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In Focus
After the sudden loss of her parents at age 19, Olivia Barnett traded graduate school dreams for a less glorified reality. Now, nearly ten years later, she’s still stuck running her small-town bookstore, Kindred & Co., while raising her younger brother, Henry; a quiet, yet brilliant young man on the autism spectrum. Her world is calculated, steady, & planned down to the minute - until Ethan Clarke arrives.
On the verge of landing his dream job, Ethan books a temporary stay in the Airbnb above the bookstore, hoping that this opportunity will be a new beginning for him. Instead, he finds Olivia - a woman with a book in her hands, a pen in her messy bun, & a guarded heart that he just can’t stop thinking about.
Their connection is slow, quiet, & impossible to ignore.
But with Ethan’s future uncertain & Olivia’s responsibilities deeply rooted, they’ll have to choose between staying safe in what they know - or risking everything for what might be.
In Focus is a tender, slow-burn romance about love, grief, second chances, & the way life can change when you least expect it - & exactly when you need it most.
Tropes /
Opposites attractSmall-town charmForced proximity / repeated encountersA quirky supporting cast (neighbors, pets, townsfolk)Career vs. love tensionLots of cozy, bookish, & coffee shop vibes
On the verge of landing his dream job, Ethan books a temporary stay in the Airbnb above the bookstore, hoping that this opportunity will be a new beginning for him. Instead, he finds Olivia - a woman with a book in her hands, a pen in her messy bun, & a guarded heart that he just can’t stop thinking about.
Their connection is slow, quiet, & impossible to ignore.
But with Ethan’s future uncertain & Olivia’s responsibilities deeply rooted, they’ll have to choose between staying safe in what they know - or risking everything for what might be.
In Focus is a tender, slow-burn romance about love, grief, second chances, & the way life can change when you least expect it - & exactly when you need it most.
Tropes /
Opposites attractSmall-town charmForced proximity / repeated encountersA quirky supporting cast (neighbors, pets, townsfolk)Career vs. love tensionLots of cozy, bookish, & coffee shop vibes
377 pages, Paperback
Published September 30, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 11, 2025
In Focus is a heartfelt, slow-burn closed- door romance set against the charm of a small town and its cozy bookstore coffee shop. Author, Kate Dornfeld beautifully blends love, loss, and second chances into a story that feels warm and deeply human. With tender writing and relatable characters, this book is perfect for anyone who finds comfort in quiet moments, good coffee, and the magic of starting over.
November 10, 2025
"You just give off serious coffee-and-a-good-book energy." 🥰
read if you like:
+ cozy small towns
+ found family
+ autism rep
+ bookstores & coffee
+ low spice
You know when you pick up just the right book at the right time? That’s how I felt reading In Focus by Kate Dornfeld 🍂 It was the coziest small town romance, chock-full of fall vibes, books + coffee energy, and characters with instant chemistry—exactly what fall reading dreams are made of. And it’s a bookstore owner X photographer?? Say less. 💕
What I loved:
+ descriptions that make you feel like you’re right there in Pine Haven
+ NOT-a-date that was totally a date😉
+ the flirty banter 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 (but also the sweetest softer moments)
+ Henry’s Pine Haven guide for non-locals and punny coffee drink names
+ Ethan turning Olivia’s big dreams into reality 🥹
+ the book references (romance girlies, this one’s for us💕)
This book is best read on the porch with hot cider in hand—one of our MCs favorite pastimes. ☕️ Loved this debut, and can’t wait for more!
read if you like:
+ cozy small towns
+ found family
+ autism rep
+ bookstores & coffee
+ low spice
You know when you pick up just the right book at the right time? That’s how I felt reading In Focus by Kate Dornfeld 🍂 It was the coziest small town romance, chock-full of fall vibes, books + coffee energy, and characters with instant chemistry—exactly what fall reading dreams are made of. And it’s a bookstore owner X photographer?? Say less. 💕
What I loved:
+ descriptions that make you feel like you’re right there in Pine Haven
+ NOT-a-date that was totally a date😉
+ the flirty banter 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 (but also the sweetest softer moments)
+ Henry’s Pine Haven guide for non-locals and punny coffee drink names
+ Ethan turning Olivia’s big dreams into reality 🥹
+ the book references (romance girlies, this one’s for us💕)
This book is best read on the porch with hot cider in hand—one of our MCs favorite pastimes. ☕️ Loved this debut, and can’t wait for more!
October 4, 2025
Loved this book so much! In my opinion, it’s Gilmore Girls meets Hallmark. A small town unexpected romance. I laughed, I cried, my stomach did backflips! I fell in love with every character!!! The descriptions were perfect for me to picture the town and its characters!! A bit midwestern, a lot Kate!, and a beautiful romance! Make it your next read!
October 9, 2025
Loved it! A truly feel-good romance that delivers warmth and charm. The characters are incredibly relatable, and the author’s detail makes it easy to visualize both the people and the cozy small-town setting. Perfect for readers who love heartfelt stories with vivid imagery and emotional depth! Can’t wait for the next book - In Bloom!
October 16, 2025
This book is written like a movie playing in your mind. It was so easy to see Pine Haven and the people as you read. The characters are real and easy to fall in love with. I cannot wait for book 2 to come out!
November 10, 2025
Such a feel good love story that had me wanting more at the end! I cried, laughed and truly enjoyed every moment of this book. I can't wait for more of the Pine Haven series! 🥰
October 11, 2025
im not even sure where to start. I was left with wanting more about Olivia and Ethan. I felt their story was just a beginning and I need more. The book itself gave a very hallmark movie vibe and I absolutely love it. I really hope to see a book #2.
September 30, 2025
**author bias showing, obviously**
Writing a book has always been a bucket list dream of mine, & somehow I actually did it! I’m very proud of this story, mistakes & all - & trust me, I’ve already spotted plenty while rereading. So consider it part romance, part scavenger hunt… but honestly, that feels right for a debut novel.
It’s been a huge learning journey, & I’m so grateful for the chance to share this little piece of Pine Haven with the world. Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read it - you’re helping make this dream come true, & I couldn’t be more thankful.
Writing a book has always been a bucket list dream of mine, & somehow I actually did it! I’m very proud of this story, mistakes & all - & trust me, I’ve already spotted plenty while rereading. So consider it part romance, part scavenger hunt… but honestly, that feels right for a debut novel.
It’s been a huge learning journey, & I’m so grateful for the chance to share this little piece of Pine Haven with the world. Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read it - you’re helping make this dream come true, & I couldn’t be more thankful.
January 31, 2026
absolutely loved it! I loved how the characters grew and the visuals I got while ready the entire time! literally felt like I knew all the characters and as if I were in the story itself. Its a beautiful Outlook on life and a great reminder to slow down and be present. Truly a beautiful story.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews