This is a book about Aspen Lourde, a best selling romantic author living in New York. She is an author and is suffering from writer's block. She goes to spend time with her sister who lives at the beach in hopes that it will inspire her to write another best selling book She then crosses paths with Brick Babel, one of the most talked about town bachelor. Sparks start to fly. Aspen gives Brick an offer he can't refuse and the fake dating relationship begins. But what starts out as fake suddenly turns real.
This book is heart warming and packed with lots of emotion.

Thank you to Netgalley and Blue Box Press for this advanced copy.

I give it a 3.5 stares

A book about books.... yes please!
A wonderfully written, captivating read, with a storyline I easily lost myself within.

Intriguing premise as as author has reached writers block for her next great novel! She trying to follow in the heels of a best seller and needs heartbreak inspiration.
Enter Brick, a womanizer, but he refuses to pretend to be her love and then break up. However, to save his family business, he needs to money. What can go wrong?
Set in the Outer Banks, Aspen soon finds she gets more than she bargained for in this romantic romp.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

I really loved this romance. The chemistry between Aspen and Brick was amazing and I love a HEA!! I also enjoyed learning more about the world of book publishing so that aspect kept my interest throughout the story. I can't wait for the next book in the series!

Aspen's latest book does not have the success of her first. She wrote that quickly after suffering a terrible betrayal and break up. She decides to visit her sister for a change of scenery. When she meets Brick and learns of his reputation she decides he is just what she needs to write her next blockbuster. Her plan doesn't go a expected, discovers a place she falls in love with and that there is more to Brick than his supposed reputation, She has a hard decision to make. Book or Brick? Which will she choose?

Aspen and Brick are single people in town and she strikes up a deal with him. They both get something out of the deal but they definitely get more than they bargained for! The chemistry between them is off the charts and I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop once all the cards were on the table. No pressure! I really enjoyed this read.

**Review of *Book of the Month* by Jennifer Probst**

Jennifer Probst's *Book of the Month* is a delightful and engaging read that beautifully blends romance and self-discovery against the stunning backdrop of the Outer Banks. The story follows Aspen Lourde, a once-celebrated author struggling to replicate her previous success. As she grapples with writer's block and the pressure of expectations, she embarks on a summer adventure that promises not only inspiration but also a chance to find herself.

Aspen's quest for a new bestseller leads her to the enigmatic Brick Babel, a local heartthrob whose wild reputation makes him the perfect muse. Their initial arrangement—a fake summer romance—sets the stage for an entertaining exploration of love, vulnerability, and the fine line between fiction and reality. Probst masterfully captures the tension and chemistry between Aspen and Brick, creating a dynamic that keeps readers invested in their journey.

The writing is sharp and witty, with Probst’s trademark humor shining through. Aspen's determination to chase her next big story, even at the risk of her heart, adds a layer of complexity to her character that is both relatable and inspiring. As the plot unfolds, the stakes rise, and the characters must confront their own feelings and fears, leading to poignant moments of growth and revelation.

What I particularly loved about *Book of the Month* is how it transcends the typical romance narrative. It’s not just about finding love; it’s about understanding oneself and embracing the unpredictable twists of life. The themes of identity and resilience resonate deeply, making this book not only entertaining but also thought-provoking.

Overall, *Book of the Month* is a charming, heartfelt read that will leave you laughing, swooning, and contemplating your own story. Jennifer Probst has created a captivating tale that celebrates love in all its forms while reminding us that sometimes the best stories come from the unexpected chapters of our lives. This book is a must-read for anyone looking for a refreshing romance with depth and warmth!

Book of the Month by Jennifer Probst
#romcom 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Great banter. Great characters. Even the supporting characters are great. This looks like it's going to be a series bc JP is already working on what looks to be focused on the sister of this FMC, Aspen. Yes, most of the characters have no traditional names in this book. But at least they are easy to pronounce, unlike fantasy names. Lol.

This book is about Aspen and Brick. They have a deal that he will make her fall in love with him and then break it off to break her heart. So she can write her next best selling book. YES, this premise is a bit ridiculous, thus why it lost a 1/2⭐ from me. But this is a romcom. So we all know it's doable. 😂 BUT we also all know how this one is going to turn out. Predictable. And I can't usually predict stories well. Bye-bye to another 1/2⭐.

ALL OF THAT SAID... this surprisingly spicy book was really great! Loved the dialogue. The side stories that we know will someday be their own main stories. And funny thing is that there are lots of great ideas for marketing a business in this book. I will definitely choose another book by JP!

#blueboxpress #netgalley
#bookofthemonth #jenniferprobst

This one was an unexpected surprise, and now I’m most definitely a fan! It’s my first book by this author. Now I’m looking for more!

Aspen is a writer, a successful one by any yardstick, but now she’s chasing her next bestseller. Her first book was a huge hit, and she followed it with two more novels that were well-written, but they seemed to fall flat. When she goes to her book signings, the readers are asking for a sequel to the first offering. Her agent, her editor, her publisher are all encouraging, pushing, and pressuring her for the same thing. In desperation she leaves her apartment in New York City and goes to stay with her sister who lives in the Outer Banks. She devises a plan that she believes will lead her to be able to have the heart necessary to pen a sequel that will satisfy everyone, especially her self, but it involves getting her heart broken. She thinks she can endure this, but oh boy! She bites off more than she can chew.

This covers so much growth, experience, hurt, and love! I don’t want to spoil anything, but it’s a tale that I loved and Aspen is a very endearing character. There’s a small plot line about another endeavor that I really liked and a teaser for another book featuring Sierra, the sister.

Can you tell I loved it? 4.5 stars! Highly recommend!

A great story by Jennifer Probst! I couldn’t stop reading once I started. I enjoyed these characters and going on their journey.

I voluntarily reviewed this book.

Book of the Month had all the elements I usually love: it’s a book about books, dives into the publishing world, has a fake dating trope, and explores themes of grief for both main characters. On paper, this should have been a win for me. But in execution, it felt more like a Hallmark version of what it could have been. The story touched on their grief and struggles, but it didn’t go as deep emotionally as I’d hoped, and everything seemed to fall into place a bit too easily.

Aspen and Brick were likable characters, and I enjoyed the premise of their staged romance, but their connection felt rushed, and the romance didn’t have the emotional depth to make it feel truly real. For readers who enjoy light, feel-good romances, this book could be a great fit. For me, it was an entertaining read, but I found myself wanting more complexity and depth to fully connect with the story.

Reviewed for NetGalley:

I honestly did not like the main character, Aspen, and the lengths she would go for her next novel.

I would have much rather had the entire story in Brick's perspective, as I found him endearing and likable.

As a big fan of books centered on authors, I was thrilled to dive into this one. With a struggling writer, a picturesque North Carolina beach town, and a charming local trying to save his family business, it seemed to have all the right ingredients. And there were some standout elements—I really enjoyed the male main character (Brick) and the delightful business owners next door.

However, the story didn’t quite deliver as I’d hoped. I found it difficult to connect with the female main character (Aspen) and struggled to understand her motivations. The premise of her needing to live out every fictional situation before she could write about it felt like it undervalued the role of imagination in the creative process, making her actions feel forced. There seemed to be a dozen ways she could have solved her problem that didn’t involve hiring someone to break her heart. Additionally, a few plot points felt unresolved, leaving loose ends that left me wanting a more cohesive ending.

While there were some enjoyable aspects, I ultimately finished this book feeling underwhelmed.

Aspen needs to write a sequel to her best selling novel Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover - quick! So she hires the local bad boy, Brick to be her muse. Lots of witty banter and plenty of spice lead to love and now Aspen has to make a choice…love or her book. Really enjoyed this story and all the characters. Set in Outer Banks the connection with nature felt real.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

As a reader I love anything with a reader or author. Seriously it feels so right.

This was my first book by Probst and I really enjoyed it. The author did a great job with descriptions and details of the setting. I felt like I was in The Outer Banks (minus John B). I love any romance story with a sense of community which this one contained!

I am not a fan of the FMC. She just gave me the ick, but we love Brick.

This was a fun! It was nice to keep it sunny and summery while it gets cold outside. I think the setting really is the best, and she was great at describing it, making it feel like a character on its own.
The story was sweet and spicy, funny and heartfelt. It was the perfect summer read, or book to keep you warm for the upcoming winter!

This was a delightful read and now I want to go to the Outer Banks and see some sea turtles hatch. Brick and Aspen are great characters with a fantastic cast of secondary characters to provide some laughs. How can fake dating ever go wrong? My only question is, did he pay the money back because he broke the rules.

Jennifer Probst's "Book of the Month" is a captivating romance novel that follows the story of two strangers who are brought together by fate. As they navigate through unexpected challenges and confront their pasts, they discover a deep connection that transcends time and space.

The author skillfully weaves together themes of love, redemption, and second chances, creating a touching and heartfelt narrative that will resonate with readers. Probst's vivid descriptions and well-developed characters make it easy to immerse oneself in the story and become emotionally invested in their journey.

Overall, "Book of the Month" is a beautifully written and emotionally engaging novel that explores the complexities of human relationships and the power of love to heal and transform. It is a must-read for fans of contemporary romance and those looking for a heartwarming and uplifting story.

Book of the Month is a summer rom-com that takes place in OBX. Aspen Lourde is desperate for another bestseller and terrified of becoming a one book wonder. Though she’s published other books since her debut they have not had the same success. In a final Hail Mary attempt to recapture that first book magic she decides she must get her heartbroken again to tap into those emotions that led to the success of her debut.

Aspen heads to OBX to visit her sister for the summer and she soon meets the town bad boy, the ultimate heartbreaker. She convinces him to enter into a contract with her to break her heart but along the way their emotions start to take over.

This was adorable and I loved the characters, love story and setting. Thank you to Blue Box Press and NetGalley for my copy; all opinions are my own. Out now!

Thank you to NetGalley, Blue Box Press, and Jennifer Probst for providing this advance reader copy (ARC) of the book. My honest review is below.

I have a headache. Trying to like a book because you like the authors previous work is exhausting. I've picked it up and put it down several times and just can't get into the characters. I don't find Aspen likeable, she's a neurotic mess with no discernable moral compass. Her pursuit of Brick as a way to get a book out of a relationship is bad, that she wants a bad relationship is worse. Brick may be handsome but he's not likeable either. Surly and disinterested in most things going on around him and he's not nice to his dog. How these two characters are supposed to come out smelling like roses is a mystery. I skipped to the end to see if I was just being picky but no, it's a cliché that doesn't ring true. My opinion is the book is a mess from page one.

#BookoftheMonth #NetGalley #JenniferProbst #BlueBoxPress