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3.19 AVERAGE
3.19 AVERAGE
3.5 stars rounded up. This book was cute! I did not realize it was three short stories with the same setting until I got to the end of the first story and was disappointed. I wanted to read more about the characters and then it just ended! This is my fault for not reading the back of the book first. I just liked the name and cover and picked it up. That said, it makes sense why the first story felt rushed a bit. Loved the fall and Halloween vibes. I really enjoyed the characters and the sweet easy romances. I wish that the characters from each story would have over lapped a little. Like even a sentence or two in the second story that addresses the characters in the 1st story, especially since they are at the same event at the same time. Also all three authors did use the same character for the owner of the cottage, but her personality shifted noticeably in the 3rd story. I didn't hate it, it was just noticeable to me. However, all three stories were consistent with the setting. I did enjoy all three short stories for what they were. First story = 4, second story 3.5, third story 3.
I adore this world so much. Last year I read the spin-off from this book and loved it, so this year I had to try the first in the series! These stories take place in Moonbright, Maine, a town obsessed with Halloween and filled with magic. This trifecta focuses on Rose Cottage, a B&B owned by Amelia Rose, local fortune-teller and hostess of the town’s best Halloween party.
Charmed by You by Kate Angell ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The first story follows Grace Alden, owner of the local costume shop, who has been hired by Amelia Rose to decorate for the annual Halloween party. She’s using Cade Maxwell’s moving company to set up the decorations. Grace and Cade grew up in Moonbright, but they’ve never gotten along… until they’re forced to work together.
I liked this story but probably the least of the three. This was very focused on lust and steam, to the point of being a little over-the-top. The character-building was also a little clunky. Amelia Rose literally tells them all the things they have in common. It was cute, but not extraordinary.
Mesmerized by You by Jennifer Dawson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a fun story! Chloe and Jack are best friends from childhood who decide to take a weekend trip to Moonbright to get away from their busy lives. While staying at Rose Cottage they have their fortunes told by Amelia Rose, and eat magical cookies that force them to confront their feelings for each other. There was a lot of will they/ won’t they that went on, a little more than was necessary in my opinion, but it was still a sweet romance.
Enchanted by You by Sharla Lovelace ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was far and above my favorite story of the trio! Sidney Jensen is an attorney trying to work her way up at a law firm in Boston, when she gets sent on a weekend mission to nail down a case in Moonbright. She’s not expecting to run into Sawyer Finn, her one-that-got-away crush from high school, who broke her heart on graduation night. This second-chance romance was absolutely swoon-worthy, and the character-building was the most natural of any of the stories. I also really loved the way this ended, it was the perfect finale for the book.
Charmed by You by Kate Angell ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The first story follows Grace Alden, owner of the local costume shop, who has been hired by Amelia Rose to decorate for the annual Halloween party. She’s using Cade Maxwell’s moving company to set up the decorations. Grace and Cade grew up in Moonbright, but they’ve never gotten along… until they’re forced to work together.
I liked this story but probably the least of the three. This was very focused on lust and steam, to the point of being a little over-the-top. The character-building was also a little clunky. Amelia Rose literally tells them all the things they have in common. It was cute, but not extraordinary.
Mesmerized by You by Jennifer Dawson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a fun story! Chloe and Jack are best friends from childhood who decide to take a weekend trip to Moonbright to get away from their busy lives. While staying at Rose Cottage they have their fortunes told by Amelia Rose, and eat magical cookies that force them to confront their feelings for each other. There was a lot of will they/ won’t they that went on, a little more than was necessary in my opinion, but it was still a sweet romance.
Enchanted by You by Sharla Lovelace ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was far and above my favorite story of the trio! Sidney Jensen is an attorney trying to work her way up at a law firm in Boston, when she gets sent on a weekend mission to nail down a case in Moonbright. She’s not expecting to run into Sawyer Finn, her one-that-got-away crush from high school, who broke her heart on graduation night. This second-chance romance was absolutely swoon-worthy, and the character-building was the most natural of any of the stories. I also really loved the way this ended, it was the perfect finale for the book.
Cute fast read for the holiday.
I will say the stories went from worst to best! go into this recognizing that they are short stories so the timing is very fast and potentially unrealistic, but overall cute and cozy reads for spooky season!
I will say the stories went from worst to best! go into this recognizing that they are short stories so the timing is very fast and potentially unrealistic, but overall cute and cozy reads for spooky season!
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Okay, DNF’d at 62%. Oh boy, the vibes of this book are pretty great: Halloween
Received via Kensington Books and NetGalley in exchange for an completely unbiased review.
Also posted on Silk & Serif
The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine is an anthology of Halloween inspired tales fit for any romance lover. Although the tales sound supernatural in nature due to the ancient, allegedly magical house located between Pumpkin and Vine street where anyone who stays under the roof of the inn on Hallows Eve will find their true love. Each character and couple experience their own strange experience while staying at the Rose Cottage where they realize or meet their true love.
Jack and Chole, best friends, are on their way to visit Chole's aunt in Moonbright, Maine when her aunt informs them the house is having bug issues. Chole and Jack are forced to stay at the B&B Rose Cottage for Halloween. The couple realize that they have been avoiding their mutual attraction and their search for love has been flawed because they have already met their true match.
Meanwhile, local fix-it man and philanthropist Cade carries a supreme dislike for Halloween, has his mind changed by a challenging woman who sells Halloween costumes for a living. Cade must get Rose Cottage Bed and Breakfast in full spooktacular order before the guests of the annual Halloween party arrive. The woman, Grace, arranging the decorating of Rose Cottage's annual Halloween party is making the job a Cade's worst nightmare. When Cade's men quit because of Grace, Cade is left to do the decorating on his own, his opinion of Grace begins to change. Even though Cade haw known Grace his entire life, they realize they don't know each other at all and explore the chance for something more. The two fall for one another and Cade begins to understand the spirit of Halloween.
Sydney's first love abandoned her the night of high school graduation, a lesson she's used to ensure no one can ever hurt her like she was that night. Sawyer, small town town fix-it and local good boy found the small town of Moonbright right when he needed it years ago. No one knows where Sawyer came from, but everyone knows he carries deep pain from his past. When Sydney is forced to go to Moonbright to finish a legal case, Sydney and Sawyer revisit the night that changed the course of their lives forever. Can they forgive?
The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine is an anthology with a little bit of something for everyone: erotic exploration, finding new love where you least expect it and the one that got away. The best of all with this selection of stories: all three tales are happy endings. A perfect set of romantic tales for those looking for Halloween without horror and gore.
Also posted on Silk & Serif
The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine is an anthology of Halloween inspired tales fit for any romance lover. Although the tales sound supernatural in nature due to the ancient, allegedly magical house located between Pumpkin and Vine street where anyone who stays under the roof of the inn on Hallows Eve will find their true love. Each character and couple experience their own strange experience while staying at the Rose Cottage where they realize or meet their true love.
Charmed By You by Kate Angell
Jack and Chole, best friends, are on their way to visit Chole's aunt in Moonbright, Maine when her aunt informs them the house is having bug issues. Chole and Jack are forced to stay at the B&B Rose Cottage for Halloween. The couple realize that they have been avoiding their mutual attraction and their search for love has been flawed because they have already met their true match.
Mesmerized by You by Jennifer Dawson
Meanwhile, local fix-it man and philanthropist Cade carries a supreme dislike for Halloween, has his mind changed by a challenging woman who sells Halloween costumes for a living. Cade must get Rose Cottage Bed and Breakfast in full spooktacular order before the guests of the annual Halloween party arrive. The woman, Grace, arranging the decorating of Rose Cottage's annual Halloween party is making the job a Cade's worst nightmare. When Cade's men quit because of Grace, Cade is left to do the decorating on his own, his opinion of Grace begins to change. Even though Cade haw known Grace his entire life, they realize they don't know each other at all and explore the chance for something more. The two fall for one another and Cade begins to understand the spirit of Halloween.
Enchanted by You by Sharla Lovelace
Sydney's first love abandoned her the night of high school graduation, a lesson she's used to ensure no one can ever hurt her like she was that night. Sawyer, small town town fix-it and local good boy found the small town of Moonbright right when he needed it years ago. No one knows where Sawyer came from, but everyone knows he carries deep pain from his past. When Sydney is forced to go to Moonbright to finish a legal case, Sydney and Sawyer revisit the night that changed the course of their lives forever. Can they forgive?
The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine is an anthology with a little bit of something for everyone: erotic exploration, finding new love where you least expect it and the one that got away. The best of all with this selection of stories: all three tales are happy endings. A perfect set of romantic tales for those looking for Halloween without horror and gore.
All I want is a cozy Halloween romance in the vein of Christmas Romance but, you know, with pumpkins and witches instead of snow and elves.
Apparently this is a tall order and an untapped genre. When lookong for Halloween romances, this anthology kept popping up, so I decided to try it.
Oh boy.
I couldn't get past the first story! So much casual misogyny. In fact one line was somethong like "he knew better things she could do with her mouth other than order him around"
An I supposed to find that sexy? Am I supposed to want a woman to fall in love with a man who wants to shut her up with his penis? No.
No no no.
I tried. I know when I pick up these types of romances that I have to ignore details like that to get what I really want, which is just a gooey happy ending. I get that, but I couldn't do that here.
For one, there is this weird scene where a cat somehow rips open thr man's jeans and exposes his penis? It makes no sense and it's weird and not sexy or romantic.
Then the writing style was terrible. It was something like "Grace looked at Cade. She thought of his penis. She blushed. She would like to touch it. Thinking of touching it made her blush more. She blushed a lot. She kept thinking of his penis."
It was hard to read.
I thought of trying the other stories by the other authors, but the first story left such a bad taste in my mouth, I just didn't want to read any more of this crap.
Apparently this is a tall order and an untapped genre. When lookong for Halloween romances, this anthology kept popping up, so I decided to try it.
Oh boy.
I couldn't get past the first story! So much casual misogyny. In fact one line was somethong like "he knew better things she could do with her mouth other than order him around"
An I supposed to find that sexy? Am I supposed to want a woman to fall in love with a man who wants to shut her up with his penis? No.
No no no.
I tried. I know when I pick up these types of romances that I have to ignore details like that to get what I really want, which is just a gooey happy ending. I get that, but I couldn't do that here.
For one, there is this weird scene where a cat somehow rips open thr man's jeans and exposes his penis? It makes no sense and it's weird and not sexy or romantic.
Then the writing style was terrible. It was something like "Grace looked at Cade. She thought of his penis. She blushed. She would like to touch it. Thinking of touching it made her blush more. She blushed a lot. She kept thinking of his penis."
It was hard to read.
I thought of trying the other stories by the other authors, but the first story left such a bad taste in my mouth, I just didn't want to read any more of this crap.
funny
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:
Yes
First like 3 pages: “They hated being bossed around by a woman, even if she was attractive”
“She’s barely 5’2 in heels, he’s 6’4”
“She’s so bossy telling him to do the job that he signed a contract to do but he could think of so,etching else she could do with her mouth”
“He looked at her like a man would, sexualizing her”
Icky
“She’s barely 5’2 in heels, he’s 6’4”
“She’s so bossy telling him to do the job that he signed a contract to do but he could think of so,etching else she could do with her mouth”
“He looked at her like a man would, sexualizing her”
Icky