Coming Home to Starr’s Fall
by Kate Hewitt
Summary
Welcome to the town of Starr’s Fall, where Autumn can feel like it goes on forever, and two people have a chance to fall in love… The leaves are falling, with a crispness to the air, along with the scents of coffee and pumpkin spice, past a half-empty street of shuttered storefronts and a bandstand that has seen better days…
Just like the whole town of Starr’s Fall, thinks Laurie Ellis – as she and her beloved dog Max head to collect the store keys. Maybe she has seen better days, too, but she’s certainly ready for a new start—and to leave her past behind. Still Laurie wonders whether she made a terrible mistake in coming to lovable but shabby Starr’s Fall. Will she even find customers for her pet store and bakery, never mind a community to welcome and accept her?
Not according to Joshua Reilly, the handsome but grumpy manager of the bookstore across the road, who claims he’s never heard of anything so ridiculous as a bakery for dogs.
But Laurie remains stubbornly undeterred. She’s starting over, right here. Not least because she has another secret reason for being here… one she isn’t telling anybody, at least not yet, as it involves her own tragic past.
What she doesn’t yet know is that a clue to the mystery is hidden deep in Joshua’s bookstore. And he doesn’t yet realize that Laurie herself might be the key to mending his own battered heart… for Laurie and Joshua and the whole town, it’s going to be a fall to remember.
My Review
4.5 stars
I absolutely loved this fall romance! It was my first time reading this author, and I’m definitely planning to pick up more of her books. I also noticed that this is the first installment in a series, and I can’t wait to dive into the second book next spring.
While it wasn’t quite a five-star read for me, it was very close. One of the standout aspects of this story is the cozy autumn atmosphere and the small-town vibes. If you enjoy Gilmore Girls or The Good Witch, you’ll definitely appreciate the setting. It captures that comforting sense of community and found family perfectly!
I really enjoyed getting to know Laurie and Joshua. Both of them have tumultuous childhoods that have shaped who they are today. Even though their stories are quite different, they share feelings of loneliness and abandonment, making it difficult for them to trust others. Laurie grew up in the foster system and is trying to find her biological mother, which is a significant subplot in her life. Hearing her heartbreaking story was tough, but I loved watching Laurie face her struggles and emerge stronger on the other side.
On the other hand, Joshua had a difficult relationship with his father after losing his mother during his teenage years. With his father now gone, he grapples with feelings of resentment and guilt. Together, both characters help each other navigate their deep, raw emotions and traumatic pasts. I appreciated how the story balanced fun, light-hearted romcom moments with serious, profound romance.
I also adored the side characters and the sense of community in this sleepy small town in New England. Set during the autumn season, it’s perfect for this time of year. The vivid descriptions really drew me into the story, and I especially loved the fall festival element.
This is a sweet, clean romance with no profanity or spice. Although the story took an unexpected turn toward the end, it still concluded in a satisfying way. We also meet a few new characters who will be more central in the second book, and I’m excited to learn more about them in the future.
This book was such a delightful surprise—I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did! It was sweet, charming, and captivating. If you enjoy the grumpy/sunshine romance trope, you’ll definitely enjoy this one. I highly recommend it!