This book was honestly was everything I’d ever want in a contemporary romance book. It was the perfect blend of romance, sexual tension, spice, life lessons and relatable and wonderfully written characters. I could not have asked for more. The story focuses on 29 year old Hazel, who is soon to be turning 30. She’s sad and almost regretful for her ‘boring’ and ‘unadventurous’ life and. As someone in her late 20s, this is something that I really resonated with - wondering if you should have spent your 20s different and done more and had more stories to share and no regrets and have lived a life when you hit 30. Suddenly, Hazel finds clues in the books from the bookstore she works in, clues that make her think she should be more adventurous and in turn, follow those clues. So she recruits Noah. Who is, to her and the little town of Dream Harbour, the definition of adventurous. I loved Hazel and Noah’s relationship when they popped up in The Pumpkin Spice Café so was over the moon when we got this story focusing on them. I think their personalities work so well together (I know it’s usually weird to have someone so extroverted and adventurous with someone quiet and less so) but they worked brilliantly. The author made Noah inspiring for Hazel and didn’t push her, just gently supported her in the direction she wanted to go In, and helping her to realise what she had always known about herself (that she isn’t boring and that she is sexy) The relationship spice wise between the two was just perfect. They both had the hots for each other and it was made obvious at the start. So the rest of the book was their relationship developing and them both growing together (party boy Noah wanting to settle down and quiet insecure Hazel finally being confident and loving herself). The insane mutual pining was perfect and I’d argue that it wasn’t miscommunication as they both did communicate but they were both pining so much that they couldn’t see what see in front of them Also the spice?!? PERFECT. Noah also went through some character development: realising that he didn’t have to follow his family’s footsteps and could amount to anything he wanted to. Honestly this book? Absolutely beautiful and fun and cozy. Though I will say it’s less of a fall/autumn read as it takes place at the end of summer start of autumn/fall This book hit the feels in every aspect and I will be reading this again and again
