I was immediately drawn in by the intriguing title. After skimming the blurb, I decided to give it a try, and I’m glad I did. This novel shares a similar charm with Lucy Score's Knockemout series, but I found the storyline here to be more compelling and original. The concept of hiring someone to break your heart as a plot device for writing the next great novel was both unique and engaging.

Probst excels in developing her characters and avoids the common pitfall of dragging out misunderstandings. The central conflict is established early on: he was hired to break her heart, but the real question is whether he can follow through. This clear conflict keeps the story moving and adds depth to the romance.

I also appreciated that this book sets the stage for a series, promising more stories with characters introduced here. However, one aspect that initially disrupted my immersion was the characters' names. It took me a few chapters to get past the name choices. For example, the name "Brick" kept evoking the character from Anchorman, which made it difficult for me to take him seriously. Similarly, "Aspen" and "Sierra" felt a bit uninspired to me. Despite this minor hiccup, the overall experience was enjoyable, and I’m looking forward to the next installment in the series.

3.5 stars

Book of the Month is about Aspen, an author whose first book was a NYT bestseller, and Brick, the "bad boy" of Corolla. Aspen wrote her first book after having her heart broken by her then fiancee - who set met when she was his student. The two books that followed didn't see the same success and now that she's healed from that relationship, she wants to move on even as her fans and publisher are asking for a sequel. After her publisher suggests a change of scenery, she goes to visit her sister in the Outer Banks. Still not inspired, she believes the best way to get back into bestseller writer mode is to have her heart broken again. There is a support group for women who have been hurt by Brick so he seems like the best choice. Brick is uninterested in hooking up with women and just wants to save the business he inherited from his grandfather's. They come to an agreement - Brick will break Aspen's heart and she'll provide the funds for him to revitalize his business. But...Brick isn't quite the bad boy his reputation says he is and he really falls for Aspen. Will she chase true love or another bestseller?

I had a hard time getting into this book. While I understand Aspen's desire to create another bestseller, I found her methods immature and would expect more self realization from someone who admits to basically being alone in NY most of the time. I also didn't like her persistence when Brick was obviously not interested in speaking to her. Obviously, we wouldn't have gotten the rest of the story if neither of those things had happened and once they got together, I was much more invested. They had great chemistry and were able to help each other start to heal from previous relationships. I would have liked a bit more backstory with Aspen and her teacher and her life in NY. I liked that the story was told from both Aspen's and Brick's POVs because I think I would have felt differently about each of them if I wasn't getting insight into their thinking. I also really enjoyed many of the secondary characters - Kane and Maleficent were stand outs to me although one of my favorite scenes (and where I started to become more invested) was when Aspen was given pot brownies before her local book signing. I ended up really liking the book so I would recommend reading it, going in knowing that you may have to push through a bit in the beginning. I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series!

3.5 stars ⭐️ I enjoyed the storyline and plot of this book!
My reasons for deducting points:
1. The beginning felt too insta-love between our main characters. It felt too easy and unrealistic.
2. I did not like that we didn’t get any info on Sierra and Kane. We just breezed right past their introduction.
3. Zaney Zoo felt awkwardly inserted into the story.

I think the characters were done well otherwise.

This romance has a lot of feels and some adult heat on the way to its HEA. Aspen wrote a best-seller after she was traumatically dumped by her first love. Her next books haven’t done as well, and Aspen’s career as a writer may now depend on her writing another best-seller. She travels to OBX (the outer banks of North Carolina) to stay with her sister for a few months, hoping to battle writer’s block and find inspiration. Brick had moved to OBBX when he inherited his grandfather’s tour business. He’s struggling with finances for the dying business and dealing with baggage of his own, including a reputation with the women of OBX for being heartless. These characters reach a deal: Brick will be Aspen’s romantic muse for a few months so she can write another successful heartbreak story, and Aspen will provide him with the money he desperately needs to get his business on its feet. They find themselves developing genuine feelings, despite their expectations and initial agreements. This romance is well-written with very likeable characters. I was rooting for Aspen and Brick to find happiness together. I received an advance copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Not a huge fan of the romance genre, but this one had a good story that kept me reading. The premise of the book was intriguing - an author manipulating her circumstances in the chase to write the next big seller. That was the part that kept me hooked.

The usual tropes were there, which I guess is just part of the genre, even though it makes for a pretty predictable ending. And some of the parts, including "tagging" actual reader influencers, were very awkward to read. But perhaps part of that is because it's uncomfortable to think about the things authors have to do to sell their books these days, even when they're so well written like this one was.

It's definitely steamy, definitely an interesting and colorful cast of characters, and definitely set up for the sequel, which I will definitely be curious to read.

3.5 * I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author. For me this was a slow build but I became invested in how the characters would move forward. I thought the female protagonist being the financially secure successful character was an excellent choice. It flipped the normal romcom story line and I enjoyed the change. I also enjoyed the set of quirky characters and the way the author worked in the natural surroundings into the plot.

A new fan of Jennifer Probst. Read a few of her others and she’s hickory becoming a new favorite. Thanks NetGalley for an ARC.
Quick beach read. A romantic story with a twist. I’m hoping for a sequel.

This was a nice easy, quick beach read!

This story follows Aspen who is trying to get out of her writing slump and pen another bestseller. She goes to stay with her sister in North Carolina for the summer and decides to be able to write a good book, she must have her heart broken and chooses the hottest most unavailable guy in town, named Brick. You read that right. Brick. I almost have no words. Except I do. Because that name is dumb and ridiculous and I can’t believe I read an entire story where I had to read this as the MMCs name for 300+ pages.

So Aspen hires Brick to break her heart at the end of the summer and you can guess how this story goes. And you would be right. Brick is obviously just a misunderstood cinnamon roll. Albeit a hot one. And Aspen is not hot. And we are told how not hot she is numerous times throughout the story. She thinks it, Brick thinks it. Like we get it, Aspen has a really big nose, is not attractive, she’s not Brick’s type and he would normally never look twice at her. But there’s just something about her that this super hot guy is intrigued by, and it’s definitely not the cash money she’s throwing at him to save the failing business he inherited from his grandfather who died.

Also I’m not super familiar with book publishing, but it seemed highly improbable that someone who had just one amazing book was worth as much money as Aspen. Especially since she only released two other books, both of which apparently were garbage and didn’t sell well. My girl sold only 10 copies to the bookstore at her one book signing.

I mainly didn’t rate this higher because I really really dislike when stories infuse too much pop culture in them, and this book did way too much of it. Once you mention TikTok in your book, I’m out. Automatically won’t rate higher than 3 stars. But it was cute and quick and perfect as a palette cleanser book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

A fun romance with an interesting twist of an author trying to write a best seller by having a romance that ends in heartbreak. In the beginning I thought some of the descriptions were repetitive and not very original, but by the end, I was rooting for the couple to find their way together.

First book I’ve read by Jennifer but will definitely be checking out more from her. I really did enjoy Book of the Month! Loved the character growth of the FMC and the spice was perfect. It added to the story and didn’t overtake the plot. Overall, a solid 4 star read that I would certainly recommend.

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the ARC!

3.5 - 4 stars.
Thank you #netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this story.

I'll start by saying, I did enjoy this book. There was "something" lacking that didn't make me obsess over it like I thought/wanted to. The characters were all likable.

Jennifer Probst's *Book of the Month* is a triumph that will captivate readers from the first page to the last. With wit and emotional depth, Probst delivers a story that's both delightfully romantic and introspective.

Aspen Lourde, the once-celebrated author struggling to recapture her past success, embarks on a summer adventure in the Outer Banks to reignite her creative spark. Her choice of muse, the irresistibly charming Brick Babel, is both romantically walled off and desperate to save his family business. The dynamic between them is electric, fueled by a contractual arrangement that gradually reveals deeper, more genuine emotions.

As their story unfolds, Probst skillfully crafts their evolving relationship with a balance of humor, tension, and heartfelt moments that keep you eagerly turning pages. As the summer comes to an end, you’ll find yourself desperate for the answer to the question on everyone’s mind - will Aspen choose a best-selling sequel or a chance at true love? This novel is a must-read for fans of contemporary romance.

While I found some dialogue with some of the side characters falling a little bit flat, I couldn’t stop thinking about Sierra (Aspen’s sister) and Kane (Brick’s best friend). One moment between them in a bar immersed me into their story and the sneak peak of The Reluctant Flirt left me ready to pre-order the moment it’s available.

Aspen, our bestselling author FMC, is paired up with Brick the local heartthrob in this adorable romance. It's on the lower angst side of romance with really enjoyable characters that fit together. A beautiful, entertaining read!

I really enjoyed this book and am grateful for the arc! When I look back on the character development for Aspen and Brick, they really do turn from characters I am kind of annoyed with to fully rootable ones!

I liked the little glimpse into the publishing world & the nods to all the tropes we know and love in romance books. I can’t wait to read Sierra’s story next!!

Aspen is a bestselling author of a book that is semi autobiographical. Her next two books have tanked. Her agent needs a draft from her by the end of the summer. Aspen decides to leave Manhattan the summer and stay with her sister on the Outer Banks. While there, she decides that the only way to get her writing mojo back is the fall in love and be crushed at the end of the summer. Enter Brick, the local heart throb, who is down on his luck having inherited his grandfather’s bankrupt tour business. He needs an infusion of cash in order to survive and renovate the business. Aspen approaches him with a plan that will give him the money he needs, and the heartbreak she wants. I enjoyed the book; it was a cute premise. Some very steamy scenes. But interesting support characters help round out the main story.

Aspen has all this money and status, but she spends an excessive amount of time fixated on her next advance and book sales, which feels forced. The author seems to be aiming for the "my ex never believed in me, so I'm constantly chasing success" vibe, but it's hard to understand why Aspen obsesses over advances instead of whether she's genuinely popular. If she's this celebrated author whose sequel everyone's dying for, why does it feel like only her close circle actually wants to buy her book?

The repetitive dedication to something that just isn't working isn't just frustrating—it's exhausting. Why doesn't it occur to Aspen to give the fictional couple in her sequel a happy ending to fix their issues? Instead, we're stuck with, "Wow, this thing I'm doing isn't working and is making me miserable, so I'm just gonna keep doing it." It's a whole new level of "I hate this trope."

Also, how does someone live in NYC all their life and not know what "funny brownies" are? Aspen can discuss the "magical pussy challenge" without hesitation, but pot brownies are foreign territory? This kind of selective naivety feels wildly out of place.

Overall & Spice: ⭐️⭐️.5/5, 🌶️.5/5

This book felt like watching someone continuously make bad choices and expect different results. The ending might have been more satisfying if Aspen hadn't won him back and had to deal with the consequences of her actions. The whole "keep doing what's making me miserable" theme is officially my least favorite trope.

Recommendation:
This might appeal to those who enjoy angsty 'I'm not doing it cause I made up my mind' tropes and don't mind characters making questionable decisions. Otherwise, the pacing and character motivations might leave you feeling more annoyed than entertained.

Side note: The story's side romantic thread where Zane and Sierra finally meet in a painfully obvious "we've already met but don't want to talk about it" moment, making you question both Aspen and Brick's intelligence - maybe they all deserve each other?

First of all, I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. Thank you so much, Blue Box Press, for giving me this free ARC, and I am so excited to share this book. Last, I would like to thank Jennifer Probst for writing this creative book. I really love it, so I would love to read your other books.

The story starts with Aspen Lourde; she's a writer, and she writes the book Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover and other books. She's a funny and outgoing person. She'd just released a new book, but readers don't like it much. I think the book is kind of a rom-com, which I like.


As I read Chapter 1, we get to know better of Aspen and her life. She has a fiancé named Ryan, but it turns out Ryan left her at the altar to run off to California with her supposed friend and fellow classmate, and that's why she writes the book Fifty ways to leave your lover. I felt even more bad about Aspen because I think she's really a nice person, and that happened to her.

As the story goes by, she goes to her sister, named Sierra, to leave New York and live with her sister. I liked her sister because she's so friendly and funny, like they were really sisters. And then she went to this bar with her sister, where she first saw Brick Babel, a local who runs a tour place and the heartbreaker of Corolla. I searched where "Corolla" city is located, and it was located in North Carolina. I think it was a really nice place, and Corolla attracts mainly beachgoers, especially in the summer months.

I also read Brick's POV about how his grandfather runs a tour place and only inherited it from him. Now he runs the tour place, but it's not going well. The story went well, and it's written in 3rd POV, which is not bad. I think it's a medium-paced kind of book. I finally finished reading this book, and it was really good! It got me hooked on the story, and sometimes I find other chapters boring to read. There are also some spicy scenes, like maybe two or three open-door scenes, which is okay for me to read. I would totally recommend this book to read, so I will give this book 5 stars!

What would you be willing to do in order to find your own well of inspiration or the so called “muse”? If you are one of the lucky ones who does find it, you’ll probably do whatever it takes to secure it, right? But, what happens when circumstances change and it doesn’t work how it used to?

This story is what happens when you think you know what inspires you and somehow believe that it will work every time no matter what. Aspen Lourdes’s first ever written book was a best seller, it changed her life, but after writing the following two other books she is struggling to find the same success. Desperate to find what’s missing, she goes to visit her sister to the OBX and is there where she takes her destiny in her own hands by forcing a planned heartbreak by making a deal with the mysterious and unreachable Brick Babel whose reputation is exactly what she needs or so she thinks.

I personally enjoy the story, it helped me to understand all the stressful process behind the publication of a book. It brought a whole new level of respect for writers, agents, and publishers. We readers have the easiest job and when we write reviews we forget all the hard work behind it. Write honest reviews but be respectful. The idea is to give feedback to the writers while helping other readers be inspire or simply entertain by their stories. Good job with this one!

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC. This is my voluntary and honest review.

Probst does it again! Book of the Month is a stellar read. The story focuses on Aspen, a published author who sw debut novel was an instant bestseller; unfortunately her follow up novels have not sold nearly as well. In an effort to shake things up, she leaves her life in the city and heads to the shore hoping that a summer in the Outer Banks with her sister will help her writing. Opportunity comes in the form of Brick, a struggling business owner and rumored heartbreaker, the question is, what opportunities will Aspen seek? Full of wit and great characters, Book of the Month is an entertaining and heartwarming read.

This was a really fun read! Perfect for beach vacations or lazy weekends. I always love a book about books and/or writing so getting to know Aspen and her story was a treat. The setting in the Outerbanks was a character in itself and I love the series potential for this one!