I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I wasn’t sure how this book would go but I have to say I absolutely loved it! Easy reading, relatable topics with having a job and a less than great workplace, all while navigating old and new friendships - chef’s kiss! Lauryn was very likeable and had me giggling throughout the book. She’s such a relatable main character and her struggles are things we all can understand. I was so eager to see how she worked with Marina given their history. This book had a lot of feel good moments despite the hardships of being employees at a company that doesn’t seem to value them at all!

Lauryn, seemingly having it all, finds her meticulously crafted world unraveling amidst professional pressures, personal insecurities, and the ever-present pull of social media. Robinson masterfully blends humor with heartfelt moments, creating a narrative that feels both authentic and engaging. Readers will empathize with Lauryn's struggles to maintain appearances while secretly battling imposter syndrome and the fear of not being enough. It's a timely and insightful read about self-discovery and finding strength in vulnerability.

Solid 3.5. I felt Lauryn was a bit of a martyr at times and the central conflict here was a bit annoying, but I appreciated the themes in this book and the fact it focused on self discovery through the lens of friendship and success rather than romance.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This novel caught my attention from the moment I saw the cover - and the title and cover are a perfect reflection of the novel. A bit emotional, a bit of a comedy, lots of stereotypical small town-isms, all wrapped around each other in a story of personal and emotional growth and reflection. This is a cute story with a balance of truly emotional and overly corny/cheesy scenarios. I’d recommend this novel to anyone looking for a “chick flick” in book form.

Now this is my kind of book: an immersive story, a character transformation and lessons I can learn for my own life. Yes, please.

In it, we meet Lauryn, a woman who got herself into a bit of a pickle at work and ended up at the flop house where the executives go when they make a big mistake, but know too much to be fired.

Now Lauryn’s back in the hometown she tried to escape with the best friend she’s missed for so many years and has a goal to get back to the way things were so she could retire at 40 and finally start her real life.

But an apple festival could turn everything upside down in the best possible way. This is a book about friendship, about family and found family, about what is really means to live your life and how fear can keep you stuck, but small steps can remind you who you really are inside.

Lauryn Harper had a plan. Until a mishap at work happens and her plan falls apart. I found this book real, sad, hopeful and enjoyable all at the same time. Highly recommend!

4 stars ⭐️

Hear me out, a sweet and comical small town Hallmark-esque story with a break from your typical romance plot.

That’s right, there’s no romance and you know what? It works! Instead the focus is on rekindling a childhood friendship and finding yourself in adulthood. Second chance friendship anyone? Second chance at life anyone else?

I really enjoyed this book, it was such a breath of fresh air and it fell into my hands at the perfect time. Lauryn’s journey made me so nostalgic, so happy, so seen. It was so often like looking in a mirror and for that, I was able to take away so much from Lauryn and the things she went through.

- This was so comical, but not overly so. It was still rooted and had so much emotional depth and exploration.
- It was a little corny, but in the way you want it to be when you pick up a book about a town that was flooded by mustard (lol).
- This was different enough that although the plot is simple, it keeps you engaged and invested.
- All of the characters were so lovable and easy to connect to. The found family vibes were so adorable.
- To me, there was nothing super triggering or overly emotional making this a perfect lighthearted read that becomes necessary after a while.
- That ending actually did make me tear up! So sweet!

💫 Big props from me to the author for writing a biracial character with a disability. (Lauryn is black and white and is partially deaf!)

So why was this not a full five star read?
- I did feel like this book was a bit longer than necessary. Towards the middle to end some things felt repetitive and filler-like. I did have to push myself through some of it more than I would have liked.

⭐️ Overall, what a fun book! This comes out September 9th and you need a refreshing book like this in your hands to help kick off those Fall vibes. I will be picking up more from this author after this, for sure.

Thank you NetGalley and SourceBooks Landmark for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
** Will post mini review to socials and then full reviews and fun stuff closer to release date**

Lauryn is doing what we are all doing - trying to figure out how to live life in a positive way while balancing all the things that life brings. This was such a nice book & seeing Lauryn reconnect with her hometown, family & friends while building new memories & friendships. The ending wrapped the book up perfectly.

Typical character study of a woman trying to figure out her place in the world.
The characters are good, the writing pleasant, and the dialogue precise. i received an ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a heartwarming and enjoyable read! I really connected with Lauryn’s journey—watching her return to her hometown, face her past, and learn to let go of rigid plans was both relatable and inspiring. The dynamic between her and Marina, her former best friend, was a standout for me. I loved seeing them navigate old wounds and rebuild their friendship alongside the quirky and lovable Ryser Cares team.
The themes of self-doubt, insecurity, and second chances were woven in so naturally, and the revival of the Greenstead Apple Festival added the perfect touch of charm and community spirit. A thoughtful, feel-good story about coming home, embracing change, and realizing that success doesn’t always look the way we expect. Highly recommend!


Thanks Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark | Sourcebooks for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.

What do you do when you make a huge mistake because of your deaf ear? In this book you read about Lauryns life and what happens when she is seks away to work in her home town.

I loved the way Lauryn changes in the book. She is a really hard working woman, but she forgets that there is a life next to work.

This story felt so refreshing to me, because of the friendships being formed, work changes, and hope to save her hometown.

I really recommend this book! This story made me think about my own work and prive life.

really enjoyed this book about bringing back a festival. Loved that this book focused on the friendship of lauren and marina. There was a romance but not of lauren. Loved that this rag tag team found a purpose and was able to do some good and that Lauren's plan changed. thanks netgalley.

Lauryn Harper Falls Apart is the story of the aforementioned Lauryn not necessarily falling apart, but being put in a situation where she’s forced to think about what really matters to her. She was willing to work for Ryser, the pinnacle of corporate evil and greed, if it got her out of her Ryser mustard plagued dying small town and on track for early retirement. All she had to do was bury her morals, forego any kind of personal life and live in a dark, soulless apartment on the outskirts of DC. Fat lot of good it does her, because a misunderstanding lands her right back home in Greenstead.

Lauryn is determined to show she’s worthy of getting her job back at Corporate, but that will be hard to do from the Ryser Cares office, which turns out to be where the company sends its screw-ups that it can’t, or won’t, actually fire. But a reconnection with her childhood best friend Marina and her determination to prove that she and her company aren’t horrible leads to a decision to revive the Greenstead Apple Festival, bringing Lauryn, Marina and the Ryser Cares team together to try and revive the community.

Robinson peppers the story with girl from high school we all love to hate and a misfit crew we all want to root for. Truthfully, I wish she’d fleshed out the secondary characters more. I think it would have provided more depth to the story. Nancy the nemesis is more pesky than mean or vindictive. I feel like Lauryn spends too far into the story holding onto the idea of reclaiming a life most readers would see as miserable, instead of being transformed by the difference she’s making in her home community. I like how the book explores her and Marina reconciling their friendship, but this also seems to go through a constant cycle of making progress, then blowing up at each other all over again.

Maybe in a real life situation this is more how things would really play out, but I think I was expecting more warm fuzzies without necessarily the non-romance version of a happily ever after. I enjoyed it, and it was a quick read, but I didn’t fall in love with it. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lauryn Harper Falls Apart is a charming small-town fall story with themes of redemption, self-discovery, and community. After making a costly mistake at work, Lauryn is reassigned to the company’s charity department in Greenstead, her former hometown. She soon realizes she isn’t alone. Her colleagues have all been similarly "banished" after their own missteps. Determined to reclaim her former position, Lauryn spearheads an effort to revive the Greenstead Fall Festival, an endeavor that also gives her the chance to mend her broken friendship with her former best friend and make a meaningful impact on the town.

The novel is lighthearted and fast-paced, with plenty of obstacles that Lauryn and her team tackle with creativity and determination. While some details don’t always ring true, the book excels in portraying Lauryn’s personal growth. She begins with the simple desire to do good but gradually learns how to make a real, positive difference in the right way. The mix of small-town charm, second chances, and heartfelt friendships makes Lauryn Harper Falls Apart an engaging and uplifting read.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

This was such a touching and cozy read that I was not expecting! Enter Lauryn, "banished" back to her hometown after a misunderstanding at work, she struggles to adjust from her previously busy DC life. When it feels like things can't get any worse, in walks her ex-bff asking the business a huge favor...save the community center by bringing back a legendary festival...where they had their friendship-ending fight.

For some reason I was expecting more of a rom-com but I'm glad that wasn't the case...I think it would have taken away from the relatability and character development of Lauryn. There were definitely a few laugh out loud moments, but not in ways that felt over the top or cheesy. The pacing was quick and the writing fun, making it perfectly cozy for all of this rainy weather we've had in the northeast!

I recommend this for anyone feeling a little lost or pressured to figure out our "timeline," especially when we hit a few bumps in the road. You'll fall in love with Lauryn Harper and learn a few lessons along the way. Thanks so much for this ARC!

I think this is is a familiar story about friends who leave a hometown and those that don't. This, however is more hopeful. The characters were well described as one the descriptions of a dying town.

Lauryn Harper is on a mission to excel at work and retire by 40. However, her plan is derailed when a misunderstanding leads to her demotion and transfer. While Lauryn eagerly works on getting back to head office she learns maybe her old life was not so great after all. Shauna Robinson is quickly becoming a must read author for me. This book is all heart. Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and Net Galley for a digital ARC of this book.

Too bad this doesn't come out until September because it would be the perfect beach read for the summer. I finished it in one morning so it was a quick, easy read.

Fun characters with interesting back stories, lots of drama and a happy (but somewhat predictable) ending.

In Shauna Robinson's Lauryn Harper Falls Apart, Lauryn is demoted and transferred from her job at Ryser in Washington, DC to small-town Virginia, disrupting her 8-year career plan because of some misunderstood communication. Expecting another promotion, she instead finds herself in the company's neglected charity department, where no one seems to be doing any real work. It's bad enough that she's back in her home town, but she also needs to figure out how to ingratiate herself with management and reclaim her old job.

Reuniting with Marina, her former best friend, Lauryn decides to try to bring back the town's apple festival--hopefully with financial support from Ryser--to raise some much-needed funds to keep the community center open. How she rallies her new coworkers to become a team, overcoming roadblocks and disappointments, and restores her friendship with Marina is fun to read, and each character is well portrayed and interesting. If you're expecting it to be a romcom, you will be disappointed (no romance in sight), but that was fine with me. My only problem with the story is that the reason for Lauryn's banishment from her job could easily have been resolved.

My thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

I really enjoyed this book. It had humor, but at the same time was touching. The characters were well done, and I liked the character arcs a lot.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and Net Galley for a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

#LaurynHarperFallsApart #ShaunaRobinson #NetGalley #SourcebooksLandmark