This cozy slow-burn romance is everything I didn’t know I needed. I loved how this story is about healing and learning to trust again without losing yourself. The writing style is soft and inviting, with those small, intimate moments that make the romance feel lived-in and genuine. It’s a hug in book form, and I couldn’t put it down.

I love all of her books and I cant wait for the rest of this series if it ends up being a series that is. This is one of favs I could lost in the 90s and enjoy my childhood of no cell phones and no internet. The characters are just divine I cant say how much These 2 people made want to hang out with tme.

I am all up in my feels on this book.
I was 8 years old in the setting of this book (1997) and it was the last good year of my childhood (not to get too dark) so I remember it acutely.
I remember the feelings and sounds and smells of that time period (dear lord grunge). This book is so descriptive it was like stepping back in time.
It was like watching a tv show or movie that is a quintessential example of the 90s, boy meets world, Clarissa explains it all, salute your shorts, mixed with singles, empire records, clueless, Andre, mermaids… I could go on forever.

In a lot of ways, it was a simpler time and in every way, you are more connected to people physically, in person, then people are now. You were able to build the connections with people in person.
You knew your neighbors, you talked to them, you were able to go into your kids schools and discuss issues with their teachers.
You talk to the people in line at the grocery store and you got to know the people who checked you out while bagging your groceries. So, many things have changed and interpersonal relationships have gone by the wayside.

Our FMC however, would have thrived during Covid.
She’s a lone wolf and likes it that way. Or at least she thinks she does.
She’s always put distance between herself and others.
She feels it makes her stronger, independent, boss bitch.
She would have loved that hashtag!!!!
She moves to small town, Vermont, someplace that would surely feature on a Hallmark Christmas card to help take over her late mother‘s bed-and-breakfast.
How is an up tight, lone wolf supposed to do the job of her bubbly, outgoing mother?
With the help of her neighbor!
Perpetually tired, funny man, single dad, the town baker and her new next-door neighbor insists on helping.

They are acquaintances, to accomplices, to friends, to lovers is such a sweet transition and incredibly believable. This entire book feels like it could be non-fiction instead of fiction.

With a group of side characters so lovely Ireally don’t want to believe this book is over…. I’m just going to dulude myself that’s gonna be a series 😬

🌟 Absolutely heartwarming and charming! 🌟

If you’re craving that cozy small-town autumn vibe — this book delivers.
If you’re nostalgic for the early 2000s — prepare to be wrapped in a warm blanket of memories.
If you’re in the mood for a kind, passionate, and utterly swoon-worthy single dad — Cliff is your man.

This story reads like a love letter to the romantic dramas of the early 2000s — the kind that made me fall in love with American cinema when I was younger. It made me laugh, cry, and smile at the tender, real, and often funny interactions between the characters.

Michelle is such a relatable protagonist. Despite her past and an ex who did a number on her self-esteem, she learns to open up — to the town, to herself, and to a man who literally spent months perfecting a bun recipe just for her. Watching her slowly shed the armor of fear and grief was genuinely inspiring.

And then there’s Cliff — sunshine in human form. Supportive, affectionate, the ultimate girl dad, and a touchy-feely extrovert who falls (willingly!) for a woman who didn’t even see him coming. He melted my heart.

Also, the epilogue… told by Michelle’s dog, Rocket. I wasn’t ready. I cried. Again. 😭

This book is like a sugar-dusted croissant — sweet, soft, and just slightly bittersweet in the most beautiful way.
Highly recommend! ❤️

Julia Olivia has a new fan!!!! This is the first book I read by her, and I loved it! So sweet, but so much humor. I found myself laughing out loud with this book. When we meet our main character, Michelle, we find out that she is getting a divorce, she just lost her mother, and she has to move across the country for a few months to take care of her dead mother's Bed and Breakfast. Michelle was dreading this task, but doing it for her father and sister and she had no idea what was instore for her. So along with her ex's dog, Rocket, Michelle starts to run the inn and gets a lot of help along the way from the hunky neighbor next door, divorced father of two, baker extraordinaire, Cliff. Michelle is only slatted to stay in this small quiet town until December, then she wants to go back to her city living and job in Seattle. Can they start a relationship knowing that is has to end?

There are so many things I loved about this book so let's see if I can articulate a few. First off, the year 1997. I am old enough to remember 1997 with great clarity and nostalgia and this book brought back so many memories of things that were popular at the time. I felt like I was in a time capsule with my "Seventeen" magazine listening to Pearl Jam. Secondly we have Rocket. Who doesn't love a sassy little doggo sidekick? He plays such an integral role in this book and I just adored him even when he was being a bit naughty. This book also happens to take place in the fall and I cannot wait to re-read this when the leaves start changing color and I can sit and drink a warm beverage on the porch with a blanket. Perfect fall vibes.

Now on to our main man Cliff. Hoooo boy, he is just perfect in so many ways. Cliff is kind, caring, emotionally mature, humorous, a great dad, an excellent baker and all around good guy. Michelle was a strong, independent woman that I could relate to in many ways and I understood her on so many levels. I loved that the relationship between Michelle and Cliff grew from friendship to more and I loved the relationship Michelle had with Cliff's daughters. I am so happy that they got their happy ever after. The airport scene was top tier and I recall travelling before 9/11 and how different things were and I could not have loved this scene more.

Lastly, the epilogue from Rocket's POV? Are you kidding me? Cutest thing ever. Also, is someone cutting onions in here?

Needless to say this book is most definitely a 5 read star for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so beautifully and incredibly written. I felt like I knew every single one of the characters personally, and closing the book felt like saying goodbye to my friends. It was the absolute perfect combo of everything—plot, setting, characters, storyline. There’s nothing I would change about it. I’m OBSESSED with this book being set in fall in the 90s. Sooo atmospheric.

THE romance for the fall! Set in a small town in Vermont during a perfect 90s fall, it has all the Gilmore Girls and Stars Hallow vibes with tons of banter and joyful characters. The epilogue has a special POV!

DNF @ 42%.

I am so sad I did not enjoy “If it makes you happy”. I did enjoy the writing style and I liked the idea of the plot. However, it wasn’t executed how I anticipated.

I liked the majority of the characters but didn’t immediately connect with Michelle. I think this booked suffered from dual POV as I started dreading Michelle’s chapters. She seemed a little too inconsistent in how she acted (and hey she’s going through some stuff so I get it) but it just came off as poor development rather than her actually going through it. Cliff felt more defined in his struggles.

I was very excited for the 90’s nostalgia, but was let down by the execution. Except for mentions of a video store, this could have been set in the present day and no one would know the difference.

With at about half way through the book, I expected more to have happened, but I’m just left wondering where we’re going and what the point of it all is. I’ve been in a bit of a romance book slump, so this is most likely a me problem. I think contemporary romance readers will probably enjoy this.

Rated 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC ebook.

"If It Makes You Happy" by Julie Olivia is a warm, nostalgic hug of a romance set in a charming Vermont town during the fall of 1997. With cozy small-town vibes and a Gilmore Girls-esque cast, it’s the perfect read for fans of slow-burn romance, found family, and 90s throwbacks. The story follows Michelle, the new owner of a bed & breakfast, and Cliff, a single dad navigating life after divorce. Their connection is sweet and subtle, and the setting feels like the coziest blanket on a crisp fall day.

While the book runs over 500 pages and could have been trimmed down, the writing is so comforting that it rarely felt like a slog. Julie Olivia’s characters are lovable, the pacing is gentle, and the epilogue adds a fun, unexpected touch. It’s the kind of book you’ll want to revisit each fall with a cup of coffee in hand. Rounded out at four stars for its heart, charm, and comforting atmosphere.

“If It Makes You Happy” by Julie Olivia is a heartwarming romantic comedy. Set in a charming Vermont town in the fall of 1997, the book transports you back in time, evoking a sense of nostalgia and coziness. Though it could’ve been shorter, it’s a cute book overall.

If It Makes You Happy is a dream of a cozy 90s romcom.

Between the small-town setting and Gilmore Girls-like cast of characters, it felt like the warmest cup of tea on a chilly Fall day. I’ve never wanted to run a bed & breakfast or enjoyed a single dad romance more.

I also had no idea this book was more than 500 pages! I enjoyed every second of it, and never once felt like it dragged. Something about Julie Olivia’s writing style is very soothing — I’ll be checking out more of her titles, for sure.

Thanks to NetGalley & Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for access to the ARC!

#IfItMakesYouHappy #NetGalley

I ADORED this book. It was emotional, cozy, nostalgic, everything you could want from a fall romance set in the 90s. I didn't expect to get so attached to these charact!ers, but from the first page the author knows how to reel you in. I anticipate this will be a hit this fall and can't wait to share this with my followers. 5/5!

This was super cute!

I had a great time and loved the depth of the side characters! The nostalgic 90s setting/gilmore girls vibe and found family element really sold this for me.

Rounded up to 4.5 stars because of the epilogue, IM CACKLING

I loved this so so much, this is a new comfort read for me!! The setting the characters, the cozy vibes I loved it so much it felt like jumping into Gilmore girls in a lot of ways.

The writing was witty and sweet it felt so romantic! The small town vibes are always gonna get me and Thurs small town people were just the best for our FMC!!

This is friends to lovers in a gentle way that was so warm and cozy I adored it all I will read this over and over again

The cover lured me in and the nostalgia got me hooked.  As soon as I started I was unable to put this book down. It is a heartwarming story between single dad, Cliff and the new owner of Bird and Breakfast, Michelle.  Each are emerging from recent divorces and dealing with family issues at the same time.  But Cliff and Michelle can't help but be drawn to each other.  Try as they might to not go beyond being just friends, they emerge stronger when they join forces.  
Julie Olivia did a wonderful job bringing her characters to life.  This was more then just a heart warming story.  It was like looking back on my teen days and what was popular at that time.  I highly recommend this book!

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC!

This is for the 90s girlies searching for a nostalgic read. The team Luke and Lorelai girlies who are craving a delicious sloooow burn. The girlies desperate for a crisp autumn escape to Stars Hollow! Grab a warm cup of coffee and settle in for this charming romance escape featuring a B&B and golden retriever MMC. Enjoy the cozy setting for the first half and the heart of the romance in the back half.

And can we talk about how gorgeous this cover is? Stunning!

I absolutely loved this! Such a cute and cozy read. This story takes place in the 90’s at a bed and breakfast in Vermont. Michelle and Cliff were adorable. I also loved the dynamic that Michelle had with Cliff’s kids. I will definitely be rereading this in the fall!


Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC!

Summary in Brief

Michelle is a recently divorced woman who moves to Copper Run, Vermont, to take over the B&B that her late mother used to care for. Enter recently divorced single dad Cliff, who happens to be the next-door neighbor and the small town’s lovable golden boy. And don’t forget the trusty canine sidekick, Rocket.

Genre + Plot

Tropes: Nostalgic Romance, Small Town Romance, Cozy Romance, Dual POV, Single Dad, Friends to Lovers, Forced Proximity, Found Family, Black Cat x Golden Retriever, Slow Burn

First of all, this cover is gorgeous! Second of all, Michelle is motivated, ambitious, independent, driven, smart, and has a dry sense of humor. Needless to say, I loved everything about her. And third of all, Cliff is your typical golden retriever MMC—friendly, charismatic, easygoing, generous, and loving. What more could you want? Michelle thinks she can come into this small town, watch over the B&B until her sister is ready to take over in a few months, then go back to her big-city life in Seattle. Please.

This book hit all the right feels. I cannot emphasize enough how much I loved it. Set in a small town in 1997 with overly friendly neighbors, this is the perfect book to curl up with on a cozy day surrounded by fallen leaves. Michelle and Cliff have so many green flags it's unreal. They start out as complete strangers, but they do remember each other from Michelle’s mom’s funeral when their gazes “snagged” (love that description—I viscerally felt that). Michelle can come across as unfriendly or cold in the beginning but quickly warms up to people. She needs a little assistance from Cliff with her “people skills” in order to successfully run the B&B. They become fast friends, and we as readers know exactly where this is heading. I love the friends-to-lovers trope, and these two really dive into their friendship first while Michelle is figuring out how to run the B&B and Cliff is navigating being a single dad. Cliff’s daughters, Emily and Brittany, are so adorable and fun.

My absolute favorite side character is Michelle’s dog, Rocket. He’s a border collie and has his own personality that shines throughout the book, which was so fun to read. He and Michelle are two peas in a pod. In the beginning, you wonder if Rocket really likes Michelle—because that’s how she feels—but as the book goes on, you see how much he loves her. And the epilogue is written in the future from his POV. I mean, come on!! This was so precious and such a tearjerker.

Our two MCs are very mature, but they do have their moments of insecurity and miscommunication. They’ve both been jaded by past relationships and are terrified to tell the other how they feel—partly to avoid getting hurt and partly because Michelle is only staying temporarily. They go through their ups and downs but eventually get the communication right. Michelle fits right into Cliff’s family and the town, who all quickly come to love her. There are some smutty scenes to scratch that itch, but nothing super naughty—which I was honestly okay with in this type of book. It was more about forming relationships, the slow burn, and the buildup of tension, which, in my eyes, can be even better than the smut.

I loved Michelle’s relationship with Cliff’s daughters. She doesn’t try too hard to be a new “mom” or anything, but she’s genuinely friendly and trustworthy, so the whole family feels really comfortable around her from the get-go. I love a good “Found Family” trope, and this book did it so well. It was quite long—about 500 pages—but it didn’t feel that long. I read this on Kindle, and I always check how far through the book I am. I remember being at around 40% and feeling like, in a regular-length book, that would already be the halfway point. I was really excited because I was loving the story so much and wanted to read more about all the characters. The ending was *chef’s kiss. I was rooting for these two so hard.

Final Thoughts

Overall, this book is a heartwarming, cozy read full of charm. It delivers all the feel-good vibes with its slow-burn romance, lovable characters, and strong found family themes. The writing is engaging, the pacing flies by despite the length, and the emotional depth—plus a dog-narrated epilogue—makes it an unforgettable comfort read.

The most perfect cozy, fall, small town romance 🍁🍂

I absolutely loved everything about this book! It was unbelievably sweet, wholesome, and gave me all the nostalgia from the late 90s. Incredibly romantic airport scene pre all the extra security, it’s in there and it made my heart swoon!

Plot: With the recent passing of her mother, Michelle, who also happens to be recently divorced, finds herself in charge of running her mothers B&B for the next few months until her sister can take over. With her dog Rocket she moves across the country from Seattle to a small town in Vermont to run the inn. Cliff, a single father of two adorable girls, lives right next door to the inn. He’s the towns baker, funny in nature and an absolute sweetheart. We see there friendship bloom over the last three months of the year.

My Thoughts: IN LOVE!! I think this book may be my next comfort read. I can’t wait for the fall to curl up in a blanket, drink some tea and have a nice little re-read. I fell in love with every character, and Rocket’s pov epilogue had me tearing up. This was the most perfect small town romance, and the fact that it was set in ‘97 made it even better. All of the little nostalgia pieces added in were great!

Thank you so much Berkley Romance for an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Tags
-Small Town
-Single Father
-Opposites Attract
-1997 Timeline
-Dual POV/First Person