Autumn Crush

Rosedale Seasons #3

by Elle Waters

Could my teenage crush turn out to be my happily ever after?When I’m left a farmhouse in my father’s will, I plan to sell it fast and return to my real life as a film editor in Los Angeles. Jump cut to six months later, and I’m still here, avoiding going through my dad’s stuff. Okay, I’m avoiding my grief, too. Then my assistant editor asks if her brother can stay in my guest house while he organizes a charity bike race. Saying yes is easier than coming up with a creative excuse to stay in self-imposed isolation.

When Charlie rides up to the house for the first time, I experience a serious flashback. Could this handsome, athletic man be the grown-up version of a boy I fell for at seventeen? There's no way it could be him, right?

The minute he opens his mouth to say hello, I instantly know he’s the same boy only in a more delicious package—a bronzed god while I’m a pasty film geek. But he doesn’t remember me. Why should he? We were only friends for a few months before my dad and I moved for the millionth time.

Turns out Charlie does remember me, and we bond over having lost people we loved. Against all odds, there’s a spark between us. Sex is one thing—sharing a future is another. We’ll both have to change in order to make this crush into something that’ll last forever.

Autumn Crush is a stand-alone, second chance, childhood friends-to-lovers gay romance with plenty of sweet and steamy small-town goodness. Read it today!

262 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 23, 2024

About the author

Fueled by chocolate and canned wine, Elle Waters writes smutty small town romance with guaranteed happy endings. She lives with her family in Connecticut. Sign up for her newsletter to hear about her next release!

Elle loves to hear from readers at elle@ellewatersauthor.com.

Reviews

[Caroline Griffith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hallmates

We are back and Rosedale and it's Fall which is time for a new love story. I am a big friends to lovers troper but this one is a little bit different but equally as fun.

Drew and Charles were once Andy and Charlie, two seventeen year olds at Hall High discovering that their interest lie with one another despite their classmates going gaga for girls. But with Andy's father's penchant for moving they never got to divulge their attraction to guys or interest in the other. It would be mutual unrequited crushes.

Fast forward 15 years and they are Drew and Charles(but really Charlie) living on the same property while Drew sorts out the loss of his father less than a year prior and Charlie prepares to create a beautiful biking event in honor of his previous partner who died 4 years prior unexpectedly. There is some serious hurt/comfort going on and both men are in need healing.

Once their connection is revealed, things slowly come to light about mutual secret crushes and current interest. While things may start slowish they ramp up at a natural pace and the steam level rises the more and more they get more comfortable with one another.

Both men have baggage that may keep them from Rosedale ever after but thanks to some tough love and newly forged friendship this time getting to know an old friend can turn into an epic romance worthy of the silver screen.

Rosedale is a magical place where you can find love, happiness and purpose. It teaches us to follow your heart as it will lead you to rediscover passions and how to make your heart full and content. It was also fun to see some of our other favorite couples but it is Cinnamon who steals the show and we need more of him.

[Tara Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

After months, Drew hasn’t made any progress toward cleaning out his father's house so he can either move to Rosedale or back home to Los Angeles. He just keeps pressing forward in indecision. He likes his job and mostly likes his life in Los Angeles, but he also likes the house he inherited from his dad and can see that living in a small town has its perks. When he offers to let his employee’s brother stay in the guest house, he never expected it to be someone he knew from ten years previous. They both feel that connection they had; what are they going to do with it?

OPINION: This is such a lovely slice-of-life story. It is filled with reminders that if you don’t try, you can’t succeed. That being stuck is never going to get you anywhere. Drew is struggling with how to handle his emotions, things he hasn’t dealt with, and things that need to be examined. How did he get there? Traveling with him through a journey of realizing he can change and that he should move forward is wonderful. Charlie is there showing him how you can get over loss, and how you should grab on to things when they are presented because they might slip away. I enjoyed this story and read it quite quickly, I was drawn back to the story and was very invested it their story. They fall fast and embrace it while navigating unexpected but embraced feelings. There is plenty of spice in the story, which are well written and add to the story overall. You don’t need to read book one to enjoy book two but both are wonderful romance stories with the much needed HEA. Recommended for sure especially if you want a sweet, spicy, easy to read romance.

[Glenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a charming, happy ever after book.
Drew, known as Andrew in high school holds a grudge against his father for frequent moves and uprooting his family to move from town to town. Charlie is someone who has also been to several places and comes to decide that small town living with someone he loves, and a cultured and growing group of friends, is what he wants.

Charlie comes to Rosedale to organize a bike ride to increase awareness of the dangers of Lyme disease which killed his partner. He does not recognize that Drew is the Andrew he knew in high school for a short three months. In that time, he fell in love with him, but they were friends, and he harbored angst because he was a victim of Andrew's father fleeing one town to the other to escape not making decisions.

I was given an Advance Read Copy but this review is soley my work and my opinion.

Populated with characters from the first book, and promising more in the subsequent book, Elle Waters paints a pretty and enchanted picture of small town life. It's where people watch out after each, see opportunity in each person who comes into their town, and supports them.

I love when there is a journey for two guys that you know are going to be together. It's charming, endearing and warms your heart. There is a major angst that takes place right before Charlie's big bike event, but it gives our author time to reflect on Drew's father's flee and run complex. But it draws out Charlie's insatiable ability to see solutions, to encourage others, and it makes things right.

[Babara-Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

CHILDHOOD FRIENDS SECOND CHANCE LOVE!💕

The second book of the series revolves around childhood friends Andy and Charlie who had a connection for three months and crushes on each other at the tender age of seventeen and then went their separate ways until they meet fifteen years later again… inR osedale….

“most people don’t even get to have one epic love, I feel like I’ve been given the chance to have two.”

Can you have two great loves in your life?
Biking enthusiasts Charles Linden discovers the answer to that question that autumn when he goes to Rosedale to plan a bicycle race finding event to commemorate Lyme Disease and his boyfriend, who died of Lyme disease complications years ago…

Film Editor Andrew Hersh goes to Rosedale to pack up his deceased father’s farmhouse and hopes to not stay long until he sees his childhood crush Andy who goes by Andrew now and doesn’t recognise him…

I loved how easily they just flowed back into their friendship and picked up where they left off fifteen years ago with added benefits…

They were both lonely, touch starved and hurting and perfect for each other but… is it only for the autumn break or do both want more?…

Will they become Rosedalelians or go their separate ways…

I loved the community of Rosedale and how they always make strangers feel welcome especially Jack and Pete…

I look forward to find out about a certain florist next…

I voluntarily received an ARC from GRR for an honest non biased review.

[Shawna (endemictoearth) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy the small town vibes this author creates. This book actually reminded me a little of their novella His Birthday Wish, which I've read twice. There's that little drawn out friction of one knowing the other doesn't know who they are and how is it going to be resolved.

This sits somewhere between a friends to lovers and second chance romance, and it worked well for me. The widower aspect is another thing that I personally like reading different iterations of, seeing people get another shot at love and romance after their previous big romance ends in tragedy. Charlie is young to be widowed, but the situation is well explained and there is an inevitable echo of that in something that happens with Drew, but I liked how it was handled a lot.

Drew is also dealing with some stuff from his past, and Charlie's experience with grief and loss is useful and it's sweet to see them moving forward together. The MCs from the previous book are present, but don't intrude too much or detract from Drew and Charlie's story, and I enjoy the little digs in every book from the couple that move to Rosedale first, joking that they're tricking all their friends into moving to their small town. It's the tiniest crack in the fourth wall, but felt reassuring to me, somehow.

In my opinion, this series of longer novels is showing the growth in the author's writing and I am looking forward to reading the other two books.

Thanks to GRR for the review copy.

[L H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drew is tasked with sorting his late father's things but he is having a difficult time moving through the process. He has been in Rosedale for six months and he cannot get going so that he can ready the house for sale and return to Los Angeles where he lives and works. When his assistant asks if her brother can use his guest house, he agrees only to realize that he knows Charlie. They knew one another as teens and connected in high school but unfortunately Drew's father was a frequent mover and they lost touch. It is fifteen years later and both are working through grief - Drew's father has passed and Charlie is in town to organize a bike ride to raise awareness to the disease that killed his partner. While again in one another's presence they rekindle their friendship, although Charlie did not realize as quickly as Drew did that they had a history. They decide to use their time to have a fling that turns into a lot more as they get to know one another now and work through the kinks and obstacles of a new relationship. There must be something about Rosedale because they not only fall for one another, they fall for the town and stay put. I really like friends to lovers stories and this one was neat because it was also a story about healing and moving forward.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Precious · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so wholesome.

I enjoyed this book a lot more than the first book to be honest. I don't know, maybe I'm just a sucker for friends-to-lovers books.

Though I enjoy strict role books, this had me rethinking my preferences, in a good way of course.

Meet Drew, or Andy as Charlie remembers him as, an introverted, antisocial, though all that was needed was for him to be yanked out his comfort zone, thirty two year old who loves movies. He moves into his late dad's farmhouse and puts off actually doing something with it. He has a few emotional issues that have shaped him to be the way that he is; some say cold, I say adorable. He has been happy to live his life alone until he is asked for a favor. That favor being to house his high-school crush/first love.

Enter Charlie. He is a literal ball of sunshine. He gives so much golden retriever energy that it's sad to know about his past. I mean, shame man, this dude really has had it rough and yet he's so positive, sometimes insecurity may creep in once in a while and that just makes me want to hug the living daylights out of him.

If you enjoy, friends to lovers, boy next door, small towns, a cat that needs a lot more screen time, two hurt MCs and a lot of touching, then try this out.

//ARC Review//

[Pontiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drew is living in his father’s house after his death, but hasn’t made much progress with cleaning it up to sell. He lets his assistant’s brother stay in the guest house, but when he sees him riding up on his bike, he recognizes his teenage crush, Charlie.

Charlie is in town setting up a bike race for charity in honour of his partner, who died of a complication of Lyme disease. He doesn’t recognize Drew at first, but they do remember each other as friends with an interest in more.

Drew isn’t confident about his ability to attract Charlie, but once they kiss, they’re both into some fun while Charlie’s there.

But, neither of them tells the other about their growing feelings, until misunderstandings lead Drew to call it quits in a moment of self doubt.

They reconcile, and the bike race goes well. They move into Drew’s house fully and start making plans together, Rosedale capturing their hearts for a community to stay in.
I love this town and its people, Allie is a fun character, and Charlie’s race is a beautiful gesture.

I received this ARC for free and am glad to provide my honest review with thanks.

[Tanya Blue · Rating 4 out of 5]

After his mother's death when Drew was five, his father became somewhat of a nomad. He moved on at least once a year and sometimes up to three times. Andy, as he went by as a child, was nerdy, quiet, always the new kid, and by necessity a loner. His senior year he finally made some friends, Charlie, Paloma, and Sid. Three months later his father moved them away again.

Fifteen years later, his father has died leaving Drew a house in Rosedale, CT. Drew has come to "settle his father's affairs" that includes clearing out the house and putting it up for sale. Ironically, his assistant editor's brother needs temporary housing in Rosedale to organize a bike ride fundraiser to honor his late partner. The last thing Drew expected was to see Charlie riding back into his life.

Drew and Charlie weren't brave enough to explore their mutual secret crushes when seventeen, but will they be brave enough the second time around. They have both lived through a lot in the past fifteen years. They are both at a crossroad evaluating in which direction their future lies.

[bubblegumpopper · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's something very satisfying about a serendipitous love story. Drew (nee Andy) and Charlie had reciprocal feelings for each other during their brief friendship in high school, but before anything could happen, Drew was moved away by his father. Now, many years later, their paths cross again and they get a second chance with each other. Charlie's immediate acceptance that they could have something special between them was so refreshing to read, but for as much as Charlie is confident they have a future, Drew carries baggage from a childhood of being torn away and moved somewhere else, so permanence is a foreign concept for him. As frustrating as the third-act breakup was because it could have easily been avoided by them simply having a conversation about their future, it only lasted a mere handful of hours, so that was a relief! I am looking forward to the winter installment of the series!


***

I was provided with an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Charles Linden and Andrew Hersh briefly knew and liked each other in high school, before Drew had to move again. That separation has lasted fifteen years, and now Drew, home to manage his deceased father's estate, plays host to Charlie, though he doesn't know it will be Charlie until he sees him again. Once the recognition is mutual, they re-establish their friendship and take it deeper. Despite it starting as just two guys who are attracted to each other enjoying themselves, they both knew there was more happening between them. Then Drew echoes his dad's behavior and uproots himself because of fear. That was totally unnecessary, as far as I'm concerned, and it's what made it so I couldn't round this up. Grown men who have lived successful lives should have learned the lesson about having a conversation before making decisions that affect more than just themselves. Drew let his insecurities decide his course of action and almost ruined a great thing. I found Charlie more 'simpatico'.

[Amanda Winter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drew, living in his late father's house, hasn’t made much progress cleaning up to sell it. When he offers the guest house to his assistant’s brother, he’s stunned to recognise his teenage crush, Charlie, riding up on a bike.

Charlie is back in town to organise a charity bike race in memory of his late partner. Though he doesn’t recognise Drew at first, sparks fly as they recall their past friendship and mutual crush. Drew, unsure of himself, hesitates, but once they kiss, they dive into a summer romance.

Unspoken feelings lead to a misunderstanding that briefly pulls them apart, but they reconcile as the race succeeds and their bond deepens. They choose to stay in Rosedale, making a life together in the town they’ve both come to love. Allie, Drew’s assistant, brings charm and humour, and Charlie’s race is a touching tribute. This story beautifully captures love, community, and second chances.

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad and delightful! Drew and his Dad moved around a lot as he was growing up. When his Dad transitions, his will leaves a farmhouse to Drew. Drew, plans to sell the farmhouse as soon as possible and return to his life as an editor in LA. He is delaying processing his Dad's death and his new reality 6 months later. His assistant asks if her Brother can stay with him while he organizes a charity bike ride. Drew is shocked to find it's his old crush, Charlie. Once they acknowledge recognizing each other, they start down memory lane and make new memories. As their relationship progresses and they grow to love the town, they have important decisions to make. These two men have changed from when they were teens, but they quickly find common ground. They are both working through grief, growing closer and new realities. Good story, great flow, good character development. Good cover art! Nicely done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jack Harkness · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marmalade cat, crooked bottom tooth, Schwinn, 'just the tip' geriatric basset hound, peperomia

This is a sweet and cute book. There's medium angst that the MCs have difficulty getting over. All the characters are wonderful and extremely likeable. It's easy to picture the scene Elle Waters is trying to gorgeously convey.

Drew, a film geek and video editor, inherits property in Rosedale, CT from his father. It's a long way from his LA home. His editor assistant, Alyson, asks Drew if her brother, Charlie, can rent the guest house for a month. Charlie, in marketing, is a bike geek. Drew realizes Charlie is his long lost high school close friend and crush. Charlie thinks Drew is familiar but can't place him. It turns out that both men had crushed on each other back then. Will Rosedale work its magic again? Recommended.

[Bkwrm24 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drew and Charles ❤️

4.5 Stars ⭐️

✅ Small Town
✅ Hurt/ Comfort
✅ Second Chances


My heart ❤️ These two were so great together, I cannot tell you just how much these men had me from page one. This relationship build was honestly one of the more heartfelt and honest ones that I've read. These two characters were lovable and so well written but more importantly they fit together like two halves of a whole. I may have shed a tear or two throughout this story that's just how sweet and caring this relationship was. If you are looking for a beautiful love story this is it and I would wholeheartedly recommend. I hope this author continues writing this series, it's special.

* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *

[Ida Umphers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rosedale is turning out to be one of those magical small towns where people can figure out their lives and find the right person to spend that life with. Here, Waters does a wonderful job of creating a character who is paralyzed by grief and the feeling that while his life has been pleasant, there might be more out there. The arrival of a childhood friend from long ago, helps focus Drew's thinking and does the same for Charlie. As they rekindle the friendship and it rapidly develops into more, both men get the chance to examine where they want to go and how they might do that together. Loved the first book in this series and this one is even better.

[Malia Winger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super sweet second chance story for two men who have reached a crossroads. Drew is a film editor who has inherited a home from his father. The same father who kept him constantly moving and refused to put down roots. Drew did make friends with his high school crush Charlie but was whisked out of town by his father with no chance to say goodbye. Years later, Drew's coworker asks him to open his home rental to her brother. The brother turns out to be his long-lost crush. Charlie is hosting a memorial biking event for his late partner. I loved seeing Rosedale work its magic and healing these men enough to move on together.

[Traci S · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely second chance romance, I really enjoyed this one. In particular, I really appreciated the characters, Drew and Charlie are immensely easy to root for. This was not too angsty as Charlie and Drew try to embrace their connection and luck in finding each other again. I don’t love a late hour breakup, but with Drew’s past of moving around it makes sense he might struggle to trust his attachment to Charlie. Great characters in this series, I’ve read enjoyed both of the first two books in the series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Nina Diab · Rating 4 out of 5]

'“I’m glad you’re here, Charlie,” I say impulsively.
I immediately wish the words back, but he doesn’t make fun of me or shrink away. He looks over from where he’s getting butter out of the fridge and just says, “I’m glad I’m here, too.”'

I enjoyed this book. It was a sweet slice of life, second chance romance. I loved both Drew and Charlie. They were cute together and I liked the way their relationship developed. This is the first book I've read by this author and I would read more. 4 stars.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

🄰🅁🄲 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆
🄷🄸🄶🄷🄻🄸🄶🄷🅃🅂
🚲childhood friends to lovers
🚲second chance
🚲love after loss
🚲mod angst
🚲small town
🚲all the butterfly feelings

Loved this book! Second chance stories always get me with the feels, and this one hits the spot! Drew and Charlie had the best reconnection story and a wonderful HEA.

This book is perfect for a cool and crisp autumn day, especially with the small town vibes. Loved it!

[Thrilled Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so sweet! Charlie and Drew had been friends in high school, and haven't seen each other for 15 years. Drew's assistant arranges for Charlie to rent a cottage from Drew, not realizing that they know each other. Charlie's boyfriend had died 4 years ago, and Drew's Dad died recently. Both of them are dealing with loss in their own way, as they find their way to an HEA. This small town, no angst story is great for readers that love sweet, steamy small town romance!

[T Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Returning to Rosedale and visiting with old friends is always a good idea. This book has its own sweetness as well as interesting and likable characters. The storyline is fun and the love story has an interesting beginning and a perfectly lovely coincidental reconnecting. Easy to find yourself completely happy in this community of good friends. I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

His father died leaving a farmhouse and he intends to sell it quickly before going back to his life. Months later he is still there not facing his grief at all. He says yes when someone asks for a place to stay. They are the same man he had a crush on and it is going to become very interesting for them

[b00ks_in_nature · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a truly enjoyable book. It is childhood friends to lovers, second chance, hurt/comfort. Once again, the small town and its residents play a lovely role in the story. Watching Charlie learn to love again after his loss is rewarding. There is a shaky moment, but they find their sweet HEA.

[VicReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

i wanted to give this one a chance even though i didnt reallly like the first in the series and i hate to say but i felt the same way for this one. i didnt really connect with the characters and i felt that it was slow but fast at the same time. found myself bored from time to time

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book two in the series and we are back in the small town of Rosedale for this childhood friend’s to lovers second chance hurt/comfort romance story. I really liked Drew and Charlie as characters and was happy they finally got together and got their Hea.

[Amanda Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Autumn Crush is the second book in the Rosedale Seasons series and can be read as a standalone. This is a childhood friends to lovers, small town, fun, sweet read about Charlie and Drew. This had wonderful characters and a great story.

[Deb Kel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another lovely read. I thoroughly enjoyed Autumn Crush which was a nice feel good, second chance romance with great characters who were childhood friends. Plenty of heat with some really sweet moments.
I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review

[Amanda Grange · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the unrequited crush trope. It's so good! And the pining! It's a bit sad; Charlie's going through it, but the HEA is delightful. I love Elle's writing style, this is my second book, but needless to say, I've become a fan.

[Denise GremoryKohta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series. The characters and the ton just get a hold of you and make you feel a part of it. I like how real it feels. We all handle grief differently and that’s okay. We just need to know that it’s also okay to need help.