This is the second book I’ve read by this author, and I’m disappointed I didn’t enjoy it more, especially since I really liked the first book I read by her. I had high hopes going into this one, and while there were plenty of things I enjoyed, a few things kept it from being a four-star read. On the positive side, I really appreciate that there was no language and no spice, although there were a few feminist comments sprinkled throughout.

I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narrator. I’ve listened to her before, and she always does a fantastic job bringing the characters to life. It’s also a fairly short audiobook at around seven hours, so if you’re looking for a quick YA fall romance, this one definitely fits the bill.

I really, really wanted to love this book because it had so much going for it, but unfortunately, Lucy started to rub me the wrong way. At first, I chalked up her behavior to being a typical angsty teenager. However, as the story progressed, she became increasingly annoying and frustrating. She was full of anger, bitterness, and resentment, constantly lashing out, going on rants, and making sarcastic comments. As the kids today would say, “She totally crashed out.”

After a while, her behavior became so repetitive that I was just over it by the end. I struggled to connect with her or even root for her, which made it difficult to fully enjoy the story. I also wish there had been more character development, especially toward the end. If Lucy had been a more likable character and shown more growth, this easily could have been a four-star read for me.

As for the romance, it was cute and sweet, but there just wasn’t enough of it. For a book categorized as a young adult romance, I expected the love story to play a much bigger role. I wanted more romantic moments, more pining, more banter, and just more of the two characters together. Instead, the romance often felt overshadowed by Lucy’s determination to create the “perfect pumpkin spice latte.” I enjoyed that part of the storyline, but I wish there had been a better balance between her personal goals and the developing romance.

Now, let’s talk about everything I DID enjoy because there was still a lot to love about this book!

First, the autumn atmosphere was absolutely wonderful! If you’re looking for a seasonal read packed with cozy fall descriptions, especially delicious seasonal foods and drinks, this book delivers. It was exactly the kind of atmosphere I was craving for my fall reading mood. There was a local fall festival, pumpkins, a baking contest, a maze, Halloween costumes, and so much more. You name a classic autumn activity, and chances are it was somewhere in this story. I loved being immersed in all those cozy seasonal details!

I also adored the small-town setting. This book has been compared to Gilmore Girls, and I can definitely see why. It had that charming, close-knit community atmosphere that I love so much. Lucy lives with her single mom, and I especially enjoyed their relationship. They had such a wonderful bond, and their scenes together were some of my favorites. You could really feel how close they were and how much they loved and supported each other.

Another highlight was the friendship between Lucy, Amber, and Evie. I absolutely loved this girlfriend trio! Their friendship felt genuine and believable, and I appreciated how they were always there for one another. They weren’t afraid to speak their minds or tell each other the truth, even when it wasn’t necessarily what the other person wanted to hear. There was so much love, honesty, and support between these girls, and I thought their friendship was one of the strongest parts of the story.

Overall, this wasn’t a terrible book by any means, but it was disappointing because it felt much more juvenile than I expected. I know it’s a young adult novel, but I’ve read plenty of YA books with teenage characters who were much easier to connect with and root for. Lucy’s constant angst and negativity just became too much for me, and unfortunately, it took away from what could have been a really enjoyable story.

That being said, there are still so many wonderful things about this book, especially the cozy autumn atmosphere, charming small-town setting, sweet friendships, and family relationships. If you don’t mind a very angsty teenage main character, you may end up enjoying this one much more than I did. If the premise sounds appealing to you, I’d still recommend giving it a chance.

Even though this one wasn’t a favorite, I’m definitely not giving up on this author. I enjoyed her previous book enough that I’ll happily pick up another one in the future. Hopefully, the next one will be a better fit for me.