Broken & Torn

Emerald Falls Novels #1

by C.N. Rudy

Lyla
On a whim, I moved to Emerald Falls.
I was attempting to escape the past that haunts me every day, even in my dreams.
What I didn't expect was to run into the most infuriating stranger on my first day in town.
Parker Hamilton hated me when we met, but he would grow to become the one person I could bare my soul to.
The one person that didn't hide from my darkness.
But could he save me from myself?

Parker
After my fiancé left me four years ago, I closed myself off to people.
I became the town grump, isolated in my cabin up the mountain, and swore off love.
Until her.
Lyla Thomas rammed into my life at full force, and despite our less than ideal first meeting, she slowly maneuvered her way into my heart.
I can tell she keeps her cards close to her chest, but that only fuels my desire to break down her walls.
But will she let me in?

* This is book one of an interconnected standalone series. Please check trigger warnings at the start of the book before reading. Subject matter covered in this series includes serious topics and is considered 18+. *

Genres: Romance

292 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 30, 2025

About the author

C.N. Rudy is originally from Calgary, Alberta, and now resides in Edmonton with her husband and their cats. She has wanted to be a writer for as long as she can remember, and is thrilled to finally be living her dream.
Growing up, she struggled with her mental health, which carried into adulthood. After a journey of self growth through therapy, she is finally ready to share her stories. Her ultimate goal in life is to raise awareness and start the conversation surrounding mental illness. She's extremely passionate about writing romance novels that also include themes of mental health & trauma, and she hopes that through these stories, she can make someone in this world feel seen.

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a debut self published novel I was impressed. As a fellow Albertan, it was nice to be able to really visualize the area being talked about in the book. I appreciate the mental health rep and that both main characters had their own struggles.
I'm looking forward to seeing where this series takes us.

[hellothriftypages · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️Book Review⭐️

Broken and Torn
Book 1 in The Emerald Falls Series by @authorcnrudy
Rating: 5⭐️
Spice: 2🌶️

“I’m a patient man, but I’m no saint.”

My first ever book by @authorcnrudy , and it definitely won’t be my last! From the very first page, I was hooked and transported to the beautiful, picturesque mountain town in Canada. The descriptions of this idyllic smalltown were so vivid that I felt like I was right there with Lyla, driving into her new home.

Now, onto the story…WOW! C. N. Rudy held nothing back with Parker and Lyla’s journey. It’s the perfect blend of humor, spice, and deep emotional connection. There are some heavy topics covered here, so definitely check the TWs, but Rudy handles them with such care and compassion.

Parker, our MMC, is the most caring and emotionally supportive man ever. At first he’s a bit of a grump thanks to his broken heart, but as the story unfolds, his true self shines through and he’s an absolute teddy bear. The way he constantly reassures Lyla (even just as friends) that he’ll always keep her safe completely melted my heart.

And then there’s Lyla-sweet, sweet Lyla. It’s hard to believe she came from such a broken and abusive home because she radiates sunshine through and through. I admire her strength, her resilience, and her ability to keep fighting even when life throws darkness her way. Without giving spoilers, that final desperate act shattered me.

With pasts so broken and torn, Parker and Lyla become exactly what the other needs: light in each other’s darkness. They deserve their HEA and I’m so happy they got it.

If you love smalltown romance set in the breathtaking Canadian mountains, filled with raw emotion, healing, and hard but important topics, I highly recommend Broken and Torn!

Tropes
•small town romance
•city girl/smalltown boy
•grumpy/sunshine
•dislike to friends to lovers
•”who hurt you”
•mental health rep

QOTD: what’s your favorite book set in Canada?

[Sharon A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quote: “I think sometimes we find people that make it easy to be ourselves with.” “It’s like we recognize their soul within our own, it comes so effortlessly.”

Her debut novel and took on some heavy topics and wrote it so kind, empathetic and thoughtful. What is not to love about Lyla and Parker. Lyla is leaving her home of Edmonton for a new life in a small town hoping to outrun her past. Parker is a grumpy broken hearted homebody who loves his small town. His first encounter with Lyla is when she is heading into town and crashes into the back of his truck. He is absolutely non too happy with the city girl coming into his town and to his dismay she ends up being his CoWorker at their family book store. He has no patience for Lyla but also can’t help but be drawn to her as do others in the town but she is hiding secrets afraid to share in fear her whole world will crumble. Parker starts to soften up to her because you can’t help it her smile and positive attitude is contagious. Will they become more then best friends, can Lyla be honest with him about her past, will he still want to be in her life, can Lyla overcome her demons from her past? Definitely check the trigger warnings on this book but can’t wait for the next chapter in this series.

Thank you to @authorcnrudy for this ARC Copy.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

So proud of C.N. Rudy for writing this incredibly heartfelt and beautiful romance.

I alpha read this book so I was excited to receive an ARC and read the book fully formed!

Lyla is in need of a new start and in the process of getting it she rams her car into someone as she's coming into town. Parker. And Parker's pissed. And the banter is so good.

Soon we find out Lyla has a job at a book store that Parker's dad owns and they have to work together.

Working closely together and with the push from Parker's dad, he starts to warm up to her, and she to him. Two gentle and soft personalities that soon find comfort in each other.

This book is deep and emotional and has some heavy moments in regards to mental health. The second half of this book is where all of that shines, and I think C.N. writes some incredibly vulnerable and moving scenes.

A well done debut and I'm so excited to see what else comes from this series!

[Caitlin H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This small town romance was the perfect read for my trip to the mountains this week, and an amazing debut novel by a local Alberta author.

Lyla and Parker have my heart! I enjoyed watching their relationship grow and change. Their banter was funny, the romance was swoonworthy, and it had just the right amount of spice.

The mental health representation in both characters really resonated with me, and it added a beautiful and heartbreaking depth to the story.

Can't wait to read the next book in the series 📖

[Jenessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I saw she was a Canadian based author, the story surprised me and kept me on my toes. The trauma that both characters went through and the pain you felt for them gave me all the emotions. That being said the author took great care writing about these things

[Cara bunnypop_bookstagram · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t think I have the right words to sum up how beautiful, emotional and heartfelt this book is so I’m keeping it short and saying read for yourself!

To me, Parker and Lylas story is one full of love, loss and perseverance.
Some might read this book and feel the love between the MC’s is too intense. To me it was written in a way that you could feeeeeel the love coming off the pages, I felt like I was there with the characters and going through all the emotions with them and it floored me.

The experiences Lyla has been through are just heartbreaking but I enjoyed her journey and the representation of mental health here. It was really well done.

I thought the supporting characters in this book were brilliant - even the ones you’re meant to dislike!

I cannot wait for book 2 in the Emerald Falls series!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

[Danica Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was crying in every chapter…

[Riris.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken & Torn is C.N. Rudy’s

This debut novel was so good! It's a small-town, slow-burn romance. It's emotional, heartfelt, and beautifully written.

Lyla moves to Emerald Falls to escape a painful past, hoping for a fresh start. What she doesn’t expect? Rear-ending a grumpy local named Parker on her first day. To make things worse (or better?), he ends up being her coworker at the town’s family-run bookstore.

Parker wants nothing to do with the city girl at first, but Lyla’s warmth and resilience slowly break down his walls. The two go from strangers to coworkers to something much deeper, but Lyla’s still carrying secrets and she’s scared of what will happen if she lets Parker in.

This story handles some heavy themes with so much care and empathy. Lyla and Parker feel real, flawed, and incredibly easy to root for. It’s one of those romances where you feel the connection building with every page.

If you love character-driven romance with depth, this one’s worth picking up.

4.5 ⭐️
3🌶️

Tropes 💗

Grumpy x Sunshine

Small Town Romance

Coworkers to Lovers

Found Family

Slow Burn

Check TW!

[sam | sammylou.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I’m broken, Parker. But every jagged pieced of me belongs to you. You have made me feel more myself, and more at peace than I have my entire life.”

Man, oh man. This book made me cryyy. I struggle with some of the things Lyla does and I was not prepared 😭
The mental health representation was done super well, but be sure to check out the TW before diving in!

Parker & Lyla’s story was so beautiful and I appreciated the way C.N. wrote an emotional MMC. He starts out grumpy but you quickly learn he's really a softie, just super guarded with has anxiety (me too, my dude.) Same for Lyla, she had so many walls up and I loved her character growth and watching her open up to Parker.

Back to Parker- my mannnns. There were some heartbreaking scenes in this book for sure, but also some spicyyy spice to balance it out 🥵

“Keep calling me an old man, and I will shove my c*ck so far down your throat that you’re gagging on those words. I’m thirty-five, not eighty.”

Overall a beautiful debut and I can’t wait to be back in Emerald Falls and get Daddy Theo’s story 😈

𝐀𝐝𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐁𝐑 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲:
🏔️ Small Town, Mountain Setting
🩵 Mental Health/Trauma Rep
🏔️ City Girl x Country Boy
🩵 Found Family
🏔️ Slow Burn
🩵 Funny Meet Cute

[Gina Blades · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ 2🌶️ BROKEN & TORN by C. N. Rudy. This is book 1 in the Emerald Falls series, and my first book by C. N. Rudy. I adored Lyla & Parker’s story! It’s gut-wrenching at times but a beautifully-written debut novel with a focus on mental health.

Lyla Thomas moves to Emerald Falls, a small mountain town, after living her whole life in the city. She’s starting a new job at a bookstore, and hoping to reinvent herself. She runs into (literally, she rear-ends him) Parker Hamilton when she’s driving into town. He’s broody, grumpy, and thinks she’s a typical city girl/tourist that will quickly hate small-town life & leave. His dad owns the store, so he will be working with Lyla. Oops. 🙊 She already feels at home at the bookshop - the job also comes with a small apartment above (Cassie is her roommate and she’s a fantastic side character). His mom died - the store is his life because it’s her legacy. He thinks Lyla is beautiful, infuriating, has an attitude, and he prefers more submissive women. 🤣 He has anxiety, and a past relationship left him untrusting of people, so he doesn’t let anyone in.

Soon Parker realizes that Lyla is good at her job, everyone loves her, and he was wrong about her. They spend a lot of time together, become friends, and slowly they let each other in. He listens, makes her feel safe, and helps her through panic attacks. He’s giving her the stability she’s never had, and proving that she can rely on him. She thinks she’s hard to love but Parker shows her that she’s easy to love. He stands up for her to her so-called friends. 👏🏻 He falls for her - even in her darkest moments that Lyla doesn’t want him to see. Parker is her person - he understands her, sees her, is the first person to invest in her. Emerald Falls becomes a true home for Lyla, and she finally finds her tribe. When Cassie tells Parker to be good to Lyla because Lyla is her best friend, and Lyla got emotional? That got me. 🥹 She’s never had a real friend. 😢 I love Cassie! You created a great bestie for Lyla.

❤️ She likes to draw ✍️
❤️ He trails his nose up her neck 🫠
❤️ ‘Use your words’ 😮‍💨
❤️ ‘Eyes on me, baby’ 🤭
❤️ ‘Now be a good girl’ 🥵
❤️ Parker sees every jagged piece and still thinks she’s whole

Favorite quotes:
"I don't think anyone has ever seen me the way that you do. I spent my whole life feeling like I was the problem, like there was a reason I was abused and why my friends didn't seem to care for me. But I think now I'm realizing that I was surrounded by the wrong people.”

"You're safe with me, Lyla. I promise."

‘Parker has given me something that I wasn't sure I would ever receive. Love.’

"You're my best friend, Parker. I've never had a best friend and I'm terrified of losing you."
"You won't. I'll always be here for you, in any capacity."

"You have been, and always will be, enough for me.”

"I think sometimes we find people that make it easy to be ourselves with. It's like we recognize their soul within our own, it comes so effortlessly. I think my soul recognized you, Lyla. It's been as easy as breathing to be myself with you."

"I love you, Lyla. Nothing can scare me off and I promise to continue to love every part of you.’

“I fell in love with every piece of you. And I'm not afraid of the dark."

“Well, I feel like maybe I'm not broken. Maybe I've just been taught to see myself that way."
“If you're broken, then I'm torn.”

Read this if you like:
*Small town romance
*Bookstore setting
*Slow burn 🔥
*Friends to lovers
*Age gap
*Mental health/therapy rep
*Childhood trauma/healing
*Broken FMC/MMC
*Grumpy MMC
*Strong FMC
*Grief
*Art as therapy

This book touches on some heavy topics, so please check content warnings before reading.

Content warning: bullying, depression, mania, domestic violence (mention), child abuse (past, flashbacks), panic attacks, PTSD, death of parent (cancer), self-harm, suicidal ideation/attempt

I’m excited for book 2 - Cassie’s story

Thank you to C N Rudy for the gifted ebook!

[Magali · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a debut!!! Are you kidding me?!? The heart in this book, gosh. I have a lot to say, please bear with me.

Things I LOVED:
- I felt for Lyla on a visceral level, and I will be continuing to root for her for a very long time. She may be fictional, but her story is real and FEELS real and to anyone feeling as lost as she is, I am in your corner.
- The mental health scenes (I don't want to give away too much) were were written with such despair and loss, but also hope and love which is a perfect mirroring of the journey of mental health.
- That the ending was just for her. This felt like Lyla's story, and although there is a love story at the forefront, I'm so happy that the book's ending was for HER, not for them.
- Yes Parker helped her throughout, but I LOVED that her highs and lows continued post them being together. Nothing worse than the insinuation that a dark handsome man is the answer to our mental health problems. She continued to ride the wave of her struggles, but Parker was there by her side.
- Parker's sweetness and loyalty, combined with his sexual desire for Lyla and his dirty mouth in bed was the best whiplash I have ever experienced in my life. Thank you, and goodnight!
- Pacing! It's rare that I comment on such a technical aspect of a story but as a wannabe writer who is passionate about mental health, this is where I have struggled the most. Because mental health issues are a long game - there's a lot of tedious internal monologues and mental back and forth. This can slow a story down, but I thought Rudy did an UNBELIEVABLE job at balancing this with her plot. It flowed so well.
- I also liked that the third act event wasn't a break up. I could feel myself getting anxious knowing that something was about to happen and god I love that feeling, and then BOOM. Heartbreak. I love you, Lyla.
- Theo. That is all. He is a side character that I loved and so I just need to mention him.

Things I didn't 100% love:
- This was a little insta love for me. I like a bit more of a slow burn. Once they got passed the enemies stage and became close friends, it felt a little too easy. THAT BEING SAID - I do think it offers a good reprieve from the heavier topic of mental health. But what can I say, I live for heart wrenching angst in all aspects, so this is a personal thing. Personally, I would have preferred a bit more push and pull for the couple. But also totally understand why the author didn't opt for this. Ughhh I keep going back and forth. Anyway, there was a little bit of angst missing for me in terms of them getting together.
- I feel like we lost some of their early on banter in the second half. Lyla had a few sassy one liners at the beginning and would have loved to see more of that throughout.
- I wanted more of Parker and his anxiety, and how that affects him with Lyla and maybe his own mental back and forth about being with her...? So when he does it's like - YES FINALLY, and then HEARTBREAK BOOM. Maybe I need therapy hahaha. Anyway, as much as this is Lyla's story in my opinion, I really enjoyed Parker and would have liked more of him.

All in all - an INCREDIBLE debut. The mental health scenes were so well written and I felt everything on a visceral level. SO much heart in this book!

Thank you thank you, Cierra for the ARC!!

[Emilie [Vitals and Villains] · Rating 4 out of 5]

🏔️ Broken & Torn ❤️‍🩹
✍🏼 C.N Rudy
📚 Emerald Falls #1
💚 Em's Review

This was a heartbreaking and beautiful story that highlighted the importance of finding your people. I would recommend checking the triggers before reading this if you have certain sensitivities but I found the difficult topics to be extremely well thought out and approached with care. I personally love books that allow me an inside look into brains that have different challenges than mine.

Lyla moves from the city to the small town of Emerald Falls to start a new life after many years of trauma. She gets a job at the local bookstore and immediately finds a home amongst the locals. I loved seeing her thrive and find the sense of belonging that she had been so desperately missing. I love found family and this book was full of it.

Parker is instantly enthralled by Lyla, even if there initial meet cute (if you can call it that) was a little rocky. Seeing their relationship move from enemies(ish), to friends, to lovers made my heart happy 😊. Also the way Parker stood up for Lyla and protected her 🔥 🥵. He stood by her through some serious turmoil and they came out on the other side stronger with each other.

The last thing I loved about this book was the setting. Jasper has always held a special place in my heart. It was the halfway point for my husband and I's long distance relationship when we first met. We would meet in the middle in Jasper to camp among the mountains, it's where we fell in love with each other 💞

[Lindsay Bray · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tropes/Themes: Small town, a not so cute, meet cute, found family, grumpy & sunshine, Canadian mountain town setting, healing, friends to lovers, mental health rep, age gap (9yrs)

Review: It was nice seeing mental health represented and this author certainly didn’t shy away from it. While this book wasn’t for me, I am especially intrigued for Cara’s book.

There were some pacing issues, which I find to be common with a new author’s debut book. The writing felt choppy when transitioning from scene to scene. The plot was slow yet like I was missing out on things at the same time. There were certain phrases that kept popping up, specifically ones regarding a character letting out a breath or holding their breath.

Lyla and Parker’s relationship just didn’t work for me. Both of these characters struggled a lot with their own trauma and mental health challenges. They were healing and managing things very differently. They were constantly in two very different headspaces throughout the story. Neither of them did well communicating what they needed from the other character and it all came down to insecurities and fear. The fear of rejection, the fear of loss and of not being enough. Secrets and choosing not to communicate is not a sign of a deep and meaningful relationship growing. Both characters were aware early on that there were past traumas, and mental health struggles. (You don’t necessarily need to know the extent or details in order to know that you need to communicate with someone to make a relationship work.)

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lyla & Parker
Oh My Gosh, y'all I don't think I have the right words for her. This book was absolutely remarkable and so beautiful written. I went on an emotional rollercoaster with these two in the best way possible, I giggled and kicked my feet, I swoon and melted & I also sobbed at points (I'm saying a bug got in my eye if you ask)I could feel this book healing a part of my soul down deep and I'll forever cherish her for that. I absolutely loved seeing this journey that Lyla & Parker go on, watching them fight their demons and fight for the life they deserved even when they felt like they didn't was beautiful and so freaking refreshing to witness. I love how strong and resilient Lyla was on her journey to find happiness and shed her past and find herself. I love how sensitive and patient Parker was at all times underneath that grumpy exterior. I have never related to two characters more then I did with these two. 

5/5 Recommend this book. I absolutely adore this book so much and for her to be the first read of the year! I'm so excited I took a chance on this one, she is more on the heavy side and dives into the hard topics that most shy away from, but she was done with such respect and care. I felt so comfortable with these two characters and related to Parker with his anxiety and the struggles he went through, I really related to Lyla in chapter 37 (iykyk) 

[ADANNA · Rating 5 out of 5]

B&T

As a debut artist with her very first book I think C.N Rudy is very brave for exploring the sensitive topics she does. She does not glorify nor diminish the truth behind mental health and the struggles felt daily. She has written it in a way that tries to help understand what Lyla is going through in a way that feels true and honest. In fiction it is easy to romanticize overcoming challenges and majority of what I have read include having both main characters as the driving force and as much as Parker was there to support Lyla, it was awe inspiring to have the female main character have a breakthrough and do what she needed to do for her. To show the strength and courage it took to say she needed help and the work she put in is evident when Lyla hiked to the falls to celebrate her accomplishments. This is objectively a romance book hence all the 🥵 scene( and who doesn’t love a hot older man talking dirty to you ) but I feel like it’s a book about falling in love with yourself for the first time. With that being said I had goosebumps while reading this. The mix of humour and seriousness kept me glued to the book. I couldn’t help but fall in love with Emerald Falls and those who live there. I can’t wait to read their stories.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
3🌶

What an incredible debut novel!!! I was given the absolute privilege of receiving an ARC for this story and I am blown away!

If you want to feel a wide range of emotions while reading a book, this is your kind of read. I smiled, I laughed, I wept; I felt hope and sorrow and joy and heartbreak. It truly gives you everything. And the way the words paint a picture?! Phenomenal.

Lyla and Parker's story is real and raw and beautiful. Two people, battling their own inner demons and trauma, finding each other and helping the other without it reading as trauma bonding or codependency. I loved that Lyla wasn't portrayed as a typical "damsel in distress" because she is strong and fierce, even with her struggles. The fact that finding each other didn't magically solve their individual mental health issues was also wonderful to read because it's so much more true to real life. C.N. Rudy does a fabulous job describing and depicting mental health on page. You truly experience this story through the eyes of the MCs.

Quick notes of other things I really enjoyed in this novel:
- Small town, mountain setting (gorgeously described)
- Fleshed out side characters that make you want MORE of them (Theo 😍)
- Found family
- Nods to other writers and books (Lyla works at a bookstore)

PLEASE READ TRIGGER WARNINGS: they give clear and advanced warning of some of the themes in the story that are definitely difficult (but important) to read.

[Abi · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review

The story follows Lyla who moves to the small town of Emerald Falls looking to make a fresh start and leave behind her painful past. When she and Parker cross paths, there is a lot of mistrust and animosity between them. Eventually they form a bond based on their shared experiences and their love for books.

This book completely took me by surprise. It is a heartbreakingly beautiful story about the struggles of mental illness, loss, heartbreak but also about hope, healing and the power of love. This was definitely a slow burn romance. Both of them had their own struggles and found comfort and strength in each other. I appreciated that the author wrote about a MMC who was not afraid to talk about his feelings and his struggle with anxiety and grief. My heart broke for Lyla. The people she trusted the most to love her and keep her safe, were the ones who betrayed her. This book contains some darker themes so please check the trigger warnings.

This book certainly had some heartbreaking moments that made me tear yup but also plenty of swoon worthy ones that put a smile on my face.

Thank you C.N. Rudy for this ARC in exchange for my honest reviews.

[Gemmia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am obsessed with that book!

It took me two days to finish that book. It is so GOOD and I have been obsessed with that book. It just remind me about my boyfriend who supports me for my depression and anxiety. He didn’t give up on me and always listen and giving me advice. I love that book but I wish she should write more about it, but it is really good! I give 5 rates. Way better than other book that I read before. I love when Parker has been there for her, didn’t give up on her and always being there for her when she needed him most even though it was really hard for her to push Parker away. And I love how her two best friends has been supporting her and taking classes. It melt my heart. I love that book. Keep it up please. I beg you. I definitely will buy that book and all series book whenever you finish these books. Don’t EVER give up, you can do this!! I believe in you! I have a major depression disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, which it is not even fun but I’m glad that you wrote that book about mental health. That what I really love. Ok I’m going to stop ranting lol. Keep it up!!!

[Alana Lewis-Haynes (Smut Lover Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Thank you to C.N. Rudy for providing me with an ARC for an honest review!

I am so in awe of my friend. I got the honor of reading this book at its first draft. It blew my mind, and then I fell in love all over again reading the finished book. C.N. Rudy has written such an exquisite book full of heartbreak, joy, mental health struggles, and healing. Her debut book will hurt you, but I promise it's so worth it.

Parker and Lyla’s love is slow and thoughtful. While they don't start out on the right foot, their relationship really blossoms into such a heartfelt friendship and slowly grows into an inevitable love. C.N. did such a lovely job of pacing their relationship growth. It felt natural and sweet. I loved seeing them both grow to open up and trust each other with the hard stuff.

This story is not easy to read. I knew what was coming, and still I cried again. The love, care, and attention that C.N. had for these characters is so clear in her writing. She handled the sensitive topics in this book with such careful hands. What an outstanding debut!

[Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I grabbed this book because it was an UndertheCoversRD book pick for June Book Club.

I really like the cover of this novel and I enjoyed that it took place in Alberta where I live and know some of these places named in the story. As a debut novel I appreciate what the author accomplished with this story, she handled mental health well and made us feel for these characters. It showed emotion and we connected with the characters. I did think that this book was going to be a super see romance and that changed on page 25 haha, I was shocked. I’d give this book a 2-3/5 for spice lol. My issue with the book was the author included too any tropes, you like a trope it was there. Small town, enemies to lovers, only one bed… and many more, it was just trying a bit too hard for me in that sense.
I did enjoy the characters and I do want to see more from them. I really loved Cassie and Dennis and for sure want their stories. I’d recommend this read to romance lovers who don’t mind a bit of spice.

[Linnea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as part of a book club (otherwise, I likely wouldn’t have picked it up on my own). Unfortunately, it wasn’t quite my jam.

That said, there were some enjoyable moments. As an Alberta girl and a Lululemon fan, I appreciated the little cultural references that made me smile. They felt personal and familiar.

From a mental health perspective (both as someone who lives with it and works in the field) I have to give the author credit. The representation was handled with care. While everyone’s experience is unique, I didn’t find anything stigmatizing or stereotypical, which is always a win in my books.

Where it fell short for me was in character development and pacing. The story was there but it lacked depth. I didn’t feel connected to the characters or see meaningful growth in them. Events moved so quickly at times that I found myself questioning how we got from point A to point B so dramatically. I wanted more buildup and more emotional grounding.

[Emma (thecaffeinatedbookaholic) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one tugs on alllll the heartstrings. It’s raw, it’s heartbreaking, it’s beautiful. I’m a sucker for a grumpy MMC, so Parker was right up my alley! I loved watching him open up to Lyla. I loved watching Lyla also open up and find her way back to art and find herself. They’re both guarded against love (they’ve got their reasons), and I loved watching their relationship develop. They had a bit of a rocky start, but they can’t avoid spending time together, and the walls between them started to crumble. The mental health rep felt well done, and I definitely recommend checking the trigger warnings with this one. It hurt, and I def cried, but it was so good. Between the town of Emerald Falls and the found family, this one had me wanting to pack up and move to small town Canada. I absolutely loved this one. Such an amazing debut!

[ARC from author in exchange for an honest review]

[Janessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will say this again and again, I am a sucker for mental health rep! I have struggled with depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember and am currently going through a difficult time. This book covers trauma, deep dark trauma, anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. This is a story of Lyla, moving away from the city for a fresh start. Art is her therapy....it is also my therapy. “Darkness still lingers. Some days its loud. It’s a whisper but its always there.” I feel this and relate to this so much. Lyla truly finds herself, finds true friendship and an incredible ever lasting love. I adore Lyla and Parker and following along on their journey to healing, love and never giving up. What an incredible story!

[katapolt13 · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️.5/5

Parker and Lyla literally run into each other the moment that Lyla gets into her new town. Parker instantly hates everything that Lyla stands for, how dare her come to his small town, she belongs in the city.

Lyla is looking for a fresh start and to get away from the past that haunts her. She is looking forward to slowing down in the small town and being a part of the wonderful bookstore that has hired her.

Parker has lived in this town his whole life, he thought he found love once but that was a lie. Now he is bitter and doesn’t want to strap himself down with love.

✨ What to Expect ✨
🏡 Small Town
🧠 Mental Health Rep
🤠 Country Boy x 🌆 City Girl
⏳ Age Gap
😒 Grumpy x ☀️ Sunshine

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

If you are looking for a sweet, wholesome and thoughtful small town romance this is the one for you.

It does an amazing job of representing anxiety, depression and previous trauma in a really sensitive way.

Both Lyla and Parker are deep characters which are represented really well by C N Rudy. Lyla as a FMC is a creative FMC who I immediately felt attached to and Parker as the MMC is the perfect grumpy but secretly kind and sensitive guy.

I look forward to future books. I really hope there will be follow sequels as some of the supporting characters have got stories to tell 😊.

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐

Me hubieran gustado más capítulos juntos después de que Lyla le contara sobre su bipolaridad.


Nota para mí:
Si el siguiente libro es sobre Cara y Dean, espero que ella no lo perdone fácilmente, que salga con otros y tenga, por lo menos, una relación seria. Lo ideal sería que se enamorara de otro, pero ya veremos. Fueron novios desde siempre, pero cuando murió el padre de él, se puso mal y la dejó. Se volvió un mujeriego y, como vivían en el mismo pueblo y compartían amistades, ella tiene un asiento en primera fila para ver desfilar a todas sus mujeres. De que rompieron, ya han pasado 5 años, por lo que espero que Cara no esté estancada esperándolo y siendo célibe.

[Nikyta Fraser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite impressed with this book. As someone who struggles with mental health, it’s always heartwarming to see characters so similar to myself portrayed in a beautiful way. It’s so common we see ourselves portrayed as a nuisance, that was not an issue within this book.
The spicy scenes kept me intrigued each time.
Seeing familiar destinations written in this book was also very intriguing, as that is hard to come by.
Parker’s character is a dream for anyone who feels they have been misunderstood by romantic partners.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will continue to read books from the author as they are released.

[Kayte Shearwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was thoughtfully written. If you want a bit of heart break but to be put back together again. If you need a small town romance that is based in Canada by a Canadian author definitely give this a read.

Lyla needs a change on a whim she takes it. You get to go through the ups and downs with her as she discovers this new small town living. Meet characters that will have you craving your own little piece of emerald falls. Don’t forget the grump Parker who she has a less than pleasant first encounter with.

Be sure to read the trigger warnings as it deals with mental health, PTSD, abuse, and suicidal thoughts and attempts, as well as a few other things.

[Karen B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heart-wrenching, yet heartwarming dramatic and emotional character driven romance. Lyla and Parker-total opposites, connect and are meant to be there for each other. Parker’s character growth is exceptional, he is so supportive…get your tissues ready! The author was able to weave a story of mental health and past trauma into one of hope and brightness. Their story is a beautiful journey…although please check content warnings before reading, as serious topics are mentioned on page. Thanks to the author for an eARC-thoughts are my own, honest and voluntary. 4.25 stars!