Dumb Blonde: Men want her. Women want to be her friend. She'll enjoy all of this until time runs out.

by Heather Curlee Novak

Meet The Curvy Bombshell with a Shadowy Past

Natalie’s magnetic charm and fierce independence have helped her carve out a quiet new life in Valparaiso, Indiana. At The Trailside Restaurant, she discovers unexpected friendships, a glimmer of hope, and perhaps the courage to let someone in. But the past she’s been running from is hot on her heels.

The guy at the bar? Just a fling. But the nerdy, kind-hearted man who’s been patiently pursuing her? He sees through her bravado to the vulnerable woman beneath. With danger closing in, Natalie faces a keep running or risk everything for the one person who truly knows her.

Dumb Blonde by Heather Curlee Novak is a spicy, heartfelt story of buried secrets, unbreakable friendships, and a love that could redeem them all.

Will you root for Natalie from the first page? Or will her fears drive you away?

Dive into a whirlwind of romance, danger, and the courage it takes to trust love.

217 pages, Paperback

Published February 28, 2025

About the author

Heather Curlee Novak, AKA the ‘Lazy Bombshell,’ writes spicy suspense stories packed with humor, unexpected twists, and unforgettable characters who feel like lifelong friends. She’s a lover of all things sparkly, cheeky, and mischievous—qualities that shine through in her work.
When she’s not crafting tales of intrigue and laughter, Heather enjoys motivational speaking and draws inspiration from her years in customer service, sales training, and troubleshooting. Her professional experience fuels her ability to weave relatable, dynamic stories that resonate with readers.
Happily married to her real-life Prince Charming, John, Heather cherishes time with their two fascinating daughters, whom they encourage to live boldly and authentically. She lives each day passionately, striving to "live her love out loud" and bring joy, humor, and a touch of spice to everything she does.

Reviews

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story about body image, and I love that Natalie actively chooses to love herself rather than just being effortlessly confident from the start. Confidence isn’t always innate—it’s often something you have to put on like a costume until it becomes second nature. Natalie embodies that journey beautifully, making her a relatable and refreshing heroine.

Felix is such a great love interest because he’s just a normal guy—no over-the-top smoothness, no impossibly chiseled physique. He’s sweet, genuine, and truly cares about Natalie’s best interests. Their relationship develops at a natural pace, starting with a solid friendship before anything more, which makes their connection feel even more meaningful.

The author also does an incredible job of weaving in subtle tension. The “am I being watched?” moments were just eerie enough to make me question things, and she completely had me believing a particular twist right up until the end!

Overall, I loved this story. Natalie’s quirky nature, Felix’s sincerity, and the way the book handles self-love and personal growth make it stand out. If you love a slow-build romance with an authentic dynamic between characters, this one is definitely worth reading!

[Nancie Blume · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natalie and Felix

Natalie is the curvy bombshell with a past so sketchy, It's like she's trying to give amnesia a run for Its money. Natalie's got charm, independence, and a whole lot of baggage. In Valparaiso, she's found a new life, complete with friendships, hope, and maybe even a chance to let someone in. But her past is like that one aunt who just won't quit - it's hot on her heels. Thor, The guy at the bar? Just a fling to take her mind off things. But the nerdy, kind-hearted man who's been pursuing her? He's like a dog with a bone - he sees right through her tough exterior to the vulnerable woman beneath. With danger closing in, Natalie's got a choice to make: keep running or risk everything for the one person who truly gets her. This is the first book I've read by Heather Curler Novak but definitely not the last bc I can't wait to read all about Maisie 😁

[Shalene Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, short read! Natalie knows what she wants and she’s not afraid to go after it! She may be blonde, but she’s not stupid. She just plays the card to get exactly what she wants. And she’s not a twig like most FMC’s are, she has some weight to her, which is nice to read about.
Felix is also not the typical MMC. He’s not in shape, he’s not super
attractive, he’s a nerd. But we’re drawn to him anyway because he’s smart, and charming, and kind.
This was my first read by Heather Curlee Novak, but it
definitely won’t be my last!

[Ashley Bundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This steamy romance was fully of quirky characters that any reader is sure to fall in love with. I personally LOVED Rose more than I can put into words.

I also loved that there was an air of mystery surrounding Natalie and couldn't stop turning the pages to find out her secret.

I will definitely be reading more from Heather Curlee Novak.

[angelpompom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love strong and confident female protagonist. Natalie truly understands that loving yourself is a journey and she embraces it. She doesn’t expect anyone to love her until she’s learned to accept herself. She’s fun, a little quirky, and carries a lot of baggage. She doesn’t think she’s suited for a stable man anymore, just flings.
Felix, however, isn’t deterred by her determination. In fact, he seems to chase her more. At times he was like a dog chasing his tail. His big heart and needy personality threaten to win Natalie over though. The
secrets and baggage Natalie tried to keep hidden made me continue to love reading this. I can’t wait to read Maisie’s story.

[Megan Russ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Natalie is so amazing. After fleeing from her previous horrible situation she now has a dream house and bright future. What more could she want? Oh maybe just one nerdy man to make her dream complete. She may be blonde but she isn't dumb. She knows what she wants and she's going to take it. Nothing better than an honest male character, his brains draw you in and everything else makes you stay.
This is my first Heather Curlee Novak read but it won't be my last.

[Jennifer Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely story! It's hard to love yourself and the author does a great job showing us it's possible even when it's hard! Just a great read overall!

[Paige Cavanaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in my hometown!