A Little Buzzed by Alys Murray (Feb 17, 2026) Thank you, @berkleyromance and @prhaudio for the gifted digital and audio copies! #berkleybookstagram #prhaudioinfludencer
Not too long ago, Scout Porter’s life as a rocket engineer quite literally blew up. Now? She’s traded rockets for R&D in the personal pleasure industry – while carrying the emotional wreckage of a toxic former boss, a shattered sense of self-worth, and a vow to swear off love (which she thought she’d had)…and sex (which she hasn’t). Scout wants to change the latter.
Enter Hudson Bailey: a software developer on a temporary contract, completely out of his depth with the pleasure industry. He’s charming, confident, and experienced. Their arrangement is simple and mutually beneficial: Scout teaches Hudson about the industry, and Hudson helps Scout finally lose her v-card. No strings. No feelings. Except…FEELINGS.
This book is unapologetically spice-forward, but it’s also big-hearted. Beneath the heat, you’ll find deeply layered characters, complicated parent relationships, coworkers-turned-found-family, and a genuinely moving journey toward self-belief. Scout is a messy, brilliant FMC who doesn’t think she deserves love because she’s never been shown a healthy version of it. Hudson, meanwhile, is a MMC learning how to articulate his needs both emotionally and physically.
Add in fantastic side characters, a high-stakes race-to-market for a groundbreaking product, swoony yearning, and laugh-out-loud moments (I promise you’ll never look at mini golf the same way again), and you’ve got a romance that’s as fun as it is affirming.
If you loved The Roommate or Business or Pleasure – stories that embrace spice as a tool for growth and emotional clarity – this one absolutely belongs on your TBR.
🎧 Audiobook Thoughts: Isabelle Turner is a new-to-me narrator and WOW. She completely nails Scout’s vulnerability and Hudson’s warmth, balancing humor, heat, and heart in a way that made the emotional beats land even harder. A standout performance. (11h 50m)
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
🎧 Audio performance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🔥 Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Book Smart Kate 