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Beautiful Notes

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Noah and Olivia were inseparable in high school—until life drove them apart. Their heartbreak pushes them into separate worlds—Olivia, the only female physical therapist in her practice, and Noah, stationed overseas, dedicating himself to serving his country.

And after a decade of missed birthdays and forgotten holidays, fate reunites them for a night of drinks and nostalgia at their hometown karaoke bar.

But that one night changes everything.

What begins as a friendly catch-up quickly turns into something far more complicated, leaving them both shaken and desperate to hold on to the fleeting connection they’ve rekindled. As the days slip by, they both fear the inevitable end of the week... until an unexpected turn in Noah's military career threatens to upend everything Olivia thought she knew about love and loss.

Can Noah and Olivia confront the ghosts of their past and build something real, or will the weight of their history continue to tear them apart?

233 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 7, 2025

2 people are currently reading
44 people want to read

About the author

Sierra Zinke

4 books16 followers

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5 stars
22 (39%)
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21 (37%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
Profile Image for Rachel  Hammer.
7 reviews
October 5, 2025
Honestly for me, this is barely 3 stars. I should preface that I don’t really like the fluffy romance genre but this was an arc read so I wanted to give it a shot. I found an overwhelming amount of grammatical and spelling errors that made the writing feel rushed. On top of that I just felt there was a lot of repetitive chapters that dragged on. Somewhere in here I did think there were likable characters and a sweet romance which is what made me push through. Overall, this kind of book isn’t for me, but it might be for you.
Profile Image for Kamden Dinius.
25 reviews1 follower
September 16, 2025
this book had my hooked from the first page because i just needed to know what happened on that night so many years ago. i’m so glad olivia finally gave in and went out to have drinks with noah. im glad they made amends and finally got to start living life together. the writing was so good & im so glad i was selected as an arc reader for this book😆
Profile Image for Ashley Sutton.
18 reviews1 follower
September 17, 2025
ARC review- This book had me hooked from the beginning as I longed to know what happened between Olivia and Noah all those years ago. It was beautifully written and was able to show all the emotions and trauma both characters had experienced during their 10 years apart. I also loved all the subtle clues about the other storylines that there could be in the future!
Profile Image for nikki ♥︎.
200 reviews5 followers
September 16, 2025
sierra is a cute author friend of mine & sent me this arc!!! I love second chance & this was no different, will def be following along for the series!! congrats, sierra!
Profile Image for Abby Moore.
Author 7 books94 followers
September 8, 2025
This book is absolutely incredible!
The authors writing is truly remarkable and the story is so much fun!
Easy to read, easy to follow and hooked from the very first page! I cannot wait to see what this author writes next because I am thoroughly engaged.
Profile Image for Jessica Melby.
73 reviews3 followers
September 19, 2025
I recieved and ARC copy.

Small town romance. Brothers best friend leaves the military after trauma and comes back to a small town where romance is rekindled. Not without the ups and downs.
I loved the story and see potential with this book. The story felt a little all over the place and I was anticipating more of the characters interacting when they one weren't hooking up and two when they weren't having a disagreement.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kassie Dake.
8 reviews1 follower
October 12, 2025
ARC REVIEW: Beautiful Notes is the kind of book that grabs hold of you and doesn’t let go. Sierra Zinke’s words are raw, intimate, and breathtaking. I couldn’t put it down. Every page felt like a quiet revelation, and even after the last note faded, I found myself craving more. A stunning, soul-deep read that lingers long after it ends.
Profile Image for Abigail Davis-Fletcher.
378 reviews4 followers
September 19, 2025
3.75 ⭐️

Beautiful Notes is a love story, but it is also a tale of miscommunication, betrayal, and friendship. It is fast-paced and full of tension. Olivia and Noah are reunited after ten years restricted to birthday wishes and holiday sentiments. He’s been in the military; she’s been working hard as a physical therapist in the city with a heart that Noah broke ten years prior. Finally, they are both back in their hometown at the same time. Will they be able to move past their history and start afresh, or are some wounds too deep?

Huge thank you and congratulations to Sierra Zinke for the ARC 💖

Full review below…

Note: I want to kick off this review by mentioning that this book does have a prequel novella and, although I am yet to read Cranberry Kisses, I would recommend that anyone wanting to read Beautiful Notes read its predecessor first. There were points in this story that I found slightly confusing that I will touch on in the review and, upon finishing the book and finding out about/reading the blurb of Cranberry Kisses, I realised a lot of my questions would have been answered had I gone into Beautiful Notes with that knowledge beforehand.

Beautiful Notes is a love story, but it is also a tale of miscommunication, betrayal, and friendship. It is fast-paced and full of tension. Olivia and Noah are reunited after ten years restricted to birthday wishes and holiday sentiments. He’s been in the military; she’s been working hard as a physical therapist in the city with a heart that Noah broke ten years prior. Finally, they are both back in their hometown at the same time. Will they be able to move past their history and start afresh, or are some wounds too deep?

The first thing that grabbed me while reading Beautiful Notes was the friendships. Olivia has three best friends who, when Noah breaks her heart, are immediately there for her, no questions asked. Caroline and Mason are both in the story a lot more than Savannah. Their bond is truly gorgeous, and it is instantly obvious how much they genuinely care for each other. Friends that bring you three different drinks because they don’t know what mood you’ll be in are the types of friends you need to keep around!

Savannah’s relationship with Mason was written in a way that made me feel like I should already know a lot about both characters, almost like they had their own book already (e.g. . I don’t believe this is the case but, without that, I did find myself questioning Savannah’s involvement and how close she is with Olivia compared to the other two friends.

Interestingly, although you can say that this story relies heavily on miscommunication, the characters themselves are fairly transparent in the present day. Olivia is very open with herself about the fact that, although she’s tried to move on, Noah has never left her mind. Noah is very honest with everyone and anyone who will listen about the fact that he has always loved Olivia. Their miscommunication itself comes from the secrecy surrounding their break-up in the first place and the reasons for it, as well as Olivia not trusting Noah. He is so open about his intentions but she still questions them constantly and says she feels as though she has no idea where she stands. It could be quite frustrating to read at times, because I felt like he couldn’t be any more obvious unless he had a skywriter but, when you’ve had your heart broken, sometimes you do need that constant reassurance!

Beautiful Notes takes place over a period of around six months, but it definitely feels like a much shorter timespan. At points, we go weeks or months between scenes and I couldn’t help but feel how much I personally would be losing it living in such limbo if I were Olivia or Noah! At times, the timeline can be a little confusing, I think because we don’t get to see a lot of the characters’ day-to-day.

When the book started, we are told about some letters Olivia received from Noah when he joined the military and I assumed that these were the ‘beautiful notes’ that the title refers to. There is one particularly pivotal letter that he writes Olivia that gives some insight into their past relationship; in it, he tells her . Now that I’ve finished the book and have also taken in the marketing for Beautiful Notes, I think the notes in question may be the songs sung at karaoke. There is a large emphasis on karaoke in this book’s marketing but the two karaoke scenes themselves are fairly quick and described at a high level so I’d have loved to have gone into more detail about them. How does Olivia feel? What is Noah doing while he sings? It feels like he gets up to perform fairly soon after they get to the bar but I don’t think that’s true so what did they talk about beforehand?

I love the way that Sierra Zinke describes Fisher Creek and its “beauty and dedication” for holidays and tradition. I’m always a sucker for a cutesy small town!

There are some great steamy scenes in Beautiful Notes, although I definitely This book is so far from a slow burn. Olivia and Noah get into it very quickly as if no time has been lost. It’s actually quite impressive! After that, they have very little self-control around it, having sex any chance they get regardless of who is in the next room (*ahem* Noah’s mother and sister *ahem*). I’m far from a prude but even my jaw dropped at that one!

As mentioned, Noah went into the military and I’d definitely take that as a trigger warning. As someone who is very anti-war, it was tough to read some of his recollections of his time on duty and what happened to him and his friends. I think it’s a fairly large part of American culture based on my time in the States and other books I’ve read but it’s definitely not something I’m used to or comfortable with. It’s not a glamorous subject and is a difficult pill to swallow.

This book is very fast-paced. All conflicts are resolved very quickly, which has both positives and negatives. It’s positive because we don’t get too stressed, but I’d have liked to have seen a bit more anguish at points and some longer discussions. Each character is very receptive to these disagreements and forgiveness is given very easily, which is great but doesn’t feel very realistic. The quick debates also mean that, by the time the reader starts to feel that frustration themselves, the conflict has already been resolved so it can feel a little like you’re on a rollercoaster when Olivia and Noah are arguing. I’d have loved to have gone into more detail about conversations in general. We know that Olivia and Noah are talking the first night they reunite, but we don’t know what they’re chatting about. Are they catching up? Are they talking about the weather to avoid any awkward topics? I’d have really enjoyed some examples of how they picked up their conversation after ten years.

The characters are the real stand-out in Beautiful Notes. I genuinely cared about so many of them, and was intrigued by them all. Cole and Caroline’s inevitable love story is calling me! I’d love to know more about Olivia’s dad and grandfather because we don’t get to meet them, but I imagine they’ll pop up with Cole in the future. Paired with the small town coziness of Fisher Creek, Beautiful Notes is a heartfelt and emotional read and fast enough that you can definitely fly through it if you’re looking for a quick read.

My last remaining question: what car did Olivia drive at Christmas? A rental or her old family car? I couldn’t figure it out for the life of me!
Profile Image for Sage Emsi.
53 reviews5 followers
September 19, 2025

Beautiful Notes is one of those books that feels quiet on the surface but carries an emotional weight that sneaks up on you. Sierra Zinke’s writing has this delicate, poetic flow — every chapter reads like a whispered confession, pulling you deeper into the characters’ lives.

At its heart, the story explores connection, vulnerability, and the power of words. The “notes” throughout the book don’t just move the plot forward, they become little pieces of the characters’ souls. It’s beautifully intimate — as if you’re being let in on secrets that weren’t meant for anyone else’s eyes. That vulnerability is what makes the relationships here feel so raw and real.

The characters are wonderfully flawed and human. You feel their longing, their insecurities, their attempts to reach out when words don’t come easy. The romance is not flashy or fast-paced, but instead a slow burn that thrives in glances, silences, and the weight of unsent messages. It’s about love in its purest form — hesitant, hopeful, and sometimes terrifyingly honest.

One thing I loved was how the book balances light and shadow. There’s a softness in the way the author writes about love and connection, but also an underlying ache — the reminder that intimacy comes with the risk of being truly seen. That duality makes the story linger long after you finish.

If you’re looking for something dramatic or twist-heavy, this isn’t it. But if you love books that are atmospheric, heartfelt, and brimming with quiet emotions, Beautiful Notes will absolutely stay with you.
Profile Image for Aura C.
190 reviews1 follower
September 30, 2025
This story completely swept me away. It’s tender, messy, and full of heart in a way that feels so real. Olivia’s return to Milwaukee after heartbreak had me hooked right from the start, and the way her friends rallied around her gave the book such warmth. It felt like walking into a room full of people who love you even when you’re falling apart.

What really got me was the push and pull with Noah. Their history is complicated, raw, and unresolved, and when he finally lays it bare with the words “I’m in love with you, Olivia,” it carried ten years of weight. That line was simple but hit like a punch because you could feel everything behind it.

The balance of grief, forgiveness, and hope makes this story stand out. It’s not just romance, it’s about rediscovering yourself when life has already taken more than you thought you could handle. It’s cozy in its friendships, emotional in its love story, and quietly powerful in the way it handles healing.

Spice: 🌶️🌶️ out of 5 (enough heat to keep the tension alive but not the focus)

Cozy: ☕☕☕☕☕ out of 5 (found family, warm friendships, and holiday comfort)

This book feels like a hug and a heartache all at once, and I’d give it to anyone who loves their romance with depth and soul. I closed the last page and just sat there for a minute, feeling both heavy and full at the same time. It made me tear up, it made me smile, and it left me wanting to go back and reread my favorite moments right away.
Profile Image for Chelsea.
28 reviews2 followers
September 22, 2025
ARC Read! This book was truly a beautiful read. I am grateful to Sierra for sharing her stories and writing about Olivia and Noah. Since this book isn’t available until October, I won’t include any spoilers but just know this book will have you laughing, crying and wanting to yell at some of the characters. It was a sweet read overall and I enjoyed the more smutty side of it since I’ve been reading more closed door romance lately. It was nice to dive in to a book like this. The character development in Noah was really what got me interested in the book because I have family members who are recent Veterans and they still can’t talk about what happened over there so to see Noah overcome big obstacles like what in this book was heartwarming for me. I w as hooked from the first page because I had to find out what happened on that fateful night in Oklahoma 10 years ago. I am glad I kept reading because it’s amazing. I am super excited for this one to release on October 7th and I can’t wait for the next book in the series, Before the Last Goodbye to come out because we will get to read Jarred’s story which I am desperate to learn more about. I recommend this book to those who are interested in more spicy scenes and want a good second chance love story.
Profile Image for thelitloverlines8.
6 reviews
October 7, 2025
This was my very first ARC, and I have to say. It was such a heartfelt story, and I absolutely loved it! 💕

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️

A big thank you to @zinkewrites for sending me this.💕

The story follows two childhood best friends who were once inseparable but drift apart, only to reunite after 10 years. Noah, a firefighter and her brother’s best friend, has never stopped loving Olivia, who is now a practicing physical therapist. Destiny brings them back together, and what unfolds is a beautifully written love story.💕

I also adored the friendships in this book. Olivia’s friends are so supportive, and Caroline, in particular, completely stole my heart. I truly believe everyone needs a friend like her. Olivia’s bond with her Gram was another highlight; it was touching and so beautifully portrayed.💕

Overall, this is a soft, wholesome, funny, witty, and heartwarming read. It’s the perfect mix of love, friendship, and a little drama. I’d recommend it to everyone!💕
Profile Image for Meg O'Hara.
40 reviews
September 21, 2025
This was a sweet story of two individuals finding their way back to themselves and each other. We love a small town, family ties, and the history that comes with everyone knowing your name (in a good way).

There are some real themes here of loss, guilt, grief, and healing all while trying to traverse everyday life- especially that which is real for veterans and their loved ones (this part ping close to my heart). I also appreciate the exploration of family dynamics and the immaturity we are sometimes forced to confront as we grow and learn.

I am excited about the prospect of getting to know many of these characters better in future novels as we get to travel back to Fischer Creek. This is a great introductory novel to the town series and sets us up for future stories where we’ll feel welcomed home.
Profile Image for Crawrina.
26 reviews3 followers
October 6, 2025
This book made me go through so many emotions, and it was amazing!
It's a book that drags you into the story from chapter one, it has a good pace and it makes it easy to follow.

I really loved how the characters grow, they're relatable with how they think, feel and handle things. Olivia who's such a warm and lovely character really grows into the woman she is. And Noah who learn to live a life outside military, and has to go through a lot to live a life he wants. What an emotional roller-coaster ride, and a beautiful story. It has open door spicy scenes, which is well written and made me go whopwhop and dance a little. Noah is the sweetest bookboyfriend.
I recommend this book to someone who loves second chances, sweet romance, angsty situations and supportive families.

I got this book for free as I'm an ARC reader for Beautiful Notes, for an honest review.
Profile Image for Alecia Webster.
21 reviews
September 19, 2025
Beautiful Notes is the perfect example of growing up in a small town, the first love you never forget, and the possibility of second chances.

Ten years later, Olivia and Noah get a second chance to right all the wrong that happened the first time around. With a little push from friends and family, Olivia risks her heart again and agrees to meet Noah for a drink. Noah, who is a veteran with a scarred past, has to gain Olivia’s trust again. While Olivia, a physical therapist, has to decide if she is willing risk it all and leave the city. A story of a first love that never faded with a little sprinkling of spice! Love that the author leaves room to build this small town story into a series.

Thank You to the author for providing an ARC of the novel.
Profile Image for Leila Heikkinen.
14 reviews1 follower
September 26, 2025
Ugh, I loved this book! The setting was fabulous, as a Wisco girly I couldn't not love a book set in WI! Seriously, though, this book was so beautiful. It was fun in all the right ways, it had flawless side characters, and it had a storyline that will break your heart but also hold it so gently all at the same time. So many emotional moments, but I love that Ollie was never afraid to feel those emotions. She was an absolutely beautiful main character. And Noah, ugh Noah! We love a man who loves with his whole heart even when he's scared. Noah was so deep, and I'm just as proud of him as Ollie is. I love me a second-chance romance, and those EPILOGUES?! Love love love, so grateful to have been an ARC reader for this book!! Can't wait for more Fisher Creek!
Profile Image for Maryann.
572 reviews
October 8, 2025
Tropes:
-small town
-second chance
-brother's best friend
-one bed
-caretaking

Beautiful Notes is book one in the Fisher Creek series and is Noah and Olivia's story.

Olivia and Noah were friends and now ten years later have reunited. Noah had always had feelings for her, and they never went away. There is miscommunication involved and it is part of the plot.

I think this was a good story and the characters had some depth to them. They felt real and had flaws to them. The story is fast paced and keeps you engaged from beginning to end. Beautiful Notes is heartfelt and gives you all the feels.

Releasing October 7, 2025. I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
10 reviews1 follower
October 12, 2025
Found this book on TikTok and just had to read their stories who doesn’t love a second chance story! The story of Noah and Olivia shows that just a small miscommunication can change the trajectory of a friendship/relationship. Ten years after parting ways Noah and Olivia are back in their hometown and have to face each other, this story is filled with tension, angst and a love story that will make you feel all the feels! Can’t wait to see where this leads as their are many side characters that have potential for spin offs.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kristin.
69 reviews
September 21, 2025
Okay I loved this story. The storyline was so well done. The writing was beautiful and the growth of the characters was amazing. Sierra did an amazing job showing all the differences in the characters with their personalities, struggles, and insecurities and rounding it out so well. I kept wondering what happened between Olivia and Noah and when you get to the details of their struggles and why so beautifully done.
Profile Image for may.
80 reviews1 follower
September 22, 2025
arc review
i actually really enjoyed this book, it felt like a popular booktok book when i was reading it, and i really enjoyed noah and ollie’s story. sometimes things felt a bit rushed, but i also think that was just me feeling that, because it was such an enjoyable and good romance book. there are spicy scenes in this, i did skip past them, but i really loved the book. you should read this if you like any of the other popular romance books, because this is on the same level! so so good!
Profile Image for Macy L Smith.
49 reviews
October 1, 2025
I am so happy I got to be an ARC reader and read this lovely story early!!! This is a must read! From early on in the book I was hooked! If you love a small town romance, a little heartache but rekindled love and a little spice this is the book for you. I don't want to give to much away but I really enjoyed reading about Olivia and Noah's story...from growing up together, falling in love, heartache, military life, some painful losses to finally getting their happy ending together!! 💕
Profile Image for Lyss Patty.
1 review
October 7, 2025
This book is absolutely beautiful and well written. I adored the way the story came together. I am an Army wife so this just made it that much sweeter. Definitely had me hooked from the start & needed to know how it ended. Blessed to have had the opportunity to Arc read this & cannot wait for more from this author. I’d honestly give it 4.4 stars on the overall. I would whole heartedly check it out for yourself.
44 reviews
November 5, 2025
I’d rate this around 3.5 stars. I’m more of a dark romance reader but I was open to a lighter love story and wanted to give this a try. The book was a little repetitive at times but underneath that was a heartfelt story about love, loss, and healing. The characters are likeable and the emotional themes were handled with warmth. Overall it’s a sweet, comforting read that fans of lighter, cozy romances will probably enjoy.

Happy to have received this as an ARC.
Profile Image for Alyssa.
Author 1 book1 follower
September 7, 2025
I am so excited to have been an ARC reader of this book! It was truly perfect from beginning to end. From the start, I needed to know what happened between Olivia and Noah. The karaoke bar scene- chef’s kiss! The tension, the twists, the side characters that feel like friends you’d have in your own life. Can’t wait to keep following the Fisher Creek series.
Profile Image for Rhonda Carter.
69 reviews
September 21, 2025
Sierra will have you hooked from the start of this book. You will have so many emotions at each turn of a page. I cheered for Olivia and Noah but am secretly cheering on the back for Cole and Catherine. Such a fun rom-com style writing. Just know there is room for second chances and forgiveness. I loved being g on Sierra’s Arc team and cannot wait to read more from her!
2 reviews
September 22, 2025
ARC reader review

The plot was engaging overall, and it made for an enjoyable, quick read. While a few parts felt a little drawn out, the suspense kept me interested. This isn’t my usual genre, but I appreciated that it ended on a positive note. Aside from a few minor spelling errors, I think many readers would enjoy this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Alyssa.
3 reviews
October 4, 2025
I loved this book! The relationship between Noah and Olivia was so well told, I honestly could not put it down from the beginning. The second chance of it all was just too perfect. The karaoke scenes? Absolutely amazing!! I didn't know I needed romance with a side of karaoke until this book. It had me completely hooked from the start and I loved it from page one.
Profile Image for Grace Holmes.
20 reviews
September 19, 2025
ARC review: Wow, such a good book! I was hooked from chapter one. What they say is true, you never forget your first love. Great story and character development. Thank you for choosing me as an ARC reader, I loved this book.
Profile Image for Ashley O'Leary.
97 reviews1 follower
September 21, 2025
3.75 ⭐️ rounded to 4.

Thank you Sierra for the ARC of Beautiful Notes.

Cute quick read! Being from Wisconsin I loved the the FMC was living in Milwaukee! The plot was quick with a hint of second chance + brother's best friend vibes.
Profile Image for Heather Elliott.
9 reviews1 follower
September 22, 2025
I got this as an ARC and I was hooked from the start! I love the suspense of knowing something happened but finding out what happened at the same time that Olivia found out…perfection! I love this love story so much! I was sad that it ended so quickly!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews

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