Thank you to Harper Graham, Bookouture, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of "The Cinnamon Spice Inn" in exchange for an honest review!

Expected release date- August 28th, 2025

This book is the first book in the Maple Falls series and it follows Madison who is leaving her life in NYC for the time being to return home to Maple Falls by way of a mysterious letter she received stating that the inn her family owns and runs needs help. This book had so many things to love; a perfect cozy fall setting, adorable cows by the names of Pumpkin and Spice along with a dog named Coco, and an ex-boyfriend/handyman/old flame all thrown in while trying to fight those lingering feels from years ago.

Right away, the cover drew me in due to the fall vibes and personally I am just over summer at the moment so sinking into something cozy and cute like this was what I was craving. I felt like I was really able to picture a lot of the places and things in this book because the descriptions and imagery were done really well. If I am being honest it did give some of the same vibes as another popular fall book series- not sure if I am allowed to mention it in my review so I wont but let's just go with if you know you know? So I feel like if you liked that book then you most likely will like this one because it gave me the same type atmosphere.

Personally, I don't think the romance should have been described and enemies to lovers- that feels entirely like the wrong description. Madison and Zach don't hate each other per say it's more just a severe lack of communication and when it did happen half the time it was poor communication on their part. I found it very hard to root for them as a couple due to the fact that their main source of conflict was over something minor that happened years ago and took less than 5 minutes to resolve when the time came.

I did love the names of all the animals and also all the descriptions of all those mouthwateringly delicious desserts! Had my dying for a cinnamon roll with apple butter on it that's for sure!

Something I felt this book needed some more of was witty banter between Zach and Madison but some other characters as well. I feel that maybe it would have helped the story flow better at times.

I also could not get over the fact that Madison cannot stop thinking about Zach's hands- I feel like specifically his hands were mentioned a little too much for my liking but that is just me!

I definitely will continue with this series because at the end of the day it gives nostalgic feelings and who cant use some of that? I am excited for Liam's book not only to get some more of Maples Falls but it hopes that maybe Liam will develop more as a character since we didn't get a ton of him this book and when we did- he was just alright.

Overall, if you are looking for a second-chance romance with great fall vibes, some adorably named animals, and that small town feeling then I recommend this book during the fall for a quick read!

The perfect fall read—warm, atmospheric, and brimming with autumn charm. A story that pairs beautifully with a cup of tea and the sound of leaves crunching outside.

The Cinnamon Spice Inn is set in the small town of Maple Falls and is focused on FMC Madison and MMC Zach. Madison moved to New York to pursue her dream career but receives an anonymous letter saying her dad needs her help with saving the Cinnamon Spice Inn and she should come home urgently.

The small town itself, Maple Falls, gives off good autumn vibes and definitely described as a lovely little cosy small town that you would want to be a part of.

However, after getting 26% of the way through to chapter twelve I just couldn’t connect to the main characters and have decided to DNF this book. Madison just infuriated me and seemed unnecessarily mean. Zach did seem sweet and I did feel sorry for him up from what I read.

This was also marketed as “enemies-to-lovers” and this to me seemed inaccurate as I don’t believe they were enemies to start with at all. The miscommunication trope was very heavy in what I read but I feel that may have also been overused and cast a shadow on the rest of the writing.

Due to this I am rating the book 1.5 stars, although I am grateful to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC.

What a fun, cosy romance, perfect for autumn!

I loved how both our main characters were down soooo bad for each other, with a complicated past and years of built-up yearning. The tension was intense and so addictive to read.

The main standout for me, however, was actually Maple Falls itself and all the descriptions of autumnal treats. The author created a wonderful festive atmosphere and a realistic small community that I adored exploring. Not to mention how much this book had me craving a hot cinnamon roll!

If you want to get into the fall spirit and are craving a cute but spicy romance, this is the book for you..

The Cinnamon Spice Inn is a really comfy, autumn read.

A second chance romance, where opposites attract, when the city girl comes home to help her family's failing Inn, and reconnects with her small town sweetheart she left behind.

This story begins when the MFC, Madison, gets an anonymous letter that sends her rushing home and head long into a force proximity situation with her ex, Zack.

I loved the tropes in this book, the promising plot and autumn vibes of the story. The story was a fun read that I couldn't put down and whilst I really enjoyed it and gave it 4 stars, there was one issue that bothered me a little and stopped me giving it 5.

Zack's character development through the story seemed to promise he would fight for Madison, no matter what, yet, without spoilers, it felt more like Madison fought for them both near the end and this bothered me a bit.

It felt a little out of character to who we learnt Zack to be. The story felt like it had been leading to this point, as the story was mostly character driven, rather than plot focused, so having this occur did throw me a little and pulled me from the story a bit.

However, having said that, this story really is a well written book that pulls you in with a mystery but holds you with the characters.

It's a perfect read to get you into that autumn mood and I look forward to more books in this series by Harper Graham, who's writing is so descriptive and I adore the town and the characters she's created in this series.

Thank you to @NetGalley for the ARC!

I picked this book up last night and couldn’t put it down—such a super cute second chance romance! I loved the cozy fall vibes, the charming small-town setting, and the gentle thread of mystery woven in.
The story kicks off when our FMC receives a single, anonymous letter urging her to come home and help with her family’s inn. The request stirs up old memories and a surprising reunion with someone from her past.

The characters were relatable and full of personality, making it easy to root for them from the very beginning.

Overall, a heartwarming and fun read with just the right touch of intrigue!

🎃The Cinnamon Spice Inn🎃
🍁By: Harper Graham🍁

I want to thank Netgalley, Harper Graham, and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I want to start this off by saying this book is just absolutely adorable. As a lover of all things fall this gave me everything I needed to feel the cozy fall vibes. The way Harper Graham makes you feel like you’re inside of the world of Maple Falls is something that’s so difficult to do. It felt like I was walking the streets of the small town looking at Halloween decor while smelling apple lattes and pumpkin cookies. It made me wish it was already October 😍.

The spice started super early on which was a surprise that was very much appreciated but the story itself was a little slow at the very beginning. I also got a little confused by the reasons in which Zach and Madison broke up. This was further explained as Madison and Zach navigate their relationship but I couldn’t help but wonder why after years of being together (and growing up together) that neither of them was able to communicate effectively with each other. It could have been the lack of maturity as they were young at the time but to grow up together and not give each other the benefit of the doubt when they were in love was a little hard to understand.

It was hard to watch their miscommunications lead to hard stops in their relationship with each other at various parts of the story (and few times on Zach’s end) and Madison’s need to run away rather than face her problems head on. However, I do think that they worked through that and by the end they had both grown a lot as characters.

There were a few twists to the story as well some that I expected and some that caught me off guard in a good way. I enjoyed these and the ending definitely made me cry. It really resonated with me how much the town meant to the families that lived there as well as the history and the memories. I think the story does a great job of showing how mi u the town truly means to Madison and Zach. Their memories are the path that carves their love story.

I also just loved the romance between Madison and Zach. Despite everything I never doubted that they were meant to be together. Even with their flaws the love was always there they just had to learn how to navigate the stresses of live as they fostered their relationship.

Overall I absolutely loved the vibes and will 100% be reading her next book The Spiced Cocoa Cafe when it comes out. I loved the story and I loved the couple!

Tropes:
Second chance romance
Small town romance

This was definitely a cozy sweet story with a lovely setting. Madison has returned to her hometown, a successful food critic/writer, to help save her family's inn. Things have not been right since the death of her mother and her father is struggling to keep things going - Madi has received a letter informing her that the inn is going under and her father needs her help immediately. Little does she know that the love she left behind is the one man her family absolutely needs to help put the inn to rights. Zach has never forgotten her and all they meant to each other. While the story was solid, it felt like the characters especially those surrounding Zach and Madison never full formed - I felt like I was introduced to so many characters but never really got to know them. I didn't really fall in love with Zach and Madison which made it hard to really care about their romance - I just wanted them to get on with it. There was potential with the book, and some readers may relate better than me to the overall story. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read in return for my honest opinion.

It was an incredibly cute, light hearted slow burn romance. Everything was so well detailed in terms of describing the scene both from the emotional standpoints of the main characters but also the scenery that it almost felt like reading the script of a hallmark movie at times. The raw chemistry between the main characters really tugged on your heartstrings and you can't help but root for Zach throughout hoping that he gets his happy ending.

The lack of clear communication angle that Maddie & Zach's relationship took both past & present became a bit longwinded and toxic in places but it was nice to read about them having real relationship anxieties that were relatable.

Gram's meddeling, gossiping and sass all whilst being so loving and caring towards everyone made her one of my favourites.

I absolutely adored Madison and Zach’s story! From the very first chapter I was wrapped in the cozy autumn vibes of Maple Falls 🍂 The small town charm, the crisp fall air, the smell of cinnamon in every scene… This book felt like the perfect mix of Gilmore Girls and just the right dash of spice 🌶️ Warm, witty, and a little swoony.

The exes to lovers tension was perfection and the forced proximity had me grinning at every page. Special mention to Grams who had me laughing so hard with her witty comments and her sneaky little schemes to get Mads and Zach in the same room 😂 I went in thinking I would just get a cozy romance but I did not expect to tear up… and oh I did.

This was my best read of the year. A true masterpiece that easily deserves 6 stars out of 5 ✨ Harper Graham completely stole my heart and I am already counting down the days until Liam and Cassidy’s story 💛

A special thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the e-ARC 🤍

Dual POVs and a miscommunication trope are my least favorite combination. Because I have to sit here and suffer knowing both of you are idiots. So be warned, if you DESPISE miscommunication where you know both sides 20% in, don’t do it to yourself.

This book was just okay. The writing style wasn’t super fluid. It felt a bit like someone was writing a story for class and was just checking off boxes. “Character goes here. Now share character’s feeling about it.”
“Character has memory. Parallel character’s current situation.”
“Character sexual tension mentioned, now describe sexual feelings in detail.”
“Character experiences awkward moment. Make best friend show up.”
“MMC POV visits location, describe it with memories. FMC thinks about same location, describes it with more memories.”

You may see that and think, well duh that’s how a story works. Don’t disagree, but I shouldn’t be able to notice it. It should be more subtle and fluid than it is. Since I’m reading an ARC, I really really hope someone just did a pass through of this before publication to make it a little less rigid and more human.

The Cinnamon Spice Inn is the kind of book that makes you want to immediately quit your job, pack up your life, and move to a small town where everyone somehow knows your business before you do. It is warm and cozy in the way that feels like being wrapped in a blanket fresh out of the dryer but also chaotic because the blanket is on fire and the fire is called romantic tension.

The inn itself is pure Hallmark movie magic. I swear I could smell cinnamon every time I opened the book. The romance had me kicking my feet like a teenager even though I am a fully grown adult with back pain. Every side character is just unhinged enough to make you wonder how this town has not been featured in a true crime podcast. The banter is top tier and the love interest is the kind of man who would shovel your driveway at 6 AM while muttering that he hates you and then make you the best pancakes of your life.

Four stars because I laughed, I cried, I wanted to drink mulled cider while gossiping about the main couple with the inn’s staff. This book is autumn in paperback form and if you do not immediately crave baked goods and a small town love affair after reading it, check your pulse.

Anyone who knows me, knows that Gilmore Girls is one of my favorite shows of all time, so when I find a book that has Gilmore Girls vibes, immediately sign me up. I really enjoyed this cute and cozy book. I really enjoyed how well the author painted the picture of the small town, if I could live in Maple Falls, I freaking would. I loved the little mystery aspect of trying to figure out who was sending out the letters around the town, just when I thought I knew who was behind it they would get a letter and I had to start at square one again. I also really enjoyed the side characters. This book was just so cute, cozy, and wholesome. My only “issue” with this book is that I feel like the ending was a little rushed and a little under developed. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend people to add it to their fall TBR. I’m so thankful I was able to receive this ARC!

The Cinnamon Spice Inn Honest ARC Review:

This was adorable small town, second chance romance with enemies to lovers vibes. The Cinnamon Spice Inn is perfect for fans of Lucy Score and Laurie Gilmore!

Madison relocated to NYC from her small home town of Maple Falls several year ago when she was offered an internship. Leaving, she was forced to attempt a long distance relationship with her childhood sweetheart, Zach.

Madison was torn between her family and friends in the idyllic small town she grew up in and the opportunities available to her in the city. She broke it off with Zach years ago when he unknowingly broke her heart.

This second chance romance has enemies to lovers vibes, small town charm and a cozy autumn atmosphere. I enjoyed this and if you like small town romance, you will too!


Thank you Net Galley and Bookouture for sharing this ARC with me.

This cozy feel-good romance follows the FMC as she returns to her hometown after receiving a mysterious letter warning that her family's inn is in trouble. The catch? Her ex-boyfriend is still in town, and facing him again after all these years is not something she's looking forward to. As she works to restore the inn and uncover the identity of the anonymous letter writer, old feelings resurface and the two slowly find their way back to each other. Though not without a few bumps along the way.

I really enjoyed the warm, comforting vibe of this story. It’s perfect for curling up on the couch wrapped in a blanket with a hot cup of tea and a fall-scented candle burning nearby. While the romance was sweet and satisfying, I would’ve loved a bit more depth in the mystery surrounding the letters. I feel like that part could have been explored more extensively.

While the premise was promising, I found it difficult to stay engaged with this one. I absolutely adored the cozy, small-town vibes, Maple Falls felt so alive, and the descriptions of the inn, the food, and the autumn scenery made me feel like I was right there sipping cider by the fire.

Grams was hands-down my favorite character, full of joy, sass, and wisdom, she lit up every scene she was in. I also really liked the side characters and the sense of community, and I wish we’d spent more time with the whole menagerie of animals at the inn.

But the romance wasn't really for me. Madison and Zach’s over-the-top miscommunication drove me a little nuts. They barely talk through anything, yet somehow expect everything to work out just because the physical chemistry is there. After years of unresolved issues, the ending felt way too sudden and unrealistic for me to buy into their happily-ever-after.

That said, Harper Graham’s writing is lovely, and the atmosphere she creates is perfect for an autumn read. If you enjoy small-town romances with second chances, a dash of mystery, and don’t mind a heavy dose of the miscommunication trope, this one might be worth a cozy afternoon.

My copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Bookouture for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book is guilty for putting me in my fall feels TOO EARLY. I am now living in fall mentally (even if we are not there yet…). Thank you so much to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me an arc of this for a honest review.

Lovers of Gilmore Girls, and other small town romances like The Pumpkin Spice Cafe, should flock to this book immediately, as this will give you what you are looking for. Set in October, the Maple Falls town offers cosy galore, a nostalgic simple life- with no stress other than what the main characters Zach and Madison are doing in their love life. Their romance is a slow burn, but that’s not the only thing that will satisfy you- the vivid descriptions of the cinnamon rolls will just about do it for you too….

What I really love about fall romances, and Graham does so well with this, is how meaningful the romance is. There’s something so relaxing about a slow burn romance outside of the big city cliches (like New York etc.), that don’t accomplish what this book does. I read this in bed with a chai latte, and I felt so cosy, happy and peaceful- it was such a good read, and honestly just what I needed. It was magical and got me hooked from the first page. I also wanted to take my time with it too- as I didn't want it to end.

If you need to slow down and take a breather, in a reading slump, or looking for your next slow burn to devour- pick this up NOW. You will not regret it <3

Thank you for not disappointing my fall needs Harper Graham! This was delicious in every way.

This was a cute, short read—and it definitely put me in the fall mood. As other reviewers have mentioned, I did struggle with the amount of miscommunication in the story; at times, it felt like the only plot point. I also found it a bit repetitive, with Madison and Zach doing a lot of reminiscing in their respective chapters. Still, the setting—a sweet, quaint town—made me wish it was officially fall. The well-rounded characters also helped bring the book to life. And now, I desperately need to try apple butter.

Blew my expectations out of the water. This was the perfect fall romance read. The miscommunication in this book had me on the edge of my seat. Such a great writing style, I cant wait for the second book in the series!

I wanted SO badly to love this! I went in to it for the fall vibes, but I didn’t connect with the characters at all.

Communication? Never heard of her. The MMC and FMC could’ve resolved ALL their problems if they would’ve just talked to each other…