Something About September

by Julia McKay

Cozy up with your pumpkin spiced latte and a slice of apple pie, because it's time to fall in love in Bramley Hollow...

A fall-inspired second-chance romance about a woman who returns home after inheriting her grandmother’s diner, only to discover the contractor she must hire was her high school crush.

Sweater weather is better together.

Rebecca Macintosh has always felt that there’s just something about September—nostalgia, crisp mornings, and possibility. But not this year. Rebecca has thirty days to return home to fix up her late grandmother’s diner or face the consequences. And the only contractor in town? Cort Adams. The man who rejected her one year ago. He’s somehow even better looking as a single dad than when he was the high school football star she once tutored.  She’d been hoping to avoid him forever.

As the golden leaves start to fall, Rebecca may find that there’s more to her hometown—and to Cort—than she’d realized, and that the dreams she’s been chasing might have been the wrong ones. Could a spark kindle hot enough in the cool autumn air to call Rebecca home for good?

Genres: Romance, Autumn, Audiobook, Contemporary, Second Chance, Contemporary Romance, Fiction

313 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 18, 2026

About the author

Julia McKay is the romance-writing pen name of New York Times bestselling author Marissa Stapley, whose novel Lucky was a Reese’s Book Club pick and was as a series for Apple TV starring Anya Taylor Joy. She divides her time between Toronto and Ontario cottage country.

Reviews

[Cara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something About September written by Julia McKay was such a cute fall themed book full of sweet moments, fall festivities, tender moments, emotional moments, and angst. This book made me miss fall, the cool weather, cute fall clothes, leaves crunching under your shoes, and anything apple related. I'm so beyond ready for fall to get here, I'm so tired of this summer heat and humidity, but this book gave me all the fall vibes I was looking for. Reading this book felt like I was being wrapped in the most comforting hug. Let me start off by saying this book wasn't horrible by any means, but I did have a few issues hence the three star rating- let's jump right into what bugged me, the third-act break-up, the communication skills which weren't there (if you are an adult, you need to communicate like one, TALK), and there was just something missing that I can't exactly put my finger on- I feel like some parts were a bit rushed in my honest opinion. Julia's writing style was so immersive, I flew through this book, but at times I forgot that I was reading a book because it felt like I was watching everything unfold in real time instead of turning pages of a book. If you are looking for something sweet, angsty, and fall themed then you need to mark your calendars for August 18th, 2026, so you don't miss out on Something About September. I have never read anything by this author before, so reading this book felt like a breath of fresh air. Grab yourself a mug of hot tea, your favorite fall sweet treats, and a warm fluffy blanket and buckle down for this sweet read.

THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND PUTNAM FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!

🎧☕ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬᵞᴵᴺᴳ : Autumn Leaves by Nat King Cole🎧☕
0:49 ───|──────2:40

💘🧸🍁🎀First and foremost, I would like to thank my favorite girl Cat for buddy reading this sweet fall themed book with me💘🧸🍁🎀. I had the absolute best time sharing our thoughts together and screaming how much we miss fall. This was actually our first ever buddy read we did together, but I'm a bit late on writing the review as per usual. Anyway, I love you so much, my sweet girl💘🍭. I'm so happy and thankful we got to experience this journey together.

"💝😭I don't feel like I have enough people in my life that I can afford to lose any of them💝😭".

"💗🌱Avoiding something doesn't make it smaller. It just gives it more time to grow💗🌱".

"💞🍂You can live in a place that has so many people, so many places to go, unique things to do, and just get stuck in the same patterns💞🍂".

Rebecca Macintosh is a twenty-nine year old Literature professor at the University of Toronto, but she's taking a leave of absence to go back to her hometown of Bramley Hollow. Bramley Hollow's Business Improvement Association has given Rebecca a thirty day timeline to figure out what she wants to do with her Grannie Lenore's long closed diner with an apartment above. Macintosh's Diner is family owned and ran by Lenore until she couldn't keep up anymore. Inside the diner, there was this table called Macintosh's Table which held many memories, but I guess that's not a good enough reason for Rebecca to hold onto this beloved diner, instead she returns to Bramley Hollow a year later after Lenore's funeral to fix up the diner so she can sell it. Grannie Lenore passed away at the age of eighty-nine. I absolutely adored Grannie Lenore- getting glimpses of the woman that she was truly made it so wholesome. Rebecca's mom died when she was an infant and she doesn't know who her father is, so her grandma Lenore raised her alone after losing her own daughter and her husband. I had sympathy for Rebecca, but her and I got off on a rocky start. I actually had second hand embarrassment for Rebecca, her communication skills were so bad, she had a habit of running from the truth, and placing blame on others but herself- I mean it takes two to tango, I understand there was history and emotions were high, but this woman would always run away. What I loved most about Rebecca was her best friend Sabrina Calloway. Their friendship felt so real and supportive without any unnecessary drama, they were just two girlies who always showed up for each other, ugh I just love being a girls girl.

Cortland "Cort" Adams is the best and only contractor in the small town of Bramley Hollow. Now, I absolutely loved and adored this man, the kindness he showed to other, the patience he had, he was just so admirable, I loved him from the very beginning. Cort is a single dad to his eight year old son Pip that he shares custody with his ex-wife Melanie. Cort was going through a divorce the last time Rebecca came home for the funeral of her grandma. Melanie and Cort are better off as friends, they have no regrets and Cort feels at peace with the divorce. Can we just take a minute and all take advice from Cort Adams? Because this man truly was so wise, "what if realizing you're stuck is the first step to getting unstuck?" "what if it's okay to feel like this?". This man truly had me swooning, it was so nice to see a grown man actually act like an adult instead of being so childish. "I think we sometimes choose the relationships that feel safest". Cort was truly so wise beyond his years. I absolutely adored the co-parenting aspect between Cort and Melanie, there were no hard feelings, it was just two parents who wanted the best for their child which was such a breath of fresh air. If you are looking for a man that will make you swoon and sweep you off of your feet, then you better read Something About September so you can meet the one and only sweetheart, Cort Adams.

Rebecca and Cort have known each other since high school when Rebecca was his English tutor. Rebecca and Cort were really good friends, but things went south after Rebecca saw Cort and Melanie at a school dance when they were in high school, Rebecca was in love with Cort but she never said anything, again here's where I had issues with Rebecca's communication skills because instead of letting Cort know how she felt, she just ran from her feelings after seeing them dancing together. Rebecca felt like this was a one sided crush, but honestly she never knew how Cort felt because she DIDN'T COMMUNICATE her feelings for him. According to Rebecca Cort is part of the reason why she stayed away from Bramley Hollow for an entire year because Rebecca tried to kiss Cort right after her grandma's funeral but Cort pushed her away. I mean I could see why Cort did what he did because they just got out of a funeral and Rebecca was trying to smooch up on him like nothing happened, I guess Cort just wanted her to have a clear head instead of acting on emotional impulses. Now that Rebecca's back in Bramley Hollow to fix up the diner, she's acting all stubborn and doesn't want to hire Cort as the contractor all because he rejected her kiss that night, well Rebecca I hate to tell you, but Cort Adams is the one and only contractor in the small town of Bramley Hollow. Despite how stubborn and childish Rebecca is acting right now, the patience Cort had was truly remarkable because I can't deal with an adult acting so childish after a rejected kiss that literally happened a year ago.

[cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like I need to start this by saying: this book wraps around you in the coziest way possible… like stepping into crisp air, leaves crunching under your boots, and something warm in your hands. The writing? Genuinely so immersive. There were moments I forgot I was reading because it felt like I was just… there. Sitting in that diner, watching everything unfold in real time. 😌

But ALSO… *deep sigh* this was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster for me… and not in the way I adore 😭😭

Rebecca and I had a rocky start. Like… I was trying, I really was. But the miscommunication?? The assumptions??? Girl 😭😭😭 I get that emotions were high and history was involved, but some of the heartache felt so avoidable that I found myself lowkey frustrated instead of fully invested at first 🤦🏼‍♀️ It took me a while to settle into her perspective without wanting to shake her just a little 💀

Now Cort??? Completely different story😝
I loved him. The patience? The kindness? The fact that after everything—after she left, after the distance—he still showed up with so much care??? And then you add in the single dad element (which if yk me you know that’s my weakness)… yeahhhhh he had me. fully🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

And something I don’t want to gloss over because it really stood out to me!! the friendship between Rebecca and Sabrina. 🫶🏼🤞🏼From the very beginning, it felt solid, supportive, and real. No weird tension, no unnecessary drama. Just two girlies who genuinely love and show up for each other. I ate that up. We need more of that energy😌👏🏼

The story itself had this soft thread of mystery woven through it that kept me curious, and the emotional core very much leaned into that “right person, wrong time” ache. There’s a lot of pining & Longing that stretches across time.

BUT (and this is where my feelings wobble again)…
The third act breakup🧍🏼‍♀️
it just didn’t land for me. 🤷🏼‍♀️ I’m picky with those to begin with, and this one didn’t feel strong enough to justify the emotional fallout it created. It pulled me out of the story a bit right when I wanted to be the most locked in🫠🫠

And yet… despite my frustrations, I can’t deny that this was such a soft, comforting, feel-good fall read. 😌 The kind you pick up when you want something warm, a little angsty, a little sweet, and easy to sink into💛🧡

things to know about the book ↓

🍂 second chance
🍂 high school crush
🍂 single dad
🍂 cozy fall vibes
🍂 slow-burn pining
🍂 miscommunication
🍂 third act breakup
🍂 single POV (hers in 3rd person)

spice rating: 🌶️🌶️
swearing: yes

The biggest thank you to NetGalley, Putnam & Julia McKay for allowing me to read this arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

-•-I had the bestest time reading with my beautiful bestie girl Cara 😍😘 Can’t wait for our next buddy read cutie!!-•-

─────────
・❥・⁀➷ 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕

so excited to start this one! the cover is so pretty!!

Buddy reading with beautiful Cara 💗🫶🏼

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my god, what a sweet and cute little book! It was so cozy and heartfelt, but super deep in its own right.

I really liked the romance. I thought it was very sweet and slowburn, years in the making, kind of thing. I needed a refresh on the dramatic romance and just picked up something I knew wouldn’t be too much.

I didn’t think, at first, that this would have much substance (not in a bad way, of course), but it ended up being kind of deep, and I appreciated that!

Cort, though I hated his name, was so sweet. So kind and gentle and I appreciated a hardworking and intelligent man! Pip was so cute and I loved him so much!



I also never read single dad or single mom romances. Nothing at all against them, of course, but they usually aren’t my cup of tea. This one though, I actually enjoyed! It convinced me to now start reading a single mom romance!

[Laurin Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

“Staying in one place did not have to mean standing still.”

this was literally so cute!!! the perfect binge able fall read that felt like stepping into Star’s Hollow. 10/10 recommend listening to a fall playlist.

also now I want to own a bookstore / bakery in a cozy small town with my best friend !!!!! 🍁☕️✨🥧

[♥Rachel♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something About September was a sweet second-chance romance packed with cozy fall vibes: a pumpkin contest, hay maze adventures, sweater weather, hot apple cider, and plenty of small-town charm!

After her grandmother’s death, Rebecca returns to Bramley Hollow with thirty days to fix up the diner she inherited. Unfortunately, the only available contractor is Cort Adams, her high school crush, whom she’s been avoiding after an embarrassing encounter.

Beyond the romance, I appreciated Rebecca’s journey through grief, doubts about her career, and figuring out what she wants next. I also loved the support she received from her bestie Sabrina and Sabrina’s family.

Rebecca and Cort’s romance was full of palpable longing. A little more honesty and fewer assumptions would’ve helped, but the angst still remained pretty low. I really enjoyed their journey to a sweet, satisfying HEA!

I voluntarily read a copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.

[Phoebe (readandwright) Wright · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you Putnam for my copy! All thoughts are my own.

I wanted to love this book. The cover was so perfectly Fall and the synopsis felt so cozy and cute. Unfortunately, it didn’t work for me. It felt a littleeee too cheesy for my taste. Sometimes I want a Hallmark movie in a book, but most times I want a little bit more substance when it comes to my Romance.

Synopsis:

“Sweater weather is better together.Rebecca Macintosh has always felt that there’s just something about September—nostalgia, crisp mornings, and possibility. But not this year. Rebecca has thirty days to return home to fix up her late grandmother’s diner or face the consequences. And the only contractor in town? Cort Adams. The man who rejected her one year ago. He’s somehow even better looking as a single dad than when he was the high school football star she once tutored.  She’d been hoping to avoid him forever.As the golden leaves start to fall, Rebecca may find that there’s more to her hometown—and to Cort—than she’d realized, and that the dreams she’s been chasing might have been the wrong ones. Could a spark kindle hot enough in the cool autumn air to call Rebecca home for good?” —NetGalley

What I Liked:

The Fall Vibes—They’re definitely there! It’s cozy and sweet. I just prefer a bit more grit.

What Didn’t Work for Me:

The Tropes—The Second Chance felt really forced and their reasoning for not getting together previously didn’t seem strong enough to me.

The Writing—It all just felt really forced and not natural to me.

The Chemistry—Missed the mark for me with our main couple.

Character Authenticity: 2/5 Spice Rating: 0/5 Overall Rating: 2/5

Content Warnings:

grief

[Bea · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG THIS WAS SO CUTE!!
And we officially open the season for autumn reads, Idc that technically it's still summer I'm ready for autumn maybe because I was born just at the very start of the autumn so I'm so excited for this season 🍁

And then I say this book, which absolutely involves autumn and September I had to read it right away. The probabilities of me forgetting and reading it in November were too high 😶

I feel like when the topic is seasonal books there are usually two types, the cringey one or the cozy and comforting read that will have you absolutely hooked. This is the second one obviously

I loved getting to know Becca's and Cort's story and their romance was so cute full of those typical tropes, like friends to lovers, highschool crush. But also I loved the whole setting of the book, the town, the renovation of the dinner, and how the author handled Becca's grief and the memory of her grandmother who was a huge piece in this book without even speaking a word.

I would love to be back in this setting maybe with her friend's book?

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished reading an advanced copy of a book that was just released called, Something About September. This is about Rebecca, she has to go back to her hometown to fix up and sell her grandmother's diner after she passed. And the only contractor in town is Cort, who was her childhood friend turned teenage crush. Now they're adults and he's the last person she wants to see because when she finally took a chance and tried to be more than friends with him a year ago but he turned her down. But as they're stuck spending time together while fixing up the diner Cort starts to open up, the town welcomes her back, and she starts to wonder if this is exactly where she's meant to be.
This was a sweet, small town, second chance romance! I loved how after some resistance Rebecca and Cort finally got everything out in the open which cleared up misunderstandings, healed their hearts, and gave them a second chance at love. This story was full of fall vibes, delivers on the small town charm, and even had a little mystery tied in! I really enjoyed this book! Also I LOVED that Cort and his son had a sourdough starter, and that Cort had a fresh loaf of sourdough bread when he made Rebecca dinner. I was absolutely thrilled when I read that, and I was so excited to include my sourdough starter and a fresh loaf of sourdough bread with my book review pic! 💛📚

Thank you to Julia McKay, Putnam, and Netgalley for this ARC of Something About September, in exchange for an honest review.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

it wasn’t bad, but i really didn’t gaf about the characters lol.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reads like a Hallmark movie, cute and rather predictable, but overall, a sweet romance story.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was so cute & hallmark-y 🥹 although i would love to know how many times the word “apple” is used in this book lol

[Stacey Beane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another sweet, cozy, hallmark vibes book with a little spice. It is the perfect little book to add to your fall/cozy reads!

[BookishKB]

🍂🥧 Something About September 🥧🍂

📖 Bookish Thoughts
I’ll be sharing my full review closer to publication date.

🧡 What to Expect
• Second chance romance
• Small town return
• High school crush
• Single dad MMC
• Family inheritance
• Homecoming story
_ _ _
📅 Pub Date: August 18, 2026
📝 Thank you to Putnam, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to PRH Audio for the gifted audiobook copy! I used this book as my kick off into fall reading, and it was perfect! I loved the small town of Bramley Hollow and I lived watched Rebecca and Cort make their way back to each other. We get to see them reconnect as friends, who turn into lovers and it was so sweet. Especially all the scenes with Cort’s son! This little town was the perfect town to escape to for some fall reading, and I hope we get to take a trip back here in the future with another book, for Sabrina!

The narrator did a fantastic job narrating and I definitely recommend the audiobook, I didn’t want to stop listening while I worked on a fall puzzle!!

🧸☕️📖🍂❤️🔨🕯️🎃🥰

[Jacky Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

🍂🎃💕
Hallelujah! A FMC who recognizes her mistake in her behavior from the get-go, corrects it, and actually makes amends. That is incredibly refreshing.

Rebecca is such a breath of fresh air. Her feelings are completely valid, but she handles them with so much maturity and thoughtfulness. I loved watching her navigate everything without unnecessary drama or poor communication.

This book is just so comfy. I eat up small-town books, especially when they have older characters who remind the main character of their past and cheer them on for who they are today—with no judgment about their decisions or how they handle grief. Those characters added so much warmth to the story.

And Sabrina? A+ best friend. Hardworking, innovative, loyal, and always present. You can tell she desperately wants Rebecca to stay, but she never pressures her. She loves her BFF so well, and I absolutely adored their friendship. 💕

The pumpkin watch, s’mores, shared sleeping bag, and shooting star scene were magical. It was peak cozy romance and exactly the kind of scene I want to curl up inside.

Even the conflict worked for me because it was actually reasonable: she’s leaving, he’s staying. Simple, but completely logical given who they are and what they want. No manufactured drama necessary.

I even enjoyed the maturity and growth from Heather and Melanie. Their character arcs felt genuine and satisfying.

All in all, this was warm, cozy, comforting, and the absolute epitome of a happily-ever-after. I ate it UP.

And honestly? I need a film adaptation of this pronto. 🎬🍂

[Christine Seder · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just plain cute and gave off all the vibes of Stars Hollow 🤭

Thank you to Netgalley and Putnam Publishers for the eARC.

[Stacee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the fall vibes cover and the idea of a second chance romance and sadly, only the cover delivered.

I liked Rebecca well enough. She's unhappy(but settling), grief stricken (but putting on a brave face), and yearning for something more (but acting like she's not). I struggled to root for her. Cort is bland, boring, and picks Rebecca second.

Plot wise, it's a slow meandering of antique stores, several mentions of apples and the products made from them, and more miscommunications than one book should have. The third act break up was stupid and the epilogue didn't fix it.

Overall, I had high hopes, but was disappointed. I'm not sure if I'll try this author again.

FYI: the audiobook narrator pronounced pumpkins as "punkins" and that really irritated me.

**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**

[Super Specific Romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet, cozy fall romance! We’re talking apple orchards, a small town diner, a giant pumpkin lol - you know the drill 🎃 Easy read with heart, and nice if you need a palette cleanser after something darker or heavier, but maybe not one I’d find super memorable after time!

[Tracy Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet , cute romance that will make you excited for fall weather.

[Anita · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

this was cute

[Nikki | Sugarvogue · Rating 3 out of 5]

🍂🍁
⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Christine Timmo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Total hallmark movie of a book. Everything was so darn cozy. And yeah, there were difficult emotions. Old hurts (and new ones!) had to be resolved. But the setting of the book was settled over everything like a warm blanket. No matter the difficult emotions happening, the book still snuggled you close and kept you safe. I love the security of knowing a happy ending will be coming - you just need that sometimes, you know?

[Lisa Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn't that this was bad but it just didn't have much substance or depth to it.

[Cameron Sauschuck · Rating 3.25 out of 5]

Cute with not a lot of substance. It was perfect for the beginning of fall when you want to get into the spirit with a little romance set during the fall. The names of the characters were hilarious… I mean come on, Cortland, Chrysanthemum, Crispin!!! Her last name is Macintosh HAHAA Anyway, it was cute, I wasn’t very attached to anyone, but I had fun. More things could have been explored but it was a short book so.

[Destinee Freedom · Rating 2 out of 5]

hallmark vibes

[Jessica S · Rating 2 out of 5]

So…let me see if I get this straight. He flirts and leads her on all through high school but decides to take the “easier/safer” route and gets back with his ex-gf. So she’s left feeling like it was all in her head. Then, as adults, when he’s single again, he flirts and leads her on and she decides to make a move this time until he shoves her away and tells her it’s not a good idea. And she’s left feeling like it’s all in her head. AGAIN. She goes home to where she lives and works and continues on with her life. Comes back a year later to deal with her grandmother’s estate and he has the gall to be upset and ask her if she’s going to stop avoiding him. …are you KIDDING ME? THEN! They finally get together for a few days and immediately his ex-wife descends and tells him he needs to end the relationship because it’s “too early” for their son. AND HE DOES IT. He only pursues her again after 1) she tells him she’s staying in town (for herself, thank god) and 2) his ex-wife gives her consent. Therefore she is now A Safe Choice.

W.T.F. No. Absolutely not. Girl. Forget him. Find someone who will fight for you like you deserve. Not this wishy-washy nonsense.

Overall, very, very Hallmark-y (which isn’t my cup of tea anyways) and honestly got a bit repetitive. I swear apples were mentioned every other page minimum. Also, Sabrina is the best character, hands down. Love her. One whole star for Sabrina.

[Danielle | daniellereadslikealot · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, IMMACULATE FALL VIBES which was exactly what I was hoping for. The food, the decorations, the fall festival and gala all made me wish I could be wearing my coziest of sweaters, eating an apple cider donut on a brisk October day immediately. Like many of the romances I love, this book had so much more going on than just a love story. There was such a beautiful friendship, a look at grief and that feeling of not being sure where you belong or fit anymore. I really loved Rebecca so much, especially her friendship with Sabrina. Cort was wonderful and I loved how much he cared for Rebecca, his son and their town. The miscommunication was a little frustrating at times, but that’s more of a personal thing. This book is VERY sweet. Like Hallmark level cutesy-ness which I didn’t mind at all, but just throwing it out there for other readers. I think it’s a pretty solid fall read for the atmosphere alone and CERTAINLY for the food descriptions and as I always say with a book like this, don’t read on an empty stomach!

Thank you to Putnam Books for the digital reader’s copy!

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something About September is a lovely story set in fall, with romance and a coming home again. Rebecca Macintosh left Bramely Hollow and moved to Toronto. She is now a university lecturer who loves autumn and magic. When her grandmother died, she inherited her diner, but besides paying someone to keep the outside neat, she hasn't done much with it over the past year. When she receives and ultimatum from the mayor that she has 30 days to fix up the diner or face legal ramifications, she returns to renovate and sell the diner before returning to Toronto. The problem is, the only contractor available is Cort Adams. He was her highschool boyfriend, but they had both gone their own way after school. When she returned the previous year for her grandmother's funeral, he rebuffed her and she was still hurt and embarrassed. Can they work together to fix up the diner before the 30 day deadline? Will Rebecca fall in love with Bramley Hollow again, and decide to stay and run the diner?

This was a fun, but predictable romance. Rebecca was hurt and left the prior year, not planning to return. She loved her grandmother and all the memories in the diner, but was too sad, grieving and embarrassed to return. It took Crispin, the overbearing mayor to get her to go home. Luckily for her, her BFF, Sabrina, was there to help her deal with everything and push Cort at her. I liked Cort, and of course, her is a single dad with an adorable son, Pip, who bonds with Rebecca. I liked the characters, and was even able to excuse Rebecca's stubborn behaviour. There is a bit of a mystery involving Rebecca's mother that was an interesting side story. I enjoyed the seasonal activities of the fall fair, with a pumpkin contest, corn maze etc. There is also a theme of found family with Sabrina's family being the surrogate family she needed when her mother died when she was a teen. The romance moves relatively quickly with some steamy scenes, but then again, it is a second chance romance, so there is history there. Themes of family, second chances, going home again, friendship, forgiveness and romance all play a part in the story. The setting was wonderful and we spend a lot of time in the diner, as well as preparing for the fall festival. Overall, a sweet romance with a bit of steam that I liked.

[Igor DelRey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gotta say I'm very impressed.
I really liked this book. I had never read a book by this author before, so I had no idea what to expect from this author, and since I consider myself a 'newbie' in the romance genre, I also didn't know how I would feel about this book.
Fortunately, I really, really liked it.
I empathised with the female main characters' motivations and personality. I enjoyed the male protagonist. I definitely loved the setting and ambience of this small town and its autumn traditions.
I particularly liked, and felt relief, that there hasn't been much bickering and miscommunication in this story, and that - most likely because this is a short novel - the plot didn't drag on and on. It was very on point. The author knew what she wanted to say and she did.
Also, there is actually REAL and believable romance and passion between the couple, and more importantly: there's no smut!! Which I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE! :)
I can highly recommend this book to any romance readers who appreciate cozy autumn-like stories in small towns and, just like me, prefer much more to read a romance novel WITH ROMANCE and not with that nonsense and BS smut stuff that is not romantic AT ALL.

[jessanotherlovestory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could relate to Rebecca so much when she feels dissatisfied with her career in the city and how much she misses her mom.

I love Rebecca and Sabrina's friendship and how Sabrina accepts Rebecca staying away for a year because she thought it was too painful to return to her hometown when her grandmother passed. The real reason she stayed away was because she was embarrassed by the rejection of her high school crush, Cort.

Cort always knew she was going to leave Bramley Hollow when she tutored him in high school. After her return to their hometown, the line between friendship and something blurs as Cort takes her to his favorite places and they fall asleep under the stars.

Rebecca is the reason why they're together as she made the first move on Cort in the past, Cort ended things so easily after a convo with his ex, and Rebecca sent the first text to fix things. Cort should've taken more risks to be with her, as Becca was the only one fighting for their relationship.

Rebecca feels lonely after losing Lenore, but she has a family with Sabrina's parents and with Cort and Pip. A slow trickle of tears fell down my face as I read the ending. Rebecca avoided home but dreams and people change. This is a beautiful story of grief, friendship, found family, and first love.

Thank you, Putnam and NetGalley, for my digital ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.