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3.49 AVERAGE

liz_library's profile picture

liz_library's review

3.5
medium-paced
funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

A childhood romance faltered by miscommunication? A failing family business waiting to be saved by a driven big-city daughter? An everlooming deadline (sort of?) to get it all done? A small town full of cliche but friendly characters? The Cinnamon Spice Inn has it all!

This book was an easy and enjoyable read, but not one I'll be raving about, and that's okay! I think it delivered exactly what it said it would - small town cheesy romcom with some heavy autumnal vibes.

[mild spoilers ahead - no details just vibes]



From the jump, I think this book would have benefited from a better opening. It felt like we were rushing to get to Maple Falls and didn't care how we got there. The rush through the plot really impacted how much I cared about my FMC - I think starting the book with actually showing Madison's life in New York would have helped me to believe the duality of her character needed for the rest of the story. I would have also loved if it started with the flashback to their fateful anniversary, as it would have raised the stakes, made me care about the characters faster, and drawn me in so much earlier!! 

That being said, I did still feel for Madison and her struggle to pick between her two lives. I enjoyed that she was prioritising her own needs and wants as much as her want to help her family! In contrast, Zach's unending selflessness annoyed me and i just wanted him to ask someone to pay him for his work!!!!! Stop undervaluing your skills Zach!!!!

The miscommunication at the heart of it all was stopped this book from ever going above 3 stars. This is on me though - I know I hate this trope and that it frustrates me to no end, and yet I read on. BUT IF THEY JUST HAD ONE HONEST CONVERSATION, AT ANY POINT IN TIME, NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. And really, if your couple cannot have open dialogue with each other how am i meant to believe that they'd stay together for the long haul? 

The plot was "plotting", kinda - some bits were stronger than others, it had me guessing with the mystery of the letters. 
The side characters drew me in enough that I'd probably read their solo-books, but not enough for me to remember their names. 

Again, this book did what it said it would and for that she gets a solid middle ground rating. 
Thank you to Harper Graham and Netgalley for providing me with the advanced copy of this! 
krispybooks's profile picture

krispybooks's review

5.0
emotional funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

A cosy fall book in a small town, where everyone knows everyone and nothing escapes anyone’s eyes. Especially everything that touches Madison and Zach. Two exes that meet after so many years and can they have a second chance?

I loved this romance so much that i can’t describe it. The story is wonderful, it has everything: romance, tension, small town + fall vibes. It felt like a hug in a cold weather. 

I loved both characters and i could see both their sides about their relationship, their breakup. I loved how real they are, how both struggle with their own emotions. The plot is also good. It’s not too much, it’s the right balance between romance and the relationship between all characters. It has a touch of mystery about a certain letter Madison received. Not to talk about the author’s writing. It’s wonderful, it makes you devour the book and not stop until you finish it. 

One of my favourite things about the books was the dual pov. We can see how both Madison and Zach feel about what happened, we can see both versions of their stories. There were moments where Madison had a certain idea about something that happened between them that when we see Zach’s pov, we discover it wasn’t like that. This detail made me love the characters even more. 

It’s a perfect book for when you want a light romance, a book to read in one sitting. I’ll definitely gonna reread it when i need a light reading. And i’m definitely gonna read every book the author releases. 

itsalina's review

3.0
emotional funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
learea's profile picture

learea's review

3.0
lighthearted relaxing slow-paced
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

The autumn vibes were really good. All the festivities, the decorations, the food, etc. made you really feel it. If it were that aspect alone, it would easily be the best autumn small town romance book I read, but...
While I did really love some if the characters ( like grandma, dad and even some if the animals), the two main characters felt kind of flat to me. Their actions were very predictable, dumb and they kind of lacked character.
That's why I kind of didn't feel the sparks between those two and found some of the scenes very cringe. And while I am someone who does enjoy the miscommunication trope to some degree, I felt like it was to much and to predictable here.
Spoiler ( maybe) !!!
If it where only the past miscommunication that lead to their first break up, that would have been cheesy, but fine, but like the second time that was too much.
waywardvickie's profile picture

waywardvickie's review

1.5

1.5 stars ✨

I really wanted to like this one. I’m honestly so disappointed, I was looking forward to a cute autumn read to get me into the cosy mood but honestly this book infuriated me  more than anything.

[slight spoilers]

This book tried so hard to do way too much and ended up actually doing nothing at all. It tried to attempt a mystery, enemies to lovers, second chance romance and honestly none of it worked for me. It felt too similar to the other Gilmore Girls type of books and I was just expecting something different and better. 

Madison comes back because of an anonymous note, which basically doesn’t even come into the play wayyy later in the book so forget that random attempt at a mystery. This is not an enemies to lovers in the slightest omg this book is just miscommunication over the stupidest things. Realistically this couple will not last a day in the real world if they can’t communicate. It was actually so annoying how much miscommunication happens. Like sure okay it happens once and maybe they’d try to be more honest and upfront with their thoughts and emotions right ? Wrong. 

I also got the ick from Zack because he clearly knew of Jo at least enough to assume they were a boyfriend back in the city but he still made out with Madison before clearing it up? Yuck. 

The smut in this book was so unnecessary especially with the timing on which it happened like it didn’t feel organic or natural at all. There’s no chemistry between the characters at all, they just seem like they miss hooking up at times. 

This wasn’t for me, it just felt extremely flat. 
amandine_dscps's profile picture

amandine_dscps's review

3.0
fast-paced
lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The Cinnamon Spice Inn follows Madison, a coffee-loving food writer who’s called back to her hometown of Maple Falls to save her family’s inn. The last thing she expects is to work side-by-side with Zach — the handsome handyman who also happens to be the ex who got away. With the inn’s big Halloween relaunch looming, the two must navigate shared history, unspoken feelings, and plenty of forced proximity tension.

One of the highlights of this book for me was the cozy atmosphere. The town, with its autumn festivals and welcoming sense of community, made me want to pack my bags and move there. The way the food was described was an absolutely perfect — I could practically taste the cinnamon, spices, and pastries coming off the page. Harper Graham’s writing really captures the sensory experience of each scene, making it easy to sink into the setting.

The side characters really shined for me. They were funny, supportive, and memorable in their own right. I loved how much they contributed to the small-town charm, and I caught myself wishing they were my real-life friends. Their presence made the world of the book feel so full and authentic.

While Madison and Zach had some truly beautiful and heartfelt moments together, I did find the constant miscommunication between them a bit frustrating. And for clarity: I wouldn’t call this an “enemies to lovers” story; it was primarily just miscommunications stacked on top of each other. Still, the heartfelt resolution and the overall cozy, uplifting vibe made this a perfect read. The Cinnamon Spice Inn is the perfect book to curl up with on a crisp fall day — warm, sweet, and full of charm.

Thank you to the publisher for the arc through NetGalley! All opinions are my own honest opinions.