Somewhere In The Orange Groves

by Savannah Schmidt

What price would you pay to find true love?
Two years ago, Connor ran away from the troubles of his past and found himself in Florida. When
looking for work, ninety-six-year-old Thomas Johnson took him under his wing and hired Connor to
work on his orange grove.
Now, Thomas’s great-granddaughter, Iris, has returned from California, causing Connor to
reconsider what he’s willing to risk to find love.
When past lovers resurface and Thomas’s health starts to decline, Connor and Iris are forced to face
their fears and the demons they each ran away from all those years ago… and maybe in their hunt
for strength, they’ll find something worth fighting for.
Somewhere in the Orange Groves is a story of family, love—old and new, and finding ourselves
exactly where we’re meant to be... while out somewhere in the orange groves.

141 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 26, 2024

About the author

Savannah Schmidt is a romance author spending her days in North Georgia with her daughter and husband. With a degree in Media and Communications, she actually began her creative journey in elementary school, writing chapter books about animals and comics about her grandmother’s cat, and she believes that there’s always “a story that hasn’t been told yet.” When she isn't writing fiercely independent heroines finding their unique voice, she likes to play video games and take her young daughter on Starbucks dates, shopping at Ingles, and sharing a pink drink.

Reviews

[haya · Rating 3 out of 5]

First I want to start off by saying I enjoyed the story! I thought this book was a sweet romance and it was refreshing to read a story that had the friends to lovers trope! However, I do feel that a lot of their interactions were rushed especially in the beginning and some side characters/elements were not necessary for the story (Millie. I get that she is part of the storyline in other books but it just didn’t make sense to have her here in theirs). Second I wish the book was a little bit longer so we could see a little bit more development with the two main characters and their relationship. I would not have minded reading 30-50 extra pages for this and I think it would have made the story more impactful. And lastly I do want to point out that this is an instant love novel, which isn’t a bad thing I just wanted to point it out because it is not listed as one of the tropes (not my favorite to read about, but I found myself enjoying the story nonetheless). Having said that I think it was a quick sweet read and I kept picturing a cute hallmark romance the whole time! If instant love and small town romances are your jam you will love this one!

[Leora Yardis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awww this was such a cute, sweet story! It was a quick read for me, and I couldn't put it down! I loved the dual POV in this book, and I also loved the relationship Conner had with Grandpa Thomas. It was precious! This is definitely the book to read for a heartfelt, innocent romance. The story pulled at my heartstrings because Grandpa Thomas reminds me of my great-grandfather.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cecilia M Anthony · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the basic premise of the story, and there were some really cute moments I enjoyed. Unfortunately, I felt as though the idea was poorly executed in a number of ways. The beginning of the book felt too slow. It felt as though we were supposed to be getting to know the characters, but they could have been explored a lot more thoroughly than they were, in my opinion. It felt like a decent amount of filler was used that was supposed to help the reader understand the characters, but it ended up just making me confused as to what tropes the author was trying to use, which left me confused as to who the characters were or how I was supposed to connect with them.
Then about 45 pages in, there was a massive shift in pacing to the other extreme; from way too slow, to too much being thrown at the reader, and the sequence of events feeling incredibly rushed. A lot was thrown into the story without being properly explored or explained, including most of the relationships. The only relationship that felt partially explored was the one between Connor and Iris, and even that felt incredibly rushed. By the end of the story I did not feel as though I properly knew any of the characters, nor did I feel invested in any of their relationships or what happened to them.
Now, all this is just my opinion based on what I read. This might be a perfect book for you, and that's awesome! But I wanted to be honest in my review, because this author has a ton of potential, and I sincerely hope she continues writing and working on these things and continues to get better with every book!

[Siobhán Bayertz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute insta love story set in sunny Florida.

While I did like the story, it didn't feel complete. Perhaps if the book had been a bit longer, it would have been better but I think it needed a bit more development to fully engage the reader.

The writing style was slightly awkward, so it didn't flow well but I definitely think there is a lot of pontentional here. The descriptions of people and of the settings were good, so I think with some more practice, the author could really give us something special.

I hope Savannah continues to write and I look forward to seeing more from her.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lanakai | Higherreads ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhere In The Orange Groves is a story of family, love-old and new, and finding ourselves exactly where we’re meant to be 🧡 It was such a sweet and emotional story! The relationship Connor shared with Grandpa Thomas definitely touched my heart. Although it is a part of a duology, it can easily be read as a standalone. I absolutely loved how Connor is thriving in his new life and would love to see more of him & Iris! This was the first book I’ve read from Savannah but it will not be my last! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sarah McMann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book that I’ve had the pleasure of reading from this author and it did not disappoint. The storyline was easy to get lost in and you couldn’t help but feel for the characters. I would’ve loved even more to the story and I’m secretly hoping there’s a book two in the future. Great, short heartfelt read!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, where to start? I loved this book. It was heartwarming, beautiful, and just a joy to read. After reading the Holding On To You duology, I was left wanting more, and this book delivered. Written with Savannah Schmidt’s warm, sensitive style, this book drew me in and made me care deeply for all the characters within, even bringing tears more than once. It was lovely to read more about Connor, who was such a great character in the other books, and to meet Iris, who I immediately liked. I highly recommend this book, and all of the books within the series. Wonderfully done!

I received an arc of this book, and am reviewing it by choice.

[Jesica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. It was sweet and brought out all the emotions. There were some details that really resonated with me on a personal level. Thomas was probably my favorite character. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.

[Clare San Miguel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somewhere in the Orange Grove will hook you and have you saying “Just one more chapter…” Although it is written as part of a duet, you can read it as a standalone without any difficulty. It portrays a sweet romance. While it is slightly predictable—it keeps you interested through it all.

All in all—I would HIGHLY recommend. It may be one of my favorite stories now.

[Brittany Price · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Swift But Shallow Journey: "Somewhere in the Orange Groves" by Savannah Schmidt

Rating: ⭐⭐☆☆☆

"Savannah Schmidt's 'Somewhere in the Orange Groves' offers a breezy read that I was able to complete in a single day. However, the speed at which the story unfolds becomes both its strength and its weakness.

The main characters, despite being at the center of the narrative, lack the depth and chemistry one would expect in a romance novel. Their sudden and almost implausible descent into love within a span of days feels more like a rushed plot point than an authentic connection. The lack of banter between them leaves the reader craving for substance, turning what should be a romantic exploration into a hasty affair.

While touted as a standalone, this book fails to deliver on character development, maintaining a disappointingly flat tone throughout. The emotional range of the characters seems restricted, resembling sea cucumbers in their depth. Real relationships are messy and intricate, but the conflicts presented in the story are mere spats that are conveniently resolved, lacking the realism one anticipates in a love story.

The concluding moments, which should have been emotionally charged, fell flat due to the insufficient connection established with the characters. The narrative lacked the necessary build-up for readers to truly invest in the protagonists, leaving the ending devoid of the impact it could have had.

Furthermore, the incessant repetition of certain information becomes tiresome, as if the author is overemphasizing key points that the reader has already grasped. A more subtle approach to storytelling would have allowed the audience to engage with the narrative without feeling patronized.

The timeline of the book could benefit from a closer examination. Front-loading information about a character in the latter half of the story, as was done with Connor, limits the potential for genuine character development. Similarly, Iris remains a mystery, with the reader left wanting a more comprehensive understanding of her personality.

In the end, 'Somewhere in the Orange Groves' offers a quick but unsatisfying romantic journey. The rushed pacing, lack of character depth, and absence of genuine conflict leave the reader yearning for a more nuanced and authentic portrayal of love and relationships."

[Crim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly a close to home hitter. My favorite people in the world were my grandparents and especially my great grandfather. We did everything together. Breakfast in the morning followed by Ice cream and mini golf every day when I was younger. I even snuck out into the kitchen at 3am to sneak some of his Moose Tracks Ice cream or his cool whip! Only ever o e spoonful but I did it. 🤣. Shhhhh he doesnt know or if he does hes defenitly shaking his head at me with a smile and a chuckle. He was the one who really became my favorite person. And this book is similar to my own life just with no oranges haha. Maybe orange juice though.

But enough sappy crappy 🤣. On to the book!

For starters I can't get enough of Savanah Schmidt's books. This is the 3rd one ive read in her series and it does perfectly fitting in. Her writing is always easy to read, relate to, and follow. This book is no exception.

This book brought me to tears, to laughter, to smiles, to oh shit! yessss! moments, to oh no she didn't moments. This book will forever be one I hold close and cherish dearly. Simply for the memories it brings to mind. I do wish a few scenes were a bit more detailed and drawn out longer but it was still great

There are very few books that can draw tears to my eyes reading. I am just not an emotional reader. But this one...this one did it.

Well done!

A huge thank you to Savannah Schmidt for reaching out and gifting me a copy of the story to read! Thank you for writing it. Cant wait to read more.

[Shaelyn Pugliese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somewhere in the Orange Groves is about starting over. While it is a part of a duology, it's easily read as a standalone as the author restates what was talked about in the duology! Somewhere in the Orange Groves is about our main characters Connor, it's been 2 years since he ran away from his past, at first it was college in New York, then at an Orange Grove in Florida. He is employed at the Orange Grove by 98 year old Thomas Johnson, Thomas took him in and has provided a life for him. Now, Thomas isn't doing great and his great-granddaughter Iris is back from California to take care of him and spend time with him before it is too late. Thomas and Iris team up and take care of Thomas while also finding something in each other worth fighting for.
This is the 3rd book of Savannah Schmidt's that I've read and I adore her writing style so much! She has a way to make you feel like you're really there. This book was about self discovery, new and old love, with a dual POV! This book made me feel the love and the sadness. I smiled like crazy and also she'd a few tears. I have been so emotionally invested in all of Savannah's characters and this book was just the same. I love how Connor is growing and prospering and thriving in his new life. I want more Connor and Iris! I can't wait to reread when it's released!

[Becky Rogowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to start by saying that I really enjoyed this story and have recommended it to those in my reading circle. It’s a sweet story with memorable characters.

I really like the author’s writing style. Her character development and descriptions are wonderful. The book could have benefitted from 50-75 more pages, though. The beginning was a great pace and about 30 pages in the plot went way faster than I anticipated or was ready for. It seemed like some steps were missing. I definitely would have read more!

The pace of the book was good and I really liked the choice of material. Super sweet story and I am glad I had the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy. I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Heather Caceres · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be an enjoyable read. The friendship between Grandpa Thomas and Connor was particularly heartwarming, as they both entered each other's lives at a time when they needed companionship the most. Iris and Connor's love for Grandpa Thomas also brought them closer together, even as they were still navigating their own lives. Their love story was quite charming.

However, I did feel that the overall pacing of the book was a bit rushed. I would have appreciated more character development and background information to gain a deeper understanding of each character.

Despite this, I still enjoyed the book and found it to be a quick and easy read with a straightforward storyline.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jamie Hughes · Rating 3 out of 5]

The storyline was good and I enjoyed the characters and how their personalities developed and progressed through the story. Unfortunately, I was too easily distracted while reading … I kept going back and forth between asking myself if events were too predictable or was it my own fault and I was just not in the head space to read. Please continue this style of character led storyline, I would definitely read more books from this author in the future.


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nevaeh Ruegger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love dual point of views. This is a sweet book and innocent romance. It does tug at the heartstrings a bit. A great friends to lovers tope and there were a few times I felt like if it had been a little longer that maybe the story would have been better developed but overall I really loved this sweet little story. Its a page turner and makes you feel like you are in the book its like seeing a movie in your mind. Its full of so many big emotions and feelings I look forward to reading more by Savannah.

[JessKathleen📚Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book of Savannah’s that I have read and I’m in love with her writing style. I heavily enjoy the deep detail she goes into so you always have a great sense of the setting and atmosphere you are in, as well as everyone’s demeanor. I loved seeing Connor flourishing in his new life. Highly recommend to read of all her books and start at the beginning.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jenna Butterfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so wholesome and such a cute romantic/family story! If you’ve ever seen the TV show Heartland, that’s what it kind of reminds me of! This is such an easy quick read, if you want a cute book that’s a fast read I recommend this. I loved the characters, I loved the relationships between the characters! I wish it was a little longer and had a little more detail, however, it’s easy to get through and enjoy if that’s what you’re looking for!:)

[Kaitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book as a ARC copy.

This is a sweet and quick read! I do wish the book was a little longer, to allow for more character development. It overall felt a little rushed to develop. I would have enjoyed more details of the characters prior to the relationship and more build up to get to the relationship. Overall a sweet book and I would recommend for a quick read!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lily Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free eARC copy of this book via BookSirens, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

In Somewhere in the Orange Groves we meet Conner, a young man who ran away to Florida to find himself. After he is taken in by 96-year-old Thomas, he begins working at Thomas’s Orange Grove - but life decides to throw some surprises his way.

This book is the definition of short and sweet! I thoroughly enjoyed getting to Connor more, as we originally met him in the Holding on to You duet, but do wish we had a bit more of a back story for him. I do feel that anyone who hasn’t read the HOTY duet would be missing a huge chunk of information. I really loved Thomas, and honestly wished we had more of him!

Connor and Iris had the stereotypical enemies-to-friends-to-lovers relationship, but it did feel slightly rushed. If the book was a wee bit longer I do think their relationship would feel more natural. Several scenes did feel a little unnecessary, such as Millie showing up and talking to Connor.

I did thoroughly enjoy the story which is why the rating is 4⭐️, but do feel it could have been executed a wee bit better.

At 141 pages, this took me just over an hour to read. I recommend it to any romance lover, especially those who enjoy a HEA, though I would recommend reading the Holding on to You duet first.

8/10

[Tammy Wilmarth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. The way the author writes is fantastic, and keeps me engaged. I did feel some things weren’t really necessary in the book, like bringing Millie in for a few lines, but overall the book was good. I always enjoy a book where the author keeps me engaged, and this author does every time. I highly recommend this book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Stephanie Giese · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love supporting indie authors and this is a short, easy read. I was drawn to it because of the adorable cover and the fact that I live in Florida, where the story is set. It is fast-paced, and I liked the setting of the orange grove and the great-grandpa character. There were a few times when I felt like I was tuning in to the middle of the third season of a tv show, but that’s totally my own fault because I didn’t realize this is a companion book and I hadn’t read the other.

[Alicia Gillispie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a sweet little story idea and I particularly loved the personality of the little old man Thomas! Sadly, I felt it wasn’t executed well. It’s a short read and there was so much crammed into it that the pacing was off to me. The first part was really slow and then so many things were thrown in so fast and never addressed again. I felt like this could’ve easily been a longer book that needed a little more time for the characters to process and go through the things that were brought up and resolved all in span of one page. Overall I still really enjoyed the premise but felt that the details were less than believable or relatable.

[Bella Tanaka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was absolutely adorable! I loved both Connor and Iris and how their relationship bloomed over this story! The writing was good, and it seemed that the author has put a lot of love and dedication into this book!

I did receive a advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily!

[Sarah Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about the main characters Iris and Connor and let me just say this is such a sweet love story! It's southern sweet love. It isn't so dramatic but it made me smile the whole time I was reading it. Great grandpa Thomas was a hoot! I loved his character. It's not super long and the love story is so romantic to me because it seems like it just naturally comes within both characters. I couldn't put it down at all. If you want something that sweet and a simple love story. This is the book for you!

[Sarah Daugherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It was a quick and easy read. I do wish it was longer so that we could see the main character’s relationship flourish more, but I loved how they both had this connection from the beginning!

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Somewhere In The Orange Groves" was not only a love story but also a reflection on the importance of family bonds and the journey of self-discovery. I liked this book because is a heartwarming read that leaves you with a warm and uplifting feeling.

[Michelle Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Savannah never fails to impress. This book is like a warm hug on a cold day. It was so great to pick up on Connors story, and the intertwining of Jasper, Lillie and Greyson was lovely. I really enjoyed this book.

[Brianna Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somewhere in the Orange Groves is a fast paced, emotionally charged novel that I absolutely loved reading. The characters were easy to connect to and the romance was so sweet. 10 out of 10 would recommend.

[Christy Skidmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet romance may not be very long, but it hits all the right notes. I enjoyed watching Iris and Connor's relationship blossom, and Connor's friendship with Thomas as so cute. If you're looking for a quick, contemporary romance with a lot of heart, this is the book for you!