This book was super cute with cozy autumnal vibes. The characters are well written and thought out. Ellie and Aiden’s chemistry was fantastic. I also enjoyed the setting as well. Perfect autumnal read.

This gave me everything I wanted and more in a fall romance! From the start, I was eating up the fall vibes of our heroine escaping to her small town in order to help run the fall festival in order to save the inn her parents owned. And, of course, there's a hot apple farmer she grew up with who is helping with the festival and also saying in her parents' extra apartment...the same apartment they told her she could stay in. The romance was so cute and the small town fall festival plot just gave me all the feels I wanted. I was so hooked and devoured this in a few days!

The only reason this doesn't get a full five for me is because the heroine was a bit hard to like. She made some decisions that were extremely selfish without really thinking about the feelings of others. There were also too many weird jokes about dementia in here? Not sure why everyone who read this thought those were okay to keep in, but they definitely weren't funny and didn't add anything at all to the story?

But overall, such a fun fall romance that needs to be on your fall tbr!!

This was such a cozy, enjoyable romance. If you enjoyed the Lovelight series, then you will enjoy this one. I loved both. Ellie Lawson heads back to her family's Inn that is on the Honeycrisp Apple Orchard, after losing her event planning job and also getting dumped. She was planning to stay in the attic apartment at the Inn, but when she gets there, she realizes the handsome son of the owners of the Apple Orchard, Aiden, is staying there. So it looks like they need to become roommates. And not only that, but they are also tasked by their parents to help organize the Orchards Harvest Festival. Ellie starts to embrace her small town life and as she works with Aiden, could they find a connection that they didn't expect to happen?! This was really just a super cute book. Perfect cozy, fall read, with likeable characters and a picturesque setting.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

I adored this book! I loved every heartwarming second of it! The characters were so well paired and I loved how the setting felt like its own character and made me so excited for fall. I definitely felt all the Gilmore girl vibes with all the coziness and close knit community, and I love when authors make you care for the other characters in the story outside of the Main ones. This was exactly what I needed.

I was so excited to receive my first Netgalley ARC!
The Honeycrisp Orchard Inn will be available 9/9! 🍎

As a certified summer girly, this book made me SO EXCITED for fall! It was literally such a perfect fall themed Hallmark movie. I absolutely loved that the typical Hallmark movie style was played out in this book👏🏻

We have Ellie, who loves the big city as an event planner, but quickly gets derailed by a jerk of an ex boyfriend. Forcing her to return to her small town where her parents own an inn. Sharing an apartment with her childhood best friend who is now surprisingly, very hot🤭 she works with him (loosely🤣) to plan a fall festival! It becomes the biggest hit and then she’ll have to choose, her small town and the man she loves? Or her big city dream job?

My first real let down is that I’ve gotten SO USED to dual POV that I was pretty devastated at first that I didn’t get to see into Aiden’s brain about things! And while I try my best not to let that take away from my overall experience, that’s still something that’s disappointing to me!

I loved the pictures of just everything that the author wrote, however, I, personally feel that we were so focused on the events and making sure we had the perfect autumn vibes (we did) that Ellie and Aiden’s relationship and pacing fell flat for me. Maybe that’s because I only had one side to it and I’m just not used to it! That’s something you’re definitely gonna have to decide for yourself, don’t take my word for it🤣

Also note that if you’re going into this as a big smut reader that it’s VERY minimal here! There’s only 1 chapter of it, and it’s after a pretty slowwww burn🔥

Overall I liked it! It’s not being added to my favorite books of all time list, but it is one I will be recommending in the fall and when someone asks me for those types of vibes!

This was such a cute read! I loved the fall vibes and the descriptions of the town and its decorations. The overall atmosphere of the book was cozy and warm, and it served as a lovely reminder that love can be found in the most unexpected places—and with the most unexpected people.

Ellie was an interesting character. She did annoy me at times, but she wasn’t terrible; she had a strong personality that reminded me that not everyone I meet will click with me. I especially enjoyed her character when she was interacting with Aiden.

Aiden, the grumpy farmer with a heart of gold, was absolutely smitten with Ellie despite how she came across to others—and even to the reader. Their relationship was very sweet and heartwarming.

The spicy scenes were well done, though the casual dementia jokes were definitely “ugh” moments for me. I know others may also find them distasteful. Still, overall, this was a very cozy, late-night read—perfect with a cup of tea before bed.

A huge thank you to Valerie Bowman and Net Galley for the arc! I absolutely loved this book from beginning to end. I really love this book! It’s the prefect book to start the fall season. I love the dynamic between Ellie and Aiden. Their chemistry was amazing and I loved how Valerie Bowman wrote them together. Even though it was a shorter book I didn’t feel rushed at all. I loved how the plot was well written and executed.

Ellie was such an interesting character! I loved how she had a passion for planning and knew what she wanted to do. Aiden is a grumpy farmer but with the softest heart ever. I loved how he wasn’t afraid to look “girly” in some of the chapters. This book was so cozy and warm that I am ready for the leaves to start changing!

Such a cute and cozy love story! I couldn’t help but fall in love with the characters—their chemistry felt so real, and I found myself rooting for them every step of the way. It’s the kind of story that leaves you smiling long after you’ve finished.

Fall vibes, small town, second chance at romance - this book was exactly the cozy read I was looking to settle into to start off the fall season. I love that Ellie and Aiden have such amazing history with each other and that their friendship can blossom into more. It’s obvious from the second that we learn anything substantial about Aiden that he is smitten with Ellie. And honestly, who can resist the grumpy farmer with a heart of gold? 💛

Also all of the spicy scenes had me absolutely drooling. Aiden is a master at dirty talk. Please give me more!

I devoured this book in just a few hours. I couldn’t put it down…. But I MUST know more about Charlotte and Sawyer. What is the story there?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!

3⭐️
I went in to this with high hopes and sadly just didn’t love it. I struggled w the way dementia was treated as almost a joke- it actually really bothered me. Her mom doesn’t tell her bc she doesn’t know… It just felt weirdly ageist and also handled so flippantly- like a Google test is totally what’s needed. In general, I didn’t find Eleanor particularly likable and she seemed kind of immature.
The vibes were there- it was cozy fall with the small town decorations and apple cider & the donuts. There was some forced proximity which I always enjoy.
Overall, it was fine. I just wasn’t that excited by it and maybe it just wasn’t the book for me. I think it could definitely be the book for someone else though.

This story is a perfect read for any autumn lovers out there! I loved how quickly the story started and how likable the characters are. I love the little hometown and everything about it; the way this book is written makes you feel like you are right there. It almost felt like hanging out and listening to a story my friends were telling me. I loved the overall plot progression and the ending was perfect!

This book is basically autumn in novel form. 🍎 The orchard setting, the Harvest Festival, even the cider and donuts, it all gave me that cozy, Hallmark-movie feel I was looking for. Ellie and Aiden’s forced-proximity, friends-to-lovers dynamic is sweet and slow-burn enough to keep you turning pages, even if you can see where it’s going from the start.

What worked best for me was the small-town charm—the quirky side characters, the parade float, and yes, Pumpkin the pug

Is it predictable? Totally. But that’s exactly the point. It’s the kind of cozy, low-angst read you pick up when you want to curl up with a blanket, sip apple cider, and get lost in fall vibes.

***Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Harper Voyager for an e-arc of The Honeycrisp Orchard Inn by Valerie Bowman in exchange for an honest review! All thought are my own!***

Ellie Lawson's city life was treating her just fine until she is dumped by her boyfriend and fired from her event planning job all in less than 24 hours. Left with no choice but to return to her parents' idyllic inn, nestled within a picturesque Honeycrisp orchard on Long Island. She anticipates a quiet hiatus in the attic apartment, when Aiden, the stubborn, attractive son of the orchard owner is already staying in the attic apartment.

They find themselves not only roommates but also coworkers, forced to work together to plan the orchard's vital Harvest Festival, a lifeline for both the struggling orchard and the inn.

First, let me just say this book is a warm hug of a book that gives the best fall vibes! The setting, the characters, the romance, it was all I was looking forward to and more! I could definitely see this book as a Hallmark movie. I love how descriptive the setting was, between the orchard itself and the different barns, especially the food barn. The atmosphere felt like being dropped right in the middle of an apple orchard.

I really like that this is a childhood friends to lovers story, and how this book is about rediscovering love of a small town in a small town. And let me tell you, when they finally both said “f-it,” I was giggling and kicking my feet like it was my small-town romance moment. It's quite slow burn

Our main character Ellie is kind of quirky (she has a recurring joke about dementia that could be a bit untasteful for some people.) The planning of the Harvest Festival and the float for the parade was well described. I loved how we got to see more than just the orchard and inn, and how the town came together for both the Harvest Festival and the parade.

This is definitely a book you are going to want to add to your fall TBR while drinking a cup of apple cider if you want the coziest, small town fall romance! Truly the kind of book that makes you want to pack up, move to an orchard, and find your own grumpy, handsome farmer. It's not very long and I hoping to get more seasonal cozy reads.

The Honeycrisp Orchard Inn is out 9/9/25! Thanks again to Netgalley and Avon Harper Voyager for an e-arc!

3.5 ⭐

I almost DND'd this book because of chapter 1. I was just so disgusted by Steve that I didn't want to read another sentence with him in it. I am so glad I kept reading though! I loved the story of Ellie and Aiden.

Ellie was hard to connect with though. She refused to come home to a place she "loves" because of her boyfriend. She forgets about tell Aiden that they'd be partners in business together when they grew up. She only starts to have feelings for him now that he's conventionally attractive. Then she leaves him without even trying to figure out if Bolt will work with her on working remotely (especially in this day and age) or some other compromise.

That being said, I love Aiden's character and all of the side characters. They are all so unique and quirky and I could see myself loving them all just as much as Ellie does.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

A cute fall read!

I really enjoyed the cozy Stars Hollow-esque vibes, and while not exactly high-brow, the plot kept me engaged and invested in how things would turn out. I would have enjoyed a bit more character development of the main two characters, and there was little-to-no development of any minor characters, though it appears this is the first in a series, so the minor characters will probably become main characters in subsequent books.

There were two plot points that were bad enough to pull me out of the story.
1) Ellie's insistence that her parents might have dementia, because they forgot something minor. It was brought up soooo many times, in a very casual way, almost like she was trying to be quirky. Yikes.
2) It is extremely unbelievable that a pug would amass 100k+ followers on IG in approximately a week's time. I just am not able to believe that.

Overall, this was a nice, quick read to usher in some fall vibes!

The Honeycrisp Orchard in is the perfect book of you're looking for a cozy fall romance.

This big city girl loses her job and moves into her parents inn gives major Hallmark movie vibes. It's charming, low-stakes, and Ellie and Aiden make a very sweet duo.

For per personally it felt a little flat but I still think it was an enjoyable way to spend my reading time.

🍎✨ ARC Review ✨🍎

If you love the cozy charm of the Lovelight series 💡💖 or The Pumpkin Spice Café 🎃☕, you’ll fall head over heels for The Honeycrisp Orchard Inn by Valerie Bowman!

Ellie Lawson thought she had city life all figured out—until she’s dumped 💔 and fired 💼❌ in one day. With no choice but to return to her family’s inn nestled in a dreamy Honeycrisp orchard 🌳🍏, she expects peace and quiet… only to find her attic apartment already claimed by Aiden, the orchard owner’s broody (and ridiculously handsome 😏🔥) son.

Forced into roommate life 🛏️➡️👩‍❤️‍👨 and tasked with saving the Harvest Festival 🎪🍂, Ellie and Aiden must navigate small-town chaos, family pressure, and a spark-filled rivalry that just might blossom into something sweeter than cider 🍎❤️.

This book is warm, witty, and wonderfully romantic—perfect for fall vibes 🍁🧣 and fans of small-town love stories. A must-read! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thank you Valerie Bowman for the ARC 🤍

This was such a cute fall read! The orchard setting gave me all the cozy vibes! I read this book at the perfect time since it's so chilly outside. I could literally picture the small town and the donuts & cider. Ellie was a little frustrating at times, but still fun to follow, and I loved the side characters

The romance between Ellie and Aiden was really sweet — friends to lovers & forced proximity, It did feel a bit predictable in spots but that's what I want in a cozy read like this!! I loved this read.

Overall, it was light, fun, and exactly the kind of book that gets you in the fall mood!

Incredibly atmospheric, cozy and sweet. Those are the vibes this book gave me. Ellie is really going through it in the first chapter, I was instantly invested and SO mad! Her story really goes up from there though, and when they added Aiden into the mix it got really fun. This is a single POV, small town, slow burn romance where Ellie and Aiden are forced to be in close proximity to each other due to circumstances. It was so much fun to read and I loved the setting in Harvest Hollow. If you’re looking for a cute, autumnal cozy romance you should definitely pick this one up!
Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for giving me the opportunity to read this e-arc.

Valerie Bowman has a strong writing style and I hope to read more from this author. This had that element that I enjoyed from the previous two books. The characters had that feel that I was looking for and enjoyed the Harvest Festival going on. The plot was everything that I was looking for and worked with the romance element to this. I was engaged and invested in what was going on.