"It's Getting Hot in Here" by Jane Costello

You all know I love a rom-com – but as a woman of a certain age, it is often hard to relate to a never-ending supply of stories about young women, usually in their late 20s. Don't get me wrong – I love all things Emily Henry or Abby Jimenez, but I admit that it is very refreshing to finally read about middle-aged women out there living their best lives. If you feel the same, this week's book is perfect for you! "It's Getting Hot in Here" by Jane Costello is warm, funny, super relatable – with a dash of spice – that you're sure to love.

Meet Lisa Darling, a woman who's juggling about a million things at once and doing it with the kind of chaotic energy that many of us can probably relate to. She's a successful TV exec and a two-time divorcée navigating the joys of raising a teenager and a grade-schooler. On top of all that, she's a rock for her best friend who's going through breast cancer treatment, and she's knee-deep in the school PTA and all of its drama. Basically, her to-do list is longer than a CVS receipt, and "me time" is a mythical creature she's only heard whispers of. Oh, and did I mention she's also experiencing the delightful rollercoaster of perimenopause? Yeah, she's got a lot on her plate.

Just when Lisa thinks she's got a handle on the hormonal hot flashes, in walks Zach Russo, a hotshot from LA who's temporarily filling in for her best friend's job. Suddenly, Lisa's feeling a different kind of heat, and it's definitely making her a little flustered. She tries to chalk it up to needing a tweak in her hormone replacement therapy, but let's be real, there's something more sizzling going on. Things take a turn for the seriously spicy (and maybe a little unwise) when Lisa finds herself in a compromising situation with Zach. As the attraction intensifies and things start to get complicated, Lisa's forced to confront feelings she thought were long buried. This whole unexpected connection makes her take a good, hard look at her life. Is she always putting everyone else first? Is she finally ready to prioritize her own desires and happiness?

"It's Getting Hot in Here" is a fantastic story about the messy reality of midlife, the importance of female friendships, and the sometimes scary but ultimately liberating journey of rediscovering yourself. Full of laugh-out-loud humor and relatable moments for anyone who's ever felt like they're juggling too many balls in the air, readers will love following Lisa while she figures out if she's ready to choose herself amidst the beautiful chaos of her life.

I know you will enjoy this pick – don't forget to pop over to my Instagram @allison.the.reader for fun recommendations and book talk!