Apple Pie Promises

The Alphabet Sweethearts

by Susanne Ash

She’s all heart. He’s all grump. Together, they’re about to bake up something sweeter than pie.

When Tessa Arden moves to the cozy mountain town of Juniper Falls, she’s determined to honor her late aunt’s memory by entering the annual Harvest Festival Pie Contest. But there’s one little problem. Tessa can’t bake to save her life. Cue the grumpy-yet-irresistible Hale Fletcher, owner of the town’s general store and reluctant baking expert.

Hale prefers solitude to socializing, but something about Tessa’s sunshiney determination pulls him in. Against his better judgment, he agrees to help her tackle her aunt’s award-winning apple pie recipe. As they mix ingredients and swap stories, sparks start to fly in the kitchen—and not just from the oven.

When a meddling rival stirs up trouble, their fragile partnership is tested. Will Tessa’s determination—and Hale’s guarded heart—be enough to turn their unlikely pairing into a recipe for love?

Apple Pie Promises is the first book in The Alphabet Sweetheart Series, a collection of small-town romances as sweet and satisfying as a homemade dessert. Perfect for fans of grumpy/sunshine pairings, meddling neighbors, and happily ever afters. These fun, quick reads will quickly become your favorite new escape. Check out all the books in the series, starting Pie PromisesBlossoms & New BeginningsCoffeehouse ConfessionsDandelion DreamsEchoes Of The HeartFirefly NightsGarden Gate WishesHeartstrings In HarmonyIce Cream KissesJust One LookAnd many more to come…

Genres: Romance, Clean Romance, Novella, Adult, Contemporary

55 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 6, 2025

About the author

Susanne Ash writes sweet contemporary romance. When she's not busy putting pen to paper, she loves to cook, knit, and head out exploring with her husband and daughter. She lives close to the beach in beautiful South Carolina. You'll find that her setting is often a fictionalized version of her surroundings and the places she's visiting with her family.

Reviews

[CatsBnB · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC 🩷!!!!!

[Bookish_Aly_Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a heartwarming story about a grumpy general store owner and the new girl in town who wants to enter a pie contest to honor her late aunt’s memory.

For such a short read the author sure does a good job at giving the characters depth and allowing you to get a feel for who they are. Their grumpy sunshine dynamic was nice and they complimented each other well. It was endearing to watch Hale open up to Tessa and I appreciated how their relationship didn’t feel super rushed as they spent a lot of time together baking.

Read this if you like:
🥧 Small town romance
🥧 Slow burn chemistry
🥧 Grumpy/sunshine

This was one of those feel good stories even though they were both grieving. Definitely worth the read.

[Giselle⊹ ࣪ ˖ (pretty busy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5★ (slight spoilers btw)

“𝐿𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒷𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝓇𝑒𝒸𝒾𝓅𝑒𝓈, 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓈 𝓃𝑒𝑒𝒹 𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒, 𝓉𝓇𝓊𝓈𝓉, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒶 𝓁𝒾𝓉𝓉𝓁𝑒 𝒷𝒾𝓉 𝑜𝒻 𝒻𝒶𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓉𝑜 𝓉𝓊𝓇𝓃 𝑜𝓊𝓉 𝓅𝑒𝓇𝒻𝑒𝒸𝓉𝓁𝓎 𝒾𝓂𝓅𝑒𝓇𝒻𝑒𝒸𝓉.”

-Small Town Romance
-Grumpy x Sunshine
-Strangers to Lovers
-Dual POV

Such a cute and short read for the fall season! It starts off with Tessa who just moved to Juniper Falls who was horrid at baking and Mr Grumpy (Hale) helps her learn and eventually opens up about his past to her. I also have to conmend Ms Ash’s writing style because the way she described the pastries made me hungry! Great read!

[Miyawakiss · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about 2 people who are baking pies in order to keep the memory of their loved ones alive. It's a very short and cosy, albeit sad, read. Unfortunately, we don't get much insight into their relationship with the aforementioned departed loved ones. Granted, this is a novella but I can't help but wish we got more context behind the characters and their history.

If this book was an apple pie, it would be a small apple pie with mostly crust and not much filling.

[Kirsty Gudmundsson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
0 🌶

Welcome to the town of Juniper Falls. This is the first book in "The Alphabet Sweetheart Series."

What to expect:

💚Novella
💚Grumpy/Sunshine
💚Small Town
💚HEA
💚Meddling Neighbors

Tessa moves to the cozy mountain town of Juniper Falls determined to honor her late aunt's memory by entering the annual Harvest Festival Pie Contest. One problem- Tessa can't bake to save her life.

Cue the grumpy-yet-irresistible Hale Fletcher, owner of the town’s general store and reluctant baking expert. As they mix ingredients and swap stories, sparks start to fly in the kitchen.

[Dana Rabung · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t know this was a short story when I got it, but when I found out it was, I wasn’t sure if I would like it. Turns out it was a super cute and quick read! I will always love a small town in the fall and a man who is an expert baker. I’m thinking I will use this series as some quick romances to read in between longer fantasy books or something like that.

[Sarah C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely

[Fiction with Phoebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m always a sucker for romances that blossom through cooking/baking lessons! Throw in a grumpy/sunshine couple. And you’ve got a winning combination 😄

As much as I wanted Henry Caldwell taken down a peg. Considering how new Tessa was to baking, it’s realistic that she won second place. And perhaps more importantly, the contest wasn’t really about winning to Tessa, but about proving herself.

[Mama That Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, quick read! Love the length and that there isn’t a bunch of fluff

[Sarah English · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Strictly practical lessons, my eye. We're baking up something much more complicated than pie, and we both know it. And I'm pretty sure neither of us knows quite what to do about that."

Apple Pie Promises is a very short but sweet story and its perfect if you're after getting a quick small town romance fix. Tessa moves to Juniper Falls after inheriting her Aunts cottage when she passes, in order to keep her memory alive she's determined to recreate her famous Apple Pie for the harvest competition but the baking gene don't seem to run in the family.

I love Tessas character, granted we don't find out too much about her as its only 55 pages long but she seems nice and is just trying to find a place to belong while holding onto her Aunts memories. I loved her determination to get her recipe right despite the smoke alarm constantly going off and how she's so understanding of other people's grief.

Hale is the grumpy store owner that reluctantly agrees to teach her how to bake. He's still struggling after his mother's passing and finds it hard to share his love of baking without her being here but slowly opens up to Tessa and helps her with the pie making competition. He may be rough around the edges but he's got a soft side for a certain lady who's in need of baking lessons.

This is such a short sweet romance story but I love the small town vibes, the grumpy vs Sunshine trope and the thin veil of grief thrown into the mix that they are both dealing with. I'll definitely read all the other ones in the series.

[Hilma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apple Pie Promises by Susanne Ash is the first book in the Alphabet Sweethearts series, short standalone short romance novels. In this first book Tessa inherits her aunt’s cottage in Juniper Falls. When she finds a beloved apple pie recipe, she wants to enter the annual pie contest, but that is much harder that she first thought. Enter grumpy store owner Hale.

This short novel was a delight to read. Tessa and Hale both have a sad past, and as a reader you felt for them. Tessa is determined to bake the perfect pie, and that was heartwarming to read. Hale is grumpy, but due to some subtle pushes from the charming town members, he helps Tessa be a better baker. Their interactions during the baking lessons are sometimes humorous, as Tessa likes things to be a bit lose. As they spend more time together a relationship starts to bloom. I loved how Tessa made Hale more relaxed.

The writing style is flowing and the book is so easy to read. I loved reading it a lot.

If you want to read a heartwarming short romance novel, with two very likable main characters, and if you like baking, this is the book you want to read. You can easily finish it in a cozy afternoon. I can’t wait to read the other novels in this lovely cozy romance series.

Recommended.

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’re in Juniper Falls where there’s an air that’s so pure that it’s full of couples so sweet and demure. Tessa Arden is sunshine. Hale Fletcher is grump but they’re perfect together they’ll surely kick up a storm in this apple pie baking contest together they form . Is it the norm? Of course not but chemistry? These two sure have got ,even if they don’t yet know it . They’re going for it. Love everything that Susanne Ash writes and this is a pearler ,fills me with delight . Hale owns the General Store as well as being a baking expert.Tessa being new in town,she’s determined to enter and win the ApplePie Baking contest in her deceased aunt’s memory. She cannot cook to save her life and therefore here comes the strife with mr grumpy Hale baker extraordinaire . But baking a prize pie these two can’t fail with her aunt’s award winning recipe so he reluctantly goes there…A brilliantly portrayed book with all the feels and true to life and full of zeal . Love ,love ,loved this book!

[Jess (GetbookedwithJessica) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite being a quick read, Susanne Ash’s writing packs impressive emotional depth—the characters feel full and real, and the grumpy/sunshine dynamic between Tessa and Hale is both comforting and endearing. Their connection unfolds gently, never feeling rushed, and the small-town setting imbues the story with extra warmth.

If you’re in the mood for a heartwarming, cozy romance with two likable leads—and a generous helping of baking charm—this is the perfect book for a lazy afternoon. It’s the kind of novella you can finish in one sitting and close with a contented sigh. I can’t wait to follow more residents of Juniper Falls and explore the rest of this lovely series.

If you love short, sweet, small-town romances with a dash of baking magic, Apple Pie Promises is your go-to. I’m eager to continue reading the rest of Susanne Ash’s Alphabet Sweethearts stories—sign me up for more cozy, comforting romance!

[Jean Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in The Alphabet Sweethearts series and an enjoyable read. The story is well-written with interesting characters. Tessa has inherited her aunt's cottage in Juniper Falls. She finds her aunt's beloved apple pie recipe and decides she wants to enter the contest, despite never having baked a pie. It turns out to be a whole lot more complicated than she expected and she soon turns to the grumpy store owner, Hale, for help. The two start to develop feelings for each others as they work together to find the perfect pie recipe. It is great the way they are both there for each other when needed and I enjoyed watching their relationship change and grow. I received a free copy of the book and this is my honest review.

[Debbie Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first story in the Alphabet Sweethearts series and it is absolutely adorable! Tessa has just moved into her late grandmother’s cabin and finds her award winning apple pie recipe. She’s determined to learn how to make the pie to enter it into the town’s contest. The problem? On a good day she can barely make toast! Enter Hale, the owner of Brooks General Store, who offers to teach her his mom’s techniques. The more time they spend together, the closer they get. I love that they are both there for each other when they need it. Great start to the series and I love that the end sets up the next book - I can’t wait!!

[Mandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a novella, I don’t usually expect a lot and often times the story can be rushed BUT THIS BOOK was PERFECT!

The descriptive writing was beautiful and really made you feel like you were experiencing autumn 🍂 in this quaint town. The chemistry between them was palpable and history the preceded their meeting was heartfelt. The handling of grief was comforting and beautiful.

It was absolutely lovely how pie making brought these two together and the history of pie making in their families that just added that extra layer of meaning.

This book was the perfect novella full of autumn vibes and emotional depth. I will definitely be reading more in this series and by this author.

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got a free copy of "Apple Pie Promises" on Kindle during one of the author's sales. I definitely think it's a sweet start to something - that I'm seeing is an alphabetical set of novellas taking place in this town - but it definitely was a start. It was super short, and I read it within a half hour. I do think a bit of a plot developed with there being an apple pie baking competition to look forward to, but not a lot of relationship development. And I laughed a bit that our lead could go from burning pies to entering a competition at all within such a short read, though of course more time unfolds in the book itself. I'll be keeping a curious eye out for more from this author!

[Olivia Gloria Perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Baking is love made visible sweetheart, don’t ever forget that.” 👩‍🍳


• an absolute adorable, short fall novella about Tessa who enters into a pie contest in honor of her late aunt ❤️

• love a cute grumpy sunshine story; the connection between Tessa and Hale, I found lovely, they’re adorbs!

• the discussion about pies made me hungry while reading 🤣

• the way that Hale didn’t stand up for Tessa hurt a bit, but the outcome made up for it

• their connection between their late relatives & their stories were wonderful 🙂

• the fact that Tessa learned something she didn’t know in a quick teaching was awesome, proud of her! 🤗

[Cortney D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! somehow for only being 55 pages, the pacing felt really good! slow burn, tension, and a sweet conclusion.

Wish the conclusion would've been longer and we could see a little more of them together, but otherwise this was a fun, short, sweet book!

I notice a lot of novellas end up being third person, so I really enjoyed that this was first person and switched between the two characters!

I will definitely be reading the next ones in the series!

[Jan Tomalis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short and sweet story. Tessa and Hale are both dealing with grief but in different ways. Baking brings these two together while honoring the memories of their loved ones so they can move forward with their lives.
I received an advance copy of this book from the author, however, I voluntarily wrote an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

[Carol Unruh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pleasantly surprised

I was skeptical about reading a short story like this. Too many short ones make the relationship too rushed and unrealistic. This one did not do that. Character development and story line seemed realistic, and flowed well. I loved it! Looking forward to more in this series.

[Dali Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect

Sometimes novellas can feel rushed, but this one is just perfect. The pacing and details were on point, and the characters are great. The story is sweet, touching, and amusing. I especially enjoyed the banter between Tessa and Hale as it had me smiling quite often. Yes, it's short, but it is a joy to read.

[Kristina Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, sweet romance

This was a cute, sweet romance with a complete story arc. The two main characters, Tessa and Hale develop a sweet romance over learning to make pie. This is the first in the series and is super quick to read. It made a wonderful break from longer, more complex reads.

[Christel Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

No expectations

It started a little slow, if a book this size catches my attention I can read it in less than an hour but I kept leaving it for other stuff. I'm glad I came back, it was cute and sweet even with too many pie references. Looking forward to the next book in the series

[Natalie L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and Sweet

This is such a pleasant surprise! It's a 'dessert' read- just the right length for a little escape into the land of warm and fuzzy feel-goods; yet the author weaves the story so well together without feeling hurried. Awesome story-telling with such a limited word count.
Looking forward to the rest of the Alphabet Sweethearts books.

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story about overcoming grief by learning how to make apple pie like her aunt made. By learning from the son of her aunt's dear friend.
Tender feelings, both a trial and a blessing, along with much shared knowledge turned out to be a wonderful way to live.
Sweet lessons and kindness in a delightful story that will warm your heart.

[Sandra Hartzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tessa Arden moves into her late aunt’s house and decides to enter the local harvest pie baking contest, but she doesn’t know how to bake a pie. Hale Fletcher who owns the general store takes pity on her and teaches her how to bake. While they work together and talk about their lives, they are drawn to each other. A delightful story about helping each other, and working together.

[aubsbookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute grumpy x sunshine short story about two people who are grieving the loss of family. Hale is the grumpy store owner, and Tessa just moved the juniper falls to keep her aunts memory alive.

For being a short story about 50 pages, Susanne Ash does such a great job at giving the characters depth. I loved the grump x sunshine dynamic between Hale and Tessa.

[Toni · Rating 3 out of 5]

A heartwarming story about a girl who, determined to honor her late aunt’s famous pie, enters a baking contest despite having no clue how to bake. Along the way, she meets a gentle but gruff man who teaches her the art of pie-making.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable quick read.

This was a nice book to read. It was light, with just a little drama. I could almost taste the apple pie they were baking. The characters were likable and I think I will like the rest of the series.