Review by francineh98 - As It Was

francineh98 's review for:

As It Was by Elle Rivers

4.0

emotional funny lighthearted tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

ARC Review - Releasing June 27, 2025
Rating: 4⭐️

Spice: 3🌶️

I went into this book expecting a light, sweet small-town romance—but what I got had a surprising amount of emotional depth and (let’s be honest) a fair bit of frustration with certain characters… in the best way.

The story centers around Mollie, who leaves behind her unfulfilling city life and returns to Strawberry Springs, where her late grandfather once ran a strawberry farm. There, she meets Cain, the grumpy yet fiercely loyal farm manager. Sparks don’t exactly fly at first—unless you count the kind that come from butting heads—but over time, that tension melts into something sincere. The romance develops at just the right pace: never rushed, never dragging, and always grounded in real emotion.

While the overall tone is warm and optimistic, the story doesn’t shy away from the less charming realities of small-town living. The gossip, the judgmental whispers—they made me genuinely angry at times, which only speaks to how invested I was.

Told in dual POV and (bless the author) without the dreaded third-act breakup, the narrative flows easily. One quote that really stuck with me was: “Anything worth doing is hard.” It’s simple, sure, but in the context of Mollie and Cain’s journeys, it really lands.

The book’s greatest strength lies in the emotional connection between the main characters. If it has a weakness, it’s that some conflicts are resolved a bit too easily—but in a town that thrives on a little magic, I’m willing to let that slide.

This story checked all my boxes: slow-burn romance, emotional growth, small-town charm, and just the right touch of spice. I’d happily recommend it to anyone craving a feel-good read with a bit of grit and a lot of heart.

Pick this book up if you like:

🍓 small-town romance

🍓 found family

🍓 grumpy x sunshine

🍓 single dad

A huge thank you to Elle and Literary Rising for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Content Warnings