Starting off, we were introduced to a lot of characters (including animals) pretty quickly, and I had to check to see if this was the 2nd or 3rd book in a series. The brothers names (Silas and Ellis) were so similar, I kept confusing the 2. I felt like I needed less characters or more reminders of who they are throughout the book. I loved the banter and dialogue between the 2 main characters. But I felt like once they got together, I didn’t feel I got to see their relationship bloom as much to warrant when they said “I love you”. I also felt like in order to be together, one of the characters had to change who they were and what they loved in order to be together. I also felt like Indy was a bit of an afterthought partway through. They don’t build the dynamic, and she’s off at sleepovers for half the book. Overall, I didn’t love the book as much as I had hoped.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

4.5 Stars!!

Fisher is a big-time chef from NY. He recently got custody of his niece Indy. Their life has been rocky the last couple years, so a summer away at Spunes, Oregon sounds like the perfect plan to get his life back on track. When they arrive, a hysterical situation leads him to finding out that his neighbor is Sage. Sage has lived in Spunes her entire life. She loves the small-town charm and has her own animal farm. The last year for her was also a little rocky because she ended a serious relationship with the towns golden-boy Ian. She wants everyone to forget it ever happened. She plans on competing in the town's festival to have a win in something. The only thing is she doesn't have a partner. However, she did just get a new neighbor who could use a good image to win some of the townspeople over. They create a pact to help one another by competing in the festival for sage, and fake dating to hopefully get the townspeople to like Fisher more. The more time they spend together, the harder it gets to tell if they're truly faking or if something is beginning between the two of them.

I loved this read! I truly wanted to savor each part of it. The relationship between Fisher and Indy pulled at my heart throughout the entire story. This story had a beautiful way of showing how grief can come in waves. Also, I truly adored Fisher and Sage. They got to know each other when they were both broken, and still loved one another fully.

I highly recommend this book!

This book had a slow start for me, but once we started getting to know Sage and Fisher I could not put it down. I read the last probably 75% of it in a day and was fully crying by the end. Watching them fall in love was beautiful and heartbreaking. The way that Sage and Fisher communicate in this book is absolutely *chef’s kiss! (No pun intended) So good! Fisher is about to be your new favorite book boyfriend.
I’m not usually one for small town romances but this one was perfect. In a town where everyone knows everyone else’s business, what could have felt intrusive felt like their own pocket of the world.
This is one of my favorite romances I’ve read in a while. My immediate thought after I finished it was, I want to read that again.
I really love the way this book was written and hope to read more from Tarah Dewitt!
Thank you to NetGally for the ARC!!

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0

This was beautiful and moving. The most gentle and tender love story. I loved the characters, the town, the organic nature of the relationship — I even didn’t mind the third act break up because it felt so REAL. These characters were so true to themselves and that’s why it was so rewarding when they were together. No pun intended but this was literally chef’s kiss. Was it perfect? No but the feels were so good it’s 5 stars anyway. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my review!

Thank you netgalley for this arc.

I really like Tarah DeWitt and the stories she tells. They are always sweet and low angst. Which I like sometimes. I always feel like I need a little bit more suspense and high angst.

This book offers a cute couple Fisher and Sage and their lives in a small town. Which is mundane and run of the mill but sometimes that's all you need

Such a fun, sweet and cozy read! absolutely loved this book!!! if you are looking for a cozy romance novel, this is for you!!! you will love all the characters and the journey

I read Funny Feelings by Tarah Dewitt and loved it so I was so excited to read her new release!!

This is set in a small town which I always love and you get glimpses of all kinds of animals that Sage has which is so fun!

I also loved the friends to lovers aspect between Sage and Fisher — it was so sweet 🥹 and I loved how honest Fisher was with Sage about how he felt. I also loved the relationship between Fisher and Indy.

Dewitt’s writing is so good! There were so many quotes I highlighted!

This was a bit slow at the beginning, but the last 100 pages I really enjoyed and overall it was a really sweet romance!

Just finished this one and omg! So good!

One thing I really liked about the characters was that both Sage and Fisher were extremely mature and knew their boundaries and what they would be up to, relationship wise.

Sage knew that she didn't do casual sex and one night stands (even if she tried to have a summer fling with Fisher). And I loved how she communicated that from the beginning and was up front about that. And I really liked that she understood that she didn't need to change anything about herself and that it was okay for her to be the "nice girl" who loved helping everyone, especially Fisher, by helping his niece Indy.

Now, about Fisher, he had the most growth, if you want to call it that. The fact that he was able to enjoy cooking and that it wasn't a chore to him was interesting to see play out. But I loved how he was able to get past everything and be himself again and be close to his niece was the best.

Overall, this book was amazing and I can't wait to see what is next for Tarah :)

My first Tarah read and certainly not my last!

Small town romance, adorable farm animals, chef MMC, and lovable side characters what more could you want? Fisher and Sage had undeniable chemistry and their love for each other was so tender. I will say the plot got away from me a little in the middle, but this had a beautiful ending and I loved reading about this romance.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy.

dnf at 32%. I really thought I was gonna like this. Usually, single parent -type book are my kryptonite. But I unfortunately became bored with the story. I felt unconnected to the characters. I wanted something to root for and after reading as much as I did. Nothing made me want to continue. The male character felt like he has potential. But the female lead felt lacking.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first Tarah DeWitt read and I was not disappointed. What's not to love about a small town, just-for-the-summer romance- that began with a "let's make your ex jealous" fake dating situation- filled with found family and a sprinkle of "Yes, Chef" on top? It's a lovely recipe.

This story did leave me craving more about our supporting cast. But that could be satisfied with follow up books. A YA story from Indy would be rad. A second chance romance with Ellis & Wren? PLEASE!

Small Town Romance
Friends with Benefits (a favorite of mine)!
Neighbors
Dual POV
Sassy and Sexy banter

If these are some of your fave tropes, this book will be for you! A warm summer setting, and lovable and believable characters <3

4 1/2 stars! This was the third book of Tarah's that I have read and this one was my favorite! First off, I am so obsessed with the cover. I loved so many things about this story starting with the small town setting and all the side characters (including animals), which was giving me Gilmore Girls vibes. I really liked the progression of the relationship between the two main characters, Sage and Fisher, and how they were figuring out their own stuff along the way. I also liked the growth in the relationship between Fisher and his niece Indy. I highly recommend this one!

Was a great start, started to slow down around 30% through the book and I was struggling a bit to get to the finish line. I liked the characters and their backstories, but they needed more depth. I wasted more from Indy’s backstory and they’re need to go back to the city. I do appreciate the communication between characters, I just feel like the third act conflict was a little rushed. Could have used less of the boating storyline and gave the characters a little more time to build their bond, they felt a little Insta-lovey.

This is the first Tarah DeWitt novel that I've read and it was a nice surprise. I'll admit that it took me a few chapters to feel like I was really *in* the novel but once I warmed up to the small town romance and all of the characters in it, I enjoyed it. Sage and Fisher are new neighbors for the summer--she's a teacher who's from Spunes and takes care of the neighboring house that Fisher is renting for the summer. Fisher is a transplant for the summer; he and his niece (and now ward) are there to try to pick up the pieces of their lives and also to get his boss's new restaurant up and running.



Initially it seems like these two wouldn't fit. Sage is a brightsider and has a sunny disposition while Fisher seems like a gloom and doomer, a little lost, and a lot frowny. But Sage doesn't let that put her off and her sharp observations of what Fisher and his niece need helps her plow through the walls they both have up--they can't seem to resist her and she definitely uses that to her advantage. As they get to know each other, Sage agrees to help Fisher ingratiate himself into the town (and also help with his menu) and he agrees to help her win this town competition that's a main event to the summer. Through these endeavors they get to know each other and fall for each other. Their romance is sweet and steamy and one that you just hope endures.



This one will sneak up on you and before you know it, you're all up in your feelings and eager to see how the rest of the characters we meet will find love.

Tarah does it again! This is the perfect combo of small town grumpy sunshine with many deeper elements tied in. er writing style is absolutely beautiful. I did not want this book to end. Sage and Fisher truly are the most unlikely of couples yet fit together absolutely perfectly. Not to mention hot. This is right up there with funny feelings for me!

Fairly predictable rom com but it was still a good read that I enjoyed it. It was also a quick read.

Sounds is the cutest town and I hope she writes more with these characters! The characters were so lovable and even the animals.

3.5 stars rated up!

This was exactly what I needed it to be.
It’s was a cute small town romance
Strangers to lovers. It talks about heartbreak; in more ways than one. Community, teen pregnancy.

It’s a very cute, fluffy, easy story to read with a little bit of depth.
I enjoyed this read. Chef works a summer job In a small town with his kid (guardianship) and works together with this lovely lady Sage. As much as they try not to fall- because of course there is a deadline- he’s only there for the summer.

Obviously they fall head over heels for each other. And as they do end up regretting not being together. Happy ending, cute as pie. Easy easy read.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for my honest opinion!

Being a girl from the west coast that's lived on the east coast for the last 10 years, this was the small town romance I didn't know I desperately needed. It took me back home and I instantly fell in love with the FMC. She was fun and quirky and I loved that she didn't let her ex ruin the love she had for her small town. Then Asher swoops in and literally savors her and the beautiful mess she is. It'll give you hot farm girl, yes chef, single dad, and best of all was the spicy library scene. Plus this cover is absolutely gorgeous.