Unfortunately, despite being a fall fanatic, I couldn’t finish this one. It felt so angsty, the characters all acted like teenagers but they’re in their 20’s and 30’s. I kept reading as long as I could for the fall vibes but the angry banter overrode any autumnal goodness. Also, there was so much unnecessary language. Of course I read plenty of books with cursing but this was excessive and again, totally unnecessary. Just word fillers.

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for a review and opinions are my own.

This is so cheesy and cute!

It’s like a warm hug with a pumpkin spice latte and now I’m soo ready for autumn.

I really liked how Gus was represented and that it shows how some people, particularly in smaller towns or the older generations still don’t understand autism and how it can manifest as prejudice due to misunderstanding.

The romance was really slow burn and the found family aspect was really cute. I really found myself forgetting about the reason Wren was there (the party) but I didn’t mind because I was there for the vibes and the romance.

Sometimes the dialogue was a little clunky and over explanatory and some of the prose is a little stilted at times but in general it was fine.

A nice easy autumn cute read

3 stars

Cute and lighthearted. I enjoyed the small town, cozy, fall vibe. I enjoyed all of the characters except Sandra. She was a turd. I love that Wren was able to break through Gus's walls and get him to open up. I feel like this did drag on leading up to the romance and I was a little disappointed. I have mixed feelings about this book. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either. It was just okay.

Wren is on a mission to plan the ultimate fall-themed 30th birthday party for her best friend—and hopefully turn it into a career-defining moment for her event planning business. Her dream location? Goldleaf Pumpkin Farm. But there’s a catch—she needs the cooperation of the farm’s owner, August Finch, a broody and reluctant participant who isn’t exactly excited about her big ideas.

What follows is a mix of hayrides, heated arguments, and undeniable chemistry as Wren and August navigate their differences—and feelings.

Even though I read this in the middle of summer, it gave me all the autumn feels right from the start! Pumpkins, crisp air, grumpy-meets-sunshine dynamics, and small-town charm—this book delivers everything you’d want from a cozy fall romance.

Wren and Gus are such a great pair. I especially appreciated how the male main character is written as being on the autism spectrum. His perspective is handled with care and authenticity, giving insight into how he experiences daily life and relationships. Easily one of the best portrayals I’ve come across.

The story takes place entirely at the pumpkin farm, with low-stakes drama (which I loved!), strong character growth, and a gentle slow-burn romance. There’s only one mildly steamy scene, but honestly, the story is so engaging it doesn’t need more than that.

This was a charming, heartwarming read that left me smiling and longing for sweater weather. A perfect pick if you’re looking for a sweet, cozy fall escape!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and author for this ARC in exchange for a honest review.

A super easy and fun read that had me feeling so ready for autumn - bring on the cinnamon and spice!

I loved the cosy feel-good vibes, the small town setting and the charming characters. Great if you’re looking for a light-hearted seasonal palate cleanser.

The book is a bit slow at the start but I liked it more as it went on. They are cute and I loving seeing how much he wanted to try for her.

I received an arc through netgalley.

I wanted to love this book. It has everything an autumn lover should want. A small town pumpkin farm, a coffee shop with cinnamon in the name, a mismatched couple, but honestly it just didn't hit the mark for me.

Wren & Gus just don't seem to have any chemistry. The use of the word "sweetheart" as a term of endearment always gives me the ick (but that's a personal thing) and the whole story just lacked warmth & depth.

a huge nod to the author for her autistic rep - I can't comment on how well it was done as i feel, as a neurotypical, it's not my lane to make judgement on its accuracy.

A classic trope, grumpy/sunshine and forced proximity, set in a small town with gossip and judgement galore - this book was a quick read for me, and I suspect will be well loved by others.

From a disability perspective, this was hit and miss for me but I so appreciate the authors research into depicting the wide spectrum of autism. This autistic man was not grumpy, imo, he was hurt and managing it as best he could - something about this storyline was missing for me. When we label bluntness and communication style as “grumpy”, it’s a judgement rather than curiosity and acceptance. I did appreciate the initial authors note and nod to neurodivergence, discussion of ableism was well done.

I struggled to connect with Wren, who despite leading about autistic traits, didn’t seem to adjust her lens or responses. It bothered me, which made it more difficult to empathize for her own struggles. Their banter was cute at times, and a bit grating other times.

I’m sure this story will land well with others, it wasn’t for me. I’m definitely a mood reader and don’t believe every book is for every reader.

I absolutely loved this book. If you're looking for a cozy fall read with some romance this book is for you. I also love the fact it supports and covers the Autism spectrum and how people deal with have it.

4.25 ⭐

This book was so cosy and a perfect pick for a rainy afternoon. I especially appreciated the way the author represented autism. You can see the effort they put in to show that autism exists on a spectrum and is often harder to identify, as most people just assume them to be difficult or stubborn (coming from someone whose best friend has mild autism, I can see the effort they made to make it seem as authentic as possible).

It's a classic, he fell first and harder, grumpy x sunshine, but didn't feel overdone.
(One thing I hate about small towns is how nosy and prejudicial and territorial they are about everyone and everything.)

Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for providing an early proof in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute little fall read! I enjoyed some bits and then there were bits I couldn't. I feel a lot of other people will enjoy this book heaps.

Will definitely be reading from this author again

This book is perfect for fans looking to scratch The Pumpkin Spice cafe itch with the small town setting and the recluse farmer and the bubbly fmc. I enjoyed the setting and the side characters, I did feel the romance was a little off at times. Wren was really likeable and her witty comebacks to August were entertaining but I didn’t warm to their relationship. I felt August wasn’t a particularly likeable character even after he opened up about his vulnerabilities. I would have hoped to see a different side to him as he became comfortable around Wren, but he acted the same and a little mean,

Overall, I enjoyed the story, setting and it was a quick and easy read,

I struggled to get past the first few pages when the author described a three-acre plot as a “surprisingly large amount of land.” That didn’t feel quite right and made it harder to fully immerse myself at first. Despite that, I kept reading and found the cozy autumn setting and growing romance enjoyable.

The chemistry between the characters felt genuine, and the small-town fall atmosphere came alive as the story went on. If you can overlook that early detail, the book offers a warm and charming seasonal read.

Enemies-ish to lovers (Pumpkin Edition): come for the pumpkins, stay for the farmer!

When small-town party planner Wren sets her sights on throwing the ultimate fall bash for her best friend, she knows exactly where to start: the prettiest pumpkin farm in town. Too bad its owner, August Finch, is as grumpy as he is good-looking… and not exactly thrilled about her big ideas.

What starts as a battle of wills quickly turns into something a whole lot softer (and pumpkin-spiced sweet), proving that even the grumpiest pumpkin farmer might just fall for a little autumn magic, and maybe for the woman who brought it right to his doorstep.

With stubborn banter, slow-burn chemistry, and enough cozy fall vibes to make me want to pack up and move into a pumpkin patch, ‘There’s Pumpkin About You’ gave me everything I love in a cozy fall romcom, and let’s be clear… I LOVE THEM!!!

Let’s talk characters! Wren is pure sunshine and big dreams, August is the perfect soft-hearted grump, and their back-and-forth had me smiling for most of the book. It’s sweet, a little sassy at times, and the perfect feel-good read for anyone who loves some good old small-town charm, forced proximity, and a romance that sneaks up on both the characters AND the reader.

As always, a big thank you to the author, Athena Carstairs, Harper Collins, and NetGalley for gifting me a free copy of ‘There’s Pumpkin About You’ to read and review before its official publication on August 26. All opinions expressed are my own.

I love fall and all things pumpkin, so I was really excited to read this story. Even more so when I started to get more and more into the book.
The MMC is such a grumpy grump and the FMC is a real ray of sunshine, the trope was portrayed so well!
I truly loved their chemistry.
What I also liked was the representation of autism in the MMC. Sometimes to me it seems that some authors just throw in neurodivergency to please some readers, but this time I really think it added an extra layer to the MMC's grumpiness and the way his relationship with the FMC evolved.
The fact it was set in a small town and it involves pumpkins and the coziness of fall, made me love this book.

Also, as a music lover, for me the playlist at the beginning of the book deserves extra points. It's such a good one!

Thanks to Netgalley, HarperCollins UK and Athena Carstairs for entrusting me with an advanced copy to write an honest review about.

*There’s Pumpkin About You* by Athena Carstairs is a delightful seasonal romance that perfectly captures the cozy, heartwarming magic of autumn. Set in a charming small town overflowing with fall festivals, cinnamon-scented bakeries, and hayrides, the novel follows Cassie, a spirited event planner who’s determined to revive the town’s struggling Harvest Fair. Things get complicated when she’s forced to work alongside Theo, a reserved but endearing travel photographer with no interest in small-town traditions—or so it seems. Their dynamic is a classic case of opposites attracting, and the sparks fly in just the right way. Carstairs balances humor and heart beautifully, weaving a romance that feels both playful and genuinely emotional. The chemistry between the leads develops naturally, with enough tension to keep the pages turning and enough warmth to make you root for them every step of the way.

The writing is vivid and immersive, with descriptions that make you crave hot apple cider and a walk through crunchy leaves. Secondary characters add charm without overshadowing the main romance, and the setting truly feels like a character of its own. While the plot hits familiar beats, it does so with confidence and sincerity, making it feel like a comforting hug in book form. This is the kind of story that leaves you smiling long after the final page. Perfect for fans of cozy romance, festive atmospheres, and stories that wrap you in a blanket of feel-good vibes, *There’s Pumpkin About You* is a sweet, satisfying autumn read you won’t want to miss.

Within a mention of nightmare before Christmas in the first chapter my attention was immediately drawn.
The story revolves around wren a party planner, arranging a 30th birthday party for her friend Oakleigh when she meets Gus the owner of a pumpkin farm she wants to do up and have the party at.
Overall the book was a cute, small town romance with a grumpy male character, sunshine female character theme who I will admit could be a little meh at times. There was some funny moments which I enjoyed and a playlist aswell which I loved. A great autumnal, cozy light read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Athena Carstairs and harper Collins uk, one more chapter for a copy of this Arc in exchange for my honest review

3.4-ish, rounded up. There are parts of this I liked - the setting, the underlying niceness of our characters - but parts of it were a little off. Long expositional paragraphs explaining backstory instead of showing it, the sheer volume of antagonism between the main characters, the absolute meanness of some of the townspeople - these all seemed a little off. Also authors need to stop referring to coffee as "sweet nectar." But I did like Wren and Gus, and also all the animals.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley.

I've been craving fall and this book gave me what I needed to hold me off until the actual season! I also love cheesy play on words titles.

Where do I even start with this book? I laughed, cried, kicked my feet in excitement and absolutely loved it! I loved the banter between the two main characters and just loved everything about Gus. One of my All time favourite MMC’s.