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The Great Popcorn Romance
Opposites attract, and Riley Shaw stands no chance of resisting Hannah Kramer’s magnetic pull. But opposites know just how to drive each other crazy...
How it Her best friend Kyle suggests Riley take a job at Poptacular, his grandmother's gourmet popcorn shop. Spending the summer mixing caramel and cheddar sounds like fun, right?
Spoiler It’s not fun.
Enter Kyle’s little sister Hannah and her stubborn refusal to try any ideas that aren’t her own. Their working styles are completely different. In short, she is infuriating. And hot. Why does she have to be hot?
How it’s Years have passed, and Riley’s no longer a victim of her teenage hormones. She’s a high-powered consultant who travels from city to city, helping struggling businesses. Distance weakens a magnetic field, and Riley doesn’t think about Hannah Kramer. Not ever.
So, when Kyle calls to say Poptacular is in trouble and on the brink of closing its doors, her first thought definitely isn’t of Hannah. No, heading back to her hometown is not on her bingo card. But for Poptacular’s co-owner, popcorn is Hannah’s whole life, and Riley can’t stand to see her dream fail.
How it With the Great (hot and buttery) Popcorn Romance, of course.
How it Her best friend Kyle suggests Riley take a job at Poptacular, his grandmother's gourmet popcorn shop. Spending the summer mixing caramel and cheddar sounds like fun, right?
Spoiler It’s not fun.
Enter Kyle’s little sister Hannah and her stubborn refusal to try any ideas that aren’t her own. Their working styles are completely different. In short, she is infuriating. And hot. Why does she have to be hot?
How it’s Years have passed, and Riley’s no longer a victim of her teenage hormones. She’s a high-powered consultant who travels from city to city, helping struggling businesses. Distance weakens a magnetic field, and Riley doesn’t think about Hannah Kramer. Not ever.
So, when Kyle calls to say Poptacular is in trouble and on the brink of closing its doors, her first thought definitely isn’t of Hannah. No, heading back to her hometown is not on her bingo card. But for Poptacular’s co-owner, popcorn is Hannah’s whole life, and Riley can’t stand to see her dream fail.
How it With the Great (hot and buttery) Popcorn Romance, of course.
240 pages, Paperback
Published December 16, 2025
23 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Georgia Beers
61 books1,504 followersLambda and Golden Crown Literary Award-winning author Georgia Beers lives in Rochester, New York. She has been writing for as long as she can remember, and published her first lesbian novel in 2000.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 18, 2025
Oh boy, that was so sweet. Not only because of the popcorn theme, but also because of the love story, which was incredibly sweet and heartwarming. It's a lighthearted romance with low angst.
I also learned from the novel that there are so many different popcorn flavors that I've never heard of before. I mean, pickle? I could have used that when I was pregnant.
The plot is quickly explained: Hannah's popcorn shop is in trouble. Her brother Kyle calls on his old friend Riley, who helps companies in financial difficulty. The only problem is that Hannah and Riley had a crush on each other as teenagers, but neither knew about the other's feelings. Hannah isn't thrilled about the whole idea, but she has no other choice... both quickly realize that a lot of that crush is still there.
I liked the pace and structure of the love story. The slow burn was delicious, and the chemistry and attraction were lovely. It took me a little while to warm up to Hannah, as she was very closed off and grumpy at first. I liked Riley's direct manner and was a little surprised by the third act breakup. I had expected something different, but it worked for me.
All in all, a cozy book with light holiday vibes. I loved the details about making popcorn and Hannah and Riley's relationship. So beautifully written. Highly recommended!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
I also learned from the novel that there are so many different popcorn flavors that I've never heard of before. I mean, pickle? I could have used that when I was pregnant.
The plot is quickly explained: Hannah's popcorn shop is in trouble. Her brother Kyle calls on his old friend Riley, who helps companies in financial difficulty. The only problem is that Hannah and Riley had a crush on each other as teenagers, but neither knew about the other's feelings. Hannah isn't thrilled about the whole idea, but she has no other choice... both quickly realize that a lot of that crush is still there.
I liked the pace and structure of the love story. The slow burn was delicious, and the chemistry and attraction were lovely. It took me a little while to warm up to Hannah, as she was very closed off and grumpy at first. I liked Riley's direct manner and was a little surprised by the third act breakup. I had expected something different, but it worked for me.
All in all, a cozy book with light holiday vibes. I loved the details about making popcorn and Hannah and Riley's relationship. So beautifully written. Highly recommended!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
December 11, 2025
I’ve enjoyed a good chunk of books by this author. She reliably has main characters that I really like and root for, and this one was no exception. I haven’t listened to too many of her recent books, because I didn’t connect as much with the narrator she was using, but as soon as I saw this one was Lori Prince again, I grabbed it. She’s a narrator that I personally really love and her performance in this one really enhanced the experience. Def a great listen and though it’s not the focus, enough of a winter, some Christmas vibes to get me slightly in the mood.
December 21, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ This is a story about Hannah who runs a small popcorn shop in a small town in upstate NY. She inherited the business from her grandmother and it’s struggling to survive. Her brother Kyle asks an old friend of his to come to town and help his sister get the business through this tough time. Riley agrees to help, she’s a businesswoman whose company advises struggling companies get back on their feet. Problem is Hannah is stubborn and doesn’t want her help.
I loved all the popcorn flavors Hannah creates. Yummy and I want to try them all. 😋
Beers is such a quality writer both in her style and prose. I really enjoyed this sweet romance. It was a perfect read for me after 3 really long and mediocre books.
I recommend it to all my book friends looking for good story. Thanks to Net Galley and BSB for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I loved all the popcorn flavors Hannah creates. Yummy and I want to try them all. 😋
Beers is such a quality writer both in her style and prose. I really enjoyed this sweet romance. It was a perfect read for me after 3 really long and mediocre books.
I recommend it to all my book friends looking for good story. Thanks to Net Galley and BSB for the opportunity to read and review this book.
December 1, 2025
Thank you for the ARC from NetGalley!!
This was an incredibly sweet story. Each character was likeable and it was interesting to learn more about their backstories. I loved the popcorn-making scenes; I am not a popcorn person, but I felt like one of those beloved caressed kernels with how well they were written. It gets corny and cliched at times, but in a way it fits.
If you are looking for a cute sapphic story, I would recommend this.
This was an incredibly sweet story. Each character was likeable and it was interesting to learn more about their backstories. I loved the popcorn-making scenes; I am not a popcorn person, but I felt like one of those beloved caressed kernels with how well they were written. It gets corny and cliched at times, but in a way it fits.
If you are looking for a cute sapphic story, I would recommend this.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I got free ARC of the book in advance from the publisher via Netgalley. However, I was behind with ARCs and didn't have time to read the book before it was published although it sounded really interesting. I ended up buying the audiobook version when it was published on December 4th. The review is written after listening to the audiobook which is narrated by the talented Lori Prince.
Georgia Beers has delivered really fun, usually somehow food related sapphic romances lately. The Great Popcorn Romance was entertaining and light fall & holiday season romance. It is probably the spiciest Georgia Beers book I've read. And it makes you want to eat popcorn in all the flavors.
There's comedy and some heart break, a bit of "movie magic", and tight small town community. The story would make a great holiday romcom movie. The romance is sweet and Hannah and Riley are really cute together.
Lori Prince fits really well to this story. The Great Popcorn Romance is my favorite of her recent work. She amps the novel's holiday romcom vibe to the next level.
4.5 stars rounded up.
Georgia Beers has delivered really fun, usually somehow food related sapphic romances lately. The Great Popcorn Romance was entertaining and light fall & holiday season romance. It is probably the spiciest Georgia Beers book I've read. And it makes you want to eat popcorn in all the flavors.
There's comedy and some heart break, a bit of "movie magic", and tight small town community. The story would make a great holiday romcom movie. The romance is sweet and Hannah and Riley are really cute together.
Lori Prince fits really well to this story. The Great Popcorn Romance is my favorite of her recent work. She amps the novel's holiday romcom vibe to the next level.
4.5 stars rounded up.
December 16, 2025
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
Riley is business consultant who helps resurrect struggling businesses when she was a teen she work with her best friend Kyle and his younger sister Hannah who she doesn’t get along with despite the fact they have a crush on each other at his grandmother's gourmet popcorn shop, Poptacular. When Kyle asked Riley to help Poptacular which is struggling she back in Hannah orbit and obviously there still an attraction between them. Hannah is reluctant to have Riley help but in time she starts to see the value in Riley from there they start to grow close. I enjoy the read I like the descriptions of making popcorn made me want popcorn and I’m not even a popcorn eater.
Riley is business consultant who helps resurrect struggling businesses when she was a teen she work with her best friend Kyle and his younger sister Hannah who she doesn’t get along with despite the fact they have a crush on each other at his grandmother's gourmet popcorn shop, Poptacular. When Kyle asked Riley to help Poptacular which is struggling she back in Hannah orbit and obviously there still an attraction between them. Hannah is reluctant to have Riley help but in time she starts to see the value in Riley from there they start to grow close. I enjoy the read I like the descriptions of making popcorn made me want popcorn and I’m not even a popcorn eater.
December 26, 2025
It was fine, but I expected so much more.
The first word in this book is caramel and the last is popcorn, and that pretty much says it all. Hannah was practically just making popcorn and inventing new flavors. How many flavors can you come up with? It's bound to end eventually, you'd think.
For me, it was definitely a bit too much about popcorn. There was barely a page without the word "popcorn." It almost felt like a triangular romance between Riley, Hannah, and popcorn. At least for the first 75% of the book. Then the popcorn finally faded into the background somewhat.
Nevertheless, I still liked Riley and Hannah and enjoyed the book, although I did find it one of Georgia Beers' less enjoyable books. 3.5 ⭐️
The first word in this book is caramel and the last is popcorn, and that pretty much says it all. Hannah was practically just making popcorn and inventing new flavors. How many flavors can you come up with? It's bound to end eventually, you'd think.
For me, it was definitely a bit too much about popcorn. There was barely a page without the word "popcorn." It almost felt like a triangular romance between Riley, Hannah, and popcorn. At least for the first 75% of the book. Then the popcorn finally faded into the background somewhat.
Nevertheless, I still liked Riley and Hannah and enjoyed the book, although I did find it one of Georgia Beers' less enjoyable books. 3.5 ⭐️
December 3, 2025
The Great Popcorn Romance is, in fact, great. You'll be rooting for Hannah and Riley all along the way. I related so much to Riley and her journey felt so personal and meaningful.
I also loved the side characters, especially Shana and Mr. Daniels! I was so engrossed in everyone's growth and character arcs and every single character was so well-written.
As a popcorn lover, I highly recommend having some popcorn at the ready...the descriptions in the book made me desperately wish Poptacular was real (and The Coffee Cup, too!)
If you love sapphic romances and popcorn, definitely pick this one up!
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC!
I also loved the side characters, especially Shana and Mr. Daniels! I was so engrossed in everyone's growth and character arcs and every single character was so well-written.
As a popcorn lover, I highly recommend having some popcorn at the ready...the descriptions in the book made me desperately wish Poptacular was real (and The Coffee Cup, too!)
If you love sapphic romances and popcorn, definitely pick this one up!
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A special thank you to NetGalley, Bold Strokes Books and Georgia Beers for this great ARC opportunity! Happy to leave my honest review.
Yaayyy Georgia Beers! I have enjoyed a number of really fun to read sapphic romances by this author and felt so excited to read another! The Great Popcorn Romance did not disappoint and was a warm, sweet and fun second chance sapphic romance that kept me smiling and well entertained. I would be remiss if I didn't comment on the fabulous cover art! The bright and wonderfully animated cover sets a tone for the book as being a vibrant and light hearted story, which it most certainly was. This was a charming and satisfying quick read that I finished in one sitting! A story set around my most favorite snack, delicious popcorn? I had a lot of fun reading this book and, much like a big bag of caramel popcorn, it really hit the spot.
The story centers around a fun opposites attract scenario sprinkled with second chance hope. We meet Riley and Hannah who are really sweet characters that I grew to like more and more with each passing page. When Rile was a teenager she worked at her best friend Kyle’s grandmother's gourmet popcorn shop, Poptacular. Riley is forced to work with Hannah, Kyle’s younger sister, who is as stubborn as she is hot! The two but heads on a regular basis and despite having major crutches on one another, the summer ends and that’s that. They grow up and move on, such is life. Now, many years later, Hannah runs and co owns Poptacular with her brother and Riley is a business consultant who helps resurrect struggling businesses. Kyle has asked Riley to return to their small town and help a struggling Poptastic out of the red and into the black…and this is where the real story begins. Riley and Hannah are thrust back together and it's clear that the attraction and chemistry is still very much there.
Despite some initial reticence both girls recognize that they have something special between them. Riley is charismatic and driven. She left small town Sunset Valley without a second thought and has become quite the success. Nevertheless, the loss of her mother creates a sense of vulnerability that I could see as a huge reason for her aversion to commitment. It’s hard to allow anyone in so close when you have experienced loss, you really know how much it hurts to lose the people that mean the most. Hannah is hardworking and cares so much about her family business that she kind of loses herself in it. Poptacular becomes so entrenched in her identity that she takes any criticism of the business as a personal critique. While not initially accepting of Riley's help, in time she sees not only the value that RIley can bring to her business but to her personal life. Their chemistry is so bold that it just jumps off the page. They are electric together and their attraction is built on years of suppressed feelings so it seems to just erupt. Their relationship grows from a sort of rivalry to friendship and then to so much more. I felt like there was so much genuine emotion between them and I appreciated the slow burn style intensity. I honestly just really liked Riley and Hannah together. I felt like they balanced each other out quite nicely. I was thrilled when they took a chance on each other and was rooting for them all along. I must admit, I very much enjoyed their spicy scenes and felt like their sexual chemistry was off the charts! Smokin 'hot!
Georgia Beers does a wonderful job of pacing out this quick red and fitting so much in. I never felt that the story was lagging or contrived. Hannah and Riley's relationship grew organically and even the brief break up just world well. Beer's writing style is one of my favorites as she always delivers an entertaining read. Beers writing is accessible and wonderfully character centred. This book was written with a heartfelt and warm tone punctuated with humor and emotional nuance. I enjoyed the dialogue and felt that it highlighted who Riley and Hannah truly are. I have to mention that the popcorn element added an element of whimsy throughout the story and helped to maintain it as a lighthearted romance versus a dense emotional one. Plus, the descriptions of making popcorn made me crave popcorn so much that I had to pop myself a bag of butter flavored popcorn in the microwave…not nearly as good as Poptastic but it did the trick.
Overall, this is a really sweet and heartwarming sapphic love story. I loved the popcorn ship setting and felt that it added to the story in a unique and inventive way. Riley and Hannah are a great couple and I was thrilled to read their HEA! If you enjoy swoon worthy sapphic rom com with wit and whimsy then you will love this small town, second chance sapphic romance! Must read!
Yaayyy Georgia Beers! I have enjoyed a number of really fun to read sapphic romances by this author and felt so excited to read another! The Great Popcorn Romance did not disappoint and was a warm, sweet and fun second chance sapphic romance that kept me smiling and well entertained. I would be remiss if I didn't comment on the fabulous cover art! The bright and wonderfully animated cover sets a tone for the book as being a vibrant and light hearted story, which it most certainly was. This was a charming and satisfying quick read that I finished in one sitting! A story set around my most favorite snack, delicious popcorn? I had a lot of fun reading this book and, much like a big bag of caramel popcorn, it really hit the spot.
The story centers around a fun opposites attract scenario sprinkled with second chance hope. We meet Riley and Hannah who are really sweet characters that I grew to like more and more with each passing page. When Rile was a teenager she worked at her best friend Kyle’s grandmother's gourmet popcorn shop, Poptacular. Riley is forced to work with Hannah, Kyle’s younger sister, who is as stubborn as she is hot! The two but heads on a regular basis and despite having major crutches on one another, the summer ends and that’s that. They grow up and move on, such is life. Now, many years later, Hannah runs and co owns Poptacular with her brother and Riley is a business consultant who helps resurrect struggling businesses. Kyle has asked Riley to return to their small town and help a struggling Poptastic out of the red and into the black…and this is where the real story begins. Riley and Hannah are thrust back together and it's clear that the attraction and chemistry is still very much there.
Despite some initial reticence both girls recognize that they have something special between them. Riley is charismatic and driven. She left small town Sunset Valley without a second thought and has become quite the success. Nevertheless, the loss of her mother creates a sense of vulnerability that I could see as a huge reason for her aversion to commitment. It’s hard to allow anyone in so close when you have experienced loss, you really know how much it hurts to lose the people that mean the most. Hannah is hardworking and cares so much about her family business that she kind of loses herself in it. Poptacular becomes so entrenched in her identity that she takes any criticism of the business as a personal critique. While not initially accepting of Riley's help, in time she sees not only the value that RIley can bring to her business but to her personal life. Their chemistry is so bold that it just jumps off the page. They are electric together and their attraction is built on years of suppressed feelings so it seems to just erupt. Their relationship grows from a sort of rivalry to friendship and then to so much more. I felt like there was so much genuine emotion between them and I appreciated the slow burn style intensity. I honestly just really liked Riley and Hannah together. I felt like they balanced each other out quite nicely. I was thrilled when they took a chance on each other and was rooting for them all along. I must admit, I very much enjoyed their spicy scenes and felt like their sexual chemistry was off the charts! Smokin 'hot!
Georgia Beers does a wonderful job of pacing out this quick red and fitting so much in. I never felt that the story was lagging or contrived. Hannah and Riley's relationship grew organically and even the brief break up just world well. Beer's writing style is one of my favorites as she always delivers an entertaining read. Beers writing is accessible and wonderfully character centred. This book was written with a heartfelt and warm tone punctuated with humor and emotional nuance. I enjoyed the dialogue and felt that it highlighted who Riley and Hannah truly are. I have to mention that the popcorn element added an element of whimsy throughout the story and helped to maintain it as a lighthearted romance versus a dense emotional one. Plus, the descriptions of making popcorn made me crave popcorn so much that I had to pop myself a bag of butter flavored popcorn in the microwave…not nearly as good as Poptastic but it did the trick.
Overall, this is a really sweet and heartwarming sapphic love story. I loved the popcorn ship setting and felt that it added to the story in a unique and inventive way. Riley and Hannah are a great couple and I was thrilled to read their HEA! If you enjoy swoon worthy sapphic rom com with wit and whimsy then you will love this small town, second chance sapphic romance! Must read!
December 19, 2025
When a struggling popcorn shop risks closing its doors, its owner is forced to work with the last person she expected: her brother’s best friend and unresolved first crush. In a small town where proximity is unavoidable, old feelings resurface alongside unfinished business.
3⭐️ / 5 — 2.5🌶️ / 5 (4/19 chapters)
👯♀️ Brother’s best friend
💘 Childhood crush / First love
💞 FF romance / Lesbian romance
⚡️ Forced proximity
🌆 Small town
This was my first FF romance, and overall, it was an enjoyable and easy read. I loved the originality of the setting: a popcorn shop instead of the usual bakery or café, and the cozy small-town atmosphere. While the tropes were appealing, the story didn’t fully pull me in emotionally, and I felt something was missing to make the romance truly memorable. A pleasant read, but not one that deeply lingered with me.
⚠️ Spoilers ahead
🌍 Worldbuilding & Setting
The story takes place in a small town centered around Poptacular, Hannah’s popcorn shop, which is facing serious financial trouble. The small-town setting is present, but I personally wished it played a bigger role through stronger interactions with local residents and neighboring businesses. The shop itself is a fun and refreshing concept, but the world around it felt underexplored.
👩❤️👩 Main Characters
I had mixed feelings about Hannah. I appreciated her stubbornness and determination to run her business her own way, especially at the beginning. However, her refusal to accept help (even when it’s offered freely) became frustrating at times. I did enjoy her blunt honesty, especially when she openly admits her long-standing crush on Riley, but that directness also reduced the build-up of romantic tension.
Riley started as my favorite: strategic, professional, and genuinely motivated to help Hannah save her business. Unfortunately, her character lost consistency toward the end. Her instability, lies, and sudden behavioral shift felt abrupt and underdeveloped, which made it harder for me to stay emotionally invested.
💘 The Romance
The romance is very much at the center of the story, perhaps a bit too much. While the emotional connection and internal feelings are clearly expressed, I missed more on-page tension, physical closeness, and gradual build-up. Because Hannah is so straightforward about her feelings early on, the story skips some of the yearning and slow-burn moments I personally love.
✨ What I Wish Had Been Developed More
-More scenes with Shanna, ideally deeper and more impactful
-More presence from Kyle, who felt underused
-Additional interactions with Justin, Riley’s assistant (great potential there)
-A stronger small-town vibe through memorable side characters
-More space to develop romantic tension instead of resolving it quickly
What I liked:
-The popcorn shop concept 🍿
-Small-town setting (even if underused)
-Brother’s best friend & childhood crush tropes
-FF romance representation
What I liked less:
-Lack of depth in side characters
-Romance felt rushed in execution
-Riley’s late-character shift felt abrupt
-Limited exploration of the town and community
-At the end, Riley and Hannah kept repeating themselves, it felt weird to me:
Recommended for: readers looking for a short, cozy FF romance with light angst and familiar tropes. Might disappoint: those craving strong romantic tension, rich side characters, or immersive small-town dynamics.
Thank you Georgia Beers, Bold Strokes Books and Net Galley for sending me this ARC in exchange of an honest review.
3⭐️ / 5 — 2.5🌶️ / 5 (4/19 chapters)
👯♀️ Brother’s best friend
💘 Childhood crush / First love
💞 FF romance / Lesbian romance
⚡️ Forced proximity
🌆 Small town
This was my first FF romance, and overall, it was an enjoyable and easy read. I loved the originality of the setting: a popcorn shop instead of the usual bakery or café, and the cozy small-town atmosphere. While the tropes were appealing, the story didn’t fully pull me in emotionally, and I felt something was missing to make the romance truly memorable. A pleasant read, but not one that deeply lingered with me.
⚠️ Spoilers ahead
🌍 Worldbuilding & Setting
The story takes place in a small town centered around Poptacular, Hannah’s popcorn shop, which is facing serious financial trouble. The small-town setting is present, but I personally wished it played a bigger role through stronger interactions with local residents and neighboring businesses. The shop itself is a fun and refreshing concept, but the world around it felt underexplored.
👩❤️👩 Main Characters
I had mixed feelings about Hannah. I appreciated her stubbornness and determination to run her business her own way, especially at the beginning. However, her refusal to accept help (even when it’s offered freely) became frustrating at times. I did enjoy her blunt honesty, especially when she openly admits her long-standing crush on Riley, but that directness also reduced the build-up of romantic tension.
Riley started as my favorite: strategic, professional, and genuinely motivated to help Hannah save her business. Unfortunately, her character lost consistency toward the end. Her instability, lies, and sudden behavioral shift felt abrupt and underdeveloped, which made it harder for me to stay emotionally invested.
💘 The Romance
The romance is very much at the center of the story, perhaps a bit too much. While the emotional connection and internal feelings are clearly expressed, I missed more on-page tension, physical closeness, and gradual build-up. Because Hannah is so straightforward about her feelings early on, the story skips some of the yearning and slow-burn moments I personally love.
✨ What I Wish Had Been Developed More
-More scenes with Shanna, ideally deeper and more impactful
-More presence from Kyle, who felt underused
-Additional interactions with Justin, Riley’s assistant (great potential there)
-A stronger small-town vibe through memorable side characters
-More space to develop romantic tension instead of resolving it quickly
What I liked:
-The popcorn shop concept 🍿
-Small-town setting (even if underused)
-Brother’s best friend & childhood crush tropes
-FF romance representation
What I liked less:
-Lack of depth in side characters
-Romance felt rushed in execution
-Riley’s late-character shift felt abrupt
-Limited exploration of the town and community
-At the end, Riley and Hannah kept repeating themselves, it felt weird to me:
« I keep moving. I keep moving, that’s what I do. »
« I want to stay still. I want to stay still. With you. Can I do that? »
« Oh, baby, yes. Yes, of course you can. Of course you can. It’s all I want, you know. It’s all I want. Just you. Just you. »
Recommended for: readers looking for a short, cozy FF romance with light angst and familiar tropes. Might disappoint: those craving strong romantic tension, rich side characters, or immersive small-town dynamics.
Thank you Georgia Beers, Bold Strokes Books and Net Galley for sending me this ARC in exchange of an honest review.
December 7, 2025
*Possible Spoilers*
The Great Popcorn Romance, by Georgia Beers is a short little Hallmark-style read. Small town entrepreneur Hannah falls for big city/former small town girl Riley. That’s the plot start to finish. For me, Hannah and Riley didn’t work as a couple. I found Hannah to be fairly selfish and unempathetic towards Riley’s demons and baggage.
Neither woman had enough character development for me to get invested in their lives. I don’t know what they enjoy doing outside of popping corn and avoiding emotional connection like the plague. It felt like they only had enough personality to serve specific plot points, but not enough to memorialize them as unique characters. Riley worked through her grief really fast, and conveniently just in time to woo Hannah with a heart-wrenching speech about belonging. Hannah kind of just exists. She didn’t really grow; her world outlook didn’t expand. Things just fall into place at the end, saving her store from bankruptcy.
Hannah’s little kid crush on Riley didn’t evolve to fit where the two are as full grown adults. It still reads like she has a thing for her older brother’s pretty best friend. It felt like the attraction between the two women was more physical than intellectual. They always commented on how sexy the other one looked. Intelligence, humor, and wit didn’t seem a part of the appeal. I wish Hannah had been more understanding when Riley fled town scared of commitment. Obviously skipping town and lying about it isn’t cool, but from Riley’s perspective, trusting someone with vulnerability feels like a toss up. Maybe the door will stay open but maybe it’ll slam closed with a bang. I wanted Hannah to handle the aftermath with more delicacy before blowing up and making the situation about how betrayed she felt. Taking time to think about whether Riley’s baggage is too much to handle is fair, but getting mad at her for trying to be open and honest about messing up is counterproductive. The one thing I liked was how Riley proposed to Hannah at the end of the book. It felt very full circle for her to be the one to ask for forever given her former unease with commitment
The book didn't have enough plot or personality to keep me enraptured by it. There were a few unpopped kernels that made the story fall through for me. I wish that Hannah and Riley’s enjoyment of making popcorn together had been capitalized on. It would’ve been cute to see them have dates centered around brainstorming flavors and making batches of snacks. Like any good Hallmark movie, the side characters were sweet and more reliable than the main couple. The entire plot felt like an idyllic cable channel small town romance. If that’s your vibe, then this might be up your alley.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The Great Popcorn Romance, by Georgia Beers is a short little Hallmark-style read. Small town entrepreneur Hannah falls for big city/former small town girl Riley. That’s the plot start to finish. For me, Hannah and Riley didn’t work as a couple. I found Hannah to be fairly selfish and unempathetic towards Riley’s demons and baggage.
Neither woman had enough character development for me to get invested in their lives. I don’t know what they enjoy doing outside of popping corn and avoiding emotional connection like the plague. It felt like they only had enough personality to serve specific plot points, but not enough to memorialize them as unique characters. Riley worked through her grief really fast, and conveniently just in time to woo Hannah with a heart-wrenching speech about belonging. Hannah kind of just exists. She didn’t really grow; her world outlook didn’t expand. Things just fall into place at the end, saving her store from bankruptcy.
Hannah’s little kid crush on Riley didn’t evolve to fit where the two are as full grown adults. It still reads like she has a thing for her older brother’s pretty best friend. It felt like the attraction between the two women was more physical than intellectual. They always commented on how sexy the other one looked. Intelligence, humor, and wit didn’t seem a part of the appeal. I wish Hannah had been more understanding when Riley fled town scared of commitment. Obviously skipping town and lying about it isn’t cool, but from Riley’s perspective, trusting someone with vulnerability feels like a toss up. Maybe the door will stay open but maybe it’ll slam closed with a bang. I wanted Hannah to handle the aftermath with more delicacy before blowing up and making the situation about how betrayed she felt. Taking time to think about whether Riley’s baggage is too much to handle is fair, but getting mad at her for trying to be open and honest about messing up is counterproductive. The one thing I liked was how Riley proposed to Hannah at the end of the book. It felt very full circle for her to be the one to ask for forever given her former unease with commitment
The book didn't have enough plot or personality to keep me enraptured by it. There were a few unpopped kernels that made the story fall through for me. I wish that Hannah and Riley’s enjoyment of making popcorn together had been capitalized on. It would’ve been cute to see them have dates centered around brainstorming flavors and making batches of snacks. Like any good Hallmark movie, the side characters were sweet and more reliable than the main couple. The entire plot felt like an idyllic cable channel small town romance. If that’s your vibe, then this might be up your alley.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I actually really liked this one — more than I expected to!
The book is really what’s written on the tin: it’s a cute, low angst sapphic rom com with a touch of that holiday magic. It does that super well, and I was pleasantly surprised by the depth it managed to create in a decently low stakes story.
I think what really makes this shine are (a) the likable characters and (b) the integration of an external conflict.
In terms of the characters, it’s easy to root for them. I think Riley was especially well-explored, with her motivations and emotions coming across as realistic and easy to follow; even when she’s being unreasonable, it’s not difficult to see where that’s coming from, and that makes a huge difference. Both Hannah and Riley are likable in their own ways, and it boasts an impressive ensemble of supporting characters that really fortify the story whilst also standing on their own.
The external conflict is never overly intrusive to the point of taking away from the central romance, but it is always present, which provides some really clear stakes and a really satisfying payoff. I enjoyed how the world-building coalesces into a very fulfilling conclusion, and I found it worked really well to uplift the love story.
I would have liked to see Hannah’s character slightly more fleshed out — I think Riley is super well-explored, but sometimes at the behest of building upon Hannah’s internal monologue and psyche. It’s not as if she’s a shallow character; I just wish the depth would have been closer to Riley’s.
In addition, while the romance is super satisfying and easy to enjoy, I feel like I would have appreciated a touch more development in the latter half of the story. The buildup was excellent, but it reaches a certain point where it slightly stagnates and then all of a sudden accelerates rapidly out of nowhere. It isn’t as extreme as I’m putting it — I think it’s slightly noticeable, but not enough to stop the reader from enjoying the story still.
Fundamentally, this is a cute and classic holiday rom com, and it does that really well. The story develops really naturally, and aside from a few bumps in the road, is largely well-written. I really enjoyed it! Definitely would recommend giving it a read. 4.3/5
Thank you to NetGalley and the author/publisher for providing an ARC!
The book is really what’s written on the tin: it’s a cute, low angst sapphic rom com with a touch of that holiday magic. It does that super well, and I was pleasantly surprised by the depth it managed to create in a decently low stakes story.
I think what really makes this shine are (a) the likable characters and (b) the integration of an external conflict.
In terms of the characters, it’s easy to root for them. I think Riley was especially well-explored, with her motivations and emotions coming across as realistic and easy to follow; even when she’s being unreasonable, it’s not difficult to see where that’s coming from, and that makes a huge difference. Both Hannah and Riley are likable in their own ways, and it boasts an impressive ensemble of supporting characters that really fortify the story whilst also standing on their own.
The external conflict is never overly intrusive to the point of taking away from the central romance, but it is always present, which provides some really clear stakes and a really satisfying payoff. I enjoyed how the world-building coalesces into a very fulfilling conclusion, and I found it worked really well to uplift the love story.
I would have liked to see Hannah’s character slightly more fleshed out — I think Riley is super well-explored, but sometimes at the behest of building upon Hannah’s internal monologue and psyche. It’s not as if she’s a shallow character; I just wish the depth would have been closer to Riley’s.
In addition, while the romance is super satisfying and easy to enjoy, I feel like I would have appreciated a touch more development in the latter half of the story. The buildup was excellent, but it reaches a certain point where it slightly stagnates and then all of a sudden accelerates rapidly out of nowhere. It isn’t as extreme as I’m putting it — I think it’s slightly noticeable, but not enough to stop the reader from enjoying the story still.
Fundamentally, this is a cute and classic holiday rom com, and it does that really well. The story develops really naturally, and aside from a few bumps in the road, is largely well-written. I really enjoyed it! Definitely would recommend giving it a read. 4.3/5
Thank you to NetGalley and the author/publisher for providing an ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.25 ⭐
This is an opposites attract, small-town romance between Riley, a renowned consultant, and Hannah, the owner of Poptacular—a gourmet popcorn shop. When Hannah’s brother, Kyle, asks Riley for help with the business, things get awkward fast. Hannah can’t stand Riley after a past “incident” involving her brother, so the tension is immediate. But as they’re forced to spend more time together, it becomes clear that something between them is slowly shifting.
I’ll be honest: at first, I really didn’t like Hannah’s attitude. Her dislike of Riley felt overblown, especially since she was holding onto a grudge over something that didn’t seem very significant in the present day. It came across as petty to me. Riley, on the other hand, was a character I mostly enjoyed, even if she was an absolute idiot toward Hannah near the end. Still, I appreciated her arc: watching her stop running away, face her fears, and confront challenges head-on. I also appreciated Hannah’s growth, especially when she finally lets Riley in, not just emotionally, but by accepting her help with the shop. She learns that needing support doesn’t make her weak, and in the end, they both help each other grow in unexpected ways.
The romance itself, though, didn’t fully work for me. While there were definitely cute moments and clear chemistry, much of it leaned a little too corny and cheesy for my taste. Because of that, their connection didn’t always feel entirely believable, and both the romance and the plot could have benefited from a more original approach.
What really stood out to me, though, were the popcorn descriptions. I loved how much care the author put into detailing the process, the recipes, and the fact that the shop’s legacy was passed down from grandmother to granddaughter. You could really feel how seriously Hannah took preserving that legacy. I also enjoyed the pacing, it was fast without ever feeling rushed, and I was never bored.
Overall, this is a lighthearted story about facing your fears and stepping outside your comfort zone. Maybe not one I’ll revisit anytime soon, but still a solid, cozy read that’s perfect for passing the time.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is an opposites attract, small-town romance between Riley, a renowned consultant, and Hannah, the owner of Poptacular—a gourmet popcorn shop. When Hannah’s brother, Kyle, asks Riley for help with the business, things get awkward fast. Hannah can’t stand Riley after a past “incident” involving her brother, so the tension is immediate. But as they’re forced to spend more time together, it becomes clear that something between them is slowly shifting.
I’ll be honest: at first, I really didn’t like Hannah’s attitude. Her dislike of Riley felt overblown, especially since she was holding onto a grudge over something that didn’t seem very significant in the present day. It came across as petty to me. Riley, on the other hand, was a character I mostly enjoyed, even if she was an absolute idiot toward Hannah near the end. Still, I appreciated her arc: watching her stop running away, face her fears, and confront challenges head-on. I also appreciated Hannah’s growth, especially when she finally lets Riley in, not just emotionally, but by accepting her help with the shop. She learns that needing support doesn’t make her weak, and in the end, they both help each other grow in unexpected ways.
The romance itself, though, didn’t fully work for me. While there were definitely cute moments and clear chemistry, much of it leaned a little too corny and cheesy for my taste. Because of that, their connection didn’t always feel entirely believable, and both the romance and the plot could have benefited from a more original approach.
What really stood out to me, though, were the popcorn descriptions. I loved how much care the author put into detailing the process, the recipes, and the fact that the shop’s legacy was passed down from grandmother to granddaughter. You could really feel how seriously Hannah took preserving that legacy. I also enjoyed the pacing, it was fast without ever feeling rushed, and I was never bored.
Overall, this is a lighthearted story about facing your fears and stepping outside your comfort zone. Maybe not one I’ll revisit anytime soon, but still a solid, cozy read that’s perfect for passing the time.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 6, 2025
Hannah Kramer is half-owner of a specialty popcorn business, Poptacular, in the upstate New York town of Sunset Valley, along with her older brother, Kyle. Kyle is worried about the struggling business and places a call to childhood friend and corporate and small business fixer, Riley Shaw. Riley spent five years in Sunset Valley prior to attending college, so she agrees to help an old friend. However, Kyle fails to tell Hannah that Riley will be coming to town to provide recommendations about Poptacular. So, Hannah is very surprised when her childhood crush shows up one day and begins to make recommendations about the business. Not only is Hannah upset, but fifteen years later the crush remains on now a very beautiful woman. To complicate matters, Hannah can't get the vision of Kyle and Riley kissing when they were fifteen and she was a couple of years younger.
It takes several days for Hannah to stop resisting Riley's business suggestions before she slowly agrees to a few small recommendations. As they begin to work together Riley learns more about Hannah and vice versa. Then Kyle reveals something to Hannah that completely changes her view of what happened between Riley and him all those years ago. That forms the basis for a potential pairing between Hannah and Riley.
This was a quick read with the fun aspects of the story occurring in a popcorn shop and some of the story taking place over various holidays. But there is also an underlying emotional depth to this story that impacts the main characters and the reader. The chemistry between Hannah and Riley can be felt in the tension between the two women. Some additional things that I enjoyed about this story included references to Hannah's grandmother whom she inherited the shop from and whose picture hangs on the shop's wall. Finally, I liked that Georgia Beers only included references to the past while Hannah, Riley and Kyle were growing up and didn't devote entire chapters to that time period. 4.5 stars
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It takes several days for Hannah to stop resisting Riley's business suggestions before she slowly agrees to a few small recommendations. As they begin to work together Riley learns more about Hannah and vice versa. Then Kyle reveals something to Hannah that completely changes her view of what happened between Riley and him all those years ago. That forms the basis for a potential pairing between Hannah and Riley.
This was a quick read with the fun aspects of the story occurring in a popcorn shop and some of the story taking place over various holidays. But there is also an underlying emotional depth to this story that impacts the main characters and the reader. The chemistry between Hannah and Riley can be felt in the tension between the two women. Some additional things that I enjoyed about this story included references to Hannah's grandmother whom she inherited the shop from and whose picture hangs on the shop's wall. Finally, I liked that Georgia Beers only included references to the past while Hannah, Riley and Kyle were growing up and didn't devote entire chapters to that time period. 4.5 stars
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 19, 2025
Georgia Beers is one of those reliable authors who I know will create likable characters with a sweet romance. Hannah Kramer loves her popcorn shop, Poptacular, that originally belonged to her Grandmother. She loves creating new flavors and enjoys her customers. But the shop is not flourishing. Months from possibly closing its doors, her brother Kyle asks his best friend Riley Shaw to come and see if she can help turn things around. Riley is a highly accomplished consultant who helps businesses become more profitable. She decides to return to the small town where she lived in her teens and see if she can help. She actually worked in the shop one summer with Kyle and his younger sister Hannah.
Hannah of course isn’t thrilled when Riley starts critiquing her store. Her flustering is compounded by the fact that as a teen she had a crush on Riley. I liked the small town setting and fun flavors of popcorn created. A very small point that bugged me was that Kyle owns half the shop and I didn’t know how that fits into the story other than allowing him to bring in Riley. Does he get profits from his sister’s life work? I liked that Hannah was at her best when creating but I wanted to see Riley helping her understand computerizing her bookkeeping, ordering and payables that would actually make her work easier. I felt there were missed moments to show how Riley excelled at her job. Side characters are limited, but Shana, the coffee shop owner and friend is a stand out.
I will say I paused reading to make popcorn after reading all the flavor descriptions. I only had butter and sea salt but it got me through the book. The sparks do fly when the pair figure out they are on the same team and when they are working together. I was cheering for them as a couple but knew there would be a conflict to overcome especially with Riley’s traveling schedule. I often read Beers’ books again for a light, pick me up and can see me doing that with this book as well. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review.
Hannah of course isn’t thrilled when Riley starts critiquing her store. Her flustering is compounded by the fact that as a teen she had a crush on Riley. I liked the small town setting and fun flavors of popcorn created. A very small point that bugged me was that Kyle owns half the shop and I didn’t know how that fits into the story other than allowing him to bring in Riley. Does he get profits from his sister’s life work? I liked that Hannah was at her best when creating but I wanted to see Riley helping her understand computerizing her bookkeeping, ordering and payables that would actually make her work easier. I felt there were missed moments to show how Riley excelled at her job. Side characters are limited, but Shana, the coffee shop owner and friend is a stand out.
I will say I paused reading to make popcorn after reading all the flavor descriptions. I only had butter and sea salt but it got me through the book. The sparks do fly when the pair figure out they are on the same team and when they are working together. I was cheering for them as a couple but knew there would be a conflict to overcome especially with Riley’s traveling schedule. I often read Beers’ books again for a light, pick me up and can see me doing that with this book as well. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review.
December 17, 2025
Georgia Beers’ The Great Popcorn Romance is a well-traveled road that has been done better and worse than here. Riley comes back to town to help her best friend with Poptacular,a gourmet popcorn shop. She worked there when she was a teenager and also butted heads with Hannah, her best friend’s younger sister. Now she’s trying to help the struggling business, despite Hannah’s animosity.
This is a typical Georgia Beers romance, with a little humor and well-meaning, but clueless friends. But there are two things that knock it down a little bit for me.
One, it seems to be of two individual part. In the first part, Hannah is the person who can’t get the stick out of her hindquarters and who is, quite honestly, a bit unlikeable in the first half. Then in the second half we get Riley’s relationship fear, which quite honestly hadn’t really been built up in the first half to make it quite believable. Sometimes romance writers pick a characters who is always in the wrong and who has to make amends, and it seems like we get it here, except Beers switches it in the middle of the book.
Second, I wasn’t really feeling the chemistry between the two main characters. The two were completely fine separately and Hannah was even somewhat likeable away from Riley, but I just never felt it when the two of them were together. I could see a fling between the two, but I guess The Great Popcorn Fling didn’t have as much pop as a title.
Overall, a decent read, but not one I’d be likely to revisit again, as I will with others of the author’s novels.
I rate this a 3.5, so I'll bump it to 4.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
November 28, 2025
This is a fast sweet read, with sweet I mean both story wise and the caramel flavored popcorns that Hannah makes fresh every morning that I just need a sample of now. It is a low angst books that has that given HEA from the very beginning.
Adorable Hannah that probably makes the best flavoured popcorn out there, is unfortunately not having any business nor marketing sense so her financial situation is not great. Her brother Kyle, co-owner of Poptacular, calls in a favour from his childhood friend Riley, a business consultant. Hannah is not happy about having Riley around at first pointing out everything she should improve, and she is also still struggling with the fact that Riley, her big childhood crush, had a fling with her brother Kyle as a teen and thus cracked her young heart. They soon see something new in each other as adults, first as friends and soon so much more. Hannah is all in but is Riley capable of giving her love life a chance or will she keep on running?
I personally would have loved to have a more depth into the minds of Riley and Hannah, their backstory. Why is Riley acting like she does after losing her mom and why is Hannah so set on running her grandmother’s old business. We get some glances, but I really would have liked way more of that as well way more of their budding romance and how that evolves. Instead, perhaps too much on how to make the best popcorns and build a sound financial and marketing plan.
I received a free ARC via NetGalley and leave a review voluntarily.
Adorable Hannah that probably makes the best flavoured popcorn out there, is unfortunately not having any business nor marketing sense so her financial situation is not great. Her brother Kyle, co-owner of Poptacular, calls in a favour from his childhood friend Riley, a business consultant. Hannah is not happy about having Riley around at first pointing out everything she should improve, and she is also still struggling with the fact that Riley, her big childhood crush, had a fling with her brother Kyle as a teen and thus cracked her young heart. They soon see something new in each other as adults, first as friends and soon so much more. Hannah is all in but is Riley capable of giving her love life a chance or will she keep on running?
I personally would have loved to have a more depth into the minds of Riley and Hannah, their backstory. Why is Riley acting like she does after losing her mom and why is Hannah so set on running her grandmother’s old business. We get some glances, but I really would have liked way more of that as well way more of their budding romance and how that evolves. Instead, perhaps too much on how to make the best popcorns and build a sound financial and marketing plan.
I received a free ARC via NetGalley and leave a review voluntarily.
December 1, 2025
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this awesome book
georgia beers certainly knows how to write a good storyline and this one was no different
riley shaw is a high powered consultant travelling around the country helping businesses out and when she gets the call from her childhood friend kyle to help his family business she knows she is going back to help..... how could she not....
even if it means meeting kyles sister hannah again
they hadnt parted on the best of terms, there was the before kiss and after kiss that had happened between kyle and riley and hannah was never the same to riley after she witnessed it...
but riley could put her past behind her after all she was good at her job and she was just going to do just that to save the business that had been so involved in her teenager years...... she could work with hannah ....right....
omg this storyline has you on tenterhooks right from the beginning when riley walks in to hannahs realisation of why she is there and hannah isnt happy
tension knows no bounds in this great storyline and man do i fancy popcorn now.....
cant wait to see what is next from this great author that set me on this path of sapphic books that i love so much
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this awesome book
georgia beers certainly knows how to write a good storyline and this one was no different
riley shaw is a high powered consultant travelling around the country helping businesses out and when she gets the call from her childhood friend kyle to help his family business she knows she is going back to help..... how could she not....
even if it means meeting kyles sister hannah again
they hadnt parted on the best of terms, there was the before kiss and after kiss that had happened between kyle and riley and hannah was never the same to riley after she witnessed it...
but riley could put her past behind her after all she was good at her job and she was just going to do just that to save the business that had been so involved in her teenager years...... she could work with hannah ....right....
omg this storyline has you on tenterhooks right from the beginning when riley walks in to hannahs realisation of why she is there and hannah isnt happy
tension knows no bounds in this great storyline and man do i fancy popcorn now.....
cant wait to see what is next from this great author that set me on this path of sapphic books that i love so much
December 11, 2025
The Great Popcorn Romance ended up being such a cosy little escape for me. I went in expecting something light and fun, and that is exactly what it delivered. Riley and Hannah have this old crush, old frustration energy that feels very real. Now they are adults who know exactly how attractive the other person is.
Riley coming back to her hometown to help her friend and the popcorn shop felt sweet. She is always running from her problems, always moving, never comfortable staying still. Hannah is the opposite. She holds her ground, loves her routines, and loves the shop that has been in her family for two generations. Watching the two of them try to work together was fun.
The popcorn shop itself gave the story so much charm. The flavours, the small town regulars, the real fear of losing something that has been loved for so long.
There is a soft thread of mental health here, mostly around fear, avoidance, and the weight of doing things by yourself for too long. It never gets too heavy, but it adds something meaningful to both characters. The romance stays gentle, and the character development is on point.
Overall, a warm sapphic romance that pairs perfectly with a blanket and a snack. Simply sweet and easy to enjoy.
Thank you to NetGalley, Georgia Beers, and Bold Strokes Books for providing an ARC of The Great Popcorn Romance in exchange for an honest review.
Riley coming back to her hometown to help her friend and the popcorn shop felt sweet. She is always running from her problems, always moving, never comfortable staying still. Hannah is the opposite. She holds her ground, loves her routines, and loves the shop that has been in her family for two generations. Watching the two of them try to work together was fun.
The popcorn shop itself gave the story so much charm. The flavours, the small town regulars, the real fear of losing something that has been loved for so long.
There is a soft thread of mental health here, mostly around fear, avoidance, and the weight of doing things by yourself for too long. It never gets too heavy, but it adds something meaningful to both characters. The romance stays gentle, and the character development is on point.
Overall, a warm sapphic romance that pairs perfectly with a blanket and a snack. Simply sweet and easy to enjoy.
Thank you to NetGalley, Georgia Beers, and Bold Strokes Books for providing an ARC of The Great Popcorn Romance in exchange for an honest review.
December 9, 2025
This is a very cute, sweet read, with sweet that is low angst and a very enjoyable read.
Hannah makes the best flavored popcorn out there, but she doesn't have any business or marketing sense so her financial situation is awful. Her brother Kyle, co-owner of Poptacular, calls in a favor from his childhood friend Riley, a business consultant. Hannah is not happy about having Riley pointing out all her failings from the woman she had a big crush on who also happened to have a fling with her brother as a teen and that broke her young heart. They are different as adults and become friends and then more. Hannah is all in but is Riley capable of giving her love life a chance or will she keep on running?
I personally would have loved to have a more in depth into the minds of Riley and Hannah and their backstory. We get some glances, but I really would have liked way more of that as well way more of their budding romance and how that evolves. Instead, perhaps too much on how to make the best popcorns and build a sound financial and marketing plan. More romance.
Still a fantastic read.
I received and ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Hannah makes the best flavored popcorn out there, but she doesn't have any business or marketing sense so her financial situation is awful. Her brother Kyle, co-owner of Poptacular, calls in a favor from his childhood friend Riley, a business consultant. Hannah is not happy about having Riley pointing out all her failings from the woman she had a big crush on who also happened to have a fling with her brother as a teen and that broke her young heart. They are different as adults and become friends and then more. Hannah is all in but is Riley capable of giving her love life a chance or will she keep on running?
I personally would have loved to have a more in depth into the minds of Riley and Hannah and their backstory. We get some glances, but I really would have liked way more of that as well way more of their budding romance and how that evolves. Instead, perhaps too much on how to make the best popcorns and build a sound financial and marketing plan. More romance.
Still a fantastic read.
I received and ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 2, 2025
It's a sweet, small-town romance with deep moments but mostly lightheartet banter und witt.
The main characters all know each other from childhood and had a close friendship! For Hannah, it was always intense crush on Riley Shaw, her brothers best friened, and as a teenager she had a sober awakening when her crush kissed her brother!
Since then, their friendship had changed drastically. Until today!
Now, Riley Shaw is back in Sunset Valley, and Hannah isn't thrilled.
Because, unbeknownst to her, her brother has asked her to help make Hannah's Poptacular more successful!
As if Hannah needed her help?! Surely not...right?
It was a quick read and, in my opinion, a light and sweet romance that's perfect for Christmas. Riley was a little frustrating in her ways, but understandable in a way... well, you'll understand when you read it.
Nevertheless, Hannah is so incredibly sweet and makes her own brand of fantastic popcorn.
I would definitely eat my way through her shop ;)
Thanks to Bold Stroke Books, Georgia Beers and NetGalley for the ARC!
The main characters all know each other from childhood and had a close friendship! For Hannah, it was always intense crush on Riley Shaw, her brothers best friened, and as a teenager she had a sober awakening when her crush kissed her brother!
Since then, their friendship had changed drastically. Until today!
Now, Riley Shaw is back in Sunset Valley, and Hannah isn't thrilled.
Because, unbeknownst to her, her brother has asked her to help make Hannah's Poptacular more successful!
As if Hannah needed her help?! Surely not...right?
It was a quick read and, in my opinion, a light and sweet romance that's perfect for Christmas. Riley was a little frustrating in her ways, but understandable in a way... well, you'll understand when you read it.
Nevertheless, Hannah is so incredibly sweet and makes her own brand of fantastic popcorn.
I would definitely eat my way through her shop ;)
Thanks to Bold Stroke Books, Georgia Beers and NetGalley for the ARC!
December 25, 2025
Hannah Kramer is trying to run her grandmother’s popcorn store, poptacular. But business is not doing too great. So her brother called in a favor from his childhood friend, Riley Shaw, who also happened to be Hannah’s crush. Riley tried making suggestions to improve the store but Hannah was initially very resistant to change. Eventually, Hannah did accept the suggestions, and Riley and Hannah grew closer.
I liked the business part of the story. The popcorn store was such a delicious concept and I really wished I could taste all the wonderful variety of popcorns Hannah was making. The romance was also very sweet. Riley was such a cool character and I preferred her to Hannah. I find that Hannah was a little tough on Riley at times, especially when Riley had her own issues to deal with.
I didn’t like the last one third on the book as much. But it was still a good read. Would recommend it if you like small town romance. And popcorn.
I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I liked the business part of the story. The popcorn store was such a delicious concept and I really wished I could taste all the wonderful variety of popcorns Hannah was making. The romance was also very sweet. Riley was such a cool character and I preferred her to Hannah. I find that Hannah was a little tough on Riley at times, especially when Riley had her own issues to deal with.
I didn’t like the last one third on the book as much. But it was still a good read. Would recommend it if you like small town romance. And popcorn.
I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Very sweet story! 🍿
I’m a big Georgia Beers fan, and at this point I pretty much know that when I pick up one of her books, I’m going to have a good time. This one was no exception.
I love a small-town setting and I’m always a sucker for a slow burn, second chance romance, so this really worked for me. Riley and Hannah are opposites, stubborn and set in their ways (ok, mostly Hannah), and their interactions are equal parts frustrating and entertaining. Their slow reconnection felt natural and earned, which made the romance all the more enjoyable.
I’m not a big fan of popcorn, but some of the flavor combinations mentioned throughout the book sounded amazing. This book is not specifically a Christmas story, but it felt perfect for this time of year: cozy, comforting, and easy to sink into.
Another solid, sweet Georgia Beers romance. I never get tired of saying it, but she really doesn’t disappoint.
I’m a big Georgia Beers fan, and at this point I pretty much know that when I pick up one of her books, I’m going to have a good time. This one was no exception.
I love a small-town setting and I’m always a sucker for a slow burn, second chance romance, so this really worked for me. Riley and Hannah are opposites, stubborn and set in their ways (ok, mostly Hannah), and their interactions are equal parts frustrating and entertaining. Their slow reconnection felt natural and earned, which made the romance all the more enjoyable.
I’m not a big fan of popcorn, but some of the flavor combinations mentioned throughout the book sounded amazing. This book is not specifically a Christmas story, but it felt perfect for this time of year: cozy, comforting, and easy to sink into.
Another solid, sweet Georgia Beers romance. I never get tired of saying it, but she really doesn’t disappoint.
November 27, 2025
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Very cute book! I love the way the relationship develops between our two main characters, it feels like a very natural progression.
The emotional struggles Riley goes through coupled with Hannah's worry of losing the store make for some good moments of tension, while still remaining low-angst.
Although there is a slight third act "breakup", it never feels like there is any real animosity between Hannah and Riley, and Riley comes to her senses pretty quickly. The ending resolves perfectly for our characters, with the happily ever after that you may expect for this sweet small-town romance.
If you're looking for a quick and lighthearted romance pick-me-up, this one is a good choice. 4.4/5 stars!
Very cute book! I love the way the relationship develops between our two main characters, it feels like a very natural progression.
The emotional struggles Riley goes through coupled with Hannah's worry of losing the store make for some good moments of tension, while still remaining low-angst.
Although there is a slight third act "breakup", it never feels like there is any real animosity between Hannah and Riley, and Riley comes to her senses pretty quickly. The ending resolves perfectly for our characters, with the happily ever after that you may expect for this sweet small-town romance.
If you're looking for a quick and lighthearted romance pick-me-up, this one is a good choice. 4.4/5 stars!
November 28, 2025
This was a sweet read that gave me all the small town feels!
I do love a romance where the main characters have a history and this book definitely delivered. I enjoyed the initial tension between Hannah and Riley along with the one sided misunderstanding. Childhood friends to lovers always gets me right in the feels!
I enjoyed the dual POV and found it made Riley a fantastically layered character who I rooted for throughout the book.
I wasn’t so keen on the time jump in the book, as I would’ve enjoyed reading the development in the characters relationship in more depth. However, I understand that this helped with the pacing and allowed for more detail in the resolution later in the book.
Thank you to Bold Stroke Books and NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I do love a romance where the main characters have a history and this book definitely delivered. I enjoyed the initial tension between Hannah and Riley along with the one sided misunderstanding. Childhood friends to lovers always gets me right in the feels!
I enjoyed the dual POV and found it made Riley a fantastically layered character who I rooted for throughout the book.
I wasn’t so keen on the time jump in the book, as I would’ve enjoyed reading the development in the characters relationship in more depth. However, I understand that this helped with the pacing and allowed for more detail in the resolution later in the book.
Thank you to Bold Stroke Books and NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Not a popcorn fan but I am a Georgia Beers fan so I knew I had to read this one.
Riley's friend from high school calls in her help to help his sister's struggling popcorn store as that's what she does for a living, helping businesses stay afloat. Minor hickup, there is history.
I was here for the interesting characters and fun storyline revolving around popcorn and two MC's who knew each other in a previous life. I always find it so intriguing how writers go about this as it's not always easy to make the past and present characters authentic with room for improvement. This author can do this in her sleep though so no worries here.
The side characters add just as much to the story as the popcorn and I thoroughly enjoyed how the author used them to get the story going.
An arc was given to me via Netgalley in return of an honest review.
Riley's friend from high school calls in her help to help his sister's struggling popcorn store as that's what she does for a living, helping businesses stay afloat. Minor hickup, there is history.
I was here for the interesting characters and fun storyline revolving around popcorn and two MC's who knew each other in a previous life. I always find it so intriguing how writers go about this as it's not always easy to make the past and present characters authentic with room for improvement. This author can do this in her sleep though so no worries here.
The side characters add just as much to the story as the popcorn and I thoroughly enjoyed how the author used them to get the story going.
An arc was given to me via Netgalley in return of an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book delivers exactly what it promises: a light, low-angst sapphic holiday rom-com with a cozy, festive feel, while still offering more emotional depth than expected. Its biggest strengths are the likeable characters and the well-balanced external conflict, which adds stakes without overshadowing the central romance.
Riley is especially well developed and easy to root for, while Hannah and the supporting cast add warmth to the story. The romance is enjoyable, though the pacing in the second half briefly slows before moving too quickly toward the end, and Hannah’s character could have been explored a bit more.
Overall, this is a charming and easy holiday read that I genuinely enjoyed and would recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for providing an ARC.
#NetGalley #BoldStrokesBooks
Riley is especially well developed and easy to root for, while Hannah and the supporting cast add warmth to the story. The romance is enjoyable, though the pacing in the second half briefly slows before moving too quickly toward the end, and Hannah’s character could have been explored a bit more.
Overall, this is a charming and easy holiday read that I genuinely enjoyed and would recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for providing an ARC.
#NetGalley #BoldStrokesBooks
December 10, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for allowing me to read this early in exchange for an honest review.
I started this and immediately realized it was like a sapphic hallmark movie. I’m not a hallmark movie kind of gal, but I ate this up. I felt Hannah’s struggles with her business were so well done and Riley wasn’t overbearing. I wish once they started flirting we could have seen flirty popcorn themed dates. And I’m so glad that Hannah realized that Riley was distracting her with sex. This did have a 3rd act breakup, but it was valid and well done which is rare. All in all I enjoyed this immensely. Anyone else craving popcorn?
✔️ Sapphic Hallmark
✔️ Childhood Friends to Lovers
✔️ Second Chance Romance
✔️ Small Town
✔️ Cozy Romance
I started this and immediately realized it was like a sapphic hallmark movie. I’m not a hallmark movie kind of gal, but I ate this up. I felt Hannah’s struggles with her business were so well done and Riley wasn’t overbearing. I wish once they started flirting we could have seen flirty popcorn themed dates. And I’m so glad that Hannah realized that Riley was distracting her with sex. This did have a 3rd act breakup, but it was valid and well done which is rare. All in all I enjoyed this immensely. Anyone else craving popcorn?
✔️ Sapphic Hallmark
✔️ Childhood Friends to Lovers
✔️ Second Chance Romance
✔️ Small Town
✔️ Cozy Romance
December 11, 2025
Really enjoyed this book.
It is a lovely, easy read, with characters that steal your heart; Mr Daniels!
The scene setting is beautiful and it is a community that anyone would enjoy being a part of. I feel like the most underrated character in the whole story is Hannah’s teenage neighbour, as the judgemental conscious without Riley realising until it’s almost too late.
I wished this book had been longer, just because I wanted to root for Hannah and Riley a little longer; their dynamic’s were very cute and you can feel each moment they fall for each other.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the opportunity to read this cute story, I shall be looking for other books by Ms Beers.
It is a lovely, easy read, with characters that steal your heart; Mr Daniels!
The scene setting is beautiful and it is a community that anyone would enjoy being a part of. I feel like the most underrated character in the whole story is Hannah’s teenage neighbour, as the judgemental conscious without Riley realising until it’s almost too late.
I wished this book had been longer, just because I wanted to root for Hannah and Riley a little longer; their dynamic’s were very cute and you can feel each moment they fall for each other.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the opportunity to read this cute story, I shall be looking for other books by Ms Beers.
November 26, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the eARC! 3.75 stars
The Great Popcorn Romance by Georgia Beers strikes a nice balance between lighthearted and dramatic. Hannah and Riley reconnect when Riley arrives to help save Hannah’s popcorn shop, and their old, unspoken crushes quickly surface in a really charming way. I love the “consultant comes to a small town to revive a local business” trope, and the added history between them gives the story more depth. It’s a cozy, festive read for the holidays with a good mix of romance and angst. The pacing drags a bit in the middle, which makes the climax and resolution feel slightly rushed, but overall it's an engaging read.
The Great Popcorn Romance by Georgia Beers strikes a nice balance between lighthearted and dramatic. Hannah and Riley reconnect when Riley arrives to help save Hannah’s popcorn shop, and their old, unspoken crushes quickly surface in a really charming way. I love the “consultant comes to a small town to revive a local business” trope, and the added history between them gives the story more depth. It’s a cozy, festive read for the holidays with a good mix of romance and angst. The pacing drags a bit in the middle, which makes the climax and resolution feel slightly rushed, but overall it's an engaging read.
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