Matchmaking Christmas

About the Book:

Title: Matchmaking Christmas
Author: Toni Shiloh
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Release Date: September 1st
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Sometimes a second chance is wrapped in tinsel, mistletoe, and the conspiring of two daughters determined to reignite love.

When widow Regina Parker’s daughter switches places with her best friend after school one day, Regina finds herself face-to-face with the one person she’s been avoiding: Theo Evers, the high school boyfriend who shattered her heart. Regina has carefully built a new life for herself since moving back to Holly, California, and she has no intention of letting old heartbreak unravel it.

Single father Theo Evers thought he had his hands full managing the town’s Christmas tree farm and raising his daughter after his wife abandoned them both. The last thing he needs is Regina back in his life–but now their daughters have become inseparable, and the scheming young matchmakers have other plans.

Determined to create the family they’ve always longed for, the girls orchestrate an elaborate strategy, secretly signing their parents up for every holiday activity in town. It’s up to Theo and Regina to decide if they’re brave enough to trust God’s plan and risk everything for a second chance at the love that got away.

Book Review:

This was a fun Christmas novella. I adore Toni Shiloh’s books and I was excited to pick this one up! Matchmaking Christmas is a fun Christmas romance. The characters were interesting and the girls were so fun!

Regina had to grow on me but as I read the book I understood her more. She had been through a lot and had to learn to truly trust God with her future and her past. She truly loved her daughter and wanted to give her the best life that she could. I love the way that her faith grew throughout the book! Gabe had also been hurt and wanted to protect his heart. I loved seeing his faith throughout the book. He had to learn to let Regina in and trust in God’s plan.

The schemes that the girl created made me laugh and smile. I loved the nods to Parent Trap. It was interesting to also see the story through the girls’ perspectives. The book was interesting and I am hoping that Kris and RJ will get their own books. Matchmaking Christmas is a clean Christian Christmas romance.

Leaves and Longings

About the Book:

Leaves and Longing (Rivals and Romance Book 1)

Title: Leaves and Longing
Series: Rivals and Romance #1
Author: Amanda P Jones
Release Date: September 1st, 2026
Genre: Romantic Comedy

She wants roots. He collects boarding passes.

Travel journalist Knox Sheppherd is supposed to be sipping sangria in Spain. Instead, a forgotten passport renewal strands him in Iowa, covering the Midwest Rival Fest, where two neighboring towns are locked in a decades-old rivalry fueled by pumpkins, apples, and a mischievous goat named Karen.

As Harvest Glen’s event planner, Mia Mullins thrives on turning chaos into magic. Between organizing the festival and defending her three-year Pumpkin Palooza winning streak, she has no time for distractions—especially not a charming reporter who’s only passing through.

But between runaway livestock, festival disasters, carnival lights, and one increasingly inconvenient attraction, keeping things professional becomes harder by the day. As sparks fly and festival season heats up, Knox and Mia find themselves facing an impossible choice.

Mia is building a future in the place she loves. Knox is always chasing the next destination. With an expiration date looming over their romance, they’ll have to decide whether love is worth rewriting the plans they thought they wanted.

Because sometimes the greatest adventure isn’t the one that takes you somewhere new—it’s the one that makes you want to stay.

Leaves and Longing is a sweet rom-com featuring a hero who falls first (and takes care of her), a small-town festival, opposites attract, and enough cozy fall vibes to fill a pumpkin patch—including campfires, carnival rides, stargazing, a pumpkin regatta, delicious festival food, and one unforgettable goat.

Leaves and Longing is part of the Rivals and Romance series; a collection of six interconnected standalone novel that can be read in any order.

Book Review:

The first in the Rivals and Romance series, Leaves and Longing is an adorable romcom perfect for the fall! I was so excited to come to this small town and to get to know some people there.

It was a lot of fun to follow Knox as he got to know Harvest Glen and Maple Ridge. He was a newcomer too and it helped to have his perspective. He had been traveling all over the world, but was finding the appeal of a small town and the community that it brought. I loved Mia’s spirit! She was hard working and determined to make the Pumpkin Palooza a success. Mia loved her town and wanted its success in the years-long rivalry. It was her home. I loved her relationship with her Gram too! She was so sweet and supportive of Mia.

Know and Mia were adorable together! He fell so quickly and threw himself into supporting her. He was such a romantic! I loved seeing them work together and to experience the events through him. Knox offered Mia a perspective bigger than she was used to and he gave her the place to reevaluate some of her own views around her town and family.

I loved the introduction to the two towns of Harvest Glen and Maple Ridge! We already get peeks into some of the other characters and I cannot wait to read their stories. Both towns are full of quirky traditions and pretty hilarious events. I loved seeing Mia and Knox going to the events and their different perspectives. This was a cozy and sweet romcom with some passionate kisses.

I received an ARC.

Harvest Day in the Square

About the Book:

Harvest Day in the Square: a Holidays in Hillview novel

Title: Harvest Day in the Square
Series: Holidays in Hillview #3
Author: Erynn Mangum
Release Date: July 31st, 2026
Genre: Christian Rom-Com

Allie McGrady has always sworn she would NEVER move back to her tiny hometown of Hillview, Texas, and yet, here she is – buying a house in Hillview. But this isn’t an ordinary house and it doesn’t take long before Allie realizes that maybe she bit off more than she can chew with this particular fixer-upper. Add in the pressure to get it done before the town’s annual Harvest Day in the Square and Allie is starting to panic.

Enter Harris, a pastor at Allie’s sisters’ church. He is a lifesaver for Allie and ends up helping at the house as much as possible, which instantly turns Allie’s sisters into a bunch of matchmakers. This is completely terrible because Allie really likes Harris as a friend only, so everything is now just awkward and awful. In the midst of all of this, Allie is confronted over and over again with her identity and who she is – not just to herself or others, but who she is to Jesus.

Harvest Day in the Square is a romantic comedy of mishaps, miscommunication and misunderstandings that ultimately leads to a deeper walk with the Lord. Get ready for lots more of the McGrady family and the adorable, quirky town of Hillview!

Book Review:

I loved this book! Every single one of Mangum’s books are so fun and this one is no exception.

I thought Allie’s perspective was really fun to read about. She’s definitely different from Dani, the sister in the past book, and her free spirit is fun to read about. I loved seeing her buy her house and grow in her confidence in Christ. She was learning how to be confident in how God made her and the different plans He had for her life. I love how Mangum always focuses on her character’s spiritual walk, and she does a great job of making it relatable.

The family in this series is one of my favorite parts! I love how connected they are to each other, and it’s really fun to see Case and Ben join the group. They’re all so funny, and it reminds me of my own family dinners. The sisters push each other to be more like Jesus and they support one another through the ups and downs of life. I think it’s sweet too how involved they all still are even in adulthood.

Harris is the perfect complement for Allie! It was fun to see him in the other books in the series, and he has a lot of light and spark to match Allie’s fire. But he’s a little bit more settled than her. I thought they worked together so well. We got to see a little bit more about Sam’s story too, and I am so excited for her book! Overall, I would totally recommend this book! It is a clean romance, and it can be read standalone but I would recommend reading them in order.

Beachside Kisses with my Famous Ex

About the Book:

Title: Beachside Kisses with my Famous Ex
Series: Hallmark Beach Small Town Romance #4
Author:Kristin Canary
Publisher: Dreaming of You
Release Date: October 26th, 2026
Genre: Closed Door Romantic Comedy

When old chapters get rewritten, sometimes love deserves a second draft…

I thought I’d left my past—and my pro hockey player ex, Ethan Fox—behind years ago.

These days, I’m a single mom raising my eight-year-old daughter in Hallmark Beach while secretly writing bestselling romance novels under a pen name. Unfortunately, my latest book is due soon, and my inspiration has apparently packed its bags and left town.

Then Ethan shows up.

He’s only supposed to be staying with his uncle for one week, but when I learn he’s struggling to write his memoir, I make the questionable decision to offer my help. Suddenly I’m spending way too much time with the man who broke my heart nine years ago—and discovering the Ethan Fox I remember might not be the same man standing in front of me now.

Which would be a whole lot easier to deal with if his goofy smile and annoyingly charming personality didn’t keep reminding me exactly why I fell for him in the first place.

But there’s one tiny complication.

The eight-year-old daughter I’m raising? She’s his.

And Ethan has absolutely no idea.

Once the truth comes out, Ethan is determined to make up for lost time. Which means I’m seeing a whole new side of him—one that involves father-daughter dates, bedtime stories, and far too many moments that make me wonder if the hockey star I once loved might actually be someone I can trust with my heart again.

There’s just one problem.

His time in Hallmark Beach is almost up.

Soon Ethan will return to New York, and I’ll have to decide whether some love stories are better left in the past…or whether ours deserves a whole new ending.

Book Review:

This ended up being so cute! The story sounded interesting so I was excited to read it. Beachside Kisses with my Famous Ex is the fourth book in Kristin Canary’s Hallmark Beach Small Town Romances series. Ethan, April and Scarlett were all so fun! I loved their interactions and the easy banter. This story drew me in and I didn’t want to put it down!

Ethan and April had dated previously but their relationship had ended quite abruptly. They found themselves brought back together. I love how Scarlett kind of forced them together in her own way. She didn’t know that Ethan was her dad but she found herself drawn to him. They had the cutest relationship.

It was interesting to get to know Ethan and see just how he viewed life and himself. Ethan had to learn what was important to him. Hockey had been his whole life and he was faced with a new reality after finding out about Scarlett. April just wanted to prove herself. She had worked hard to show that she was capable as a mother. April had to learn to let others in and see that her identity was not found in what others thought of her.

I really enjoyed this book! The characters drew me in and I loved coming back to this small town. I am so excited for the next book to come. April and Ethan felt like they could be my friends and Scarlett was just a bundle of joy. I love the themes of found family and family. April’s family was honestly the best. I would totally recommend this book! It had the perfect blend of romance, humour, and plot. Beachside Kisses with my Famous Ex is a closed door romantic comedy.

What I loved:

Scarlett and her honesty

Banter between Ethan and April

The family themes

Found family

Small town vibes

Friends

She’s an author

He’s a hockey player

I received a complimentary copy

Love Beyond the Diamond

About the Book:

Love Beyond the Diamond: A Sweet Sports RomCom (Waves Baseball Book 2)

Title: Love Beyond the Diamond
Series: Waves Baseball #2
Author: Laura Langa
Release Date: October 9th, 2026
Genre: Romantic Comedy

Grumpy right fielder. Sunshine artist. Fake vows. Real feelings.

Getting kidnapped while out with friends wasn’t the curveball I expected. Turns out, the tattooed mountain of a man who hauled me away on his motorcycle was actually rescuing me.

Shane Seaver has the league convinced he’s the grumpy right fielder with a permanent scowl. Unfortunately for him, I’m a hyperrealist painter—so I notice what everyone else misses, like his quiet kindness and dry humor.

Between three part-time jobs and a pricey new diagnosis, my art career is stuck on the bench. Even my sparkling optimism and knack for turning mishaps into adventures can’t save me. Then I discover the penthouse I clean belongs to Shane—and he has a wild-card proposal.

Playing happy wife through Waves media events and his brother’s disastrous wedding is a small price for health insurance and the chance to create again. So I set out to give Shane the childhood he missed—with arcade games, beach days, and a cabin getaway with one very inconvenient bed.

Now my biggest challenge isn’t painting the perfect masterpiece—it’s remembering our fake marriage has an expiration date.

Book Review:

This was adorable! I loved reading Willow and Shane’s story and flew through it.

Willow was a sweetheart! I loved her joy and optimism, even as she struggled with all the changes in her life. Willow chose how she would respond to her circumstance and over and over she chose hope and joy. It was so sweet to see her bring that into Shane’s life and her active work to show everyone the kind man he was to her!

Shane was her opposite in a lot of ways! But he was just as thoughtful and kind, even though it was under a more gruff exterior. He just wanted to play baseball and keep his head down, but what he needed was someone to bring life and wonder into his life. I loved seeing him open up with Willow and how they supported one another.

Willow and Shane were so sweet together! There was a genuine care and desire to help the other person. It took them a bit to find their footing, but it was so lovely to read about them connecting. I love the Waves baseball team! Their group chat was hilarious and I loved seeing the cameos from different characters. The story was an easy with no 3rd act break-up and lovely characters. It has only kisses, a character with diabetes, and a difficult family situation.

I received an ARC.

Flag Day in the Square

About the Book:

Flag Day in the Square: - a Holidays in Hillview novel -

Title: Flag Day in the Square
Series: Holidays in Hillview #2
Author: Erynn Mangum
Release Date: October 10th, 2025
Genre: Christian Rom-Com

Dani McGrady is finally back in her hometown of Hillview and wants nothing more than to make the festivals at the town square just as magical now as they were when she was growing up there. But the giant hailstorm that hits the same week she gets back seems to have ruined all chance of that. Or has it?

After getting hired as the Hillview event planner for all the town square festivals, Dani is determined to make everything perfect for the town she loves. But on the exact same week she gets hired, a massive hailstorm takes out not only most of the windows and roofs in the town, but also the beloved gazebo in the square. Suddenly, Flag Day in the Square goes from being an easy, low-key beginning of her Hillview career to a headache the size of one of the hailstones. Everything seems to be harder than it should be, especially once her sisters find out about the attractive city planner she is working with and the cute contractor who can’t seem to ever show up on time.

Dani is a fixer at heart and the last thing she wants to do is quit. But with everything mounting at once and nothing going as planned, what does the Lord even want from her? Does He need her help to get things taken care of? Or is Dani trying to fix something that doesn’t need to be fixed after all?

With the help of her close-knit, crazy family, her faith in Jesus and lots of coffee from Tiny’s coffeeshop, Dani is about to find out there are some things you just can’t plan.

Flag Day in the Square is a sweet, clean romance that keeps Jesus first always.

Book Review:

I love these books! They always make me smile, and it’s a non stressful read that keeps me turning the page.

Poor Dani is really struggling with where she is in life. She’s spent so much of her life chasing a career, and she’s realizing that’s not where she wants to be. As she moves back to her hometown, it was fun to see her rediscover her passion ago. She had to learn to let go and trust the Lord even when she wanted to control things. I really felt for Dani, and her struggles were so relatable and realistic. I wanted her to succeed, and her setbacks made sense for her character.

As always I love the family dynamic in this one! The sisters feel like real sisters to me, and the family dinner conversations remind me of my own family. I love how the banter feels real, and Ben is a great addition to the group. It’s fun to see more and more of Sam’s story too, and I can’t wait to see how it all wraps up.

I would totally recommend this sweet romance! It’s clean, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves Christian fiction.

The Christmas Dash

About the Book:

The Christmas Dash: A Small Town Holiday Romance

Title: The Christmas Dash
Author: Leah Dobrinska
Release Date: October 23rd, 2026
Genre: Contemporary Romance

A shimmering Christmas romance about first loves and second chances, perfect for fans of RaeAnne Thayne and Melissa Ferguson.

Question: what do you do when your ex-best friend (and almost-boyfriend) who chose a music career over you five years ago is back in your shared hometown for the holiday season? Oh, and his mother tasked him with helping you put on a Christmas scavenger hunt meant to encourage locals to stop and smell the pine needles?

Answer: Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la Friend Zone.

It’s the only way. Because here’s the thing: Gabe McKenzie and I aren’t meant to be. I crave stability and somewhere I truly belong, and his life takes him on the road to new cities every weekend. That’s the definition of volatile.

But the more time we spend together—dodging snowflakes and petting reindeer, roasting marshmallows and singing carols—the more I wonder if the home I’ve been longing for isn’t just a place to put down roots.

What if home is a person? And what if Gabe was always meant to be mine?

Book Review:

This was a fun, sweet contemporary romance. The Christmas Dash is written by Leah Dobrinska and is a standalone Christmas romance. Gabe and Beth had history but they had to learn to move forward.

Okay, so I had a harder time with Beth. She felt a bit stuck in her ways at times but I grew to understand her. She was scared to let Gabe in because of her past. As she spent time with Gabe, she really considered what she wanted in her life. Beth was working so hard to find her place but I love how she learned to slow down as she spent time with Gabe. Beth was a strong independent woman but she had to learn to let others in.

Gabe was sweet and genuinely just wanted to care for those he loved. He had made some decisions in the past that led him to be away from Beth. He had never stopped loving Beth though and was trying to figure out how to win. Gabe had to figure out if he would fight for Beth.

I loved the easy relationship that Gabe and Beth had. They had history so they understood each other. However because of their shared history, they had some obstacles to overcome. It was fun to read about them falling in love as they worked together on the Christmas scavenger event. The town was unique and had some quirks which made it endearing. The storyline was interesting and the side characters really added to the book. I would recommend it to those who enjoy contemporary romances. The Christmas Dash is a clean contemporary romance.

Book Highlights:

Christmas themes

Second chance romance

Found family

Working together

She owns a bookstore

Small town vibes

Community Highlights

I received a complimentary copy

Falling Back to You

About the Book:

Falling Back to You: A Sweet Second Chance Hockey Rom-com (The Reluctant Romantics Book 3)

Title: Falling Back to You
Series: The Reluctant Romantics: #3
Author: Morgan Taylor Giesbrecth
Release Date: August 25th, 2026
Genre: Contemporary Romance

I came home looking for redemption, not a second chance with the man my heart never forgot…

Noelle:
Running away a month before my wedding was the hardest choice I ever made. But crawling back thirteen years later with my life in shambles might be worse.

I’m jobless and homeless with a laundry list of apologies to make. But as an eldest daughter, my motto is “I’m fine.” Only it’s not fine, and I’m tired of pretending.

I have a place to live, thanks to my conniving little sister, but my landlord is NOT supposed to be my ex-fiancé, hockey captain, Cal Satterfield. He’s not supposed to be my new boss either. But his daughter needs a nanny, and I’ve always been a sucker for those blue eyes.

I have plenty of bridges to mend, and Cal wants to break down the walls between us. Like a second chance is possible.

If only I were brave enough to believe it.

Cal:

Thirteen years, two months, and seventeen days.

That’s how long I’ve waited for the girl who got away. And finally, Noelle Shepherd is back.

Logically, I shouldn’t find her this enchanting. And I definitely shouldn’t hire her as my daughter’s nanny. However, logic has never been my strong suit.

It might be the worst decision I’ve ever made, or the second chance I’ve always prayed for. Because despite the history between us, Noelle is still the one I want to come home to.

I’ll do everything I can to prove to her I’ve changed. This time, I’m playing for keeps.

Falling Back to You is a hockey rom-com featuring a second chance between a single dad and the nanny, plenty of heartfelt healing, everyday faith, swoony banter, and laugh aloud small town shenanigans—all without the spice.

Book Review:

Oh, this was just so good! I knew that I was going to love Cal’s story and it did not disappoint me. The perfect blend of redemption, forgiveness, and second chances. Falling Back to You is the third book in Morgan Taylor Giesbrecht’s The Reluctant Romantics series.

Cal was just trying to take care of his daughter. He was trying to be the best father that he could be but he was also longing for a partner. Noelle was just trying to find her place and make amends for past mistakes. She was at the end of herself and just trying to find her home.

I loved both Cal and Noelle! They had both been through so much and were honestly just trying to trust God in their rollercoaster of a life. I really felt for both of them. Cal had to learn to trust God and figure out if he was willing to let Noelle back into this life. He had never stopped loving her but he was scared of getting hurt. Noelle had to learn to let go of the past and see that forgiveness and redemption were possible. I loved seeing the growth of both of these characters as they wrestled with their feelings and hopes.

The romance was sweet. It was a bit of slow burn, a bit of instant love. They had been in love before but time had gotten away from them so they had to get to know each other again. I loved the way that they tried to support each other even as they worked through their feelings.

I loved the side characters!! Khia was a sweetheart. She had Cal wrapped around her finger and I love reading about her interactions with Noelle. The whole Satterfield family is amazing and I loved the family themes. It was also fun to see some of the old characters too! I am so excited for the next books to come. This was a wonderful book and I would totally recommend it! Falling Back to You is a closed door contemporary romance with inspirational themes.

What I loved

Cal and his relationship with his daughter

The Satterfield family

Mr. Pickles, the cat

The text messages

Redemption

Disability representation

The small town vibes

I received a complimentary copy

You Fall First

About the Book:

You Fall First: A Sweet Romantic Comedy: Harvest Hollow Love Stories

Title:You Fall First
Series: Part of the Harvest Hollow Love Stories #4
Author: Julie Christianson
Release Date: October 8th, 2026
Genre: Rom-Com

Forever wasn’t part of their agreement…

Josephine Michaels has a big problem.

Several problems, TBH.

She’s unemployed and stuck living with her parents. Again.
Her ex is coming to her sister’s wedding. With his new fiancée.
The super-hot PT she’s crushing on is not only too busy to date, he’s also friends with her protective older brother.

Noah Stadler has his own problem: His lengthy PT job description now includes being a full-time, single father-figure to a preschooler.

Enter Jo.

She agrees to be Noah’s live-in help until his sister arrives to take care of her son and make a fresh start. In the meantime, Noah pretends to be Jo’s boyfriend for the wedding.

At first, their temporary arrangement seems perfect: Co-parenting and fake dating with no strings attached and a guaranteed expiration date.

Nothing could go wrong, right?

Until both their hearts start making plans that break all the rules…

***

You Fall First is an interconnected standalone in the Harvest Hollow Love Stories series. In this closed-door romance, you’ll find all the sweetness and sizzle of a romcom but only kisses on the page.

Tropes:

Single Father Figure
Friend’s little sister/Older Brother’s Friend
Fake Dating
Forced Proximity
Found Family
Age Gap (7 years)

Book Review:

This was adorable! I loved returning to Harvest Hollow and reading Jo and Noah’s story.

I felt for Jo! She was in a transition phase, trying to find out what she wanted in life. Her struggle was very relatable and it was easy to get pulled into her POV. Jo was such a sweetheart and I loved seeing her connect with Dutton. Jo wanted to find her own place and be seen as her own person, apart from her family. She loved them and was so grateful for them, but she also was ready for her own story.

I adored Noah! He was so thoughtful and caring with his sister and nephew. Noah just wanted to support them. He wanted the best for Dutton and when he needed someone to watch him, Jo was there for him. Noah was used to taking care of things on his own and it took him a bit to figure out how to best support those around him and let them help him as well. I loved seeing his relationship with his sister too!

Jo and Noah were adorable together! I loved seeing them support one another and all the little ways they looked out for the other person. I loved Dutton and how all his adorable quirks! He felt like a real little kid and it was so sweet to see the three of them together. It was also really sweet to see Jo’s family again! They were in previous books and I loved how they were there for each other. They were not perfect, but truly cared about one another.

It was so fun to return to Harvest Hollow! This is a standalone in the series, but it features characters from previous books. I loved the small town setting too. This is a sweet romcom with only kisses. It features the past death of loved ones.

I received an ARC.

Ella and the Enchanted Bookshop

About the Book:

Ella and the Enchanted Bookshop: A Contemporary Cozy Fantasy Retelling of Cinderella (The Enchanted Bookshop Fairy Tales)

Title: Ella and the Enchanted Bookshop
Series: The Enchanted Bookshop Tales #1
Author: Brittany Fichter
Release Date: October 1st, 2026
Genre: Contemporary Cozy Fantasy

“Ella,” Margaret interrupted with an amused smile. “Are you suggesting that I gave you a magical book?” Then she took a sip of tea.

Ella is the small town of Buchkarte’s renowned horse whisperer. (Pronounced Book-Heart. Say it right, or the locals will never let you live it down.) Sole daughter of late national equine champions, Ella obviously inherited her parents’ skills and passion. And as she runs the town’s only horse boarding ranch, you would think business would be booming.

Sadly, you would be wrong. Stuck under the thumb of the ranch’s new owner – who also happens to be Ella’s stepmother – it’s all Ella can do to keep the place running while ensuring her beloved horses’ care. And as the cold days of autumn approach yet again, Ella begins to wonder how much longer she can hold on.

But just as she doubts whether she’ll ever find peace or companionship again, thanks to her stepmother’s threats, the local town busybody (and the Enchanted Endings Bookshop’s proprietor, Margaret) lends Ella a book – a book with a familiar story that’s incomplete. But as autumn matures, Ella starts to sense that this mysterious book might have more to do with her life than she first thought, as new possibilities appear before her.

Possibilities that include freedom, independence, and maybe even Margaret’s godson, Asher.

And for the first time since her parents’ deaths, Ella begins to wonder if a happy ending might be within her reach yet. If only she can find a way to write that ending as her own.

Delve into a cozy world of pumpkin-spiced autumn vibes, soft, sweet magic, clean, no-spice romance, and Cinderella’s story made new. Ella and the Enchanted Bookshop is the first in the Enchanted Bookshop Fairy Tales – clean, cozy contemporary fantasy retellings of four beloved fairy tales with gentle magic, safe, clean romance, and seasonal sensations.

Book Review:

I loved this book! I was so excited for this book when I read the description because it sounded so cute! Ella and the Enchanted Bookshelf is the first book in Brittany Fichter’s new series, The Enchanted Bookshop Fairytales. I love fairytale retellings and this one turned out so good!

Poor Ella, she had been through a lot and felt stuck. She didn’t want to be under her stepmother’s thumb but she didn’t know how she could leave the horses her parents had cared for. I loved her relationship with the town, especially those who were friends with Ella’s family. It was sweet to see them try to help her. Ella had to learn to stand up for herself and figure out what exactly she wanted in life. I loved her growth throughout the book and how Margaret helped push her along. Ella was scared but she learned to be brave. Asher was so sweet to Ella and I love the way that he tried to care for her.

The romance was definitely more insta love ish but it was so cute! This was a single POV so we only got to see Ella’s side but it was still so fun to read. I liked the progression of the story and how it stayed true to the Cinderella story and yet was its own book. I loved everything about this and I would totally recommend it! The characters and story were so engaging. Ella and the Enchanted Bookshelf is a clean cozy contemporary romance with hints of magic.

What I loved:

Found Family

He takes care of her

Learning to stand up for yourself

The animals

Margaret!

Asher was so sweet

Asher and Ella were so cute together

I received a complimentary copy