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A review by ymjarrell
The Friendly Fall by Kristine W. Joy
5.0
The Friendly Fall by Kristine W. Joy is the heartwarming final book in the Cinnamon Roll and Pumpkin Spice series. I'm so glad I finally picked this up-l've been looking forward to reading something by this author, and this story didn't disappoint.
Eliza's life is unraveling after being fired from her job and blindsided by her boyfriend of eight years ending their relationship. Needing a fresh start, she moves to West Falls to live with her grandmother. The moment she arrives, disaster strikes when she falls through an old ramp, prompting the local fire department to rescue her. Enter Nick, a volunteer firefighter and the town handyman, who comes to her aid. From the moment they meet, sparks fly. Nick offers to fix the broken ramp, and as he works on it, he and Eliza begin spending more time together. A genuine friendship develops, but it's clear there's undeniable chemistry between them. While Eliza keeps her distance, haunted by her past, everyone around them can see something deeper growing-if only they can overcome their fears.
This book was such a joy to read. Eliza is a hardworking, kind, and beautiful character who's deeply devoted to her family, but also eager to discover herself. Nick is the quintessential cinnamon roll hero-sweet, strong, handsome, and always ready to help out. I especially loved the scenes with Eliza's grandmother, whose wisdom and warmth brought so much heart and humor to the story. She didn’t hold back on what she felt was true, and she let Eliza know, more than once, that Nick was special. Her grandmother is someone you wish you could go to for advice. The interactions between Eliza and Nick were both funny and tender, and watching them grow as individuals as well as a couple was incredibly rewarding. Their vulnerabilities made them relatable, and I found myself rooting for them as they learned to be better both for themselves and for each other.
If you love small-town romance, humor, wonderful family dynamics, cinnamon roll heroes, fake dating, and a low-spice romance that still delivers plenty of feels, then I highly recommend this book. It's packed with cozy fall vibes, mouth-watering food, and the slow-burn tension of two people who clearly belong together but just need a nudge in the right direction.
This book is a perfect fall read, and I couldn't put it down—I finished it in a day! Eliza's journey of self-discovery and healing, coupled with Nick's steady, swoon-worthy presence, makes for a delightful, feel-good story. With a satisfying HEA, The Friendly Fall is the perfect conclusion to this series.
Thank you to the author for this advanced readers copy. I really enjoyed reading this and happy to share my honest opinions about it with others.
Eliza's life is unraveling after being fired from her job and blindsided by her boyfriend of eight years ending their relationship. Needing a fresh start, she moves to West Falls to live with her grandmother. The moment she arrives, disaster strikes when she falls through an old ramp, prompting the local fire department to rescue her. Enter Nick, a volunteer firefighter and the town handyman, who comes to her aid. From the moment they meet, sparks fly. Nick offers to fix the broken ramp, and as he works on it, he and Eliza begin spending more time together. A genuine friendship develops, but it's clear there's undeniable chemistry between them. While Eliza keeps her distance, haunted by her past, everyone around them can see something deeper growing-if only they can overcome their fears.
This book was such a joy to read. Eliza is a hardworking, kind, and beautiful character who's deeply devoted to her family, but also eager to discover herself. Nick is the quintessential cinnamon roll hero-sweet, strong, handsome, and always ready to help out. I especially loved the scenes with Eliza's grandmother, whose wisdom and warmth brought so much heart and humor to the story. She didn’t hold back on what she felt was true, and she let Eliza know, more than once, that Nick was special. Her grandmother is someone you wish you could go to for advice. The interactions between Eliza and Nick were both funny and tender, and watching them grow as individuals as well as a couple was incredibly rewarding. Their vulnerabilities made them relatable, and I found myself rooting for them as they learned to be better both for themselves and for each other.
If you love small-town romance, humor, wonderful family dynamics, cinnamon roll heroes, fake dating, and a low-spice romance that still delivers plenty of feels, then I highly recommend this book. It's packed with cozy fall vibes, mouth-watering food, and the slow-burn tension of two people who clearly belong together but just need a nudge in the right direction.
This book is a perfect fall read, and I couldn't put it down—I finished it in a day! Eliza's journey of self-discovery and healing, coupled with Nick's steady, swoon-worthy presence, makes for a delightful, feel-good story. With a satisfying HEA, The Friendly Fall is the perfect conclusion to this series.
Thank you to the author for this advanced readers copy. I really enjoyed reading this and happy to share my honest opinions about it with others.