Promises & Pumpkins

by Meg Becker

It was supposed to be a fresh start.

HARPER
I let my big sister talk me into moving to Hazy Cove with the promise of small-town charm and a new routine. The dance studio was looking for a ballet teacher, and I found the cutest house available for immediate move in. It was like it was meant to be. Then I met my new next-door neighbor, and everything I thought I wanted quickly started to change. I told him I wasn’t the dating type and could never replace what he had lost. But he was charming, and if I wasn’t careful, he would prove me wrong.

MILES
I would do anything for my daughter. Ever since my wife died, she was all I had, and I was perfectly happy with it being just the two of us. Then Harper moved in, and suddenly I was spending way too much time thinking about my accident-prone neighbor. She made me feel something I hadn’t felt in years—something I never thought I’d feel again. But when she got spooked, things got complicated, and I had to make a decision. It wasn’t just about me.

She was never just the girl next door.

*****
Trick or treat! We’re back in Hazy Cove, where the Jack-o-lanterns are glowing and the moon is full. With the shadows getting spookier every day, does romance stand a chance, or are these couples going to forever be haunted by what could’ve been?

148 pages, Paperback

Published October 12, 2025

About the author

Meg Becker received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing from the University of Kansas, but she has known she'd be a writer since she wrote her first story in the first grade. Today, she finds herself at home in a field of sunflowers, by a lake in the mountain, or anywhere with a good view, but she resides in Kansas City with her amazing husband that is nothing like the broody men she writes about in her books. She's a sucker for a happy ending, and she can often be found reading with an iced coffee or glass of red wine, quite possibly both.

When she's not reading or writing spicy romance, Meg is likely learning a new hobby, cuddling with her two dogs and cat, or performing the soundtrack to RENT from behind the steering wheel of her car. During football season, she puts down her pen every Sunday to cheer for the Kansas City Chiefs. Visit her online at www.authormegbecker.com.

Reviews

[crystal 𑁍 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh I love a good age gap!!!!
Hazy Cove a cutesy little town where Harper thinks a fresh start will do her good. Then she meets single dad Miles and the connection is undeniable. Miles a widower with a tough exterior must navigate these feelings while also thinking of his little girl.
I absolutely loved this cozy story down to my bones.
Meg is a wonderful writer with great descriptive skills and special knack for making you love every character she puts to paper.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trick or treat! We’re back in Hazy Cove, where the jack-o-lanterns are glowing and the moon is full. With the shadows getting spookier every day, does romance stand a chance, or are these couples going to forever be haunted by what could’ve been?


***


It was supposed to be a fresh start.



HARPER

I let my big sister talk me into moving to Hazy Cove with the promise of small-town charm and a new routine. The dance studio was looking for a ballet teacher, and I found the cutest house available for immediate move-in. It was like it was meant to be. Then I met my new next-door neighbor, and everything I thought I wanted quickly started to change. I told him I wasn’t the dating type and could never replace what he had lost. But he was charming, and if I wasn’t careful, he would prove me wrong.



MILES

I would do anything for my daughter. Ever since my wife died, she was all I had, and I was perfectly happy with it being just the two of us. Then Harper moved in, and suddenly I was spending way too much time thinking about my accident-prone neighbor. She made me feel something I hadn’t felt in years—something I never thought I’d feel again. But when she got spooked, things got complicated, and I had to make a decision. It wasn’t just about me.



She was never just the girl next door.

This contemporary small-town Halloween single dad age-gap romance is page-turning with exceptional world-building in Hazy Cove and characters. Their journey is enthralling with promises and pumpkins, explicit romance that is consumed by steamy, sizzling passion, lust, desire, and spice, with all the feelings to leave readers breathless and begging for more, forced proximity, chaos/drama, humor, action, adventure, and more. I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with promises and pumpkins and an explicit small-town Halloween single-dad age gap romance that is sure to transport readers into a world that is wildly lustful, spookiful, haunted, and unforgettable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Chandra Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Harper packs up her life and moves to the picturesque town of Hazy Cove, she’s hoping for peace — a fresh start filled with ballet classes, crisp fall mornings, and maybe a pumpkin spice latte or two. But instead, she finds Miles, her brooding next-door neighbor — a single father still carrying the grief of losing his wife. Their connection is instant but fragile, a slow build between two people learning how to trust the world again.

Miles’s love for his daughter is tender and steadfast, but Harper brings something new — laughter, light, and the kind of gentle chaos that fills the cracks in his quiet routine. What starts as neighborly kindness grows into something deeper, something that feels impossible to ignore. But when fear creeps in and Harper begins to doubt whether she can ever be enough for someone who’s already lost so much, both of them must decide if love after heartbreak is worth the risk.

Meg Becker captures grief and hope with the same beautiful honesty — crafting a love story that feels deeply human and quietly powerful. The chemistry between Harper and Miles isn’t flashy; it’s built from small gestures, lingering glances, and the steady warmth of two lonely souls finding their way back to life.

If you love stories that feel like curling up in a cozy sweater with a mug of cider — full of tenderness, family, and fall magic — Promises & Pumpkins will absolutely melt you. It’s emotional without being heavy, romantic without losing its realism, and heartwarming in all the best ways.

In short:
This book is about love that heals slowly, grief that doesn’t define you, and the beauty of letting someone in again — all wrapped up in autumn leaves, laughter, and second chances.

✨ Perfect for readers who love:
🍂 Small-town charm with a side of pumpkin spice
🧡 Single dad, girl-next-door romances
🩰 Strong yet soft heroines who find where they belong
💔 Healing hearts learning to love again.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alex Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Can I have a little brother now?” is by far my favorite line in this book. I could not stop laughing after I read it. It reminded me of my boys constantly asking for a little sister, as if we could control the gender 😂. Harper–the new dance teacher and Miles’ new neighbor and Miles–the single dad police captain, the book may only be in the POV of Harper and Miles, but let's face it Maddie is also a MC. I loved how dedicated Miles was to Maddie, and I understood his behavior towards the end of the book, however Maddie's reaction/plan in the end was my favorite part of this book. I mean a six year old coming up with such a perfect plan was diabolical. I wouldn’t want to get on her bad side. I enjoyed Harper and Miles' interactions as well, but the sentences coming out of Maddie's month made me laugh every time. “She’s my daddy’s friend. They were wrestling in bed earlier…” and “Do you want to be alone because you want to kiss her again?” I mean the innocence and knowledge this six year old has is AMAZING! This being the first of Meg’s books I have read, I hope to read more of her work soon.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it !! love this series !! love Harper, Miles and Maddie !! this is their love story... a fun fast paced slow burn rom/com drama... Harper is new in town, she moved here because her sister is here... and there's a spot for her at the dance studio to teach ballet she also, rented the cutest cottage.. Miles is just working as a cop and taking care of his little girl... he's fine !! really... and then, the new neighbor ... he so didn't see that coming !! and little Maddie...well... this is so good !! so funny !!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm usually not much on the romance genre but this was a good book. The storyline showed the father as a very involved dad who would do anything for his little girl. The MC was kind of a goofball yet she was perfect for the male MC. The hit of the book is the little girl, Maggie! I just love 6-year-olds - they have no idea what they're talking about but boy do they say just about everything! This was a feel good, romance, small town Halloween story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

PROMISES & PUMPKINS is a short and steamy, slow-burn, age-gap, close-proximity, girl gets her neighbor Halloween romance. Harper is a dance teacher who has recently moved to town for a fresh start. Miles is her older, hunky, widowed neighbor, who is a police officer and single dad to the adorable Maddie. The two are pretty quickly attracted to each other, but both have baggage and need to move slow. I loved these characters. The chemistry was insane and the ending was so happy. Maddie stole the show for me though. She was so smart and sassy with her scheming. I loved it.

[Hazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love stories that feel like curling up with a mug of something full of tenderness, family, and fall feelings — Promises & Pumpkins will absolutely melt you. It’s emotional romantic and heartwarming in all the best ways.

I love the fall small town vibes mixed with found family and a good hea

Well written quick read

[Krissy Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a good and fun filled. Its spicy and Halloween vibed. The instant connection between the characters makes it easy to fall in love and automatic page turner. The dirty talk between the FMC and MMC is so fire. I am in love with this book and can't wait to read the others.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked how Harper can't help falling in love with Miles and his adorable daughter Maddie. Her love is returned by Miles and Maddie.

[brenda hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed read this book I couldn’t put it down turning the pages. I thought the story was interesting and was well written that kept you reading. I can’t wait to read from Meg Becker. I recommend.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[A Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Promises & Pumpkins is a great Halloween romance. The story was interesting, steamy and entertaining. The characters were great, charming, and likable. I really enjoyed this book.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Omnia Atef · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harper and Miles cute Halloween love story. Single dad cop and the girl next door trouble maker. Good break finished in an hour loved

[Cheyenne Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such an interesting take on a Halloween type romance book. It's different but in a great way.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really cute fall standalone romance set in the small town of Hazy Cove between Miles (police captain & single father) & Harper (ballet coach next door). I loved Miles' six year old daughter is Maddie and thought she was really sweet. It was also fun to get at glimpse of how Harper's sister Bridget & Wade are doing from Seduction & Snowflakes. I look forward to reading more about Hazy Cove in the future.

Steam Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

🎃 I received a free advanced reader copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. 🍁