Thank you @berkleyromance @prhaudio for a copy of the book.

This romance was such an emotional rollercoaster in the best way. Eve goes to her grandmother's Tennessee mountain retreat when her life is falling apart. She goes there to focus on her playwright and escape the scrutiny of her family. While there, she meets Jamie her next door neighbor.

Jamie is there only during the weekends when his son is with his mom. Jamie and Eve starts a friendship that becomes something more.

Jamie is a total cinnamon roll but at times I was frustrated with how nice he was to his baby mama. I wanted to scream at him.

Eve has such a tremendous growth and healing journey that she needed to work through and I felt her pain.

Jamie and Eve was great together. I love that Jamie's son played a big role in the story as sometimes love story leaves the kid out.

Matt Haynes and Adenrele Ojo did a phenomenal job on narration and making me have all the feels.

Thank you so much to Berkley for the advance reader copy of Once Upon a Time in Dollywood by Ashley Jordan.

At the beginning of the book, Eve, a playwright, breaks up with her fiancé and heads to Tennessee. She meets her neighbor, Jamie, a single father who has just concluded a custody battle and is looking to spend more time at his cabin.

Once I read the summary for this book, I immediately wanted to read it and was so excited when I got the approval! This book is so beautifully written. I love how drawn Jamie is to Eve even when the relationship between these two is still very tentative. I was most drawn to Eve’s story in this book. Eve has experienced heartbreak and trauma. Her journey of healing contains some of the most memorable moments for me in this book. The relationship development between Eve and Jamie was crafted so well and concluded with a satisfying and standout ending.

I am looking forward to checking out future books by Ashley Jordan!

I am so in love with this book - more than I thought I would originally be! From the first few pages, Ashley's writing style is so beautiful and draws you in immediately. Eve is beautiful and complex - you mourn with her, you root for her, you go 'GIRL WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?' I expect that some people may not understand her well, but as a fellow first generation girl, a lot of her struggles and inner turmoil make sense to me. And Jamie? Oh I LOOOVEEE an empathetic, strong, sexy, adoring man. He had his own faults and issues that he needed to work through, and this story was ultimately about two people who have gone through immense heartbreak and grief, and learned how to grow from it, partially through each other. I can't wait for this to be on shelves officially so everybody can fall in love with Evie and Jamie as much as I did.

Bravo.

Simply put, this story opened up a part of me that I was unaware was there. A love story that wasn't the main focus of the story. Once Upon A Time in Dollywood is a journey of self-love, reflection, forgiveness, and returning home. The love story just happened to be sprinkled in, and it was perfectly done.

Eve was so messed up and truly had no chance at being the well-rounded adult her parents were hoping she'd become. Armed with so much resentment and hurt, Eve is just going through the motions of life without taking into consideration what she truly wants. She hasn't lived for herself since she was 16 years old. A nervous breakdown sends her running to the last place she ever thought she'd revisit, and in enters Jamie Gallagher.

Jamie is also messed up. He is the product of his environment who also harbors a deep-seated grudge against his mother and the mother of his child. But where Eve is shut off to the idea of love and affection, Jamie is wide open to the idea when it comes to Eve.

Ashley Jordan truly took her time when she came to pen this story. I can see how this story would be the push for so many to finally start living their lives for themselves and not the parents who sacrificed for them. It was beautiful to read and witness unfold page after page.

And thank you for the visibility. For Sandra Bland. Thank you.

this debut novel completely took me by surprise. it wasn’t at all the romcom i thought i’d be getting— it went so much deeper. there was heart, healing, and so much raw emotion. what stood out most for me was the haitian dialect sprinkled throughout the story— it felt so good to see that piece of my heritage in a mainstream book. 🇭🇹

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc of this book.
I really enjoyed this romance. It was deeply realistic. At first, it’s a bit hard to get the way Eve acts, but as we get more into the story, we understand her traumas. I liked how the author didn’t make it easy for the characters. I found myself rooting so hard for Eve and Jamie. As the story takes place over almost a year, it was nice to see both of their growth. It really was an emotional journey and I’m really glad I got to read this book. Definitely recommend !

Thank you for the opportunity to read this novel.

I’m honestly in awe that this is a debutAshley has crafted a story that is deeply emotional and beautiful. From the very first chapter, I was pulled into the plot. A black woman navigating grief, guilt, and trying to figure out how to put herself back together. Jamie, a devoted single father who brings a quiet strength and warmth to every scene.

Ashley did an amazing job writing a story of healing, acceptance, and choosing love even when it feels impossible. What really struck me was how honest their relationship felt.

Jamie and his son Jackie brought such joy and grounding to the narrative. Jamie, in particular, was an unforgettable character—compassionate, patient, and emotionally intelligent. He loved Eve as she was, and never stopped reminding her of her worth.

Ashley also did a phenomenal job with the cultural dynamics in this interracial romance. Eve remained fully herself; culturally, emotionally, spiritually. Jamie’s understanding and appreciation of her identity made their love feel even more authentic.

This story was chaotic, honest, and full of heart. It made me feel so many emotions and to me, that’s the mark of a truly special read.

This was a solid read. I really enjoyed the romance between Eve and Jamie. Their chemistry felt natural, and I could definitely see why they were drawn to each other. Eve was super relatable, especially with everything she was dealing with in terms of her parents and her mental health. I appreciated the way her grief was portrayed and how it affected her relationship.

Jamie was also a standout. His insecurities, shaped by the betrayal from a past relationship, added another layer to his connection with Eve. Watching them navigate those emotions together made the relationship feel honest and heartfelt.

That said, I did find myself wanting a little more from the story overall. Toward the end, I started to feel a bit disconnected. The pacing felt rushed, and some scenes felt unnecessary while others could have used more detail. I also noticed a few characters being introduced without much lead-in, which threw me off a bit.

Despite that, I still really liked the emotional depth and the cozy feel of the romance. It’s a story about two people working through their pasts to find something real, and I think a lot of readers will connect with that.

While I went into this thinking it was a romance, it’s so much more. Not to dismiss romance as a genre, there are plenty of romances that feature complex storylines. I’ve read them and loved them. But Once Upon A Time in Dollywood is more contemporary fiction with a romance that ties all of its narrative strings together.

Eve is a complicated figure who’s holding onto a lot of trauma. When she reaches a breaking point, she abruptly leaves her life in New York to escape to her grandmother’s home in Tennessee. There she meets Jamie, a man who’s dealing with issues of his own. Over the course of a few months they break down each other’s emotional walls and possibly find something beautiful together.

What I enjoyed most about this story is that the relationship between Eve and Jamie felt so realistic. There were ups and downs, and no one person was in the wrong when the relationship hit its lows. The way they slowly fell for each other felt natural. At the same time, I appreciated that the love they found in each other wasn’t the solution to solving their individual problems. They had to do the work on their own.

Mental health awareness and forgiveness (of oneself and of others) played prominent roles in the story, making it all the more better. Eve had to find herself outside of Jamie. Jamie had to learn to allow himself to have his own dreams. The way the novel ultimately came together at the end was beautiful. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC.

this is a beautiful and gut-wrenching love story. jamie and eve’s unexpected love journey is filled with many challenges, setbacks, and a whole lot of emotional baggage. through it all, it was remarkable to read as their love grew, stunted, broke, and repaired itself. I loved the emphasis on black women’s mental health and pain. it was written with so much depth and care. I was completely emotionally invested in this book and I loved every page of it!

This is a lovely story about two people, broken under different circumstances, who find wholeness together. It's a rocky road getting together, rugged as the Smoky Mountain setting and vivid. I like that Eve and Jamie are real people and flawed but owning it. The title draws you in and the author does the rest.

Once Upon A Time In Dollywood
By: Ashley Jordan
", how do you expect to save someone else from drowning when you're underwater yourself?"
Bravo, Ashley!
This one's a rollercoaster romance through and through, full of heart, pain, and healing — and I loved every moment of it!
Complex parental trauma
Black girl magic; behind the scenes A beautiful Tennessee mountain escape
A safe interracial love story
This story really got to me. I felt every ounce of Eve's joy, her heartbreak, and all of her growth. It was tender, real, and full of so many raw moments that I resonated with.
So grateful to have experienced this ARC.
Thank you berkleypub

“Maybe fairy tales didn’t exist. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t have a happily ever after.”

This was a beautifully written story about two flawed people learning how to trust again. I cried so many times while reading this, and I love it when I can be taken on an emotional journey and come out with my heart stitched back up.❤️‍🩹🥹

Eve is a playwright who abandons her life in New York, to her grandmothers old cabin in Tennessee. Between her ex fiancé, her emotional abusive parents, and some tragic events from her past, she wants to isolate herself and focus on her play. Jamie is a single dad who is trying to get his life back on track after his cheating ex. The two meet one day and use each other as a distraction from the real world. But when the connection starts forming, they have to decide whether to trust one another enough to start a healthy relationship or call it quits.

These characters were so complex. They both had issues they needed to work to work out and I loved seeing them grow throughout the story. In the beginning, Eve was getting on my nerves, but that’s to be expected since she’s a guarded person. Once you learn more about her you understand why. Same goes for Jamie. But the romance was so beautiful, y’all!🥰

I also loved the topics revolving around mentally absusive parents and how that affects a child as they get older. You don’t know how many times I wanted to jump through my kindle and punch Eve’s parents in the throat🗣️ What they did to her as a teen was unforgivable, but I loved seeing how everything played out at the end. As a woman with daddy issues, these parts hit hard.

The author did an amazing job with this book! I learned so many new things, and I loved how Eve was a successful playwright, whose work was only getting bigger. I loved the blackness, I loved the friendships, and I loved the healing! The romance was so raw and beautiful, and even though it got rocky at times, it was all worth it.

Thank you for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review Berkeley Publishing!

I had a different idea on what this book was about prior to reading it. While I did enjoy the book and the topics discussed outside of the romance, I just wasn't feeling Jaime as the MMC and it took me out of a place of enjoyment. By the time I got to the third act conflict, I really wasn't feeling him or the storyline any longer.

Emotional Roller Coaster in Dollywood.
If you love an emotional roller coaster of romance and healing this is the book for you. Thanks to NetGalley I got to read this beautifully written book. Honestly I went into this blind and came out happily surprised. The setting in Dollywood was unique as we as adults tend to have emotional attachment to places like amusement parks, it was nice to follow eve’s journey as she’s having the same experience. The cultural impact of this book will stick me, the many memorable quotes that I annotated. This is a must read.

3.5*

I really enjoyed all of the topics discussed in the book, as it very quickly became clear that it was not just a romance novel. Getting to see how Eve and Jamie's relationship progressed through time allows the reader to get more slice-of-life moments, rather than focusing entirely on how they end up getting together.

On another note, the commentary on interracial relationships and how it is to exist in the world as a black woman elevated this story to the next level. The toxic family dynamics felt so real on the page, and I loved getting to see how the two main characters dealt with uncomfortable family situations.

The grievances I have with the book are mostly due to pacing, as it felt like some parts dragged, but other parts sped by. <spoiler>The third act conflict also annoyed me because it felt so out of the blue and seemed very contradictory to who Jamie was as a person.<spoiler> It didn't feel believable to me and seemed to be there just to serve as a late-story conflict.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and would definitely read more by this author.

Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC.

Once Upon a Time in Dollywood by Ashley Jordan reminded me of Kennedy Ryan's Skyland series. Just like Kennedy Ryan, Ashley Jordan grounds her characters with incredibly emotional and real stakes and pasts. She handles these past traumas of her characters with such care. The book follows Eve retreating to the Tennessee mountains to confront her past and work on a new play. Her solitude is confronted by her neighbor Jamie Gallagher, dealing with his separation from his wife and his own parental issues, and the well wishing residents of the town. I loved Jamie and Eve's back and forth and pushing each other to break out of their harmful patterns. This is an incredible debut and I can't wait to see what Jordan writes next!

This is a great debut! Once Upon a Time in Dollywood is a cozy, heartfelt, and emotionally charged romance. There were funny moments in the book, but I definitely would not consider this a rom-com. It's a story about grief, healing, and finding the love you deserve. Both characters had their own struggles, but I loved how they worked through them independently to come together eventually. There were a few intense moments where I had to take a break from reading. But that's not a bad thing though! Be sure to check out the reader's note at the start of the book for trigger warnings. Read if you enjoy:

-Single dad romances
-Small town charm
-Books with deep and emotional journeys
-Interracial romances (BW/WM)

Once Upon a Time in Dollywood is an absolute delight—charming, heartfelt, and full of Southern soul. Ashley Jordan crafts a love story that’s as warm and sparkly as the lights on a Dollywood stage, but with emotional depth that grounds every whimsical moment in something real. This book is more than just a rom-com; it’s a celebration of dreams, second chances, and the quiet courage it takes to show up for yourself. The main characters are incredibly endearing—funny, layered, vulnerable in all the right ways—and their chemistry is undeniable from the first page. Jordan’s writing is witty and evocative, with just the right balance of humor and heartache, and her affection for the Smoky Mountains setting shines through in every scene. But what truly elevates this story is its sincerity: the way it honors ambition, grief, family roots, and the messy magic of finding love when you least expect it. It’s impossible not to root for these characters or to finish the book without feeling like you’ve been wrapped in a warm, rhinestone-studded hug. Once Upon a Time in Dollywood is a feel-good gem with substance—and the perfect read for anyone who believes in big dreams, soft hearts, and happy endings with a little twang.

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC of Once Upon a Time in Dollywood by Ashley Jordan. This was actually quite amazing. This was so well written and mature that you can forget this is supposed to be a debut. I loved the topics despite their heaviness. The romance and sex scenes were amazing too. This almost reminded me of Seven Days in June. You go into both of these books expecting a pure romance, but come out with your heart ripped out, knowing what the characters went through. It was so real and it really worked. Though I sometimes have a tough time enjoying a book after I’ve decided I don’t really like the character, or their actions, this mainly applies to main characters. There was never a time when I wanted to put this book down. From the moment I picked it up, I was pulled into the story and wanted to know Eve’s woes and see how she and Jamie, someone who was also drowning, fit into each others lives. I will say that despite both main characters irking me multiple times, whether it was mean barbs, dumb/impulsive decisions, or sheer stubbornness, you can always tell that it came from both of their trauma, trauma they hadn’t really worked through before getting into a relationship they probably shouldn’t have started at that time in their lives. There were other characters that I personally wouldn’t have anything to deal with: Lucy, Eve’s parents, probably Jamie’s mother. At every turn, they pissed me off. Also, I would’ve thought that Dollywood would’ve had more to do with the actual story because it was named after the place they went, but it came pretty late in the book, but that’s fine. I’d rate this a 4.5 and highly recommend.