I adore books about books, writing, book clubs etc but this felt slightly too dull and expected and variation on a theme. Annoying FMC.

This was fun to read while binging younger due to the fact that it was allll about publishing/writing. That aspect I did find very fun. Overall it’s cute I just am not a smut girlie so that was off putting for me and had me skipping pages.

I really loved this book. I feel like it is not my typical read but it was so so enjoyable. Aspen is a bestselling author that is looking for her next story. She decides to find a guy to date and then break up with to use as inspiration. It felt cliche and trope-y but it worked! Brick (what a silly name….) seemed such an odd character. I didn’t love his dude bro vibe. I didn’t love his heartbreaker persona. I DID love that he was such a sweetie. I am so glad that he finally got a happy love story. Overall, there wasn’t much “plot twist” energy happening, I felt like this story was sweet and fluffy and an easy read.

I really loved the cover, the setting, & the characters in this book. and who doesn't love a book with a dog in it? I thought it was funny they had a Brick hating club lol. Overall i thought this was a cute read and i would definitely read more from this author in the future.

Aspen and Brick were such fun main character names. The characters ended up being likable and having more depth than I originally expected. A very solid enemies to lovers meets how to break up in 10 days energy. Overall a summer fun and easy read that I would recommend for a summer beach or vacation book.

While being stuck inside due to snow and sickness, this book will have you dreaming and full of hope for the summer months. This was such a fun and light-hearted read that will help you kick the dreariness of winter. While Aspen's books are well written, they lack the passion of her first best-selling novel. So, to get in the best book-writing mindset and re-ignite that passion, she decides to take a vacation at her sisters in the Outer Banks. An amazing cast of characters that has me crossing my fingers that Jennifer Probst will be expanding this into a series.

This was really good. Love the plot . The twists and the whole change of scenery for the main character. The romance is on point . Definitely loved everything about this . Totally recommending

"Book of the Month" is about author Aspen Lourde's struggle to keep her failing writing career afloat after her first book was a smash hit, and the next two were stale duds. Her fans have been calling for a sequel to the first book for years, but she believes that the only reason for that book's success is that she poured her heart into every word while still reeling from a horrible breakup.

Brick Babel has recently inherited his grandfather's business and home, along with a Frankenstein dog named Dug. He also inherited the bitter hatred of his grandfather's business rival and bitter enemy, who is intent on running Brick's business into the ground and the man out of town.

When the two realize that there are ways they can help one another get what they each want, they enter a pact designed to given Aspen the writing inspiration she needs and Brick the infusion of cash he needs. But they both get much more than they bargained for in this romance of convenience.

And watching them come to terms with everything is a treat!

I will say that the romance is spicier than I think is necessary, but the storyline was great otherwise. And I look forward to the sequel, to see how Aspen's sister, Sierra, and Brick's best friend, Kane, come to terms with their secret past.

Thank you to Jennifer Probst, Blue Box Press, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

This one caught my attention with the title. The plot was good but also cringey at times. It ultimately felt too long and that parts dragged on causing me to lose interest. All in all, it was fine, but not a favorite.

Thanks to NetGalley and Blue Box Press for an eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

It took me a while to get into this book. It was cute and have some conflict but it gave me happy ever after. I love happy ever after. It is a slow burn of an author looking for a hit.

Spicy rom-com , fake dating trope with a unique twist all set in a North Carolina beach town where horses roam free. Lots of fun supporting characters and small-town charm makes this a perfect read , especially when you need to be transported to the beach

3.5 Stars!

Aspen is desperate to write her next best seller but has been hit with writer's block, so she packs up and heads to the Outer Banks to stay with her sister, Sierra. Brick is the hot playboy in town trying to salvage the touring company he inherited from his grandpa and stay under the radar from all the rumors circulating about him and his love affairs. Aspen wonders if the playboy in town can inspire her to get past the writer's block.

This is a laugh out loud romance, with a little bit of spice. I enjoyed the relationship between Aspen and her sister. After their parents died, they only had each other. Their sisterly banter was hilarious! I almost forgot about Brick's dog Dug, he stole the show.

Book of the Month by Jennifer Probst was an enjoyable and lighthearted read, but it didn’t quite hit all the marks for me. The premise is unique and entertaining, and Probst does a great job of setting up an intriguing cast of characters.

That said, Probst’s writing is easy to follow, and the pacing moves quickly, which made it an enjoyable escape. The book had moments of humor and warmth, and if you're looking for something light and feel-good, this definitely delivers on that front.

When her third book struggles to sell copies, Aspen starts to wonder if she has what it takes to create another bestseller. Her writing has improved, but everyone who comes to signings still shows up with her first book. Written as a way to survive her first, and only, heartbreak, her first book has the emotion on the page that she can't seem to come up with in her latest attempts. Now, her publisher is pushing her for a sequel, but they want to read it first.

Aspen goes to stay with her sister for the summer, hoping the change of scenery will help her muse. When they're out for drinks, she hears the story of the local heartbreaker - Brick Babel. He might be just what Aspen needs. Guaranteed a good time, and more importantly, a broken heart. If she repeats the steps of her first book, and can translate her heartbreak to the page, she'll have the bestseller she needs.

The only problem? Brick is tired of his reputation, and even more tired of women throwing themselves at him so they'll have an interesting story to tell. When Aspen comes along, he turns her down. Even though she keeps trying to find ways to talk to him, he's firm and uninterested. Until she comes to him with a proposal - if he can make her fall in love with him, and break her heart, she'll pay for him to revamp his grandfather's business, which is on its last legs. Unable to get a bank loan, this might be Brick's only chance to get the money he needs to realize his grandfather's dream - a dream that is quickly becoming his own.

I was a little slow to get into this one, Aspen's situation didn't draw me in. She had already had success, and trying to write her next books was an unwanted job. She avoided writing, and worked on her pet project, Zany Zoo, a comic that sounded more fun and fulfilling than her novels. Once Aspen and Brick got together though, I did quickly adore them. They way they would talk to each other, and his taking her on dates, and working to get to know her more were so sweet. I loved the guys at the shop next door, and also the way Aspen stood up for Brick, and worked to take on the unfair rumors swirling around him.

I'll definitely be back to read the next one, The Reluctant Flirt, which follow's Aspen's sister, Sierra. I hope to catch a few glimpses of favorite characters, and get to know more about new ones too!

Thank you to NetGalley and Blue Box Press for the ARC of this one!

I've been following Jennifer Probst's writing for many years now and I have to admit that daaaaamn, this is her best book. We meet Aspen Lourde, she is a writer, of bestsellers so to speak, and she desperately needs to write another novel, she wants another bestseller, and she would do anything to get it. Anything! Even giving herself a broken heart, and who better than Brick Babel, the city's infamous heartthrob? Everyone falls for it, and Aspen wants to do it too. Brick initially rejects all advances, but Aspen makes him an offer he can't refuse, and the two fake a romance. But are we sure they are seriously pretending? Thanks to Netgalley for giving me the chance to read the new book by the legendary Jennifer Probst, and thanks to the author, keep writing!

Book of the Month was a slow start for me and I almost DNF’d it until about 40% through it. It’s a small town spicy romance with fake dating. Even though Aspen could be a little annoying at times I pushed through and ended up enjoying it in the end. It’s a good story, but I just feel like it could have been cut a little shorter in the beginning or maybe a little more exciting/entertaining/interesting. It was just too slow at first.

Loved this book! Our heroine wrote a bestseller straight out of the park. And then her books tanked. All her fans want a part two to her first novel, but she doesn't want to visit it again, since it was about her heartbreak. She decides her best shot is to get her heart broken again. So, she hires a man who is rumored to have broken more hearts than anyone else. But rumors aren't always true and sometimes we become the heartbreaker.

okay well rom coms are back and I felt like I lived through all these characters I want to cry!! brilliant book

This was a good book. Entertaining and engaging. Aspen and Brick were a fun couple to read about. I love the premise of a writer and a rebel (?) (not sure if that is the right word for him). But this trope worked well with these two characters. I was hooked right from the beginning and stayed up way too late reading it. Highly recommend.

A Heartfelt Celebration of Books, Love, and Second Chances!

Thank you NetGallary for an early review copy of Book of the Month!

Jennifer Probst’s Book of the Month is a heartwarming and uplifting novel that beautifully blends romance, friendship, and the magic of literature. Set against the charming backdrop of a small-town bookstore, this story captures the essence of book lovers and the deep connections that stories can forge.

At the heart of the novel is a struggling bookshop owner, whose passion for books is rivaled only by the challenges she faces in keeping her store afloat. When she launches a “Book of the Month” club to reinvigorate the store, she never anticipates how the selections—and the people drawn to them—will transform her life. The book club becomes a catalyst for new relationships, unexpected romance, and personal growth.

Probst masterfully crafts well-developed, relatable characters that feel like old friends. The protagonist’s journey is both inspiring and realistic, with emotional depth that resonates beyond the pages. The novel balances humor and poignancy, ensuring that readers will laugh, swoon, and even shed a few tears along the way.

One of the most captivating elements of Book of the Month is its love letter to books and their power to heal, inspire, and bring people together. Probst infuses the narrative with literary references that will delight avid readers, making it feel like a book lover’s dream.

With its cozy atmosphere, compelling characters, and a touch of romance, Book of the Month is the perfect read for anyone who believes in the transformative power of stories. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Jennifer Probst or a newcomer to her work, this novel is a must-read that will leave you with a warm heart and a renewed love for books.

Final Verdict: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)