Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review, and happy release day!!

When Aspen Lourde released "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover," it was an immediate success. But with her newest release, fans are less than thrilled and she is struggling to sell books.
Now, fans and her publishing company are begging for a sequel to "50 Ways" that is just as good or better.
Aspen can't seem to find any inspiration in New York City, so she decides to spend the summer with her sister in the Outer Banks. When she meets Brick Babel (yes that IS his actual name), the area's notorious bad boy and struggling tour company owner, she comes up with a plan to help them both: fake summer romance, heartbreak guaranteed, in exchange for money to help his business. Brick agrees, but the more time the spend together, the more the lines of the contract blur.
Will Aspen's fake relationship scheme help her write another best-seller? Or will she be just another one of Brick's heartbroken conquests?

What I liked:
🌊 The rules of the relationship were clear from the start.
🌊 Aspen's sister is protective and hilarious.
🌊 Brick's respect for Aspen and his need to have consent and be perfectly clear.
🌊 Aspen's need to fight for her man's honor.
🌊 The resolution.

What I didn't like:
🌊 Brick's name. Brick Babel. A man of little words who is built like a brick house. So silly.
🌊 The conflict. Aspen's reason for leaving was so weak.
🌊The pacing. It was a little slow at times.
🌊 The club for girls whose hearts Brick has "broken." So juvenile. Y'all got rejected. Grow up.

If you like books with fake relationships, grumpy heroes, and heroines who need a muse, then pick this one up. Bonus points if you like the OBX.

🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Loved the literary drama despite so many authors writing about authors (lol) and want to read more from this author!

Aspen thinks that she needs heartbreak to write the perfect book. What she doesn't understand is that sometimes love cures all.

I am not sure if I have read anything by this author before, but this book was a delight to read. There was tension, bargains, sizzling sex, and a HEA.

Aspen and Brick are perfect for each other, but it takes time for them to break down the walls. Actually, it is an agreement for Brick to break her heart at the end of the summer so she can break through the writer's block that she has at the moment. Or at least one that will let her write a book as good as her first that everyone raves about. I don't think Aspen realizes that just because one heartache wrote a spectacular book, it isn't necessarily the recipe for another blockbuster hit.

There are some great supporting characters in this book. I have to say that Marco endeared himself to me. He runs a souvenir-type shop and believes in the power of weed. But he also believes in romance. The Brick hating club is an interesting bunch. They claim to have been traumatized by his actions, but when it gets down to brass tacks, they admit that they don't have these horror tales that the ringleader wants to believe. And, of course, there is Sierra. She is Aspen's sister, and I am excited to see her getting her own book. There are hints and tension with Zane, Brick's friend, but we don't know the whole story. I can't wait to see what that is all about.

I enjoyed watching Aspen and Brick's relationship grow, hit some stumbling blocks, and come back together. It wasn't easy, but why be miserable when you can be happy?

And I suspected something about the doodling she did while writing. You will probably figure it out, too, once you read the book, but I'll leave you hanging there! 

I will definitely be checking out the next book with Sierra and Kane's story. There are so many characters that would benefit from their own book. I hope we see that!

We give this book 4 paws up.

I enjoyed reading Book of the Month by Jennifer Probst. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

Amy has worst luck with men, second thing is everywhere she goes, chaos follows her. She decided, that men are off limits. she learns that she is the reincarnation of Pandora.
Dante is the keeper of keys, when he meets Amy, he knows his purpose.
Wonderful storyline, enjoyed very much

I found this book both delightful and insightful to read.

Aspen Lourde wrote a bestseller after a rough breakup, but her last two books haven't done well, and her editor is pressuring her to write a sequel to her Debut Book, which is the last thing Aspen wants to do. So she decides to take the summer and visit her sister in the Outer Banks, NC, and figure something out. Her answers come in the form of one Sexy Tour Guide with a reputation for breaking women's hearts.

Brick Babel inherited his grandfather's tour guide business, which has been failing, but he has a deep desire to make it a success; all he needs is a large enough loan to get things rolling. So when he is approached by Aspen and her ridiculous idea, he can only give one answer, and he's not happy about it.

I loved this story, not only because of the relationship between Aspen and Brick but also because of Aspen's career. We all know actors and actresses are only as good as their last project, or at least that's what we hear constantly, but I never related that to an author as well. Sure, we have all read books from authors we LOVED and then were disappointed by some of their future work, but that doesn't mean it's not good; it just means our tastes have changed. I, for one, can tell that I have given a book two or three stars in the past and absolutely love the author's work now, and that's because, at that time, those books weren't right for me, but they are now. To see that Aspen was constantly being asked about her first book and not her more recent ones told me her editor and publisher were probably not targeting the correct audience with her newer projects. It also made me think about how often this happens to Jennifer Probst herself. Do people still ask about books she wrote over ten years ago, even though she has published many more since then?

Brick and Aspen work great together. I love how they see things so similar yet different and their chemistry—chefs kiss!

I recommend this book to readers who enjoy STEAMY Contemporary Romances, Grumpy/Sunshine Romances, or Fake Relationship Romances.

Happy Reading!!!

Thank you to the author, Blue Box Press and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Setting on this - the magical Outer Banks - was stellar. Everything else about this book was torture. Stereotypes abound, there is no depth to the characters, the writing is mediocre and the all-too abundant sex scenes are just pure cringe.

I liked this a lot!! While the aspen could be a little frustrating, I appreciated her growth. Brick was a hottie and I enjoyed their chemistry and it really cranked up for me once they started to connect emotionally. I also loved the side characters! Some convos/scenes got a little repetitive but it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the story. I'd definitely read the sequel with Sierra and Kane!! Overall this was a great romance with lots of heart and a good amount of angst. Would definitely recommend!

A writer, who is trying to entice her fans again by writing the next bestseller, and a heartthrob grump with a bad reputation, who is dodging bankruptcy after inheriting his grandfather’s tour business on OBX, come together come together in this fake-dating romance that is packed with heat and humor.

Jennifer Probst has created an emotional modern romance that immediately draws readers in. I found myself torn by choices made by both Aspen (the FMC) and Brick (the MMC). The levels of desperation and self-serving natures were a lot to work with. The chemistry, however, was on point. Thank you, Brick! Bonus for me was the setting in my home state of NC. I wanted to hop on over to the Outer Banks and enjoy tours of the area, including spotting some wild horses. I couldn’t help but think about Sanctuary Vineyards and their Wild Pony White blend.

Thank you, NetGalley, Jennifer Probst, and Blue Box Press for sharing this ARC. It was a great escape to the beach!

This book was good but honestly I got kind of bored and had to force myself to go back to the book. I am glad I did because I enjoyed it, but I don't know if I will be rereading.

This book is as melodramatic as it gets. The romance felt forced (which is kind of the point) and I did not especially care for the MMC. He was capital-B Boring. Prose was fine. There was so much sex though. Hard to believe these two fell in love when all they did was eat food together and fuck each other. The end was so melodramatic that I actually rolled my eyes a couple times. A sequel was set up with two side characters, but I will not be reading it.

Aspen doesn’t want to be a one hit wonder author. Her first book was hugely successful but she can’t seem to write another book that inspires the same degree of excitement among readers. The first book was inspired by her own life’s disastrous heartbreak. Readers are asking for a sequel. She needs inspiration so she decides to head out of New York and stay with her sister for the summer. Brick (?) is the local man everyone warns you about. He’s the classic love ‘em and leave ‘em type. Aspen decides he’s the man she needs to kick start her next novel but he is not interested in her games. When she hears that his company needs financial help she decides to offer him a deal. All he needs to do is fake a relationship with her and then dump her dramatically and she’ll write the book about it. When things start to get real, what will Aspen do? Is her book more important? An interesting story that took a while to warm up too.

Book of the Month by Jennifer Probst was a good contemporary fiction story.
I was so excited to open this book up. The description and cover art pulled me.
I enjoyed this story a lot. The characters were so interesting and kept me glued the pages.
Set in the Outerbanks, this book had a charming, small-town feel.
I will definitely be looking for her previous titles in the future.

Thank You NetGalley and Blue Box Press for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

A struggling author tries to write her next bestseller by putting herself out of her comfort zone in Book of the Month by Jennifer Probst. Follow Aspen as she ventures from NYC to spend the summer in the Outer Banks - she goes to find writing inspiration, but she gets more than she bargains for. Highly recommend grabbing this book!

This is a tough one for me. I generally really enjoy Jennifer Probst's books but this one left me feeling...distant? I can't seem to come up with the right word. The premise is one I usually enjoy, books about books, books about authors. I had the most difficult time connecting with either main character from the beginning. Of course, I am not an author so this author would know way more about the thought process of an author and trying to remain relevant in the book world. Aspen felt very desperate and Brick, not desperate enough? I don't know exactly what it was. I tried to step away for a bit and come back to it. It DID get better for me and I enjoyed the locale (OBX) and the side characters (Kane, Marco, Sierra) quite a bit.

I grabbed this book on a whim, intrigued by the idea of a romance with a writer at the center—because who doesn’t love that? Aspen Lourde, feeling stuck and out of ideas, heads to her sister’s place in the Outer Banks for the summer. That’s where she crosses paths with Brick Babel, the town’s misunderstood bad boy. But is his reputation really deserved? Between dune tours, baby turtle rescues, and writer events, their “no strings” deal turns into something more than either of them planned.

It’s a sweet, breezy summer read. While I didn’t totally click with all of Aspen’s quirks, I loved her optimism and really related to her struggle with imposter syndrome. She makes some questionable choices, but they all come from a good place—and that’s what makes her such a relatable character.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Blue Box Press!

Book of the Month is Jennifer Probst’s latest book release, and this one definitely is going down as one of my favorite books for the year (2024). I loved everything about it that I could gush over this book, but I promise to keep my review short. (at least try to)

After reading Book of the Month, I need to visit the Outer Banks again. It was one of my favorite places to visit when I used to live in Virginia Beach. The areas that Jennifer mentioned and the donuts the characters purchased and ate in the book brought back so many memories. I may very well be taking a summer trip with my family up there again soon, and it’s all thanks to the book. Maybe I’ll run into Brick Babel and Aspen Lourde while I’m there. (If only they were real characters.)

This book follows Aspen Lourde, a romance author struggling to write her next best-seller. Seeking inspiration, she stays with her sister in the Outer Banks. During her visit, she encounters the notorious ladies’ man, Brick Babel. Hoping he can ignite her creativity, Aspen asks him to engage in a pretend relationship so he can share his techniques for charming women and making them fall madly in love with him—only to break their hearts afterward. Aspen believes if she feels the same way those women felt, then she can write her book, especially since her last best seller was all due to her breakup with her previous relationship. Meanwhile, she also aims to help Brick save his grandfather’s business.

Even with this book being written in the third person, I felt sympathetic for both Aspen and Brick. Aspen and her struggle of being able to write her next book, especially give her readers what they wanted, and Brick’s struggle with keeping his grandfather’s legacy alive while also dealing with women gossiping about him. It was like these two characters were meant to meet one another and help each other, especially since both were dealing with broken hearts. Brick may come off as grumpy at first and a player, but once you get to know the real Brick, you will fall hard for his character. I loved how he took on the pretend relationship with Aspen, even if he knew what the outcome was in the end. I loved how Aspen was finding herself and realizing what she truly wanted out of life.

I could gush about this story, but my review will get even longer. Just know that this book is an emotional rollercoaster, and you’ll be rooting for Aspen and Brick’s relationship to be real instead of pretend. I loved the chemistry of these two, and I loved how Brick showed Aspen how she should have been loved. (Brick may very well be your new book boyfriend after you get to know the real Brick.) Their dates that were supposed to be fake were absolutely adorable and I can see why these two started falling for each other.

The ending of this book did make me angry at first, but any author who can make my emotions go haywire is an amazing writer. From the beginning to the end, I was engaged in the story of Aspen finding her writing inspiration again and Brick saving his grandfather’s business while also rooting for these two to realize they were in love with one another.

Overall, this book is definitely going to be one of my favorites this year, and I wish I could give it more than five stars. I look forward to reading more books from Jennifer Probst and can’t wait to read Aspen’s sister’s book next. =)

Single/Dual POV: Dual POV (Third Person)

Standalone or Part of Series: Standalone

Would I recommend this book? Yes. I recommend this to readers who enjoy sweet, funny, small-town romances and want a book that makes them want to visit the beach. Yes, you will definitely want to visit the beach after this book, especially when it’s based in the Outer Banks.

What to Expect:
💙Small Town Romance
💙Grumpy/Sunshine
💙Fake Relationship
💙Slow Burn Romance

4.5 STARS: This excellently written book with fully-fleshed characters is a mixed bag for me. Of the two MCs, Brick proved to be a complex, complicated and perfectly written character that I fell in love with. I loved the trio of young goofs who run the shop next door to Ziggy's. I even liked Aspen's tough older sister, Sierra. (And I really loved Dug - that mess of a dog!) I wanted to love Aspen, but I didn't quite get there. Her stubbornness showed itself early on and only intensified as the story progressed. Her inflexibility and how badly she hurt Brick really bothered me. Brick - who is a pretty perfect mix of smart, sweet, vulnerable and hot - will stay with me for long while. That he forgave Aspen "fits" and Brick may be just the guy who can completely let it go and trust Aspen. Eternal optimist that I am, I'm moving forward imagining that Aspen will always put that sweet man first and picture them living their beautiful HEA! This angst-filled book gives readers plenty of snarky humor, steamy times and heartbreak. I do recommend.
WHAT I LOVED: Entertaining-Funny-Romantic-Steamy-Witty-Wonderful Characters-HEA

I received a complementary copy of this book and am voluntarily providing my honest review.

Probst’s latest offering has it all. A broody bachelor who finds himself in a financial pickle, a desperate heroine, a stunning small-town beach setting sea fauna and villager busybodies included; just enough steaminess and a generous amount of laugh-your-socks-off scenes to keep you stuck to the pages.

Interestingly, the author’s story is about a writer who mentions the qualities a romance novel should have. However, Aspen is a realist; gets her ideas from personal experience, and a true-to-life happy ending is something she has yet to have. With only one bestseller in which she refers to her muse–an ex-fiancé in Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover, the two following novels were flops. So, she needs to get her mojo back and wow her readers with that one heart-wrenching Book of the Month. Yes, the title is spot on, and the premise intriguing, so I couldn’t wait to see how Aspen would pull her next novel off.

Her modus operandi is to get Brick, the town’s presumed ladykiller to fall head over heels with her at a price attached, and well, the question is if either of them would get hurt when the win-win arrangement reached its expiry date. Although the story is pretty well-paced and pure escapism, a scene or three baffled me, especially seeing that I’d worked some of their issues out before they did. But, I’m glad I went with the flow.

Brick was an unexpectedly delightful guy I connected to easily. On the other hand, Aspen came across as needy, and there were moments when her actions frustrated the pants off me. That said, not only was I taken with her towards the end and there’s a good reason why I changed my opinion, but I also enjoyed everything behind the book publishing process and the pressure it causes.

A mutt you can’t help adore, secondary characters that’ll make you sit back and think about, this easy-to-read fake dating novel is worth a one-click.

I gratefully received the ARC from Blue Box Press and the opinions expressed are my own.

This is my first time reading Jennifer Probst’s books - and I am thankful to NetGalley for an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I really loved this story. It was very interesting seeing how Aspen was trying to get out of her writing slump. The plan was unique, and the possibility of it not working was always something she had to consider. Brick had his own reasons for agreeing to Aspen’s plan but the possibilities of him getting caught up in the actual performance was a whole different story for him to deal with! I loved how they figured out what was part of the deal and what was real in the end. I recommend it.