Spring is in the air in Starr’s Fall, and for two people, love may be just a roll of the dice away…

As the frozen earth gives way to the first spring crocuses, pushing their way into the warmer air, Maggie arrives in Starr’s Fall. She’s looking for a new start, with her lovable but painfully shy teenaged son in tow.

It feels like the odds are against her, but she’s determined to come out winning this time, and to fulfil her dream of opening up a board game café. But not everything’s a game, and when she finds herself attracted to a man who’s known as a different sort of player, she worries she’s setting herself up to lose.

Zach is funny, surprisingly geeky, and, most importantly, bonds with her son. But Zach is also drop-dead gorgeous, has a reputation around town, and is also ten years younger than her.

When he asks her out on a date, Maggie is totally thrown. She can’t deny she’s attracted to him. But is she ready to risk her heart with another roll of the dice?

I really loved the first book in this series, so I was excited to return to Starr’s Fall, especially after briefly meeting Maggie and her son, Ben, at the end of book one. I was looking forward to getting to know them better while also being introduced to new characters settling into town. For readers who prefer clean romance, this one has no spice and no strong language.

One thing that surprised me was the age gap romance. I wasn’t expecting that going in, but I still ended up enjoying it. Maggie and Ben are both navigating life after the loss of a husband and father about a year prior, and their grief is very present throughout the story. I tend to enjoy “starting over” tropes, and I liked watching them slowly adjust to a new town, new relationships, and a new version of life.

That said, this story felt heavier than I anticipated. It took me longer than usual to finish because I found myself needing breaks from the emotional weight. This isn’t a light, fluffy romcom, and while it has its sweet and cozy moments, it doesn’t quite capture the same charm as the first book. Still, I found it enjoyable overall.

I also loved seeing familiar faces from the first book pop up throughout the story. Because of that, I’d definitely recommend reading the series in order to fully appreciate the connections between characters. It was comforting to return to this community while also getting to know new personalities.

Maggie, understandably, is a bit of a hot mess for much of the story, given everything she’s been through. However, I did find it frustrating how often she pushed Zach away. Despite his reputation as a bit of a player and being ten years younger than her, Zach consistently proves through both his thoughts and actions that he’s a genuinely good person who cares deeply for Maggie and Ben. Watching her resist that, sometimes a little too strongly, added to the emotional heaviness of the story.

The weight of Maggie’s grief, Ben’s struggles, and even Zach’s own challenges made this feel more intense than expected. At times, it felt like we were watching Maggie spiral, which could be difficult to sit with. However, by the end, I really appreciated seeing the growth in all of the characters as they began to step into who they were meant to be. There are still plenty of sweet, swoony, and even a few funny moments sprinkled throughout that give the story a cozy feel.

Even though the cover has a strong springtime vibe, this actually feels like a late winter read transitioning into early spring. Much of the story takes place in January and February, with that gradual shift into a new season mirroring the characters’ emotional journeys.

Overall, I’m really enjoying my time in Starr’s Fall and will happily continue with the series. I love the small-town atmosphere, the seasonal settings, and the quirky side characters. I’m excited to see what, and who, we get to explore next. Definitely recommend!