3 stars

I read this book and had really high hopes to be the amazing and different romance book. I did overall enjoy it but nothing about it stood out to me. I really enjoy the setting being in Corolla/OBX because I just visited there this summer and it felt like I was revisiting. I thought the romance was just fine but again, nothing that really stood out to me.

4🌟
Firstly, the cover is sooo pretty.
The concept was something I loved.
I love that the FMC was an author herself and she could show us the struggles that come with it.
I loved the way they connected and the way MMC loved the FMC.
The conflict, after a long time, felt valid in a book and that's the biggest plus point for me.
I will definitely read the next book in this series because i am so excited for the romance hinted in this one.

Thank you to GetRedPR and Blue Box Press for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

This title is certainly apt. Book of the Month features Aspen, an author whose first book made all the lists and became an amazing bestseller. But her subsequent two novels haven't been received as well, and the future of her career is in jeopardy. Since her first book was semi-autobiographic about a failed love affair, Aspen determines she must again seek heartbreak in order to improve her writing.

I found this concept absolutely fascination. I love books that highlight the process of writing, and this was great. Both in terms of the plot and the structure, it was almost like we were reading the book as the FMC was writing it. And simultaneously, I kept guessing what would happen next and if the plot she scripted would match what in its conclusion.

I loved the MMC, Brick. He initially presents as the pretty heartbreaker and town bad boy. But his character doesn't match his reputation at all. And I also appreciated the greatly nuanced side characters, the beauty of nature including wild horses and sea turtles, and the love of the environment.

This book showed such depth and character growth. I am so, so, so excited for Sierra and Kane's story next.

3.75 stars

Book of the Month by Jennifer Probst
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶

Aspen is a famous author, but two of her three books are a flop, and she knows it's because her first book was a trauma dump built from an epically failed relationship. The only cure? Get her heart demolished again.

Brick is desperately trying to overcome his reputation as the local heartbreaker while trying to save his late grandfather's failing business.

Obviously, the only solution is for Aspen to pay Brick to woo her and then break her heart. Right? 🙄

Cringy premise aside, I actually loved this book. Brick is adorable, sweet, and charming without actually trying. Aspen is tolerable if you get past her weird obsession with forcing heartbreak to find her muse. The side characters are quirky and intrusive and feel like the townsfolk from Gilmore Girls, so if you loved that show, you'll love them.

This was such a great read! I usually don’t choose books with dual points of view, but I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of cringe inducing anecdotes… anywho… please read this if you want a rom com reminiscent of the spectacular rom coms of the 90s/2000s. I’ll be looking out for more from Jennifer Probst in the future!!

Thank you net galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

I have enjoyed a few books by Jennifer Probst and I was not disappointed. I have been visiting OBX since 1981 so I loved the setting so much. It was like another main character in the book. It was a fun enjoyable read, with a slight twist on the fake dating to romance trope. I was slightly put off by the desperation of the main character that she was so willing to just turn her back on love to write a book. Maybe because I have never been that desperate to achieve a goal I couldnt relate. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

✨3.5/5✨

🐢🏖️📖🐶

This book is something I needed to help me keep things light and airy as fall comes. Okay here it goes:

We get to see our characters fall in love, yet always one foot in and out and it hurts to see them go through their story knowing what will happen in the future. I enjoyed the beginning where we see Aspen and Brick fight their attraction for one another, seeing them bounce off one another.

Aspen, who’s a writer in a slump, often goes into detail about her struggles in the industry and the expectations to perform. To bare her soul all the time. Brick struggles with others perception of him, and shelters himself from the hurt it has caused him over a nasty rumor.

Overall, I enjoyed the story for what it was meant to be. I wasn’t expecting a deep profound story on love and romance. I found myself captivated by the side characters, and the fun personalities they had that made the story quirky.

The beginning almost lost me, with Aspen being really pushy towards Brick, acting like a dude who doesn’t know when to quit. I kinda wanted to bang my head a couple of times with how Aspen can be. The voices! The voices! The dog is weird. The ending had me a little torn and iffy.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for a review.

(solid 4⭐️ read!!)
This was such a fun and perfect end of summer read! I mean who doesn’t love an OBX, beach house setting?? It took me a little bit to get into in the beginning but once I was there, I was hooked! I loved all the characters (protect Marco at all cost!) and found some genuinely funny moments. Some scenes even had me giggling and hiding behind my hat. However, it did lose a point for the ending, I felt it to be a bit too forced and cringe. Overall, I loved the vibe and enjoyed reading it. Can’t wait to continue and read Kane and Sierra’s story next!

Thank you to NetGalley, Blue Box Press, and Jennifer Probst for the gifted copy for an honest review! ◡̈

Two people with similarities, both having problems with their business, both needing to discover their self and get rid of lingering doubts and low esteem.

Set in a great location, Probsts writing style is on point. While at times, the drama seemed a little unrealistic, I guess it's a fiction!!

A solid 3.5*s

#netgalley #BookofTheMonth

Book of the Month is easily the most meta book I’ve read in a long time.

Aspen is an author trying not to be a one hit wonder. She wrote her hit book as a result of deep betrayal and heartache and she’s convinced she needs that to happen again in order to write another bestseller. Enter Brick, the local tour company owner who has the worst rap in town. No one knows the business is tanking. Turns out, Aspen may have a plan to help them both.

My biggest takeaway from Book of the Month was that each and every one of us has the strength and ability inside us to be successful. The problem is, we’re all getting in our own way - doubts, fear, comparison, letting other’s opinions tank our self esteem. These things are all true for both Aspen and Brick. The potential is there, but they’re in their own way.

This book is full of growth and self-discovery and it is highly relatable at it’s core. Not only did I hope for the best for Aspen and Brick, by the end I was rooting for every single character in this book.

Thank you to GetRedPR for the opportunity to read this book. The review expresses my own opinions.

Fake dating? Yes, please! Jennifer Probst writes a cute, emotional journey for the two main characters. While their fake relationship has some real feelings, it is hard for them to trust what they feel after setting up their fake dating agreement. They had some very sweet moments, but unfortunately, I missed some of the connection to the characters. That being said, Book of the Month was a solid 3.5 stars for me. The behind the scenes to book publishing was interesting!

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

This one is one of the tougher books for me to rate. It was an easy read with a great setting, fun characters, and good premise. For some reason, I just didn't connect with the story as much as I expected. Some parts felt far fetched and I just couldn't really believe that these characters were making the choices that they did make - sometimes it seemed SO obviously wrong. I know there are tons of people out there who will love this and I think I might have a more favorable opinion if I was laying on the beach in Outer Banks reading this. I just know that I read and loved some of Probst's other books and I connected a bit better (which...after reading this story I feel terribly guilty writing in this review :))

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

If you enjoy small town, slightly meta romances this is the story for you. Aspen and Brick’s romance might have been built on false pretenses but you can see how their relationship grows, becomes real, and they start to support each other in both love and business. Perfect for reading on the beach! Thank you to NetGalley and Blue Box Press for the ARC.

I was unfortunately unable to finish this book after about 25%. While I really liked the description and enjoyed the start of this book, the further along I got, the harder time I had staying interested. I didn’t really connect with the characters and had trouble with the dialogue.

While it was not for me, I know that there will be plenty of readers who will enjoy this one!

4.5 stars. I am a big fan of this author. I loved Aspen & Brick. They are such awesome characters. Their chemistry was sizzling and could not be ignored. I am a big fan of the fake romance trope because it always ends up becoming so real. The reason for the start of this fake relationship was so different from any I’ve ever read, which made it awesome! I just loved this story so much.
The characters are all awesome and it was very easy to relate to them and love them. Some of the ensemble cast are charming and funny.
Brick has a bad rep around town with the ladies. And that is pretty much the draw for Aspen to proposition him to date her while she is staying there so he can break her heart and she can get fuel to write her next book. But you know the best laid plans and all that.
This is a very enjoyable and entertaining story!

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a great read! I liked the character arcs and the plot overall.

After the first chapter and getting used to the character this book ended up being a pretty quick read for me. I enjoyed the setting, the goals and backgrounds on the characters but would have much more preferred to be shown instead of just being told about the scenes. It made it feel quite detached.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions in this review are strictly my own.
Aspen is a writer who has suffered writers block. Her first novel was a huge best seller a d her books since then have been so-so. She doesn't want to write a sequel to the first book but her fans and publisher is pushing hard for that to happen.
Aspen was heartbroken and angry when she wrote the first book.and has now decided she must go through all of that hurt and emotions again to write another great book.
Aspen decides to stay with her sister foe the summer and have a summer affair and get her heartbroken again so.she can write what her fans want.
Brick is known for being a womanizer and major Heartbreaker. Aspen sets her sights on Brick. They enter into a contract for the summer. He'll date her and she'll help him save his struggling tour business.
Needlessly, both Aspen and Brick got more than they bargained for.
A fun read about healing, hurt, romance and finding yourself..

3.5/5
Thank you @getredprbooks #partner for the gifted copy of this book!

What would you do to get over your writers block? Well Aspen has just the plan! Aspen’s first book was a number one hit, off the charts, top published book and that’s because she based it in her real life heartbreak. Since swearing off that situation she’s not been able to get the same emotion written into her next book due to not having this real life emotion! The best was she can rectify it is to take off for summer vacation to the outer banks, fake date (via a contract) and local hottie named Brick, fall in love and then force him to break up with her! 🤣 The local stud is actually in need of some cash since his business is going under so he hesitantly agrees. Love seems to come easy but the break up is even harder!

I thought this was such a fun summer romcom book! Aspen and Brick had some good banter and chemistry after Brick got over being so grumpy! I liked Bricks character and how he really tried hard to fill the shoes Aspen gave him. He ended up being sweet and I enjoyed his character the most! Although I really don’t think anyone would actually draw up a contract like this it was still funny to watch play out and the author proves why something like this would be a bad idea IRL! I had a little bit of a love hate relationship with Aspen because of her attitude at times but she had some funny moments that made me chuckle. Overall, this was a fun one and I can’t wait to see what Jennifer comes up with next!!

This was such a fun book, with a very unique and different type of fake dating (Which is one of my favorite tropes!) I enjoyed reading about Aspen's process as a writer and loved her introverted and shy personality. Brick was a mis-understood man who showed a depth of emotions that made him such a swoon-worthy MMC. I had never read any books by Jennifer Probst before, and I was happy to find that her writing kept me engaged , interested and wanting to keep reading to see what happens! If you are a fan of small tourist/beach town romances with fake dating and a lot of book and writing talk, you'll love this one!