Book of the Month by Jennifer Probst is a romcom about a writer who’s first book was a bestseller, but who is having trouble reaching that same level with her subsequent books. Her solution is to hire someone to break her heart so that she can reach the same level of emotion she had when writing her first book.
Aspen Lourde is the struggling writer, and Brick Babel is a tour operating with a failing business that he’s hoping to rejuvenate.
While I initially thought this premise sounded like it could be fun, the execution fell a bit flat for me. I did end up enjoying the book by the end but there were things that really bothered me in the beginning of the book that I just couldn’t brush off.
Very early in the book Aspen’s actions and attitude left a bad taste in my mouth. When she first approached Brick and he brushed her off, she was shocked that he didn’t immediately respond to her advances given his reputation in town. She was so sure that she was attractive to him and that he should respond, that she just kept going after him, and finally, when she couldn’t get him to respond naturally, she proposed an arrangement between the two of them. I felt like this smacked of harassment, and wouldn’t be acceptable to readers if the situation were reversed.
The attraction between Aspen and Brick also felt very forced to me. I don’t know why, it just didn’t seem like a natural progression. Maybe it was because of those first scenes where Aspen was so pushy, I don’t know.
I did come to enjoy the story more after a certain scene (I don’t want to spoil it) which had me literally laughing out loud, it was so funny.
I loved some of the side characters, especially the owners of the souvenir shop next to Brick’s business. They really made the book more enjoyable for me.
My other big beef, and it’s a me problem because I’m sure it doesn’t bother a lot of people, but I despise when women are called “baby” by a love interest, and I can’t tell you how many times Brick called Aspen baby. I had to grit my teeth every time I read it.
All that said, the book wasn’t terrible but it wasn’t a great fit for me. I do think lots of people will enjoy it. I’m more interested in reading Aspen’s sister’s story and will probably be watching for that.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Life, Tea, and Everything 