What do you think?
Rate this book
Heart Events with the Forbidden Farmer Next Door
He’s the hot, grumpy, secretly-sensitive retired adventurer in my favorite cozy game…
…and I’m living on the farm next door.
Ever since I found Vale of Gems, my single complaint about the game has been that its most eligible bachelor—Samson the tattooed dreamboat—is unromanaceble.
Now that I’ve woken up in his world, though, that is going to change. So long as my anxiety and his internal coding don’t have anything to say about it, I’ll romance him right into a wedding.
Problem is, the game world isn’t exactly the way I remember it. With the realism mod active, it’s as though I’m playing on hard mode, so survival might need to take a predominant position on my quest page.
And overprotective Samson might need to take me under his broad-shouldered wing.
~
This is an another world, grumpy/sunshine romcom with plenty of sizzle, yet none of the spice. This is a kisses only, closed door isekai where she falls first, but he falls harder. Welcome to the world of Gem Vale.
…and I’m living on the farm next door.
Ever since I found Vale of Gems, my single complaint about the game has been that its most eligible bachelor—Samson the tattooed dreamboat—is unromanaceble.
Now that I’ve woken up in his world, though, that is going to change. So long as my anxiety and his internal coding don’t have anything to say about it, I’ll romance him right into a wedding.
Problem is, the game world isn’t exactly the way I remember it. With the realism mod active, it’s as though I’m playing on hard mode, so survival might need to take a predominant position on my quest page.
And overprotective Samson might need to take me under his broad-shouldered wing.
~
This is an another world, grumpy/sunshine romcom with plenty of sizzle, yet none of the spice. This is a kisses only, closed door isekai where she falls first, but he falls harder. Welcome to the world of Gem Vale.
- GenresCozy FantasyRomance
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2025
26 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Camilla Evergreen
37 books323 followersCamilla Evergreen is an alias of USA Today bestselling author Anne Stryker. Originally intended as a dumping ground for all things lacking fantasy, Camilla/Anne came to the shocking discovery that writing sarcastic, chaotic romcoms full of quippy heroines and adoring heroes has a kick to it.
Camilla/Anne’s neurodivergent tendencies leave her hyperfocused on writing sweet and sassy romances from dawn till dusk and lending whatever her current creative obsessions are to her characters. From arranged marriages to falling for the boss, there’s lots of love to go around.
Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/authorannemilla
Camilla/Anne’s neurodivergent tendencies leave her hyperfocused on writing sweet and sassy romances from dawn till dusk and lending whatever her current creative obsessions are to her characters. From arranged marriages to falling for the boss, there’s lots of love to go around.
Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/authorannemilla
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
October 11, 2025
This book is adorable! Every time I read a Camilla Evergreen book I crave more of them. I read this book in one day; I didn’t want to put it down.
This one is a bit different from the usual romcom in that it’s a bit more like an anime. I don’t really watch anime but the rest of my family does so I do have some experience by default. Same goes for video games, like the cozy farm sim this is loosely based on. I imagine that there are so many people who dream of being transported to the world they vicariously live in through their video games/books/tv shows. It’s a curse of a good author that there is an almost depression when the book ends because you just want to stay in that world longer; you don’t want it to end.
I love the notion that Citrus realizes about characters in video games being more than just characters…they are actual people who are seriously affected by the events in the game. Watching her learn and grow and help Samson to learn what love is was beautiful. They are just perfect together.
A few quotes I loved:
*Communication in a relationship is almost as important as respecting one’s right to make bad decisions.
*Because anything worth doing is worth doing obsessively.
**Because friends—or at least the friends in the kinds of friendships I have always wanted to have—love each other. So much. The friendships that always entranced me growing up were the ludicrous ones in stories about kids who would die for one another. The stupid blood oaths of brothership in the woods. The silent moments of we are forever. The enchantment of overcoming anything, together. I have always, always, wanted someone who I could be myself around. I’ve craved someone who loves all my ugliest pieces so much they think even my scars are beautiful.
This one is a bit different from the usual romcom in that it’s a bit more like an anime. I don’t really watch anime but the rest of my family does so I do have some experience by default. Same goes for video games, like the cozy farm sim this is loosely based on. I imagine that there are so many people who dream of being transported to the world they vicariously live in through their video games/books/tv shows. It’s a curse of a good author that there is an almost depression when the book ends because you just want to stay in that world longer; you don’t want it to end.
I love the notion that Citrus realizes about characters in video games being more than just characters…they are actual people who are seriously affected by the events in the game. Watching her learn and grow and help Samson to learn what love is was beautiful. They are just perfect together.
A few quotes I loved:
*Communication in a relationship is almost as important as respecting one’s right to make bad decisions.
*Because anything worth doing is worth doing obsessively.
**Because friends—or at least the friends in the kinds of friendships I have always wanted to have—love each other. So much. The friendships that always entranced me growing up were the ludicrous ones in stories about kids who would die for one another. The stupid blood oaths of brothership in the woods. The silent moments of we are forever. The enchantment of overcoming anything, together. I have always, always, wanted someone who I could be myself around. I’ve craved someone who loves all my ugliest pieces so much they think even my scars are beautiful.
October 16, 2025
Lemons and stardust and magic. Shoulders so broad and safe. A cozy village with ultra friendly residents.
A love story that magically brings two individuals into a true viewing of who they each are on the inside.
The way I squealed obsessively through this story. It’s like one of my girlhood, long car rides, fantasies come true. There’s not enough stars in all the galaxies to express how much this story feels like coming home. I realize that’s unique to me and my personal experiences, but nonetheless I hope my heartfelt gushing gives some semblance of justice to how truly majestic this book is.
The writing is superb. Citrus is hilarious and adorable. The townies are a delight. Samson is precious. The description and info communication of the game Citrus loves & now lives in were concise and easy to understand. The world building and all its little nuances were breathtaking and peaceful.
In short, this is absolutely a new favorite book that I’ll be rereading and annotating and calling home, as it is, truly, a piece of my soul now.
A love story that magically brings two individuals into a true viewing of who they each are on the inside.
The way I squealed obsessively through this story. It’s like one of my girlhood, long car rides, fantasies come true. There’s not enough stars in all the galaxies to express how much this story feels like coming home. I realize that’s unique to me and my personal experiences, but nonetheless I hope my heartfelt gushing gives some semblance of justice to how truly majestic this book is.
The writing is superb. Citrus is hilarious and adorable. The townies are a delight. Samson is precious. The description and info communication of the game Citrus loves & now lives in were concise and easy to understand. The world building and all its little nuances were breathtaking and peaceful.
In short, this is absolutely a new favorite book that I’ll be rereading and annotating and calling home, as it is, truly, a piece of my soul now.
November 4, 2025
I want to say I went into this book skeptically because I had no idea what “isekai” even meant, but at the same time, Camilla has stretched me outside my comfort zone multiple times. You never quite know what she’s going to come up with next. However, just like all of her other novels, this one grabs you in from the beginning. Not because I really enjoy cozy farming games, but because I love a good mushy romance with a hero who become slightly obsessed with the leading lady. In other words, this book is full of swoony romance, just like all her others.
While you can definitely count on Camilla to have books written with lots of chemistry, you can also bet you will find some quirky humor - like a heroine who seems to blame life issues on a rather non important eye condition like astigmatism while also being obsessed with our male lead’s strong shoulders. Samson shoulders come up so much that it becomes a laughable moment every time you read it.
Even more importantly, though, Camilla’s books are filled with heart and tons of character growth. In this particular book, we meet Samantha, who reinvent herself as a curvy video game player named Citrus. (Who Samson nicknames Lemonade. How cute is that???) Her real world life is so awful and lonely that she is thrilled to find her herself now a permanent part of her favorite farming game. Her new world also includes her digital love Samson. He’s jaded and has been hurt by life as well. Together, they go on adventures to help repair a broken land, but in the end find that they have healed each other more than their world. Samson literally helps Samantha see herself as beautiful even without “mods,” and despite her astigmatism, of course!
So whether you love isekai stories, or whether this is a new concept for you, you won’t regret giving this beautiful love story a chance.
While you can definitely count on Camilla to have books written with lots of chemistry, you can also bet you will find some quirky humor - like a heroine who seems to blame life issues on a rather non important eye condition like astigmatism while also being obsessed with our male lead’s strong shoulders. Samson shoulders come up so much that it becomes a laughable moment every time you read it.
Even more importantly, though, Camilla’s books are filled with heart and tons of character growth. In this particular book, we meet Samantha, who reinvent herself as a curvy video game player named Citrus. (Who Samson nicknames Lemonade. How cute is that???) Her real world life is so awful and lonely that she is thrilled to find her herself now a permanent part of her favorite farming game. Her new world also includes her digital love Samson. He’s jaded and has been hurt by life as well. Together, they go on adventures to help repair a broken land, but in the end find that they have healed each other more than their world. Samson literally helps Samantha see herself as beautiful even without “mods,” and despite her astigmatism, of course!
So whether you love isekai stories, or whether this is a new concept for you, you won’t regret giving this beautiful love story a chance.
November 4, 2025
Okay, this is my first Isekai novel, and frankly…I want MORE. Being a huge fan of cozy farming sims (Stardew Valley is still my favorite), and also being a huge fan of this author, I determined before I even started the book that I would obviously love this story.
I was, of course, right.
Samantha (now Citrus) somehow got sucked into the world of Vale of Gems, a (yes, you guessed it) cozy farming sim. At first, she thinks she’s dreaming, and never wants to wake up, as her “real” life consists of apathetic parents, struggling to pay the bills, and having anxiety attacks at her fry cook job at Hardee’s. Considering that I once was also a fry cook at Hardee’s, the memories came flooding back. The horrible uniform. The minimum wage. The eternal scent of grease and frying oil stuck in my nose. The absolute complete absence of caring that I was a person other than as a warm body to make food. So it comes as no surprise to me that Citrus would do whatever she could to stay in this much better reality.
Samson, the character in the game whom she’s always loved, was not a candidate that could be romanced, which Citrus had always felt unfair. As she arrives in Gem Ridge, the requisite game-beginning sequences occur, with a few exceptions…like an apparently sentient journal. I’m not going to explain that, you’ll just have to read the book.
Honestly, if there were a character like Samson in any of the cozy farming sims that I’ve played, I would be doing exactly what Citrus plans to do — befriend and romance that man with those massive shoulders. Mmmm, shoulders.
I love how well this story is put together, giving it the feel of reality in the midst of a fantasy. The descriptions of this other realm are so well done that I could actually picture them in glorious reality in my brain. No pixels in my imagination.
I did also laugh aloud every time Citrus blamed her astigmatism for something that absolutely had nothing to do with astigmatism. (I also have astigmatism, so I know.) But my most emotional response to the narrative, which included, for me, light (or medium…or actually…heavy) sobbing, happens later in the book, and I’m not going to divulge what that scene is. I’ll just say that I felt seen, as if a younger me was reflected there.
This book is a wonder, and a beautiful journey of learning that there are people out there who will accept you just as you are. You just have to find them. It might take a while, but you will find your people. And they’ll feel just as found by you.
I was, of course, right.
Samantha (now Citrus) somehow got sucked into the world of Vale of Gems, a (yes, you guessed it) cozy farming sim. At first, she thinks she’s dreaming, and never wants to wake up, as her “real” life consists of apathetic parents, struggling to pay the bills, and having anxiety attacks at her fry cook job at Hardee’s. Considering that I once was also a fry cook at Hardee’s, the memories came flooding back. The horrible uniform. The minimum wage. The eternal scent of grease and frying oil stuck in my nose. The absolute complete absence of caring that I was a person other than as a warm body to make food. So it comes as no surprise to me that Citrus would do whatever she could to stay in this much better reality.
Samson, the character in the game whom she’s always loved, was not a candidate that could be romanced, which Citrus had always felt unfair. As she arrives in Gem Ridge, the requisite game-beginning sequences occur, with a few exceptions…like an apparently sentient journal. I’m not going to explain that, you’ll just have to read the book.
Honestly, if there were a character like Samson in any of the cozy farming sims that I’ve played, I would be doing exactly what Citrus plans to do — befriend and romance that man with those massive shoulders. Mmmm, shoulders.
I love how well this story is put together, giving it the feel of reality in the midst of a fantasy. The descriptions of this other realm are so well done that I could actually picture them in glorious reality in my brain. No pixels in my imagination.
I did also laugh aloud every time Citrus blamed her astigmatism for something that absolutely had nothing to do with astigmatism. (I also have astigmatism, so I know.) But my most emotional response to the narrative, which included, for me, light (or medium…or actually…heavy) sobbing, happens later in the book, and I’m not going to divulge what that scene is. I’ll just say that I felt seen, as if a younger me was reflected there.
This book is a wonder, and a beautiful journey of learning that there are people out there who will accept you just as you are. You just have to find them. It might take a while, but you will find your people. And they’ll feel just as found by you.
November 20, 2025
This book was more than meets the eye. To quote an amazing Barbie movie: "unassuming on the outside, but a treasure within". Not to say that a romantic farming sim isekai isn't an incredible premise on its own, but this had some hard-hitting moments that really struck me. What I found was an intense character study on a person disenchanted with reality and with themself. Citrus, the main character, is all too familiar with existential feelings. Though her character is often a cutesy, slightly cynical ~awkward~ cinnamon roll, she's also someone who has seen the dark side of humanity: "We're just another cog in a capitalist society, grinding away without oil, doing jobs that feel meaningless for too many hours because rent is always due and there's never enough money". Oof. Ain't that the truth. Another highly relatable (and somewhat depressing) quote showcases what it means to exist, but not truly live: "I don't know if I'd have been brave enough to give up the familiarity I knew. It's comforting, being where you've survived. The threat of finding something you won't know how to deal with if you try to reach something better keeps you kind of... stuck". Why is Citrus me?! Am I Citrus?! Because, trust me, I get that. Even if there's a path that could provide a better future, wouldn't it be easier just to stay put? What a harrowing question for a sweet romantic comedy. Pair fear of the unknown with an eerie recounting of the aftermath of a natural disaster and you've got a banger of a book. Though this is majority an adorable story, I could see a real ache inside the characters. It's an all-too-real look at how an unstoppable force of mother nature can simultaneously break, and bring together, a community. Citrus remarks that "you never think something like this will happen where you can reach it. It's always just a storybook plot device, something you hear rumors of ... you don't think about how it will affect you when suddenly you're one of the survivors". You really don't understand it until it happens to you. Destruction of your home and land is not fun. Though, when the people you love come together... it can be a magical thing.
What am I going on about? Who knows. All blabbing beside, I loved this book. It was cute, but not afraid to get deep. The balance of both was a harmonious read. I recommend.
What am I going on about? Who knows. All blabbing beside, I loved this book. It was cute, but not afraid to get deep. The balance of both was a harmonious read. I recommend.
November 11, 2025
There are not enough isekai or litRPG romances so I knew I would love this book before I even started it but oh my goodness this was so much fun. This book had all the wonderful humor I’ve come to expect from a Camilla Evergreen book. It also has a very chaotic and slightly panicky FMC and a grumpy but protective MMC who can be bribed with sweets. Citrus/Samantha wakes up in her favourite game and finds an entirely new life for herself in a world that she always loved (wouldn’t that be nice, sigh). At first she treats the townspeople and the world like she would in her videogame but with a little advice from her trusty journal and a tiny bit of wallowing in a rundown cabin she finds herself living with her video game crush with a real chance to romance him. I love Citrus so much especially when she’s using her knowledge to kill things and completely baffle everybody in town and stress out Samson. I love watching her live her new life and make friends with people who rally to support each other. I also am a big fan of Samson’s protectiveness and jealousy and both of their obliviousness to one another’s attraction. Both Citrus and Samson are absolutely adorable and their entire dating/married/just friends but sleeping in the same bed and flirting and pretending to be married arc was so much fun and made me giddy. Also all the citrus nicknames, jokes, clothing, and accessories were so much fun and made me want to try and throw myself into the book and see if I could end up in it because everything sounded so cute. I am also a huge fan of all the townspeople, everyone (mostly) was so nice and also realized that Citrus and Samson were both in love with each other before they did. Citrus’s hatred towards Austin was such a fun detail that was totally (probably) justified as was her inability to remember to check her mail because same. This was such a fun read it made me want to play Stardew Valley again and I may or may not have taken a small break in the middle of the book to do just that. This book is funny, sweet, cozy and I need more of Citrus and Samson’s adventures and just more of this world in general because it is cute cute cute!
December 1, 2025
I’m no gamer, but….
It didn’t matter… mostly… there may have been a few jokes that went past me but the story itself is just too darn cute for me to have cared.
Citrus is a character played by Samantha- a lonely girl with no friends, a lousy family she hardly speaks to, and a depressing job working the hot line at a Florida fast food joint.
So finding herself suddenly in a richly detailed “reality version” of her favorite game should be the best thing ever… except a change of scene can’t automatically fix crippling self-esteem and depression. Citrus has to work every cheat code she knows if she is going to overcome her crippling introversion and find a way to romance the one NPC in the game who was never programmed with a romance option.
I adored following Citrus’s journey as she merrily traipses into mines to smack critters with her wooden practice sword, clearcuts a path to Samson’s property and bribes him with sweets and spends time throwing insults at the local blacksmith. The way the game’s characters react with her is fun, especially when they start going off-script (ie- Slate’s flame-thrower antics had me outright laughing).
The friends-to-lovers arc is so adorably sweet I’m pretty sure I have cavities now and the only one bed trope had me snickering... kudos to Camilla for giving us something fresh and new there! Oh hell, kudos for the whole story, because it’s just so uniquely enchanting. I now want to play this game (and I don’t game!) so someone take Camilla up on her desire for some handy coder to make this a reality!
My only gripe is I wanted more of Samantha in the story, but that’s not the point of the story, so forget me trying to insert reality into the mix.
It didn’t matter… mostly… there may have been a few jokes that went past me but the story itself is just too darn cute for me to have cared.
Citrus is a character played by Samantha- a lonely girl with no friends, a lousy family she hardly speaks to, and a depressing job working the hot line at a Florida fast food joint.
So finding herself suddenly in a richly detailed “reality version” of her favorite game should be the best thing ever… except a change of scene can’t automatically fix crippling self-esteem and depression. Citrus has to work every cheat code she knows if she is going to overcome her crippling introversion and find a way to romance the one NPC in the game who was never programmed with a romance option.
I adored following Citrus’s journey as she merrily traipses into mines to smack critters with her wooden practice sword, clearcuts a path to Samson’s property and bribes him with sweets and spends time throwing insults at the local blacksmith. The way the game’s characters react with her is fun, especially when they start going off-script (ie- Slate’s flame-thrower antics had me outright laughing).
The friends-to-lovers arc is so adorably sweet I’m pretty sure I have cavities now and the only one bed trope had me snickering... kudos to Camilla for giving us something fresh and new there! Oh hell, kudos for the whole story, because it’s just so uniquely enchanting. I now want to play this game (and I don’t game!) so someone take Camilla up on her desire for some handy coder to make this a reality!
My only gripe is I wanted more of Samantha in the story, but that’s not the point of the story, so forget me trying to insert reality into the mix.
October 21, 2025
This might be a tiny bit “off-brand” but with the definitions for us non-gamers at the front, it read like a unique and very interesting romcom.
It touches on topics that I totally support like normalizing periods or just being yourself is enough to be loved. Plus, not using “baby” as a nickname (seriously, it sounds like an insult).
The humor was fantastic (so much highlighting!) The sarcasm was spot on. It was a heart eye emoji event 😍
Content:
Style - Single POV, fantasy romance (isekai/fall into different world, neighbor, grumpy-sunshine, she falls first, touch her jealousy)
Intimacy - High (accidental naked sighting, talking of underwear and periods, lap sitting, neck kissing, lewd comments (not specific), one bed shirtless sleeping, shoulder kisses)
Language - None but... Low? (“good granite” or “For *insert swear word here*’s Sake”, “testy rooster hellbent on trying to kill you.”, Heck, in H-E-double-hockey-sticks on earth.)
Violence - Mild (punches)
Potential Triggers - neglectful childhood, toxic work environment, inappropriate comments
It touches on topics that I totally support like normalizing periods or just being yourself is enough to be loved. Plus, not using “baby” as a nickname (seriously, it sounds like an insult).
The humor was fantastic (so much highlighting!) The sarcasm was spot on. It was a heart eye emoji event 😍
Content:
Style - Single POV, fantasy romance (isekai/fall into different world, neighbor, grumpy-sunshine, she falls first, touch her jealousy)
Intimacy - High (accidental naked sighting, talking of underwear and periods, lap sitting, neck kissing, lewd comments (not specific), one bed shirtless sleeping, shoulder kisses)
Language - None but... Low? (“good granite” or “For *insert swear word here*’s Sake”, “testy rooster hellbent on trying to kill you.”, Heck, in H-E-double-hockey-sticks on earth.)
Violence - Mild (punches)
Potential Triggers - neglectful childhood, toxic work environment, inappropriate comments
November 4, 2025
Even if you don't role-play...you will enjoy!!!
I have to admit - I have never played a role-playing game like this one before. I have read about games like this, and seen games like this in TV/movies, but I have no real experience playing them. But don’t worry if you haven’t either - Camilla Evergreen will draw you in with her extremely interesting characters and explain everything in a way that will make you, maybe not an expert, but at least a knowledgeable amateur, by the end of the book.
Citrus awakes into the “real world” of her favorite game, Vale of Gems. She doesn’t know how she got there, or why she is there, but she really wants to see Samson, the person in the game who is her favorite even though he is unromanceable. Because of her obsession with the game, Citrus has “insider” information to beat certain levels and to gain weapons and knowledge to help not only herself, but others who live in the area.
Even if you have never played these games, you will absolutely enjoy the adventures of Citrus and the romance between her and Samson.
I have to admit - I have never played a role-playing game like this one before. I have read about games like this, and seen games like this in TV/movies, but I have no real experience playing them. But don’t worry if you haven’t either - Camilla Evergreen will draw you in with her extremely interesting characters and explain everything in a way that will make you, maybe not an expert, but at least a knowledgeable amateur, by the end of the book.
Citrus awakes into the “real world” of her favorite game, Vale of Gems. She doesn’t know how she got there, or why she is there, but she really wants to see Samson, the person in the game who is her favorite even though he is unromanceable. Because of her obsession with the game, Citrus has “insider” information to beat certain levels and to gain weapons and knowledge to help not only herself, but others who live in the area.
Even if you have never played these games, you will absolutely enjoy the adventures of Citrus and the romance between her and Samson.
November 10, 2025
I can't think of another author out there with a voice and style as unique as Camilla Evergreen. This new story carries her classic vibe while departing from a conventional romcom style read. Samantha, now Citrus, is sucked into a Sims-type farm town game. She thinks she is dreaming, but it turns out that those people are real, and now she has one objective- to romance her crush with the massive shoulders.
Citrus is hysterical, and ranks up with my favorite FMCs of Camilla's stories. Samson is right up there with her, being all kinds of adorable. But the shining star of this story is the incredible world building- a "reality" within a reality. There are so many little nuances. Sometimes creating something new is confusing, but Camilla writes it so effortlessly and poignantly that it was easy to understand.
This was my first isekai novel, and it definitely did not disappoint!
I received a copy of the story from the author for consideration. All thoughts contained here are my own.
Citrus is hysterical, and ranks up with my favorite FMCs of Camilla's stories. Samson is right up there with her, being all kinds of adorable. But the shining star of this story is the incredible world building- a "reality" within a reality. There are so many little nuances. Sometimes creating something new is confusing, but Camilla writes it so effortlessly and poignantly that it was easy to understand.
This was my first isekai novel, and it definitely did not disappoint!
I received a copy of the story from the author for consideration. All thoughts contained here are my own.
October 14, 2025
I absolutely adore Camilla Evergreen—every one of her books lives rent-free in my head. But Heart Events with the Forbidden Farmer Next Door might just be my favorite yet.
I’ll admit, I was a little skeptical going in. The concept didn’t immediately resonate with me, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. But once I stepped into the Vale of Gems world, I was completely hooked.
Camilla has a gift for writing introverted characters and portraying social anxiety with nuance, and Citrus might be her best yet. I related to her mindset so deeply—it felt like reading parts of myself on the page.
And Citrus and Samson? Too cute for words. Their dynamic was everything, and I found myself wanting more and more of them. The entire book radiated charm, and now I just want to move to Gem Ridge myself.
Can I get my own dilapidated farmhouse, please?
I’ll admit, I was a little skeptical going in. The concept didn’t immediately resonate with me, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. But once I stepped into the Vale of Gems world, I was completely hooked.
Camilla has a gift for writing introverted characters and portraying social anxiety with nuance, and Citrus might be her best yet. I related to her mindset so deeply—it felt like reading parts of myself on the page.
And Citrus and Samson? Too cute for words. Their dynamic was everything, and I found myself wanting more and more of them. The entire book radiated charm, and now I just want to move to Gem Ridge myself.
Can I get my own dilapidated farmhouse, please?
November 4, 2025
What if you were pulled into your very favorite cozy video game of all time….and you had a chance to *finally* form a friendship with the grumpy farmer that has lived next to your character for as long as you’ve played the game?
This book answers that question in the cutest, sweetest, swooniest way! This was just fun. I don’t play sim games, but was able to easily understand everything that was going on.
This book is free of spice while still being an absolutely satisfying love story. As all good love stories should be! I love almost everything from Camilla Evergreen, and this is no exception. If you’re a fan of portal fantasies, grumpy neighbor, idiots to lovers, broad shoulders, or lemons….this one’s for you.
Huge thank you to Camilla Evergreen for an early copy of the book! My opinions are my own.
This book answers that question in the cutest, sweetest, swooniest way! This was just fun. I don’t play sim games, but was able to easily understand everything that was going on.
This book is free of spice while still being an absolutely satisfying love story. As all good love stories should be! I love almost everything from Camilla Evergreen, and this is no exception. If you’re a fan of portal fantasies, grumpy neighbor, idiots to lovers, broad shoulders, or lemons….this one’s for you.
Huge thank you to Camilla Evergreen for an early copy of the book! My opinions are my own.
November 17, 2025
Wonderful!
Citrus and I would be the best of friends in real life. Camilla writes such interesting, intricate characters. And the internal dialogue leaves me smiling. I’ve never read a writer that was so in tune with the characters and events running amuck through her stories. They are kind, thoughtful, hilarious little squiggles on the page that tell me stories about me, stories about people I know and make me step outside myself to see another’s perspective. They are full of self discovery and inspiration.
I am so very grateful Camilla, to you for sharing your stories with us. I hope to think they make me a better person. And a big plus, I can share them with my Mom AND granddaughters who are just as weird and wonderful as your stories. Thank you!
Citrus and I would be the best of friends in real life. Camilla writes such interesting, intricate characters. And the internal dialogue leaves me smiling. I’ve never read a writer that was so in tune with the characters and events running amuck through her stories. They are kind, thoughtful, hilarious little squiggles on the page that tell me stories about me, stories about people I know and make me step outside myself to see another’s perspective. They are full of self discovery and inspiration.
I am so very grateful Camilla, to you for sharing your stories with us. I hope to think they make me a better person. And a big plus, I can share them with my Mom AND granddaughters who are just as weird and wonderful as your stories. Thank you!
October 11, 2025
This was a new vibe for me as I don’t play cozy fantasy games but I felt like because Samson was being explained the game along way the way too!
I loved seeing both characters grow emotionally as individuals and to realize their feelings for one another 🥹🥹
I especially loved Citrus getting a second chance to be all the things she wouldn’t have labeled herself as in the “real” world and got to experience herself thriving.
Samson’s development goes to show that your limited perspective of someone doesn’t tell their whole story or possible potential.
Also the town being the top shippers and making it happen had me dying.
I’m excited to see where this goes next 👀
I loved seeing both characters grow emotionally as individuals and to realize their feelings for one another 🥹🥹
I especially loved Citrus getting a second chance to be all the things she wouldn’t have labeled herself as in the “real” world and got to experience herself thriving.
Samson’s development goes to show that your limited perspective of someone doesn’t tell their whole story or possible potential.
Also the town being the top shippers and making it happen had me dying.
I’m excited to see where this goes next 👀
December 3, 2025
Holy pepperoni Batman, this book is good! It is so very different in that it is an isekai, where a person from one world gets transported into another. In this case Citrus, comes from modern earth into a her favorite video game world, which is now a real life mod.
I loved the uniqueness of this book. It is a book that everyone from your middle grader to adults will enjoy. I loved seeing the relationships form and develop between each unique member of Gem Ridge. How they each help each other while still maintaining their individual quirks and personalities. I especially loved the ending.
There are no swears or alcohol and level 2 kisses only. Single POV.
I loved the uniqueness of this book. It is a book that everyone from your middle grader to adults will enjoy. I loved seeing the relationships form and develop between each unique member of Gem Ridge. How they each help each other while still maintaining their individual quirks and personalities. I especially loved the ending.
There are no swears or alcohol and level 2 kisses only. Single POV.
October 20, 2025
I absolutely love Evergreen's works! Even though the setting/background for this story is an isekai and ie a bit different than her other works, it is just as full of heart, healing, love, and care as all of the others. I love that she's inclusive and doesn't shy away from hard subject matter, and that her characters find themselves in worlds that are so caring and nurturing. Plus she does it all with a great sense of humor and heart. Clearly, recommend!
I received this story as an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received this story as an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 4, 2025
I wasn’t sure I would be able to understand this book because it is so far out of my normal genre, but it was so good. I definitely felt like there was a little bit of a learning curve, but even with my lack of experience in the gaming room and Anime, I was able to enjoy it and understand it.
Although this was somewhat of a different book, it definitely was so thrilling and it’s still exciting. I love the development of the characters and all of the adventures they had. Samson and Citrus 4eva! Cuties. Silly, silly goose, but cuties!
I can’t wait to see what I next.
Although this was somewhat of a different book, it definitely was so thrilling and it’s still exciting. I love the development of the characters and all of the adventures they had. Samson and Citrus 4eva! Cuties. Silly, silly goose, but cuties!
I can’t wait to see what I next.
November 4, 2025
This cozy isekai, farm sim-inspired novel is full of romantic moments like this one:
‘Welcome to the wonderful world of cozy farm sims… It caters perfectly to the two wolves inside women—that is the one that craves a sweet little romance, and the one that craves violent dis-em 🎳 of all adversaries.’
Humor abounds, the shoulders are broad, female main character is adorable and the character arcs do be arcing to a satisfying degree greater than a flat line.
Don’t miss it! Who doesn’t love Lemon? 🍋
‘Welcome to the wonderful world of cozy farm sims… It caters perfectly to the two wolves inside women—that is the one that craves a sweet little romance, and the one that craves violent dis-em 🎳 of all adversaries.’
Humor abounds, the shoulders are broad, female main character is adorable and the character arcs do be arcing to a satisfying degree greater than a flat line.
Don’t miss it! Who doesn’t love Lemon? 🍋
December 8, 2025
I am exactly the target audience for this book. I love cozy games, love fun isekai stories, and love sweet romance (and I, too, have astigmatism and some social anxiety). Camilla mixed in just enough “overpowered FMC” to keep it fun while leaving in some surprises the FMC wouldn’t expect. Tropes I tend to hate were sidestepped entirely or confronted and dismantled head-on, so there was no betrayal or frustrating bits that would leave tension in my brain. It was cozy and lovely. I laughed, I cried, I rooted for every character (including the ones FMC didn’t like) and I absolutely need more in this world, or at least this niche genre, from Camilla. Love. ❤️
October 19, 2025
My goodness this might be Camilla's cutest book EVER!! I mean all her books are adorable but this one is EXTRA adorable!! The characters are just so SO cute and I want to cuddle and hold them tight!! I loved all the game play and super sweet and cute characters. I love how Camilla deals with such serious topics in the most beautiful wonderful and sweet way. I read this book in one sitting! Absolutely couldn't put it down!
November 4, 2025
Love it.
Citrus and Samson forevuh.
Perfectly cozy world. Unique side characters, easy to tell them apart.
Romance has only kissing, no on-page sex scenes.
Violence is mild, fighting slime monsters and bugs. (And one brute who deserves it.)
No cursing. If characters do swear it’s written as. “He cursed under his breath” or something like.
Satisfying resolution. No cliffhanger. HEA
I highly recommend this book.
I’m eagerly awaiting this author’s next release.
Citrus and Samson forevuh.
Perfectly cozy world. Unique side characters, easy to tell them apart.
Romance has only kissing, no on-page sex scenes.
Violence is mild, fighting slime monsters and bugs. (And one brute who deserves it.)
No cursing. If characters do swear it’s written as. “He cursed under his breath” or something like.
Satisfying resolution. No cliffhanger. HEA
I highly recommend this book.
I’m eagerly awaiting this author’s next release.
November 4, 2025
Isekai: the out of this world style of book I never knew I needed! How many times have I wished I could be sucked into a video game and live my life there! I adored this book, in ways I never expected. Watching Citrus grow in herself, in her relationships, in strength: all amazing. Watching Samson learn to live and care: the sweetest. Check this book out as soon as you can, it will fill a hole in your reading that you never knew was there!
November 4, 2025
I’ve never read an isekai story before and this was great! To be fair though, I would read anything Camilla writes! I loved this book, it was fun and unique. I loved the FMC, Citrus, and the MMC, Samson. The story is told from the POV from Citrus.
If you have ever played a cozy farming sim game, like Stardew Valley, then you’ll love this book! It’s fun to dive into a world of what is like the game.
If you have ever played a cozy farming sim game, like Stardew Valley, then you’ll love this book! It’s fun to dive into a world of what is like the game.
November 6, 2025
Delightful
I love these type of stories. Adorable characters, fun, low stakes, funny, and sizzle without spice. I loved Citrus and Samson. They are so cute and adorable. The town was awesome and the guild scenes made me giddy. I appreciate the no 3rd act break up just for the plot. It's one of my favorite things about Camilla's books. Plot devices are often called out in the most delightful ways. They make me happy.
I love these type of stories. Adorable characters, fun, low stakes, funny, and sizzle without spice. I loved Citrus and Samson. They are so cute and adorable. The town was awesome and the guild scenes made me giddy. I appreciate the no 3rd act break up just for the plot. It's one of my favorite things about Camilla's books. Plot devices are often called out in the most delightful ways. They make me happy.
November 10, 2025
Absolutely loved this book. It is a brilliant idea to write from the perspective it did - and it Absolutely stole my heart. well done, Camilla! this one also felt a little less chaotic than some. I love her chaos, but a few of hers have been just unhinged enough that they made me feel unhinged by reading them. 🤣 overall, definitely one of my favorite authors. Just wish I could own a hard copy of each of her books!
November 24, 2025
A true work of art. 🥹
Camilla did it again, all the emotions packed into one book.
Even though isekai is a new genre for her and us, it still has the familiar heart and essence of Camilla Evergreen.
If you like the following tropes, you have to get this book now!
Book Tropes:
🗡️GrumpyXSunshine
🗡️He threatens her with a sword
🗡️Forced Proximity
🗡️She is endearingly reckless
🗡️A magical talking journal
🗡️A love letter to cozy game lovers
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Camilla did it again, all the emotions packed into one book.
Even though isekai is a new genre for her and us, it still has the familiar heart and essence of Camilla Evergreen.
If you like the following tropes, you have to get this book now!
Book Tropes:
🗡️GrumpyXSunshine
🗡️He threatens her with a sword
🗡️Forced Proximity
🗡️She is endearingly reckless
🗡️A magical talking journal
🗡️A love letter to cozy game lovers
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 4, 2025
I fell in love with Gem Ridge and all its characters! What a fun world, and I loved the farm Sim come to life. Would not mind at all if we get more stories there... Samson and Citrus were a delight. They were so sweet to each other, and I loved the last scene in the mystic forest with them. 🤭 Definitely one of my favorite reads this year. 5 big golden stars!
October 13, 2025
I loved the grumpy/sunshine and fish out of water vibes of this sweet romance! Fantastic world building, I didn't want to put it down!
I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.
I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.
October 15, 2025
This might be my new favorite Camilla book. If you love cozy video games, especially farming sims, this book is for you! I now need all the Isekai rom coms to be written.
I adore the characters in this world, the themes and messages are so wholesome and the romance is swoony. I love it!
I adore the characters in this world, the themes and messages are so wholesome and the romance is swoony. I love it!
November 2, 2025
Loved this one so much! It’s definitely not a normal for this genre but it worked so well and I really enjoyed it! I loved Citrus’ honesty with Samson. What a delightful world Gem Ridge is and I can’t wait to see how it ties in!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews