Beyond the Teacups

by Hailey Renee

Ophelia has built a walled life of comfort and solitude in her teahouse. As a talented herbalist and baker, she’s devoted her life to her passions, carefully crafting a shield of delicate pastries and teacups to protect her from the dangers of love and adventure.

But when Emmett—a dreamer with big plans—returns to town, Ophelia’s carefully ordered world is shaken, and as their lives are forced to intertwine, Emmett begins to see the potential in Ophelia that she’s never dared to see in herself. As sparks begin to fly, both Emmett and Ophelia are forced to confront their fears of the unknown, risking the safety of familiar boundaries and routines.

For Ophelia, stepping out from behind the tea counter could mean discovering a life of freedom and love she never thought within her grasp—or it could crush the fragile pieces of her heart she’s fought so hard and long to protect.

210 pages, Hardcover

First published April 5, 2025

About the author

A warm hello!
I’m Hailey Renee, author of cozy romance novels and novellas as well as a writer of poetry. I craft romance stories and heartfelt poems that celebrate the beauty of everyday life—small towns, tender connections, and the overlooked corners of the world. My characters often navigate chronic illness, unique jobs, and the small but meaningful moments that make life sweet.


Beyond my own writing, I’m deeply devoted to the literary world—guiding fellow authors as a personal assistant, crafting beauty as a florist, and embracing tradition as a folk practitioner. I believe in the power of storytelling to heal, to connect, and to bring a little more love into the world.

I know my snapshot, patchwork way of crafting stories isn’t for everyone, but my community of faithful, supportive readers makes it all worthwhile.

Thank you for taking the time to connect with me, be it through my books or my socials.

Website: https://authorhaileyrenee.wixsite.com...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorhaile...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/12448...

Reviews

[Ash ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Read 🪴✨
Release Date: 4/25
— — —

I knew I was going to fall in love with this story the second the beautiful Hailey Renee, posted about it on tik tok/instagram! She is such a beautiful person and soul, so her writing a book? I just KNEW!
— — —

This story was so beautiful and had soft/cottage core vibes and I was HERE for it! I related to the main female character so much, it’s not even funny. Not liking to ask for help and thinking I can do everything on my own? The overwhelming feeling of anxiety that courses through me is just a little too much at times!

Do NOT even get me started about our cowboy, Emmett! He is such a sweetheart and as soon as he spoke my heart 🦋! He is such a comfort character that I just want to be in his arms and feel safe!

He is Ophelia’s safety, her comfort, her home and vice versa! The way they just know how to help each other made me so full of warmth and happiness inside!
— — —
This was such a sweet, wholesome, beautiful book and I am so beyond lucky that I got the chance to read it beforehand! It awoken my soft girl era, I just want to be dainty and feel care free like Ophelia!

This was absolutely breathtaking!

The amount of highlights?? The whole book was just so colorful!

[Keagan Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adore this cozy read. Found the characters so relatable and enjoyed their journey and growth. Love the mental health representation.

[ArielsBookCorner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cozy, beautiful story about accepting the love you deserve and the nonlinear journey of healing.

This was a very emotional book, with aspects of mental health that I personally can very much relate to. Seeing the main character, Ophelia, struggle and grow and go backwards but then forwards and demonstrate that healing isn’t linear, was so impactful and touched me during my own nonlinear healing journey. There was grief representation I could absolutely relate to, and social anxiety, and general feelings of being lost. But then there was hope, and connection, and finding your passion and living it.

Hailey also has the most beautiful prose, she is gifted with language and the way she writes is lyrical and musical and I really enjoyed it!

Thank you to the author for letting me be a part of the ARC team 💖

[Sierra Chao · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beyond the Teacups brings the cozy, delicate vibes to the party🍵🍪🧺🌼

BTT is a beautiful story of Ophelia Mossgrove, a small town herbalist and baker of delicious goodies who is struggling to move on in the aftermath of grief. She wants to carve her own unique place out in the world but she's finding herself just kind of... Stuck. 💔

Enter Emmett Sterling, the goofy mailman who pushes her to grow... and all her buttons. 🤭 He's working to overcome his own heartache after a crumbled dream brought him back to his home town, finding himself constantly drawn back to the tea shop and the charming woman who owns it.

As they confront the push and pull that both drives them both crazy and into each other's arms, a sweet love story blooms. 🪷

If you're looking for cozy, small town vibes, Hailey Renee has done it. The descriptions are lovely and really set me in the scene. The characters were charming, as you'd hope and expect of a small town, cozy romance. It's a short and sweet novel that you can devour in a weekend over a cup of coffee and a scone.

🤎 Small town
☕ Cozy romance
🤎 Slow burn
☕ Ooey-gooey, tender moments
🤎 Hallmark vibes

A huge thank you to the author for allowing me to be a part of your ARC team. ✨

[Julz.reads.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You're welcome, muffin, I say, keeping
my tone light. "But don't think you're getting off scot-free. I expect payment--just not in the usual currency.
Her eyes widen, the flush creeping up her cheeks.
"W-what do you mean?"
"Cookies, " I reply with a chuckle


Set in a small town, with a dual POV, this sweet book gives you all the hallmark feels but with some raw mental health representation. Hailey did a beautiful job guiding us into our two main characters minds going thru their mental battles
with them Ophelia owns the little teahouse in town, having recently lost her father, she struggles with grief, anxiety, and feeling stuck.
Then we have Emmett , they grew up together, he has watched Ophelia living in her own little world since she was a little girl playing with her dolls. He has recently lost what he thought was his "big dream". Now he's struggling with what's next?
Thru banter and denial , soon enough their love story ignites. Emmett helps Ophelia grounding her thru her anxiety, and
Ophelia helps Emmett open up and not be afraid of his emotions.
This book takes you away into the teahouse with all the smells and tastes, and you walk thru this small town following the sweetest love story.

This book was very beautifully written, the words take you away into the teahouse with Ophelia , the smells the tastes, I just wanted to have a cup of tea and a vanilla bean scone myself ☕️💐 this book gives those warm hallmark vibes but it's so much deeper and not cheesy. As someone who has anxiety I feel like the representation was on point, I connected with Ophelia in so many ways. I loved how this love story was about being there for each other, for getting thru things together. And Emmett helping Ophelia thru her anxiety attacks was special ✨️
I recommend this book soo much. 💕

[Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spoilers!!
Beyond the Teacups Hailey Renee
4 stars

When I was reading this book, it reminded me of the book Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree because of the cozy bakery vibes. The community comes together to support each other with the story revolving around the death of a loved one, general anxiety, and the feeling of being stuck while still being relatively happy. The story explores Ophelia’s struggle as well as Emmett’s to a lesser extent in a real and raw way. Emmett, who is the son of the mayor, is tasked with running the local festival after he fails first with a farm and then as a mailman. Ophelia lost her father two years before and feels stuck in an anxious state mixed with grief despite running her own tea shop out of her old childhood home. Together Emmett and Ophelia connect and open themselves up to each other, growing together in a sweet way. Though anxiety is never truly gone, with Emmett’s help, Ophelia goes on a journey of recovery which lasts the whole book. The one part I was sure was going to turn into something bigger than it actually turned out to be was Emmett being tasked to include Ophelia in the festival. I expected to see some sort of resistance and while there was hesitation there wasn't as much convincing as I thought there would be. It almost felt too easy though Ophelia and Emmet both struggle in actually making the festival happen which I liked. Overall a short cozy read that deals with real mental health issues in a tasty way (bonus recipes at the end!).

[CoffeeLovinRi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating/Recommend:
5⭐️/Fade to Black (1.5🌶️)/ Yes! This story is beautifully written. Please Read It.

My Thoughts:💭

This is a beautiful book. Not just the cover but the writing is truly beautiful. 💖
This author has a wonderful way with words. She was truly able to display emotion through the page. This was on the shorter side and thus fast paced but she really hit everything needed in this story and was able to display the characters depth so well.

✨If you don’t love fast paced romance this might not be for you but don’t let it stop you from trying! ✨

These characters felt so close to my heart.
- The FMC was dealing with anxiety and grief while running a teahouse.
- The MMC was the perfect man for her while also being human himself and having to manage his own personal dilemmas.
I loved how cozy this read felt while also dealing with serious topics that we have to go through in everyday life.
Also!!! Don’t even get me started on the adorable TEAHOUSE. 🫖 🥐 The tea, the pastries, the coziness and just overall great vibes.

(This kind of subtly reminded me of early Sookie & Jackson from Gilmore Girls 🥹)

Tropes:
- Cozy Romance Novella
- Anxiety & Grief Rep
- Grumpy/Sunshine
- He Falls First
- Adorable Banter
- Instalove *it was always you*
- Dual POV


CW:
- Language: Some Adult Language, Some Innuendos
- Spice: Fade to Black
- Grief/Loss of a Parent
- Anxiety/Mental Health Rep

[Sierra McElhannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

To say I enjoyed Beyond The Teacups would be an understatement. This book was perfectly cozy in every way, from the description of the tea shop and the teas included, the way you could feel every emotion in each scene, the closeness and friendliness of Havenwood, and the sweetness of Ophelia and Emmett’s romance.

I enjoyed the fact that it showed the realness of anxiety and how even though you’re consistently working through it, it never goes away. You just have to face your worries head on, even if that means leaning on your support system around you to help get you through it.

The story also dealt with grief in such a realistic way. Leaving a room untouched until you can finally face it, taking in the fact that someone really isn’t coming back, but realizing that they wouldn’t want you to hold yourself back from living your life. They would want you to go live a lotta bit!

While Ophelia and Emmett’s love does seem a bit instant, I loved the background given on their childhood. It just really drove home how close-knit of a town Havenwood was and set the scene on how Emmett had fallen for her long before he had even realized it.

[Lori Hinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, I want to thank my dear friend Hailey for allowing me to have an ARC of this precious book. I will cherish its contents forever 🫶🏻

This is cozy romance like I have never seen executed before. Hailey does such an amazing job of showcasing each character’s internal battles and showcasing just how much our mental health, particularly anxiety, can play a role in our every day lives and in our romantic endeavors. Ophelia is our FMC who is wildly relatable, and comforting all at the same time. Emmett is our funny, charming MMC who shows us just what type of love is needed when we are struggling with our mental health. Lovers of spice, do not be dismayed, because while BTT is more of a closed-door romance, there is PLENTY of spicy dialogue and banter that implies enough to keep you well satisfied.

There is grief, mental health, cozy warm feelings, a tea shop, a small midwest town, and an enemies to lovers HEA romance for the ages. I hope you all fall in love with Ophelia and Emmett the way I did.

[Maricela · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

Tropes:
- Small town
- Cozy romance
- Slow burn
- Dual POV


I absolutely adored this cozy read. The characters were incredibly relatable, and I loved watching their journey and growth.
The mental health representation was powerful and resonated deeply with me. Ophelia's struggles and progress, especially her nonlinear healing, were moving and reminded me of my own journey.
Themes of grief, social anxiety, and feeling lost were portrayed in such a real way, but the book also brought hope, connection, and the joy of discovering your passion.
The descriptions were vivid, making the setting come alive, and the characters had that charming small-town, cozy romance feel. It’s a short, sweet novel perfect for a weekend read with coffee or tea, of course. The story perfectly captured the warmth of Havenwood, Ophelia, and Emmett’s lovely romance, and the comforting details of the tea shop.
I especially appreciated how it highlighted the reality of anxiety—how it doesn’t just go away but is something you learn to face, with the help of a strong support system.

[Breanna Samples · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond The Teacups is a beautifully written story with such amazing characters to fall in love with. The attention to detail in emotions and real life scenarios around anxiety and change. Ophelia Dawn Mossgrove is a relatable character. Reading this book made me feel like I was Ophelia. The emotions and sentimental moments really brought out more understanding to Ophelia’s way of living and being. Emmett Davidius Sterling is simply a man who is captivated by beauty within Ophelia and sees her potential that she doesn’t see in herself. The story really brings out the potential that they both have as individuals and as they come together. I cannot explain how much I love this story and how much beauty comes from it. Every smell every moment that requires touch is something that you can feel when you’re reading it. So descriptive and well written. I give this a five star rating most definitely a read.

[Vash Mo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is set in a charming, small-town where everyone knows each other’s business, and it beautifully captures the intimacy of close-knit communities. Told through dual POV, we follow Ophelia, a young woman dealing with grief after losing a parent and the suffocating weight of severe anxiety. She feels stuck within the boundaries of her carefully built safety zone, afraid to step beyond it.

Then comes Emmet, who doesn’t just see her—he gets her. His love isn’t about fixing her but about empowering her. He provides gentle support, unwavering encouragement, and most importantly, the space she needs to heal and find strength on her own terms.

Ophelia’s journey resonates deeply with me, especially her struggles with anxiety and the fear of stepping beyond comfort zones. This book is a heartfelt story about loss, love, and the courage to embrace life beyond fear.

Book Quote “Change isn’t easy. It’s messy and unpredictable, forcing you to confront parts of yourself you’d rather hidden.”

[Irene Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You keep surprising me, you know that?"
To pull a quote from the book that encompasses my feelings on this book. I am not typically a first person OR a modern-day time period reader (unless there is a twist like vampires, werewolves, or witches). But. The. Spell! This book put me under. My goodness! Cozy and warm while also just gripping your heart. This will be a hard review for me to type because I struggle to not put any kind of spoilers in this. The emotional journey this takes on you is exactly the kind of book to help soothe your soul. As a said before this is the coziest and warmest love story. Just grab a warm mug of something, cozy up in a blanket before a blazing fire on a snowy or rainy day kind of book. Stressed out and fried, but need a warm comforting bath with candles kind of book. A love story between two characters who just feel meant to be from the start, but reading their journey along the way? Well, that just carries you with it.

[Riri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get this as an ARC read! My first ever one and I have to say I absolutely loved it, I’ll admit I did think it was a bit fast how quickly they fell but after some reflection (even in my own life) I think it was perfect! Hailey has the wonderful ability to bring you into a world where you can sense everything around you as you read the passage. The way she so beautifully articulates emotions is a gift! I felt myself relating and being able to understand both mains so easily. The anxiety and pressure and having to work through the setbacks are all very raw and honest things that we sometimes have to go through. I love that the leads were able to find comfort and strength in each other even without words. Even if unknowingly they’ve been a stronghold for each other that has me rooting for them! This was the perfect cozy read that I’ll be picking up time and time again! Thank you again Hailey for allowing me to be apart of your ARC community 🥺❣️

[Heather Mynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book absolutely surprised me.

It's a love story, but it's so much more than that. It follows the journey of two complex characters healing, one from the grief of losing her father, the other from the grief of losing his dream. They're so different, but they perfectly complement one another and I loved how Emmett brings Ophelia back into the world around her, and Ophelia gives Emmett a new to dream to work towards. I cannot believe this book was just over 200 pages! The amount of detail that went into crafting these characters and their small part of the world was incredible. It made me feel all the feelings and I rooted for both characters the entire time.

I'm so happy and thankful the author chose me to receive an ARC of this book! It's one that's going to live rent free in my head for a long time.

[Lilliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's official, I'll read anything Hailey writes!💗

This book was just what I needed as the new year unfolded around me. In a time of slowness and self-reflection, this novella captured the essence of simply living life. Ophelia and Emmett's story started slow and shy before completely blooming into a heartfelt romance. I loved the way the two of them teased each other (even if Ophelia was a bit apprehensive at first), and how Emmett was on her side no matter what.

Beyond the Teacups taught me that it's okay to take things slow, to free yourself from past burdens, and to live in the moment. Reading this cozy novella felt like being wrapped up in a warm hug on a fall day while tea and baked goods brewed in the kitchen down the hall. Hailey Renee's writing was gentle while prodding the reader to consider the hardships of life and celebrating every win, even the small ones. Wonderfully done!

[callie’s corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

arc read ☕️

wow, hailey renee, i am highly impressed! this book is absolutely beautiful and made me feel so many emotions. it captured the cozy essence of tea and fall while also tackling important topics that are so familiar to many of us.

ophelia - an absolutely wonderful character. i appreciate her humor, feistiness, and love for her craft. i relate to her on refusing help and more.

emmet - a caring cowboy with big emotions. the invisible string theory was proven true with this story.

this was such a perfect romance. i loved how it not only focused on the romance but also their complex emotions, their hobbies and careers, and more. i’m also ALWAYS a sucker for a small town everybody knows everybody story because that’s my life haha.

wonderfully done, i can’t wait to read more 🫶🏻

[Lorena Funderburk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written. The way Hailey writes is so soothing like the perfect cup of tea. ☕️ Perfect cozy read. 🍁🍂
My absolute favorite quote is “ The past hadn’t gone away, and it never would. But today, we made room for something else.”

Emmett has my entire heart and is a total sweetheart! ♥️ we love a cute cowboy !🤠

Seeing Ophelia’s growth throughout the book is incredible. I absolutely adored her storyline

Relatable/ lovable characters. Wonderful growth, lyrical storytelling and a HEA what more could I ask for ?

P.s. Hailey I will be making those pumpkin chocolate chip cookies 🍪😂❤️☺️

[Emmy P · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love a reminder to be proud of ourselves, to take it easy on ourselves, and that we are allowed to want the futures we want without the burden of society.

Let it be said that though Emmett cannot focus to save his life, he makes up for it in an abundance of thoughtful caution. This read took time to warm up, but became a stunning little example of what it means to not only have self worth, but to have community around you who are able to handle you with care while you take the time you need to heal.

If you're here for cozy, mental health conscious, small town reads, come right this way.

[Brittanie McQueen · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do I even begin.. this story is just breathtaking. I love the small town close-nit feel of Havenwood, the relationships that gradually grow between the characters, the subtle references to the past that are holding onto Ophelia and Emmet, not allowing them to move forward. I love how descriptive the author, Hailey Renee, is throughout this beautiful story, making me feel as if I’m actually there watching everything unfold in real time. I definitely recommend Beyond the Teacups, it’s a great read!

[Jessica McIntyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review- As soon as I heard about this book, I knew I would love it and I did. This cozy love story about Ophelia and Emmett is the perfect cozy read that will also have you in your feels! This book had me laughing, kicking my feet and also crying. As someone who suffers with anxiety and also lost my dad, this book really hit close to home. I love the different tea blends and the recipes in the book as well! This is truly the perfect book to read with a cup of tea and a cozy blanket.

[Hot Mom Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I loved the progression of the main character together but also on their own.
I really enjoyed the other shops and characters through this book, it made me feel like it was a real town and these were its people and we were peeking in on their lives.
This book was a warm and cozy read for me which I loved.
If you want warm and cozy with a happy ending this is it!!

[Sarah Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I was very glad to have read this book. The FMC was very believable as a character and I enjoyed her progress through the novel. I really liked that Ophelia was able to heal and learn to move on when life can really tear a person down.

My only real problem was the timeline and I sometimes found it confusing. I couldn't really tell how much time had passed between events and it felt like they fell in love super quick.

[Ashley LaPorte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this cozy, easy read. Set in a small town in Indiana it made my heart happy to see Emmett and Ophelia heal together and create a life that they both truly deserved.

This is a fantastic read for those who have experienced loss and need something to solidify that it’s okay to move on and heal. Through exposure therapy Ophelia works through a lot of her trauma with Emmett happily in tow to help.

Go out there and find your Emmett ladies!

[Lindsay (bedsidebibliophile) · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ arc review ✨
beyond the teacups by felt like a warm cup of something sweet on a slow morning. it’s soft and cozy but holds so much heart. if you’ve ever needed a quiet place to land or a story that understands anxious minds and gentle love; this one is for you! emmett and ophelia made me ache and hope and breathe a little easier.

five stars for softness
bonus star for the recipes

[Erin Saulpaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a beautiful story. A great representation of mental health. I was able to relate to the characters. Healing is definitely a process, and it's not perfect. Sometimes, we take steps forward just to take steps back. Everyone's healing process is different. there is no right way or wrong way. This was a cozy read. I enjoyed reading it.

[Lisa Burger · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many feelings!! This book is written so superbly!! Hailey Renee really makes you feel like you’re there. Vivid descriptions and just beautiful!! I absolutely love the characters. I highly recommend!!!

[Wendy Arana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is touching and charming, the way the characters overcome the obstacles of loss and anxiety with love, understanding and trust is very interesting.

I hope to read more of Hailey's stories in the future. 😊

[Mary West · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a cozy and cute book. Ophelia's struggles with anxiety and closing herself off were so relatable. Trying to move on is hard and watching Ophelia and Emmet fall in love and Emmet helping Ophelia heal herself was a sweet, sweet story!

[Brittany Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional character growth and vision for this book. Beautifully done and you can really connect with the characters in this book. Cannot wait for her other releases!!