The House on Mulberry Street is the third book in the Blue Cedar Falls series. And I think it is just as good or better than the previous novel, Return to Cherry Blossom Way.

Though it is possible to read the nove as a standalone, I highly recommend that the series be read in order, beginning with The Inn on Sweetbriar Lane.

Elizabeth Wu is the youngest of the Wu sisters and the most unconventional. Her two older sisters have established and sucessful careers, while she is still trying to find her place in the universe. Known as the rebel without a cause, Elizabeth has bucked the system for most of her life. She even got arrested with her best friend, Graham Lewis. A minor infraction, but still…

Both Elizabeth and Graham have been best friends since grade school. They have kept their relationship platonic for over a decade, and have been roommates for a number of years. But unlike Elizabeth, Graham has wanted more. And as Graham’s fondness for Elizabeth goes unrequited, he purchases a house on Mulberry Street so that both he and Elizabeth can go on with their respective lives. But doing so only makes Graham want more. And Elizabeth starts to realize that maybe she has more feelings for Graham than she thought.

The House on Mulberry Street was by far my favorite book in the series. I loved the main characters of Elizabeth and Graham. Their personalities shine through in this novel — quirky, impulsive and artsy Elizabeth, and geeky and predictable Graham. And if you read the prior novels, the whole picture of the town and the townsfolk are on full display.

As you can guess, the plot follows the friends to lovers trope. But this novel blends in family relationships in a beautiful way. It is more than a romance novel in that Chin deftly inserts the family dynamics from all angles. The sisterhood angle really shines here.

Jeannie Chin is sure to become your next favorite romance author. Five oustanding stars.

I received a digital ARC from Forever (GCP) through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

When I receive ARCs, I either drop everything else to read it, or it seems to linger in the TBR. When @readforeverpub made the ARC for THE HOUSE ON MULBERRY STREET by Jeannie Chin, as a read now on @NetGalley a few weeks ago, I jumped on it, and cleared my reading schedule so that I could read the last book in the Blue Cedar Falls trilogy. (Available March 2023)

We finally get Elizabeth and Graham's story. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes. There's usually so much pining, and I love how it's Graham that's been pinning for Elizabeth. However, this novel is more than a friend to lovers tale, it's about going after what you want, regardless of how others perceive you, and gaining confidence in yourself.

Having applied for many residences artists residencies throughout the country, but not being accepted into any of them, Elizabeth decides that she wants to start a Clothesline Art Festival in Blue Cedar Falls. First, she must get the city's approval, and this small town seems to have a very long memory of young Elizabeth's antics. So of course she asks her best friend Graham, who happens to work for the town, for assistance.

The way that Chin sets up the romance between these two characters is so very perfect for them.

While each book is a standalone, I think you get more out of the books if you read the whole series. Not for the romance, but for the relationship the sisters have for each other, and how it grows and changes. Navigating the adult relationships with family when still making sense of the childhood ones.

I hope you all pick up THE HOUSE ON MULBERRY STREET when it releases in March, and if you haven't already read the first two books in this series, pick those up (or request them from your library), and put the books on your TBR.

I think I found a new auto-buy author! I usually don’t like starting with a book that’s part of a series I haven’t read, but this one worked. There were hints towards previous stories, but it wasn’t enough to make me feel like I was missing out on too much to enjoy this one. It feels like this was an inter-connected stand-alone, which is my favorite!

What I loved:
✔️ diversity and representation
✔️ small town romance
✔️ friends to lovers
✔️ opposites attract
✔️ found family(ish)

I like that Elizabeth and Graham’s main challenge was an obstacle they were facing as a team because I hate growing attached to characters and then watching them self-sabotage for the majority of a book!

This was, all around, just a delight to read!

Thanks to Jeannie Chin, Forever Publishing, and Netgalley for a chance to read this ARC and to discover a wonderful, new-to-me author

Read dates: 01/18/2023- 01/21/2023
Review added to Goodreads: 01/21/2023
Review added to Instagram: 01/22/2023

This book was a light read full of some nice romance novel tropes… best friends to lovers, small town life. I appreciate the own voices aspect where the main character is mixed race like the author.

I also appreciate the dual point of view with the love interest. Sometimes I didn’t buy the small town nemesis line, and perhaps the neighbors are too caught up on how the main character went to jail once. (None of the back story she’s trying to overcome seems that nefarious.)

This is a feel good read with a happy ending. It also challenges societal pressures of what achievement is. Who gets to define what success means and if it’s ok to “settle”? What’s enough and being enough for your life?

This is my first book by Jeannie chin, and will likely read her other two books

The House on Mulberry Street is one of the best, most poignant small-town romances I've read in a long time. Elizabeth and Graham have been best friends forever. Accepting and leaning on each other was never an issue until Graham decided to move on with his life by buying a house. In the process of moving out of the apartment they shared, Graham decided he needed to risk letting Elizabeth know he wanted more, so he kissed her. That's when things got complicated. They both ended up risking their friendship to see if their "more than friends" relationship would work out.
I loved this story with all the feelings, heartaches, and uncertainty -- my eyes leaked for at least several chapters. I didn't want it to end. I have to read more from Ms. Chin!

First of all- I love this series. The diversity representation is fantastic, as is the character development. While I enjoyed this one, I found the dialogue to be too much. Conversations went on for pages.. and pages... and pages. It was overkill and I found myself skimming. However, I enjoyed the characters and the plot. Overall, a sweet read but not my favorite in the series.

The conclusion to the Blue Cedar Falls series is a powerful story of accepting oneself and learning that putting yourself first might change over time but will bring you what you need. In this love story between two long time friends, the pining feels real, the change in the relationship is deftly handled and the characters are precious humans that the author makes you care for deeply.
I love this series and this was the perfect conclusion to it, with glimpses into the rest of the family and the continuing presence of the family relationships that are sometimes not easy but are always worth it.

Thanks to Netgalley and Forever for access to the book.

I have read The Inn on Sweetbriar Lane (Book 1 in the Blue Cedar Falls series) but somehow missed book 2 with May and Han's story - something I will need to rectify. A small town romanace isn't my favourite settings, but I do enjoy them when they are this well realized.

Elizabeth and Graham have been best friends since they were teenagers and are roomates in their hometown with their families also still around. The dual POV structure works well for me and I find Elizabeth and Graham both delightful and infuriating.

I really enhoyed this - recommend.

We return to Jeannie Chin’s small town of Blue Cedar Falls in The House on Mulberry Street, which focuses on Elizabeth Wu, who’s the sister of the main character from the first book in the Blue Cedar Falls Series (The Inn on Sweetbriar Lane).

This time, Chin gives the reader a friends-to-lovers story. Elizabeth lives with her best friend Graham, and he’s a supportive, dependable constant in her life. Little does she know that he’s been secretly in love with her for years, even though he believes she’ll never see him for anything other than a friend. Throw in an impulsive kiss, and they’re left to face the question of what their relationship is and what they want it to be. Add to the story a backdrop of trying to host an arts festival for the town, and it’s a great small-town romance.

I jumped into reading this one as soon as I got my hands on it. I liked The Inn on Sweebriar Lane and the novella Only Home With You, but I somehow missed reading Return to Cherry Blossom Way. Even without reading Book 2, I had no problem following everything that was going on in this book, though reading them out of order will give a glimpse into the couples who are already together from previous books.

I loved Elizabeth and the confidence she builds over the course of the book. The romance and development from friends-to-lovers was paced perfectly, and there were plenty of sweet moments throughout the book that left me rooting for the main characters to finally sort out their feelings and get together.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I loved this book! I’m definitely biased towards a good best friends to lovers trope (shoutout to my best friend & husband), and this one was so good. I loved Graham & Elizabeth’s relationship and felt all of those conflicting feelings that go with taking a risk like that. Jeannie Chin does amazing work with small towns & the issues that come from that, but in such a heartfelt way. I highly recommend it!

The House on Mulberry Street was an enjoyable read. Small town politics at its finest with all the characters you would expect, the nosy nellie's, the behind your back no-gooders, but most importantly, those full of love and support, Eliabeth Wu helps the family with their inn while she tries to find ways to pursue her passion in art There are those that don't support her interests, and find ways to make it difficult. Where there is a will, there is a way, and Elizabeth is determined she will find the solution. The very heart of the story, however, is a charming tale of love and friendship, that warmed my heart. and kept me turning the page.

This contemporary romance had class, charm, and charisma. Loved the laughs. This is one to cuddle up to the fire with, and get lost in the story..

Thank you NetGalley and Forever for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

a good friends to more story between Elizabeth and Graham. When he makes changes by buying a house and moving, things get shaken up in their friendship. I did enjoy the story, but must admit to skimming a bit at times. Still though, would recommend.

Elizabeth Wu is perfectly happy with her life how it is and doesn’t see a need for things to change until her roommate and best friend Graham announces that he has bought a house and will be moving there in a few months. Graham has been in love with Elizabeth for years and finally decides that he cannot keep going ignoring his feelings. A kiss between the two changes everything and Elizabeth realizes that she also has feelings for Graham that goes beyond friendship.

I have been waiting for this book since it started to be teased in the earlier Blue Cedar Falls books. I am a huge sucker for books where the guy is head over heels in love with the girl and she is absolutely clueless and this one was absolute perfection. I loved both Graham and Elizabeth. Both were complex and well rounded characters. I found both of their familiar backgrounds to be interesting and their motivations were compelling. I absolutely love Jeannie’s writing style because it is just so easy to read and deeply romantic. I loved seeing the characters from the earlier books again and will be very sad if this is the last book set in the town.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Loved reading this book and author. Looking forward to the next book in the series. She is a new author for me and I especially like her. I suggest reading her books

Small town romance? (Best) Friends to lovers? Count me in! I'm new to romance books, but I definitely loved this one. I thought it was interesting that the pov was third person, but sort of omniscient. So we got to see what both Elizabeth and Graham were thinking. I absolutely fell in love with both of these characters because I felt like I really got to know each of them, especially since we could actually read what they were thinking of each other and themselves. I read this book because it was in the Read Now category, but fortunately I found out that it is the third book in a series! I will definitely be reading the other two books!

The House on Mulberry Street by Jeannie Chin is book #3 in the Blue Cedar Falls Series.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were well defined and I could feel exactly what they were feeling!
I loved reading Elizabeth's story. She was a likeable character who you can root for.
Jeannie Chin's writing was a nice feel good, cozy romance.
The story was wonderfully written and very entertaining.
A fun, quick read with a cute romance. I can't wait to read the books before this one.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Forever,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this eARC!

Net Galley ARC read in November 22, releases March 23.

4.5 stars

3rd book the the series about the 3 Wu sisters. Elizabeth is the youngest sister, and considers herself a screw-up of the family. She’s trying to launch an art festival but doubts herself, and faces doubt from the town.

Meanwhile her best friend and roommate, Graham, is hopelessly in love with her, but unwilling to risk their friendship. He buys a house, and this sends Elizabeth into a tailspin, disappointed Graham is changing.

Ultimately this book, and the whole series, is about the expectations we put on ourselves and how our experiences with family define how we move through the world, or let them define us. Elizabeth resents being treated like a screwup, but assumes her family believes that about her too. Graham is in a similar situation, always feeling like a disappointment to his dad. They both have to move past preconceived notions about themselves.

Low end of the spice/sex scale. Cute small town. Family dynamics. Friends to lovers.

Thank you so much to Forever and Netgalley for an arc of The House On Mulberry Street by Jeannie Chin.

I was so excited to read Elizabeth’s story! I loved the dynamic between her and Graham and friends to lovers is one of my favourite tropes! I also really enjoyed getting a into their friends group. It was great to see the character development and insight. This was a fun one but I didn’t feel as connected to the relationship as with the previous two books in the series and I felt like the book was a little long.. I was still rooting for them but I wish we saw more relationship development.

Trigger warning: there is a traumatic birth/ trip to the hospital for side characters. Personally, as someone who has had a traumatic birth, I really dislike this being used as a plot device in novels. Unfortunately this did impact my rating and experience with the book,

Overall I did enjoy the book and with recommended it. 3.5 stars

I always enjoy a story in which a rebel finds her happiness. And with someone who she knows and has trusted for years. If you enjoy the friends to lovers trope, this story will satisfy you. I love how the change in their relationship shows the characters that they can support one another even more than they have in the past. I raced through this story which left me smiling.

I have been waiting to read Elizabeth’s story for a while, and it did not disappoint. Elizabeth Wu is the youngest sister, and a self-proclaimed misfit of her family. She is known for being flaky, late, and irresponsible. In this book Elizabeth is frustrated with her lack of progress with her artwork, so she decides she is going to take after her sisters and try to start a sidewalk art festival. Her best friend and roommate Graham, Mr. Dependable, is there to help her every step of the way. But Graham has decided he needs to move out since he has been secretly in love with Elizabeth for years and after he helps with the festival he needs to move on. This book was filled with the best kind of will they won’t they tension. I love a good secret crush to lovers story. Blue Cedar Falls is an amazing setting, and the side characters are amazing. And I loved getting to catch up with the Wu sisters and seeing how their lives are progressing. A fabulous end to the Wu sisters books, but I would love it if there was a continuation of this series with some side characters, as I hate to say goodbye. I received an ARC and this is my honest review.