A big thank you to Netgalley and Blue Box Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

2.5 rounded up ⭐

I thought the idea of this book was great, I was looking for a fun summer read. The story interested me right from the beginning, I was enjoying seeing Aspen & Brick finally interact one on one.

I did feel the story was a bit predictable from the beginning but I was interested in seeing how everything would play out. Sadly, the constant back and forth from Aspen not being able to make a decision about her book quickly made the story feel very dragged out. There were times when I would forget she was writing a book. I think the pace of the book also didn't help, there were some slow pace chapters and the next thing you know the next chapter was a few weeks later but there wasn't much progression in the story.

Hoping that I would like the ending of the story, I pushed myself to finish the book. Once we got the third-act break-up everything seemed very rush from that point to the very end.

Aspen Lourde has been struggling to find a novel that speaks to her fans like her best-seller 'Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover' does. With her career on the line, Aspen is desperate for an experience to inspire her next romance novel. Spending the summer in her sister's beach town will hopefully lead her to someone who can do just that.
Brick Babel is struggling to keep his tour company, his late grandfather's pride and joy, afloat. His rival keeps stealing his customers, and his office is falling apart. After he blows off yet another one of Aspen's attempts to hold his attention, she offers to help save his business... for a little drama-filled summer trist that guarantees her the heartbreak to write her next big hit. The only problem is that their fake romance is causing real feelings, and someone is bound to get hurt.

Books about authors finding inspiration for their novels are becoming one of my favorites! I was rooting for Aspen, as well as the character in her book, to get the ending they deserved. Aspen is honestly so relatable, as someone who also currently struggles to find her voice while writing. Her straight-forward nature is refreshing and honestly she is such a badass! I love a female MC who goes after what she wants and isn't afraid to make mistakes along the way.
Brick is such a classic book boyfriend! I love that he is informed of the "magic p*ssy" trope, and then becomes a victim of it himself. The only issue with him that I had was that it was mentioned quite a bit when you first meet him that Aspen is not his "usual type." I think it was used as a deterrent for himself in order to avoid Aspen? But it threw me for a loop and I wasn't sure if I'd end up liking him. (He absolutely redeemed himself, though!)
I am super excited to read Probst's follow up book about Aspen's sister, I absolutely need it in my hands! I loved Book of the Month and am definitely adding more of her books to my TBR list.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Blue Box Press for the eARC! Projected publishing date: October 22nd, 2024

First and Foremost I would like to thank Netgalley and blue box press for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Okay, so this is my first time reading Jennifer Probts novel. I was interested right off the bat, I really related to Aspen struggle as an artist with the ups and downs of the publishing world. Her feelings of inadequacy and fears she is a one hit wonder, and desperation to have another successful book. Her relationship with her publishing agent made me smile! The banter and how she goes to bat for her clients was a nice dynamic to see.

In a lot of ways it is presented as a fun summer read in the Carolina’s shores, with a hot local Brick, witty banter and steamy chemistry. Unfortunately as the book went on I slowly lost interest in the characters and had a hard time relating to them. The steamy bits were a bit cringe for me, and their relationship/how they viewed one another was not one I enjoyed.

In the future I may pick up a different title from Probts just to see if this was a one off. This book didn’t resonate with me but perhaps one of her others will.

Thanks again Netgalley for the opportunity.

Hmm...this one had me at the start but then lost me in the middle and end. I give it two stars, but I could see how others would like it more.

The Details:
Book of the Month by Jennifer Probst

Quick Summary:
Author Aspen Lourde is on the hook for writing another bestseller but is struggling to find the inspiration - especially because her first big hit was based on her own heartbreak. So she sets off to find another heartbreak in her sister's beach town, in the form of "badish boy" Brick Babel.

My Take:
The premise was interesting and unique, and the start was strong! I liked the characters and I liked where it was going. But somewhere along the way, it kind of lost its magic and the dialogue felt so unrealistic and dull. I could get past a few questionable decisions for the sake of the plot (mainly how she keeeept pursuing him when rejected her several times and just assumed it was him trying to save her from him?) - but the writing is what kinda killed it for me. Overall a good idea, not super great executed.

She’s 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. Once the literary world’s golden girl, 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. But there’s a catch: her bestseller was a heartbreak hit, straight from her own love life disaster. 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. His affairs are legendary in the small town, and every woman warns her off, including her sister. Too bad a good heartbreak is exactly what she needs to meet her deadline.

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.

I rather enjoyed this book. It was fun -. I like the characters and the chemistry between them, the banter, and the overall story. The writing felt a little too flowery for me, though. If the premise sounds interesting to you, you will enjoy it, but be prepared for a little over-the-top with the writing. Overall good book and I would recommend it!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

This book took me by surprise! The reviews were pretty mixed so far- and I typically don’t really enjoy books that have a bunch of mixed reviews. I found the plot pretty predictable- but I really enjoyed it regardless! I loved the FMC and the MMC. There was great character development, the side characters were interesting, and none of the relationships with side characters seemed fake. I also felt like like the author did a great job showing us everything instead of telling us (I’m not a fan of heavy exposition). The story was fun and light hearted and I was able to breeze through it!

I wanted to LOVE this book! I love the OBX, and the summary sounded right up my alley. Unfortunately it fell a bit short for me. While the plot was intriguing, I just didn't fall in love with any of the characters (other than the dog;)). I had a hard time sticking with it, and even put it down a time or two to pick up other books. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!!

Thank you to the publisher for the copy of this book. The plot immediately reeled me in. However, I didn’t really enjoy the story. I couldn’t connect with Aspen… like, she really irritated me which is crazy because I love books where the FMC is an author. Brick also wasn’t very likable and I didn’t like that we really weren’t told what this man looks like. I could not envision these people in my head for the life of me. The chemistry between the characters wasn’t meshing well and I didn’t care about them ending up together. I also felt like a lot of things were written in for the sake of those things being popular or trending in real life which kind of turned me off. I’m sure someone will enjoy this, but it wasn’t for me.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Book of the Month. It was almost a book within a book as Aspen tried to get past her writing block to pen another best seller. Of course, to help her get past her writing block, this included falling in love with Brick, a local "heartbreaker". One of the things I enjoyed most, and could've used more of, was the information about the wild horses and sea turtles.

Book of the Month is a cute romance/fiction story centered on a completely lovable character, Aspen Lourde. Aspen is a famed novelist on a mission to create something as raw, real, and successful as her most famous book. The only problem is, that book was so popular as it was based on traumatic and devastating events in her personal life.

This story unfolds in adorable (dare I say a little predictable?) manner, with a hottie in her hometown that delivers all of our favorite romance tropes (grumpy/sunshine, fake dating, opposites attract, small town romance, love at first sight, summer romance, etc.). I couldn't put this down and absolutely enjoyed it for what it was. If you are a romance reader, the spice level is maybe 3.5/5, with a few open door scenes but no major triggers and mild descriptive language.

Go pick this up as soon as it is released if you are looking for another summer romance! Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC!

I enjoyed the story and perspective a lot but never really connected with either of the main characters strongly. I couldn't get vested in the story. I was able to put the book down, which is not like me.

3.5 stars. thank you to NetGalley for the eARC and for the opportunity to read this book! Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was a nice way to end my summer reading and I am looking forward to Sierra and Kane’s book!

I liked this book but it wasn’t my favorite. I felt that sometimes the story dragged and that the characters could be whiny and annoying.

There were some things that were a little hard to swallow regarding the premise of this book. It took me a little bit to get over the name Brick but once I got used to it, it was fine. I really enjoyed the horse scenes and them watching the turtles, it really set the scene for me! The 3rd act breakup felt super rushed and I wish we got to feel the impact of losing each other.

I like romance novels and this was intriguing to me. Making a deal to get your broken was a different take on the genre. I knew the fake romance would likely become true love and then the breakup would prove to be more than Apsen or Brick could handle.
It might have been predictable, but that is fine by me. This book was exactly what I wanted - romance, some humor without too much drama. Great for the lounge chair and a sunny day ;)

Also - i liked the tease of Sierra and Kane. As i was reading their first encounter in this book, the seed was planted. I need to know how these two know each other ... and what happens next!

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this title. The fake dating thing bugs me... This whole book gave me a lot of ick honestly. 1 star

I absolutely loved it. So many pieces, I loved the sisterly bond, I loved the fact that Brick cared so much for his Grandpa's legacy, home and dog. I really think I want to visit the OBX!! And the Mustangs and the turtles. It was just a fun, warm story!!

Thanks to Netgalley and Blue Box Press for the chance to read this book in advance.
DNF 40%
I was super intrigued by the premises, but they didn't meet my expectations.
Despite Aspen was a very relatable character, I didn't liked how the plot has been managed.
It's a little bit poor and materialistic, and I found it clear since the first appearance of Brick. Unfortunately the rest of the story was equally flat and I wasn't enjoying it. Probably the author's style isn't my cup of tea.
A real pity.

I wasn't sure what to expect with this story.  It was so much fun to read from an authors perspective in a fictional world.
Aspen is a best selling author. Having writers block, she visits her sister in OBX. It's there, where her true story begins. Instead of living in NY, alone and in her own head, here she's out with her sister and locals. Enjoying life. But that doesn't help her writing.
Brick came to OBX to take over his grandfather's business after he passed away. Many rumors have started after his ex shows up and tells her tales. He doesn't bother trying to fix his image. Which leads to some crazy rumors.
When the pair meet and Apsen comes up with a ridiculous plan to help write her next best seller. She brings Brick into the mix with a deal he can't pass up.
Super funny,romantic, heartbreaking and crazy. This book will leave you loving everything about it.
4.5 stars.

This one was cute. I really enjoyed the plot of entering a relationship to experience heartbreak and cure writers block. I really loved Brick off the bat and knew there had to be more to him than meets the eye. This book was sweet and steamy, and enjoyable from start to finish.