Under Pink Skies

Watford Sweethearts #1

by Alex Chrisco

Abbie Collins has lived her entire life in the small town of Watford, Washington. Five years ago, she had plans to marry her high school sweetheart and inherit her family’s business. Then her mother died of cancer, and the love of her life left town without a trace. When the town council asks for her help with putting on a summer festival to revitalize the local economy, Abbie jumps at the chance to put Watford back on the map.

Connor Harvey only has one regret: leaving the woman he swore he would love forever. He joined the military to run from his own demons and escape a past he’s unwilling to face. Having returned to Washington State after retiring from active duty, he now works at Winding Road Recovery with his best friends, a non-profit focused on getting veterans the help they need.

The chance for Winding Road to sponsor a local event forces him to confront everything he’s spent the last five years running from.

Because now, he’s going back to Watford. Back to her. And there’s nowhere left for either of them to hide.

In order to move forward with their lives, they must first face the past - and their complicated feelings for each other.

Under Pink Skies is a sweet, new adult, small town second chance romance with a happy ending and no spice. It’s the first in the Watford Sweethearts series, which is best enjoyed in order.

Genres: Second Chance, Romance, Military Fiction, Contemporary, Ebooks

291 pages, Paperback

Published November 15, 2024

About the author

Alex Chrisco is the author of romance stories with complicated characters working through tough problems and the love they find along the way. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, son, and spicy black cat. When she's not writing, she's curled up with a cozy blanket, a cup of coffee, and a romance book. She received her master's degree in English & Creative Writing in December 2023. Sign up for her newsletter to stay up to date on new releases!

Reviews

[Aakanksha · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was so cute! I loved this book so much. Loved the setting and the vibes this book gave. Loved both Abbie and Connor. The way Alex portrayed grief is noteworthy and it was so emotional. There were many parts where I was laughing, grinning and enjoying their cute romance. Overall a great book with a whole package of cute, swoony, heartwarming and emotional moments.
I love small town, second chance romance and found family tropes and this book delivered on those fronts so highly recommend this one.
Thank you so much Alex for the ARC! 💗

[Caitlinjoyful · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was gifted an early copy from Alex.

"Even after all these years, you are the one person I want to see at the end of the day." ~Connor Harvey

Super cute romance book filled with love, laughter and moments that will make you cry your heart out.

When Abbie is asked to run the Harvest Festival the last thing she expected was to be working with Connor, the man who left her.
Connor knows he messed up, but he is prepared to make things right just for one more chance at Abbie's heart.
Can they put their past behind them and work together to not only run the festival but rekindle a romance from years ago?

I really liked how cute this book was!
I knew going into it that I was going to spend over half the book with a grin on my face, but I didn't realise just how sweet and fun this book was going to be!
Don't get me wrong, when the hard-hitting moments happened I was close to tears. Alex gives grief such an incredible representation in this book!

I loved how Alex portrayed the different stages of grief and how it affects people differently. She did a really good job of making sure that the reader understands how Abbie is feeling.

Abbie's struggles were horrible and it was hard to witness her going through them, so when she finally started to let people (Connor) treat her with the respect and love that she deserves and we get to see this determined, strong young woman it is worth the wait.

Watching Conner tell Abbie things that he's never told anyone before and seeing how shocked he is when she doesn't turn and run is so heartbreaking. Knowing that he has been left time and time again and regrets the one time he left, the moment when someone stays and he allows himself to open up to them was wonderful.

I enjoyed getting to know Abbie and Connor and hope we get to see them in future books!

[kiara · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up ⭐️

WOW. what an amazing, sweet debut! I absolutely fell in love with Abbie & Connor 🥹 I also adored their little hometown of Watford. Second chance romance is quickly becoming one of my favorite tropes! I loved getting to see Abbie & Connor's love story unfold (again) and also get to see their individual healing arcs.

Alex truly wrote a beautiful & captivating love story, I read this book in almost one sitting! I just did not want to put it down. She is definitely going to be a new auto-buy author for me!

I adored the side characters in this book, so i'm totally looking forward to book 2! I also loved all the pop culture references (swifties, this one is for you) (the little one direction moment--actually teared up a lil)

this book does discuss some heavy topics, so just check the trigger warnings before reading as always 🤍🫶🏻

TROPES:
💖 second chance romance
✨ they've never stopped loving each other/it's always been you (!!!)
🏡 small town romance
💜 addiction recovery rep
💞 found family
🧠 mental health rep
🚪 closed door/no spice

***thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book to review.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Love isn’t supposed to be easy. More often than not, it’s about learning how to make sense of the mess you’ve inherited. You were kids when you fell in love for the first time. That doesn’t mean you can’t have it now, when it’s heavy and exhausting, beautiful and real.”

Under Pink Skies is a beautiful story of the magic of second chances. I adored the characters in this book, Abbie and Connor were dreamy, honest and so relateable. And I’m already excited for book two featuring two other characters I loved 😉 As an event planner, it was fun to watch the Founder’s Day festival coordination unfold and relate to the stress and joy of making it happen.

If you love small towns and second chance romances, you’ll enjoy this book.

Thank you to Alex Chrisco for the gifted copy of this book!

[Gemma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a fun read!

The characters

The way these characters reacted to each situation gave off those cheesy romcom vibes that I love!

The setting

I loved the setting in this book. It felt so cozy and like somewhere I would love to live. I also love how supportive the town is of each other.

The plot

This whole book gave off cheesy rom-com vibes, and it was too much fun. The second-chance romance mixed with other tropes made everything a million times cuter!



Thank you to Alex Chrisco for the e-ARC of this book! All opinions are my own.

[Julina Uecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book!





I normally cannot read the books i read without reading a second beside so i can switch between them. As i said this book is amazing its one of the few book i can't lay away for some other book.
The book is a small town romance with an friends to "enemies" to lovers trope which i didn't imagined to come out to be my new favorite small town romance book as i sit here now and reviews it so well.
The book has some military and abuse content in it. The writing style let you feel with the characters and put you in the story.

[Deepthi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its was a fun read and that’s just it.
Tropes: Second Chance Romance, small town, close proximity, Closed door romance

I thought it would be fun and sweet rom-com. I loved the sisterhood bond between Imogen & Abbie it was fun whenever they are together.

You could connect to the characters individually but together as a couple it felt more friendly. I felt the romance and chemistry is lacking.

It has some heavy themes do check CW’s. The grief parts of the book are well written and hit hard, brought tears to my eyes.

Overall it’s an enjoyable read. I am more interested in Kam’s book!!

[Abigail Sevcik · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️

So this is a short, easy little read. Unfortunately, it was not for me and it took me a little bit to work through it. It’s a small town, second chance romance, that includes difficult topics such as addiction and family loss. All of which I was excited about but for me it just seemed a little flat. The writing had a very scripted feeling. I didn’t feel these tough topics as deeply as you would have expected and the characters conversation just seemed very surface level.

I feel like a second chance romance is really hard trope anyway because not everyone deserves a second chance (if we are being honest) and this scenario just didn’t do it for me. I felt like there is a lot of therapy speak used, which isn’t bad, but just made everyone seem pretty fake and lacking depth and emotion to me. I think a lot of people will enjoy this book but unfortunately it wasn’t my cup of tea.

Thank you Alex Chrisco for the opportunity to read an eARC of this story.

[Anna Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute book. There was so much emotion packed into this book. I loved Small Town Second chance romance. I loved getting to know both Abbie and Connor and their heartbreaking back stories. There are some though aspects but it’s still good.

[Courtney Artmeier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute little romance no spice, but really enjoyed it The way they reconnected after a long time like it was nothing. I really loved it. Some parts did have me smiling and laughing. Can’t wait for the second book. .

[Chan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A small-town romance with some heavy topics. I really enjoyed the love and support the characters showed each other throughout the story. This was a wonderful debut, and I look forward to reading more!

TROPES:
- Second Chance Romance
- Found Family
- Small Town
- Hurt/Comfort

[jazmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was cute but slow! didn’t really do or give me much, did cover some see subjects which was nice to see

[Lizz_reads._ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a really great read for me. I loved the characters and the story of this book. 🤍🤍 The storyline was written really well. I enjoyed reading every second of it very much and was soo captivated. Can’t wait to read more of Alex Chrisso’s books. 🩷🩷

🩷TROPES🩷

Second chance
Addiction recovery rep
Complex characters
Real world problems
Sassy side characters
Small town
Implied intimacy/ closed door

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so good I loved it! The story was a beautiful one and I loved the characters. Did i cry while reading this? Yes i did but it does have a happy ending though! This was a great read I wish I didn't finish it so fast but it was just that good I couldn't put it down.

[Nessie Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Under Pink Skies is a soul-wrenching story that will have you reaching for a box of tissues and maybe a few chocolate bars to you through the heartache. But the pain is all worth it in the end and I would gladly let Chrisco do it all over if it meant I’d get to feel all of those roller coaster moments again.

To begin with, the story is phenomenal and it flows evenly that I didn’t feel lost or dragged for ages. Nor did it feel fast-paced. It had felt as though I was right there with Connor and Abbie as they struggled to pierce themselves together both as an individual and as a whole.

Don’t get me started on the relationship between them. There is only a handful of characters that has something I’d like to call a “true romantic relationship”—meaning that they didn’t just fit together for the story, they had actually fit together and them being together actually makes sense. I could actually feel the love and connection between the two of them in spite of all the years that has separated the two of them. It made them finally coming together all the more sweeter.

Connor is such a green flag. Although he had left Abbie when they were freshly out of high school, he continued to make sure his presence to Abbie wasn’t just a “hey, I’m back and I still like you so we should be together again”. No, it was more on a comfort level, showing Abbie that he is here now and will always be there to comfort her, but most importantly, that he will not pressure her into a relationship. He had made his intentions clear that he was only there as a moral support and lets Abbie take the reins, determining how their relationship goes. I love Connor.

As for Abbie, I thought I wouldn’t like her, but boy was I wrong. Abbie is a tough female character who proves that she can hold her own and can get through even the toughest day without any help. However, with all of the stuff that has gone through her life, Abbie has forgotten that it’s okay to lean on someone for a little bit of help. Seeing her character growth was amazing to witness and I cheered her on the entire time.

Under Pink Skies is a beautifully written story about finding peace within yourself to forgive those who you’d never have imagined to and to love yourself as is; and to find the will to give second chances even you feel those who don’t deserve it. The past may never treats anyone kindly, but finding the will to forgive and move forward is the best thing anyone can do—and I believe that’s what Chrisco has done with her book.


𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐱 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲!

[Iris · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this was an easy-to-read, cute love story, it unfortunately wasn’t the book to sell me on second chance romances.

First off, it wasn’t quite my cup of tea to find words such as ‘boomer’, ‘millennial’ and talking about ‘zoom meetings’. I think for me personally, I don’t really like it when authors mix in real life slang and things like that into their books, even when it’s supposed to set a realistic setting. I generally read to get a break from real life, whether it be fantasy or a modern-setting romance.

Secondly, I feel like the whole “keep things professional” was just unnecessary? They clearly agree on doing just that, but then they go asking questions about the past, Abbie stroking his cheek, them holding hands when they had lunch, etc. I feel like it would’ve made for such good pining and tension if they actually did try to keep it professional for more than a few chapters, but thats just a personal preference.

Another thing I found I didn’t really like was how this went from him leaving her without a word and regretting it for the whole time they were separated, to her having to apologize in the end. I knooow the whole hospital scene with her sort of retreating into herself led up to that, but still. She was begging him not to leave, and while he hadn’t planned to do that right away anyway, it felt sort of like a rerun of their past (and I think I just wanted him to be the one to realize he couldn’t leave her again BEFORE she realized herself that she wanted him to stay). I know it’s second chance, but I figured he was the one asking for a second chance and not the other way around, so it sort of felt weird that she would be the one chasing him.

I did enjoy the small-town vibe though, it makes for a really cozy setting. All in all, it was an okay read, but unfortunately not something that really captured me. I don’t think second-chance is a bad trope, I just think this wasn’t what I needed to be convinced it’s a good trope.

[Katty · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Grief is this wild, crazy thing. Some days, I feel like I have it under control, and other times, I feel like I’m drowning under the weight of it.”

Under Pink Skies was such a wonderful story of love, grief, and redemption. There was just so much heart that was placed into this story.

The focus wasn't about dwelling about the past, it was about finding a way to move forward, showing acknowledgement that grief affects everyone in a different way.

For Abbie, it was growing up way to fast and taking charge of her family's general store after her mother passed just shortly after her high school graduation and picking up the pieces as her father spiraled into despair, sinking to the bottom of a bottle.

For Connor, it was leaving in the middle of the night not bothering to look back. Thinking that by disappearing, it would be easier to escape the monster he relied on to care for him, even if it meant leaving behind the one person who made him feel safe and loved.

For five years, both Abbie and Connor grew into wildly different versions of themselves. Wading through the effects of anxiety and alcoholism, they learned how to, not be a better version of their younger self, but how to survive by leaning on others who care.

When Connor and Abbie reunite, it was clear that it was always meant to be the two of them. But the way that the author wrote them to deal with their struggles, re-learn to trust one another, and fully understand the gravity of their trauma was just so poetic.

I think that's what I loved the most about Under Pink Skies. Sure, I knew that they would be end game, but the road they traveled to get to that point wasn't rushed or forced—it felt realistic. They weren't trying to fall back in love. They were trying to understand how the years between them affected them, understanding that despite their lows, they never fully gave up a simmer of hope that maybe they would reunite in someway.

If you're looking for a story that is heartwarming, I highly recommend reading.

A big thank you to author Alex Chrisco for a gifted copy of Under Pink Skies.


This review is my honest and true feelings of Under Pink Skies. No part of this review was influenced, nor was the use of AI used in writing this review.
For any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me directly.

[Nahid Shaikh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Under Pink Skies by Alex Chrisco is a deeply moving story about love, resilience, and healing. Set in the small, tight-knit mountain town of Watford, Washington, it follows Abbie, a young woman shouldering family responsibilities as she struggles to keep her family’s general store afloat, care for her father, and confront her own grief. When Connor, her ex and first love, unexpectedly returns, their old feelings resurface amidst the pain and the memories they both carry. 🌄💔

Abbie’s and Connor’s journey is raw, honest, and filled with emotional depth. Abbie’s quiet strength shines as she faces immense challenges at home, while Connor’s return after his time in the military adds a layer of complexity, revealing the weight of his own regrets and unresolved trauma. The story masterfully balances their personal growth with the rekindling of their love, showing that true healing often requires facing the past head-on. 🌅❤️

The small-town setting is beautifully rendered, with lush landscapes and peaceful scenes that contrast with the intense, at times heart-wrenching, journey of Abbie and Connor. Chrisco’s writing brings Watford to life, making the reader feel like a part of this town’s highs and lows. 🌲🍂

Reading Under Pink Skies feels like living the characters’ struggles and triumphs right alongside them. It’s a poignant story that explores themes of family, forgiveness, and the resilience needed to rebuild one’s life and heart after loss. If you’re looking for a story that will make you both ache and hope, this one is worth the journey. ✨

[Taylor May · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 0/5

Release Date: November 15th, 2024

Under Pink Skies is a fun, second chance romance that will have you giggling and feeling heart broken for the characters. You get to watch the MMC and FMC grow through pain while also learning to love and find their way back to each other. This small town, second chance romance will have you on the verge of crying while also making you smile from ear to ear.

Abbie Collins, the FMC, has been asked to help plan a summer festival to help the local community. Little did she know she would be facing the one person from her past who left her and broke her heart.

Connor Harvey, the MMC, has returned from serving in the military and is running a non-profit to help get veterans the help they need. Little did he know he would soon be working with the person he swore he would love forever, but left.

Please!!! Before starting, read the trigger warnings at the start of the book. While none of this is happening in real life, some might still find the topics discussed in Under Pink Skies triggering.

This was an arc read for me, so I did receive an early e-copy of this book for free. My thoughts and review are 100% my own and are in no way swayed by the author.

[Jocelynn LeBlanc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Under Pink Skies
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Alex for the opportunity to read your debut novel before release. I am so thankful and glad I was able to read and review this cute romance book for you. My heart is still full from reading it.

This was such a pleasure to read. I don’t read much second chance romances, but Alex you did it perfectly for their stories. I enjoyed this throughly and I can’t wait for more characters stories within this world!

I was so captivated and engaged with both Abbie and Connor and their stories. I wanted to hug them both because of everything they have went through for the past five years since Connor left. Their story was just so heartfelt and cute. I liked them a lot.
I’m excited to read more from Alex !! Such a beautiful debut novel, Under Pink Skies comes out November 13th! 💞🫶🏼

This book does have heavy topics, such as alcoholism, cancer, physical abuse, etc. so be aware of those warnings if they’re not up your alley to read!

Tropes
📖 small town romance
📖 found family
📖 mental health rep
📖 closed door, no spice
📖 second chance romance

[brianna ! · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️

Okay i think I’m about to just binge read small town romance books now because of this book. Omg! This was such a cute book and I devoured it. I loved both Abbie and Connor, they were absolutely adorable together. Abbie and honestly Connor were such inspiring characters. They both struggled and were hurting but throughout this book they healed,they learned and they loved! I loved the character development. Also the angst and tension throughout this book was *mwah* chefs kiss!! It’s not a small town romance without the angst! I will also say knowing who the next book is about I think Alex did such an amazing job of teasing the tension between Imogen and Kameron but not giving us too much! It hooked me and I want to know what’s going to happen! I’m so excited to get my hands on the next book!!

Overall, this was such a cute and easy read! Such a swoony, emotional but loving read! This is my first book by Alex Chrisco but definitely won’t be my last! I can’t wait to read sunny skies ahead!! 🪓🩷

[Brittany Rolph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, and the depth that it had. It is definitely a heavy book, so please look up triggers before you read it. Alex does give trigger warnings at the beginning.

This was a beautiful story about healing and rekindling love, and allowing others to help when you need it. After loosing her mom, and having her life basically turned upside down overnight, Abbie has had to try and survive, while taking care of her dad and running their store. She's barely holding on when her high school love Connor comes back in the picture. Connor has had his fair share of struggles as well since he left his small town behind. He's had to overcome his past, and face his demons head on.

Watching both of them let their walls down and let each other back in was real, and raw, tender and beautiful. This was an inspiring story, and I am excited to read the second in the series!

[Bailey Gaddis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Under Pink Skies is an emotional, romantic ride. Connor and Abbie have both been through so much in their lives, some of it together and some apart. They were high school sweethearts and planning a future together when tragedy hit Abbie’s family. Connor dealing with his own issues left the small town they lived in without a word causing Abbie to heal from two heartbreaks instead of one. This story brings the two back together after each has been able to experience more of life, the good and the bad. I love that we get to see the two of them fall in love again even after everything that has happened! To be honest, the characters in this book seem much more mature than the ripe old age of 23. I had a hard time picturing them that young, but life has a way of making you grow up. This was an excellent story of growth, and second chance love!

[Hannah Hayek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeahhh so this was incredible. First off, I was gifted this by Alex as part of a Calli campaign for her.

Second, regardless of that, I devoured this SO FAST.

The way it explored such emotional topics with care made it a beautiful story. The way that Connor and Abbie are just two human beings trying to work through their shit enough to be together was very well written. I really enjoyed coming along for the journey, meeting the side characters, and seeing how it all came together at the end.

Also, Imogen was an incredible side character and this book set her up for SO much success. I’m gonna need the second book ASAP.

Thank you to Alex for letting me work with you on this little campaign, but more importantly, thanks for writing this book! This has been a very easy five stars to give. 🫶

[Lols · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be given an ARC of this book prior to release. I am yet to find a second chance romance that I really enjoyed and my search is still on following this book.

I really enjoyed the small town feel and it very much gave ‘Gilmore Girls’ vibes, so if you’re a fan it might be for you!

There was a little bit too much pining for me on this book and it was very ‘insta-love’, so if you like that trope maybe this will be for you. The pacing of the book didn’t work for me, I didn’t expect so much to suddenly happen in the last 15% of the book and I didn’t like how the characters came across in that section.

Albeit, a good debut novel, just not the style for me!

Thanks again for the ARC and to confirm all opinions are my own.

[Chhaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's sweet, swoon-worthy, and cute small town romance book with a beautiful vibes. It was filled with love, grief, fighting own demons, laughter and tearful moments.

More than half of the story I was grinning like an idiot and at some moments I cried as well. I love how Abbie and Connor fit each other like the puzzle pieces. Abbie being there for him even after listening to his secrets and Connor being there to comfort her and support her is my favourite part of the story. Abbie and Connor have the connection and love.

I loved this cute story with healing, and forgiving vibes. The side characters were well written with beautiful bond. Can't wait to read more of Alex's books.

Overall, go for it, if you love second chance romance, small town romance, found family tropes.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

soo incredibly sweet!

honestly, it started off a little slow for me, but definitely picked up. it deals with a lot of hard, real life issues, but the romance and swoon worthy quotes are what pulls you in. recently I've been reading more spicy books, but it was nice to take a little break and have what I like to call a palate cleanser, haha. it's like I needed to reset, and this was such a great book for that. I truly loved Connor and Abbie's relationship and you could tell they were both all in, they just had to deal with crappy stuff life threw their way. def. recommend if you're looking for a non-spicy, super romantic, sweet love story!!

[Maaike Nota · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a beautiful book set in a small town and has such intriguing, interesting and well-written characters.
I loved getting to know both Abbie and Connor and their heartbreaking back stories. The themes are tough but done so well that I was rooting for them and smiling and clapping along the way.
The people of the town, from the policemen to the proprietors who take part in the festival that Abbie and Connor have to arrange are great people.
Their friends are also awesome additions and really provide a well-rounded story and definitely makes me want to read another book in this series to find out what happens next!

[Trinity Row · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written so beautifully! It is so easy to see that the author felt such a deep connection with this story. The pain and heartbreak experienced by these characters is so tangible and I feel as though the author did a great job at discussing some really heavy topics.

Due to the heavy topics in this book, I would highly recommend reading the author’s content note at the beginning of this book before diving into this story.

I love the little world @alexchriscoauthor has created and I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series when it comes out in Spring 2025!

[Harsharan Malinao · Rating 4 out of 5]

A huge thank you to Alex for sending me an eARC of this book! Definitely has some heavier themes so read the trigger warnings.

Tropes:
- Small town romance
- Close proximity
- Mental health rep
- Second chance

Honestly this started out a little slow for me, but I’m so happy I continued reading this. Under Pink Skies is an amazing debut! It was both heartbreaking and healing - I loved being able to read Abbie & Connor’s love story. I also really enjoyed the other characters mentioned; I can’t wait to for Kam & Imogen’s story.