📚 Faking Dating
🌊 He Fell First
📚 FMC is a Writer
🌊 MMC is a Tour Guide
📚 Beach Vibes
🌊 Small Town Romance
📚 Third Act Breakup
🌊 Summer Fling
🐢Sea Turtles🐢
🐎Wild Horses🐎

Aspen wrote a Bestseller on her first book. She is having trouble writing another bestseller like her first one. Aspen visited her sister at the beach town that she is staying for the summer. Aspen got this idea that would her help create another bestseller with the help from Brick Babel. Aspen made a deal with Brick in order for him to save his grandfather's legacy. Aspen and Brick started faking dating as inspiration for her new book. Aspen and Brick have great chemistry when real feelings develop. I love the scenes when they mention the wild horses and watching the sea turtle eggs. It was such cute moments they shared together. It was cute that Brick read her novels to have a better understanding of Aspen. I liked that Aspen realized that she became part of the community at the beach town more than when she lived in New York ever. I'm proud of Brick for considering his feelings before jumping back in like that. I'm happy for Brick and Aspen at the end.

I initially liked the synopsis of this book so I grabbed it when the arc became available but as I started to read, the premise just did not play out how I imagined. Aspen wasn’t the most likable FMC and her reasoning for the fake dating trope just didn’t seem like a sound idea. The MMC was wonderful and I developed a huge soft spot for Brick, the clearly misunderstood and mislabeled playboy of the small OBX town of Corolla. I did enjoy the beach setting and love the OBX so that was a bonus to the storyline. I wanted to like this one so much more than I did. I found myself frustrated more than anything with the plot lines and not really rooting for the FMC because of her flawed logic. The book did seem to turnaround at about 70% and I even found myself getting a little teary eyed when the angsty moments presented but at that point it was too little too late. This was a very predictable storyline with lots of unlikeable characters. But Brick and his neighbor store owners were highlights of the book for me and of course the beloved mutt Dug. I’m not sure if I’ll read the sequel.

Book of the Month wasn't for me. My biggest issue with this book was Aspen. To be frank, I couldn't stand her. I found her pursuit of Brick cringey. I didn't enjoy her interactions with him. I also wasn't a fan of how sexualized Brick was. It made the book feel icky. I simply didn't feel motivated to continue on and see what happened. This book felt super long and the descriptions were overdrawn. Thank you to NetGalley and Blue Box Press for the ARC.

This was such a cute book, I loved Aspen and Brick. I'm a sucker for fake dating and Brick was the perfect fake boyfriend. There were a few things in the book that nagged at me. For example he kept saying she was average/not the most beautiful girl but then he kept giving her compliments about her looks and it just seemed ingenuine. The ending also bothered me even though it ended up being HEA it just did not sit right with me. Overall, I enjoyed the book especially the romance and spice but it wasn't a 5 star for me because of the ending.

This book is a quick, easy read with a fun plot that keeps you hooked! I absolutely loved the ending and the chemistry between Aspen and Brick. I'm really looking forward to reading Kane and Sierra's story next. A delightful read for anyone who enjoys light romance with engaging characters!

This book was a quick, easy read, and I'm glad I read it! I love the Outer Banks setting, and the quips about romance books and tropes! I thought the pacing was done really well and I loved the ending. I didn't quite feel the chemistry between Aspen and Brick; it felt like their relationship moved very quickly in a way that I didn't quite understand. There were some aspects of the book that missed the mark a bit for me personally. I am curious about the next book/couple!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book prior to release date in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 ⭐️ This book was slow paced up until 30% in then the story quickly turned around for me and kept me engaged. The plot was very silly but drove the readers to understanding both Aspen and Brick’s recent life struggles. I would say the supporting characters really made the book for me as well as the details of the OBX scenery, giving small town vibes. I am looking forward to Kane and Sierra’s story.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jennifer Probst and her team for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

What a fabulous and fun book! I couldn’t put it down and read it over two days! It makes me want to read more of Jennifer Probst! Thanks for the advanced read!

Book of the Month was just okay. I always enjoy a love story, but this one felt flat with me. I’m not a fan of romances where the main character is a writer writing about love stories. It’s like the writer only knows anbout love stories. I also didn’t feel the love between Brick and Aspen. This wasn’t a bad book, but I certainly didn’t love it.

Aspen is the author of a best selling novel that fictionalizes her doomed love affair with her college professor. She dumped all of her pain and angst into the book and it resonated with readers because of its raw and real emotions. Her second two books were not even close to the success of her first and she believes that she needs to have another doomed love affair to write another great novel in the vein of her first. Her agent suggests that she get out of NYC for the summer…a change of location may spark her writing. She visits her sister in coastal North Carolina and sees an opportunity to put her plan into action. Brick Babel (I removed a star because of that terrible name!) has moved to the same town to take over his beloved grampa’s tourist business. In addition to inheriting the business, he also inherited a ton of debt and the business is stale, antiquated and failing. Unless he can get some capital quickly, the business with tank and Brick will have let down his grampa’s legacy but the business is so insolvent, no bank will give him a loan. Aspen see a perfect opportunity to help someone else and get what she needs too. She proposes to give the capital that he needs if he agrees to have a kinda fake relationship with her all summer that then break up with her, break her heart and she’ll be able to write about the pain….again. What could go wrong??

This is a quick, easy, laugh-out-loud, feel-good read that would be perfect for a fall night by the fire or a vacation poolside read.

Normally, with a romance book, I tend to find myself thinking "no one would actually say this" but I did not have that thought while reading BOOK OF THE MONTH. Probst does a great job at making Aspen and Brick such a sweet couple and realistic people, not just characters. There are so many tropes that the book touches on, but I am a sucker for a fake-dating trope.

I can't wait for the story behind Sierra and Kane next...

I really enjoyed this one! Aspen Lourde (great name!) is desperate to write another bestseller and thinks the only way to do it is to find a man to break her heart. Why? Because she's done it before. She wrote her debut novel, which was semi-autobiographical and an absolute sensation, after her fiance cheated on her and left her at the alter. She's published two additional novels since, but sales have not met expectations.

Enter Brick Babel (another great name!), local heartthrob and certified heartbreaker. He may be perfect? I feel like this man has zero flaws, and I am not mad about it. He also has a dog named Dug (yes, like Up!), which made me smile so big.

I absolutely adored watching these two fall in love and really appreciated the dual POV storytelling. I can't say much surprised me in this story, but I think it was well executed and was exactly what I wanted. I am 1000000000% ready for Sierra and Kane's story. BRING IT ON.

This was my first Jennifer Probst book, and I am excited to check out her backlist!

FMC Aspen Lourde is looking for inspiration for her next best selling novel. Her last book was based off her real heartbreak following a break up. Problem is, she currently has no dating prospects. So she decides to relocate for the summer and finds just what she is looking for, or so she thinks. Brick Babel is the local playboy and Aspen sets her sights on him. It's only when she finds out his business is in trouble and offers help in exchange for dating her that Brick shows any interest. Their fake dating leads to real feelings that further complicates the premise of Aspen's next book.

Aspen Lourde has a problem. Her first book became a smash bestseller but her next books haven’t attracted the same fierce devotion from her fans. And now her publishing career is at risk. After a change of scenery from the city to her sister’s home in a seaside community, Aspen has found the solution to write the perfect BOOK OF THE MONTH.
Because her first title was filled with romantic angst, Aspen knows a similar situation will be what she needs to strike gold again. And the town even has a resident bad boy with a reputation to love ’em and leave ’em.
Author Jennifer Probst excels at ruining best-laid plans.
Brick Babel, Aspen’s potential muse, is a beautiful character who is far from the one dimension that Aspen assumes. He has his own reasons to go along with her scheme. All goes well until life — and tender feelings — get in a way.
I must admit that, at one time, Aspen truly frustrated me, but we moved past that.
My big sister has told me for years that I need to read Jennifer Probst titles. Now I have no idea how I resisted for so long. Yes, my big sis was right. Probst is a terrific author who creates fun characters and situations that are a delight to read.

Want to extend your summer dreams? Luxuriate in that easy-breezy, carefree feeling that comes from a walk on the beach? This book is IT. Set on the Outer Banks? CHECK. A hunky MMC dedicated to caring for the wild mustangs and sea turtle hatchlings? CHECK. A female writer healing herself through writing? CHECK. A cast of wacky lovable side characters? CHECK. His efffusive support for her feminist dreams? CHECK. Oh, and don’t miss his hot dirty talk. Highly recommend, and I can't wait to read Sierra and Kane's story next!

I honestly could not connect to this story. It was more instantaneous than even the quickest insta-love. We went from a quick sighting of the MMC to full stalking and then coercion in basically one breath. Would have loved a bit more gradual build up. It continued to get more frustrating as the book went on and never worked out to be enjoyable for me

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

Jennifer Probst's Book of the Month is a delightful romance that hits all the right notes of humor, heart, and healing. The story follows a writer who’s desperate to recapture the magic of her first best-seller. Struggling for inspiration, she turns to the town playboy, hoping that a little heartbreak will do the trick. What follows is an emotional and witty journey as both characters confront their past traumas, navigate the complexities of their relationship, and ultimately challenge their own preconceived notions about love.

One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was the sharp banter and hilarious dialogue between the characters. Probst masterfully blends humor with deeper emotional moments, creating a narrative that is both heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny. The chemistry between the protagonist and the playboy feels natural and authentic, making their evolving relationship a joy to follow.

I also couldn’t help but sense that a sequel might be on the horizon, especially with the intriguing setup involving the sister. Overall, Book of the Month is an engaging read that romance fans will love, and I’m already looking forward to what comes next!

Sexy time in the Outer Banks. Aspen Lourde is desperate for another bestseller… and she'll go to any length to get it. Even if it means sacrificing her pride to chase the hottest bachelor in town and get him to break her heart… Aspen Lourde can't seem to produce another successful book, and the pressure's on to prove she's not just a one-hit-wonder. Without any fresh romantic turmoil to fuel her pen, Aspen needs inspiration quick enough to create a book her agent can sell to her publisher. So she escapes for the summer to the Outer Banks with a plan to live a story worth writing. Brick Babel is a romance novelist's dream: a local heartthrob with a reputation as wild as the horses running free in the town. He's everything Aspen needs for a muse kickstart—gorgeous, moody, and notoriously unattainable. A good heartbreak is exactly what she needs to meet her deadline and her agent's patience is growing thin.

But Brick refuses to play the game, rejecting all of her advances. When Aspen hears his tour company is on the verge of bankruptcy, she offers him a deal: fake a whirlwind summer romance, then ditch her, drama guaranteed. Desperate to save his grandfather's business, Brick agrees to the ridiculous deal. What starts as a contractual fling spirals out of control as lines blur and real feelings emerge. Brick's falling hard, and Aspen's rethinking her plot twist. The novel might be her ticket back to the top, but at what cost?

Book of the Month delivers an entertaining romance set against the stunning backdrop of North Carolina's Outer Banks. The setting is so beautifully and vividly described that I found myself wanting to pack my bags and visit immediately! Brick, the misunderstood hero, is a standout. The chemistry between Aspen and Brick is undeniable, leading to some steamy moments where Brick's take-charge attitude and dirty talk added spice to their romance. The secondary characters also shine, adding layers of fun, angst, and intrigue to the story. I'm excited to see where the story goes next, especially with Aspen's sister and Brick's best friend gearing up for their own romance in the future. If fake dating, dating the bad boy, small town romance is your thing, definitely pick up this book! I loved it.

"I may not be the one, baby. But I'm the lucky bastard here with you right now, and I'm not letting you go."

I normally hate fake dating with a passion. It never makes sense as to why they are doing it; it feels pointless to me. This one didn't feel pointless. Aspen, seeking to get her heart broken so she can write a decent book, ends up in a fake/real relationship where the point is to devastate her. The local "heartbreaker" (spoiler alert: he's not one) strikes a deal with her to get a loan for his tour business, but of course he ends up falling for Aspen in the process. It's swoony and delightful with some comedy gold.

Quick note: you're going to see a lot of masculine and feminine energy, and it is a lot. They're always smelling of something and sin, and my nose simply doesn't work that way. But when you're a mainstay in the genre like Jennifer Probst, you can get away with it. Enjoy the spice and the banter, especially if you're going on vacation soon. This is a good vacation read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Blue Box Press, and the author for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

2.5 stars for me

I think this book would have been better if it was written in dual POV first person instead of third person. I found the plot to be rather predictable and if I did not read as part of a buddy read with a friend who also got the ARC I may have DNF'd the book. I will not be continuing the series. Maybe, this book was not for me. I think the premise was interesting, which was why I requested the ARC. I was not able to get attached to the FMC. I did like the MMC, but still was not invested in their love story.