Small Town Swoon

Cherry Tree Harbor #4

by Melanie Harlow

Only in the movies does the Hollywood heartthrob fall for the small town diner waitress.

So when Dashiel Buckley returns to Cherry Tree Harbor for a wedding, I’m determined not to let my massive crush on my best friend’s older brother hijack my good sense.

(It happened once before. Do not recommend.)

But when my hand is injured, it’s Dash who steps in at the diner. The moment he realizes I can’t afford to fix my car, he takes care of it. And when he hears about the way my toxic ex treated me, he refuses to let it go.

Now it’s not just his blue eyes and sexy smile that have me swooning, it’s the way he wants to help me. Encourage me. Protect me.

I can’t resist.

Our text messages heat up. Our phone calls melt all my defenses. “Just friends” turns into “just once,” and “just once” becomes a distant memory. Night after night, he warms my bed, my body, and my heart.

But it can’t last.

Our dreams have us on two different paths–Dash wants the lights, camera, action of Hollywood, and I’ll always be a small town girl.

If only I could be his.

Genres: Romance, Friends To Lovers, Small Town Romance, Second Chance, Contemporary Romance, Celebrity, Contemporary

376 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 4, 2024

About the author

USA Today bestselling author of sweet and sexy romance. Lover of cocktails, high heels, and history with the naughty bits left in. Michigan girl. INTJ. Always seeking ginspiration...

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Reviews

[Heather Mclarry · Rating 3 out of 5]

No brain cells just vibes & a hot bestfriends brother

[Melanie Harlow]

✮ ✮ 𝗔𝗩𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗡𝗢𝗪 ✮ ✮

Small Town Swoon is a sexy, light-hearted romp about a Hollywood actor and a small town diner waitress (who also happens to be his little sister's best friend). She tries hard to resist his charm--after all, he turned her down way back when, breaking her teenage heart--but he works hard to win her over. If you love flirty banter, "just friends" in denial, and a hero who spoils his girl rotten, this one will warm your heart!

🍒 Best friend’s brother
🍒 Friends with benefits
🍒 Second chance romance
🍒 Protective hero
🍒 Secret crush
🍒 Small town girl x hollywood heartthrob

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗦𝘄𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆! 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱!
✦ Kindle Unlimited/Amazon → https://harlow.pub/SmallTownSwoon-amazon
✦ Alt Male Paperback → https://harlow.pub/SmallTownSwoon-alt...
✦ Paperback → https://harlow.pub/SmallTownSwoon-pb
🎧 Audio → https://harlow.pub/SmallTownSwoon-aud... (𝘕𝑎𝘳𝑟𝘢𝑡𝘦𝑑 𝑏𝘺 𝘚𝑎𝘮𝑎𝘯𝑡𝘩𝑎 𝐵𝘳𝑒𝘯𝑡𝘮𝑜𝘰𝑟 𝑎𝘯𝑑 𝑅𝘰𝑐𝘬 𝘌𝑛𝘨𝑙𝘦)

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 swoony stars

The acts of service made Dash so swoony!

Melanie Harlow has me in a chokehold 😭. And because this is the fourth book in this series, we see all the other precious couples enjoying their HEAs, and, well, that always gets to me 🥹🫶.

Dash (27) is tired of not getting better gigs as an actor. He goes to see a psychic and she tells him he’s needs to open up to his purest self 😅. Because he experienced the loss of his mom when he was young, he’s closed up and isn’t vulnerable ☹️, but he needs to be in order to really tackle the types of jobs in Hollywood that he’s always wanted. She recommends for him to get off the grid for a little bit and just work on himself, so he decides to go back to Cherry Tree Harbor. He doesn’t count on encountering his little sister’s best friend, Ari, the one that propositioned him when she was 16 and he was 19 😬😳, and he quickly rejected 🫣 when he’s walking around naked at his dad’s place 😅.

Ari’s (24) been working at her family/parents diner for a while. She went to culinary school and has a vision for more, but her parents are set in their ways and don’t want change; the town looks to them for comfort whenever they eat, plus, Ari’s dishes could be on the fancy side 😅, something her parents aren’t used to.

When she goes to check on George’s (Dash’s dad) dog, she comes face-to-face with a very naked Dash 🫣, and the feelings of her rejection come flooding back 😬. She’s been good at avoiding him all these years since the incident happened, but now that he’s here, it’s not going to be easy anymore.

Dash wants to make amends for what happened, and he can’t help but gravitate towards Ari. Tension rises, looks are stolen, and their energy sizzles…👀, and one thing leads to another… 🔥.

Could they keep their friendship AND their FWB one as well?

What I liked/loved:POSSIBLE SPOILERS
—all the side characters 🫶. ERMAGOD 🥹. All the HEAs? Gaaaaaahhh!!! I luuuurved them! It’s like extended epilogues GALORE!!! Not only do we see Austin/Veronica (book 1), Xander/Kelly (book 2), Devlin/Lexi (book 3) enjoying their HEAs, BUUUUUT we also see Gianni and Ellie from Taste (Cloverleigh Farms) ANNNNND we even see George find his own happiness ❤️

—Gianni and Ellie 😭❤️. Omg I love these two! It’s been too long since I read their book, and I need to reread it 💁🏻‍♀️. I mean, we get their extended epilogues in their book, but here we get to see them interacting and working and being parents 🥹 and still so in love 😭

—Devlin and Lexi’s wedding with the Elvis impersonator 🤣❤️

—acts of service king 🫠. Dash… I need you in my life 😭. This man will do anything for Ari. Car problems? No worries, I gotchu 👏🏻. Sore feet? Let me massage them 🥹. Need to make dinner? Let me go grocery shop. Have a messed up hand? Let me take you to the hospital and then help you work ❤️. Have a dream? Let me help you achieve it 😭. I just love this!

—how swoony he is 🥹🫶. Not only because of all that ^^, but also, he has such a good heart. He helps make people better ❤️, and he’s so protective too 💁🏻‍♀️

—the 🔥. I mean. Duh 😅. These two have chemistry, and they can’t keep their hands off each other 👀. It’s medium burn with their seeeexting/phone seeeeex session turning into full on 🔥 by 46%. We even get 🔥 in the extended epilogue 😉

—the dirty talk 🥵. Okay Dash. I see you 😮‍💨. Not only do you talk the talk, but you walk the walk too 😉

—praise kink 🔥🥵💦

—he loves eating cereal 😉🔥💦

—the sneaking around 😈

—THE MOVIES👏🏻👏🏻. This was so cute! We get Titanic, When Harry Met Sally, Dirty Dancing and even Casablanca 👏🏻

—YES, they both would’ve fit on the door 😐😐😑😑😑😑

—Dirty Dancing lift? 👀 say lessssss

—he braids her hair? 😭😭😭 and what’s more amazing about this is that he learned how to do this at a charity foundation that grants wishes to kids with terminal illnesses 🫶🥹❤️

—the times I 🤣. Sometimes it was from secondhand embarrassment. 🤣 but hey, I laughed.

—the epilogues 😭🫶

—OM SMACKDOWN 💁🏻‍♀️. It was verbal but it was amazing 😮‍💨. Her ex was an abusive a hole and not only did she finally stand up to him, but he took the phone from her and defended her even more 💁🏻‍♀️

What I didn’t like/wanted more of:
— I didn’t like how much of a crush Ari had for Dash 😐. Because she always had fond feeling for him and she wanted to lose her v to him, it almost seems like she was pining for him this whole time 😐. She references it many times and even says that no one compares to him 🤦🏻‍♀️. But, they were never officially together 🙄 since she was underage when it all went down, so it makes it seem like she’s desperate for him 😒.
At least she didn’t stay celibate 👏🏻
And the kicker is that he reveals, AT THE END, that he’s always had feelings for her but just didn’t know it 🤦🏻‍♀️. Mmmhmmm sure 😒. But it’s really me being nitpicky 😬🤣😅

—when WAS the last time he was with anyone? He tells us he’s not a monk… so… how long ago did this non-monk have sex 😐😑😑😑 lol

—the cover 🫣. Normally, I love her covers, but i didn’t love this one 🫣😬

—how fast they moved 😒. She has been avoiding him for years, and all of a sudden they become friends again and then eventually friends with benefits. I really wish we would’ve had some more angst here.

—they don’t make anything official until the VERY end 😒. But this didn’t bother me AS much since we get all the epilogues lol

Overall, I ❤️ it

⚠️safety squad⚠️ potential spoilers
-no cheating/sharing/owd
-mom’s death recounted/after math
-parent suffers heart attack
-abusive relationship recounted. The h’s ex was emotionally and psychologically abusive
-mild om: the h’s ex makes calls the h. The H takes care of him 👏🏻
-H hasn’t dated anyone seriously what but hasn’t been a monk. She’s dated the “wrong” guys. The h hasn’t had sex in 14 months when she had the narcissistic ex. It’s been a while for the H but not exactly painted as a manwhore
-praise kink/dirty talk
-condoms/h’s on birth control
-HEA/epilogues/2 years later/12 years later

[Jen ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I don't know how to feel about this book, to be honest. It's not bad per se, but nothing really happens in the story. And I think this is heavy on the spice, and these scenes don't add anything to the plot.

===========================

Dash wanted to further his acting career, and so he's been auditioning to take on more serious roles. But he kept being rejected because, apparently, he has no emotional depth. He can't play these roles if he doesn't know how to feel his own emotions. Ever since his mom died, he has tried so hard to build walls around him and not feel deeply about things. He doesn't like to be vulnerable, and in his mind, if he's not feeling things too much, it cannot hurt him.

So his agent asked him to go to a psychic to help with his problem. And the psychic advised him to "strip down to his purest self and to stop hiding.". After this, his agent gave him a month to take a rest and do all the things he needed to figure out his issue. So he went back to their small town.

Ari (24) and Dash (27) have known each other since they were young because Dash's sister is Ari's best friend. When she was 16, Ari sneaked into Dash's room to give him her V-card. But since she's basically underage, Dash did the right thing and refused her (in a nice way). However, the sixteen-year-old Ari didn't understand that, and she kind of vowed to hate him for that rejection. So this is where the second chance comes into play.

They met again, obviously, but there's no lingering hate from Ari's side anymore. As the years went by, she realized that Dash did the right thing eight years ago. But she admits that it still stings every time she remembers it.

So, if readers are looking for something like hate in this story, well, there's none of that here. They basically agreed to leave that incident in the past and became friends again.

The story revolves around them spending time together, with Ari helping Dash get over the emotional depth issues and Dash helping Ari with her parents diner and trying out her new recipes. With these times together and mutual attraction (questionable, but that's on me), they added benefits to their friendship.

Like I said, this was heavy on spice. I think in the second half of the book, if they're not doing things for the diner or Ari's house, they are having fun. There's no major problem in this story aside from the third-act conflict.

But I think my personal issue is that Ari appears to have been hopelessly in love with Dash all these years. Sure, she has had relationships in the last eight years, but her heart still waits for him. I mean, not to be harsh and all, but that seems really sad and depressing. Because that would only mean she hasn't moved on at all. And after Dash came into their town, she acted like a lovesick puppy, stealing glances at him and being in denial, and her inner monologue makes her sound more pathetic. 😩 She gave me secondhand embarrassment on numerous occasions, and I can't help but cringe at how she still sounds like her younger self. I know there's no comparison in love, but I can't help but feel that she loves him more than he loves her. I'm not sure anymore. 😮‍💨

And Dash, it's not clear how he felt for Ari during the last eight years. I think he mentioned he thinks about her sometimes, but more like a passing thought. The way I read his POV, I feel like he doesn't really give much thought to her. And at the end, when he said, "You had mine too. I just didn’t know it" (he was talking about his heart), I didn't stop myself from rolling my eyes. Because it was so unbelievable, and I really tried to buy it, but it's just not making any sense.

They spent a month together—actually not a full month—because his agent called him for an audition and he had to leave earlier than planned. What they had was based on physical aspects, and supposedly they fell in love within the last few weeks. For me, it was superficial, but hey, I'm just a reader, so what do I know? Anyway, the romance didn't work for me, and that could be a me case.

Also, another issue of mine; I'm nitpicking at this point, but whatever. Why do some authors feel the need to share how long the FMC has been celibate but not when it comes to the MMC? Why can't we have info on both of them? 😐 In the story, Ari has been celibate for 14 months, and as for Dash, it was only said for a long time. So what does a long time mean? Weeks, months, or years? I just wish it was specific. 🤷‍♀️

Anyhoo, I guess this was okay, but I didn't get fully invested in it. While this didn't work for me, other readers might find this more up their alley.


Book info:
- Small town romance
- Second chance
- Small town girl x Celebrity
- Best friend's brother
- Friends with benefits
- He spoils her
- No cheating, OWD
- OMD (not really, h's ex called her but Dash ripped him a new one)
- Non-virgin MCs
- Health issue (heart attack)
- Breakup (six days)
- HFN (2 years later, engaged)
- Bonus epilogue (12 years later, married with two kids)

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melanie Harlow just keeps me smiling and gushing about her books with each new entry. Dash and Ari were no exception.

When Dash Buckley gets back to town for his brother's wedding and also a bit of soul searching. He's feeling kinda bummed about being type cast again and again in his acting career. So some time in Cherry Tree Harbor is just what he needs.

Ari wants nothing to do with Dash, or so she says. She's still a tiny bit sore since Dash rejected her heartfelt, teenage advances all those years ago. She may watch every episode of his TV show.. but who in town doesn't? He's her best friend's brother though, so it's inevitable that she'll have to see him.

Thankfully this sore spot she has is quickly brushed aside when Dash steps in to help her at her family diner when she's in a pinch. A true friendship really starts to bloom. A friendship that quickly leads into having some great benefits.

I absolutely adored these two together! Ari & Dash just had this easy way about them. I loved their movie and dinner nights. Ari sharing her favorite romances to help inspire his "deep acting" side. It was delightful. For being an actor, nothing about Dash is pretend and I was surprised by how quickly I liked him. I wasn't expecting how kind he was. It touched my heart. He and Ari were effortless. Their chemistry was felt by me and it led to some top notch steam and intimacy that shocks them both.

But Dash is only here for a month, his career is in California.. and Ari has plans but they don't involve a move across the country.. so what will they do?

Well, to borrow a quote from Dash, "I know not every romance can have a happy ending. But this one does."

*I received an early copy for review from the author*

5 stars
3 on the spice scale

[Samantha (bookgramsaga reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

''One moment can change everything''

Safety warnings:
- No cheating
- No OW/OM drama
- Mention of loss of loved one
- Mention of emotional/verbal abuse
- HEA

SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️

SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️

SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️

SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️

The Cherry Tree Harbor series comes to an end (until Mabel gets her own book but that will be within another series according to Melanie and not for quite some time).

Dash and Ari have been present throughout the entire series and we have seen bits and pieces of them and what possibly happened between them, but we finally get the full story.

Ari had been in love with Dash since she was 12 (he is 3 years older) and when she was 16 right before he was leaving she sneaked into his bedroom and offered herself to him, wanted him to take her virginity and she kissed him, but he rejected her. This hurts her beyond anything, and she refuses to deal with Dash when he is around for 8 years. Out of sheer embarrassment and needing to move on. She barely talks or looks at him throughout the years and while he is off in Hollywood creating his own career she moves to become a professional chef and dates and ends up in a relationship with someone who ends up emotionally and verbally abusing her.

Dash from what we gather has never been in a long relationship or loved anyone and this for some reason creates a barrier between him and his future acting jobs. Stuck in the role he has played he wants to expand, and he is not getting the response he expected so he is taken to a psychic by his agent where she tells him that he is too closed off and needs to let feelings/emotions in and this will allow him to channel them into his roles.

Dash is obviously not really believing this whole thing but sees no issue with going home early (as he was planning for Devlin's wedding) and spending a good month in his hometown.

Ari has moved back home and is working at her parents’ diner; Dash obviously has always wanted to put behind his rejection behind them but never really could because Ari was still giving him the cold shoulder. He admits he wanted her, and he found her attractive, but she deserved better, and he was 19 to her 16.

Ari ends up being able to just be friends with him after a short heart to heart and she decides to help him channel his emotions by helping him.

The tension folks. It's real. She still loves him and wants him. His attraction for her has grown and he wants her badly but knows he shouldn't as he cannot give her a future or anything she deserves.

But of course, that mindset is short-lived, and they give in to temptation, agreeing to stay friends and be done with each other at the end of the month. Honestly their sex scenes were steamy as hell and that texting/phone sex scene was so good.

Easier said than done.

Dash falls for her but he is rejecting it within his own mind and heart but as the reader you see him treats her the way he says she deserves but he cannot provide. He does it all for her.

When he gets the chance for a role he has to leave early, and they do not have a fight or any resentment. They part ways with pain and tears.

I expected something epic to go down with them, but it felt really mature.

Their separation only lasts like a week or so and he finally realizes he wants her forever and sees it all with her by his side.

We get to see their future and Dash has won an Oscar and shortly after he proposes to her.

Friends to lovers is never my favorite per say as there is always an imbalance of feelings between the characters since one mostly has loved the other longer.
Though I was glad she did not wait for him and despite her shitty relationship had moved on enough to be with others.

I did wish we had seen them as a couple a little bit more and not had their reconciliation be literally at the end of the book.

While this book was not my favorite in the series, I really enjoyed the whole series as it was just an easy read throughout and it just makes you happy at the end.

[Naianne Lara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Am I the only one who hated this cover? It’s so bad!

Anyway, I didn’t like it. Ari, the heroine, has a grudge against her best friend’s brother after he rejected her when she was sixteen and I feel like this is stupid, I mean, surely she can see why he did the right thing at the time, right? And for her not to get over this is just boring. And then they have a friends with benefits type of relationship where everyone knows is gonna end up badly.
They struggle with the fact that he lives in California and she lives whatever…
So, it’s a dumb romance, with some sex in it, a happy ending… a lot of cliche and that’s it.

[Syndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small Town Swoon leaves me swooning for more. I love it. The story is sweet and not so much drama. Dash is cute. Really cute. I love him. His POV got me smilling reading the story.

The plot is simple but yet entertaining.

4 stars

[MELISSA *Mel Reader* · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars!
(ARC provided by author)

Ariana DeLuca is an only child who grew up in a small town on the coast of Lake Michigan. Family is everything to her, and she works for their diner that has been serving delicious meals to the community for three generations. Life isn't always exciting in a small town, but then her old crush returns to Cherry Tree Harbor. Dashiel Buckley is her best friend's gorgeous older brother, and now a famous Hollywood star. He's in town for a wedding, and she has to make sure she plays it cool, and doesn't make it obvious how beautiful she thinks he is. They grew up together and were practically like family, and when she finds herself in need of a helping hand, he's there for her. As they spend time together they have a lot of fun, and an unexpected connection grows. As a friendship suddenly evolves into something more will they eventually go their separate ways, or will the Hollywood heartthrob fall for a small town waitress?

Small Town Swoon by Melanie Harlow is the fourth book in her fabulous Cherry Tree Harbor series. This is a heartwarming, sexy, swoony story about second chances and listening to your heart. I just loved Dash and Ari together and adore this world. I've been so excited for Dash's book, and it didn't disappoint. It's a steamy, small town, celebrity, opposites attract, friends to lovers, best friend's brother romance that will captivate you from start to finish! <333



***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CN64GMKS?...

[Vanessa Booked Up · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars!

"Friends?" I feigned shock. "A big Hollywood celebrity like you wants a nobody friend like me?"
"You're somebody to me, Sugar. You always will be."

What to Expect:
- Found family
- Best friend's older brother
- Unrequited love
- Small town romance
- Celebrity & small town girl
- Friends with benefits
- He spoils/takes care of her

This was such a fun read and just what I was needing. I love the celeb romance theme.

Ari and Dash have known each other their whole lives. Ari moved back to Cherry Tree Harbor after a brief working as a chef in New York, but that didn't work out. Dash is an actor who wants to make a bigger name for himself in Hollywood.

Ari has always nursed a huge crush on Dash, her best friend's brother, but after being hurt by Dash's rejection one night in their teens, Ari now pretends to hate him. When Dash comes home to Cherry Tree Harbor for his brother's wedding, he's determined to put that behind them, resulting in a beautiful friendship, that soon turns into a friends-with-benefits arrangement.

OMG, the text exchanges with these two!!!??!?!?!

This one was just so fun and emotional. I loved seeing both characters grow together. And that last 11% just melted my dang heart. And, OMG, the part at the birthday party with the shark onesie had me cracking up.

This author always delivers when it comes to sweet meets steamy!

Thank you to the author who provided me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Grecia Robles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small Town Romance
Best Friend´s Brother
Friends with Benefit
Second Chance

Small Town Swoon es el cuarto libro de la serie Cherry Tree Harbor y tenemos de protagonistas a Dash uno de los hermanos menores y es actor y a Ari la mejor amiga de su hermana menor.
Ari no puede estar en la misma habitación que Dash y a lo largo de los años lo ha evitado, ella lo odia, aunque es una palabra muy fuerte, pero se aferra a ese sentimiento para no sentir vergüenza y el orgullo herido ya que cuando era adolescente Dash la rechazó.

Dash está pasando por una crisis, tiene que mejorar su actuación o no le darán mejores papeles ya que creen que no profundiza en los sentimientos, su agente le aconseja que vuelva a su ciudad natal y que vuelva a reencontrarse.

Ari y Dash se reencuentran y tras varios eventos donde él la ayuda, se da cuenta que no siente más rencor por él y deciden ser amigos, pero su atracción es demasiada por lo que acuerdan ser amigos con beneficios hasta que él tenga que volver a LA, pero lo que no contaban es que mezclar sexo a su amistad estarían creando lazos y sentimientos difíciles de romper.

Me encantaron Ari y Dash, como se fue desarrollando su historia, como él siempre estaba dispuesto ayudarla, sus “citas” donde ella preparaba platillos nuevos para su restaurante y se los daba a probar o sus citas de películas románticas.
Amé que Dash la impulsara y luchar por sus sueños y hacerlos realidad.
Juntos crecieron como personas y eso me encantó.

Me gustó que el conflicto no fue porque alguno de los dos la regara o no dieran a conocer sus sentimientos sino por factores externos y a pesar de su amor no podían estar juntos.

No sé si el próximo libro será el comienzo de una nueva serie que juntar a ésta y otra serie de la autora.

[Caroline Rohem · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶

💜 Best friend's brother
💜 He spoils her
💜 Celebrity X Small town girl
💜 Friends with benefits

Firstly, I have to say that I loved Ari. She is the type of FMC that I admire and love reading about. She is not afraid to expose her feelings and say what she wants. Seriously, she is a queen. 👑

Dash is a character with a big heart who made me blush at several moments. 🫠

It's amazing how much he can't believe he's never been in love, but the way he treats Ari from the beginning. Our guy was just delulu, not seeing what was in front of him. 😅

I really loved the communication between them and how much each one supported the other's dreams. They bring out the best in each other.

I thought it was perfect, that they were returning to their friendship before getting involved, and the way it was written seemed very natural; it was clear that their connection and chemistry had never disappeared, despite the years apart.

I loved finally finding out what triggered Ari's hatred of Dash all these years. It's the perfect example of how Ari isn't afraid to show what she wants.

I was really looking forward to reading this story, and it was even better than I imagined.

Thank you so much, Melanie Harlow, for this ARC.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 STARS

I enjoyed this one overall but I feel like this has been my least favorite standalone series from Harlow. I’ve read all her books and own almost all of them. I don’t know. This series just feels very trope-y.

Maybe it’s me. Who knows? But I am a huge Melanie fan, maybe this one just didn’t hit the mark for me personally.

***audiobook

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small Town Swoon is book 4 in the Cherry Tree Harbor series. It can be read as a standalone. The author offers quick recaps on the secondary characters, you won’t be lost.

Dashiel Buckley… Hollywood heartthrob for scores of teenage girls, stars on a Baywatch like tv show which just ended. At 27 he wants more, to challenge himself with meatier, adult roles. He wants to be a leading man, not just eye candy for the viewing pleasure. According to his agent, he needs to get in touch with his naked self and unblock his emotions. Great advice, now he just has to figure how to do it.

Ariana DeLuca, graduate of the Culinary Institute, currently working for her parents at Moe’s Diner and bff of Mabel Buckley, Dash’s sister. At 16 she loved Dash and longed for his love in return. Sadly that failed to happen. He moved away, she gave up her teenage fantasy and focused on her future. While she loves their small town, Ari wants to experience new things. She’ll happily keep some traditions alive, she just wants an opportunity to experiment, to freshen the menu at the diner, to explore a wider variety of food combinations. She yearns to reach for the stars and pursue her dream, yet she won’t. Her dedication to her family must come first.

I loved Dash & Ari. Their issues and complications were real. They both had life altering situations they needed to deal with and move past in order to embrace the future. This story was much more emotional than I anticipated. Dash was a swoon worthy leading man, who cares deeply. Ari stated what she wanted right from the start and never waivered. She didn’t play games, or settle for less.
Their relationship was built on a solid foundation. A strong friendship and honest communication leading to an everlasting love.

[Darkest Bellé · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review: Thank You Melanie Harlow for making my dreams come true with receiving my first ARC ever and it being my favorite Small Gown, Feel Good, Heartfelt Author, I am so appreciative for this opportunity!

This is a 6 stars read for me! Dah & Ari’s story will forever live rent free in my head! And I’m gonna be so envious of all the readers on March 4th reading their story for the first time wishing I could feel those feels again!

Dash is a complex MMC who wants to be develop his acting career to more serious roles and taken more seriously in the industry but he’s hiding something…

Ari is a small town sweetheart who loves her family more than herself with no regrets or hesitations but she’s got a big appetite for more for change for a chance!

Dash & Ari have known each other most of all their lives being Dashes little sisters bestfriend Ari has been in love with Dash and has always fantasized being his! Dash being a few years older always saw Ari as part of the family another kid sister but after a bit of bad auditions and his Brother Devlin’s wedding coming up he heads back home to Cherry Tree Harbor in hopes a little break will help him find his purest vulnerable self!

Dash & Ari’s history and chemistry is unmatched it’s instantly a connection they both can’t resist which where they take the friendship and turn it into friends with benefits!

And these benefits are hottie hot 🥵 Melanie Harlow never misses with the spice “my good girl” & “Sugar” gets me every time and the way Dash spoils Ari in all ways but especially in between the sheets will have you SWOONING!

They go through their emotions, breaking down their walls, and letting themselves truly be themselves with one another making sure they make their dreams important but make each other their first priority always while still making their dreams happen together!

If you don’t believe in happily ever afters like Dash read this book & it will have you picturing, smelling, tasting a new life, a new love, a new passion, whatever it may be you’ll find a way to making it come true!


Side Note: there’s a few Easter eggs within the book that has a mention of a hot Rodeo Star who hates milk 😉 and a little cross over from Taste which is apart of Melanie Harlow’s Cloverleigh Series I love these little connections with both series and characters appearing it just makes the story even more enjoyable!

[Sammie Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well if this wasn't the cutest book of the series....loved it! Dash, or Dashiel, is the fourth of our favorite brothers, and the youngest. He's also the most famous, having starred on a TV show for the past few years. Now he's trying out for some meatier roles, but he's going to have to dig deep...because his emotional reservoir is empty. When a clairvoyant tells him that he needs to strip down to his core, he takes the advice to heart. Which is how his little sister's best friend walks in on him naked in his dad's kitchen. Awkward....

Said sister's best friend has been in love with Dash since she was a child. Ari stayed in Cherry Harbor while Dash moved to Hollywood, and to say that she's a little bitter is an understatement. She offered herself on a platter to Dash, but he, well, dashed, but not before saying thanks but no thanks. Eight years later and now he's back in town, but they would be stupid to try and start anything up. Good thing neither of them leans on their intelligence for their livings! The two of them together are super hot, super sweet, super fun...all of the supers! I had a great time reading, a lovely little escape back to my favorite Michigan small town!

[Megan Coggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

I liked the first three books and brothers.
This just fell flat for me. I was kind of bored.

I love Melanie Harlow and her writing tho. I do.

It may have just been the trope, friends to lovers is hit or miss for me.

🤷🏼‍♀️

[crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

ABSOLUTELY LOVED!!! SO CUTE😭💘💘💘💘

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5⭐️ i don’t know how else to describe this one other than just magical? it has everything you want in a small town romance with a little sprinkle of supernatural 🤭 it’s best friends brother ..semi second chance…between a hollywood actor and a chef. i loved seeing dash find himself and unlock his emotions with the help of ari (and classic romance movies)! their chemistry was just off the charts.

that text & phone sex scene though…LETS TALK ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT WAS SO DANG HOT.

another perfect read from melanie harlow

💜ARC Review💜

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is a win, this book is a win, dash and Ari are a WIN. What a beyond charming and let me say very steamy and swoony book. I just adored this! Dash and Ari have history with each other and it was so fun to see them rekindle things and become more than friends in this book. Loved all the cooking Ari did and her dates with Dash! Have a snack and read this book!!





*****thank you Melanie Harlow for the ARC

[Jen (jenslostinthepages) ♥Star-Crossed Book Blog♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small Town Swoon was a beautiful, heartwarming story about a Hollywood actor and his little sister’s best friend back home.  She was a waitress at her parent’s diner, and it was set in a small town that had all the charm.  With memorable moments, characters that will capture your heart, steam that was fabulous, and a happily ever after that will have you crying tears of joy, I can’t recommend this book enough!

Ari had practically grown up at our house and had been like another little sister to me.
Until one day she wasn’t.

First off, this book can easily be read as a standalone, but I can’t recommend the previous books in this series enough!  You’ll definitely want to meet the rest of the Buckley brothers.  They are beyond sexy, will melt your heart, and are so swoon worthy!

His eyes scanned the photos on the wall, and he laughed. “What happened there?”
I followed his line of sight to his headshot. “Oh, that. Uh, someone broke in and vandalized your picture.”
“Just my picture?”
I nodded, pressing my lips together.

Dash was desperately wanting to change what his next role entailed.  He was looking for something deep and emotional, yet he struggled with hiding from his feelings.  So his agent sent home to get in touch with himself.  Back home was Ari, who had been in love with him forever.  Before he left for Hollywood, there was a moment that made Ari hate him.  Or at least she tried to hate him.  Yet when she ran into him, all of her feelings came flooding back.  And that scene will have you screaming with laughter and joy!

Was it wrong that I was getting myself off while thinking about my sister’s best friend, just like I used to when she was sixteen and sleeping down the hall?
Probably. But damn, it felt good.

I loved Dash with my whole heart.  He was thoughtful, kind, and had this charisma about him that made it so effortless to like him.  And being around Ari again, they got along so well.  Their banter was fabulous.  They knew each other inside out.  So when Dash would help Ari time and again, it was so easy to fall in love with him.  Yet all of those moments felt so brotherly to Ari.  If only she knew the dirty thoughts he was having about her!

How do you think about me?
                                                I am not sure I should answer that question.
Answer it.
                             Next level it was.
Naked.
In bed with me.
Begging for my cock.
                                                Why would I have to beg?
Because I’m not done fucking you with my tongue.

I adored Ari.  She was pure joy and made me smile so much.  Plus she had this fire in her that seemed to burn brighter every time Dash was around.  I loved that she wanted to help her parent’s diner.  And I hoped that her fabulous ideas for menu items would be seen by them.  So each time Dash was around Ari, I felt the butterflies she did.  It was impossible not to be consumed by Dash’s spell.  So when they finally did cross that line of friendship, I couldn’t stop smiling.

I put my lips at her ear. “Good girl.”

So with steamy phone sex, fabulous dirty talk, and a friends with benefits relationship, this book was so steamy.  When you mix that in with heartfelt moments like braiding hair, fixing her house, or even attending one of Dash’s brother’s wedding, sigh.  This book was so emotional too.  And I loved that we got to alternate between the two of them.

I opened my mouth to say a hundred different things—I miss you, I wish you were here, I think I might be in love with you—but nothing came out. I was too afraid I’d make things worse, not better.

While there were struggles, I loved how this book felt more light-hearted.  Yet I still cried all the tears.  There were so many happy ones towards the end, and some of those moments it was impossible not to laugh while crying tears of joy.  The grand gesture was one of the best.  And the epilogue was everything!  We got a fabulous look into the future, and it was more than I ever could have hoped and dreamed for!  We also got peeks into Dash’s brother’s lives too.  So if you love romance, definitely add this one to your list!  This book had me smiling from that first page to the last and is easily one of my top favorites from 2024!



*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

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[Readwithsav · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 stars
Small Town. Second Chance. Shark Costumes. What else could a girl ask for?

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Vanessa (nessreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

the wait for this book was so worth it. i had the absolute best time reading, i was a happy swoony mess and i just loved everything ari and dash.

ari was a ray of sunshine. family is what’s most important to her. she’s strong, fierce, and especially hardworking. she’s an amazing cook and has dreams to put her culinary skills to use in the form of expanding her family’s business. everything is looking up for ari, but when the arrival of her old crush comes back to town it stirs up feelings that weren’t quite gone in the first place.

dash is a huge star in hollywood. his current project is coming to an end and he’s looking to expand his talents in a role that’ll showcase him in more than just a tween/teen heartthrob. since he’s already planning to go back home for his brother’s wedding, it’s just what dash needs, get out of hollywood and clear his mind. what dash didn’t expect was the impact and the feelings ari would have and bring out in him.

ari and dash have know each other for years, especially since ari is best friends with dash’s sister. ari has always had feelings for dash and at his arrival back in cherry tree harbor those feelings have only intensified. there was no denying that dash too started seeing ari in a different light. the attraction between them was unmistakable and their chemistry was scorching. i loved the friendship they formed that slowly progressed to something more. they were so good for each other and the trust they had in one another was amazing. they lifted one another up and encouraged each other so much. they were simply perfect together.

small town swoon was a wholesome and heartwarming small town romance with all the feels. i was hardcore smiling and swooning nonstop. ari and dash were just incredible as well as the rest of buckley bunch. i can’t get enough of this series and just want more.

*arc kindly provided by the author for an honest review*

[K. King · Rating 2 out of 5]

As much as I love Melanie Harlow's writing, something about this series isn’t working for me. The characters and setting are cute, but everything is so bland.

The beginning was promising, but around the 30% markup until the last few chapters, nothing happens; it's just Ari and Dash cooking meals, watching movies, and hooking up. I don't need or want every book I read to rip your heart out angst fest, but I need more than a sugary, sweet story where every problem is quickly resolved to hold my attention. Lastly, I know I'm in the minority, but the "good girl" trend that has taken over contemporary romance needs to stop. This book uses it frequently, and it feels very forced and awkward. Even though this wasn’t the book for me, fans of low-to-no angst, small-town romances will probably enjoy it.

[kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the sweetest book in this series. Dash and Ari are a best friend's brother second chance story. Normally, I wouldn't love that. But I fully agree with Dash's reasons for rejecting Ari when they were teens. There was a clean break. He didn't lead her along until one day he decided he wanted her.

He comes back to town and they start spending time together because he genuinely cares about her. It was just a sweetly unfurling love story with a real life obstacle they had to overcome and no denial of feelings. 3.5★

[girlwithhearteyes]

DNF @ 40%. I like the set up but want a bit more story tension. If they are FWBs and are actual friends who care about each other and want to spend time together… why aren’t they together? Also the male narrator sounded much older than the character.

[Judy Portelles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 4th book in the Cherry Tree Harbor series and it was so good. This follows Ari and Dash, I loved these two together. If you are looking for a sweet and spicy small town, best friend’s brother, second chance and friends with benefits romance this is the perfect book.

[Danielle (Life of a Literary Nerd) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this - it's got some of my favorite tropes all meshed together (second chance/best friends sibling/celebrity romance/small town) . Dashiel and Ariana's story is great because you believe their history and chemistry. So their time together now is all fuel to the spark they have and you're waiting for the moment it combusts. I really liked that both have strong drives and desires in the careers and neither wants to give that up for a relationship - even if it makes that harder. And Dash is such a doting friend, it's impossible not to fall in live with him.