What do you think?
Rate this book
Sweet as Sugar Maple #1
Strawberry Fields for Never
She's the desperate CEO hired to rebrand a sleepy Southern orchard. He's the stubborn heir determined to see her fail. All's fair in love and farming.
Jane
I fix things. It's what I do.
When I'm hired to fix what's broken at Sugar Maple Farms, I see an even bigger project in the form of the sexy, surly, six-foot-five owner, Tripp Carville.
Tripp may be a thorn in my side, but lucky for him, I can see beyond his impressive, prickly front to the wounded boy underneath. And I know exactly how to fix him: I'm going to make him fall back in love with Sugar Maple Farms.
Now, if I can just keep myself from falling in love with him in the process.
Tripp
I've never been enough for the people around me, not for my parents before they died and not for the tough grandfather who raised me. When he unexpectedly passes, leaving me the famous (and failing) Sugar Maple Farms, all I want is to sell so I can leave the weight of being a Carville behind.
Until Jane shows up. The woman is smart, salty, and sexy as can be. I can't admit it, but her vision for Sugar Maple Farms is captivating. Everything about her is captivating. While we spend every day arguing, I spend every night thinking about her.
I'm damaged beyond repair, and after never being enough for the people in my life, if I can't be enough for Jane, I don't think I'll ever recover.
So I can't let Jane in. No matter how badly I want to.
Strawberry Fields for Never is a swoony closed-door rom-com full of delicious banter and crackling chemistry but no explicit scenes. It's the first in a series of standalone novels featuring five best friends.
Jane
I fix things. It's what I do.
When I'm hired to fix what's broken at Sugar Maple Farms, I see an even bigger project in the form of the sexy, surly, six-foot-five owner, Tripp Carville.
Tripp may be a thorn in my side, but lucky for him, I can see beyond his impressive, prickly front to the wounded boy underneath. And I know exactly how to fix him: I'm going to make him fall back in love with Sugar Maple Farms.
Now, if I can just keep myself from falling in love with him in the process.
Tripp
I've never been enough for the people around me, not for my parents before they died and not for the tough grandfather who raised me. When he unexpectedly passes, leaving me the famous (and failing) Sugar Maple Farms, all I want is to sell so I can leave the weight of being a Carville behind.
Until Jane shows up. The woman is smart, salty, and sexy as can be. I can't admit it, but her vision for Sugar Maple Farms is captivating. Everything about her is captivating. While we spend every day arguing, I spend every night thinking about her.
I'm damaged beyond repair, and after never being enough for the people in my life, if I can't be enough for Jane, I don't think I'll ever recover.
So I can't let Jane in. No matter how badly I want to.
Strawberry Fields for Never is a swoony closed-door rom-com full of delicious banter and crackling chemistry but no explicit scenes. It's the first in a series of standalone novels featuring five best friends.
9 pages, Audible Audio
First published June 5, 2023
About the author
Kate Watson
18 books947 followersKate Watson is a fan of cheeky romantic comedies and delightfully witty banter. Originally from Canada, she attended college in the States and holds a BA in Philosophy from Brigham Young University. A lover of travel, speaking in accents, and experiencing new cultures, she has also lived in Israel, Brazil, the American South, and she now calls Arizona home.
She started writing at six years old and sold her first book, "The Heart People," for $0.25 to her parents. It received rave reviews. Since then, she's written many books, including the acclaimed Off Script, a 2020 Junior Library Guild selection. She writes stories full of heart, humor, and happily-ever-afters.
She is currently living her own happily-ever-after with her super cute husband and their four wild and wonderful kids. She runs on caffeine, swoons, and Jesus.
*Please note that this account does not accept friend requests to prevent conflict with Amazon's review policies.*
She started writing at six years old and sold her first book, "The Heart People," for $0.25 to her parents. It received rave reviews. Since then, she's written many books, including the acclaimed Off Script, a 2020 Junior Library Guild selection. She writes stories full of heart, humor, and happily-ever-afters.
She is currently living her own happily-ever-after with her super cute husband and their four wild and wonderful kids. She runs on caffeine, swoons, and Jesus.
*Please note that this account does not accept friend requests to prevent conflict with Amazon's review policies.*
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 592 reviews
October 11, 2026
I picked up this book because it was free and I love The Beatles.
(Not sure John would’ve loved it; he was more famous than Jesus, after all.)
There was some decent chemistry there, but sadly, it was never really explored. Tripp and Jane were sweet together. Bummer they were only allowed to make out. But big plus for no third-act breakup! 🥰
The writing was okay, if it weren’t for the icky life wisdom with Christian undertones. People hate TikTok and Harry Potter references, OW drama, and lots of other things. I’m realizing more and more that some authors’ religious agenda is what I have less and less patience for. Please don’t rub your lord and savior into my face without my consent, dear authors.
I wanted closed-door, but this was clean in the way I only accept in HR.
But love that I can give quarter stars now!
So I’m docking one star for pretending that sex doesn’t exist and for the overall religious vibe, one star for the annoying, childish, and cringe friends of the MCs (don’t even ask), and 0.75 because I can, ha!
(Not sure John would’ve loved it; he was more famous than Jesus, after all.)
There was some decent chemistry there, but sadly, it was never really explored. Tripp and Jane were sweet together. Bummer they were only allowed to make out. But big plus for no third-act breakup! 🥰
The writing was okay, if it weren’t for the icky life wisdom with Christian undertones. People hate TikTok and Harry Potter references, OW drama, and lots of other things. I’m realizing more and more that some authors’ religious agenda is what I have less and less patience for. Please don’t rub your lord and savior into my face without my consent, dear authors.
I wanted closed-door, but this was clean in the way I only accept in HR.
But love that I can give quarter stars now!
So I’m docking one star for pretending that sex doesn’t exist and for the overall religious vibe, one star for the annoying, childish, and cringe friends of the MCs (don’t even ask), and 0.75 because I can, ha!
August 29, 2024
This book has been sitting on my TBR for a while, but when I got into the ARC team for book four, I bumped it up the list—and boy, am I glad I did! I absolutely LOVED it!!!
Enemies to lovers is my jam, and this book nailed it. The transition from enemies to lovers was so smooth, and there's no miscommunication—automatic 5 stars for me.
Tripp (aka Hotty McGrumpypants) is basically a green flag parade. The back-and-forth between him and Jane was pure gold. And don’t even get me started on the EPILOGUE—cutest wedding ever!
Read this if you like:
🍓 Enemies to lovers
🍓 He falls first
🍓 Southern setting
🍓 Dual POV
🚨🚨 TW: Childhood neglect, grief, manipulation, childhood trauma
Enemies to lovers is my jam, and this book nailed it. The transition from enemies to lovers was so smooth, and there's no miscommunication—automatic 5 stars for me.
Tripp (aka Hotty McGrumpypants) is basically a green flag parade. The back-and-forth between him and Jane was pure gold. And don’t even get me started on the EPILOGUE—cutest wedding ever!
Read this if you like:
🍓 Enemies to lovers
🍓 He falls first
🍓 Southern setting
🍓 Dual POV
🚨🚨 TW: Childhood neglect, grief, manipulation, childhood trauma
March 27, 2026
3.5 stars
This was a cute small town romance. My first by this author and I’m definitely more intrigued with the characters from the next book/the friend group as a whole. I’ll for sure continue with the others!
This was a cute small town romance. My first by this author and I’m definitely more intrigued with the characters from the next book/the friend group as a whole. I’ll for sure continue with the others!
Audio book source: Hoopla
Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrators: Stephanie Rose & Rock Engle
Narration Rating: 3.5 stars
Genre: Romance
Length: 8h 38m
February 22, 2025
DNF at 50%
The MMC in this book totally killed it for me. Perhaps he improved over the course of the second half of the novel, I guess I'll never know. The guy I read was an entitled twat waffle. He was rude, demeaning and a brat. Let me explain. Tripp Carville is the grandson of a food magnate who's humble beginnings were tilling and working the land of Sugar Maple Farm. The farm eventually grew into an empire and said empire is now worth a fortune. Shortly before his death, grandpa Carville hires Jane's marketing firm to rebrand Sugar Maple, an anticipated one year project.
When Jane arrives, she finds that grandpa Carville has passed and left Sugar Maple to his ungrateful snot rag of a grandson, Tripp. Why is Tripp a snot rag you ask? Because he spends most of the first half of this novel complaining that he wasn't given the role of Chief Sustainability Officer at the parent company to Sugar Maple and was instead relegated to lowly manager status of the farm.
Oh boo f'ing hoo. Poor you. Now we're treated to half a novel of him trying to undermine Jane so he can chase her off and free himself of her contract so he can sell the farm and unload a "burden" the vast majority of Americans would feel blessed to have.
I'm going to be sick. You're gifted with something that was clearly profitable and cherished but it's not enough because you felt entitled and undervalued. *VOMIT*
Needless to say, I was out. Like, all the way out. There is nothing more unattractive than a man who whines while also being so very obviously privileged. Sorry. You've lost me and I'm never coming back. This author needs a reality check STAT. If you’re going to create a scenario in which a privileged white man feels put upon by his situation, you’d better find a way to make it ironic somehow otherwise it’s just self-important drivel and wholly out of touch.
The MMC in this book totally killed it for me. Perhaps he improved over the course of the second half of the novel, I guess I'll never know. The guy I read was an entitled twat waffle. He was rude, demeaning and a brat. Let me explain. Tripp Carville is the grandson of a food magnate who's humble beginnings were tilling and working the land of Sugar Maple Farm. The farm eventually grew into an empire and said empire is now worth a fortune. Shortly before his death, grandpa Carville hires Jane's marketing firm to rebrand Sugar Maple, an anticipated one year project.
When Jane arrives, she finds that grandpa Carville has passed and left Sugar Maple to his ungrateful snot rag of a grandson, Tripp. Why is Tripp a snot rag you ask? Because he spends most of the first half of this novel complaining that he wasn't given the role of Chief Sustainability Officer at the parent company to Sugar Maple and was instead relegated to lowly manager status of the farm.
Oh boo f'ing hoo. Poor you. Now we're treated to half a novel of him trying to undermine Jane so he can chase her off and free himself of her contract so he can sell the farm and unload a "burden" the vast majority of Americans would feel blessed to have.
I'm going to be sick. You're gifted with something that was clearly profitable and cherished but it's not enough because you felt entitled and undervalued. *VOMIT*
Needless to say, I was out. Like, all the way out. There is nothing more unattractive than a man who whines while also being so very obviously privileged. Sorry. You've lost me and I'm never coming back. This author needs a reality check STAT. If you’re going to create a scenario in which a privileged white man feels put upon by his situation, you’d better find a way to make it ironic somehow otherwise it’s just self-important drivel and wholly out of touch.
February 15, 2026
this was such a fun set up to a series that i know is going to be so sweeeeeet! i loved all the characters & the setting is so cozy and special. i want to live on that farm!! i want to fix up an old cottage with a hot man!!
i think one of my favorite parts about this story was the MMC’s growth. he had a lot of misconceptions about his family and it was really cool to see him put in the work to get over his grudges and hurt feelings. also i loved the baddie CEO FMC & all of her ideas. it was fun seeing the farm grow into something new and special, while staying true to its roots as well. the farm & the town feel like characters themselves!
i liked the way the two main characters hit it off at first and THEN became enemies & then had to work through their differences to learn more about each other. and then eventually fall in love!
i think the biggest problem i had was that there was a part where it just says something like “we spent weeks and months laughing and bickering and talking” but we weren’t actually SHOWN that. so it felt like they were instantly in love without a lot of the development shown on page.
🔥NO SPICE🔥
🤐NO STRONG LANGUAGE🤐
i think one of my favorite parts about this story was the MMC’s growth. he had a lot of misconceptions about his family and it was really cool to see him put in the work to get over his grudges and hurt feelings. also i loved the baddie CEO FMC & all of her ideas. it was fun seeing the farm grow into something new and special, while staying true to its roots as well. the farm & the town feel like characters themselves!
i liked the way the two main characters hit it off at first and THEN became enemies & then had to work through their differences to learn more about each other. and then eventually fall in love!
i think the biggest problem i had was that there was a part where it just says something like “we spent weeks and months laughing and bickering and talking” but we weren’t actually SHOWN that. so it felt like they were instantly in love without a lot of the development shown on page.
🔥NO SPICE🔥
🤐NO STRONG LANGUAGE🤐
September 23, 2023
Don’t hate me, but this is my first Kate Watson book! I’m so excited that I finally read one of her books, because it did not disappoint and was just what I needed. I actually read this one on kindle unlimited after receiving an e-arc of book two and realizing this is a series! I’m so glad my friend helped me to realize this, because although these books can be read as standalones, they do revolve around different characters in the books, and it makes sense to read them in order.
Jane is a desperate CEO from Chicago who works with her team of best friends, the Janes, that’s been hired to rebrand a sleepy Southern Orchard. She’s supposed to get the current caretaker of the farm to fall in love with the farm again.
When Tripp meets Jane at the airport, there’s an instant connection and chemistry between them. Things change when he realizes the true purpose of Jane’s visit. You see, Tripp is the caretaker of the farm!
As they learn how to work together to fix up the farm with differing agendas, sparks fly!
The romance between Jane and Tripp is so swoony and adorable! I loved the banter between them. There were a lot of laugh out loud moments, but there were also some touching moments, as Jane and Tripp have difficult backgrounds. I loved that therapy was talked about in this book in a positive light. I absolutely loved Jane’s group of friends and I wish that I had a group of girls like that who are so uplifting, supportive and trustworthy.
Trigger warnings: losing a loved one and neglectful parents
If you like enemies to lovers, small town, he falls first, closed door romances, I think you’d enjoy this one! I highly recommend.
Jane is a desperate CEO from Chicago who works with her team of best friends, the Janes, that’s been hired to rebrand a sleepy Southern Orchard. She’s supposed to get the current caretaker of the farm to fall in love with the farm again.
When Tripp meets Jane at the airport, there’s an instant connection and chemistry between them. Things change when he realizes the true purpose of Jane’s visit. You see, Tripp is the caretaker of the farm!
As they learn how to work together to fix up the farm with differing agendas, sparks fly!
The romance between Jane and Tripp is so swoony and adorable! I loved the banter between them. There were a lot of laugh out loud moments, but there were also some touching moments, as Jane and Tripp have difficult backgrounds. I loved that therapy was talked about in this book in a positive light. I absolutely loved Jane’s group of friends and I wish that I had a group of girls like that who are so uplifting, supportive and trustworthy.
Trigger warnings: losing a loved one and neglectful parents
If you like enemies to lovers, small town, he falls first, closed door romances, I think you’d enjoy this one! I highly recommend.
August 27, 2023
I'm kicking myself for sitting on this new to me Canadian born Indie romance author's latest in a new small town Southern series that sees the CEO of a PR/Marketing firm, Jane, travelling to a struggling farm in an attempt to help revamp the brand and help its new owner, Tripp fall in love with his grandfather's legacy.
Full of heart, humor, lovely found family and emotional depth, this book truly had everything I love most in a romance. While it's a kissing only story, the dual POV, enemies to lovers, instant attraction and chemistry between Jane and Tripp was off the charts with a super "vexy" (aka swoony) epilogue to boot!
HIGHLY recommended for fans of authors like Jenny Proctor, Melanie Jacobson and Emma St. Clair. I loved the mental health/therapy rep in this book and CANNOT wait for Millie, Duke and Lottie's story in Baby llama drama - the next book in the series!
💋Steam level: kissing only
Full of heart, humor, lovely found family and emotional depth, this book truly had everything I love most in a romance. While it's a kissing only story, the dual POV, enemies to lovers, instant attraction and chemistry between Jane and Tripp was off the charts with a super "vexy" (aka swoony) epilogue to boot!
HIGHLY recommended for fans of authors like Jenny Proctor, Melanie Jacobson and Emma St. Clair. I loved the mental health/therapy rep in this book and CANNOT wait for Millie, Duke and Lottie's story in Baby llama drama - the next book in the series!
💋Steam level: kissing only
January 1, 2024
umm so i’m really not a fan of the childhood trauma and daddy issues trope. and honestly this whole book felt like a first draft. i loved the premise, but the execution was a little rough.
and also it’s quotes like this that ruin a book for me: "In a navy suit tailored perfectly to his body, Tripp makes James Bond look like a kid wearing his dad’s tux."
good for you, your boyfriend is hot, but the suit doesn’t fit him that well. yk how i know? it’s because he’s not rich💀
and also if i have to hear about a man’s muscles, big hands, or “he’s so tall i have to crane my neck to see him” body, i might throw hands.
unfortunately this is the second book ive read by kate watson that just didn’t impress me like i wanted it to. i don’t know how much more ill pick up from her in the future.
also the name tripp…is just really bad.
and also it’s quotes like this that ruin a book for me: "In a navy suit tailored perfectly to his body, Tripp makes James Bond look like a kid wearing his dad’s tux."
good for you, your boyfriend is hot, but the suit doesn’t fit him that well. yk how i know? it’s because he’s not rich💀
and also if i have to hear about a man’s muscles, big hands, or “he’s so tall i have to crane my neck to see him” body, i might throw hands.
unfortunately this is the second book ive read by kate watson that just didn’t impress me like i wanted it to. i don’t know how much more ill pick up from her in the future.
also the name tripp…is just really bad.
April 17, 2026
2.75 ⭐️
I didn’t like the majority of this book. Everything felt forced between the two main characters. It did start getting better towards the end, but then the book ended, so it didn’t have a chance to redeem itself.
I didn’t like the majority of this book. Everything felt forced between the two main characters. It did start getting better towards the end, but then the book ended, so it didn’t have a chance to redeem itself.
December 20, 2023
I first heard of Kate from my besties and they said I needed to read her books ASAP and I don't know why I let them sit on my TBR list for so long! I read Single All the Way a couple weeks ago and absolutely loved it! And so I knew I wanted to read her other books and this one did not let me down!
I love how Kate just writes MMCs who not only are your swoony heroes but also ones who have real emotions and aren't perfect. Tripp has so much growth in this book and I love that we get to watch his journey! I love that there is the thread is Enemies to Lovers that brings the banter and that it can turn to flirting flawlessly!
I absolutely loved Jane for being so determined in all that she does. I love that she has so many things on her plate and yet still wants to do more for those around her. I love that Tripp truly sees Jane and supports her in so many ways.
I loved the laugh out loud moments, the moments that made me teary eyed, the ones that made me swoon and the ones that made me appreciate those who love me more!
This may not be a Christmas read but it sure brought me so much Joy today! So if you are looking for a small town enemies to lovers book with lots of sizzling kisses, sweetest moments and one of the best MMCs give this one a go!
Physical Intimacy Lvl 2.5 (Longer make outs. Closed door) and mild innuendo
Zero Swearing
Dual POV
I love how Kate just writes MMCs who not only are your swoony heroes but also ones who have real emotions and aren't perfect. Tripp has so much growth in this book and I love that we get to watch his journey! I love that there is the thread is Enemies to Lovers that brings the banter and that it can turn to flirting flawlessly!
I absolutely loved Jane for being so determined in all that she does. I love that she has so many things on her plate and yet still wants to do more for those around her. I love that Tripp truly sees Jane and supports her in so many ways.
I loved the laugh out loud moments, the moments that made me teary eyed, the ones that made me swoon and the ones that made me appreciate those who love me more!
This may not be a Christmas read but it sure brought me so much Joy today! So if you are looking for a small town enemies to lovers book with lots of sizzling kisses, sweetest moments and one of the best MMCs give this one a go!
Physical Intimacy Lvl 2.5 (Longer make outs. Closed door) and mild innuendo
Zero Swearing
Dual POV
June 1, 2024
Yeahhhh I wasn’t obsessed🫤 I was so excited bc I love the small town, sweet, farm vibes romances! But this book totally missed the mark…a big focus was their healing, which was sweet, but it was cringe🫠 Every time there was a “heartfelt” scene, I straight up winced! Y’all it was badddd. I felt like the characters were underdeveloped and the plot wasn’t very well written. It was just so slow and hard to get thru😫 It was kinda cute, but I def wouldn’t recommend
Pages: 282
Language: 🫢
TW⚠️: grief, childhood trauma
Genre: Romance
Format I read: Kindle Unlimited
Would I recommend to others: no
Pages: 282
Language: 🫢
TW⚠️: grief, childhood trauma
Genre: Romance
Format I read: Kindle Unlimited
Would I recommend to others: no
March 14, 2025
This enemies to more, forced proximity story is light and fun, full of banter and flirting, and simultaneously full of heart and depth. The second half, particularly, reeled me in and had me all in my feels. And that epilogue—one of the best I’ve read! I am looking forward to more of this sweet friend group in the rest of the series!
TW: Grief—current & past losses, Child of an addict
TW: Grief—current & past losses, Child of an addict
December 6, 2025
Strawberry Fields for Never by Kate Watson is a sweet, closed‑door contemporary romantic comedy about Jane, a determined CEO of a marketing firm tasked with rebranding a sleepy Southern orchard, and Tripp Carville III, the stubborn heir to Sugar Maple Farms who initially resists her every move as their clashing visions turn into banter, chemistry and, eventually, something much deeper. It’s the first book in the Sweet as Sugar Maple series, blending small‑town romance, enemies‑to‑lovers heat and heartfelt personal growth.
From my first moments with this story I felt drawn into the sharp, witty dynamic between Jane and Tripp. Jane’s confidence, sass and commitment to rescuing both the farm and her struggling business made her feel like someone you’d want as a friend, while Tripp’s brooding resistance and complicated past (he’s wrestling with grief, family expectations and feeling “not enough”) gave him surprising emotional depth beneath that prickly exterior. Their interactions are sparkling and flirty, with humor that made me grin and those satisfying moments when antagonism quietly shifted toward mutual respect. The setting of a charming orchard, the cozy small‑town life, and the supportive ensemble of friends around Jane added richness beyond the central romance that made the world feel alive and warm.
Looking back, I liked how well the book balances light‑hearted fun with real emotional texture. This isn’t just a laugh‑filled enemies‑to‑lovers romp; both characters carry real wounds and learn to let others in, celebrate heritage and find belonging. I felt genuinely invested in their journey from clashing agendas to heartfelt connection, and the epilogue, which many readers praise as super sweet and satisfying, left me smiling long after the final page.
I give Strawberry Fields for Never 4 out of 5 stars. It made me feel joyful, hopeful and comforted, like visiting a place that smells of fresh fruit, heartfelt banter and slow‑burn love. If you enjoy charming enemies‑to‑lovers romances with lovable characters, crackling chemistry, and a setting that feels cozy and alive, this is a lovely, uplifting start to a series that promises even more delight ahead.
From my first moments with this story I felt drawn into the sharp, witty dynamic between Jane and Tripp. Jane’s confidence, sass and commitment to rescuing both the farm and her struggling business made her feel like someone you’d want as a friend, while Tripp’s brooding resistance and complicated past (he’s wrestling with grief, family expectations and feeling “not enough”) gave him surprising emotional depth beneath that prickly exterior. Their interactions are sparkling and flirty, with humor that made me grin and those satisfying moments when antagonism quietly shifted toward mutual respect. The setting of a charming orchard, the cozy small‑town life, and the supportive ensemble of friends around Jane added richness beyond the central romance that made the world feel alive and warm.
Looking back, I liked how well the book balances light‑hearted fun with real emotional texture. This isn’t just a laugh‑filled enemies‑to‑lovers romp; both characters carry real wounds and learn to let others in, celebrate heritage and find belonging. I felt genuinely invested in their journey from clashing agendas to heartfelt connection, and the epilogue, which many readers praise as super sweet and satisfying, left me smiling long after the final page.
I give Strawberry Fields for Never 4 out of 5 stars. It made me feel joyful, hopeful and comforted, like visiting a place that smells of fresh fruit, heartfelt banter and slow‑burn love. If you enjoy charming enemies‑to‑lovers romances with lovable characters, crackling chemistry, and a setting that feels cozy and alive, this is a lovely, uplifting start to a series that promises even more delight ahead.
May 26, 2026
I CANNOT get enough of this book oh my gosh! Absolutely adorable, hilarious, adorable, great rom-com and made me wanting the second book soooooo bad on audio! But I've got quite a wait for the rest of your series on audio on Libby. Knowing who's in bk2 is killing me and I can feel it's going to be so much fun and even cuter!!
.png)
November 22, 2025
Cute in a lot of spots, but also dripping with cheese and cliches. I really wanted to like the characters more but they’re okay and it was mostly enjoyable.
May 20, 2026
This story was so fun to listen to! The narrators did a great job with the voicing and the author wrote a story that really kept my attention. I'm excited to listen to the other books in the series now, too!
Poor Tripp had some emotional healing and growing to do in this story, for sure. I loved seeing the connection and romance develop between him and Jane. And the ending of this book was one of the best I've read. It was so fun and made me so happy!
(4.5 stars)
Poor Tripp had some emotional healing and growing to do in this story, for sure. I loved seeing the connection and romance develop between him and Jane. And the ending of this book was one of the best I've read. It was so fun and made me so happy!
(4.5 stars)
July 18, 2026
I was disappointed in this one. I have loved all the other books by Kate Watson that I have read. I was expecting this one to be funny, which is why I picked it up when I did. It wasn't. Tripp was beyond obnoxious and entitled. I am not a fan of the miscommunication trope, or not setting things straight because of "pride." The story was also very cliché and cringy.
The rightness of simply holding Tripp's hand somehow reaches across the universe, through the cosmos, into our galaxy, and then zips all the way into the vehicle, where we're sitting side by side. The feeling seems to his us both at the same time, as our eyes meet in unison.
At the end of the day, I couldn't even bring myself to care about the characters or the story. I will attempt the next book in the series.
The rightness of simply holding Tripp's hand somehow reaches across the universe, through the cosmos, into our galaxy, and then zips all the way into the vehicle, where we're sitting side by side. The feeling seems to his us both at the same time, as our eyes meet in unison.
At the end of the day, I couldn't even bring myself to care about the characters or the story. I will attempt the next book in the series.
July 28, 2025
This is my second Kate Watson book, and I won’t be my last. I’m ready to read the rest of this series like…now. I love me a cute, quirky read and this book was just that. No spice, for those wondering, but don’t let it deter you! It’s a quick, wholesome read.
July 24, 2023
Kate Watson is a new to me author, and her book was an absolute delight. The romance between Jane and Tripp is sweet and swoony, and their story is full of so much humor, but there’s also a lot of depth as you learn about their difficult backgrounds and how it has shaped and affected them.
I really loved:
🍓 Enemies to lovers
🍓 He falls first
🍓 Fun banter
🍓 Lol scenes
🍓 Closed door
🍓 Southern setting
🍓 Best friends—the Janes
🍓 Strawberries
🍓 ‘Vexy’ mmc
🍓 Strong fmc
🍓 Clint Eastwood movies
🍓 Character growth & healing
🍓 HEA
Looking forward to more books in this fun series!
I really loved:
🍓 Enemies to lovers
🍓 He falls first
🍓 Fun banter
🍓 Lol scenes
🍓 Closed door
🍓 Southern setting
🍓 Best friends—the Janes
🍓 Strawberries
🍓 ‘Vexy’ mmc
🍓 Strong fmc
🍓 Clint Eastwood movies
🍓 Character growth & healing
🍓 HEA
Looking forward to more books in this fun series!
February 4, 2024
I absolutely loved Tripp & Jane's heartachingly beautiful, fiery, sweet, caring, loving,swoony story!!
March 11, 2024
Saw this recommended in some book group. Thought it would be spicy, there was no spice. Still a cute story.
April 14, 2025
So cute! Loved Tripp & the rest of the characters!
August 17, 2023
Strawberry Fields for Never
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Kate Watson
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from Kate Watson and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
My Thoughts: Kate Watson is a new author for me and I will definitely be on the lookout for future novels from Watson. This is book no. one in the Sweet as Sugar Maple series. In this cute, closed door romance, Jane is trying to rebrand her farm to salvage it. At first, sparks fly until Trip realizes why Jane is here, then the wall goes up. Trip clearly has his own agenda for her to fail at every turn. This story follows the tropes of enemies to lovers (my favorite), closed door romance, and southern small town setting. And baby llamas!!!!!!
Jane was compassionate, smart, and struggles to ask for help. Trip is charming, grumpy, presents as a jerk to begin with, however, he is struggling with the death of his grandfather and some trauma from his childhood. I loved how the author represented that therapy is a good course of action when you’re struggling and putting the mark to destigmatize it. The characters were well developed, with witty banter, chemistry, and creatively woven. The supporting characters were top notch and I cannot wait for subsequent novels with some of their stories. The friend group that Jane was in was nothing short of amazing, every woman should have a friend group like that, to support, uplift, and enrich your life. The author’s writing style was complex, swoony, humorous, and engaging. I loved how the author portrayed the enemies to lovers theme, no meanness, just fun banter.
The story has trigger warnings of losing a loved one and neglectful parents. The next novel in this series will feature Millie and Duke (“Baby Llama Drama”) and I cannot wait for it. The book is available at KU. I highly recommend picking up today, available in Kindle and Physical formats (no audiobook available).
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Kate Watson
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from Kate Watson and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
My Thoughts: Kate Watson is a new author for me and I will definitely be on the lookout for future novels from Watson. This is book no. one in the Sweet as Sugar Maple series. In this cute, closed door romance, Jane is trying to rebrand her farm to salvage it. At first, sparks fly until Trip realizes why Jane is here, then the wall goes up. Trip clearly has his own agenda for her to fail at every turn. This story follows the tropes of enemies to lovers (my favorite), closed door romance, and southern small town setting. And baby llamas!!!!!!
Jane was compassionate, smart, and struggles to ask for help. Trip is charming, grumpy, presents as a jerk to begin with, however, he is struggling with the death of his grandfather and some trauma from his childhood. I loved how the author represented that therapy is a good course of action when you’re struggling and putting the mark to destigmatize it. The characters were well developed, with witty banter, chemistry, and creatively woven. The supporting characters were top notch and I cannot wait for subsequent novels with some of their stories. The friend group that Jane was in was nothing short of amazing, every woman should have a friend group like that, to support, uplift, and enrich your life. The author’s writing style was complex, swoony, humorous, and engaging. I loved how the author portrayed the enemies to lovers theme, no meanness, just fun banter.
The story has trigger warnings of losing a loved one and neglectful parents. The next novel in this series will feature Millie and Duke (“Baby Llama Drama”) and I cannot wait for it. The book is available at KU. I highly recommend picking up today, available in Kindle and Physical formats (no audiobook available).
February 10, 2025
4.5 🌟 I loved this book. Wow!!!! So cute!!!
🍓He is such a good book boyfriend
🍓The banter was so cute and not childish, like sometimes enemies to lovers banter can be.
🍓 There wasn't really a third act break up, and any miscommunication or fight that they had it was quickly fixed, and they talked it out, which made my heart so happy! They handled everything like grown ups!
🍓Loved the setting SO MUCH and how he smelled like strawberries and soil 😍
🍓I've always wanted to own a strawberry farm, so this was like my perfect book
🍓Definitely not a slow burn. It had me hooked with the flirtation from chapter 2 or 3!
🍓Super closed door (which, personally I love), but it didn't lack any chemistry at all!
👎 The only con I can think of is I do wish there was a little more talk of the strawberries, like I wish that they had gone on a date picking berries or maybe him teaching Jane how to plant them but that's just my preference.
I would absolutely read this again, and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone!
🍓He is such a good book boyfriend
🍓The banter was so cute and not childish, like sometimes enemies to lovers banter can be.
🍓 There wasn't really a third act break up, and any miscommunication or fight that they had it was quickly fixed, and they talked it out, which made my heart so happy! They handled everything like grown ups!
🍓Loved the setting SO MUCH and how he smelled like strawberries and soil 😍
🍓I've always wanted to own a strawberry farm, so this was like my perfect book
🍓Definitely not a slow burn. It had me hooked with the flirtation from chapter 2 or 3!
🍓Super closed door (which, personally I love), but it didn't lack any chemistry at all!
👎 The only con I can think of is I do wish there was a little more talk of the strawberries, like I wish that they had gone on a date picking berries or maybe him teaching Jane how to plant them but that's just my preference.
I would absolutely read this again, and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone!
June 4, 2023
Jane is a a marketing exec, CEO of her company in Chicago that she owns with her most amazing friends. She is hired to revive a far in South Carolina. The farm owner's objective is simple, get the current caretaker to love the farm again.
When Tripp first meets Jane, sparks immediately fly, but they dim considerably once he realizes what the purpose of her visit is.
As they struggle to find their groove working together, sparks fly again. The pair are so fun together and I loved how vulnerable they were to each other.
I loved these characters, from the grandfather, to Tripp's friends and of course all of Jane's amazing girl gang.
Strawberry Fields For Never is a sweet clean feel good romance. It has the most amazing beautiful epilogue I have ever read. Seriously. EVER!
I had a feeling she was setting up for a 2nd book with these amazing characters, and I was right 🙌I am already dying of anticipation.
When Tripp first meets Jane, sparks immediately fly, but they dim considerably once he realizes what the purpose of her visit is.
As they struggle to find their groove working together, sparks fly again. The pair are so fun together and I loved how vulnerable they were to each other.
I loved these characters, from the grandfather, to Tripp's friends and of course all of Jane's amazing girl gang.
Strawberry Fields For Never is a sweet clean feel good romance. It has the most amazing beautiful epilogue I have ever read. Seriously. EVER!
I had a feeling she was setting up for a 2nd book with these amazing characters, and I was right 🙌I am already dying of anticipation.
December 4, 2023
Such a sweet, clean romance. Jane and her friends make my heart happy—we need more relationships like theirs in the world. And I can’t wait to read their stories. Of course, I can say the same about Tripp and his friends too. Kate Watson knows how to write a good romance with deeper themes, digging into our hearts with characters whose problems mirror our own. Plus, as a volunteer for a local farm, the setting had me hooked from the beginning! I’m so excited to see where Kate takes the rest of the series.
September 28, 2025
Super cute, feel good, clean love story. This was such a refreshing story with such a happy storyline. Loved this for a palette cleanse from my normal reading. I will definitely read the remainder of the books on the series.
January 2, 2025
Very cute. I listened to most of it during a busy day. The audio was excellent, the story has great characters and pacing.
January 1, 2025
3.5⭐️ closed door
May 31, 2023
SWOON.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 592 reviews