A spice-free, but still sizzling, small town romance!
“You’re fine. I’ve got you. And if it makes you feel better, you can pretend I’m not me again.”
There’s something about Laurel Falls, Maine, that brings people together. Perhaps it’s more specifically the apartment above The Sweet Spot bakery, where love always seems to find those who move in. As the town thaws into the warmth and beauty of spring, however, it seems the streak of love matches may be coming to an end.
When Charlie moves into his grandmother’s bakery apartment and begins work as the new town cop, a relationship is the last thing on his mind. His only goal is to be a serious cop who serves the community in a way they’ve been missing for years.
Eliza, the town nurse, loves her life. She has a fulfilling job, and friends who feel like family. Things are going well for her until the new cop comes into her life like an infection spreading into everything she loves.
Their relationship is explosive, and not in a good way. At least not at first.
Loathing turns to love in this enemies to lovers story about independence, and trust.
The Laurel Falls series has been one of my favorites. Eliza and Charlie’s story was the perfect end (I think it’s the end) of this series.
A closed door story with enemies to lovers in a small town… Lindsay didn’t let me down. I love how this series is spread across the whole year, each book its own season. Lindsay’s writing is beautiful and I’ve fallen in love with every character she’s written.
Also, can we talk about the TownPal aspect? Love love loved this part!
Not to mention the closet scene.
If you’re looking for a book with thee tropes, pick up Blossoms & Breezes
- enemies to lovers - small town - protective hero - he falls first - forced proximity
enemies to lovers? ✅ he falls first? ✅ small town romance? ✅
loved the Laurel Falls series, can’t believe it’s already come to a close! the found family between all of the MCs throughout this series is so special, definitely real-life friend group goals! as always, the banter between the characters is top-notch. Blossoms & Breezes takes the #2 spot for my favorite, after Flurries & First Love! Charlie and Eliza start off on the wrong foot, and the shenanigans that occur afterwards were so fun, it was hard to put the book down!! Lindsay Rochester has a gift for writing Cinnamon Roll male characters, and the yearning was *chef’s kiss* 👨🏻🍳💋 although I’m sad to see this chapter on Laurel Falls close, I can’t wait to see what Lindsay writes next!
I love this final book in the Laurel Falls series. Perfect ending to the series. I love the characters and how we get to see the couples from the previous books. Makes me want to move to a small town and find a small, but close knit group of friends.
Ahhhh…you guys! Another AMAZING story from author Lindsay Rochester. My time spent in the Laurel Falls series is easily one of my favorite small town romance experiences ever. From Summer to Spring, each book has brought characters that feel like a warm hug and as though you’re returning home to friends and family every time you pick one up to read. This is one of those series where every time I pick up the next book, I claim that it’s my favorite. They’re all just so equally incredible. If you love enemies-to-lovers like I do though, you are going to absolutely adore the top-notch banter in this one between Eliza and Charlie.
“You might be objectively handsome, but your personality hangs around you like a noxious green cloud,” Eliza said, as she stepped close once more.
Now, Eliza has every right to have a bad attitude towards Charlie from the start if you ask me. You see, Charlie is a cop in town, and he pulls Eliza over and winds up arresting her for getting a little sassy. Charlie was having a pretty bad day though and things got a little out of hand. I think he was letting off some aggression in Eliza’s undeserving lap. Well, this sets the tone for their relationship moving forward – but watching them grow and discover their true personalities via You’ve Got Mail vibes is just SO much fun. Proof that you simply can’t always base everything on first impressions.
This is a story you’re going to have a hard time setting down so carve out a good part of your day to sit and binge this! It’s delightful in every way. I can’t recommend this entire series enough. It’s one that I absolutely plan to re-read in the future. I’m so looking forward to seeing what Lindsay brings next. She’s a contemporary romance queen!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
*For more reviews and bookish content, be sure to follow me on Instagram @aliciasbooksanctuary
“Why are you the absolute worst?” “I’m sure you’ve got a list somewhere that could explain it.”
Blossoms & Breezes is an epic enemies to lovers story!
Eliza and Charlie, the new cop in town, get off on the worst foot possible, he arrests her-can’t get much worse than that…their banter, sizzling tension, and hilarious encounters made this a book I couldn’t put down!!
I loved the forced proximity of them working next to each other! They couldn’t avoid each other and their “run ins” are hilarious!
💌 Favorite moments 💌
🐻 Richard The meet-hate 😂 Dual POV Town hall meetings TownPal letters/secret identity The banter Charlie with baby Charlie 🥰 The friendships Family ties The Town retreat 🤣 Mystery to solve He falls first Hide-and-seek closet scene 🫠 The epilogue 🥹♥️
Blurb: There’s something about Laurel Falls, Maine. Or perhaps it’s the apartment above the bakery. Everyone who moves into that apartment ends up falling in love.
When Charlie moved into his grandmother’s bakery apartment and began work as the new town cop, a relationship was the last thing on his mind. His only goal was to be a serious cop who serves the community in a way they’ve been missing for years.
Eliza, the town nurse, loves her life. She has a fulfilling job, and friends who feel like family. Things are going well for her until the new, and in her mind power tripping, cop comes into her life like an infection spreading into everything she loves.
Their relationship is explosive, and not in a good way. At least not at first.
Loathing turns to love in this enemies to lovers story about independence, and trust.
And seeing what’s right in front of you.
I was gifted an ARC—all opinions and thoughts are my own.
Spring in Laurel Falls where many a pairing of lovers have fallen and hard . The apartment above the Sweet Spot Bakery is where hearts go astray ,well for Charlie anyway .He’s just moved to this small town in Maine to start over again. He plans to refrain from the opposite sex . But this town and its residents have him hexed and it soon becomes apparent that he’ll be their matchmaking target next. The nurse in town makes him frown ,he’s a sourpuss when he’s down . He’s serious about the job ,not being a snob but this woman exasperates. Well him she does NOT rate one iota ,he’s a stinker to boot . Oh these two ,they’re a hoot . The chemistry is sparking and there’s definitely sizzle but it seems the magic of Laurel Falls does fail to a drizzle this time around because this relationship? It’s far from sound . Nope don’t go there she does NOT rate him and he’s irate by her.Now we know that they care or they would not go there , as she does,so what if he’s a grump you want to thump and is it really bad to give a little grin or a smile once in a while . The answer is plain as day ,as obvious as the nose on your face . It’s got to take place post haste or their feelings are just going to waste. A brilliantly immersive and feel-good storyline and compelling storytelling to boot. A hoot and it’s hot so maybe they will make a go of it after all like as not. What they got to lose? Not a lot. Great writing, loved the premise and the promise this book gives and Lindsay Rochester ,your book gave all the feel and even made me squeal a bit. It was exquisite.
I have loved visiting Laurel Falls and getting to know the people there. This series is exactly why I love reading series so much. Rochester does an amazing job of bringing Laurel Falls to life, so much so that I truly feel it’s a real place I’ve visited. And her characters are full and complex and real, not just cardboard cutouts or stereotypes.
I’ve been waiting for Charlie to get a story and what a story it is! Instead of a “meet cute” this book has the best “meet wrong” I’ve ever read! These two get off on the worst foot and things seem to go downhill from there. It’s actually hilarious. I confess that at some point I wanted to shake both Charlie and Eliza and say “Grow up!” They fed off each other’s stubbornness, but really isn’t that how life goes sometimes?
I loved the glimpses given of the battle lines were starting to break and their brains catching up with their hearts.
Reads like Enemies to more (but they really aren’t enemies.. again that first meeting sets the tone for their relationship) No swearing. Clean / closed door — just kissing. But still all the swoony heart soaring feels in this one!
You can definitely jump in and read this one without reading the others in the series, but honestly why would you? They are all so good!
ARC Review: This books is simply amazing! I laughed, I cried, I worried with the characters, I had all the feels! At first I became frustrated with the MFC & MMC for being stubborn and obstinate with each other you til they finally started figuring out how to be civil with one another. Later, I absolutely feel in love with Eliza and Charlie, their relationship, and how they treated one another. I live in a small town myself and could relate A LOT to the small town demographics the story held. I honestly hate that I’m done with the book because it was just that good! If you love a good clean romcom with all the feels and a decided lack of profane language, do yourself a favor and read this immediately! Job well done!
Tropes *Fiesty MFC *Cinnamon Roll MMC *Enemies to Lovers *Small Town *He Falls First *Witty Banter (and lots of it)
Blossoms and Breezes is a super cute and clean love story that follows Eliza and Charlie. There is plenty of forced proximity as she is the town nurse and he is the town cop. There’s also a clear enemies to lovers trope as their first encounter involves him arresting her, which sets the tone for their dynamics for a good portion of the story. I loved how Lindsay wrote the characters and built up the anticipation of them coming to realize their feelings for one another. I found myself constantly grinning throughout the story and reveling in their sweet mannerisms toward each other as their feelings for each other began to deepen. If you want to read an interesting meet-cute without the spice and the above tropes interest you, then you’ll enjoy this book!
Charlie and Eliza—better known as Charles and Lizzy—completely stole my heart in this charming, cozy romance. From their unforgettable first encounter (he’s the new cop in town who arrests her on day one!) to their undeniable chemistry, this story had me hooked from the start.
Set in a small town with a wonderfully close-knit friend group of couples, the setting felt warm and inviting, like being wrapped in a blanket on a porch swing. Lizzy is a dedicated nurse with a sharp wit, and Charles, the new guy in town, is a rule-following officer who can’t help falling for her first—even if they start off as enemies.
One of my favorite surprises was the secret “town pal” element, reminiscent of You’ve Got Mail. I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did, but it added a sweet and nostalgic layer to their budding romance. And let’s not forget that kiss in the dark closet—pure swoon.
This story was the perfect blend of heart, humor, and heat, and I absolutely loved the journey from friction to forever. A truly delightful read!
This was such a good book ! It was the first book I’ve read from the author in a series and I was pleasantly surprised. Charlie is the town cop and Eliza is the town nurse . They first meet in the book when Charlie has a bad call and he sees a car speeding and it turns out to be Eliza and one misunderstanding after another happens. Not giving any spoilers away but I couldn’t put the book down it’s a cute hallmark type happy ending and you can picture you got mail twist in there . It’s a book you want to read that makes you want to feel good .
Lindsay Rochester writes the most precious romance novels! If you love sweet love stories between lovable characters, cozy small town vibes, and a relaxing yet intriguing plot, you’ll love her books. They are perfect for when you need an escape! Blossoms and Breezes has the perfect enemies to lovers romance, complete with fun banter, secret pen pals, and adorable side characters that bring the story to life. The springtime setting is so lovely and fun. Can’t wait to see what she has in store for her readers next. ❤️
I loved this book! Book 4 in the Laurel Falls series! When a book starts out with a bear, you know it's going to be good! 👏🏻😂
Charlie's the new police officer in Laurel Falls. Eliza, the community nurse, is arrested for pushing the new officer during a traffic stop! They keep running into each other. Then, the bear returns and Eliza needs help. And who shows up...Charlie!
If you haven't read the Laurel Falls series, please give them a read. Lindsay's books are a breath of fresh air. ❤️
Such a sweet easy read filled with likable characters. It starts with an unfortunate arrest and continues with awkward meet-ups. The town is idyllic with a perfectly delightful community of friends. I look forward to stepping back into the setting of Laurel Falls as I read the other books in this series.
I read this book because of Closed-door romance's reel on it and I am so glad I did. I will say it was kinda slow at the start but I got to page 70 and the book was over with in 3 days. which is really good for me because I'm a slow reader. I love the "you got mail" trope and "enemies to lovers" tropes together.
If you are looking for a cute contemporary enemies to lovers romance in a small town setting, look no further! Blossoms and Breezes is a springtime romance where the town nurse and the new town police officer can’t stand each other, until they find they can’t get enough of each other.
This romance is squeaky clean, with just a few kisses in the book. I would recommend this book for teenagers and older to enjoy. Thank you to the author for the advance copy of this book. A review was not required.
I had the opportunity to read Blossoms & Breezes this week and I’m so glad I did. Laurel Falls series by Lindsay Rochester is a 4 book series that can be standalones but honestly best if you read them all in order.
There’s something about that apartment above The Sweet Spot bakery and the small town of Laurel Falls that makes this book feel so homey, comfortable and inviting. But love was the last thing on Charlie’s mind. He’s the new cop in town, Eliza’s the town nurse who wants nothing to do with him. Their chemistry? Out of this world. These two are frenemies but will they turn lovers once they realize their chemistry is sizzling.
This book has several different tropes I loved enemies to lovers, Small-town charm. All the banter to make you laugh and smile and swoon. I loved every bit of it! I loved Charlie, he was so adorable but Eliza was not impressed with him. These two were just so sweet. One of my favorites of 2025.
One of my favorite quotes: “You might be objectively handsome, but your personality hangs around you like a noxious green cloud,” Eliza said, as she stepped close once more.