Author: bookafterbook

Publication: 6th July 2023 – Simon & Schuster Children’s UK

Only the extraordinary belong in the kingdom of Ilya . . . The exceptional. The Elites. The Elites have possessed powers for decades, gifted to them by the Plague, while those born Ordinary are just that, banished from the kingdom and shunned from society.
 
No one knows this better than Paedyn Gray, an Ordinary posing as an Elite. When she unsuspectingly saves one of Ilya’s princes, Kai Azer, she’s thrown into the Purging Trials, a brutal competition to showcase her ‘Elite’ powers.
 
If the Trials and the opponents don’t kill her, the prince she’s fighting feelings for will if he discovers what Paedyn really is . . . completely Ordinary.

AMAZON

WATERSTONES

I adored this novel. It’s an addictive and witty enemies-to-lovers fantasy set in a world in which those with magic powers, the Elites, are convinced that those without magic, Ordinaries, are the source of a plague and for this reason they must be eliminated.

The protagonist, Paedyn Gray, an Ordinary, has spent all her life pretending to have powers in order to survive. Since the death of her father when she was thirteen years old she’s lived on the streets with her best friend Adena, stealing and pickpocketing to survive. One day, she saves the life of prince Kay and she’s entered into the Trials, a competition in which the Elites use their powers to win a series of dangerous challenges.

As the second son of the King of Ilya, Kai Azer has been training all his life to become the future Enforcer, afflicting torture and enduring it himself, and learning to kill without remorse. He entered this year’s Trials with every intention of winning, but he didn’t expect to face the woman who saved his life.  As they try to not fall in love with each other, they have to face not only the Trials and some ruthless competitors, but also political intrigue and the secrets that could be their ruin.

I loved Paedyn and Kai. She’s smartass and fierce. Without powers, she plans to win the competition on pure strength and wit. Her past haunts her and she’s out for revenge against those who murdered her father. Kay is smug and arrogant and I couldn’t help but love him. He’s a complicated relationship with his father, while he is very close to his brother and future king. Their romance is slow-burn, swoony, and exciting. I loved when those two got together: the easy banter and the tension kept me glued to the page. 

I think that Powerless is an amazing debut. It is well-written, immersive, and intriguing and with an incredible ending that makes me countdown the days until the next book!

A huge thank you to Simon & Schuster Children’s UK and NetGalley for providing me with a proof of this novel.

When Lauren Roberts isn’t writing about fantasy worlds and bantering love interests, she can likely be found burrowed in bed reading about them. Lauren has lived in Michigan her whole life, making her very familiar with potholes, snow, and various lake activities. She has the hobbies of both a grandmother and a child, i.e., knitting, laser tag, hammocking, word searches, and coloring. She’s the author of Powerless, and she hopes to have the privilege of writing pretty words for the rest of her life. If you enjoy ranting, reading, and writing, Lauren can be found on both TikTok and Instagram @Laurens1ibrary for your entertainment.

Publication: 17th October 2023 – Quercus

With The Unmaking of June Farrow, Adrienne Young delivers a brilliant story with romance, mystery, and a touch of the impossible: a story you will never forget.

In the small mountain town of Jasper, North Carolina, June Farrow is waiting for fate to find her. The Farrow women are known for their thriving flower farm – and the mysterious curse that has haunted them for generations.

The madness that led to Susanna Farrow’s disappearance left her daughter, June, to be raised by her grandmother. Everyone in Jasper is certain it’s only a matter of time before she finds the same end, but June has kept secret that her unravelling has already begun.

After her grandmother’s death, June follows a series of clues that link her mother’s disappearance to the town’s dark history, leading finally to a mysterious door.

Behind it may lay the answer to the mysteries that have always lingered like a dark shadow. Upon crossing the threshold, June embarks on a journey that will not only change both the past and the future, but entangle her fate and her heart in a star-crossed love.

AMAZON

WATERSTONES

In Jasper, North Carolina, June Farrow has always wondered what had happened to her mother Susanna. June knows that she had the same illness that cursed all the Farrow women, herself included, but why did she abandon her when she was only a few months old? And where did she go? 

June has always known her fate and, following her grandmother’s death, she can no longer pretend that she is not suffering the Farrow curse. The hallucinations and voices have become more frequent and there is a red door that keeps appearing. And passing through that door leads June not only to find out more about her mother, but also about the curse that makes the Farrow women different, and to have the chance to the love that she thought she’d never have. All her life June has been following the same path, convinced that the madness of her family was inevitable, but suddenly she has the chance to make a choice for the life she wants to live.

And, as June tries to figure out the truth about her birth, her mother, and her family, she also gets involved in the mysterious murder of the minister of Jasper in the 1950s which was never solved. 

Beautifully written, riveting, and thrilling, I can’t stop thinking about The Unmaking of June Farrow and I don’t think I will do it anytime soon (not that I really want to). Adrienne Young created a magnificent and unforgettable story of magic, love, and family that kept me completely engrossed and I can’t wait to see what she is planning next!

A huge thank you to Quercus and NetGalley for providing me with a proof of this addictive novel.

Adrienne Young is the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author of Spells for Forgetting, the Sky in the Deep duology and the Fable series. When she’s not writing, you can find her on her yoga mat, on a walk in the woods, or planning her next travel adventure. She lives and writes in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

I’ve reached the end of the readalong of the captivating DI Ben Kitto series and I have enjoyed it so much. Brilliant characters, a carefully-plotted and suspenseful story, and the fascinating setting of the Isles of Scilly…

Publication: 12th October 2023 – Simon & Schuster UK

ON A REMOTE ISLAND

When Jez Cardew’s boat is found drifting empty on the Atlantic Ocean, DI Ben Kitto and his fellow lifeboat crew members immediately fear the worst. After an extensive search yields no results, the team are forced to retreat to dry land as darkness sets in.
 
THE OCEAN IS MERCILESS

But Kitto can’t let it go. Why would Jez – an experienced sailor – get into difficulty when the sea has been calm for weeks? Unless his disappearance was no accident.
 
BUT SO ARE THE PEOPLE …

The gruesome discovery of a hand washed ashore on the beach confirms his hunch. Because a medal is attached to the index finger, and it can only have been placed there by the killer.
 
This strange clue is the only lead to an agenda as cold as the ocean itself. Kitto must work fast, before the small, isolated community closes ranks. And it’s only a matter of time before the murderer among them strikes again…

AMAZON

WATERSTONES

I was very excited when, a few months ago, I was invited to take part in the readalong for the DI Ben Kitto series because it gave me the chance to go back to a series that I adore, starting from its big grumpy protagonist, DI Ben Kitto, to the gripping mysteries and the evocative and atmospheric setting of the Isles of Scilly.

Hangman Island is the seventh and latest (hopefully, not last) book in the series and it sees DI Ben Kitto right in the middle of the organization of his wedding to his girlfriend, and mother of his child, Nina. Ben’s also been volunteering with the lifeboat crew of the islands and he has to interrupt his dress fitting when one of his fellow crew goes missing. He is convinced that something darker and more twisted than a disappearance on the unforgiving sea is going on, especially when a hand is found on the beach, convincing him that there is a killer targeting the members of the crew. But why? And who is going to be next?

Once again, Kate Rhodes kept me guessing until the end with a long list of suspects, secrets uncovered, and many twists and turns. The suspense increases as Ben Kitto races against time to find the killer before they kill again, but it’s not easy when the small community keeps its secrets well protected. And with a family of his own, Ben’s job becomes even more difficult. Is he willing to risk his life on the sea while his family is waiting for him at home?

With its unpredictable mysteries, its complex and well-developed characters, and beautiful and remote setting, the DI Ben Kitto series is one of my favourite and Hangman Island is as immersive, thrilling, and addictive as the other novels.

A huge thank you to Tracy and Simon & Schuster for inviting me to take part in the readalong and providing me with a proof of this fantastic novel.

Kate Rhodes is a bestselling British crime writer. Her latest books are the acclaimed ISLES OF SCILLY MYSTERIES, which have been optioned for TV. Kate has been passionate about the islands since holidaying there as a child, and still returns regularly to research her books. Kate’s books have been nominated for the Crime Novel of the Year award, and the Library Dagger award.

Kate was born in south London, but now lives in Cambridge with her husband. She did a wide range of jobs including working in bars, being a theatre usherette, and teaching at a liberal arts college in Florida, before focusing on her writing. She works part-time as a Creative Writing Fellow at Cambridge University.

Publication: 26th September 2023 – Quercus

Two sworn enemies. One failing hotel. Love is the last thing they need . . .

It’s the busiest time of the year, and Forest Manor Hotel is quite literally falling apart. So when sworn enemies Izzy and Lucas are given the same shift on the hotel’s front desk, they have no choice but to put their differences aside.

The hotel won’t stay afloat without some sort of miracle. But when Izzy returns a guest’s lost wedding ring, the reward convinces management this might fix everything. With four rings still sitting in lost property, the race is on for Izzy and Lucas to save their beloved hotel – and their jobs.

As their bitter rivalry turns into something much more complicated, Izzy and Lucas begin to wonder if there’s more at stake here than the hotel’s future. Can the two of them make it through the season with their hearts intact?

AMAZON

WATERSTONES

Not only a new Beth O’Leary’s novel, but also a Christmas one? I don’t have to think twice about reading it!

The Wake-Up Call is set in Forest Manor, a cozy hotel and spa. The two protagonists, Izzy and Lucas, hate each other and have spent the entire year getting on each other’s nerves, bickering and snapping at each other, for the enjoyment – or annoyance – of colleagues, friends, and guests. But it’s almost Christmas time and the hotel is in desperate need of funds or it will be forced to close. With very few options, they start selling lost property that no one has reclaimed, except for the box of rings whose owners Izzy is determined to find, turning it into a challenge with Lucas, which means spending more time together (involving also an only-one-bed situation) and realizing that maybe they don’t really hate each other.

I know I say this every time I read a new Beth O’Leary’s novel, but this is her best so far. I loved everything about it, the story, the setting, the characters, and the writing. Izzy and Lucas are two fantastic protagonists: authentic and loyal, they form the perfect grumpy vs sunshine couple. Lucas is serious and stubborn, determined to prove his worth, especially to his family, while Izzy is always cheerful and friendly, creative and supportive, the kind of person everyone wants to talk to. I enjoyed their bickering and witty exchanges and their chemistry is incredible.

There is also a wonderful cast of supportive characters: Poor Mandy, who turns out to be a genius of social media; Mr Townsend, who does a bit of matchmaking; the irritable Arjun; and the energetic Hedgers family.

Well-written, heart-warming, and immersive, The Wake-Up Call is the perfect enemies-to-lovers romance with a fantastic Christmas atmosphere thanks to the amazing found family of Forest Manor!

A huge thank you to Quercus and NetGalley for providing me with a proof of this novel.

Beth O’Leary is a Sunday Times bestselling author whose novels have been translated into more than thirty languages. Her debut, THE FLATSHARE, sold over half a million copies and changed her life completely. Her second novel, THE SWITCH, has been optioned for film by Amblin Partners, Steven Spielberg’s production company. Beth writes her books in the Hampshire countryside with a very badly behaved golden retriever for company. If she’s not at her desk, you’ll usually find her curled up somewhere with a book, a cup of tea and several woolly jumpers (whatever the weather).

Publication: 28th September 2023 – Penguin Books UK

Two strangers. One apartment.
Will it be love at first… bite?

Cassie Greenberg needs a new place to live, and fast. When she finds an affordable apartment in a beautiful neighbourhood, she knows there must be a catch.

Of course, her new roommate Frederick J. Fitzwilliam is far from normal. He sleeps all day, is out at night on business, and talks like he walked out of a regency romance novel.

He is also leaves Cassie heart-melting notes around the apartment, always asks about her day, and doesn’t look half bad shirtless on the rare occasions they’re both home and awake.

There’s no denying there’s a spark between them – but there’s also a secret…

With true love at stake, will Frederick come clean?

AMAZON

WATERSTONES

Cassie Greenberg needs to find a room soon or she will be homeless. However, she is sceptical when she finds an ad offering a room for rent at a very low price in a very good area in Chicago. Surely, there is something wrong with it, but she is desperate and she replies to it. The house is beautiful with a view of the lake, although the furniture could use an upgrade, and the handsome owner, Frederick Fitzwilliam, seems to have come right out from Victorian England with his three-piece suit and solemn speech. He tells her that he sleeps all day and he’s out all night, so they will rarely cross paths. It looks like the perfect arrangement, so Cassie moves in: sure, he doesn’t own any kitchenware or any food and he doesn’t know what the wifi is, but he leaves her lovely and sweet handwritten letters and he compliments her art, even if he doesn’t understand it. Everything seems to be going smoothly, until, one evening, she opens the fridge and discovers his secret…

I loved My Roommate Is A Vampire!!! It is funny, fresh, and entertaining and I read it in one day. I adored the characters. Cassie is fun, relatable, and authentic, a struggling artist trying to make ends meet with part-time jobs, and I loved Frederick. He is always so gentle, kind, and polite and so adorably clueless about the modern world. The letters they exchanged were my favourite part of the story and their irresistible attraction and their romance kept me glued to the page.

And let’s not forget Reginald, one of the best supporting characters ever, whose hilarious texts to Frederick always made me laugh out loud.

My Roommate Is A Vampire is an incredible and immersive debut and I can’t wait to read more by this author. Highly recommended!!!

A huge thank you to Penguin Books and NetGalley for providing me with a proof of this fantastic novel.

By day, Jenna Levine works to increase access to affordable housing in the American South. By night, she writes romance novels where ridiculous things happen to beautiful people. When Jenna isn’t writing she can usually be found crying over k-dramas, starting knitting projects she won’t finish, or spending time with her family and small army of cats.

I’ve reached the sixth book in the readalong of the DI Ben Kitto series. I read The Brutal Tide back when it came out, but I decided to read it again because it was my favorite in the series…

Publication: 27th October 2022 – Simon & Schuster UK

REVENGE
DI Ben Kitto made many enemies in his time working as an undercover officer for the Met police, none more ruthless and calculating than gang leader Craig Travis.

IS WORTH
Travis has longed to make Kitto pay for his role in getting him convicted – and that day has finally arrived. Now, a dark and twisted killer is heading for the Scilly Isles, one who has waited a long time for revenge.

WAITING FOR . . .
With Kitto busy investigating the discovery of a body on the islands and distracted by the imminent arrival of his first child, his defences are down. He has so much to lose.

And Travis will stop at nothing to take it all from him.

AMAZON

WATERSTONES

I started reading the Ben Kitto series since the first book, Hell Bay, came out and I’ve enjoyed every single one of them, loving the small island setting, the small community vibe, and the well-developed characters.

The Brutal Tide is the sixth book in this series whose protagonist is DI Ben Kitto. Born and raised in Bryher, one of the smallest Isles of Scilly, off the Cornish coast, he returned to the island after a career in London. In this new novel, one of his old cases from London risks ruining the normal life he’s created for himself in Bryher. 

Craig Travis was one of the most dangerous gangsters in London and it was thanks to Ben’s undercover work that he was captured and sent to jail. Now, he’s dying of cancer, but he’s determined to take his enemies down with him, sending a dangerous killer after the people who betrayed him and sent him to jail, including Ben Kitto. 

In the meantime, on Bryher, bones are found buried in a building site and stolen before they can be properly examined. Searching for the identity of both the victim and the killer, Ben locks down the island, hoping to stop a killer from leaving and another from arriving. But can he stop a killer looking for revenge?

The Brutal Tide is another fantastic addiction to this series. I love the suspense and the twists. One would think that on an island with a couple of hundreds of people it would be easy to find the killer. But there are so many layers to the case and a series of possible suspects that it’s not at all easy to figure out the truth. I loved how the story is split between Ben’s investigation and the killer’s path of revenge for Craig Travis, making it difficult to put it down (I read it in one day!).

The character of Ben Kitto is wonderful. On the personal side, he is looking forward to fatherhood, although he and his girlfriend can’t seem to agree on baby names. On the professional side, he’s still haunted by his work in London, he often clashes with his arrogant superior, and he’s forced to suspect people he considers friends.

The Brutal Tide is a gripping and exciting read with a few twisty mysteries and rising suspense. I really enjoy this series and I am already looking forward to the next book!

A huge thank you to Simon & Schuster UK and NetGalley for providing me with a proof of the novel.

Kate Rhodes is an acclaimed crime novelist and an award-winning poet. She lives in Cambridge with her husband, the writer and film-maker, Dave Pescod. She visited the Scilly Isles every year as a child which gave her the idea for this new series. She is one of the founders of the Killer Women writing group.

Publication: 26th September 2023 – Simon & Schuster Children’s Books UK

Challenge: Join the Thieves’ Gambit, a cut-throat competition to crown the world’s greatest thief

Rule 1: Never fall in love with your opponent

Rule 2: The only thief you can trust is yourself

Endgame: Win the heist to save your family – and yourself . . .

Seventeen-year-old Rosalyn Quest was raised by a legendary family of thieves with one rule: trust no one. When her mother is kidnapped, her only chance to save her is to win the Thieves’ Gambit – a deadly competition for the world’s best thieves, where the victor is granted one wish. To win, she must outwit all of her backstabbing competitors, including her childhood archnemesis. But can she take victory from the handsome, charming boy who makes a play for her heart and might be hiding the most dangerous secret of all?

AMAZON

WATERSTONES

When your family is one of the most powerful families of thieves in the world, you don’t grow up playing or going to the movies with your friends, but you spend all your time training to be the fastest and invisible so that you can enter any place you wish. This is Rosalyn Quest’s life, traveling the world with her mother to steal artifacts and fortune. 

All her life Rosalyn has been told that her family is the most important thing and she can trust no one else, but she dreams of freedom and right about when she is about to achieve it her mother is kidnapped and the only way to free her is to enter the Thieves’ Gambit, an annual competition that sees the best and brighter young thieves in the world compete for one week. The winner can ask for one wish, anything they want. The competition is fierce and the challenges are ruthless and dangerous, but Rosalyn is determined to win, even if it means teaming up with her enemies.

The story is well-written and full of twists and turns and the author created a cast of engaging characters: a group of teenagers competing to win a prestigious competition, all of them with their own motives, some of them are hiding secrets, some of them are ready to kill to get to the end. The story is told from Rosalyn’s perspective. Raised by her mother and her aunt on an island, knowing that blood is everything and that she can’t trust anyone. How far is she willing to go to protect her mother?

Thieves’ Gambit is an intriguing and exciting read with an unexpected ending that makes me really looking forward to the sequel!

A huge thank you to Simon & Schuster Children’s Books UK and NetGalley for providing me with a proof of this gripping novel.

Kayvion Lewis is a young adult author of all things escapist and high-octane. A former youth services librarian, she’s been working with young readers and kidlit since she was sixteen. When she’s not writing, she’s breaking out of escape rooms, jumping out of airplanes, and occasionally running away to mountain retreats to study kung fu. Though she’s originally from Louisiana, and often visits her family in The Bahamas, these days you can find her in New York – at least until she takes off on her next adventure.

I am having so much fun with the readalong and I have now reached the fifth book in the DI Ben Kitto series, set in the beautiful Isles of Scilly!

Publication: 14th October 2021 – Simon & Schuster UK

A MISSING CHILD
St Martin’s is shrouded in bitterly cold fog when Jade Minear and her twin brother, Ethan, are attacked in a field, late at night. Ethan manages to return home but the shocking events of Jade’s disappearance have rendered him mute.

A LONG-HELD GRUDGE
On a small island where there are few places a child can hide, DI Ben Kitto must battle the elements to search for Jade. When his investigation reveals that the Minear family have many enemies on the island, Kitto grows increasingly worried that Jade is in danger.

A KILLER HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT …
Meanwhile, someone on the island knows exactly where the girl is. Someone with a deep-seated hatred of Jade’s family. To find the truth, Kitto must investigate the lives of the people he has known all of his life. Because one of them is lying – and it isn’t long until a body is found …

AMAZON

WATERSTONES

It’s a stormy and foggy night in the island of St. Martin’s when eleven-years-old twins, Jade and Ethan, sneak out of their house. Only one of them is found in their bed the next morning, but the shock of his sister’s disappearance has rendered Ethan mute and he can’t tell what happened to Jade. DI Ben Kitto is determined to find her, even if it means uncovering the family’s dark secrets. No one entered or left the tiny island of St. Martin’s, so it means that one of the inhabitants of the small community took Jade. But why? And where is she?  

My favourite thing about the DI Ben Kitto series is not the mysteries, which are always gripping and suspenseful, it’s not the big grumpy protagonist who I adore, but the beautiful and atmospheric setting of the Isles of Scilly that becomes a main character itself of the story. After I finished reading Devil’s Table I went online to look at pictures of St. Martin’s and it’s magnificent (although, I looked at pictures where it’s sunny and people were sunbathing). The remoteness of the island, which nobody can’t enter or leave, and the bad weather gives the mystery a claustrophobic atmosphere with a bit of Agatha Christie vibe and I love it!

The plot is slow-paced and full of twists. As Ben Kitto uncovers secrets, not only regarding Jade’s family, but the entire island, things get more complicated and more people get in danger.

I love the character of DI Ben Kitto. A big man with a past who still haunts him, he has the job to interrogate and suspect people he’s known his entire life to find out the truth. He also faces changes in his personal life as his relationship with his girlfriend Nina develops in unexpected ways.

I have been reading this series from the very beginning, when the first book came out, and I am always looking forward to the next one. Twisty, atmospheric, and addictive, I can’t recommend it enough!

A huge thank you to Tracy for inviting me to the readalong and providing me with a proof of this fantastic novel.

Kate Rhodes is a bestselling British crime writer. Her latest books are the acclaimed ISLES OF SCILLY MYSTERIES, which have been optioned for TV. Kate has been passionate about the islands since holidaying there as a child, and still returns regularly to research her books. Kate’s books have been nominated for the Crime Novel of the Year award, and the Library Dagger award.

Kate was born in south London, but now lives in Cambridge with her husband. She did a wide range of jobs including working in bars, being a theatre usherette, and teaching at a liberal arts college in Florida, before focusing on her writing. She works part-time as a Creative Writing Fellow at Cambridge University.

Publication: 14th September 2023 – Penguin Books UK

ASSISTANT WANTED: Notorious, high-ranking villain seeks loyal, level-headed assistant for unspecified office duties, supporting staff for random mayhem, terror, and other Dark Things in General. Discretion a must. Excellent benefits.

With ailing family to support, Evie Sage’s employment status isn’t just important, it’s vital. So when a mishap with Rennedawn’s most infamous Villain results in a job offer-naturally, she says yes. No job is perfect, of course, but even less so when you develop a teeny crush on your terrifying, temperamental, and undeniably hot boss. Don’t find evil so attractive, Evie.

But just when she’s getting used to severed heads suspended from the ceiling and the odd squish of an errant eyeball beneath her heel, Evie suspects this dungeon has a huge rat…and not just the literal kind. Because something rotten is growing in the kingdom of Rennedawn, and someone wants to take the Villain-and his entire nefarious empire-out.

Now Evie must not only resist drooling over her boss but also figure out exactly who is sabotaging his work… and ensure he makes them pay.

After all, a good job is hard to find…

AMAZON

WATERSTONES

Assistant to the Villain is one of the most entertaining, immersive, and intriguing novels I have read this year. I had so much fun reading it and I already can’t wait for its sequel to come out. It features a wonderful heroine, a morally grey hero, grumpy vs sunshine romance, witty banter, magic powers and animals, including an adorable king frog who communicates with signs.

The heroine is Evangelina “Evie” Sage who has been taking care of her family since her father’s illness. She is looking for a new job when she stumbles into the man that everyone calls The Villain who, according to rumours, is a dark unknown figure who steals victims to torture in his manor hidden in the forest. While he’s being chased from the king’s guards, The Villain offers Evie a job as his personal assistant and, desperate for money, she accepts. Of course, this is not a normal job, and while Evie is trying to figure out who is the spy betraying her new boss, she also starts to have romantic feelings for him. And The Villain, who’s always kept his distance from emotions of any kind, certainly didn’t expect to return those feelings. 

I adored Evie and The Villain. She is loyal, honest, fun, loud, bold and brave, and she’s always happy to help others. On the other hand, The Villain is broody and temperamental. He likes to hang the heads of his enemies from the ceiling and he’s holding a ten-year-long revenge against the king that includes stealing from each other, secret houses, and spies. He’s always kept everyone at a distance, his family included, but Evie seems to get through his wall. Their slow-burn romance kept me completely addicted, but, like all romances, there are challenges to face. 

I highly recommend Assistant to the Vilain: a swoony romance, a cast of lovable and engaging characters, an intriguing, refreshing, and riveting story with a terrific final cliff-hanger that left me wanting for more!

A huge thank you to Penguin and NetGalley for providing me with a proof of the novel.

Hannah Nicole Maehrer, or as TikTok Knows her, @hannahnicolemae. is a fantasy romance author and BookToker with a propensity for villains. When she’s not creating bookish comedy skits about Villains and Assistants, she’s writing to Taylor Swift songs. Her biggest passions in life include romance, magic, laughter, and finding ways to include them all in everything she creates. Most days you can find her with her head in the clouds and a pen in her hand.

Publication: 3rd August 2023 (eBook); 12th October 2023 (paperback) – Aria

A laugh-out-loud rom-com about learning to embrace living outside your comfort zone.

As a shy school librarian, Alexis Stone is comfortable keeping out of the spotlight. But when she’s dumped for being too meek-in bed!-she decides she needs to change. And what better way to kick-start her new more adventurous life than with her first one-night stand?

Enter Logan, the gorgeous, foul-mouthed stranger she meets at a hotel bar. Audacious and filterless, Logan is Alexis’s opposite-and boy, do opposites attract! Just as she’s about to fulfill her hookup wish, the hotel catches fire in a freak lightning storm. In their rush to escape, Logan is discovered carrying her into the street, where people are waiting with cameras. Cameras Logan promptly-and shockingly-flees.

Alexis is bewildered until suddenly pictures of her and Logan escaping the fire are all over the internet. Turns out Logan is none other than Logan Arthur, the hotshot candidate challenging the Texas governor’s seat. The salacious scandal is poised to sink his career-and jeopardize Alexis’s job-until a solution is proposed: he and Alexis could pretend to be in a relationship until election day.in two months. What could possibly go wrong?

AMAZON

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I adored The Boyfriend Candidate. It’s well-written and with such fantastic characters that I am still thinking about it many days later. I loved the swoony slow-burn romance and the chemistry between the protagonists, the friendships and family ties and there are also a few adorable kittens!!!

The protagonist is Alexis Stone who is on a mission: have her very first one-night-stand. So, she goes to a bar, she meets a handsome stranger, they hit it off right away, and they get a room in a hotel to spend the night together. Everything is going better than she could have hoped until the fire alarm goes off and they have to leave the hotel, half-naked. Their escape from the hotel is caught on camera and when the handsome stranger, better known as Logan Arthur, turns out to be a candidate on the run as the next governor of Texas, Alexis finds herself thrown into the world of politics and elections in her role as Logan’s fake girlfriend.

I really liked the character of Alexis. An introverted school librarian and relatable book nerd who’s always lived in the shadow of her successful and fearless sister and is still struggling with issues from her parents’ divorce. Even though she doesn’t like being the center of attention and public speaking, being Logan’s fake girlfriend gives Alexis the chance to grow and come out of the shadows to fight for what she believes in. 

The romance is very well-developed. Opposites attract and fake dating go along perfectly with witty banter and flirting that kept me completely immersed in the story. I loved every single page of this beautiful, entertaining, and sexy story and I can’t wait to read more by this author.

A huge thank you to Aria and NetGalley for providing me with a proof of this entertaining novel.

Ashley Winstead is an academic turned novelist with a Ph.D. in contemporary American literature. She lives in Houston with her husband, two cats, and beloved wine fridge. You can find her at www.ashleywinstead.com