Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
So many of us LOVE fall vibes, especially for a cozy romance. Unfortunately, the chemistry was a little lacking for me. I also had to suffer through the prose, which was annoyingly repetitive and a little juvenile, given that the FMC is nearly 30.
If you're looking for an endearing fall romance with comforting small-town vibes, this is for you.

I’m a big believer that not every book is for everyone and this one was not for me. I did push through it for review purposes and will try my best to outline what I did enjoy and what I didn’t.

The cover is adorable, it has a great Fall setting, diverse rep, and I enjoyed a few of the side characters.

As for the main characters and romantic plot, I just didn’t feel the chemistry or connection. I disliked how they interacted and talked to one another. The romance did not translate to me in any way. The language was a pretty quick turn off. I can appreciate excessive language on occasion to express frustration or to create emphasis, however, this was excessive and a cringe worthy amount for me. The entire party plot didn't work for me and honestly much of it just didn't make sense. This one just wasn't for me.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me a eARC in exchange for an honest review.

All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book. As always, all opinions are entirely my own.

I want to preface this review by stating I am an Autistic reviewer, but I do not speak for all Autistic people!! With that said, I was very excited for this book. I didn't realize Gus was Autistic until I started reading and saw the author's note at the beginning. That introduction already had me wary of continuing with the book. While I don't think Athena Carstairs had any ill intent with her wording or representation, it doesn't diminish the fact that intent doesn't outweigh impact. This book was extremely frustrating for me to read as an Autistic person.

Firstly, Autism is not my purse, right? Like it's not something I carry around with me all the time, I just am Autistic. Aside from the language, the rep felt pretty White Boy Autism coded (stereotypical to how media portrays us; ie, all white cishet boys with anger issues.) I will say, the media usually portrays us as childlike, and thus makes us not sexual, so I appreciate that representation in the book. However, this book did not do a good job of looking into an Autistic person's mind. Which makes sense considering the Author is an Allistic.

Secondly, it's hard to root for this couple. At the start of the book, Gus tells Wren why he might be coming across as rude and tells her to tell him if he is. Instead of listening to this conversation, Wren spends the rest of the book blowing up at him and calling him rude. When Gus tries to explain this is why the town hates him and he feels isolated, Wren completely invalidates his experiences by saying, <spoiler>"Gus, you're not like that because you have autism. You're like that because you're an asshole." </spoiler>This scene is supposed to be read as romantic, believe it or not. They very quickly fall in love after this, hook up, and then unsurprisingly have another big blowout that leaves them arguing 20% from the end.

Lastly, I just didn't have fun reading this. I didn't find it funny, I didn't find it sexy, I didn't find it lighthearted. A lot of the plot lines disappear into the background. There are a couple of instances when scene information is mixed up- which I can understand being issues with this being an unpublished copy. The Autumn vibes were cozy, but I got nothing else from this. I'm disappointed.

I thoroughly enjoyed the setting and autumnal vibes of this book! It was different to what I was expecting , some of the characters were a bit annoying, but I still enjoyed the story. I just wish there was a bit more love and romance in it, there were a lot of grumpy characters! But overall a good solid autumnal themed book.

Athena Carstairs delivers a cosy, heartwarming autumnal romance in There’s Pumpkin About You; a charming and comforting read that wraps you in pumpkin-scented warmth and small-town charm.

The story follows Wren, a party planner on a mission to throw the ultimate autumn-themed 30th birthday bash for her best friend, while simultaneously trying to get her business off the ground.

Her plans lead her to Goldleaf Pumpkin Farm and its gruff but gorgeous owner, August Finch, cue the classic grumpy x sunshine dynamic, complete with hay bales, heated debates, and undeniable chemistry.

Carstairs does a lovely job bringing the season to life - think pumpkin patches, chilly evenings, and barn parties lit by fairy lights.

The setting is delightfully vivid, and Wren’s enthusiasm for all things autumn is infectious. The romance unfolds at a gentle pace, with a believable connection that grows as the pair learn to trust one another.

One standout element is the thoughtful and sensitive representation of autism through August’s character.

Rather than leaning into stereotypes, the portrayal is layered and authentic, highlighting both the challenges and strengths that come with being neurodivergent. It’s refreshing to see this handled with such care in a romantic context.

While the story doesn’t delve into heavy drama or high stakes, its quiet charm lies in the sweetness of the characters and the emotional growth they experience.

The slow-burn romance is light on spice but full of warmth, making it a perfect comfort read.

Overall, There’s Pumpkin About You is an endearing seasonal romance with a kind heart and a soft touch. A lovely choice for anyone craving a feel-good autumn read—even if you’re picking it up in the middle of summer.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I want to start by saying that I love the fact that Carstairs did not change how Gus’ autism presents. I’ve read several books with autistic main characters and they fall in love and it co lately changes how the characters neurodivergence is represented.
I enjoyed There’s Pumpkin About You! It was sweet and based in Autumn and had diverse characters. It was small town and annoyances to lovers and found family. So many things I enjoy! And pumpkins!
The pacing was good, the characters well developed and the setting was descriptive.
Perfect for a nice little romance with good representation!

A cosy autumnal romance full of banter, swoon worthy romance and of course, pumpkins! I loved how easy this book was to read. I thought the rep of Autism was good, Wren wasn’t taking it as an excuse and really made him work harder on showing up and being better - the perfect match!

Thanks to Harper Collin’s Uk and NetGalley for this arc. This was such a cozy fun autumn read. It makes me want to put up my fall decorations and do all the fall things! I love the two main character’s relationship. The chemistry is great.

This made me want it to be the fall season so badly! It’s tackles important topics while still feeling like a sweet, very easy to get into romance read. It’s also perfect to read in a weekend!! If you’re looking for a slow burn romance that delivers on the vibes, this one is for you!

Thank you so much to Harper Collins UK | One More Chapter for my ARC!

3.75/5

A cozy, pumpkin‑spiced rom‑com full of charm and playful banter. Cara and Nolan’s chemistry shines against a festive fall backdrop of harvest fairs and carving mishaps. Light, sweet, and heart‑warming—perfect for anyone craving an autumn romance with zero heavy drama. Great to curl up with a PSL when the season starts

The ultimate cosy, Autumn read. I might have been reading mid-summer but There’s Pumpkin About You had me dreaming about spiced lattes and pumpkin carving. The setting is lovely. A small town where, of course, the coffee shop owner knows your order and the old ladies know your business.

This is the first romance book I’ve read with autism representation. I think it was done really well, getting the fine balance between showing the everyday difficulties of autism and showing how autism doesn’t stop you from pursuing relationships and being successful.

Wren and August were sweet. I enjoyed the slow burn of their romance as they began to trust each other. It was so close to being a five star read for me. There were just a few moments where I felt uncomfortable with the way Wren speaks to August, as she is fully aware of how he gets overwhelmed. In some ways I actually preferred the side characters and I hope they get their own books.

I really loved reading this book. I found it cosy and light-hearted which makes for a perfect autumn read. I loved the slow burn, enemies to friends elements of the story and found the writing style really easy to read. I loved the main characters, and the humour between them. Definitely one I recommend.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book out me into a reading slump - it was so bad. From the start, the main characters are depressing. Nobody has any money, everyone is scraping by to make it work (though somehow she affords coffee for the barn drew every day?) I had to stop reading about 75% of the way through. Everyone was so pathetic and I literally didn't care if they finished the barn in time or had the party. Yikes.

This is a really cute autumn romance between a party planner and a pumpkin farm, as they work together to fix up a barn which should boost both their businesses. Wren and August think they dislike each other from the moment they meet, but it is clear to the reader and to everyone around them that they are a lot more fond of each other than they would like to admit.

The story is pretty gripping, and it is very easy to keep turning the pages to find out what is going to happen next. The stakes are pretty low and the conflicts between the characters are hard to believe as serious issues (things which could very easily be resolved with just a tiny bit of actual communication) but the book feels light and easy to read in part because of that. I raced through this book, and while I think it could be a bit more polished, and the side characters utilised more, I wouldn't hesitate to read more by this author.

I actually had to DNF this book at 33% because I could not stand to read another page of Gus being just a stereotype. I was sick of him being disrespected around every turn even from the FMC. I was sick of his only traid being ASD. As an autistic person who teaches special education, I feel qualified to say that this is a very bad representation of ASD. Plus the pacing was simultaneously too fast and too slow somehow. It’s petty but “Oakleigh” and “Bash” are names I had to skim over. And the town was just too stereotypical in ways it didn’t need to be. I’m being too harsh with those three things but I’m just frustrated enough with the way Gus was written that I don’t care. Oh also the whole “too fat to lean on the desk thing” is so archaic and fatphobic. It was just pushing all my buttons. Really sad bc the cover is so cute and I was excited about both race and disability representation. Disappointing.

I loved reading There’s Pumpkins About You. This cozy, lighthearted romance was just what I needed. The Enemies to Friends and Slow Burn aspects of the story kept me entertained. The banter between Wren and Gus was so honest and genuine. I also enjoyed the peek into the world of Autism in its many forms and nuances. The cover drew me in, but the writing is what kept me hooked. I read this in one day. I loved it.

I read There’s Pumpkin About You in one day—it was that easy to fall into this cozy, autumn romance. As an autistic reader, I always approach representation with some anxiety. Misrepresentation can be painful, especially when it’s unexpected (I appreciated the author’s note about August’s neurodivergence at the start, though I wish it had been noted in the description as well). That said, I absolutely loved August’s character. His perspective felt authentic and relatable, and for the first time in a while, I felt seen.

I also loved Wren and August’s relationship. They found a way to communicate that worked for them—even if it felt unusual or “wrong” to those around them. Their connection felt genuine, and I appreciated that they both made intentional efforts to understand one another. Wren, in particular, was thoughtful in the way she adapted without losing herself. They were also surrounded by a small community who genuinely cared about both of them and sought to help them understand each other’s perspective in respectful and supportive ways.

My only frustration came from the broader town’s treatment of August. I struggled with the lack of understanding he faced, and I wished there had been stronger pushback from his brothers toward the way the town dismissed or misunderstood August.

Overall, There’s Pumpkin About You is a heartwarming, gentle romance that handles neurodivergence with care. I’m grateful for this story and the way it allowed me to feel seen while offering a cozy, autumn love story I’ll be recommending to others.

There’s Pumpkin About You is a cozy, witty fall rom-com bursting with charm. Wren and August’s banter, small-town setting, and slow-burn romance make this an irresistible seasonal read.

📚🎃 There’s Pumpkin About You - Athena Carstairs
I really enjoyed this cozy, autumnal romance it had all the charm of a Hallmark movie with just enough depth to keep it engaging. The autumn setting was warm and inviting, and I loved how the story wove together romance, friendship, and personal growth.

The portrayal of the autistic MMC was particularly well done, respectful, and clearly written with understanding. It didn’t overshadow the plot but added another layer of depth that felt natural and appreciated.

The wider friendship group was a highlight for me. Each character added something to the story, and I’m hopeful we’ll get to follow their journeys in future books.

A wholesome, heartfelt read—perfect for curling up with as the leaves start to turn.

#NetGalley #TheresPumpkinAboutYou #AutumnReads #NeurodivergentRomance #CozyRomance #TheFitishReader

This book gave me exactly the vibes I needed. I picked it up for the fall mood and it really delivered.
I liked how fast I got into the story. It was a short read, but it didn’t feel rushed. The atmosphere pulled me in quickly. August and Wren were a cute match. They annoyed each other at first but in a way that felt fun and natural. I enjoyed their banter and how they started to understand each other with time. August was grumpy and quiet, but also kind in his own way, and I liked how his autism was written with care, without stereotypes, and it's something I highly appreciated. Wren brought more energy and helped balance him out. The small town setting was a big win too. I really hope there will be more books with other characters from the town, because it feels like there’s still a lot to tell. Thank you so much to the author, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving a honest review