Scattered Acres

by Heather Grey

Coming Soon...

ebook

Published April 30, 2025

About the author

Heather is a Canadian author with a passion for romance—and just the right touch of suspense. After years spent in the financial world, she traded in spreadsheets for storylines and now crafts tales that weave love, drama, and a little mystery into every page.

When she’s not writing or dreaming up her next plot twist, you’ll find her curled up with a book, surrounded by her beloved pets, enjoying time with friends, or exploring the outdoors with family.

To stay up to date on Heather's upcoming projects, connect with her on social media @authorheathergrey

Reviews

[Sarah Gay · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Huge thank you to Heather Grey and Ember Literary PR for allowing me the privilege of receiving an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was my first book by Heather Grey and it did not disappoint! I read it as a standalone and absolutely loved it so I can only imagine how much more I’d love it if I read the first two books in the series before.

Grumpy x Sunshine is one of my all time favorite tropes and this book definitely delivered. Add in Small Town Romance and I’m SAT.

Elliott is a big city billionaire who wants nothing to do with the small town of Bluefield but he has no choice. Julia wants her grandmother’s bookstore but that might not be in the cards for her. Immediately when they met I felt the chemistry and couldn’t get enough! The fact that he’s a total softie for Julia had me melting. Their banter was so fun and the dynamic between the two characters was so relatable.

I normally don’t like an age gap situation but this was written so well and the spice was spicin’ 😮‍💨
The plot twists and suspense kept me hooked and I couldn’t put this book down. I will now be running to go read the first two in the series! And probably every other book she writes after this.

If you love these tropes, you NEED to read Scattered Acres ASAP!

🌧️Grumpy x Sunshine
☀️ Small Town
🌧️Found Family
☀️ Billionaire x Bookstore Manager
🌧️Age Gap

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Small town romance book with not much else going on. There were times I wish the characters dove deeper into getting to know each other. I felt like at times, we were told the characters did something together but I wish we were shown.

I thought Julia and Elliot’s connection could have been stronger. Sometimes it felt corny and disingenuous. I’m all for a broody MMC, but it just didn’t click with Elliot for me.

The only thing that kept me hooked was figuring out who was messing with Julia. When we found out, it was a surprise but then it was over so quickly. I wish it was dragged out a little more or as readers, received more background information.

[Taylor (taylorreadsalatte on IG) Rodrigues · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Read

I was really excited for this story for the tropes. I love a good Grumpy x Sunshine trope coupled with a small town. There is an age gap as well as the MMC is older than the FMC. I thought the setting of Bluefield as a backdrop was adorable and although I would never want to live in a small town myself, I wanted to go to this place by reading about it. As this is technically part of a series. I would recommend reading the first two if you want more backstory of the characters mentioned. Julia, our FMC, does reference situations that happened to her two best friends prior to where this story picks up. It does not deter from the storyline if you did not read them beforehand, but I do believe it would help round out the plot for you to have the information. Elliot, our MMC, is a brooding, grumpy IT mogul. Definitely swoon worthy, and his relationship with his brother and father is endearing. I do wish that there was character building to connect with them both more. The spicy scenes were short and sweet. They come in guns blazing and are over before you know it. This is a good, quick read with an entertaining plot. I do wish the book was a little longer and expanded on some of the conflict we read.

[reyyreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Age gaps are full of so much unexpected and exciting couples and Julia and Eliot did not disappoint. This man was by far the best book boyfriend! He’s grumpy but cares deeply and over the top! I enjoyed the suspense aspect so much! The way their relationship formed was the best part!!

Thank you Ember Literary PR & Heather Grey for the ARC!

[georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I’m addicted to everything about her. I’m addicted to her.”

My queen does it again! was i expecting anything less than amazing from Heather and this book? absolutely not! I will gush about these books and their amazing author until I pass on to the next life.

Overall Rating: 4.75/5 ⭐️
Spice Rating: 2/5 🌶️

Scattered Acres is just like rest of the books in this series where it just hit all the right spots in my brain and will go down as some of my favorite writings by none other than the loml, Heather Grey. Literally, if she writes it, I’ll read it and guarantee to love it, just like this book did.

Small town suspense, age gap, grumpy billionaire — what more could you need in a romance novel? If it wasn’t already obvious, I loved everything about this book — that there was an organic meet cute between the characters, amazing plot, plot twists, perfect amount of spice, the banter and dynamics between Julia and Elliot in both regards to grumpy sunshine and age gap aspects (im such a sucker for both, there was no way i wasn’t gonna love this book). The timing of their story felt just right and everything flowed well for me, they have amazing chemistry and I already can’t stop thinking about them.

“To be loved is to be seen, and Elliott see’s me.”

One last thing I can’t get over and that’s Elliot — the biggest grump ever on the outside, but the second he met Julia i knew deep down he held the softest of soft spots for her. I’m giggling writing this, I just love a man who’s soft for his girl and no one else, I can’t explain it and don’t ask me why, it’s just a trope that sits with me so well. Do yourself a favor and read this book asap, you won’t regret it!!

What to expect in scattered acres:
🧡 romantic suspense
🧡 age gap
🧡 billionaire tech mogul x bookshop manager
🧡 small town
🧡 grumpy x sunshine
🧡 found family
🧡 she falls first, he falls harder

As always, a big thank you to Heather Grey for allowing me to be an arc reader for this release & providing me with an advanced reader copy of Scattered Acres in exchange for an honest review! 🤍

Scattered Acres releases April 30th, 2025!

[Heather Mood Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scattered Acres follows Julia and Elliot falling in love in a small town called Bluefield. Julia decided to keep her grandmother’s bookstore going after her grandmother’s death, only to find out that someone had bought her grandmother out before her death. Julia's dream has always been to own the bookstore, but with the new owner, she knows her dream won't be coming true.

In comes Elliot, who has come to Bluefield because of his dad and brother, and buying property. Elliot loves fast, city living and doesn't know how to feel about the small town living. He's grumpy and doesn't do well with meeting others and decides to spend most of his days in Julia's bookstore.

Julia and Elliot have good banter throughout the story. I enjoyed their steamier scenes as well. The suspense of this story was done in a more softer approach, which fit well with the story. Overall, this story was a sweet romance between two people who weren't really looking for love but took a chance on the spark they had for each other.

[Spooks Reads it · Rating 5 out of 5]

first off who doesn't love a good age Gap book ?!? Julie and Elliot were a trip for sure ! Elliot may be this hot shot Oscar the grouch but with Julie she brings out the red in hid heart. They're is just the right amount of spice in this and the plot & characters how can you not say one more page or just one more chapter thank you Ember Literary pr and author Heather grey for given me the amazing opportunity to read this!
release day is April 30,2025

[Kayla McMullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Julia & Elliot were honestly so fun. Strangers to friends to madly in love.

“𝘛𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘌𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦.“

This is the third book in the series and while you could read it as a stand alone, id definitely recommend reading the first two before you get into Julia and Elliot.

Julia is sunshine, Elliot is grumpy. They have good banter and ups and downs in their relationship all in the sweet small town of Bluefield Beach. I love that we get to see our friends from previous books, I love the found family in these books.

As Heather does, there is some suspense and mystery in the story and honestly I didn’t guess the “twist”.

Thanks to Heather & Ember Literary PR for the ARC. 🫶🏼

[Less · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc Review:

Thanks to Ember Literary Pr and Heather Grey for accepting this arc.

It's the first book I've read by this author, I have to say I liked it even though at first I had a hard time finding myself in the story.

As I continued reading, however, it began to attract me because I found the mystery part a bit forced.

However, I particularly liked the development of the male character.
Or rather, I liked the whole story and that's why I give it 4 stars, but I would have preferred more pages

I'm curious to recover the other two previous books and read the next one! I'm sure I'll like them as much as this one

[Lindsey Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Heather Gray continues her Bluefield Beach Series with the addition of Scattered Acres. This is a wonderful addition to this series and I loved going back to Bluefield Beach. Heather is a wonderful writer who perfectly blends amazing characters with a storyline that captivates you from the very beginning. Each book promises chemistry, passion, romance, and the perfect touch of suspense.

Julia is a woman after my own heart. She loves to get lost between the pages of a good book and can’t wait until her grandmother’s bookstore is hers. So imagine her surprise and heartache when her grandmother sells it to someone else. Julia loves the life she has built in Bluefield, but now isn’t sure where her place is. As she grapples over her next move, a seemingly random meeting of a handsome newcomer sparks something in her. Older, handsome, successful; he is like no one Julia has ever seen in Bluefield before. But once again the universe isn’t on her side when she discovers this handsome man is the purchaser of her beloved bookstore.

Elliot can’t get out of Bluefield fast enough. A joint venture between him and his brother has brought him to this small coastal town and he is counting down the days when he can get back to his city life. He is determined to not let anything distract him from doing what he needs to, but then he meets Julia. The chemistry is instant between them and maybe life won’t be so boring. When she is in need of a skillset he can offer, he is determined to find out who is behind the cyber attacks she is facing. But what happens after the summer comes to an end and it’s time for him to go home?

If Heather writes it, I will read it. Plain and simple. Her stories are full of heart and passion and I am in love with the fictional town of Bluefield that she has created. She has an ability to pull her readers in, immersing them into wonderful romance and heated spice. The touch of suspense that comes with each of her stories doesn’t take away from the overall love story, but adds a touch of drama that keeps readers on their toes. Julia and Elliot are a perfect addition to her beloved couples and I am so ready for the next book!

As always, review any author notes before reading.

What to Expect:
💵Age Gap
📚Small Town Romance
💵She Falls First
📚He Falls Harder
💵Billionaire MMC
📚Book Loving FMC
💵Grumpy x Sunshine
📚Suspense

[Brandy Huckaby · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️/ 4🌶️ So while I devoured this book in a day, I still felt like there was something missing from making it amazing.
I loved the characters… and I loved how despite his best grumpy efforts, Elliot couldn’t resist the magnetic draw to Julia, and he was able to open up to her in a way that he never had to anyone else. This is a true opposites-attract, grumpy-sunshine romance and I’m here for it! They had great chemistry & once they finally expressed their attraction, the spice was spicing! And Julia was a little minx! But also, Elliot surprised me, because it seemed like admitting his feelings to her and finally getting the courage to act on it… seemed to finally give him permission to come out of his shell. He was vocal, and totally okay with PDA, which I was surprised about with his personality throughout most of the book. But it was a good surprise for sure.
I honestly feel like where the book fell short was with the suspense part of the plot. I feel like it wasn’t quite believable… and it felt rushed. I think the first half of the book, it was introduced into the plot in a natural way. But instead of building up to the final climax, it seemed to get forgotten for a while. It seemed like once Elliot and Julia got together, that part of the story went to the back-burner. So then when it escalated, it came out of nowhere. And then it was completely rushed through. I felt like the pinnacle of that part of the story could have been drawn out for more drama, and then even the resolution of that drama could have taken more time too. The fact that this small, cozy, innocent town had so many crazy crimes occur to this particular friends group is part of what made it unbelievable. I’m not sure how that could be resolved though & keep both aspects of the small-town romance with the suspense.
Overall, it was a very entertaining and enjoyable book. And I am still interested in reading the rest of the series. But it likely won’t be one I’ll be wanting to re-read over & over like my five-star reads.

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review (ARC)🍎📚🦋:

Scattered Acres by Heather Grey

Ratings: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️

Topics throughout the book are:
🍎 small town
📚 found family
🦋 suspense
🍎 Dual POV’s
📚 grumpy x sunshine
🦋 age gap

Summary🍎📚🦋:
“To those who aren’t sure what their next step is. Keep reinventing yourself. Dreams are meant to be plentiful.” Julia Prescott grew up in Bluefield, basically living in her grandmother’s bookstore and dreaming of the day it would be hers. But after her grandmother's sudden passing, Julia finds out the store’s been sold—to a stranger. That stranger? Elliot Dubois, a billionaire from Montreal who has zero interest in small-town life. He’s only in Bluefield to manage his family’s new orchard until harvest… then it’s off to Monaco. But working in the bookstore brings him closer to Julia, and from the start, he can’t seem to stay away. When cyberattacks threaten her business, Elliot steps in to protect her—and what starts as a favor quickly turns into something deeper. With secrets unraveling, they both have to figure out what really matters… and whether love is worth the risk.

What I love most about Heather’s book is that it's not just a romance—it’s got suspense that keeps you guessing, and I especially adored the chapter openers with text exchanges! It’s such a fun and fresh touch. I was so excited to finally see Julia get her own story. She’s been a side character in the first two books, but now she’s front and center—and she shines. A bubbly, driven dreamer who doesn’t give up, no matter what.

This is a slow burn romance, but when the spice hits? Whew, fan yourself.
Huge thanks to Heather and Ember Literary PR for the ARC! I’ve been lucky to read this series from the start, and Heather? You never miss. Those twists? Wild. So proud to support another Canadian author! Go grab your copy now on KU or Amazon!

#SmallTownRomance #OppositesAttract #GrumpySunshine #suspense #agegap #foundfamily #bluefieldseries #heathergrey #canadianauthor

[Zayneb · Rating 3 out of 5]

𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 3.5 ☆

Scattered Acres, part of The Bluefield Beach Series, follows Julia, a quirky bookstore manager whose life is upended by her grandmother’s death and the mysterious sale of the store she thought she'd one day inherit. Enter Elliot, a grumpy tech entrepreneur from Montreal forced into rural life for business. What begins as a clash of personalities turns into a steamy romance filled with emotional humorous missteps, and an undercurrent of suspense as secrets about Bluefield's newest owners unfold.

Julia is smart, stubborn, emotionally expressive, and delightfully quirky. She embodies small town charm with a chaotic twist, particularly in her unfiltered inner monologues and creative flair. Elliot is her perfect foil, reserved, grumpy, cynical, and emotionally restrained. Their initial interactions are laugh out loud awkward and tension-filled, starting with a spilled laundry bag of lingerie and a mistaken identity.

Despite the rocky beginning, their relationship slowly morphs into something more profound. Julia's vulnerability and frustration with her upended life mirror Elliot’s displacement and emotional baggage. Their banter evolves from prickly jabs to meaningful conversation even though their development lacked someway or another the necessary emotional depth.
The romance is simmering with tension, misunderstandings, and emotional hesitation. There are moments of tenderness, vulnerability, and eventually steamy, meaningful connection. Their relationship isn’t just about passion, it’s about healing, trust, and emotional rebirth for both characters.

The book is good, but sometimes it irritated me, I felt that in some places there was too much internal monologue. Julia's monologue frustrated me in the beginning but I pushed though. There was also the sudden change in Elliot's character, the guy turned into a unicorn so fast, it's wild.

[Kayla B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a sweet and short small town romance. And perfectly released in time for summer. Scattered Acres is book 3 in The Bluefield Beach series, however it is an inter connected stand alone so it is fine to read it by itself.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

📚Small Town Romance
📚Grumpy x Sunshine
📚Age Gap
📚Billionaire MMC
📚Romantic Suspense
📚She Falls First
📚He Falls Harder
📚Found Family

Julia has lived in Bluefield Beach her entire life, and has always dreamed of owning and running her grandmother's bookstore. When her grandmother dies, she learns she no longer will own the building but she can still run it. In the process of trying to find a way to buy back the bookstore, she befriends the new owner. Eventually that friendship turns into more, but before Julia learns the truth she falls fast and hard for Elliott. But will she be able to forgive him when she finds out?

Elliott and his brother have just moved to Bluefield Beach to be closer to their father, who has moved into a retirement home. In doing so, they also purchased 3 properties in the area without anyone knowing who purchased them. Elliott has made it known he does not want to be there and cannot wait to move back to the city after Thanksgiving. But after spending all his time working in the quiet of his new bookstore, he starts to develop feelings for Julia. The only problem is, she doesn't know he is the one who crushed her dreams. Is he able to fix it all before he loses her for good?

I was provided an early reading copy for this book by Ember Literary PR. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Beka · Rating 3 out of 5]

A big city GRUMP of a billionaire that is only soft and talkative to the small town sunshiney book lover.
Elliott gets a plot twist when his brother announces the new investment they're taking is in the small town of Bluefield. With his dad also retiring there, he feels like he has no options. His two favorite people all in one place....so he goes with all the plans to do the job and go back to the city.
Julia comes back to Bluefield after her grandmother's passing and gets a plot twist of her own because the bookstore she thought was going to be hers? Grandmother sold it without telling anyone.
These two found love in places they weren't necessarily looking. It was natural and two separate worlds colliding. Elliott showing Julia just how she should be treated and what to expect on dates. Julia giving him book recs almost every day. The chemistry was noticeable and their friendship grew. The banter was snort laughter worthy. Add in the subtle suspense undertow AND MY AGE GAP KRYPTONITE and it was one of those books that keeps you wondering what happens next.
JUST ME--I was a little iffy with the beginning because it felt slower to me. BUT THAT COULD HAVE JUST BEEN ME AND MY MOOD. But the story had that growth ARC and that's what kept me going. You could 100% feel the small town vibes jumping off the page. And if you've ever lived in a small town, you know what I mean. I haven't read books 1 or 2 but...Julia and Elliott fit in seamlessly with the other couples.

[TBR_inbloom · Rating 5 out of 5]

SOMEONE TAKE ME TO BLUEFIELD BEACH. I have never wanted to click my little red heels and be somewhere so fast. Easy 5 stars… I think I knew that when I stayed up WAYYYY too late the first night reading because I just couldn’t put it down.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What to expect when reading Scattered Acres;
-Small Town
-Billionaire
-Grumpy x Sunshine
-Found family
-Age Gap

This is book 3 of the Bluefield Beach series which follows the story of Elliot & Julia!! I read this as a standalone & did just fine! This was my first Heather Grey & definitely not my last. I just have to know what happens to with Ben and Noah.

Heather can write a suspenseful book. The ending threw me for a loop and the plot built perfectly throughout. I think my favorite part is that Elliot and Julia built such a good friendship… His grumpiness was hot as hell but he wore down quick all while showing her exactly what he needed as well. Spicy moments were just enough to add a little flavor 😋🌶️
Can I just say I am down for any grumpy x sunshine meets small town bookstore romance?! Ugh… now who is buying me an orchard? 😍🤪

Favorite Quote: "Let's go have a slumber party.”
“He’s my more, and our life together is more.” SWOON.

Huge thank you to Heather Grey and Ember Literary PR for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small Town Romantic Suspense! Elliot the MMC had me swooning. “Julia has always been beautiful. But right now. Right now, she looks ethereal.”

Julia Prescott is the Sunshine FMC. She has lived in Bluefield her whole life and grew up in between the bookshelves at her Grandma’s bookstore. She now works at the bookstore & lives above it. Julia has always thought the bookstore would be passed down to her…..But Nope, her Grandma sold it and she doesn’t know what her future now holds.

Elliot Dubois is the Grumpy MMC. Billionaire who has zero interest in small town life. Absolutely hates chatty/nosey/perky people. He comes into this small town as his dad moved into a retirement community AND he and his brother bought several businesses in town, including the bookstore.

Julia becomes the target or a cyber attack and Elliot is the only one with the skills to protect her. These two start off as friends but the chemistry builds! She falls first BUT he falls harder. The age gap was exciting and the plot twist got me good! Perfect balance of humor, spice, and suspense, to keep those pages turning!

Check your ‼️ Content Warnings!

If you enjoy the below tropes, I’d highly recommend. 😉

🌳 Small Town
🌳 Suspense
🌳 Found Family
🌳 Age Gap
🌳 Billionaire
🌳 Grumpy vs. Sunshine

[Briana Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review ✨
First I would like to say a big thank you to Heather for letting me be apart of this ARC Team!
Rate: 5/5⭐️
Spice: 1.5/5🌶️

What to expect when reading Scattered Acres;
-Small Town
-Billionaire
-Grumpy x Sunshine
-Found family
-Suspence
-Age Gap

Book 3 of the Bluefield Beach series and you get for follow the story of Elliot & Julia!! One thing I love about this series is your plot twist Miss Heather knows how to write that so well. The buildup throughout the story between Elliott and Julia and also the plot was Chef’s kiss. His grumpiness and her care freeness honestly made the story. honestly, I think everybody needs an Elliot somebody who is grumpy to everybody else, but puts you on top of the world. I love that it kept you on your toes as you were falling in love with the main characters. It was the perfect balance of humor, spice drama, and I love getting to see the gang again. I’m so excited for what’s to come lol

Side notes:
-playlist 😩
-special tone🎶

Fav Quote: “let’s go have a slumber party”

Make sure you get your copy of the book when it releases April 30th🧡
#bookstagram #romance #review

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by Heather Grey, and it absolutely did not disappoint! I read it as a standalone and was completely drawn into Elliot and Julia’s story. Their chemistry, the emotional build-up, and the well-executed tropes made this such a satisfying read.

I loved grumpy Elliot especially how soft and devoted he became when it came to Julia. Their relationship felt natural and perfectly paced, with just the right mix of tension, spice, and heart.

The story kicks off when Julia inherits her grandmother’s beloved small-town bookstore… or so she thinks. A twist reveals the store isn’t in her name anymore, and the new mystery owner? None other than Elliot who wants nothing to do with small-town life. Talk about conflict! With secrets, surprises, and a grumpy man who has to beg I was hooked until the very end.

Heather’s signature suspense and unexpected twists kept me on my toes the entire time. I never saw the ending coming, and I loved every second of the journey.

What to expect
🧡 romantic suspense
🧡 age gap
🧡 billionaire tech mogul x bookshop manager
🧡 small town
🧡 grumpy x sunshine
🧡 found family
🧡 she falls first, he falls harder

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

🍎Scattered Acres is the 3rd book in The Bluefield Beach series that follows Julia and Elliot and does not disappoint!

Julia gives her sunshine attitude to everyone she meets, even to the grumpy newcomer to town, Elliot. It doesn't matter that there are a few things not going her way in life, like her grandmother not leaving her the bookstore and not having luck in the dating world, that deters her from being friendly. All she wants is what her friends have in a relationship and her books. Little does she know it's closer than she thinks.

Elliot is a tech genius who just happens to move to Bluefield for business. He doesn't want to be there, but he loves his family so he muddles his way through. He spends most of his days at Julia's bookstore where he gets to see her sunny side and learns about her sassy side. He's given up on love, but maybe it hasn't given up on him.

Julia and Elliot's story was fun to read! I loved all the sassy quips along with the sweet tender moments. The growth of each character was done really well too. Oh and don't forget about the spicy moments either!! Those were *chef's kiss. I love when a man let's his woman have control.

Once again I didn't see the twist coming in this book and I don't think you will either!

❤️I can't wait to read the next book in this series!

[Courtney|the.bookcourt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Heather Grey and Ember Literary PR for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Scattered Acres is book three in the Bluefield Beach series and is an interconnected standalone with an HEA.
I have not read the previous two books so all of the characters were new to me but I was still able to get a feel for the small town and its people.

We first meet our FMC Julia in a frustrated mood after finding out that she will not be the true owner of her recently passed grandmother’s bookstore.  To top it all off, she seems to be having some major technology issues and some suspicious activity that’s definitely a bit worrying considering the town’s past.
Then comes in the new guy to town, Mr. Elliott Dubois, Montreal native who’s only goal in Bluefield is to get the recent businesses bought by his brother up and running efficiently and then he’s escaping back home. After all, small towns are not his thing.

But of course, Elliott begins to spend more time with Julia, realizing that she might just be the true sunshine to his grump and could definitely be his something “more”.

Overall, I liked the idea of this book. I love a good small town romance. Grumpy Sunshine is always a hit and throw in a little suspense, you should have the perfect mix! And while I enjoyed the references to my home province and familiar places, I really struggled to connect with the characters. Julia’s personality just ground my gears and the way she was so oblivious to the things happening to her drove me nuts.
And then Elliott’s character arc was like a complete 180. One half of the book he’s grunting and saying he doesn’t care and then BOOM clothes are off and he’s being dominated??? I swear to god it felt like absolute whiplash. I’m all for a bit of insta love but that was WILD.

I’m still giving the book three stars because the suspense still kept me intrigued and the other characters at least seemed to have some brains but in the end, this wasn’t my favourite small town romance.

[Sakura · Rating 4 out of 5]

For being a small town romance, the plot, and the suspense were great, and I mean, GREAT. It is mixed with a perfect written style, well-delivered tropes, an amazing build-up and chemistry between the main characters, and a variety of emotions.

I absolutely loved how grumpy Elliot was, but showed Julia the most adorable and honest devotion and attention. They are a good couple; the pace of their relationship felt right, with their own timing and rules.

Thank you so much @authorheathergrey and @emberliterarypr for giving me the chance of being an ARC.

#books #bookstagram #booksbooksbooks #bookstagrammer #booksofinstagram #darkromancebooks #romancebooks #fantasy #fantasybooks #darkfantasybooks #darkfantasyromancebooks #demonromance #devilromance #romantasy #romantasybooks #newadultromance #newadultfantasy #newadultbooks #mustreadbooks #booksta #bookstoread #instabooks #bookcommunity #bookrecommendations #bookrecs

[drusilla duke · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

I loved being back in Bluefield Beach and was thrilled to read more about Julia, as I loved her dynamic in the previous books. I hadn't read Heart's Lock, Love's Key, so it was exciting to learn about Elliot. I don't normally read age-gap stories, but I knew that the writing style and plot of the book would be something that I would love, so I had to give it a chance. Grey has a way of describing the world of Bluefield Beach in a way that makes you feel as if you were there, which is something I love. You can feel the different characters of each character, making them all feel special. I also love how there is an interconnecting 'crime' plot line that follows the book. I do think the communication between the main characters could have been a tad bit better (especially taking in the age factor), but other than that, it was an enjoyable read.

Thank you, Heather Grey and Ember Literary PR, for giving me a free copy in return for an honest review.

[Heather Childers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently read the first two books in the series after reading the blurb for this one, and knowing I wanted to read Scattered Acres. I ate those 2 books up, so I was patiently waiting for this one to release, and it was so good.

I liked that Elliot was not your typical MMC. He was more of an introvert, which people often mistook as being rude. He was a great MMC for Julia though, he taught her the type of respect and expectations she needed to demand from a partner.

Julia was also not your typical FMC either. She was definitely a sweet, small-town girl but gave off gothic barbie type vides, and I enjoyed reading about two characters that were not typical characters. Julia and the hurt she felt from her grandmother selling the bookstore shortly before dying was so relatable. I truly felt her pain of wanting something so bad and then having it ripped away from you only to feel lost as a person.

I also really liked the romantic suspense aspect of this book. I suspected who the "bad guy" was but I don't think it was meant to be a secret, just the reason why.

Overall, this was a great read and I am hoping we get Ben and Dylan's story soon.

Storyline:4
MMC:4
FMC:4
Development of Relationship:5
Conflict:4
Emotional Impact:4
Total Score: 4.16

[Jocelyn Delarosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Rating: ⭐️ 3.25/5
Spice Rating: 🌶️ 3/5

This was a cute, easy read with a sweet strangers-to-friends-to-lovers vibe! I really enjoyed following Julia and Elliot—their romance was adorable, and the grumpy x sunshine dynamic was done well (one of my favorite tropes!).

I read this as a standalone even though it’s the third book in a series, and I didn’t feel lost at all, which was a pleasant surprise. That said, I’m definitely planning to go back and read the first two to get more of the backstory leading up to Julia and Elliot’s story.

The romance was definitely the highlight for me. There’s also a mystery element woven in, but to be honest, it didn’t hook me as much. I wasn’t super surprised by the twist, and it didn’t hold my interest like the romance did. That’s just a personal preference though—I can see it being more compelling for others!

Overall, it was a fun read, and I’m looking forward to finishing the rest of the series!

[Christina Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Heather Grey and Ember Literary PR for sending me this ARC in exchange for my honest review! True story I signed up for this ARC not realizing it was the thir din a series but I"m not mad about it. This book has romantic suspense and they are the perfect summer read!

Julia has lived in Bluefield all her life, been obsessed with books since she's been little, and always dreamed of the day when her grandparents bookstore on Main Street would one day be hers. After her grandmother's passing, she finds out that her grandmother had already sold the bookstore and she has no idea who the new owners are.

Elliot is a city boy forced into small town life when his dad decided to move into a retirement home and his brother followed to make investments in the town.



Tropes you will find in Scattered Acres:
-romantic suspense
-small town romance
-billionaire MMC
-grumpy x sunshine
-age gap (older MMC)

[Lisa Conant · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brisk, good small town romance, but nothing new. Sometimes I felt there were missing narrative gaps too, when something in a conversation is alluded to but that we didn't get to see or hear, happens a couple times. I never felt terribly connected to them though. Though I did like that Elliot was awkward in showing feelings and warmth, he just wasn't sure how which was why he came off as grumpy and aloof.

But he's actually very thoughtful. They started seeing each other a lot and it just felt silly that they didn't see that as dating already. It's very low stakes and the "suspense" prankster angle just felt like ticking a box. Again, this is all right but not one I'd gravitate towards because I like more "oomph", depth, deeper emotional exploration and connection and a stronger suspense angle.

[Brie · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review

Small town girl meets big city guy in a small town. Julia works at a bookstore but it’s her life long dream to own it and create/host community events. Julia believed that her grandmother owned the bookstore and was going to leave her the shop when she passed but according to the will, Julia now works for a mystery owner.

Cue Elliot, big city tech mogul, who now co-owns the bookshop and a few other properties in town with his brother. Elliot is grumpy and standoffish but makes friends with Julia. Their friendship blossoms but he’s keeping a secret from her. As they navigate the status of their relationship, weird things start happening to Julia, that only escalate as time goes on.

This book was a great small town romance, with just enough spice, angst, thrill, and suspense to keep you turning the pages!

[Saptaparna Das · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scattered Acres is a heartfelt, character-driven novel that shines in its portrayal of personal reinvention and community ties. Julia’s journey is compelling, and the setting is beautifully rendered. I’m curious to see how Heather Grey develops this series and the lives of Bluefield’s residents in future installments.
I loved the cozy Canadian beach town vibe and the authentic friendships, but the pacing felt slow at times, and some plot points were a bit predictable. Still, the emotional depth and character growth kept me hooked. Julia’s journey through grief, family drama, and small-town life is raw and relatable. The twist towards the end of the book was the highlight for me. It was mind-blowing, something that you would not have anticipated. If you like contemporary romance with a dash of suspense and heartfelt moments, this one’s worth a try! 📚💙

[Rimi Debnath · Rating 5 out of 5]

💌BOOK REVIEW 💌
📖: Scattered Acres
✍🏻: @authorheathergrey
My Ratings:⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶

This Book Feels like Home!!! A small town romance with AGE GAP!! Who doesn't like AGE GAP book???😭 and The Suspense and Plot twist?? Omgggggg like AMAZING!! Heather did really great work I must say💕

Julia and Elliot were PERFECT!!! Between her carefree attitude and his grumpiness the mix together so damnn PERFECTLY!!🫶 It had just the right amount of spice and tension between them🥵!!! A Grumpy MMC damnnn Eliiot is so damn Hot🥵

I absolutely love from Heather book’s is the suspense and little mystery that happens. It always keeps you on your toes and honestly I never expect the outcome AT ALL!!! Frrrrrrr

Thank you @emberliterarypr and @authorheathergrey for the ARC i love this book sooo much