What do you think?
Rate this book
Win a free kindle copy of this book!
9 days and 20:21:41
100 copies available
U.S. only
Elm Hollow Holidays #1
Pumpkin Spice... lessons
Win a free kindle copy of this book!
9 days and 20:21:41
100 copies available
U.S. only
Ivy is in love with her cozy little coffee shop, where she serves up steamy romance novels and all the autumn magic you could dream of.
On paper, her life looks pretty perfect—except for one she’s always wanted to fall in love and finally enter her small town’s iconic fall competition.
The catch? She’s an absolute trainwreck when it comes to dating.
So what happens when a ridiculously hot stranger offers to be her fake boyfriend… and throw in a few spice lessons while he’s at it?
This fall, Elm Hollow is about to get hotter, nosier, and way more competitive than anyone expected.
- small-town
- fake date
- Gilmore Girls vibes
- spice lessons
- fall theme
- city boy x small-town girl
- Halloween vibes
- Fall bucket list competition
On paper, her life looks pretty perfect—except for one she’s always wanted to fall in love and finally enter her small town’s iconic fall competition.
The catch? She’s an absolute trainwreck when it comes to dating.
So what happens when a ridiculously hot stranger offers to be her fake boyfriend… and throw in a few spice lessons while he’s at it?
This fall, Elm Hollow is about to get hotter, nosier, and way more competitive than anyone expected.
- small-town
- fake date
- Gilmore Girls vibes
- spice lessons
- fall theme
- city boy x small-town girl
- Halloween vibes
- Fall bucket list competition
423 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 5, 2025
54 people are currently reading
1778 people want to read
About the author
Valentina Iania
7 books160 followersValentina Iania writes steamy contemporary romance and rom-coms rooted in small-town worlds, where heart, heat, and emotional intensity collide. Her stories feature found family, seasonal vibes, and sizzling chemistry, blending cozy settings with unapologetically spicy romance.
She also writes scorching cowboy romances, known for strong heroines, stubborn heroes, and high-heat, emotionally charged love stories.
When she’s not writing, she’s out at the ranch—riding horses and dreaming up her next obsession-worthy cowboy.
You can find her on social media @valentinaianiaauthor. Saddle up, it’s gonna get hot.
She also writes scorching cowboy romances, known for strong heroines, stubborn heroes, and high-heat, emotionally charged love stories.
When she’s not writing, she’s out at the ranch—riding horses and dreaming up her next obsession-worthy cowboy.
You can find her on social media @valentinaianiaauthor. Saddle up, it’s gonna get hot.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
August 31, 2025
This book was pure autumnal perfection—I devoured it like a warm slice of pumpkin pie 🧡 Ivy & Cam completely stole my heart: Ivy is the sweetest, and Cam… oh my gosh. Hot, swoony, and secretly soft—my ultimate book boyfriend! And let me just say one thing: he’s a firefighter. 🔥
The cozy nostalgia was chef’s kiss—from Gilmore Girls energy to Hocus Pocus to Sabrina the Teenage Witch vibes, it honestly felt like I was living inside a fall festival. The details made it magical: side characters that make you want to pack up and move to Elm Hollow, laugh-out-loud banter, confessional-style scenes (like reality TV gold 😂), plus a couples’ competition that had me absolutely hooked.
Bonus points for:
🐈⬛ Leo the chaotic cat
🦜 Pedro the myna bird stealing the spotlight
And more things I adored:
🎃 Cam calling her “cinnamon roll”
🍁 The 5-day campout in the woods
❤️ Couples like Molly and Gus 🫶🏻
💘 Sloane! She runs Cupid’s agency, and I just know she’s destined for a swoony Valentine’s Day book!
The cozy nostalgia was chef’s kiss—from Gilmore Girls energy to Hocus Pocus to Sabrina the Teenage Witch vibes, it honestly felt like I was living inside a fall festival. The details made it magical: side characters that make you want to pack up and move to Elm Hollow, laugh-out-loud banter, confessional-style scenes (like reality TV gold 😂), plus a couples’ competition that had me absolutely hooked.
Bonus points for:
🐈⬛ Leo the chaotic cat
🦜 Pedro the myna bird stealing the spotlight
And more things I adored:
🎃 Cam calling her “cinnamon roll”
🍁 The 5-day campout in the woods
❤️ Couples like Molly and Gus 🫶🏻
💘 Sloane! She runs Cupid’s agency, and I just know she’s destined for a swoony Valentine’s Day book!
August 31, 2025
Highlights that totally made me smile:
🐈⬛ Leo causing absolute chaos
🦜 Pedro the myna bird stealing scenes left and right
🎃 The “cinnamon roll” nickname (heart-melting!!)
🏕️ A five-day camping trip I wanted to crash
❤️ Sweet/ funny side couples
💘 And Sloane—Cupid’s agency queen—I just know her Valentine’s story is going to be unforgettable!
💜 Rae! I already know her Christmas book… it’s gonna be HOT
This book was everything I love about fall wrapped into one story 🍂 I couldn’t put it down—it felt like sipping a pumpkin spice latte while wrapped in a cozy blanket. Ivy is an absolute sweetheart, and Cam? Let’s just say… firefighter + protective + soft side = new book boyfriend unlocked 🔥🧡
The vibes were immaculate: think Gilmore Girls small-town charm, Hocus Pocus fun, and a touch of Sabrina magic. Elm Hollow came alive on the page with its quirky side characters, hilarious banter, and those reality-show-style confessions that had me giggling nonstop. And don’t even get me started on the couples’ competition—I was obsessed!
If you love cozy fall settings, laugh-out-loud banter, and a romance that makes your heart squeeze, this one’s a must-read 🍁🧡
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
🐈⬛ Leo causing absolute chaos
🦜 Pedro the myna bird stealing scenes left and right
🎃 The “cinnamon roll” nickname (heart-melting!!)
🏕️ A five-day camping trip I wanted to crash
❤️ Sweet/ funny side couples
💘 And Sloane—Cupid’s agency queen—I just know her Valentine’s story is going to be unforgettable!
💜 Rae! I already know her Christmas book… it’s gonna be HOT
This book was everything I love about fall wrapped into one story 🍂 I couldn’t put it down—it felt like sipping a pumpkin spice latte while wrapped in a cozy blanket. Ivy is an absolute sweetheart, and Cam? Let’s just say… firefighter + protective + soft side = new book boyfriend unlocked 🔥🧡
The vibes were immaculate: think Gilmore Girls small-town charm, Hocus Pocus fun, and a touch of Sabrina magic. Elm Hollow came alive on the page with its quirky side characters, hilarious banter, and those reality-show-style confessions that had me giggling nonstop. And don’t even get me started on the couples’ competition—I was obsessed!
If you love cozy fall settings, laugh-out-loud banter, and a romance that makes your heart squeeze, this one’s a must-read 🍁🧡
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
August 27, 2025
"𝙊𝙝, 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙨…"
"𝙊𝙝, 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙡 𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙨."
"𝙃𝙊𝙇𝙔 𝙋𝙐𝙈𝙋𝙆𝙄𝙉!"
Ok this was the most adorable, autumnal read! Thankyou so much @valentinaianiaauthor for letting me ARC read Pumpkin Spice Lessons 🧡
Ivy and Cam are literally 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐔𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓 fake couple ever 🥹 fake-dating is a trope that I've only recently discovered and has fast become a favourite but this one hit different. There was no distrust, tolerating each other for a cause or irritable "let's just get through this" vibes going on here. They were fast friends becoming much more in the cosiest setting! You just can't help but want happy endings for both of them from start to finish 🫶
I adored all of the nostalgic nods throughout the story - Sabrina the teenage witch, Hocus Pocus, Gilmore Girls - was this book crafted from my guilty pleasures?!
Loveable side characters (and animals - yes I'm talking about you Leo & Pedro!), giggles, a lil spice that had nothing to do with pumpkins, an entertaining couples competition and Ivy's quirky exclamations ticked all of my cosy read boxes.
A perfect autumnal read with all the warm fuzzies, a couple you can root for and plenty of laugh out loud moments 🧡
"𝙊𝙝, 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙡 𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙨."
"𝙃𝙊𝙇𝙔 𝙋𝙐𝙈𝙋𝙆𝙄𝙉!"
Ok this was the most adorable, autumnal read! Thankyou so much @valentinaianiaauthor for letting me ARC read Pumpkin Spice Lessons 🧡
Ivy and Cam are literally 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐔𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓 fake couple ever 🥹 fake-dating is a trope that I've only recently discovered and has fast become a favourite but this one hit different. There was no distrust, tolerating each other for a cause or irritable "let's just get through this" vibes going on here. They were fast friends becoming much more in the cosiest setting! You just can't help but want happy endings for both of them from start to finish 🫶
I adored all of the nostalgic nods throughout the story - Sabrina the teenage witch, Hocus Pocus, Gilmore Girls - was this book crafted from my guilty pleasures?!
Loveable side characters (and animals - yes I'm talking about you Leo & Pedro!), giggles, a lil spice that had nothing to do with pumpkins, an entertaining couples competition and Ivy's quirky exclamations ticked all of my cosy read boxes.
A perfect autumnal read with all the warm fuzzies, a couple you can root for and plenty of laugh out loud moments 🧡
September 29, 2025
Such a fun and cozy autumn read! Its funny, over the top drama in a fun way! Girlmore girl town vibes. And also depth in the story! I really enjoyed reading this book!
September 15, 2025
This was such a cute and fun read! Perfect for all the Autumn vibes😍
August 26, 2025
✨ARC review
After a traumatic incident at work leaves Cam with PTSD, he moves to the tiny town of Elm Hollow to start fresh. The town is obsessed with all things fall—festivals, traditions, and plenty of small-town gossip. While settling in, Cam meets Ivy, the local owner who loves autumn and romance novels. The two quickly strike up a friendship, and when the townspeople begin pushing Cam to participate in local events, he and Ivy pretend to date. Their fake relationship not only gives Cam a reason to stay but also gives Ivy the chance to participate in the fall-themed romance competition she’s always dreamed of.
This was a very quick read, which I appreciated, but unfortunately it just wasn’t the right book for me. I struggled with the dialogue, which felt rushed and often repetitive, and the story didn’t flow as smoothly as I had hoped. There were also several direct references to the author’s other works that pulled me out of the story. The book is marketed as having Gilmore Girls vibes, but to me, it came across more as an imitation than an homage—with very similar names, places, and even character types.
While the premise had potential and I can see how fans of cozy, small-town romances might enjoy it, this one simply didn’t click for me.
After a traumatic incident at work leaves Cam with PTSD, he moves to the tiny town of Elm Hollow to start fresh. The town is obsessed with all things fall—festivals, traditions, and plenty of small-town gossip. While settling in, Cam meets Ivy, the local owner who loves autumn and romance novels. The two quickly strike up a friendship, and when the townspeople begin pushing Cam to participate in local events, he and Ivy pretend to date. Their fake relationship not only gives Cam a reason to stay but also gives Ivy the chance to participate in the fall-themed romance competition she’s always dreamed of.
This was a very quick read, which I appreciated, but unfortunately it just wasn’t the right book for me. I struggled with the dialogue, which felt rushed and often repetitive, and the story didn’t flow as smoothly as I had hoped. There were also several direct references to the author’s other works that pulled me out of the story. The book is marketed as having Gilmore Girls vibes, but to me, it came across more as an imitation than an homage—with very similar names, places, and even character types.
While the premise had potential and I can see how fans of cozy, small-town romances might enjoy it, this one simply didn’t click for me.
September 17, 2025
if you’ve ever wished that gilmore girls existed in romcom form but with spice, then pumpkin spice… lessons is the book for you.
the story follows ivy, joint smutty bookstore and café owner, and cam, the mysterious new man in town who is trying desperately to outrun his past. cam needs the elm hollow locals to accept him, and ivy has always longed to participate in the town’s autumnal bucket list competition, so the pair form an unlikely deal: they will compete together as a couple. every stage of the competition raises the tension between the two; eventually, neither can tell what’s real and what’s for the audience.
set against the most autumnal backdrop, pumpkin spice… lessons is full of wit, heart, healing, and spice. i had the most fun with this story, and absolutely believe it belongs on everyone’s tbr for the ber months.
thank you so much to valentina for the arc in exchange for an honest review! i can’t wait to dive into the rest of the elm hollow universe!
the story follows ivy, joint smutty bookstore and café owner, and cam, the mysterious new man in town who is trying desperately to outrun his past. cam needs the elm hollow locals to accept him, and ivy has always longed to participate in the town’s autumnal bucket list competition, so the pair form an unlikely deal: they will compete together as a couple. every stage of the competition raises the tension between the two; eventually, neither can tell what’s real and what’s for the audience.
set against the most autumnal backdrop, pumpkin spice… lessons is full of wit, heart, healing, and spice. i had the most fun with this story, and absolutely believe it belongs on everyone’s tbr for the ber months.
thank you so much to valentina for the arc in exchange for an honest review! i can’t wait to dive into the rest of the elm hollow universe!
August 22, 2025
I have a lot of mixed feelings about this. The idea for the book was really cute. Having a small town, Gilmore girls vibe is always super enjoyable. I also liked the bookstore/coffee that Ivy (FMC) owned. I pictured it as this super cute shop on a corner with huge windows and a dark color vibe!
Where it fell off for me is that so many things were almost an exact copy or a literal copy from Gilmore Girls. The town was called Elm Hallow which is so close to Star Hallow. There was a theater teach named Mrs. Patty which is a direct copy from Gilmore Girls. There was also a diner called Duke’s. I just struggled with it because it felt to similar when the book should be a totally different thing. There was more but I didn’t want to mention all of it.
The romance was different from the show but that was about it. That and the challenges thing was really all that separated it.
I did enjoy the romance for most of the book but I felt like the inner dialogue about each other became a little too much. I hate to say any of this since this is a self published book but I only share honest reviews. I think the idea was good. It is a simple and quick fall romance if you don’t care about the other stuff I mentioned. I might recommend to some people but not everyone.
Where it fell off for me is that so many things were almost an exact copy or a literal copy from Gilmore Girls. The town was called Elm Hallow which is so close to Star Hallow. There was a theater teach named Mrs. Patty which is a direct copy from Gilmore Girls. There was also a diner called Duke’s. I just struggled with it because it felt to similar when the book should be a totally different thing. There was more but I didn’t want to mention all of it.
The romance was different from the show but that was about it. That and the challenges thing was really all that separated it.
I did enjoy the romance for most of the book but I felt like the inner dialogue about each other became a little too much. I hate to say any of this since this is a self published book but I only share honest reviews. I think the idea was good. It is a simple and quick fall romance if you don’t care about the other stuff I mentioned. I might recommend to some people but not everyone.
September 24, 2025
This was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 read for me!
I loved Ivy & Cam, and the cute little town of Elm Hollow. I wish Cam & Ivy had given in to their mutual feelings a little bit sooner, so we could see more of them together in the book. I loved how this book was equal parts cozy, and spicy. Hallmark after dark, if you will! And I did enjoy the Gilmore Girls references, but some of it did feel a little too close to the show.
Overall if you’re looking for a fun cozy, spicy fall romance I definitely recommend this one!
I loved Ivy & Cam, and the cute little town of Elm Hollow. I wish Cam & Ivy had given in to their mutual feelings a little bit sooner, so we could see more of them together in the book. I loved how this book was equal parts cozy, and spicy. Hallmark after dark, if you will! And I did enjoy the Gilmore Girls references, but some of it did feel a little too close to the show.
Overall if you’re looking for a fun cozy, spicy fall romance I definitely recommend this one!
November 8, 2025
Holy Pumpkin!!
Pumpkin Spice… Lessons is the coziness of Gilmore Girls, the sass of Hart of Dixie and the pumpkin spice… That’s all Valentina.
Ivy and Cam gave early days Rory and Logan vibes and with that I was sucked in quicker than when Starbucks launch their Pumpkin Spice range.
There was banter. There was spice. There was reality style confessions.
Perfect. Autumn. Read.
If you like:
🍂Small town romance
🎃Fake dating
🍂Spice lessons
🎃City boy x small town girl
🍂Full on fall aesthetic
🎃One bed
🍂Gilmore Girls vibes
🎃 Fall reality show
Then this is one for you.
Pumpkin Spice… Lessons is the coziness of Gilmore Girls, the sass of Hart of Dixie and the pumpkin spice… That’s all Valentina.
Ivy and Cam gave early days Rory and Logan vibes and with that I was sucked in quicker than when Starbucks launch their Pumpkin Spice range.
There was banter. There was spice. There was reality style confessions.
Perfect. Autumn. Read.
If you like:
🍂Small town romance
🎃Fake dating
🍂Spice lessons
🎃City boy x small town girl
🍂Full on fall aesthetic
🎃One bed
🍂Gilmore Girls vibes
🎃 Fall reality show
Then this is one for you.
August 23, 2025
ARC Review- 4.25🌟
Such perfect autumnal vibes, if you love Gilmore Girls, you will love this small town and its people!🫶
This book has a perfect amount of spice versus plot, and I enjoyed the character development of our two main characters. I also adored their journey and how they both grew as people and a couple🥹
The perfect autumnal read, will look forward to future reads by this author!💫
Such perfect autumnal vibes, if you love Gilmore Girls, you will love this small town and its people!🫶
This book has a perfect amount of spice versus plot, and I enjoyed the character development of our two main characters. I also adored their journey and how they both grew as people and a couple🥹
The perfect autumnal read, will look forward to future reads by this author!💫
September 3, 2025
A love letter to Autumn/Fall ~ 4.5✨ (rating rounded up to 5)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
✧ PLOT ✧
Sweet & innocent small town coffee shop owner Ivy prefers the company of fictional characters over real people. Her best friend Sloane, Mom Rae & cat Leo are all she needs. Well, until she bumps into a Greek god human wall of muscles &.. more muscles, Cam. That innocence I mentioned earlier? Gone, out the window. She may be a terrible flirt & awkward as hell but she wants to climb this man like a tree & when an opportunity arises, she takes it. She’s always wanted to enter the annual Fall couples competition & with her new fake boyfriend Cam by her side, it’s finally time for her to shine.
~
Firefighter Cam has moved to Elm Hollow to try & put distance between himself & the heartache he experienced in the city. Suffering from PTSD he wants to keep to himself, get on with things & hopefully begin to heal but in a little town like Elm Hollow, that’s not really an option. Facing the threat of being ran out of town, he somehow finds himself as not only a fake boyfriend to the adorable yet sexy Ivy but as a participant in the annual Fall couples competition too.
~
As they ace the competition & grow closer in every way possible their fake dating plot begins to unravel & when a jealous competitor takes aim, it might not be just the competition they lose… it might be each other.
✅ This is a great book for anyone who enjoys -
• books/genre - romantic comedy, cosy fall romance & spicy romance.
• themes/tropes - small town, fall aesthetic, fake dating, one bed, forced proximity, Gilmore Girls x Hallmark, city boy x small town girl, Halloween vibes & spice lessons.
‼️Please keep in mind this book includes - Death, PTSD, nightmares, mature language & open door spice.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
✧ SUMMARY/OPINIONS ✧
Pumpkin Spice… Lessons is a cosy romantic-comedy set in the small ‘Hallmark-esque’ town of Elm Hollow. Teeming with hilarious, loveable characters, this ode to fall will have you curled up under a blanket with your PSL in hand quicker than you can say cinnamon roll 🎃
Ivy & Cam’s relationship is everything. They both guide & protect each other, growing as individuals - Cam with his PTSD & Ivy with her self assuredness - & obviously as a couple too. The tension between the pair was tantalising & Valentina did an amazing job painting us a sweet but steamy, entertaining but endearing love story.
Elm Hollow may be a small town but this book has some BIG characters & I can’t not mention them as they add so much humour & drama to the book.
You have a fiercely loyal ride or die best friend, multiple nosey neighbours, a town busybody who finds fault with anything & everything, silent observers, relentless gossips, a slightly kooky mature lady, a pantomime style mean girl villain (& her boyfriend who follows 5ft behind her at all times) & so many more. So good 👏🏼👏🏼
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
✧ FINAL THOUGHTS ✧
What a ride! I read this book in one sitting & if it was humanely possible to read it faster, I would have. I caught myself grinning like a Cheshire Cat on multiple occasions (the maze scene may or may not have been one of those occasions 🙃) but the reveal of Cam’s heartbreaking past had me balling. Valentina has the ability to evoke every kind of emotion & I found myself totally lost in her writing.
As someone who collected every edition of the Sabrina’s secret magazine I LOVED the reference to the show & the Hocus Pocus scene had me cackling like I was the 4th sister. I can’t wait to see what the next book has in store for us🎄👀
📣 Thank you SO much to Valentina Iania for allowing me to read & review this ARC of her amazing book ‘Pumpkin Spice… Lessons’. This honest review contains my individual thoughts & I’m leaving it voluntarily.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
✧ PLOT ✧
Sweet & innocent small town coffee shop owner Ivy prefers the company of fictional characters over real people. Her best friend Sloane, Mom Rae & cat Leo are all she needs. Well, until she bumps into a Greek god human wall of muscles &.. more muscles, Cam. That innocence I mentioned earlier? Gone, out the window. She may be a terrible flirt & awkward as hell but she wants to climb this man like a tree & when an opportunity arises, she takes it. She’s always wanted to enter the annual Fall couples competition & with her new fake boyfriend Cam by her side, it’s finally time for her to shine.
~
Firefighter Cam has moved to Elm Hollow to try & put distance between himself & the heartache he experienced in the city. Suffering from PTSD he wants to keep to himself, get on with things & hopefully begin to heal but in a little town like Elm Hollow, that’s not really an option. Facing the threat of being ran out of town, he somehow finds himself as not only a fake boyfriend to the adorable yet sexy Ivy but as a participant in the annual Fall couples competition too.
~
As they ace the competition & grow closer in every way possible their fake dating plot begins to unravel & when a jealous competitor takes aim, it might not be just the competition they lose… it might be each other.
✅ This is a great book for anyone who enjoys -
• books/genre - romantic comedy, cosy fall romance & spicy romance.
• themes/tropes - small town, fall aesthetic, fake dating, one bed, forced proximity, Gilmore Girls x Hallmark, city boy x small town girl, Halloween vibes & spice lessons.
‼️Please keep in mind this book includes - Death, PTSD, nightmares, mature language & open door spice.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
✧ SUMMARY/OPINIONS ✧
Pumpkin Spice… Lessons is a cosy romantic-comedy set in the small ‘Hallmark-esque’ town of Elm Hollow. Teeming with hilarious, loveable characters, this ode to fall will have you curled up under a blanket with your PSL in hand quicker than you can say cinnamon roll 🎃
Ivy & Cam’s relationship is everything. They both guide & protect each other, growing as individuals - Cam with his PTSD & Ivy with her self assuredness - & obviously as a couple too. The tension between the pair was tantalising & Valentina did an amazing job painting us a sweet but steamy, entertaining but endearing love story.
Elm Hollow may be a small town but this book has some BIG characters & I can’t not mention them as they add so much humour & drama to the book.
You have a fiercely loyal ride or die best friend, multiple nosey neighbours, a town busybody who finds fault with anything & everything, silent observers, relentless gossips, a slightly kooky mature lady, a pantomime style mean girl villain (& her boyfriend who follows 5ft behind her at all times) & so many more. So good 👏🏼👏🏼
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
✧ FINAL THOUGHTS ✧
What a ride! I read this book in one sitting & if it was humanely possible to read it faster, I would have. I caught myself grinning like a Cheshire Cat on multiple occasions (the maze scene may or may not have been one of those occasions 🙃) but the reveal of Cam’s heartbreaking past had me balling. Valentina has the ability to evoke every kind of emotion & I found myself totally lost in her writing.
As someone who collected every edition of the Sabrina’s secret magazine I LOVED the reference to the show & the Hocus Pocus scene had me cackling like I was the 4th sister. I can’t wait to see what the next book has in store for us🎄👀
📣 Thank you SO much to Valentina Iania for allowing me to read & review this ARC of her amazing book ‘Pumpkin Spice… Lessons’. This honest review contains my individual thoughts & I’m leaving it voluntarily.
August 28, 2025
Thank you to Valentina Iania for an advanced copy of this book.
Ivy is in love with her cozy little coffee shop, where she serves up steamy romance novels and all the autumn magic you could dream of. On paper, her life looks pretty perfect—except for one she’s always wanted to fall in love and finally enter her small town’s iconic fall competition. The catch? She’s an absolute trainwreck when it comes to dating. So what happens when a ridiculously hot stranger offers to be her fake boyfriend… and throw in a few spice lessons while he’s at it?
Ivy is such a sweetheart. She merely wants to make everyone happy and to share her love for all things Autumn with the world. I really liked her character. She was like sunshine, bringing happiness wherever she went. There’s a softness to her that was really enjoyable too. I would have liked to have seen a bit more about her background, her past, to understand what makes her tick. I think it would have helped me understand her insecurities better and why she is more shy regarding romance and relationships.
Cam has been through quite the ordeal and is understandably guarded when he first arrives. But I really liked that he opened up with Ivy. His innate need to protect was lovely to see because it wasn’t overbearing. He was considerate and sweet, wanting Ivy to be comfortable in all situations. I really appreciated seeing how his PTSD affected him as well. It could have easily been glossed over and I’m glad it wasn’t.
When I saw the chance to read an extremely Autumnal ARC, I leapt at it. Even more so because it includes one of my favourite tropes - fake dating! This story is sweet. The overall plot fits the cozy Autumnal read bill, bringing all the fabulous vibes with it. I did unfortunately feel like the majority of the story was a bit one-dimensional. I adore a story with depth, with something I can sink my teeth into. And whilst this book includes some important topics like PTSD and mental health, for me that was as deep as it went for so much of this. That being said, I did find myself very engaged throughout so I tried to focus on everything else. The characters were great. As with small towns, everyone knows everyone and knows everything. The way everyone interacted with each other was great and really added to the humour for the story. It also meant that every character felt supported which is always brilliant to see. The romance here is so deeply rooted in emotion and I couldn’t help but melt. It was so sweet - just how Ivy likes it! - and the way both of them were so supportive and tender and understanding of each other was perfect. The spice was nice but I felt it could have been a little spicier! It was built up so much and whilst the spicy moments we got were nice, I wanted them to be HOT. The ending was a perfect conclusion to this story. I don’t think it could have been any better.
Overall, Pumpkin Spice… Lessons is a great story to give you that cozy, Autumn fix!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you again to Valentina Iania for an advanced copy of this book.
Ivy is in love with her cozy little coffee shop, where she serves up steamy romance novels and all the autumn magic you could dream of. On paper, her life looks pretty perfect—except for one she’s always wanted to fall in love and finally enter her small town’s iconic fall competition. The catch? She’s an absolute trainwreck when it comes to dating. So what happens when a ridiculously hot stranger offers to be her fake boyfriend… and throw in a few spice lessons while he’s at it?
Ivy is such a sweetheart. She merely wants to make everyone happy and to share her love for all things Autumn with the world. I really liked her character. She was like sunshine, bringing happiness wherever she went. There’s a softness to her that was really enjoyable too. I would have liked to have seen a bit more about her background, her past, to understand what makes her tick. I think it would have helped me understand her insecurities better and why she is more shy regarding romance and relationships.
Cam has been through quite the ordeal and is understandably guarded when he first arrives. But I really liked that he opened up with Ivy. His innate need to protect was lovely to see because it wasn’t overbearing. He was considerate and sweet, wanting Ivy to be comfortable in all situations. I really appreciated seeing how his PTSD affected him as well. It could have easily been glossed over and I’m glad it wasn’t.
When I saw the chance to read an extremely Autumnal ARC, I leapt at it. Even more so because it includes one of my favourite tropes - fake dating! This story is sweet. The overall plot fits the cozy Autumnal read bill, bringing all the fabulous vibes with it. I did unfortunately feel like the majority of the story was a bit one-dimensional. I adore a story with depth, with something I can sink my teeth into. And whilst this book includes some important topics like PTSD and mental health, for me that was as deep as it went for so much of this. That being said, I did find myself very engaged throughout so I tried to focus on everything else. The characters were great. As with small towns, everyone knows everyone and knows everything. The way everyone interacted with each other was great and really added to the humour for the story. It also meant that every character felt supported which is always brilliant to see. The romance here is so deeply rooted in emotion and I couldn’t help but melt. It was so sweet - just how Ivy likes it! - and the way both of them were so supportive and tender and understanding of each other was perfect. The spice was nice but I felt it could have been a little spicier! It was built up so much and whilst the spicy moments we got were nice, I wanted them to be HOT. The ending was a perfect conclusion to this story. I don’t think it could have been any better.
Overall, Pumpkin Spice… Lessons is a great story to give you that cozy, Autumn fix!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you again to Valentina Iania for an advanced copy of this book.
September 8, 2025
Pumpkin Spice…Lessons is full of small town, cozy romance vibes straight out of Gilmore Girls (almost literally). Which I absolutely loved! Having grown up with the show, reading about Elm Hollow felt so familiar and comfortable. It was easy to create a picture in my head of a quaint little town just like Stars Hollow.
Ivy and Cam are ❤️🔥. Ivy is a sweet, kind, cinnamon roll girl who has the worst luck with romance. She’s the owner of a charming cafe/book shop and loves romance novels. Almost as much as she loves Fall (pretty sure she’s my new soulmate). But she’s desperate to find her own romance that will allow her to enter Elm Hollow’s Fall Competition. Which of course, you can only enter as a couple.
Cam is a very swoony fire fighter who just arrived in Elm Hollow. Trying to get away from past events that have left him with PTSD. He also has a charming protective side to him that makes him all the more desirable. I fell for him when he saved Lily, I mean Ivy from a horribly obnoxious date.
Together they agree to fake date for the competition. Ivy takes lessons from Cam. Cam reads Ivy’s romance recommendations. Banter ensues and soon these two aren’t just faking their feelings. As their friendship grows into something more, so do Ivy and Cam. Ivy starts to come out of her shell and she helps Cam heal from his trauma as he opens up to her more.
Some of my favorite things about this book were the writing, the comfort and the originality of the competition. Not to mention all the characters of course. The pace was so easy to follow. The tribute this paid to Gilmore Girls made me crave a re-watch. There are so many fun little cameos in here, like Duke’s. Love it!
The spice in this book was very minimal. Honestly I loved that so much. Especially for Ivy and Cam. It was more sweet than hot and matched them perfectly. And I gotta admit, I don’t know if I can handle fierce spice from Cam. I would be done for. Not that I would complain if we did see more of that in another book with these characters (crosses fingers).
“The way he says my name should be illegal in at least a hundred and sixty states.”
Overall I highly recommend this be added to every Fall tbr. It actually makes a perfect palette cleanser. For me I couldn’t have pictured starting out my Fall reads any other way. So if you’re looking for something light hearted, sweet, funny and nostalgic then this is absolutely for you!
Thank you so much Valentina for the book! So excited for more!
Ivy and Cam are ❤️🔥. Ivy is a sweet, kind, cinnamon roll girl who has the worst luck with romance. She’s the owner of a charming cafe/book shop and loves romance novels. Almost as much as she loves Fall (pretty sure she’s my new soulmate). But she’s desperate to find her own romance that will allow her to enter Elm Hollow’s Fall Competition. Which of course, you can only enter as a couple.
Cam is a very swoony fire fighter who just arrived in Elm Hollow. Trying to get away from past events that have left him with PTSD. He also has a charming protective side to him that makes him all the more desirable. I fell for him when he saved Lily, I mean Ivy from a horribly obnoxious date.
Together they agree to fake date for the competition. Ivy takes lessons from Cam. Cam reads Ivy’s romance recommendations. Banter ensues and soon these two aren’t just faking their feelings. As their friendship grows into something more, so do Ivy and Cam. Ivy starts to come out of her shell and she helps Cam heal from his trauma as he opens up to her more.
Some of my favorite things about this book were the writing, the comfort and the originality of the competition. Not to mention all the characters of course. The pace was so easy to follow. The tribute this paid to Gilmore Girls made me crave a re-watch. There are so many fun little cameos in here, like Duke’s. Love it!
The spice in this book was very minimal. Honestly I loved that so much. Especially for Ivy and Cam. It was more sweet than hot and matched them perfectly. And I gotta admit, I don’t know if I can handle fierce spice from Cam. I would be done for. Not that I would complain if we did see more of that in another book with these characters (crosses fingers).
“The way he says my name should be illegal in at least a hundred and sixty states.”
Overall I highly recommend this be added to every Fall tbr. It actually makes a perfect palette cleanser. For me I couldn’t have pictured starting out my Fall reads any other way. So if you’re looking for something light hearted, sweet, funny and nostalgic then this is absolutely for you!
Thank you so much Valentina for the book! So excited for more!
August 29, 2025
2.5-3 ⭐️
✨ ARC was approved for an honest review.
I love Ivy and Cam. The characters go on a romantic autumn journey into a couples competition where they both come out of their shells- but as a secretly fake couple.
Cam has PTSD and comes to terms with it and grows as his unexpected relationship with Ivy comes to surface.
Ivy comes out of her shy, self conscious shell with Cam encouraging and helping her gain confidence.
I love that kind of romance where both characters get to grow and develop.
I struggled with this book. I loved the overall premise, but the execution fell flat for me.
I am an avid Gilmore Girls fan. I’m in my mid thirties and have watched the entire show annually since I was seventeen, so naturally I had to get my hands on this book.
However, it felt like, at least at the beginning of the story, that we did a copy/paste and changed some words and names as our own. As I love the show, I would have preferred a genuine rendition. Not the same event and very similar names/story.
The story took a turn from the Gilmore Girls story though, so that’s great!
Except, there were several words and phrases repeated. So much so that I kept thinking I was further back in the story, rereading the same chapter again.
The dialogue at times was a struggle to follow or sounded confusing.
I really wanted to love this book, but I think perhaps it just wasn’t for me.
Even though it wasn’t my cup of tea, doesn’t mean others shouldn’t read it! Reading truly is subjective and others may absolutely adore this story.
It was just again, not for me.
✨ ARC was approved for an honest review.
I love Ivy and Cam. The characters go on a romantic autumn journey into a couples competition where they both come out of their shells- but as a secretly fake couple.
Cam has PTSD and comes to terms with it and grows as his unexpected relationship with Ivy comes to surface.
Ivy comes out of her shy, self conscious shell with Cam encouraging and helping her gain confidence.
I love that kind of romance where both characters get to grow and develop.
I struggled with this book. I loved the overall premise, but the execution fell flat for me.
I am an avid Gilmore Girls fan. I’m in my mid thirties and have watched the entire show annually since I was seventeen, so naturally I had to get my hands on this book.
However, it felt like, at least at the beginning of the story, that we did a copy/paste and changed some words and names as our own. As I love the show, I would have preferred a genuine rendition. Not the same event and very similar names/story.
The story took a turn from the Gilmore Girls story though, so that’s great!
Except, there were several words and phrases repeated. So much so that I kept thinking I was further back in the story, rereading the same chapter again.
The dialogue at times was a struggle to follow or sounded confusing.
I really wanted to love this book, but I think perhaps it just wasn’t for me.
Even though it wasn’t my cup of tea, doesn’t mean others shouldn’t read it! Reading truly is subjective and others may absolutely adore this story.
It was just again, not for me.
August 30, 2025
This book put a massive smile on my face- it’s exactly as billed with a small Gilmore Girls esq town and a fake dating story with all the right cliches.
The dynamic between Cam and Ivy is so cute and believable- both of them pretending to fake date whilst separately coming to the realisation that they’re falling for one another.
Tropes:
* Sunshine x Grumpy (but he’s sweet for her ;))
* Fake dating
* Small town
* Bookworm x Fireman
* The nightmare trope
* Matchmaking friends and family
* He falls first and harder
Our female lead Ivy owns her own coffee/ book shop and whilst being a hopeless romantic, has failed to find a lasting partner. She needs one soon in order to compete in her town’s fall competition which is only open to couples.
Cam is a firefighter who needed to move away after a traumatic incident, his and Ivy’s chance encounter quickly leads to a flirtatious friendship. He teases her about her smutty romance books (which he borrows from her) whilst she patiently helps him through his struggles. As he works through his PTSD and navigates small-town life.
I really loved this book- it was incredibly fun and fast-paced.
I’ll be on the look out for more by Valentina Iania and I’d like to thank her for so generously sending me an advanced reader copy.
Overall, I’d recommend this book to anybody looking for an easy, cosy, Autumn romance 🍁🍂
The dynamic between Cam and Ivy is so cute and believable- both of them pretending to fake date whilst separately coming to the realisation that they’re falling for one another.
Tropes:
* Sunshine x Grumpy (but he’s sweet for her ;))
* Fake dating
* Small town
* Bookworm x Fireman
* The nightmare trope
* Matchmaking friends and family
* He falls first and harder
Our female lead Ivy owns her own coffee/ book shop and whilst being a hopeless romantic, has failed to find a lasting partner. She needs one soon in order to compete in her town’s fall competition which is only open to couples.
Cam is a firefighter who needed to move away after a traumatic incident, his and Ivy’s chance encounter quickly leads to a flirtatious friendship. He teases her about her smutty romance books (which he borrows from her) whilst she patiently helps him through his struggles. As he works through his PTSD and navigates small-town life.
I really loved this book- it was incredibly fun and fast-paced.
I’ll be on the look out for more by Valentina Iania and I’d like to thank her for so generously sending me an advanced reader copy.
Overall, I’d recommend this book to anybody looking for an easy, cosy, Autumn romance 🍁🍂
September 11, 2025
I freaking loved this book so much! From the very start of this book I knew this would be an amazing read and I am very happy to report I found a new beloved fall read. This book has the best storyline and I loved every minute of it. From the very sexy yet troubled fireman Cam that is escaping his life at home and spending his time at a new small town where he meets Ivy. Ivy with her coffee shop occupying most of her time has no time to date so she decides to fake date Cam in hopes to enter a couples competition she has always wanted to join. Tension runs high when the fake dating turns to be a little more than they bargained for.
🍂This book has it all, fall vibes, Gilmore girl references we all love, cozy autumn competitions, a horror fanatic named Aunt Tina that is obsessed with Halloween but a little afraid of blood who would have known. And Leo, ivy favorite fury friend, her cat of course. The characters were so fun and made the story really come together. If you enjoy a fun small town romance with a healthy and super fun amount of spice and good banter with the best fall vibes this book is for you. I can’t believe how much fun I had reading this book and I hope it’s on everyone’s radar for their next fall read.
🎃 Tropes:
- small-town
- fake date
- Gilmore Girls vibes
- spice lessons
- fall theme
- city boy x small-town girl
- Halloween vibes
- Fall bucket list
🍂This book has it all, fall vibes, Gilmore girl references we all love, cozy autumn competitions, a horror fanatic named Aunt Tina that is obsessed with Halloween but a little afraid of blood who would have known. And Leo, ivy favorite fury friend, her cat of course. The characters were so fun and made the story really come together. If you enjoy a fun small town romance with a healthy and super fun amount of spice and good banter with the best fall vibes this book is for you. I can’t believe how much fun I had reading this book and I hope it’s on everyone’s radar for their next fall read.
🎃 Tropes:
- small-town
- fake date
- Gilmore Girls vibes
- spice lessons
- fall theme
- city boy x small-town girl
- Halloween vibes
- Fall bucket list
September 13, 2025
Ivy seems to have the perfect life — a cozy little café, shelves stacked with romance novels, and all the pumpkin spice magic you could dream of. But what she really wanted was two things she didn't have yet: enter the town's 'Elm Hollow Bucket List Competition' and to finally find love.🥹
Enter Cam, the new firefighter in Elm Hollow. To help him fit in — and give Ivy a shot at her dream — they agree to fake date. What starts as a harmless deal was becoming so much more as the desirability was there from the very start… which neither of them can stop it💕
And then there were Cam’s spice lessons for Ivy — fun, flirty, and absolutely electric.❤️🔥 Their chemistry looked like their patience and control were hanging by the thinnest thread — and honestly, it was impossible not to feel the heat right through the pages.🧡
I loved the balance between the sweetness of fall setting with the emotional depth of Ivy and Cam’s journey. Ivy’s warmth and longing to be truly seen, and Cam’s struggle to open up and belong, made their romance feel tender and real.🥰 The fake dating trope was handled so well — playful, a little messy, but filled with heart.
If you love fake dating, small-town charm, autumn romances that feel like a hug — with just the right amount of steam — this one is a perfect fall pick🔥🫶🏻
Enter Cam, the new firefighter in Elm Hollow. To help him fit in — and give Ivy a shot at her dream — they agree to fake date. What starts as a harmless deal was becoming so much more as the desirability was there from the very start… which neither of them can stop it💕
And then there were Cam’s spice lessons for Ivy — fun, flirty, and absolutely electric.❤️🔥 Their chemistry looked like their patience and control were hanging by the thinnest thread — and honestly, it was impossible not to feel the heat right through the pages.🧡
I loved the balance between the sweetness of fall setting with the emotional depth of Ivy and Cam’s journey. Ivy’s warmth and longing to be truly seen, and Cam’s struggle to open up and belong, made their romance feel tender and real.🥰 The fake dating trope was handled so well — playful, a little messy, but filled with heart.
If you love fake dating, small-town charm, autumn romances that feel like a hug — with just the right amount of steam — this one is a perfect fall pick🔥🫶🏻
September 4, 2025
Arc Reader Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5 Stars)
I want to start by thanking Valentina and her team for an Arc copy of this book for honest review.
This book certainly had all the autumnal vibes. I imagine many readers would be wrapped in a warm blanket with a pumpkin spiced latte, cosied up reading this book. I love the small town vibe of this book!
Ivy at first appears trusting and romanticises her life, while Cam appears lost and in need of some support. From the get-go both Cam and Ivy hit it off, extremely attracted to each other, and connect. Their relationship is equal parts wholesome and steamy.
At first, I found it difficult to delve into their story, the writing began short and snappy, with vague descriptions which made it a bit harder to visualise the characters and the town etc. the chapters were quite short (which is nice) and switches POVs a lot (which gives details to each characters thoughts within each scene/chapter). A great job was done handling topics (like PTSD) with care, and portraying this through Cam’s character. As the story went on I was able to become invested in Ivy and Cam’s love story, the writing got better and better and I was able to feel like I was right there with the characters !!
All in all, perfect book to get cosy with this Fall/Autumn 🎃
I want to start by thanking Valentina and her team for an Arc copy of this book for honest review.
This book certainly had all the autumnal vibes. I imagine many readers would be wrapped in a warm blanket with a pumpkin spiced latte, cosied up reading this book. I love the small town vibe of this book!
Ivy at first appears trusting and romanticises her life, while Cam appears lost and in need of some support. From the get-go both Cam and Ivy hit it off, extremely attracted to each other, and connect. Their relationship is equal parts wholesome and steamy.
At first, I found it difficult to delve into their story, the writing began short and snappy, with vague descriptions which made it a bit harder to visualise the characters and the town etc. the chapters were quite short (which is nice) and switches POVs a lot (which gives details to each characters thoughts within each scene/chapter). A great job was done handling topics (like PTSD) with care, and portraying this through Cam’s character. As the story went on I was able to become invested in Ivy and Cam’s love story, the writing got better and better and I was able to feel like I was right there with the characters !!
All in all, perfect book to get cosy with this Fall/Autumn 🎃
September 4, 2025
Imagine having the perfect fall evening with a cozy blanket and a cup of a pumpkin spice latte. To make it absolutely perfect, you need a great book. No, *the* great book. It evokes the warmth of a cozy evening, filled with family, love, and, of course, the spirit of Gilmore Girls.
In this story, Cam arrives in Elm Hollow to start anew after a traumatic past. There, he meets Ivy, a girl who enjoys reading spicy books but feels a bit awkward about it. The book captures all the charm of Gilmore Girls - from town meetings to nosy neighbors and Halloween festivities, which, in my opinion, can feel a bit overwhelming at times.
My favorite part is the competition in the plot. I won’t give any spoilers, but it helps the characters better understand each other and builds a sense of trust. The message is clear. Don’t close yourself off from the person by your side.
The ending left me smiling, sighing, and dreaming. I truly loved it. This was the first book by Valentina that I discovered, and now I know exactly what to do when her new releases come out.
I definitely recommend it!
September 4, 2025
✨Review✨
This was my first cozy Fall read of the year and it gave me all the feels of a warm cup of pumpkin spice. 🥰 Ivy lives in the small town of Elm Hollow and owns the local cafe, has a love for spicy books, and is completely obsessed with with all things Fall. So much that she’s always dreamed of entering the town’s couple Fall competition and never had the chance until Cam, the new guy in town who keeps having the cutest run ins with Ivy. Did I mention he’s a firefighter, the biggest flirt, and can’t help but be charmed by Ivy?
Cam shows up at Ivy’s cafe just to be in her presence, reads her steamy book recommendations,and agrees to be her fake boyfriend to enter the reality show like competition, all while agreeing to give her spice lessons. Cam moved to Elm Hollow for a chance to slow down and heal from his past traumas, but what he didn’t expect was Ivy.
As they complete challenges, lines get blurred, tension builds, and we get some funny, reality show like drama and late night confessionals. And let’s not forget the lessons.
Cams protectiveness and the way he reassures Ivy and helps build her confidence and how Ivy helps Cam with his anxiety, gave such a sweet touch to these characters and their story. 💕
If you’re looking for a cute romance that will give you all the Fall feels with a dash of spice, add this one to your tbr! Thank you to Valentina Iania for this arc! I had such a fun time with Ivy and Cam! 🧡
This was my first cozy Fall read of the year and it gave me all the feels of a warm cup of pumpkin spice. 🥰 Ivy lives in the small town of Elm Hollow and owns the local cafe, has a love for spicy books, and is completely obsessed with with all things Fall. So much that she’s always dreamed of entering the town’s couple Fall competition and never had the chance until Cam, the new guy in town who keeps having the cutest run ins with Ivy. Did I mention he’s a firefighter, the biggest flirt, and can’t help but be charmed by Ivy?
Cam shows up at Ivy’s cafe just to be in her presence, reads her steamy book recommendations,and agrees to be her fake boyfriend to enter the reality show like competition, all while agreeing to give her spice lessons. Cam moved to Elm Hollow for a chance to slow down and heal from his past traumas, but what he didn’t expect was Ivy.
As they complete challenges, lines get blurred, tension builds, and we get some funny, reality show like drama and late night confessionals. And let’s not forget the lessons.
Cams protectiveness and the way he reassures Ivy and helps build her confidence and how Ivy helps Cam with his anxiety, gave such a sweet touch to these characters and their story. 💕
If you’re looking for a cute romance that will give you all the Fall feels with a dash of spice, add this one to your tbr! Thank you to Valentina Iania for this arc! I had such a fun time with Ivy and Cam! 🧡
September 6, 2025
I love a good fake dating trope and Val did not disappoint when it came to Ivy & Cam's story.
From their first meeting to the final sentences in the book I was hooked. Everything about Elm Hollow screamed Gilmore Girls vibes from the small town vibes to Mr Patty to Ivy's mother Rae.
Ivy is such a sweet little cinnamon roll, which makes Cam nicknaming her that all the better. I love her obsession with fall and that she runs a book store cafe. She is the kind of FMC that every reader wants to be besties with.
Cam comes to Elm Hollow to get himself away from a tragic event and meeting, along with befriending her, helps him slowly overcome his trauma.
I love the Fall Bucket List Challenge and hate Cassandra (though it bums me out that I share a name with the "witch") The entire Fall Bucket List Challenge was thoroughly entertaining.
Val including her other novels titles as books within this book was such a fun little nod to her backlist.
I look forward to reading more from Val!
From their first meeting to the final sentences in the book I was hooked. Everything about Elm Hollow screamed Gilmore Girls vibes from the small town vibes to Mr Patty to Ivy's mother Rae.
Ivy is such a sweet little cinnamon roll, which makes Cam nicknaming her that all the better. I love her obsession with fall and that she runs a book store cafe. She is the kind of FMC that every reader wants to be besties with.
Cam comes to Elm Hollow to get himself away from a tragic event and meeting, along with befriending her, helps him slowly overcome his trauma.
I love the Fall Bucket List Challenge and hate Cassandra (though it bums me out that I share a name with the "witch") The entire Fall Bucket List Challenge was thoroughly entertaining.
Val including her other novels titles as books within this book was such a fun little nod to her backlist.
I look forward to reading more from Val!
September 15, 2025
Before anyone goes out and starts reading this book based on the 4 stars, I need you to understand: this book is bad. Objectively bad. Teenager with an AO3 account kind of bad. I am not convinced the author is in fact an actual grown adult with a bank account and a birthdate that predates Bad Romance.
That said...it was also obnoxiously fun. Does it make any sort of sense? No, not at all. Is it cringe as all hell? Definitely. Am I certain the author has ever actually seen an erection in real life? Nope. Does it still manage to give you that fuzzy feeling like old Disney Channel Original Movies and TGIF sitcoms? Yeah, actually. Pulls that off damned near perfectly.
Do not pick this up expecting good literature. Do not pick it up expecting sweeping prose or insightful subplots or anything approaching the best of what romance as a genre has to offer. Pick it up knowing that it is going to make you wonder why in the fuck you are still reading, but draw you in anyway.
That said...it was also obnoxiously fun. Does it make any sort of sense? No, not at all. Is it cringe as all hell? Definitely. Am I certain the author has ever actually seen an erection in real life? Nope. Does it still manage to give you that fuzzy feeling like old Disney Channel Original Movies and TGIF sitcoms? Yeah, actually. Pulls that off damned near perfectly.
Do not pick this up expecting good literature. Do not pick it up expecting sweeping prose or insightful subplots or anything approaching the best of what romance as a genre has to offer. Pick it up knowing that it is going to make you wonder why in the fuck you are still reading, but draw you in anyway.
August 27, 2025
Thank you so much to the amazing Valentina for letting me be a part of her ARC team!! I was so happy to read and review this!
Ok, this book is soooooo fun!!! It’s like Gilmore Girls, crossed with Big Brother! I don’t think I’ve read a book like this EVER!!
I was a goner for Cam as soon as we meet him! He’s sweet, sexy and absolutely gets Ivy!
Ivy is sweet and lovely and just wants to find a man who doesn’t patronise her or make her feel stupid…..enter Cam 😍
THEN we have the Elm Hollow fall festival, which is like a reality show gone WILD and quite honestly, you’re just in for a treat!
Can we NOT talk about Cassandra…..I loathed her!!
I binge read this book in a couple of days and I can’t wait for everyone to read it! It’s the perfect autumnal read…..pass me a PSL asap!!
Ok, this book is soooooo fun!!! It’s like Gilmore Girls, crossed with Big Brother! I don’t think I’ve read a book like this EVER!!
I was a goner for Cam as soon as we meet him! He’s sweet, sexy and absolutely gets Ivy!
Ivy is sweet and lovely and just wants to find a man who doesn’t patronise her or make her feel stupid…..enter Cam 😍
THEN we have the Elm Hollow fall festival, which is like a reality show gone WILD and quite honestly, you’re just in for a treat!
Can we NOT talk about Cassandra…..I loathed her!!
I binge read this book in a couple of days and I can’t wait for everyone to read it! It’s the perfect autumnal read…..pass me a PSL asap!!
August 31, 2025
Pumpkin Spice... lessons
by Valentina lania
3.5⭐️
1🌶️
“Pumpkin Spice …lessons “ is a sweet and cozy read! Perfect for the upcoming autumn 🍂 season!
If you’re a “Gilmore Girls “ fan ( I am) then you will definitely enjoy this book!
This book mirrors the show exactly … which is ok … but I wish it was a little more original.
The pacing was a little off for me too… and I thought it was going to be more about “Spice🌶️ lessons “ but it’s very tame. It was more an innocent romance than a steamy romance.
But I still enjoyed Cam & Ivy’s sweet romance and how it progressed.
Overall if you’re looking for a low-drama, small town, fake dating, minimal spice/ more romance, cozy autumn vibes story then I would recommend this book!
Thank you to Valentina Iania for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
by Valentina lania
3.5⭐️
1🌶️
“Pumpkin Spice …lessons “ is a sweet and cozy read! Perfect for the upcoming autumn 🍂 season!
If you’re a “Gilmore Girls “ fan ( I am) then you will definitely enjoy this book!
This book mirrors the show exactly … which is ok … but I wish it was a little more original.
The pacing was a little off for me too… and I thought it was going to be more about “Spice🌶️ lessons “ but it’s very tame. It was more an innocent romance than a steamy romance.
But I still enjoyed Cam & Ivy’s sweet romance and how it progressed.
Overall if you’re looking for a low-drama, small town, fake dating, minimal spice/ more romance, cozy autumn vibes story then I would recommend this book!
Thank you to Valentina Iania for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
September 4, 2025
Thank you so much @valentinaianiaauthor for this ARC! I was honored to be one of the first to read it!
This book is definitely Hallmark meets Gilmore Girl vibes and I’m ABSOLUTELY here for that! This is a perfect cozy little romance you NEED to add to your Fall TBR! I had a hard time putting it down!
I absolutely loved the character growth throughout the book and the further I got the more I learned about one sexy firefighter…YUM! I love how crazy and tacky this little small town is! You really need to take a trip to Elm Hollow!
So put on your favorite cozy sweater, grab your favorite blanket to curl up, get a cup of Pumpkin Spice or any Fall flavor drink you love and enjoy this totally Spice fun filled book!
This book is definitely Hallmark meets Gilmore Girl vibes and I’m ABSOLUTELY here for that! This is a perfect cozy little romance you NEED to add to your Fall TBR! I had a hard time putting it down!
I absolutely loved the character growth throughout the book and the further I got the more I learned about one sexy firefighter…YUM! I love how crazy and tacky this little small town is! You really need to take a trip to Elm Hollow!
So put on your favorite cozy sweater, grab your favorite blanket to curl up, get a cup of Pumpkin Spice or any Fall flavor drink you love and enjoy this totally Spice fun filled book!
August 31, 2025
This book was such a good time!!!
It follows Ivy who is a small town coffee shop/bookstore owner and Cam the new guy in town. Their relationship was honestly so much to read and as it progresses you fall in love with Ivy and Cam along the way!
The side characters added some much needed comedy within during tense moments and I think Valentina did a really great job of really having each side character have their moment without mudding up the story lines for the main characters.
If you are looking for a funny, cute, spicy book to get you into the fall mindset this is the perfect book for you.
Grab your pumpkin spice latte and snuggle up and devour this book like I did!!
It follows Ivy who is a small town coffee shop/bookstore owner and Cam the new guy in town. Their relationship was honestly so much to read and as it progresses you fall in love with Ivy and Cam along the way!
The side characters added some much needed comedy within during tense moments and I think Valentina did a really great job of really having each side character have their moment without mudding up the story lines for the main characters.
If you are looking for a funny, cute, spicy book to get you into the fall mindset this is the perfect book for you.
Grab your pumpkin spice latte and snuggle up and devour this book like I did!!
August 24, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - heartwarming & cosy
This was my first book by Valentina and I devoured it like a cinnamon roll 🥹
Pumpkin Spice Lessons is a warm, flirty and irresistibly cozy romance that perfectly captures the magic of autumn. From the very first chapter, you’re wrapped in the charm of small-town life, the comforting aroma of coffee shops, and the undeniable spark of a romance you know is going to simmer into something unforgettable.
The book delivers everything you want from a seasonal rom-com: witty banter, tender moments, and just enough spice to keep the pages.
What makes this story shine is its heart. It’s not just about falling in love with another person, but also about embracing the season, finding joy in community, and allowing yourself to take chances. If you love the fake-dating trope, then you will especially enjoy how it unfolds here. It’s playful, believable, and swoon-worthy without ever feeling overdone.
☕🍂 A cozy, steamy fall escape. Ivy and Cam’s dynamic is both sweet and spicy, making this the perfect book to curl up with a hot chocolate and a blanket on a crisp autumn evening.
This was my first book by Valentina and I devoured it like a cinnamon roll 🥹
Pumpkin Spice Lessons is a warm, flirty and irresistibly cozy romance that perfectly captures the magic of autumn. From the very first chapter, you’re wrapped in the charm of small-town life, the comforting aroma of coffee shops, and the undeniable spark of a romance you know is going to simmer into something unforgettable.
The book delivers everything you want from a seasonal rom-com: witty banter, tender moments, and just enough spice to keep the pages.
What makes this story shine is its heart. It’s not just about falling in love with another person, but also about embracing the season, finding joy in community, and allowing yourself to take chances. If you love the fake-dating trope, then you will especially enjoy how it unfolds here. It’s playful, believable, and swoon-worthy without ever feeling overdone.
☕🍂 A cozy, steamy fall escape. Ivy and Cam’s dynamic is both sweet and spicy, making this the perfect book to curl up with a hot chocolate and a blanket on a crisp autumn evening.
September 3, 2025
Tropes:
-small town
-fake dating
-spice lessons
-Gilmore Girl vibes
-city boy x small town girl
-one bed
Pumpkin Spice....lessons is the perfect book with fall approaching. This is Cam and Ivy's story.
Ivy is a small-town girl, and Cam is new to town. Their story is a nice light read and has all the small-town vibes. This book definitely gives off Stars Hollow vibes and if you love Gilmore Girls then this book is for you. I did enjoy the book, but something felt missing for me.
Releasing September 5, 2025. I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
-small town
-fake dating
-spice lessons
-Gilmore Girl vibes
-city boy x small town girl
-one bed
Pumpkin Spice....lessons is the perfect book with fall approaching. This is Cam and Ivy's story.
Ivy is a small-town girl, and Cam is new to town. Their story is a nice light read and has all the small-town vibes. This book definitely gives off Stars Hollow vibes and if you love Gilmore Girls then this book is for you. I did enjoy the book, but something felt missing for me.
Releasing September 5, 2025. I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 4, 2025
Cam and Ivy won my heart. This book was so cute and wholesome through and through. The whirlwind romance that formed between the two of them was simply magical. The Gilmore Girls vibes x100 made this feel so heartwarming. There was just enough of a “fantasy” element (think perfectly timed encounters, over the top festivities, and exaggerated characters) which really made this a noteworthy autumn read.
This book comes out in 2 days! You need to add it to your fall TBR! Thank you to Valentina Iania for allowing me to ARC read 🎃🧡
This book comes out in 2 days! You need to add it to your fall TBR! Thank you to Valentina Iania for allowing me to ARC read 🎃🧡
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews