Put this book on your fall TBR RIGHT NOW!! Seriously like a hallmark movie and gilmore girls got smooshed into an apple orchard together.

I need a cider.

And an apple man.

This book is so adorable, cozy, heartwarming, spicy, and I could not put it down. The small town fall vibes romance is one of my favorite tropes. Gotta love a grumpy sunshine, golden retriever man and adoen on her luck woman who figures out what matters in life.
Valerie Bowman brings you into this cozy environment that you can picture in detail. I wanted to jump right into the book.

What a fabulous book. So many things going on, and yet, the story is easy to follow and the main characters are relatable.

Ellie has been fired from her job as an event planner in NYC after her boyfriend steals her ideas for a lucrative new account and claims she stole them from him! Her parents need her help at their inn on Long Island so she heads there to help. Unfortunately, her old friend, Aiden is staying in 'her' attic apartment when she arrives. Their friendship from long ago has them staying in the same apartment while Aiden's house has some plumbing fixed, and Ellie works (with Aiden) on the weekend extravaganza at the inn and orchard!

Forced proximity and long ago tender memories help build their relationship. When Ellie gets a chance to stay or go back to everything she wants, what will she choose?

A very sweet story with a bit of heat. Since this is book one in this new series...I can't wait to see what happens next!!

Okay, this book was straight-up cozy fall perfection. From the very first chapter, I felt like I was being wrapped up in a soft sweater and dropped right into apple orchard heaven. The small-town vibes, the Harvest Festival chaos, the crisp autumn setting… it all had me wanting to curl up with a mug of cider while reading.

Ellie and Aiden’s story was such a slow burn, and I loved every single bit of it. The tension, the stubborn bickering, the way they were constantly circling each other. It had me flipping the pages just waiting for them to give in. 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.

What I loved most is how this book perfectly captured the magic of fall and small-town charm while still delivering swoony romance. It felt warm and comforting but also had me hooked with the build-up and payoff of their relationship. Truly the kind of book that makes you want to pack up, move to an orchard, and find your own grumpy, handsome small-town guy.

Thank you so much to Harpercollins for this early copy!

I really enjoyed reading this story. It felt like reading a Hallmark Christmas movie but set in the fall. It was such an easy and enjoyable read. I didn’t want to put it down. Everything about it was just so amazing. I loved the small town and fall vibes and even the side characters were written so well. I hope we get more stories and see how their own journey progresses.

Ellie’s life was going well, until it wasn’t. She was fired from her job and her boyfriend broke up with her. So, she packed up and headed back to her hometown of Harvest Hollow to help her parents with the Honeycrisp Orchard Inn and start over.

Hoping it would be a quiet and smooth transition, she comes face to face with a new and unwelcome roommate, Aiden, the son of the apple orchard the Inn currently resides at.

Being forced to work together, the two must find a way to put feelings aside and focus on the Harvest Festival and keep the inn afloat.

Overall this story was so good. I loved everything about it and I do hope there is more in this series because I did not want it to end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for a digital ARC of The Honeycrisp Orchard Inn.

Man, what a DELIGHT! I loved every minute of this book from the very beginning. I love the author's voice, the characters, the setting. It was pure perfection. The author set up future books perfectly and I cannot wait. One of the easiest five stars and a perfect fall read!

I want to thank netgalley for the opportunity to read this book!

When Ellie’s life gets knocked upside down at work and in the romance department, it was perfect timing for her mom to call to say they needed help back home.

She thought she was coming home to plant event by herself, little did she know she had to work with her childhood friend who doesn’t like to change anything, Aiden.

Man I really devoured this book. It was such a cute cozy fall book. It fit together perfectly and the ending was perfection!!

⭐️ ⭐️⭐️. ✨ (3.5 stars)

Valerie Bowman’s “The Honeycrisp Orchard Inn” delivers a charming seasonal romance that captures the appeal of small-town life and the comforts of an autumnal setting. The novel follows Ellie, whose recent breakup and job loss leave her with little choice but to return to her parents’ idyllic inn on Long Island. There, she crosses paths with Aiden, the son of a neighboring orchard owner. Circumstances place them under the same roof and, in a classic setup, they are tasked with planning the town’s harvest festival together. As they collaborate, Ellie begins to rediscover her sense of self and, unexpectedly, her capacity to open her heart again.

The setting is one of the book’s greatest strengths. Bowman renders the inn, orchard, and small-town festival preparations with a cozy warmth that will appeal to readers seeking an autumnal escape. The premise itself is engaging and brimming with the kinds of tropes; forced proximity, second chances, and small-town charm, that romance readers often enjoy.

However, the execution occasionally falters. The pacing proves uneven, with some sections moving quickly while others linger too long, disrupting narrative flow. More significantly, the character development feels surface-level at times. While Ellie and Aiden are likable, their internal growth and emotional journeys could have benefited from greater depth. The novel hints at richer layers of conflict and healing but does not fully explore them, leaving the romance pleasant but somewhat predictable.

Despite these shortcomings, The Honeycrisp Orchard Inn remains a light, enjoyable read that will satisfy fans of cozy, small-town romances, such as, “Gilmore Girls” and “The Pumpkin Spice Cafe.” It succeeds as a feel-good story with an appealing seasonal backdrop, even if it stops short of reaching its full emotional potential.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Valerie Bowman for the ability to read this book before its release.

This is a cute cozy read, right before the best time of year( fall of course). I loved the small town atmosphere and the adorable book dogies. And any book with not only a drive in but one that shows Gilmore Girls is amazing in my book.

The only reason I marked it five stars is because I thought it was too short. Certain parts I think should have been expanded more. It felt a bit rushed at the end.

Overall a nice read and I cannot wait for the sequel( please say book two is coming soon!)

ARC review
Release date 9 September 2025

"The Honeycrisp Orchard Inn" by Valerie Bowman is the first book in the "Honeycrisp Orchard" series.

I received an e-ARC from Avon and Harper Voyager (via Netgalley).
Opinions from this review are completely my own.

What you can expect:

- small town romance
- forced proximity
- opposites attract
- cozy feeling
- slow burn

Ellie broke up with her boyfriend and lost her job after he accused her of stealing his presentation. Actually, he stole her work.
So after her mother called to ask for help to organize the Harvest Festival she goes back to her hometown and plans to live in the attic apartment at the inn.
But Aiden, the son of the orchard owner is already living there and they become rommates.

I liked this story, with the fall vibes and the small town atmosphere.
Ellie and Aiden are cute together and have a good development as characters.
If in the beginning Ellie gave up easily and did not fight for her job, she managed to stand up for herself at the end.
Aiden tuned from a grump to a sweet guy and he has good chemistry with Ellie.
The fact that they were "forced" to live and work together helped them realize that they have feelings for each other.
Even if there is a slow burn, the spice is good.

The other characters were great too, especially the cute dog and the matchmaking family.

I had a great time reading this book and I would recommend it as a fall read.

the atmosphere in this book perfectly captures that cozy, small-town feeling, especially with the beautiful fall setting. it’s undeniably a cute story that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy.

the characters are also a big part of the book's charm. aiden is incredibly sweet and easy to like. he's definitely one of the highlights. ellie, our female main character, is relatable in her struggles, though i admit there were moments when her actions or thoughts got on my nerves a little. however, her journey of finding herself after a tough setback is still engaging to follow.

while i enjoyed my time with ellie and aiden, there were a couple of elements that kept me from rating it higher. firstly, the pacing felt a bit uneven at times. some parts moved very quickly, while others seemed to drag, which occasionally pulled me out of the story. secondly, i had hoped for a bit more depth from the characters, particularly as they navigated their personal journeys and their growing relationship. i felt like there was potential for more emotional exploration that wasn't fully realized.

despite these minor points, this book is a lovely escape, especially if you're a fan of romantic stories set in charming autumn towns.

3.5 stars!!

Thank you Net Galley for thinking of me and sending me this eArc, because I absolutely loved it!!

Ellie and Aiden pulled on all my heart strings. They literally had all the tropes, childhood friends, forced proximity, slight enemies to lovers. They were just made for each other, literally being the other half.

The personal growth that they each showed after being around each other was amazing. Ellie being able to stand up for herself and realizing who she is and what she deserves, in work and in life. From learning that it’s not always about the money and the job, it’s the love and happiness that feels like home. Aiden being able to tear some walls down and realize he doesn’t need to hide behind his skills

Cannot forget about Pumpkin!! I would love to take a selfie with him too!

Side note, Aiden’s house!!! A bookshelf with a floating ladder! He builds her a closet!!! Like come on!!!!

Overall, this was a quick and cozy fall read! I enjoyed the setting of the inn and the orchard, and I also appreciated the pets featured in the story. Some of the pop culture references weren’t my favorite, and the story wasn’t the most in-depth. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the main character’s personality, but this was still a solid, fall-themed book. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Loved reading this book. 1st book i read from this author. I'm looking forward to more books from her. I had a hard time putting it down. I hope you love a good romance like I do

Fun, quick read. I’m over summer and the humidity so this was the perfect fall cozy read to get me hyped for October. 🍁🍎☕️

This book was ok. I found it hard to get into and once I did, it was very predictable. It does give you that “fall and cozy” vibe, but it kinda falls flat after that. I really wanted to love it, because the cover is so welcoming and inviting.

If you’re looking for a story that feels like curling up in a flannel blanket with a warm mug of apple cider, this is it, and it’s absolutely adorable. To me, a few parts were predictable, but honestly? The cozy fall vibes, small town charm, and pure sweetness made it such a joy to read. The romance between Ellie and Aiden is the very definition of a slow burn, but oh my gosh, every bit of the tension was worth it. Their flirting had me giggling 🤭
BONUS! If you’re a Gilmore Girls fan, you’ll devour this! It gave me all the same warm, small town feels.

I really enjoyed this story! It made me think of crisp autumn days, warm chai, and delicious donuts. The sense of community in the story reminded me of Stars Hallow in Gilmore Girls. While you have a whole cast of secondary characters, it doesn’t feel overwhelming or like you’re trying to juggle everyone. There was still that sense of small town charm. I found the story to be a lighthearted and enjoyable read. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Avon a for the ARC!

I highly recommend this book! I was hooked throughout the entire plot of following the journey of Ellie. If you are looking for a book with just enough spice but not too much, this is for you.

Ellie returns home after being fired and dumped by her boyfriend. her parents own an inn, and she helps with a fall festival. i love this story.