This was such a cute read! If you like Gilmore Girls, this is a must read!

The story was very well written, I felt like I was in Copper Run. Cliff’s daughters were amazing, but my favorite character was Rocket, the dog. I loved that the author included dialogue and more from Rocket.

Unfortunately I didn’t love this one. It was enjoyable enough but I found myself quite bored through most of it and had to push through to the end. To be quite frank, this just felt like a bland story to me unfortunately.

Are you looking for 90s nostalgia that will give you all the feels? This...this is the one.
This cozy autumnal small town romance reminded me so much of the 90s rom-coms and romance movies I grew up on and I wasn't mad at it.

We meet Michelle, a no nonsense business woman fresh out of Seattle, temporarily taking over her deceased mother's B&B in a Vermont small town. Shortly after we meet Cliff, the hot single dad next door, who just happens to be the town's baker. World's collide and pretty soon Cliff and Michelle become friends...

I took off a star for the lengthy-ness of the book. I felt like the slow burn was SLOOOOOOOOOW. Like I'm talking about 60-75% in. Some bits I feel could've been cut out, I felt it to be a little meandering, and the progression to be slow. But it didn't take away from the cozy feels and sweetness between our two main characters. Because of this I did unfortunately put the book down a couple of times. But not because I wasn't liking it, only because I felt it was taking too long.

I believe the dual POV was done well. Although Michelle frustrated me at times, I felt like Cliff was the perfect guy to bring her out of her shell and to show her how to give herself grace. Not to mention the rest of our side characters. I loved the town and all it's people, they were such an essential part of this story. The epilogue was cute even though I wish it could've been from one of the daughter's POVs, I still felt closure and caught myself smiling.

If your a mood reader, a seasonal reader, a lover of slow burn, friends to lovers...I suggest you add this to your fall romance reads. Also can we just appreciate how cute this cover is!!

A huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review and opinions.

This book was a breath of fresh air. It reminded me of a Hallmark movie and is a perfect read for those cozy Autumn months. This book is about two recently divorced individuals who suddenly cross paths in a small town. Michelle, a woman who works in advertisement as an executive, takes over her mother's bed and breakfast for a short period of time, when she meets none other than Cliff, a hot, single dad of two girls who owns a bakery in the small town. While it took some time, they eventually become best friends, and, well, you'll have to read the rest yourself!

If you love a good seasonal book with a single dad, friends to lovers, small, town romance with a slow burn, then this book is for you!

Thank you to Netgalley, Julie Olivia, and Berkley Publishing for allowing me to ARC read this!

"If It Makes You Happy" is a nostalgic, cozy romance set in a small 1990s town in Vermont that feels straight out of a warm and familiar TV show. The story is a slow burn, strangers to friends to lovers, with a dynamic that leans into the “black cat FMC meets golden retriever MMC” trope, which works well here.

The book opens strong and maintains a steady pace throughout, though at over 500 pages, it felt longer than necessary for the genre. While there weren’t many slow moments, I found myself wishing some scenes had been tightened or trimmed for a more concise reading experience. That said, I was emotionally invested and even teared up during the peak of the story’s conflict, which speaks to how much the characters’ emotions resonated with me.

The romantic leads were thoughtfully developed, and their chemistry built in a way that felt organic. I didn’t always connect with the female lead personally, but her inner monologue made her choices feel grounded and believable. The male lead, a single dad, was instantly likable, and the relationship that developed between the two felt believable and lasting.

The 1990s setting was woven in with charm and subtlety. References to butterfly clips, Tamagotchis, Lisa Frank, Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and more blasts from the past gave the story a fun nostalgic boost without overwhelming the narrative. The curated music playlist, featuring artists like Sheryl Crow, Jewel, and The Cranberries, was a standout touch and perfectly fit the mood of the book.

While the story leans more toward light and comforting than deep or thought-provoking, it absolutely delivers on emotional payoff. The final chapters in particular felt cinematic and heartfelt. I was surprised by one element in the epilogue that didn’t fully align with the main character’s earlier convictions, but it didn’t take away too much from the overall impact of the story.

Ultimately, "If It Makes You Happy" is a sweet and sentimental read that balances humor, heartache, and just the right amount of 90s flair. I debated between 3.5 and 4 stars, but the tears I shed and the Tamagotchi reference won me over in the end.

I’m gonna need to reread this in the fall! This is such a good book. I loved everything about it. It’s the perfect autumn read.

This book was such a good comfort read!

The closed off, strong, independent, newly divorced woman takes over her mom’s pride and joy b&b. She has a cute, big hearted, single dad neighbor, what else do you think could happen? I loved the ups and downs through the growth of their friendship into a relationship!

This book is full of swoony moments, hilarious banter, and a love interest who feels like the human version of your favorite comfort food. But what really sets it apart is the heart beneath the fluff — themes of self-worth, family pressure, chasing joy, and allowing yourself to want more.

This book is a classic 90’s romcom and I absolutely loved it! Give me a big city girl and a small town guy any day of the week! I loved the flirty banter between Cliff and Michelle. I loved the touchy family dynamics. The intrusiveness of a small town. The cozy autumn feel. This book was wonderful. Put it on preorder NOW!

this was the most perfect gal book. i want this book injected into my veins!!! the writing was so magical and lyrical that brought so much depth to these characters and this world. i was absolutely obsessed.

4⭐️’s: This was just what I needed to get me out of my reading slump! A 90’s romcom that was filled with nostalgia, banter, and a dog that I fell in love with. My meds must be working overtime because I was a blubbering mess the last 30 pages of this book.

This book follows Michelle, who reluctantly has to take over her mom’s bed and breakfast for a short while. She notices the she has quite a handsome next door neighbor who is a single dad and, get this, a baker! Romance and baked goods?! The dream🥰

The small-town in the book makes you want to jump in and find Rory & Lorelei Gilmore and it truly felt like you were ready a slow-burn spicy hallmark movie!

At times I wasn’t the biggest fan of the writing flow, but in general I really enjoyed this one and the characters felt very real to me. Now I’m ready for more fall romances!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review💕🫶🏼

This fabulous book is the kind of warm, comforting romance that feels like stepping into a memory you didn’t know you missed. Set in the golden haze of a 1997 Vermont fall, Julie Olivia wraps you in nostalgia, quiet introspection, and the kind of love story that simmers slowly, patiently, and sincerely—like a pot of cider on the stove that fills the room before you’ve even taken a sip.

Michelle arrives in Copper Run carrying more than just luggage—she’s recovering from a divorce, at a crossroads in her career, and feeling more like a temporary visitor than someone ready to put down roots. She’s there to run her family’s bed and breakfast for a short stint, and then it’s back to her perfectly curated life in Seattle—or so she thinks. Enter Cliff: the handsome, flannel-wearing single dad next door who seems to be the embodiment of the town itself—steady, dependable, a little weather-worn, and impossible not to fall for. Oh, and he owns a bakery and casually tries to guess Michelle’s favorite pastry by baking her a new one each day. Try not to swoon, I dare you.

What really made this story shine was the quiet courage in the characters. Michelle, who struggles to believe she deserves more than just getting by, slowly unlearns her instinct to run from the things that scare her. Cliff, soft-spoken but emotionally grounded, carries the weight of single fatherhood with grace—and watching him navigate parenting two daughters of wildly different ages felt both authentic and heartwarming. The children aren’t just cute background filler; they’re deeply involved in the emotional arc of the story and bring a genuine sense of community and love to the narrative.

Set in a pre-digital era, the book uses its '90s backdrop not for gimmicks but as a grounding element—it’s a world of cassette tapes, handwritten notes, and real-time connections, which suits the story’s themes of reflection, reconnection, and slowing down. It was refreshing to read a romance where the characters take their time to rebuild themselves before they fully step into love. And while it’s packed with cozy vibes and flirty banter, this isn’t just sugar—it deals with grief, emotional walls, and the hard work of choosing love when it feels safer to walk away.

That said, the novel does run long, and while I appreciated the immersive pace, some sections could’ve been trimmed without losing depth. A few emotional beats, particularly related to the characters’ past relationships, were revisited more times than necessary, which slightly slowed the otherwise engaging progression. Still, those moments never eclipsed the beauty of the story—they just made me wish for a little more forward momentum in places.

Overall, this is a beautifully written, autumn-soaked story of second chances, healing, and the quiet magic of finding home in people as much as in places. If you’re a fan of slow-burn romances that feel like long conversations under a starry sky, with just the right touch of humor, yearning, and emotional weight, If It Makes You Happy is one to savor.

A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me the ARC of this cute, nostalgic small-town second-chance romance in exchange for my honest opinions that I highly appreciate.

This is everything I want when I pick up a book that promises 90s romcom vibes. It’s got the heart of a Meg Ryan classic and the warmth of a Gilmore Girls episode. The kind of story that wraps around you like a scarf in autumn and never lets go. Every scene felt like it was lifted from a movie you’ve loved your whole life.

The romance had that perfect slow build, the kind that makes you ache in the best way, and when it finally happens, it’s electric. It’s everything you’ve been waiting for and more. And yes, I’m fully aware I’m weak for a single dad storyline, but it’s not just that. The way the daughters are written is genuinely beautiful. Every moment they’re in adds something heartfelt and real.

Michelle’s place in this family feels earned and natural, like she was always meant to be there. And don’t even get me started on the ending. It ruined me in the best possible way. I finished it with the stupidest grin and maybe a tear or two. This book is just that good. It’s a warm hug. It’s nostalgia. It’s love done right.

This took me a really long time to get into, but I'm glad I pushed through and finished. It's a slow burn of a book. It deals with a lot of real emotions and feelings. The characters really jump through a lot in this story to get where you want them to. Rocket is really the star of this book and I had some moments where I had tears with him. I had a hard time with Michelle in the beginning, but it was nice to see her blossom. Cliff I liked pretty much immediately. He is funny and open. I loved Emily and Brittany. They were a great part of the story I didn't expect. The entire town of Copper Run was magical and reminded me of a Hallmark Christmas movie. This is a great read for the Fall, but you can probably get into it anytime.

This book is one of the coziest and sweetest books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It truly has the Nora Ephron vibe with even better developed characters who aren't annoying yet misunderstood and relatable. It has the nostalgic and small town vibe of Gilmore Girls set in the 80's, but also feels current and topical in a way. The main character was so refreshing and relatable and the love story that blooms was just so heartwarming. I can see myself rereading this book in the fall every year. I've been a fan of Julie Olivia since her Honeywood series, and this just blew me away.

I absolutely LOVED this book. Going through the emotions with the kids made this more than a typical single dad trope we normally get. Reading Michelle’s feelings about her life before going to Copper Run and after showed how much she grew as a person. Will definitely read more from this author.

This book felt like a warm hug and I love it so much! Nostalgic 90s small town book of my Gilmore Girls dreams!!! I will not stop thinking about this book for a long time. The characters were so well thought out, flaws and all. The patience that Michelle and Cliff had for one another as they grew through their friendship into something more was beautiful. The banter between these two had me giggling and kicking my feet, I couldn’t get enough!!! Michelle’s relationship with his kids was so beautiful, the gradual progression of trust that the kids had with her was so beautiful. Michelle working through her grief by being in Coopers Run and seeing the town through her mom’s eyes was so wonderful. How she grew into her confidence and learned to be happy and accept happiness for herself made me so emotional for her. Absolutely stunning book and I cannot recommend it enough!

When Michelle takes over running her mother's B&B, it was supposed to be temporary - just until her sister finishes school. But as she settles into the small town, she may discover a reason to stay. Cliff, the handsome single dad next door, is just what she needs to help her transition to business owner and small town resident. And as the two become friends, the end of the year may come too soon.

This has super fun small-town vibes ala Gilmore Girls, complete with fun side characters and events. But the main characters were a little annoying. Michelle wasn't so bad, but Cliff seemed like a giggling idiot sometimes. All he did was laugh, chuckle, and grin his way through the book, many times in what seemed like an inappropriate response to the situation. And his interactions and conversations with his daughters were stilted and awkward. Several times the dialogue just didn't make any sense as something someone would say in response to what was asked or how the flow of conversation was going. And the fear of the dog was pretty poorly done with no real conversation of how they addressed that for each character personally.

It's a fun romance, but seemed lacking to me on character growth, chemistry, and family bonding. Cute cover, but not one I would have on my go-to list for recommendations in general.

Wow - it's been a while since I've read a cozy contemporary romance that I truly could not put down. Julie Olivia made this a perfect blend of 90s nostalgia, friendship, found family, yearning, and steaminess. The pacing of this romance was perfection, and I loved the banter between Michelle and Cliff immediately. The conflicts felt natural and real, but still had enough drama to really give you the big love story feel. This for me was Gilmore Girls meets The Proposal (airport scene c'mon) and I loved every second. I'm also a sucker for a single dad romance, and especially love when the kids are a big part of the story. Julie captured the father/daughter relationship so well and I loved how integral the daughters were to the storyline as well. If you're looking for a cozy, feel good, Fall read then you have found it.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Berkeley for sending me an E-ARC of this book, and omg I think this has been my favorite arc read so far this year. This was so warm and beautiful. The author does such an amazing job of making you feel like you are in this town and living these experiences with the characters. The slowwww burn between the two main characters was incredible, the character development was beautiful, and the way this story evoked so many emotions out of me. This is probably one of my favorite contemporary romances to date. I will be diving into this authors other books ASAP. If you want the perfect cozy, warm, and nostalgic fall book with a beautiful love story you have to pick this up in September.