I have liked a few second chance romance tropes that I have read recently .but I feel one night stands shouldn’t fall in that category.

The Reluctant Flirt, book two in the Outer Banks series by Jennifer Probst had all the feels! Sierra and Kane were swoony, and I love being able to catch up with former characters. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is the 2nd book of the Outer Bank series and while can be read as a standalone, I do recommend reading Book of the Month first.

This picks up from the first book and we learn that Sierra and Kane has some history. They reconnect as Aspen, Sierra's sister is marring Brick, who is Kane's best friend.

The story is fun but I found the plot a little off. I don't get why Sierra was so embarrassed about their history and her reluctance in giving Kane a chance. I also didn't buy their 1 encounter 5 years ago made such an impact on each other.

I did enjoy their chemistry and how Kane was able to break down Sierra's walls by showing how thoughtful he is. The breakup act was also something that could've been avoided if there was communication.

Thank you @1001darknights_blueboxpress for a copy of the book.

Dual POV
Slow-burn
Second chances
Heartfelt
Small-town charm
Just enough spice 🌶️🌶️


I loved this book so much!
The Reluctant Flirt is full of emotion, passion, and love as Kane Masterson and Sierra Lourde work on healing their grief and demons to find their way to love. There is definitely a lot of messy, emotional, and heartwarming moments—but it makes the end that much better! 💕

The Reluctant Flirt is the second title in the Outer Banks series and brings us Sierra’s and Kane’s tumultuous romance… or maybe a second chance to see where love leads.

I adored the previous title in this series, Book of the Month (if you haven’t read it yet, I’d highly recommend it). And Sierra and Kane captured my reading heart very quickly in The Reluctant Flirt.

Sierra is devastated by her husband’s betrayal, and escapes to New York City for a time of letting loose while dealing with the emotional pain. She ends up in a one-night stand with a sexy stranger, no names, no future, and slides silently away the following morning. Years have passed, and Sierra has reclaimed her life in the Outer Banks, her fun boutique her only real love, well, there is Montgomery, but his love is often based on treats. Karma has a sick sense of humor when her nameless one-night escape waltzes into town with the plan of development… and her shop stands smack in the middle of his intentions.

Kane never forgot the stranger he’d had an incredible night with. But she chose to leave, like most people in his life do. He’s rebuilt his career and is in the Outer Banks to secure property for development. Why did his stranger’s property have to be involved?

The Reluctant Flirt by Jennifer Probst is a great example of why I escape into romance. Sierra and Kane both have issues, yet the attraction between them is too strong to ignore (although Sierra does try). Watching them lower personal barriers, seeing Kane fall first, and Sierra slowly acknowledging that this man is it for her, was a delightful, emotional journey. If you love a well-written romance with a couple who belong together, they just have to figure out how to make that work… and an adorable cat with a mind of his own, then you’d love this one. I’d highly recommend this one, and look forward to, hopefully, more stories in this series.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

THE RELUCTANT FLIRT is Jennifer Probst's follow up to BOOK OF THE MONTH and the second book in the Outer Banks series. This book is a stand-alone, but you might want to the first book since the main characters play a big-ish part in this book.

Sierra and Kane meet in a bar in New York, bare their souls, spend a hot night together but don't exchange names, and Sierra slips out without waking him in the morning. Four years later they see each other again after his life implodes and he moves to her small Outer Banks town where her sister and his best friend are engaged. He's been pining for her since she disappeared on him, and she decides immediately to pretend she doesn't know him.

I was hooked in the beginning; the story of their night in New York was compelling and sexy. Unfortunately the middle of the story just didn't hit the same. There was no real reason for Sierra to deny knowing Kane, and her refusal to talk to him just made the rest of the book drag until everything wrapped up neatly at the end.

Even with the quibbles I had, I think for those who enjoyed Book of the Month, The Reluctant Flirt would make a great beach read this summer.

Thanks to NetGalley and Blue Box Press for an eARC. Opinions are my own.

I loved everything about Kane and Sierra's story - the way they met, the banter, Montgomery, the bar scenes (my favorite!)...and the bonus epilogue was perfect!

Author Jennifer Probst writes books that are perfect vacation reads or that you would undoubtedly want to pack in your beach bag. The Reluctant Flirt gives all those summery feel-good emotions. Readers will follow Sierra, sister to Aspen from the previous book, Book of the Month, as she tries to get past her divorce. The guy she hooks up with, she figures, she won’t ever see again. But life doesn’t work out that way, and she does run into him several years later. And Kane has not forgotten her. The Reluctant Flirt is a “he falls first” story, and I loved that Kane had been thinking about Sierra for so long. Her aloofness towards him was refreshing to read, since the tables were turned in a way. And just like summer loves, there are spicy and heartfelt moments, which are tied with a tiny bit of drama, with both their businesses.

The Reluctant Flirt was a fun, quick summer romance read.

The Reluctant Flirt returns readers to the charming small-town vibes of the Outer Banks, where this interconnected series first began with Book of the Month. This installment follows Sierra and Kane in a slow-burn, second-chance romance filled with witty banter and emotional hesitation. One of my favorite details was the flirty shoe quotes at the start of each chapter—they added a fun, playful touch. While I found the pacing lagged a bit in the middle, especially as Sierra resisted the idea of happiness and love, Kane's powerful, possessive charm and flirtatious energy kept the story alive. The side characters add warmth and humor—especially Montgomery (Mo) the cat, who absolutely deserves a story of their own. A light, easy summer romance perfect for fans of small-town settings, second chances, and plenty of flirty tension.

“The average woman falls in love seven times a year. Only six are with shoes.”– Kenneth Cole

3.5

The sweet, hot and funny vibes needed for your summer holiday in this Outer Banks seaside town.

Carrying on from Aspen and Brick's story in the Book of the Month, this can be read as a standalone but it will leave you wanting to read their story too!

After a memorable time in NYC, one night of closure with a mysterious man, no names, no promises just something unforgettable. Sierra still thinks about the night that started out as the worst she'd ever had, after discovering her husband's affair, that somehow turned into the most orgasmic evening with her mystery man, but what happens when he finds her by chance and decides he wants to pursue her. Oh and did I mention he's the Best Man in her sister's wedding where she will be the Maid of Honour.

Sierra's turned her life around, living and owning a boutique in the Outer Banks area, then Kane, the man of her dreams comes bulldozing back into her life.

Full of palpable sexual tension, sparks flying and ultimately a battle of wills in this second chance rom-com.

This is a very charming, small-town romance set in the Outer Banks. Sier Lourde begins a new life after divorcing her husband. Kane Masterson relocated to the same town after he is betrayed by his boss and is falsely accused of fraud.
After both have a one-night stand, their chemistry is undeniable. They will have to overcome some challenges that could break them apart. Overall, The Reluctant Flirt is filled with so much emotion, heart and soul. Its definitely an easy beach read and I'm looking forward to more books in this series.

This was such a fun second chance romance with just the right mix of spice, snark, and heart!

I really enjoyed Sierra as the FMC. She is smart, strong, and determined to reclaim her life after betrayal. Her escape to NYC and the impulsive one-night stand with a mysterious (and very charming) stranger felt like the perfect spark to kick off her journey. And of course, in true rom-com fashion, that stranger (Kane) ends up being the man whose new development project threatens her fresh start.

Ohhhhhhh Drama!

Their banter? On point.
The chemistry? Sizzling.


What I loved most was how both Sierra and Kane had to navigate not just their feelings for each other, but also their own emotional baggage, career aspirations, and personal growth. The forced proximity was a classic setup, but it worked so well .

The setting in the Outer Banks added charm and warmth, and the boutique vibe gave Sierra’s world a lot of personality. Also, bonus points for the small-town dynamics, family drama, and all the flirtatious tension!

This is a solid, heartfelt, and swoony romance about second chances and would recommend!

Jennifer Probst delivers a winner that left me smiling and swooning!

I didn’t think this book could be better than Book of the Month but I was wrong. Sierra is so relatable to all the older daughters out in the world who shoulder the responsibilities of the family. Kane grew so much and I absolutely loved him. Such a great read!

The Reluctant Flirt immediately captured my attention with its riveting prologue. I even had to take a breather before I moved on to the first chapter. I was completely hooked and could not wait to begin the novel.

Sierra Lourde starts a new life in the Outer Banks after divorcing her cheating husband. Kane Masterson relocates to the same area after he is betrayed by his boss and is falsely accused of fraud. These two main characters shared an amazing evening way back when and they never forgot about each other. Both are surprised to see each other once again in their new hometown. Overtime, they fall into lust and love.

I liked this book and I enjoyed the relationships between all the characters. Sierra and her sister share an amazing friendship and support each other through thick and thin. Kane and his best friend share a similar relationship. Once Sierra and Kane finally get together, their sexy times are hot. Although this book can be read as a standalone, I was overjoyed with the references to the first book.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

The Reluctant Flirt is a fun, flirty, and heartwarming read—exactly what you’d expect from Jennifer Probst! I loved the chemistry between the characters and how effortlessly the story moved. While some of the plot beats felt familiar and a bit predictable, it didn’t take away from the overall charm of the book. If you’re looking for a feel-good romance with all the cozy tropes you know and love, this is a great pick to add to your summer reading list! 💕📚

This is book 2 in the outer banks series and it can certainly be read and enjoyed as a standalone.
The reluctant flirt is boldly and positively a fun, flirty and brimming with all the feels!

A small town second-ish chance romance, with a big town attitude Kane and Sierra first meet casually and never thought they’d see each other again. When they see each other again years later, little did they know how much of an impression they made that first time, what happens you’ll have to read and find out but the build up and the push and pull between them made them so lovable!

Told in 3rd person past and present theirs is a slow burn story their story was full of unexpected surprises. The main characters Kane and Sierra were easy to like, and even Montgomery was lovable and could get his own story!
Cover plot twist and the humor and banters was spot on. My only issue was that their story was too slow burn for me and reading it in 3rd person limited my discovering what motivated them. However it didn’t take away my enjoyment of their story!

Other reviewers have said it’s a perfect summer read and for me it’s a perfect escape to the beautiful outer banks any of the year!

✨ NEW RELEASE TUESDAY ✨
Featuring The Reluctant Flirt by @AuthorJenniferprobst - Just one night..but it changes everything. After a one night stand in NYC, Sierra faces her past when Kane, the developer threatening her boutique, as their battle of wills turns into unexpected sensual romance.

Such a fun and easy read. Perfect book for the summer! Thank you @Get Red PR Books for my copy! ❤️

Interesting romance story. The book jumps around in time at the beginning but soon settles down. It begins with snapshots of Sierra and Kane at pivotal points in their lives. The story moves to their current lives in the Outer Banks and then jumps back to Kane and Sierra’s first, anonymous meeting in New York City four years’ ago. Their meeting in the same small town in the Outer Banks years' after their memorable hook-up is a shock, as is the fact that Sierra’s sister is marrying Kane’s best friend. Sierra now owns a fashion boutique. Kane’s property development career in New York ended badly and he’s starting over. This romance has dual points of view, adult heat, some plot dilemmas and a HEA. I downgraded one star because Sierra’s rejection of Kane while open to begin dating other men didn’t make much sense (despite the author’s valiant efforts to explain Sierra’s angst). Kane’s childhood traumas should also have a trigger warning, and his resume stretched reality a little too far. Overall, the characters in this book were engaging though, and the conclusion was satisfying. Recommended. I received a copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book follows the journey of Sierra, after she opens a boutique, and Kane, the man she once had a fling with and now her biggest business threat.

I loved Jennifer’s writing style which included witty dialogue and a believable chemistry between Sierra and Kane. The enemies-to-lovers tension is well-paced, and made this an enjoyable read. Highly recommend!

The Reluctant Flirt by Jennifer Probst is a light, funny, and romantic second-chance love story set in the charming Outer Banks. After a steamy one-night stand in New York, Sierra Lourde flees the next morning, only to cross paths with the same man, Kane Masterson, four years later in her beachfront hometown. Now a boutique owner, Sierra faces an emotional and professional challenge when Kane reappears, this time with a job that threatens her business. Both characters are navigating their own emotional scars. Their chemistry is undeniable, and Kane is determined to break down Sierra’s walls. The witty banter, strong characters, and heartfelt second-chance romance make this an engaging read. With nods to deeper themes like trust, betrayal, and healing, it’s a compelling follow-up to Book of the Month. Fans of the series will enjoy seeing more of Aspen and Brick, and will no doubt look forward to future OBX stories.