This is short and sweet, which is my favorite. Major fall vibes. It is very cozy and heartwarming. A great read for September or October!

It has what it says on the tin!

This is a cosy, pumpkin-filled romance book perfect for autumn or, if you're like me, July :P

It is a romance set in a small town, with your grumpy-sunshine relationship between the main characters, a lovely playlist you can listen to while reading, and all those cosy, autumn, pumpkin-spiced vibes you need for the season.

Has it changed my life? No.
Did I have a good time reading this book? Absolutely.

If you want to start getting into the autumn mood, then this book is what you need!

I really enjoyed this! I’ve not read a romance novel in a little while and this was everything I missed about them: cosy autumn vibes, simmering tension (also I was practically screaming just kiss already at Wren and Gus), and clear communication and character development. A wonderful read.

3.5 Stars


Okay, this one had me craving cinnamon donuts, oversized scarves, and a meet-cute in a pumpkin patch.

Wren Southwick is that girl…ambitious, creative, and the human embodiment of a Pinterest board in October.

When she sets her sights on throwing a once-in-a-lifetime birthday bash at the legendary Goldleaf Pumpkin Farm, she knows exactly what she needs: gourds, glam, and grump-to-lover vibes.

Enter August Finch, the resident pumpkin grower and professionally surly man in flannel. He's not looking for party planning chaos on his land, but what he doesn’t realise is Wren’s determination is harder to shake than hay in your boots.

What follows is a cozy collision of fall festivities and emotional softening as Wren and August navigate stubborn pride, surprise chemistry, and the odd runaway scarecrow.

The vibes? Immaculate.
The romance? More slow-burn than bonfire, but satisfying in that marshmallow-melty way.

This is a warm mug of Pumpkin Spice Latte in book form. Comforting, a little spicy, and full of good vibes.

Not groundbreaking, but a definite feel-good pick for pumpkin season.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was an enjoyable fall book. I liked the characters and the plot.

Love romances that show how past relationships can affect every relationship in your future! People need to move beyond the hurt, broken heart to find something loving and lasting!!!!

I adored this sweet romance story that fits in for my Halloween itch. Following August, gus, and Wren in a dual POV story. Wren is a party planner that has hit a rough spot. August the owner of a rundown pumpkin farm. Both of them in need of something from the other, however they get off on the wrong foot and argue and bicker back and forth.
I enjoyed the way that August was portrayed as an autistic male character it was bittersweet and cute to see into the possible mindset of an autistic character. I enjoyed the character development of these two. The side characters also helped make this story.
Perfect for those lovers of fall and who are in the summer blues waiting for the fall weather.

2.5⭐ rounded up.
Unfortunately, this was lackluster for me. It was supposed to be sunshine/grumpy but was more enemies to lovers. Too much fighting and why couldn't the MC understand Angus is autistic? She was so rude at times.

Wren Southwick is a party planner who needs a big break. When the opportunity comes up to plan her best friend's birthday party, she is all in.

August Finch owns a pumpkin patch two towns over. He recently broke his arm and is faced with the fall harvest season.

Alright y'all, this review is painful to write. I don't like leaving 2 star reviews, and if this wasn't an eARC I would just carry on with no review. I DNF this book.

I wanted to love this book. August is autistic, Wren is BIPOC, and it's set on a pumpkin farm with lattes, puppies, and fall vibes. Yes please!

However, this book needed about 3 more revisions before going to print. I kept getting yanked out of the story by details that didn't make sense, and then I kept seeing them everywhere. The book is set in America, somewhere on the East coast, and is set in a small town on a lake, which is surrounded by 5 small towns. I'm not sure the author has ever visited America if she thinks 5 small towns will fit around one lake. On top of this, the main character drives two towns over, and nobody knows her. Again, if we're driving an hour to get to a small town, how big is this lake!!?? And if it's less time, I can guarantee that you need to go more than 2 towns over for nobody to know you in rural America.

The misconception of space continued through the book. A character elopes to Vegas and then moves to California because they "don't like the small town life." Is the author not aware that there are big towns on the East coast? That most people don't move cross-country just for a big city, and you don't have to go to Vegas to elope? Another example - the farm is said to be 3 acres, but it takes 3 minutes to drive down the dirt road to the farm. My local pumpkin patch is 16 acres, and our smaller patch is 6.5 acres. I can't imagine a 3 acre pumpkin patch, it would be miniscule. The character also makes a comment about how kids can't "safely pick their own pumpkins," which is absurd. Again, I ask, has the author ever visited an American pumpkin patch?

Maybe these details won't bother other readers. But if you put the details in, they need to make sense, otherwise I keep getting pulled out of the story.

Moving on from the setting inconsistencies, the author had an obsession with the word "whilst." I lost count after 20 uses. And I only got halfway through the book. This should have been caught by editors for the international market, but I have a hard time believing that even those in the UK use this word casually. And if your book is set in America, you definitely need to eliminate "whilst." While will do just fine.

The setting and the copy editing aside, I finally put down the book when the main character falls asleep in the office, and is carried from the office, to a truck (in the rain), is driven down a dirt road, carried inside, put in bed, and doesn't wake up for any of it. I know that some people are deep sleepers, but this was extreme.

Final note. Character development - August's autism is handled okay. It's neither the best nor the worst representation I've read. It tends to rely on generalizations, I don't get a clear view into how August himself is a person with autism, and not a character sample of someone with autistic traits. Background characters are mentioned but then forgotten. Wren's best friend is shown on the first page of the book, and she's the one with the birthday party, but by the middle of the book she hasn't appeared again. Sandra is a side character who reads like a villain, always out to get August (to the extent of calling a town hall meeting - again, where did this author get her idea of small towns???) but without real motive. August has two brothers, one of whom is notably absent. One morning Wren is buying coffee and is told the third brother is out on the farm, so she buys him a coffee. So, we're about to meet him, right? Wrong. Not mentioned in the chapter again.

The book needed a few more story edits, at least one copy edit. It had potential. Execution... not so much. A plea to the author & publisher - this could be great! If the setting is going to play such a big role, make a point to visit some locations, talk to some owners, do a virtual tour and visit if you can't go in person, immerse yourself in the world you're creating. And make sure to get a really good editor for cross-markets. This book obviously did hit the spot for many people (based on other reviews), but it's going to get scrapped by many American readers who feel the dissonance in the setting.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wren is determined to throw the ultimate autumn-themed 30th birthday bash for her best friend—and turn it into the big break for her party planning business.
Her perfect venue and pumpkin supplier? Goldleaf Pumpkin Farm. But to make it happen, she needs the cooperation of its owner, August Finch—a gorgeous grouch who isn’t exactly thrilled by her big ideas.
Between hay bales and heated arguments, sparks fly as they clash, collaborate, and slowly fall for each other.

Okay, it might be the middle of summer, but this book had me in full cozy autumn mode from page one! Pumpkins, chilly weather, grumpy x sunshine, small-town vibes… it's everything you want in a fall read.
Wren and Gus are such fun characters. I loved that the MMC is on the autism spectrum—it's portrayed so well, showing what daily life can look like and how he navigates relationships. Honestly, one of the best reps I’ve read so far!
Set on the Goldleaf Pumpkin Farm, the story has minimal drama (which I really appreciated!), amazing character growth, and a super sweet slow burn romance. Don’t expect a ton of spice—just one scene—but trust me, you won’t miss it with everything else going on.
It’s such an easy, feel-good read that made me smile, warmed my heart, and has me so ready for sweater weather. Highly recommend if you need a soft, cozy fall pick!

Ahh this book is the perfect fall romance.

Party planner meets grumpy pumpkin farmer.

The autistic rep was on point and honestly I could read all about Wren and Gus’ romance all day long.

There were some niggly wee points that just annoyed me but they were minor and I get the author was attempting to portray an autistic character but there was a need for the extent of the rage sometimes.

Overall I enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend.

I honestly really enjoyed this book. I love a good fall book and fall vibes and this book had that. It also had some other really good tropes that were well done, ie: grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity.

I thought Wren and August have a really cute and realistic relationship. It's not perfect especially at first. It takes time and communication. Another big plus for me is when they talk about about autism in this book they talk about the spectrum and how everyone is different in that spectrum. Really well done in my opinion.

Tropes
*grumpy x sunshine
*Forced Proximity
*fall
*small town

3.75🌟
1ish 🌶

I was genuinely excited for There’s Pumpkin About You—the grumpy-sunshine setup, party planning chaos, and a pumpkin farm backdrop sounded like the perfect blend of autumnal charm and romantic tension. 🎃

Unfortunately, I struggled to connect with this story.

While Wren is positioned as determined and ambitious, her behaviour often came across as intrusive and inconsiderate—particularly in her interactions with Gus. What was meant to be flirty friction leaned too far into discomfort, as Wren repeatedly pushed past Gus’s clearly communicated boundaries. Instead of charming banter, many of their scenes felt one-sided, with Gus compromising and Wren steamrolling.

As someone familiar with the nuances of navigating relationships where emotional boundaries and neurodiverse communication matter, this dynamic felt mishandled. The heart of a good grumpy-sunshine romance lies in mutual respect beneath the contrast—and I found that lacking here.

Despite a strong seasonal premise and a few sweet moments, the imbalance between the leads made this difficult to enjoy.

★☆☆☆☆ — A promising idea, but the execution missed the mark. Recommended with caution for readers sensitive to boundary-pushing romance dynamics.

There’s pumpkin about you… it’s a slow burn romance that’s perfect for the autumn girlies.

Wren- Party planner
Gus- pumpkin farmer
What was a business arrangement turns into something more cozy for the pair of them.

Autistic rep in this was beautifully written. Although most don’t understand him, Wren did. Not only did she learn to understand him and supported him she done it in a way that encourages him and I love that for him.

This book gave me all the autumnal feels and truly made me feel warm inside!

Thank you Netgallery and publisher for this arc.

This is a really cosy romance. The characters are both enjoyable to read and very likeable, the setting is lovely for those that enjoy the more autumnal aspects. Overall this was a really enjoyable and quick read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book. A gorgeous 4 star read book from me. What an exciting plot, vivid storytelling and relatable, rich characters. I couldn't put this book down – absolutely loved it

🇮🇹
Prima di tutto, un grandissimo grazie a NetGalley per avermi dato l’opportunità di leggere in anteprima questo libro. Devo ammettere che non avevo mai sentito parlare di Athena Carstairs prima d’ora, ma dopo aver divorato “There’s Pumpkin About You” posso dire con certezza che è entrata di diritto nella mia lista di autrici da seguire. Non vedo davvero l’ora di tuffarmi nei suoi prossimi lavori!

Tropes
🧡 Grumpy x Sunshine
🧡 Forced Proximity
🧡 Small Town Charm
🧡 Banter
🧡 Pumpkin Farmer x Events Planner
🧡 Found Family

Dopo aver lasciato il suo lavoro come assistente dentale e seguire il suo sogno di diventare event planner, Wren Southwick si trova di fronte ad un grande problema: i clienti sono pochi e ciò sta diventando pesante dal punto di vista economico.
L’occasione per farsi conoscere arriva con la festa di 30 anni della sua migliore amica, per cui trova la location perfetta: la Goldleaf Farm dei fratelli Finch, nel pittoresco paesino di Eaglewood. Il problema più grande però è convincere il proprietario più giovane, tutt’altro che socievole.
Ma Wren non è tipo da arrendersi facilmente, e mentre lavorano fianco a fianco per rimettere in sesto il posto, il loro rapporto pian piano cambia. Riusciranno questi due opposti a trovare l’equilibrio perfetto, o la loro attrazione finirà per essere solo un fuoco di paglia autunnale?

Wren è il classico raggio di sole con una determinazione che sfiora l’ostinazione. È una sognatrice con i piedi per terra, ambiziosa e piena di energie positive. La sua evoluzione nel corso della storia è genuina: impara a dare priorità a se stessa e a riconsiderare alcune delle sue scelte più impulsive.
Tuttavia, devo ammettere che non sempre l’ho capita, soprattutto a causa del suo approccio iniziale con August e della sua mancanza di pazienza e comprensione ma è proprio questo che rende il suo percorso di crescita così importante.

August Finch è all’apparenza un contadino burbero ma nasconde un cuore tenero. La sua rappresentazione dell’autismo è stata realizzata con una sensibilità e un’autenticità rare, che danno voce a esperienze spesso incomprese o stereotipate. Dietro la sua facciata scontrosa si nasconde un uomo profondamente ferito dalle incomprensioni altrui, che lotta per tenere a galla la fattoria di famiglia dopo che il padre li ha abbandonati. Il suo rapporto protettivo con i fratelli, specialmente con Bash, aggiunge strati di profondità al personaggio. E quando finalmente si apre e mostra la sua vulnerabilità, è impossibile non innamorarsene.

La dinamica tra Wren e August è elettrizzante fin dal primo incontro. I loro battibecchi iniziali nascondono un’attrazione reciproca che cresce pagina dopo pagina. È bello vedere come imparano a conoscersi davvero, andando oltre le prime impressioni e le barriere che si sono costruiti. Grazie al loro rapporto lei impara la pazienza e l’empatia, lui trova il coraggio di aprirsi e fidarsi e finalmente si permettono di essere vulnerabili l’uno con l’altra.

I personaggi secondari sono delineati con così tanta cura e personalità che è impossibile non sperare in un seguito con protagonisti Bash e Raven.

La rappresentazione dell’autismo è il vero gioiello di questo libro perché è autentica e rispettosa. L’atmosfera autunnale è così immersiva che ti viene voglia di prenotare subito una vacanza in una fattoria di zucche. Se devo trovare qualche difetto a volte il ritmo rallenta un po’ troppo durante i preparativi della festa, e la comprensione di Wren verso le necessità di August poteva essere sviluppata meglio in alcune scene.

Detto questo, “There’s Pumpkin About You” è la lettura perfetta per chi cerca un romance autunnale. Nonostante qualche piccolo difetto, è un libro che ti resta nel cuore e ti fa venire voglia di credere nell’amore vero.

🇬🇧
First off, a huge thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK and One More Chapter for giving me the chance to read this book early. I’ll be honest, I’d never heard of Athena Carstairs before, but after devouring “There’s Pumpkin About You,” I can say she’s definitely made it onto my must-follow authors list. I seriously can’t wait to dive into whatever she writes next!

Tropes
🧡 Grumpy x Sunshine
🧡 Forced Proximity
🧡 Small Town Charm
🧡 Banter
🧡 Pumpkin Farmer x Events Planner
🧡 Found Family

After leaving her job as a dental assistant to chase her dream of becoming an event planner, Wren Southwick finds herself facing a major problem: clients are scarce and it’s starting to hit her wallet hard.
Her big break comes with her best friend’s 30th birthday party, and she finds the perfect venue: the Finch brothers’ Goldleaf Farm in the charming little town of Eaglewood. The biggest hurdle? Convincing the younger owner, who’s anything but friendly.
But Wren’s not the type to give up easily, and as they work side by side to get the place ready, their relationship slowly starts to shift. Can these two opposites find the perfect balance, or will their attraction turn out to be nothing more than autumn’s fleeting spark?

Wren is your classic sunshine fmc with determination that borders on stubbornness. She’s a dreamer with her feet on the ground, ambitious and bursting with positive energy. Her growth throughout the story feels genuine: she learns to put herself first and rethink some of her more impulsive choices.
That said, I’ll admit I didn’t always get her, especially because of how she initially approached August and her lack of patience and understanding, but that’s exactly what makes her character development so meaningful.

August Finch appears to be a gruff farmer on the surface but he’s hiding a tender heart. The portrayal of his autism is handled with such rare sensitivity and authenticity, giving voice to experiences that are often misunderstood or stereotyped. Behind that grumpy facade is a man deeply hurt by others’ misunderstandings, struggling to keep the family farm afloat after their father abandoned them. His protective relationship with his brothers, especially Bash, adds layers of depth to his character. And when he finally opens up and shows his vulnerability, it’s impossible not to fall for him.

The dynamic between Wren and August is electric from their very first meeting. Their initial bickering masks a mutual attraction that builds page by page. It’s beautiful watching them truly get to know each other, moving past first impressions and the walls they’ve built around themselves. Through their relationship, she learns patience and empathy, while he finds the courage to open up and trust and they finally allow themselves to be vulnerable with each other.

The secondary characters are crafted with so much care and personality that you can’t help but hope for a sequel featuring Bash and Raven as the leads.

The autism representation is the real gem of this book, it’s authentic and respectful. The autumn atmosphere is so immersive it makes you want to book a pumpkin farm vacation immediately. If I had to nitpick, sometimes the pacing slows down a bit too much during the party prep scenes, and Wren’s understanding of August’s needs could have been developed better in some moments.

That said, “There’s Pumpkin About You” is the perfect read for anyone looking for an autumn romance. Despite a few minor flaws, it’s a book that stays with you and makes you want to believe in true love.

⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎃 There's Pumpkin About You 🎃
🧡 By Athena Carstairs 🧡

A light and easy read full of Fall vibes.
I love all the tropes:
😠Grumpy/Sunshine🌞
❤️‍🔥Forced Proximity❤️‍🔥
🎃Small Town🎃

Hart Of Dixie vibe, but lacking enough banter.
The 3rd act breakup barely happened, so I didn't feel emotionally invested.
It was good, and I'd read the others in the series, but I need to hurt more 😬

#🄶🄸🄵🅃🄴🄳 #Netgalley #FreeHonestReview #Bookstagram #BookReviewer #ARCreader #TheresPumpkinAboutYou

Autumn vibes year round? Yes please! I love autumn reads so much. This little romance delivered in full swing!

I received a free copy of, There's Pumpkin About You, by Athena Carstairs, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Wren has a partying planning business, her bff is turning 30 and she wants to plan a great birthday party for her. I did not care for Wren or her attitude, or the language in this book. I thought this would be a great fall read, but it was not.