3.49 AVERAGE

jxdekxlly's review

3.0
emotional funny lighthearted slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Summary
Love is the sweetest spice of all.
Self-confessed coffee addict and food writer Madison has convinced herself she belongs in NYC. But then she’s called back to the small town of Maple Falls to save her childhood home, The Cinnamon Spice Inn. She’s NOT looking forward to seeing her ex, Zach—now a sexy handyman who knows exactly how to push her buttons. But she won’t let anything distract her from the inn’s relaunch… right?
Sparks fly as they prepare for the big Halloween opening. Will Madison save The Cinnamon Spice Inn and have a second chance at love, or will it all go up in flames?

Review
🧲  Forced Proximity
🏡  Cosy Small Town
🤎  Second Chance Romance
🌶  Spicy

The Cinnamon Spice Inn has so much to offer! It is the cosiest, small town romance with the perfect sprinkle of autumn vibes. 

Madison is our FMC, called back to her hometown by a ✨ mysterious letter ✨ from an ✨ anonymous friend✨, claiming that her father needs her help running the family business, The Cinnamon Spice Inn 🍂 . 
This inn… this town… this family! They are honestly just pulled from a Hallmark movie and danced right onto the page. Whilst her dad is kind of wilfully incompetent, her grandma is sassy, speaks her mind and keeps everyone honest!

Madison notices the heart and soul of the inn is missing, which she believes got lost over time following her mother’s passing. All of the things she loved about the inn are no longer present (including her mother’s homemade cinnamon rolls). 🥮

BUT these are the only cinnamon rolls that have been missing from her life - enter our cinnamon roll MMC and childhood love Zach. He is the sweetest, most supportive little bean - running around town helping anyone who even looks remotely in need of help. He is super kind and helpful but goodness me the miscommunication between these two almost killed me. To be honest, it was probably quite realistic for some people but usually you’ll see at least some growth and over time people stop or reduce the miscommunication. Not these two! They could win a Guiness World Record for the sheer quantity of times they were unable to have an honest or direct conversation. That being said, I rooted for them and wanted to see them end up together! Despite being marketed as an enemies to lovers, it’s more of a second chance romance, reunited soul mates type vibe. There’s a little conflict/tension but ultimately they’re both pining for each other from the start.

It really felt like this was being set up for a Liam book, which I would love to see! If I was feeling critical, I would say it felt like this book was crammed with tropes (second chance, small town, forced proximity, work romance, Save-The-Inn, miscommunication, mystery letters) and I’d like to see it a little more stripped back for the next instalment. 

🎧 Audiobook
Andi Eloise and Brandon Francis narrated this SO well! I loved the accents and how each character was so clear from the way they were delivered. Their voices were both warm, just like the inn itself. I always listen on x2, but I can image this would’ve been even cuter slowed down a little bit!

Throughout The Cinnamon Spice Inn, Harper Graham refers to so many different sweet autumn treats that really got me in that spooky season mood. I know it’s still summer but if you’re looking for someone to get you ready for the autumn season, grab your fave pumpkin spiced treat, a soft blanket, fireplace roaring (or if you’re like me, a fireplace YouTube video on loop with the heating on) and dive into Maple Falls with Madison and Zach.

hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Loveable characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Thanks Netgalley - Cozy small town with fall vibes
emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

The Cinnamon Spice Inn  by Harper Graham
Narrated by Andi Eloise, Brandon Francis
4 star 
A fiery, coffee-loving city girl. A laid-back handyman with irresistible hazel eyes. Is this a recipe for disaster? Find out in this totally cozy and unputdownable enemies-to-lovers romance in the small town of your dreams!
 
fast paced cozy 
i enjoyed the narrators they brought the story  to life
jenjenreads85's profile picture

jenjenreads85's review

4.0
emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Narration is mostly single with bonus content that is dual - Andi Eloise & Brandon Francis

This is a hallmark movie. Sweet, cozy, and romantic. 3rd person POV. I enjoyed the story very much and narrators did a great job. 
read_game_stitch's profile picture

read_game_stitch's review

2.0
lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The Cinnamon Spice Inn is a Hallmark movie in book form, so if you're looking for a cozy, familiar romance story for the Autumn/Fall season, you'll find it here. There's frequent spicy reminiscences and fantasising before the fantasy becomes reality! The audiobook is well narrated by the sole narrator, Andi Eloise. The audiobook listing does say that there are two narrators, but looking it up on Audible suggests that the male narrator is only part of a duet-narration bonus chapter, which seems to be missing from this ALC.

All that being said, I thought that the plot was a bit too familiar, to the point that I could predict the whole plot from the start, and the plot was too reliant on miscommunication, both in the past and in the present. It felt like there wasn't any character development because it was the exact same issues in the present as there had been in the past. Miscommunication is my least favourite trope but I might have overlooked that and the predictability and given it a higher rating if I'd been rooting for the main characters to get together, but unfortunately I didn't like Madison as a person. Zach came across much better, but Madison wasn't very likeable - for example how she dropped all of her best friends from home as soon as she ended things with Zach and didn't even reach out to Zach's sister Emily when their mother was ill. It's one thing to dump your long-distant boyfriend after a miscommunication, but another to intentionally drift off from all of your friends as well.

This one wasn't for me personally, but it could be a hit for readers/listeners who like second-chance, small town cozy romances with spice, and don't mind the miscommunication trope as it is very prominent.

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Listener Copy from Bookouture Audio and NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.

sakuramelodybooks's review

4.75
emotional lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Harper Graham’s The Cinnamon Spice Inn is a cozy, autumn-wrapped romance that combines small-town charm with a heartfelt second-chance love story. When Madison returns to Maple Falls to relaunch her family’s inn, she never expects to be thrown back into close quarters with her ex, Zach. What follows is a mix of warm seasonal details, witty banter, and slow-burning attraction that makes the story as comforting as a cinnamon latte on a crisp October morning.
What elevates the novel is how Graham balances familiarity with freshness. The tropes—enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, second chances—are all here, but they’re executed with energy and sincerity. Madison’s big-city outlook collides perfectly with the rhythm of Maple Falls, grounding the romance in both tension and tenderness.
I am not usually someone who gravitates toward romances heavy with spice, yet the intimate scenes here are a standout. They’re not only realistic and tastefully written, but they also serve a purpose: deepening Madison and Zach’s bond rather than overwhelming the narrative. The result is chemistry that feels earned and believable.
If there are minor drawbacks, it’s that some plot turns are predictable, and a few side characters could be more fleshed out. Still, these are small quibbles in an otherwise engaging and immersive read.
The Cinnamon Spice Inn is ultimately a celebration of love, community, and fresh beginnings—perfect for anyone craving a feel-good romance steeped in fall atmosphere. Whether you’re a die-hard romance reader or someone who usually avoids spicier stories, this one strikes a rare balance between comfort and heat, making it a delightful seasonal escape.

Narrator’s Note:
The audiobook narrator did a fabulous job bringing both Madison and Zach to life with distinct voices and natural pacing. The warmth and energy in the delivery made the banter sparkle, and the cozy seasonal setting felt even more immersive. It was the kind of narration that enhances the story rather than distracts from it, making the listening experience especially enjoyable.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for this ALC. This is my honest review. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
lighthearted fast-paced

Quick Summary: A second chance, cinnamon twist romance

My Review: The Cinnamon Spice Inn by Harper Graham is book #1 in the Maple Fall series. It is scheduled for release on 8/28/25.

About the Book: "A fiery, coffee-loving city girl. A laid-back handyman with irresistible hazel eyes. Is this a recipe for disaster? "

In My Own Words: Former best friends turned lovers are reunited when the prodigal daughter returns to her small town and has to work closely with the man who unwittingly broke her heart.

About the Characters: Madison and Zach had obviously been close to each other. That's probably why their split broke them both so deeply. Even when they were at odds, they still had feelings. I appreciated that they struggled with how to reconnect, as well as with how to move past their conflict.

The introduction of other community members and supporting characters was done well. The way they were brought into the existing drama flowed. They showed up as well meaning, highly involved, small town players. The inclusion of a chocolatier with an air of mystery about her and the new chef for the inn who presents with a high energy nature already has me guessing about what comes next. Additionally, Zach's best friend and sister have me rather curious. 

About the Conflict: There were a number of things that contributed to the conflicts between the characters. I was especially mindful of the couple conflict, the familial conflict, and the conflict related to the future.

About the Mystery: I loved the mystery surrounding the letters. It wrapped up nicely. 

About the Audiobook: This novel was narrated by Andi Eloise and Brandon Francis. Their delivery was smooth and entertaining. I enjoyed the listening experience thoroughly.

My Final Say: Installment one in this new series was interesting enough to keep me wanting more. The cozy, small town vibe made this second chance love story that much more appealing. The leads came across as young and immature, but they also came across as sincere and passionate about each other. The story was light and easy.

Other: Readers who enjoy small town energy, second chance love, and stories with friends to lovers to enemies to lovers scenarios may like this one.

Listed Tropes - >

Tropes:

🍂 Enemies to lovers

🎃 Forced proximity

🍂 Small-town vs. city life

🎃 Opposites attract

🍂 Second chance romance

🎃 Miscommunication

🍂 Childhood sweethearts

🎃 Work romance

🍂 Spicy

Rating: 3.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: NA to A
Status/Level: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Audiobook: Yes
Narration: +
Series: Yes

littlelunarreads's profile picture

littlelunarreads's review

5.0
emotional hopeful reflective

megan_cellucci's review

3.0
lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Thank you to Net Galley and Bookouture for the advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review!

The vibes of this book were immaculate. The Cinnamon Spice Inn just seemed so cozy and all the other buildings in the town. The descriptions of the small town of Maple Falls made me want to travel there immediately. Plus it just made me want fall to begin even more. So I absolutely loved it for the vibes alone.

The romance was the thing that fell flat to me. I felt like the romance between Zach and Madison had no depth to it, and we barely saw anything of their "past" with one another, besides reminiscing on their past in the honeymoon cabin and then talking about why they broke up. And then their relationship didn't exactly develop besides still being attracted to one another. So it kinda irritated me and I just wish it was developed slightly more.

With all that being said, I liked the plot, and trying to revamp Madison's family business. It was cute, fun, and so cozy. So if you're looking for something to get you into the fall mood that's easy to read, then you've stumbled across the right book!
j0920's profile picture

j0920's review

2.0
hopeful lighthearted slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes