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The Cherry Blossom Boathouse: Discover the perfect small-town romance full of heart, heat and a guaranteed HEA
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27 days and 02:56:57
50 copies available
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Welcome to Solace Springs...
Dumped by her boyfriend and her job for being 'too safe', Sophie Bennett decides it's time to rewrite her story. A viral crowdfunding campaign gives her the chance to transform a rundown lakeside boathouse into the bookshop she's always dreamed of. But Solace Springs isn't quite ready for her big plans - especially Luke Rhodes, the brooding boatbuilder next door who seems determined to challenge her every move.
Luke has spent years building a quiet life by the lake, and the last thing he needs is a social media sensation disturbing his peace with her endless enthusiasm. But as spring's cherry blossoms bloom and fall, and Sophie and Luke clash over paint colours and renovation plans, they can't deny the sparks flying between them.
When Sophie's newfound fame threatens the town's calm and Luke's carefully guarded walls begin to crack, both must decide if they're willing to risk everything for a second chance at love.
The Cherry Blossom Boathouse is a sweet and spicy grumpy/sunshine romance, filled with small-town charm, quirky characters, and the magic of second chances.
Grumpy x sunshine
Renovation romance
Small town
Bookshop
Spice
Found Family
Welcome to Solace Springs...
Dumped by her boyfriend and her job for being 'too safe', Sophie Bennett decides it's time to rewrite her story. A viral crowdfunding campaign gives her the chance to transform a rundown lakeside boathouse into the bookshop she's always dreamed of. But Solace Springs isn't quite ready for her big plans - especially Luke Rhodes, the brooding boatbuilder next door who seems determined to challenge her every move.
Luke has spent years building a quiet life by the lake, and the last thing he needs is a social media sensation disturbing his peace with her endless enthusiasm. But as spring's cherry blossoms bloom and fall, and Sophie and Luke clash over paint colours and renovation plans, they can't deny the sparks flying between them.
When Sophie's newfound fame threatens the town's calm and Luke's carefully guarded walls begin to crack, both must decide if they're willing to risk everything for a second chance at love.
The Cherry Blossom Boathouse is a sweet and spicy grumpy/sunshine romance, filled with small-town charm, quirky characters, and the magic of second chances.
Grumpy x sunshine
Renovation romance
Small town
Bookshop
Spice
Found Family
- GenresRomance
Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 14, 2026
13 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
February 28, 2026
I would like to thank Ballantine, Dell, and Net Galley for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
This book was a struggle for me. I struggled with the grammar, envisioning solace springs, the dialogue, and so many other small things. Despite them being small things, it added up to a rather unenjoyable reading experience. The premise of the book started so strong, and then quickly fell through. I was often very confused about the construction of solace springs—how big is this lake? how many hidden spots can there be? It all felt disjointed and poorly thought through. The characters, mainly Luke Rhodes, had dialogue that felt so odd. Words and phrases being used by Americans that are not typical to the American dialect. Just one example—I cannot recall a time that I have ever heard an American refer to a trash can as a “bin” (when not discussing British terminology).
Aside from my struggles with the writing itself, I also found the plot to be severely underdeveloped. Over half of the book takes place in the span of two weeks, and then all of a sudden there is a five week time jump. And the resolution felt incredibly rushed—there was no actually conversation between characters to talk out the issues, just hugs and smiles and everything is fine!
Perhaps my biggest issue with this story—the romance. The characters got together before even hitting the 50% mark. There was no emotional payoff. They’d known each other for a week. It was also hard to root for them when I couldn’t care less about Luke Rhodes, our MMC. I don’t have any super strong feelings about Sophie Bennett, the FMC. She was fine, if underdeveloped. But Luke was just a jerk. He was rude to Sophie as well as the other citizens of Solace Springs, even in his own internal monologue. Part of me hoped that he and Sophie wouldn’t end up together simply because I thought she deserved better. There was also so much focus on Luke’s past, and his emotional trauma, but so little put on Sophie. Sophie had experienced just as bad of a breakup not to mention the death of a parent and it was hardly touched upon.
Truthfully, this book was not for me in any way. It may serve you well if you need a quick getaway to a fictional lakeside town, but I cannot say that I recommend it.
This book was a struggle for me. I struggled with the grammar, envisioning solace springs, the dialogue, and so many other small things. Despite them being small things, it added up to a rather unenjoyable reading experience. The premise of the book started so strong, and then quickly fell through. I was often very confused about the construction of solace springs—how big is this lake? how many hidden spots can there be? It all felt disjointed and poorly thought through. The characters, mainly Luke Rhodes, had dialogue that felt so odd. Words and phrases being used by Americans that are not typical to the American dialect. Just one example—I cannot recall a time that I have ever heard an American refer to a trash can as a “bin” (when not discussing British terminology).
Aside from my struggles with the writing itself, I also found the plot to be severely underdeveloped. Over half of the book takes place in the span of two weeks, and then all of a sudden there is a five week time jump. And the resolution felt incredibly rushed—there was no actually conversation between characters to talk out the issues, just hugs and smiles and everything is fine!
Perhaps my biggest issue with this story—the romance. The characters got together before even hitting the 50% mark. There was no emotional payoff. They’d known each other for a week. It was also hard to root for them when I couldn’t care less about Luke Rhodes, our MMC. I don’t have any super strong feelings about Sophie Bennett, the FMC. She was fine, if underdeveloped. But Luke was just a jerk. He was rude to Sophie as well as the other citizens of Solace Springs, even in his own internal monologue. Part of me hoped that he and Sophie wouldn’t end up together simply because I thought she deserved better. There was also so much focus on Luke’s past, and his emotional trauma, but so little put on Sophie. Sophie had experienced just as bad of a breakup not to mention the death of a parent and it was hardly touched upon.
Truthfully, this book was not for me in any way. It may serve you well if you need a quick getaway to a fictional lakeside town, but I cannot say that I recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2026
Received and appreciate this ARC from NetGalley.
For the lovers of Virgin River, meet Solace Springs. Loved this feel good, take me away story that was the perfect book to dig my nose into between heavier reads.
Hoping it the start of a series, can’t wait for the story to become more and the town to grow.
For the lovers of Virgin River, meet Solace Springs. Loved this feel good, take me away story that was the perfect book to dig my nose into between heavier reads.
Hoping it the start of a series, can’t wait for the story to become more and the town to grow.
March 25, 2026
First thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine | Dell for an ARC!
This is such a cute small town Romance. Grumpy MMC meets sunshine MFC I really enjoyed it. I love small town romances. The Cherry Blossom Boathouse had so much charm and I loved all the bookish references. 10/10 will recommend! Cute, easy, quick read.
This is such a cute small town Romance. Grumpy MMC meets sunshine MFC I really enjoyed it. I love small town romances. The Cherry Blossom Boathouse had so much charm and I loved all the bookish references. 10/10 will recommend! Cute, easy, quick read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Read this book for:
📚 Renovation Romance
🌸 Boatbuilder x Bookstore Owner
📚 Grumpy x Sunshine
🌸 Strangers to Lovers
📚 Found Family
🌸 Small Town
Synopsis
After being dumped and fired in the same week, Sophie Bennett decides she’s done living a safe, predictable life. On a wine-fueled impulse, the Londoner launches a crowdfunding campaign titled Help a Boring Girl Buy a Bookshop. When the internet unexpectedly falls in love with her story, Sophie finds herself trading the chaos of the city for a fresh start across the ocean in Solace Springs, Washington.
Her dream? Restoring a run-down boathouse bookstore on the edge of a quiet lake.
Luke has spent years protecting the peaceful life he’s built in the small town he calls home. The last thing he wants is a social media sensation turning Solace Springs upside down, especially one with boundless enthusiasm and a camera pointed at everything she does.
But when the town ropes Luke into helping Sophie renovate her bookshop, the two quickly discover that their differences might not be such a bad thing. As laughter, late nights, and unexpected moments draw them closer, the walls Luke has carefully built around his heart begin to crumble.
When Sophie’s sudden online fame threatens the quiet life Luke loves, they’ll have to decide whether the risk of loving each other is worth the chance at something neither of them saw coming.
My Thoughts
When this first popped up on my NetGalley shelf, I honestly had no idea what to think. I’ll admit it, I absolutely judge books by their covers and titles sometimes, and at first glance I wasn’t sure this one was going to be my thing. But wow… I was so wrong. This book completely surprised me in the best way possible, and I ended up loving it.
The grumpy handyman (and captain!) falling for the sunshiney, future bookstore owner is such a fun trope, and this story delivered that dynamic in a really sweet way. Watching Luke slowly fall for Sophie was adorable, and their chemistry made it easy to root for them from the start. I do wish Luke had stayed a little more grumpy for a bit longer, though he softened for Sophie pretty quickly, and personally I always love when the grumpy character holds out just a little longer before completely melting.
One thing I really enjoyed was the mystery element woven into the story. The break-ins and vandalism added an extra layer of intrigue that kept me curious the whole time. And that plot twist? I genuinely did not see it coming at all. It caught me completely off guard, but in a way that made the story even more fun to read.
If I had one small critique, it would be that some of the insecurities in Luke and Sophie’s relationship felt a bit repetitive. There were a few moments where they jumped straight to the worst possible conclusions instead of just talking things out. Considering Sophie is very much the sunshine character of the story, I expected a little more optimism from her in those moments. Still, their relationship was sweet overall, and it was easy to stay invested in them.
I also absolutely adored the small-town setting of Solace Springs. It had that cozy, welcoming vibe that makes you want to move there immediately. The side characters really brought the town to life too, Mabel and Grace especially stood out to me. They added so much warmth and personality to the story.
And now I’m already looking forward to the next book, because I cannot wait to see Grace get her own love story. If it’s anything like this one, I’m definitely in.
Read this book for:
📚 Renovation Romance
🌸 Boatbuilder x Bookstore Owner
📚 Grumpy x Sunshine
🌸 Strangers to Lovers
📚 Found Family
🌸 Small Town
Synopsis
After being dumped and fired in the same week, Sophie Bennett decides she’s done living a safe, predictable life. On a wine-fueled impulse, the Londoner launches a crowdfunding campaign titled Help a Boring Girl Buy a Bookshop. When the internet unexpectedly falls in love with her story, Sophie finds herself trading the chaos of the city for a fresh start across the ocean in Solace Springs, Washington.
Her dream? Restoring a run-down boathouse bookstore on the edge of a quiet lake.
Luke has spent years protecting the peaceful life he’s built in the small town he calls home. The last thing he wants is a social media sensation turning Solace Springs upside down, especially one with boundless enthusiasm and a camera pointed at everything she does.
But when the town ropes Luke into helping Sophie renovate her bookshop, the two quickly discover that their differences might not be such a bad thing. As laughter, late nights, and unexpected moments draw them closer, the walls Luke has carefully built around his heart begin to crumble.
When Sophie’s sudden online fame threatens the quiet life Luke loves, they’ll have to decide whether the risk of loving each other is worth the chance at something neither of them saw coming.
My Thoughts
When this first popped up on my NetGalley shelf, I honestly had no idea what to think. I’ll admit it, I absolutely judge books by their covers and titles sometimes, and at first glance I wasn’t sure this one was going to be my thing. But wow… I was so wrong. This book completely surprised me in the best way possible, and I ended up loving it.
The grumpy handyman (and captain!) falling for the sunshiney, future bookstore owner is such a fun trope, and this story delivered that dynamic in a really sweet way. Watching Luke slowly fall for Sophie was adorable, and their chemistry made it easy to root for them from the start. I do wish Luke had stayed a little more grumpy for a bit longer, though he softened for Sophie pretty quickly, and personally I always love when the grumpy character holds out just a little longer before completely melting.
One thing I really enjoyed was the mystery element woven into the story. The break-ins and vandalism added an extra layer of intrigue that kept me curious the whole time. And that plot twist? I genuinely did not see it coming at all. It caught me completely off guard, but in a way that made the story even more fun to read.
If I had one small critique, it would be that some of the insecurities in Luke and Sophie’s relationship felt a bit repetitive. There were a few moments where they jumped straight to the worst possible conclusions instead of just talking things out. Considering Sophie is very much the sunshine character of the story, I expected a little more optimism from her in those moments. Still, their relationship was sweet overall, and it was easy to stay invested in them.
I also absolutely adored the small-town setting of Solace Springs. It had that cozy, welcoming vibe that makes you want to move there immediately. The side characters really brought the town to life too, Mabel and Grace especially stood out to me. They added so much warmth and personality to the story.
And now I’m already looking forward to the next book, because I cannot wait to see Grace get her own love story. If it’s anything like this one, I’m definitely in.
March 1, 2026
3.5⭐️
Okay! This was a cutesy little romcom, in the most wonderful little town full of cherry blossoms and by the lake, and if I could move there and open a bookshop myself I would in a heartbeat!
Sophie our FMC was a gem, she had gone through heartbreak and decided she wanted to open a bookshop, and she did just that. Is it slightly insane she bought a bookshop from a crowd funder when she was drunk? Yeah. But she pulled through and she didn’t let anyone change her mind on how she wanted her dream to come true.
Luke on the other hand. Hmmmmm. I’m not a fan I won’t lie. He was hard to support as an MMC. He was grumpy to her for no reason at the start of the book, and was throwing stereotypes onto Sophie left right and centre and was then shocked when she wasn’t a clueless city girl like he had thought. He also absolutely 100% was not ready for a relationship. He had too much baggage what with this ex of his (who was mentioned a grand total of FIFTY TWO TIMES in the book), and his absolute unneeded hatred for social media (and in turn Sophie’s use of social media to promote the boathouse) that he just then entirely flipped his views on when he bothered to actually see what she was doing. I genuinely would have had a pleasant time reading the book without him. He had some nicer moments in the middle of the book but it was too late for me by then.
Alllssoooo it was insta love, and I didn’t realise that until I started and in chapter two Luke was claiming Sophie was breaking down his walls that he had spent years building after one conversation. They were falling for each other after knowing each other one week. They were together before 40% through the book. This totally might be some people’s jam but alas it is not mine.
But if you want a cutesy town with a bookshop reno, a relatively lovely cast of characters, and a quick cozy evening read, this one is for you.
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC, all views are my own.
Okay! This was a cutesy little romcom, in the most wonderful little town full of cherry blossoms and by the lake, and if I could move there and open a bookshop myself I would in a heartbeat!
Sophie our FMC was a gem, she had gone through heartbreak and decided she wanted to open a bookshop, and she did just that. Is it slightly insane she bought a bookshop from a crowd funder when she was drunk? Yeah. But she pulled through and she didn’t let anyone change her mind on how she wanted her dream to come true.
Luke on the other hand. Hmmmmm. I’m not a fan I won’t lie. He was hard to support as an MMC. He was grumpy to her for no reason at the start of the book, and was throwing stereotypes onto Sophie left right and centre and was then shocked when she wasn’t a clueless city girl like he had thought. He also absolutely 100% was not ready for a relationship. He had too much baggage what with this ex of his (who was mentioned a grand total of FIFTY TWO TIMES in the book), and his absolute unneeded hatred for social media (and in turn Sophie’s use of social media to promote the boathouse) that he just then entirely flipped his views on when he bothered to actually see what she was doing. I genuinely would have had a pleasant time reading the book without him. He had some nicer moments in the middle of the book but it was too late for me by then.
Alllssoooo it was insta love, and I didn’t realise that until I started and in chapter two Luke was claiming Sophie was breaking down his walls that he had spent years building after one conversation. They were falling for each other after knowing each other one week. They were together before 40% through the book. This totally might be some people’s jam but alas it is not mine.
But if you want a cutesy town with a bookshop reno, a relatively lovely cast of characters, and a quick cozy evening read, this one is for you.
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC, all views are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The cover and the title is very cute! I was sold by it and also the description as well. However, unfortunately, the execution felt flat to me.
So the story began as this FMC just got an inheritance from her mother, she dreamed of opening her own bookstore, then started crowdfunding, and helped by her Booktoker friend, she got traction, and so many people donated to her. People are dying in another part of the world, children starving and there's literally war going on but sure book community are the nicest people I guess. Instead of donating it to the people who really in need they give her money so that this England lady can start her new life in a foreign country and open a bookstore, sure very realistic.
Out of any place in the world, I was baffled that she decided to move to USA, to be honest that's the last place I could think of when you want to seek a quiet life full of beautiful scenery. Do they running out beautiful landscape there in england? or maybe in neighbourhood country in Europe? Or talking about Cherry blossom, why didn't see move to Japan or Korea instead? Alright, language barrier maybe or this book just want to appeal to US reader, just a weird reasoning and choice imho.
So anyway, she met this grumpy man, who hates her but then super interested in her in a very short time. I didn't see the chemistry at all, didn't see enough reason for him to change his mind that fast, didn't see the reason on why she suddenly obsessed with her etc etc,
So yeah a series of unrealistic happened that make me has zero connection with any of the characters, I think this book is better become a cozy spicy story instead, that way all the points still got crossed but not too far-fetched.
So the story began as this FMC just got an inheritance from her mother, she dreamed of opening her own bookstore, then started crowdfunding, and helped by her Booktoker friend, she got traction, and so many people donated to her. People are dying in another part of the world, children starving and there's literally war going on but sure book community are the nicest people I guess. Instead of donating it to the people who really in need they give her money so that this England lady can start her new life in a foreign country and open a bookstore, sure very realistic.
Out of any place in the world, I was baffled that she decided to move to USA, to be honest that's the last place I could think of when you want to seek a quiet life full of beautiful scenery. Do they running out beautiful landscape there in england? or maybe in neighbourhood country in Europe? Or talking about Cherry blossom, why didn't see move to Japan or Korea instead? Alright, language barrier maybe or this book just want to appeal to US reader, just a weird reasoning and choice imho.
So anyway, she met this grumpy man, who hates her but then super interested in her in a very short time. I didn't see the chemistry at all, didn't see enough reason for him to change his mind that fast, didn't see the reason on why she suddenly obsessed with her etc etc,
So yeah a series of unrealistic happened that make me has zero connection with any of the characters, I think this book is better become a cozy spicy story instead, that way all the points still got crossed but not too far-fetched.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2.5⭐
The Cherry Blossom Boathouse follows Sophie Bennet, a London girl who just got fired and dumped by her boyfriend for being too boring. One drunken night she stumbles upon a listing for a boathouse in Washington and posts a video on crowdfund to make her dream come true and create a bookshop. It goes viral and the next thing she knows, Sophie is moving to another country. When she gets to Solace Spring, she immediately meets her grumpy neighbor Luke who helps fish her out of a lake and seems to disagree with her renovation plans and wants everything to stay the same. But small-town living pushes them together, and as they work together on her renovation plan, they can't seem to stay away from each other.
I wanted to love this book, but sadly it wasn't really for me. The concept was great and I really loved Sophie and the small-town vibes. Her dream to open a bookshop and her online book community were amazing and relatable. But Luke fell flat for me. I love a good grumpy sunshine trope, but there was something about Luke that annoyed me. He was constantly stereotyping her despite everything and everyone saying that was wrong. I hated that he was constantly jumping to conclusions and making decisions for her. I understand his traumatic backstory and trust issues, but it did not outweigh his actions towards Sophie from the start of the story. I was also not a huge fan of the insta-love relationship they had. Personally, I would have loved to see the tensions grow more. The setting was amazing though, I loved Solace Spring, it sounded so idyllic and all the small-town characters were so fun!
Laura Bloom definitely see this book up to create a series following the other members of the town and I think that would be so cute!
The Cherry Blossom Boathouse follows Sophie Bennet, a London girl who just got fired and dumped by her boyfriend for being too boring. One drunken night she stumbles upon a listing for a boathouse in Washington and posts a video on crowdfund to make her dream come true and create a bookshop. It goes viral and the next thing she knows, Sophie is moving to another country. When she gets to Solace Spring, she immediately meets her grumpy neighbor Luke who helps fish her out of a lake and seems to disagree with her renovation plans and wants everything to stay the same. But small-town living pushes them together, and as they work together on her renovation plan, they can't seem to stay away from each other.
I wanted to love this book, but sadly it wasn't really for me. The concept was great and I really loved Sophie and the small-town vibes. Her dream to open a bookshop and her online book community were amazing and relatable. But Luke fell flat for me. I love a good grumpy sunshine trope, but there was something about Luke that annoyed me. He was constantly stereotyping her despite everything and everyone saying that was wrong. I hated that he was constantly jumping to conclusions and making decisions for her. I understand his traumatic backstory and trust issues, but it did not outweigh his actions towards Sophie from the start of the story. I was also not a huge fan of the insta-love relationship they had. Personally, I would have loved to see the tensions grow more. The setting was amazing though, I loved Solace Spring, it sounded so idyllic and all the small-town characters were so fun!
Laura Bloom definitely see this book up to create a series following the other members of the town and I think that would be so cute!
March 31, 2026
Thank you to Dell Romance for the eARC!!!
This book has everything I could want in a small town!!! It’s full of nosy but lovable neighbors, community traditions, and interesting town halls! I could easily see why Sophie wanted to move to Solace Springs because it really is a charming place!
I loved Sophie’s character and found her to be relatable!!! There were several times where I was thinking something and she referenced it a few sentences later 😂. I loved her hard work, dedication, organizational skills, and her willingness to preserve the history of the boathouse. The fact that she was opening a bookshop was perfect and I really felt like I was living my dream through her!! I appreciated how in the end she fought for what she wanted. And the letter from her mother was beautiful and brought Sophie’s story of chasing her dream full circle!!
Luke was the perfect grumpy book boyfriend!! Especially when he was actually a very caring softie underneath. I loved that he had conversations with his cute little dog!! But I really loved how he noticed what was important to Sophie and used that to plan dates and surprises for her!! And his story was a heartbreaking one and I’m so glad he got his HEA 🥹🥹
THE ROMANCE 🥹😭 I loved the grumpy/sunshine dynamic between Sophie and Luke!!! The sassy banter between them was so fun and I loved how they challenged each other! But the best part was watching them fall in love with each other after both had been recovering from previous relationship breakups. They really felt perfect for each other!!
I was sad to see this book end because I really wanted to stay with these characters!! I will absolutely be reading The Sugar Maple Inn (the next book)!!
This book has everything I could want in a small town!!! It’s full of nosy but lovable neighbors, community traditions, and interesting town halls! I could easily see why Sophie wanted to move to Solace Springs because it really is a charming place!
I loved Sophie’s character and found her to be relatable!!! There were several times where I was thinking something and she referenced it a few sentences later 😂. I loved her hard work, dedication, organizational skills, and her willingness to preserve the history of the boathouse. The fact that she was opening a bookshop was perfect and I really felt like I was living my dream through her!! I appreciated how in the end she fought for what she wanted. And the letter from her mother was beautiful and brought Sophie’s story of chasing her dream full circle!!
Luke was the perfect grumpy book boyfriend!! Especially when he was actually a very caring softie underneath. I loved that he had conversations with his cute little dog!! But I really loved how he noticed what was important to Sophie and used that to plan dates and surprises for her!! And his story was a heartbreaking one and I’m so glad he got his HEA 🥹🥹
THE ROMANCE 🥹😭 I loved the grumpy/sunshine dynamic between Sophie and Luke!!! The sassy banter between them was so fun and I loved how they challenged each other! But the best part was watching them fall in love with each other after both had been recovering from previous relationship breakups. They really felt perfect for each other!!
I was sad to see this book end because I really wanted to stay with these characters!! I will absolutely be reading The Sugar Maple Inn (the next book)!!
March 6, 2026
*Thank you Ballantine | Dell for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.*
I absolutely loved this book. It is cozy and delightfully familiar in the best way, with strong small-town romance vibes that immediately pulled me in. The story felt like a blend of Gilmore Girls, Virgin River, and Hallmark romance movies all wrapped into one warm and engaging read. The references, relationship, and characters spoke directly to my millennial heart and I was absolutely charmed by the stoic male main character.
I especially appreciated the aspects of consent in intimate scenes in addition to yearning, romantic gestures, and emotional intimacy. The characters feel very human in the way they sometimes talk themselves out of happiness, sabotage good things, and hesitate because of their past experiences and trauma. That felt deeply relatable. While each main character frustrated me at least once, it never felt unrealistic. It felt honest. Getting to experience them learning from their mistakes and slowly understanding what is happening in the other person's head added depth and emotional payoff to their romance.
The sense of community and found family was another standout element. the quirky, sometimes standoffish but ultimately supportive cast of side characters, along with the small town traditions and gatherings created a strong sense of place. Solace Springs captured the same comforting, communal energy that makes fictional towns like Stars Hollow so beloved, and it is a world I enjoyed spending time in. I will absolutely be continuing any additional stories in this series and hope we get some more exposure to other characters and story lines in the future.
I absolutely loved this book. It is cozy and delightfully familiar in the best way, with strong small-town romance vibes that immediately pulled me in. The story felt like a blend of Gilmore Girls, Virgin River, and Hallmark romance movies all wrapped into one warm and engaging read. The references, relationship, and characters spoke directly to my millennial heart and I was absolutely charmed by the stoic male main character.
I especially appreciated the aspects of consent in intimate scenes in addition to yearning, romantic gestures, and emotional intimacy. The characters feel very human in the way they sometimes talk themselves out of happiness, sabotage good things, and hesitate because of their past experiences and trauma. That felt deeply relatable. While each main character frustrated me at least once, it never felt unrealistic. It felt honest. Getting to experience them learning from their mistakes and slowly understanding what is happening in the other person's head added depth and emotional payoff to their romance.
The sense of community and found family was another standout element. the quirky, sometimes standoffish but ultimately supportive cast of side characters, along with the small town traditions and gatherings created a strong sense of place. Solace Springs captured the same comforting, communal energy that makes fictional towns like Stars Hollow so beloved, and it is a world I enjoyed spending time in. I will absolutely be continuing any additional stories in this series and hope we get some more exposure to other characters and story lines in the future.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book follows Sophie, who, after losing her job and getting dumped by her boyfriend, buys a boathouse in a small town in Washington State, effectively upending her life in London to open a bookshop in a small town with funding from her social media.
But when she arrives, it is not the picturesque experience she had in mind. She ends up falling into the lake while trying to fish out her purse with the last letter from her late mother.
Instead of fishing her purse out, her hot, soon-to-be neighbor, Luke, ended up fishing *her* out. What a meet-cute, right? Wrong! That man is all grumpy all the time and seems to hate city dwellers more than anything. But as Sophie fixes up the boathouse and peels back Luke’s layers, could they both see that the other may not be that bad?
Honestly, this book had such a great premise! Far-fetched to start, but just fun enough that I was still interested in what would happen next. Unfortunately, it fell flat for me. I felt like the story moved so fast in the beginning and then dragged on towards the middle/middle-end before it felt rushed again to be completed. Additionally, the surprise and mystery component did not feel well-fleshed out to me. I think the author could have spent more time developing Luke’s backstory and relationship with his mother, so that the end could have been more satisfying or I could have felt like there was more closure.
The romance aspect itself was fine! It was cute–Luke and Sophie had some sweet and flirty moments, but overall, I just wasn’t connected to or invested in the characters.
Thank you to Netgalley, Ballantine, and Dell for giving me this eARC in exchange for an unbiased review
But when she arrives, it is not the picturesque experience she had in mind. She ends up falling into the lake while trying to fish out her purse with the last letter from her late mother.
Instead of fishing her purse out, her hot, soon-to-be neighbor, Luke, ended up fishing *her* out. What a meet-cute, right? Wrong! That man is all grumpy all the time and seems to hate city dwellers more than anything. But as Sophie fixes up the boathouse and peels back Luke’s layers, could they both see that the other may not be that bad?
Honestly, this book had such a great premise! Far-fetched to start, but just fun enough that I was still interested in what would happen next. Unfortunately, it fell flat for me. I felt like the story moved so fast in the beginning and then dragged on towards the middle/middle-end before it felt rushed again to be completed. Additionally, the surprise and mystery component did not feel well-fleshed out to me. I think the author could have spent more time developing Luke’s backstory and relationship with his mother, so that the end could have been more satisfying or I could have felt like there was more closure.
The romance aspect itself was fine! It was cute–Luke and Sophie had some sweet and flirty moments, but overall, I just wasn’t connected to or invested in the characters.
Thank you to Netgalley, Ballantine, and Dell for giving me this eARC in exchange for an unbiased review
March 8, 2026
3 🌟 / 5
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book.
I’m conflicted by how I feel on this book 😫 On one hand, this is such a cute, palette cleanser with a plot that is easy to follow and doesn’t require too much brain power 💞 However, on this occasion, I struggled to maintain complete interest in the book, although Solace Springs sounds like the most picturesque town 🌸🚤
I loved the concept of buying a boathouse and building a bookstore in a cute small town in the USA - we give thanks to Gilmore girls/Hart of Dixie/Virgin River! This is a genuine dream I could chase. However, the pacing just felt completely off for me. Within one week, the main characters were kissing and saying how much they fancied each other. Then all of a sudden, we’re 5 weeks into the story without any further explanation. I needed more relationship development during this time.
Upon meeting, our MMC, Luke, was instantly grumpy and mumbling then suddenly being overly helpful to our FMC, Sophie, within such a short space of time (within 1 day) making it feel less authentic. I didn’t emotionally invest in their relationship as much I would have hoped for. Some points in the story if further developed, would have been amazing but too many side plots left me so confused and some side characters had me questioning their relevance to the story.
However, the book does show our FMC trying to be strong and independent, and be assertive with her new business that she’s trying to develop.
Overall:
🌟🌟🌟
Tropes: Small Town romance, GRUMPY vs sunshine, close proximity, Dual POV, Close knit community, Next Door neighbours.
Spice scale: 🌶️🌶️
These review opinions are completely my own.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book.
I’m conflicted by how I feel on this book 😫 On one hand, this is such a cute, palette cleanser with a plot that is easy to follow and doesn’t require too much brain power 💞 However, on this occasion, I struggled to maintain complete interest in the book, although Solace Springs sounds like the most picturesque town 🌸🚤
I loved the concept of buying a boathouse and building a bookstore in a cute small town in the USA - we give thanks to Gilmore girls/Hart of Dixie/Virgin River! This is a genuine dream I could chase. However, the pacing just felt completely off for me. Within one week, the main characters were kissing and saying how much they fancied each other. Then all of a sudden, we’re 5 weeks into the story without any further explanation. I needed more relationship development during this time.
Upon meeting, our MMC, Luke, was instantly grumpy and mumbling then suddenly being overly helpful to our FMC, Sophie, within such a short space of time (within 1 day) making it feel less authentic. I didn’t emotionally invest in their relationship as much I would have hoped for. Some points in the story if further developed, would have been amazing but too many side plots left me so confused and some side characters had me questioning their relevance to the story.
However, the book does show our FMC trying to be strong and independent, and be assertive with her new business that she’s trying to develop.
Overall:
🌟🌟🌟
Tropes: Small Town romance, GRUMPY vs sunshine, close proximity, Dual POV, Close knit community, Next Door neighbours.
Spice scale: 🌶️🌶️
These review opinions are completely my own.
February 17, 2026
4.5⭐️
This was such a cute, enjoyable, spring time story! I was drawn in by the title and beautiful cover and it didn’t disappoint.
Sophie is British but was born in the States so has dual citizenship and when her relationship ends and she’s made redundant she decides to head state side and finally pursue her dream of opening a book store. Solace Springs in Washington state pops up on her social media feed and fuelled by a few glasses of wine she starts a crowdfunder to raise the rest of the capital she needs to buy an old boathouse on a lake. Her first day there doesn’t quite go to plan and that’s how she meets her new neighbour Luke.
Luke is a lifelong resident of Solace Springs and wary of the new city girl. He has his reasons- girls like Sophie have burned him in the past- but something draws him to her and their chemistry quickly turns to more.
Both of these two have some baggage from their past relationships and at times I wanted to bang their heads together when miscommunication got the better of them. I loved how they worked together to restore the boathouse and what it then became with Sophie’s book store vision. The whole concept felt unique and original.
I really enjoyed the author’s writing style and will definitely read more from her in future- there are some side characters who should definitely get books! And the whole place feels like a side character in itself too.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
This was such a cute, enjoyable, spring time story! I was drawn in by the title and beautiful cover and it didn’t disappoint.
Sophie is British but was born in the States so has dual citizenship and when her relationship ends and she’s made redundant she decides to head state side and finally pursue her dream of opening a book store. Solace Springs in Washington state pops up on her social media feed and fuelled by a few glasses of wine she starts a crowdfunder to raise the rest of the capital she needs to buy an old boathouse on a lake. Her first day there doesn’t quite go to plan and that’s how she meets her new neighbour Luke.
Luke is a lifelong resident of Solace Springs and wary of the new city girl. He has his reasons- girls like Sophie have burned him in the past- but something draws him to her and their chemistry quickly turns to more.
Both of these two have some baggage from their past relationships and at times I wanted to bang their heads together when miscommunication got the better of them. I loved how they worked together to restore the boathouse and what it then became with Sophie’s book store vision. The whole concept felt unique and original.
I really enjoyed the author’s writing style and will definitely read more from her in future- there are some side characters who should definitely get books! And the whole place feels like a side character in itself too.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
February 28, 2026
🌸 So cozy it basically reset my nervous system. The small-town vibes, the bookish warmth, the supportive friends, the gentle sweetness… it all worked beautifully. Even the storm chapter brought tension without knocking me out of that safe, comforting feeling.
I didn’t love the insta-love. They’d known each other for days and were already fully obsessed, which felt a little fast for me. But I genuinely liked both main characters: the grumpy, broody boat builder, and the neurotic, sweet “boring” bookshop owner wannabe. Their dynamic was adorable, and they fit together in a way that made me want to keep reading.
I also have to give credit where it’s due: this is one of the rare third-act breakups I actually appreciated. It wasn’t pointless drama. Sophie needed to prove to herself (and to Luke) that she could do hard things on her own and wouldn’t give up. I loved that she didn’t wallow, but was still honest about what she was missing.
Luke’s storyline with his mom and his long-lost brother was really beautiful too, and while the resolution was a bit predictable, it still landed emotionally.
Four stars for ultimate cozy, sweet, bookish small-town comfort with a romance I couldn’t help but root for. 📚✨
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for sharing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I didn’t love the insta-love. They’d known each other for days and were already fully obsessed, which felt a little fast for me. But I genuinely liked both main characters: the grumpy, broody boat builder, and the neurotic, sweet “boring” bookshop owner wannabe. Their dynamic was adorable, and they fit together in a way that made me want to keep reading.
I also have to give credit where it’s due: this is one of the rare third-act breakups I actually appreciated. It wasn’t pointless drama. Sophie needed to prove to herself (and to Luke) that she could do hard things on her own and wouldn’t give up. I loved that she didn’t wallow, but was still honest about what she was missing.
Luke’s storyline with his mom and his long-lost brother was really beautiful too, and while the resolution was a bit predictable, it still landed emotionally.
Four stars for ultimate cozy, sweet, bookish small-town comfort with a romance I couldn’t help but root for. 📚✨
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for sharing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Such a cute small-town romance read! If you’re looking for a quick escape to the lake, The Cherry Blossom Boathouse by Laura Bloom is for you!
First off, thank you so much to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the eARC of this book! I always feel like it’s a an honor to be trusted with an early copy of a book, so thank you!
Now, this was a very cute and easy read for me! I really enjoyed curling up in bed and being taken away to Solace Springs. One thing I really enjoyed about the book is that Laura Bloom’s writing helped me picture the beautiful lake and all of the boathouses. I felt like I was there a little bit, looking out into the Lake and the inn nestled on the nearby island. I truly wish I could go visit Sophie’s bookshop. Plus, all of the sweet townspeople in Solace Springs made it even better as they welcomed Sophie right away!
As for the main characters, it was very fun reading through Sophie and Luke’s love story! Luke is a full on grump, blinded by his past a little bit. Even though that’s the case, he can tell Sophie is different. Sophie is definitely a light in this book and helps Luke to see that. I’m always a fan of the swoon, and could have used a bit more, but this book did a great job at delivering a comfy and cozy romance!
Overall, this was another great romance read! Can’t wait to return to Solace Springs again soon!
First off, thank you so much to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the eARC of this book! I always feel like it’s a an honor to be trusted with an early copy of a book, so thank you!
Now, this was a very cute and easy read for me! I really enjoyed curling up in bed and being taken away to Solace Springs. One thing I really enjoyed about the book is that Laura Bloom’s writing helped me picture the beautiful lake and all of the boathouses. I felt like I was there a little bit, looking out into the Lake and the inn nestled on the nearby island. I truly wish I could go visit Sophie’s bookshop. Plus, all of the sweet townspeople in Solace Springs made it even better as they welcomed Sophie right away!
As for the main characters, it was very fun reading through Sophie and Luke’s love story! Luke is a full on grump, blinded by his past a little bit. Even though that’s the case, he can tell Sophie is different. Sophie is definitely a light in this book and helps Luke to see that. I’m always a fan of the swoon, and could have used a bit more, but this book did a great job at delivering a comfy and cozy romance!
Overall, this was another great romance read! Can’t wait to return to Solace Springs again soon!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this e-ARC! Spoiler-free review below.
This was a cute story, nothing really wrong with it per se just didn’t grab me. I wasn’t super emotionally invested in how things went. One of my main issues with this story was how unbelievable everything felt. Our FMC Sophie moves from England to the USA to start a bookshop with money that she raised online? Which is a cool idea just felt a little too good to be true for me. She meets our MMC, Luke, a grumpy lake resident and they start up a relationship pretty quickly. I didn’t feel a ton of chemistry between them and it felt like the author tried for enemies to lovers but it fell a little flat. The setting is a lake in the pacific NW surrounded by cherry blossom trees, which I loved. This is definitely a springtime book and I really felt like I could picture the gorgeous scenery. There is a subplot of someone causing trouble around town- break-ins, squatting,etc- and the reveal of who it is was also unrealistic to me and felt very random. Another subplot was Luke’s relationship with his absent mother and again this felt random. Both of these subplots come in towards the end of the story and feel really rushed.
This was a cute story, nothing really wrong with it per se just didn’t grab me. I wasn’t super emotionally invested in how things went. One of my main issues with this story was how unbelievable everything felt. Our FMC Sophie moves from England to the USA to start a bookshop with money that she raised online? Which is a cool idea just felt a little too good to be true for me. She meets our MMC, Luke, a grumpy lake resident and they start up a relationship pretty quickly. I didn’t feel a ton of chemistry between them and it felt like the author tried for enemies to lovers but it fell a little flat. The setting is a lake in the pacific NW surrounded by cherry blossom trees, which I loved. This is definitely a springtime book and I really felt like I could picture the gorgeous scenery. There is a subplot of someone causing trouble around town- break-ins, squatting,etc- and the reveal of who it is was also unrealistic to me and felt very random. Another subplot was Luke’s relationship with his absent mother and again this felt random. Both of these subplots come in towards the end of the story and feel really rushed.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The cover of this book is so pretty and the book itself was worth the read. I enjoyed the story of Sophie's adventure - travelling to the US after raising money through kickstarter to open a book store on a lake. The book made me want to go to Solace Springs and experience it myself!
I love small town romances with quirky characters. I am assuming this will be a series and have lots of ideas about who the next book will be about. The tension in the story felt a little contrived and I did keep wondering "is this supposed to be a mystery?", but overall, the story of Luke and Sophie finding each other would make a nice summer beach read.
One small issue - and perhaps this will be fixed by editing before the final version - I could tell the author was British because there were tiny things I noticed throughout in the American characters dialogue that were definitely phrased like a British English speaker vs an American English speaker. It was enough that I noticed, but I just kind of chuckled every time it happened.
Would recommend and will definitely return to Solace Springs should Laura Bloom continue writing about it.
I love small town romances with quirky characters. I am assuming this will be a series and have lots of ideas about who the next book will be about. The tension in the story felt a little contrived and I did keep wondering "is this supposed to be a mystery?", but overall, the story of Luke and Sophie finding each other would make a nice summer beach read.
One small issue - and perhaps this will be fixed by editing before the final version - I could tell the author was British because there were tiny things I noticed throughout in the American characters dialogue that were definitely phrased like a British English speaker vs an American English speaker. It was enough that I noticed, but I just kind of chuckled every time it happened.
Would recommend and will definitely return to Solace Springs should Laura Bloom continue writing about it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This ended up being about a three star read for me.
I was initially really excited about the premise. A bookstore on a houseboat sounded like such a cozy and unique setting, and it immediately caught my attention. Unfortunately, I had a little trouble connecting with the main characters, which made it harder for me to fully settle into the story.
I also struggled to clearly picture the setting of Solace Lake while reading. Since so much of the story revolves around that location, I found myself wishing the atmosphere and surroundings had been a bit easier to visualize.
The story is written in third person point of view, which is more of a personal preference issue for me. I tend to connect more with first person narratives, so that may have played a role in how invested I felt in the characters.
That said, there were still enjoyable moments throughout the book, and the overall storyline unfolded more or less as I expected. While it wasn’t a particularly thrilling or deeply engaging read for me personally, readers who enjoy quieter, character-focused stories set in cozy locations may find more to love here.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
I was initially really excited about the premise. A bookstore on a houseboat sounded like such a cozy and unique setting, and it immediately caught my attention. Unfortunately, I had a little trouble connecting with the main characters, which made it harder for me to fully settle into the story.
I also struggled to clearly picture the setting of Solace Lake while reading. Since so much of the story revolves around that location, I found myself wishing the atmosphere and surroundings had been a bit easier to visualize.
The story is written in third person point of view, which is more of a personal preference issue for me. I tend to connect more with first person narratives, so that may have played a role in how invested I felt in the characters.
That said, there were still enjoyable moments throughout the book, and the overall storyline unfolded more or less as I expected. While it wasn’t a particularly thrilling or deeply engaging read for me personally, readers who enjoy quieter, character-focused stories set in cozy locations may find more to love here.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This ended up being exactly the kind of small-town romance I was in the mood for. It has that cozy, “starting over” vibe, but still touches on burnout and rebuilding your life in a way that felt pretty relatable.
I liked Sophie a lot. Her situation at the beginning felt messy but in a way I can’t relate to, and I appreciated that the story lets her figure thing out as she goes instead of magically fixing everything overnight. Watching her rebuild the boathouse (and herself) was probably my favorite part.
Luke definitely fits the grumpy love interest role, and I enjoyed their dynamic overall. That said, there were a few moments where I wished we got a little more depth from him earlier on he felt a bit one note at first, but did get better as the story went on.
The small town aspect was really cute and added a lot of warmth to the story, though at times it leaned a little too idealized for me. I would’ve liked a bit more conflict or tension in parts where things wrapped up pretty quickly.
Overall, I still really enjoyed this. It’s cozy, easy to get into, and has just enough emotional weight to keep it from feeling forgettable. Definitely a good pick if you’re in the mood for something comforting with a bit of heart.
I liked Sophie a lot. Her situation at the beginning felt messy but in a way I can’t relate to, and I appreciated that the story lets her figure thing out as she goes instead of magically fixing everything overnight. Watching her rebuild the boathouse (and herself) was probably my favorite part.
Luke definitely fits the grumpy love interest role, and I enjoyed their dynamic overall. That said, there were a few moments where I wished we got a little more depth from him earlier on he felt a bit one note at first, but did get better as the story went on.
The small town aspect was really cute and added a lot of warmth to the story, though at times it leaned a little too idealized for me. I would’ve liked a bit more conflict or tension in parts where things wrapped up pretty quickly.
Overall, I still really enjoyed this. It’s cozy, easy to get into, and has just enough emotional weight to keep it from feeling forgettable. Definitely a good pick if you’re in the mood for something comforting with a bit of heart.
March 27, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
First, a petty note: to me (and apparently Google), a boat house is a small structure for storing boats. Maybe in England the term boat house is equivalent to “lake house”, which seems to be a more fitting term. I don’t know why that bothered me so much, but I had to get it off my chest.
As for the actual plot of the book? Pretty darn cute for most of the book. The setting is dreamy, and there’s a little mystery side plot that kept me interested. However, I had difficulty buying into the main conflict- lying about how she got the money to renovate the boathouse just didn’t strike me as a big deal, and the couple spent a lot of the book circling this weird “insta love but can I trust you” thing that I didn’t find appealing. The characters just got more unlikable as we got deeper into the third act. By the end, I wasn’t particularly rooting for anybody, and the mystery plot that once intrigued me wrapped up strangely.
This book had a lot of potential and I’d consider reading more books set in Solace Springs- but I just don’t think this love story was as charming an introduction as I would’ve liked.
First, a petty note: to me (and apparently Google), a boat house is a small structure for storing boats. Maybe in England the term boat house is equivalent to “lake house”, which seems to be a more fitting term. I don’t know why that bothered me so much, but I had to get it off my chest.
As for the actual plot of the book? Pretty darn cute for most of the book. The setting is dreamy, and there’s a little mystery side plot that kept me interested. However, I had difficulty buying into the main conflict- lying about how she got the money to renovate the boathouse just didn’t strike me as a big deal, and the couple spent a lot of the book circling this weird “insta love but can I trust you” thing that I didn’t find appealing. The characters just got more unlikable as we got deeper into the third act. By the end, I wasn’t particularly rooting for anybody, and the mystery plot that once intrigued me wrapped up strangely.
This book had a lot of potential and I’d consider reading more books set in Solace Springs- but I just don’t think this love story was as charming an introduction as I would’ve liked.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was the perfect feel good romance, with an absolutely beautiful setting, that will most definitely make you want to visit.
I really liked the storyline of the book, as we followed Sophie as she moved across the world and began renovating a boathouse into her ideal bookshop. I really liked the journey that she went on and the relationships and friendships that she made. Luke was just perfect for her and you could sense the chemistry from the start, even if it wasn't the most romantic of meetings 🙈.
The setting of the story was so beautiful and the quaint town of Solace Springs, sounds so perfect. I really liked the sense of community spirit and they way in which they welcomed and helped Sophie was really touching.
Social media played a big part in this story and I really liked how this was depicted in a positive way. It showcased the supportive friendships it can offer, as well as the help and support when people are down.
The bookshop was so perfect and I could almost imagine sitting by the window of the lake with the cherry blossoms blowing in the breeze. This was such a beautiful start to a series and I look forward to returning to the lake and hopefully reuniting with familiar characters soon.
I really liked the storyline of the book, as we followed Sophie as she moved across the world and began renovating a boathouse into her ideal bookshop. I really liked the journey that she went on and the relationships and friendships that she made. Luke was just perfect for her and you could sense the chemistry from the start, even if it wasn't the most romantic of meetings 🙈.
The setting of the story was so beautiful and the quaint town of Solace Springs, sounds so perfect. I really liked the sense of community spirit and they way in which they welcomed and helped Sophie was really touching.
Social media played a big part in this story and I really liked how this was depicted in a positive way. It showcased the supportive friendships it can offer, as well as the help and support when people are down.
The bookshop was so perfect and I could almost imagine sitting by the window of the lake with the cherry blossoms blowing in the breeze. This was such a beautiful start to a series and I look forward to returning to the lake and hopefully reuniting with familiar characters soon.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️: 3.5
🎤 Highlight Worthy Quotes:
“Maybe the brave thing isn’t always what we think it is.”
“Don’t go shrinking yourself down to fit into someone else’s idea of who you should be.”
“Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all,”
“Maybe repeating history and running scared isn’t the answer. Maybe some people are worth the risk.”
“I guess that’s what life does, isn’t it? Messes you up a bit, reshapes you. Season by season.”
“.. feeling lost isn’t the same as being lost. Sometimes we need to wander a bit before we find where we truly belong.”
“Sometimes the best stories…. weren’t the ones you planned. They were the ones that wrote themselves, one impossible chapter at a time,”
🗣️ My review:
Another cute read I got as an ARC from NetGalley! This was a cute, easy read! It touched on some sensitive topics but also didn’t let them overtake the book! Watching Sophie find herself in a brand new place was so beautiful! It can serve as an inspiration to everyone that doing new things may be hard and come with difficulties but it doesn’t mean they won’t be worth it in the end.
🎤 Highlight Worthy Quotes:
“Maybe the brave thing isn’t always what we think it is.”
“Don’t go shrinking yourself down to fit into someone else’s idea of who you should be.”
“Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all,”
“Maybe repeating history and running scared isn’t the answer. Maybe some people are worth the risk.”
“I guess that’s what life does, isn’t it? Messes you up a bit, reshapes you. Season by season.”
“.. feeling lost isn’t the same as being lost. Sometimes we need to wander a bit before we find where we truly belong.”
“Sometimes the best stories…. weren’t the ones you planned. They were the ones that wrote themselves, one impossible chapter at a time,”
🗣️ My review:
Another cute read I got as an ARC from NetGalley! This was a cute, easy read! It touched on some sensitive topics but also didn’t let them overtake the book! Watching Sophie find herself in a brand new place was so beautiful! It can serve as an inspiration to everyone that doing new things may be hard and come with difficulties but it doesn’t mean they won’t be worth it in the end.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love when books make me want a career change, because what do you mean Sophie created a crowdfunding campaign to buy a boathouse and turn it into a bookshop in a small town? Now I want to move to a small town so bad and have a local bookstore to go to all the time.
Honestly, go Sophie for moving from the UK to the US after getting fired from her job and dumped by her boyfriend. Because nothing says stability more than grabbing your things and moving to another continent with a dream.
I really liked this new chapter of Sophie’s life, being so hands-on with the creation of her shop, with the help of her grumpy neighbor Luke, who also happens to be from one of the oldest families in town.
I really enjoyed watching Luke and Sophie try not to give in to their feelings. They both had past relationships that ended badly and didn’t want to ruin whatever they had. I loved how cozy this book felt, how much Sophie loved books, and how gentle and hopeful she was. She was very determined, which I loved, and it complimented Luke’s grumpy personality so well, especially as he tried his best to stay away from her…until he couldn’t.
Thank you Ballantine | Dell for the ARC!
Honestly, go Sophie for moving from the UK to the US after getting fired from her job and dumped by her boyfriend. Because nothing says stability more than grabbing your things and moving to another continent with a dream.
I really liked this new chapter of Sophie’s life, being so hands-on with the creation of her shop, with the help of her grumpy neighbor Luke, who also happens to be from one of the oldest families in town.
I really enjoyed watching Luke and Sophie try not to give in to their feelings. They both had past relationships that ended badly and didn’t want to ruin whatever they had. I loved how cozy this book felt, how much Sophie loved books, and how gentle and hopeful she was. She was very determined, which I loved, and it complimented Luke’s grumpy personality so well, especially as he tried his best to stay away from her…until he couldn’t.
Thank you Ballantine | Dell for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Sophie Bennet gets fired and then dumped by her boyfriend for being what he calls, too boring. After drinking too much wine one night she goes online and buys a rundown boathouse after crowd sourcing funds. Then she takes the biggest leap of her life by moving from England to the U.S.
Once in Solace Springs she realizes the boathouse will need a lot of work to fulfill her dream of turning it into a bookstore. She gets a lot of help from the town and reluctantly , at first,, her neighbor Luke Rhodes.
This is a charming ,small town,, found family ,romance. Sunshine meets Grumpy with a super meet cute. Both of the lead characters come into their relationship with baggage but grow as characters. The town and its residents are charming and overall the book is cozy and heart warming with a bit of spice thrown in.. The two lead characters are lovely together . I look forward to more books in this series and from this author. .
Thank you to the publisher ad NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.
Once in Solace Springs she realizes the boathouse will need a lot of work to fulfill her dream of turning it into a bookstore. She gets a lot of help from the town and reluctantly , at first,, her neighbor Luke Rhodes.
This is a charming ,small town,, found family ,romance. Sunshine meets Grumpy with a super meet cute. Both of the lead characters come into their relationship with baggage but grow as characters. The town and its residents are charming and overall the book is cozy and heart warming with a bit of spice thrown in.. The two lead characters are lovely together . I look forward to more books in this series and from this author. .
Thank you to the publisher ad NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine | Dell for the ARC! I completely devoured The Cherry Blossom Boathouse by Laura Bloom. It was such a cozy, emotional read.
The story follows Sophie, who travels to Solace Springs near Seattle after a tough breakup and job loss, determined to turn a lakeside boathouse into a bookstore. Along the way she meets Luke, the town’s broody boatman, and their grumpy-sunshine dynamic was everything.
This book is full of small-town charm, found family, and characters that feel incredibly real. Watching Sophie and Luke work through their pasts and slowly open their hearts again was so rewarding. However, I'm not a fan of the third act break-up, a bit frustrating.
The setting was so cozy I honestly wanted to pack my bags and move to Solace Springs. Between the lake, the bookstore, and the quirky town characters, it felt like the ultimate comfort read.
If you love small-town romances, grumpy-sunshine tropes, and stories about healing and starting over, this one is definitely worth adding to your TBR. 4.5⭐ rounded up.
The story follows Sophie, who travels to Solace Springs near Seattle after a tough breakup and job loss, determined to turn a lakeside boathouse into a bookstore. Along the way she meets Luke, the town’s broody boatman, and their grumpy-sunshine dynamic was everything.
This book is full of small-town charm, found family, and characters that feel incredibly real. Watching Sophie and Luke work through their pasts and slowly open their hearts again was so rewarding. However, I'm not a fan of the third act break-up, a bit frustrating.
The setting was so cozy I honestly wanted to pack my bags and move to Solace Springs. Between the lake, the bookstore, and the quirky town characters, it felt like the ultimate comfort read.
If you love small-town romances, grumpy-sunshine tropes, and stories about healing and starting over, this one is definitely worth adding to your TBR. 4.5⭐ rounded up.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I wanted to like this book SO bad! I initially was expecting this book to be similar to the Dream Harbor series by Laurie Gilmore, but it didn't quite hit like those books did for me. The premise was cute-who doesn't love a grumpy man and a bookstore owner romance? My dream! Unfortunately, the insta love trope really ruined this romance for me. There was so much that felt unrealistic and the "grumpy MMC" must not be that grumpy if he falls in love with the new woman in town immediately! The romance subplot about the town mischief/crimes felt random and then the character that was the culprit was even more unrealistic. I liked the characters overall and the spring vibes of the book were cute and fun to picture! I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with Laura Bloom's next book The Sugar Maple Inn. Thank you to Laura Bloom, NetGalley, and Ballantine for the advanced copy of The Cherry Blossom Boathouse, which comes out on May 26th.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A huge thank you to NetGalley, Ballentine, and Laura Bloom for an eARC of The Cherry Blossom Boathouse. Sophie moves from London to the US on a whim after losing her job and being dumped by her boyfriend in the same week. With the help of a kickstarter campaign, she buys an old boathouse and dreams of turning it into the cute and cozy bookstore of every bookish person's dreams. What she doesn't count on is falling in love with her grumpy neighbor Luke. This book has everything I love about a small town romance- coffee shop drama, nosy neighbors, dramatic town council meetings, loyal friends and a cute dog. I also loved how descriptive Laura Bloom was when setting the scene of Solace Springs and the bookshop. If you like the Rome, Kentucky series by Sarah Adams, the Dream Harbor series by Laurie Gilmore, or Gilmore Girls, this book is for you.
This review would not be complete without mentioning the beautiful cover of this book!
This review would not be complete without mentioning the beautiful cover of this book!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC REVIEW
netgalley
I truly loved this story! I enjoyed the banter and the Gilmore Girls small town vibes! The plot was plotting and the spice was there in moderation making it more than a Hallmark-esque story (which I absolutely eat up every time).
I did notice that even though Luke was a "lived here his whole life" character but he somehow had a southern drawl and used many British English words even though it is a small town in Washington. The lake that the town had was apparently huge like a great lake and also inland but had multiple ocean like qualities. Based on those things I could tell the author was British and probably doesn't understand US geography.
Even with those minor slip ups the story was very cute and had a great plot. Totally worth the read and will be on my bookshelf when it releases!
netgalley
I truly loved this story! I enjoyed the banter and the Gilmore Girls small town vibes! The plot was plotting and the spice was there in moderation making it more than a Hallmark-esque story (which I absolutely eat up every time).
I did notice that even though Luke was a "lived here his whole life" character but he somehow had a southern drawl and used many British English words even though it is a small town in Washington. The lake that the town had was apparently huge like a great lake and also inland but had multiple ocean like qualities. Based on those things I could tell the author was British and probably doesn't understand US geography.
Even with those minor slip ups the story was very cute and had a great plot. Totally worth the read and will be on my bookshelf when it releases!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
She's in pieces, he's bitter but has the door to his heart not quite closed yet. Laura Bloom invites the reader to embark on a cozy trip to a small lakeside town and the rest is history. As the book suggests, it's a heartwarming, fun read that isn't too complicated. We tag along as Luke opens his heart to love and Sophie builds a new life for herself, all whilst building her dream of a bookstore. It's very bookish and cute, because who doesn't love a small town romance. But it wasn't all cute and comfy, I was frustrated the way they got into an argument over... nothing. Communication is key and it's really not my favourite trope in a book. What I did love was how we finally got to know the story about Luke's mom, might have even been my favourite part and I didn't expect a cute book to turn into quite an emotional read. Very much enjoyed this one.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This one was just ok for me. While it was entertaining and a lighthearted and fun read there were some things about it that I didn't like. I liked the setting of the town and it seemed reminiscent of Gilmore Girls with a Hallmark flair. Some of the interactions with the characters though felt awkward. There was also a scene after a someone gets caught in a storm on the lake and the individual seemed completely fine after the ordeal and that seemed far-fetched to me. Also the whole premise of Sophie getting the funding for the boathouse was a bit unbelievable. The ending was very rushed, but I did like how things wrapped up. There just wasn't enough depth and also I wasn't really connected to the characters. So overall this wasn't my favorite, but it was entertaining. Fans of Hallmark might enjoy this story. CW: open door romance
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a light, easy read with just enough mystery woven in to keep things interesting. It had soft touches of humor throughout that made it an enjoyable escape.
I loved the premise of Sophie coming to the U.S. to renovate a boathouse into a bookstore. There are plenty of renovation romances out there, but the boathouse setting felt fresh and different. It added a charming backdrop to the story and made the whole idea feel cozy and inviting.
The small-town cast of characters really helped carry the book. They were quirky, supportive, and added personality that kept the pages turning.
This was my first time reading this author, and I’d definitely pick up another of her books. Sometimes you just want a feel-good story with heart, and this one delivered exactly that.
I loved the premise of Sophie coming to the U.S. to renovate a boathouse into a bookstore. There are plenty of renovation romances out there, but the boathouse setting felt fresh and different. It added a charming backdrop to the story and made the whole idea feel cozy and inviting.
The small-town cast of characters really helped carry the book. They were quirky, supportive, and added personality that kept the pages turning.
This was my first time reading this author, and I’d definitely pick up another of her books. Sometimes you just want a feel-good story with heart, and this one delivered exactly that.
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