝙚 𝙊𝙣𝙘𝙚, you definitely want to pick this one up when it drops on May 9! Ashley, I love your rom-com books and I hope you keep writing in this space.

Cute, but I really had to roll my eyes at some of the political things because they were so unrealistic. I would be interested in seeing what Winstead writes in the future, but am not sure if I'd read it.

The Boyfriend Candidate by Ashley win stead published may 2023. When a meek librarian goes out for a one night stand. She ends up helping a possible candidate for governor of Texas. I did not like the female character at all. She tried to want you to believe she was meek and shy. But I felt she used this to make her pawn to help her self esteem. I was not cheering for a hea

I wanted to enjoy this but found both the main character and the love interest to be super annoying and one note. Not for me.

Loved the book; stayed up until 2:30AM to finish it. The characters were well developed and had an interesting journey. However the complication with Alexis goingl on a date with her sisters brother in law just didn’t make sense: that her sister would ask knowing what a risk it would be to Logan’s campaign and that Alexis would agree to go against their agreement not to date anyone else when they were in the homestretch of the campaign. I understand why the author used it to keep Alexis and Logan apart, but it was too out of character given the circumstances. I would still recommend it, though.

I love Ashley Winstead! She is a must read author for me now, This book definitely did not disappoint, I loved the main couple and I loved the ending!