First considered DNFing at 15% in, at 33% decided to speed read the rest since I wanted to give it a fair shake as an ARC. But this was not at all what I was hoping for. To the author’s credit she did say in the forward that it’s not a romcom, and she was right lol. The combination of an extremely unlikable FMC (the MMC Was not much better), pop culture and specific location references that completely took me out of the story (and I say that having lived in the Smokies and worked in Gatlinburg), zero chemistry between the leads, downer plot lines, and several other weird choices was too much. One part I did actually like is her job as a playwright, both of her plays featured were the most interesting part of the whole book, but were also small parts of the book. This being a debut, I see some promise in the writing, maybe the author just needs to focus on a different genre. The final strike against it though is that Dollywood barely even is a thing even though it’s in the title!! Why would you trick me like that??

This review pertains to the portion of the book that I have read. I got to about 50%, and decided to DNF.
I just wasn't interested in the story of these characters. The chemistry between them was dull and awkward; therefore, it was not a compelling love story.
It is good writing, but unfortunately, this story is not for me.

“𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥; 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐫.”

This is one of those books that I can see myself picking up in the future for a reread. It’s one of those books that is going to stick with me for years to come. A book that I will definitely recommend time and time again. It took me the better half of a month to finish this one because I felt like the author had written this with me in mind and I had to keep pausing for moments of reflection.

This was such a beautiful story of healing and love. The author did an amazing job of showing the peaks and valleys of a healing journey. I really loved that both main characters, Eve and Jamie, had things that needed to be settled. The FMC wasn’t a damsel in distress and the MMC wasn’t a prince in shining armor. They both provided each other with the necessary support to heal which in turn made room for personal growth and love.

If you’re looking for a beautiful story where the characters are real and figuring out this thing called life while managing to find love, pick this one up!

Thank you to Berkley & NetGalley for this e-arc.

Since I've never read any of Ashlee Jordan's writing before, I didn't really know what I could expect from it in terms of her writing style or approach to creating contemporary romances. Once Upon a Time in Dollywood is a humorous, entertaining, and mildly spicy. It examines infertility, loss, generational and familial trauma, reflection, and the value of self-love and advocating for oneself. Even those who are in pain deserve love, therefore it was a lovely story about pursuing your goals and what you deserve.

Thanks Berkeley for this free copy in exchange for a review. I know this is advertised as a love roller coaster but it was a little too much of a coaster for me. Maybe it’s the timing and I would have vibed with it better. It’s heavy on both sides for the mmc and fmc. Maybe too much so.

Prepare to be swept away! This book is a beautiful blend of emotion, healing, and doses of spice. A Haitian-American playwright, Eve, seeks solace in her grandmother's cabin in Gatlinburg,Tennessee after a loss, only to find herself captivated by her neighbor, Jamie a single father Their connection is definetly undeniable If you’re looking for a romance that gives you all the feels, this is the perfect read for you. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this Advanced copy for my honest review.

Utterly beautiful and emotional romance with complicated characters who are navigating love, not only with each other but loving themselves as well.

Whats to love…
- emotional depth for days
- heartbreaking and beautiful
- single dad MMC
- small-town vibes
- city girl FMC - a little prickly and hard to love (read: perfect)
- complex characters
- exploration of grief, self-discovery, and love

Whats not to love…
- I have a pretty low threshold for pop culture references and this unfortunately surpassed it.

This covers some pretty heavy topics so read with care and check your content warnings.

3.75stars (rounded up)
1st book by this author and I enjoyed it. I think this was a debut novel and while it was written well it did have elements that made it clear it was a debut novel.

Eve is someone with a LOT of trauma and baggage. Because of this her character can feel incredibly unlikeable and immature. I can empathize with her though, she was a very realistic look at what someone with depression and unresolved trauma may look and act like. I do think she has a good character growth moment throughout the novel.

Our MMC Jamie has also been through a lot but he was EXTREMELY more likable lol. He was definitely carrying the emotional weight of the relationship & he was such a green flag throughout the novel.

There were a few things that I found annoying but overall I enjoyed this.

Thank you to Berkley for sending me this eARC! (All opinions are my own)

At first I felt very intrigued by this story, but the longer it went on, the more bored I became, and the more the main character grated on my nerves. I appreciate that she was a messy character, and it's not condoned by the story, because several characters call her out on it, but I still didn't like how mean she acted towards others, particularly the love interest. I debated DNFing a couple of times, but I stuck with it because I wanted to see how the story would end. This was definitely still worth finishing, because towards the end, some important conversations took place, leading to growth and healing, and that made the book a whole lot better. I just wish this had happened somewhat earlier in the book.

This was a cute story with a fun setting, and I really liked the Dollywood backdrop. It gave the book a unique charm. That said, the romance itself felt a little predictable, and I didn’t connect with the characters as much as I wanted to. Still, it was a light, easy read that had its sweet moments.

3.5 stars

This book was a whole journey! If you're expecting a fluffy rom-com, think again because the book dived deep into the real stuff: grief, trauma, infertility, toxic relationships, and healing. It's emotional, it's raw, and it does not hold back.

Eve ditches her life in New York & and runs off to the Tennessee mountains, hoping to hit the reset button. She’s trying to write a new play but mostly ends up confronting her pain. Enter Jamie, the sweet Southern neighbor and single dad just trying to be helpful. Eve? She's going through it. She is not emotionally available and definitely not ready for love but somehow, these two beautifully broken people find each other, trauma bond a lot, and slowly start to open up.

This story is deep, introspective, and full of feels. It’s about learning to see yourself, love yourself, and maybe let someone else in too. A gorgeous debut from Ashley Jordan. Keep tissues nearby, but definitely give this one a read!

Thank you NetGalley & Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC.

Ashley Jordan captures yearning so authentically on the page—it feels raw, believable, and deeply relatable. I especially loved how the characters are beautifully flawed and real, not idealized, which makes their journeys all the more compelling. Once Upon a Time in Dollywood is funny, heartfelt, and just the right touch of spicy, while also diving into themes of self-discovery, grief, infertility, and family wounds. At its core, it’s a powerful reminder that even in the midst of brokenness, we are worthy of love and of pursuing the lives we deserve.

I really enjoyed since Upon a Time in Dollywood. It was emotional and romantic and made me love the characters. I loved the Gatlinburg setting, the songs as chapter titles, all of the characters, and that the book was much about their lives and own issues as it was about the romance. Definitely would recommend!

Tw for pregnancy & miscarriage

I’m really conflicted about this one. On paper, it had everything I want in a romance: a literary fiction edge, emotional depth, and complicated family dynamics but the execution left me frustrated.

Our FMC, Eve, is working through a lot of trauma (a fraught relationship with her parents and reproductive trauma), which could have been compelling. But her hot and cold behavior made her difficult to root for, and at times she came across as insufferable. Jamie seemed like a genuinely nice counterpart, but I never felt like I fully got to know him. Their relationship lacked the spark I was hoping for, and the story dragged more than once.

I eventually switched to audio from the library, hoping it would help with pacing, but it didn’t. The dual narration was inconsistent. The female narrator chose to give Jamie a (pretty rough) country accent, while the male narrator didn’t voice him that way at all. It was jarring and took me out of the story even more.

Overall, the bones of a good story were there, but the delivery just didn’t work for me. By the end (honestly even middle), I was mostly just ready for it to be over.

I loved how this book began, but it lost momentum for me in the middle. Mainly because the relationship between Eve and Jamie moved pretty fast. It felt a little unrealistic at first, but I had to remind myself that this is some people’s reality. And that doesn’t make it any less valid.

What pulled me back in was the last fourth of the book. I really enjoyed learning more about Eve and Jamie’s pasts and how their experiences shaped who they are now. That’s when everything started to click.

Eve’s therapy sessions were one of my favorite parts of the book. They reminded me of my own self-discovery journey and the work it takes to grow. I appreciated that her healing didn’t happen overnight. It was messy, real, and intentional.

Ashley Jordan’s writing style is beautiful.

This was a well written emotional book. I loved both characters and appreciated their different backgrounds and POV"s. The love story between the couple was cute and started out with a lot of chemistry. The buildup to their relationship was quick and most of the book fell into a comfortable relationship where they slowly opened up to each other. There was a third act conflict where both characters really grew and I was happy with the way they found themselves back to each other.

Wow, I liked this a whole lot. The story was good at pacing and kept me going while I read it I would like to read more from her frfr

📚 Book Title: Once Upon a Time in Dollywood
✍🏽Author: Ashley Johnson

Format: eBook = 📱

⭐️ Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫 = 3.5

🌶 Spice Level: 🌶🌶🌶 = Medium/Hot

🕑Quick Take:
Eve Ambroise is at a crossroads in her personal life, and escapes to seek solace in Gatlinburg, TN, to focus on writing her next play.

Jamie Gallegher is a single dad who sacrifices himself for everyone chooses to spend a few days at his personal getaway.

Jamie and Eve have neighboring cabins and develop an unexpected connection that they believe a fling. Will they go their separate ways or choose to take the healthy risk to choose love?

💕What I Loved:
I enjoyed that both Eve and Jaime took the risk to learn to trust one another. I appreciated that even though they had some communication issues, they were able to restore and take on tough matters in a way that was thoughtful and mature.

Tropes:
- Interracial Romance
- Single Dad
- Fling to Forever
- Self-Discovery & Resilience

⚠️ Heads Up (Trigger/Content Warnings):
- Reproductive Health Issues: Infertility & Miscarriage
- Relationship Issues: Infidelity & Divorce
- Developmental: Teen Pregnancy & Childhood Trauma
- Mental Health: Depression, Anxiety, and Panic Attacks

💭Final Thoughts:

Once Upon a Time in Dollywood was a good read that displayed a lot of emotional and thought-provoking content. This was a cozy, small-town read. I recommend this read if you enjoy people choosing to take the healthy risk to grow, heal, and do something new!

Thanks to Net Galley and Berkley Publishing Group for this advanced reader’s copy.

This debut completely caught me off guard in the best way. I wasn’t expecting the emotional depth, and when I saw the author’s note and trigger warnings, I knew I was in for a ride. What followed was a raw, heartfelt story that never once felt sugarcoated. The way Eve’s journey through grief and mental health was written felt honest and real, and watching her growth made the story all the more powerful. It’s not always an easy read, but it’s one that sticks with you.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Where do I even start with this book? Once Upon a Time in Dollywood is heart-wrenching and beautiful and funny and moving. The banter was excellent, the chemistry is OFF THE CHARTS, and this was the realest romance I’ve read in a long time. The growth of the two main characters over the course of the book is so beautiful to witness. Neither of them is perfect, but their mistakes make them real and make the story all the more moving and powerful.

The conflict was reasonable and very understandable - not just a plot device, but something rooted in who the characters were at their cores and where their individual traumas have brought them. Ashley Jordan beautifully captures how we often each bring our own unhealed traumas into our relationships and the effect those can have. Eve and Jamie communicate their feelings, they have hard conversations, and they discuss the value of therapy. Eve also has to grapple with the force that religion and culture have played in her life, particularly as the daughter of devout Haitian immigrants, and ultimately decides to address her trauma rather than keep running from it. There is a clear discussion throughout of the burden that black women (in particular) carry, which I think was conveyed very poignantly + well, in a way that is absolutely necessary and relevant in a romance between a black woman and a white man.

Thank you to Berkley for the eARC. I didn’t fully know what I was getting into when I started this book, but wow was it even better than I expected!