Pumpkin Crush: An MM Romance

by Greyson Vale

Miles Carter came home to help his sister sling lattes at her chaotic pop-up café, not to engage in caffeinated warfare with the smug, unfairly hot owner of the bougie coffeehouse across the street.

But Derek Walsh—with his perfect hair, perfect latte art, and perfect everything—keeps showing up. Smirking. Flirting. Drawing literal dicks in Miles's foam. It's infuriating. It's
distracting. And Miles is absolutely not thinking about what else those talented hands could do.

When their dads become drinking buddies and a corporate coffee chain tries to crush them both, Miles and Derek find themselves in the same forced proximity, a high-stakes Halloween festival competition, and way too much sexual tension for two people who are supposed to hate each other.

sabotaged espresso machines, strategic uses of whipped cream, and one kiss that breaks the internet (and Miles's last shred of denial).

Turns out the only thing better than winning? Winning together. Preferably while making out.

Genres: M M Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Romance

267 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 28, 2025

About the author

Greyson Vale is an exciting new voice in gay romance fiction. With a talent for crafting swoon-worthy love stories filled with crackling chemistry, Greyson's novels explore the complexities of modern gay relationships and the search for lasting connection.

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kinky Holiday Romance

This story has a great enemies to lovers set up: rival baristas running small pop-up cafés in a small-town festival competition. Derek makes excellent lattés, measuring ingredients with precision, and topping them with intricate art in the foam. Miles embraces a more chaotic approach, measuring by approximation and instinct, and topping them with imperfect-but-charming art. Of course there’s a corporate goon trying to ruin it all for both of them. In overcoming adversity together, Miles and Derek manage to find their happy ending. This is the plot in the promo material, and it sounds like – and would be – a pleasant holiday fluff story.

So, why the 2-star rating? There’s a disjointed sub-plot involving the two main characters’ fathers, along with several extended, multi-page, kinky encounters that read like hardcore porn. Now, kink can be part of a plot that hangs together, and get a better rating. See my review of Vale’s Stolen Harmony, which also featured similar kink encounters, and earned a 4-star review. The difference for me is that in this book the scenes were prurient, repetitive, boring, and had little to do with the rest of the plot. Your mileage may vary.

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

[Kitchen Sink Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coffee. Have you ever considered it a point of contention? It shouldn't be, though coffee aficionados would disagree which is how we find Miles and Derek clashing, constantly. But there is more to their clashing than arguments over coffee, there is attraction. Instant, powerful attraction which neither of them know what to do with. It leads to them (mostly) bickering. But their fathers are old friends, Miles' sister wants the upcoming festival to showcase her pumpkin spice lattes and even win top place, Derek wants to save the business he loves and there are threats from an out of town coffee chain. How are they supposed to contend with all of this and sort out their feelings for one another?

Slowly.

And with a surprising, interesting and spicy twist that has nothing to so with the pumpkin spice, well maybe a little...

This is a brilliantly crafted love story. It is very funny, it hits you right in the heart too with its tender, honest moments where the truth might be tough to share but it makes all the difference. This is a story to indulge in, just as the coffee it describes should also be indulged in. There is light, there is plenty of small-town fun in a bigger town setting, there are hilarious quips, snarks, comebacks and a brilliant pumpkin carving competition. There is the perfect man who seems to have his life sorted out and the one who is a mess. This book has everything, in spades and also in the moderation it deserves to make it an outstanding read. Go on... Indulge.

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

[Rhiannon Cheyenne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pumpkin Crush - Greyson Vale

I really enjoyed the rivalry with the cafés between Miles and Derek. I always find that trope to be very entertaining. I really enjoyed this office. Ryder and I especially love the banter that is in their books. Besides the main characters, Miles and Derek, there are also scenes evolving Richard, who is the father of Miles and Edward, the father of Derek. I also enjoyed the competition between Miles and Derek versus the corporate coffee shop. This book cares perfectly with the pumpkin spice latte and is the perfect fall spicy read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Out of 5 Stars ⭐️

🔥 / Spice Rating ☀️

# of Pages 🌙 Roughly 200 pages

Release Date 🌟 10/28/25

Format 💫 Gifted Digital Copy

Series 🌙 Unknown/Not Applicable

Genre/Tropes ✨ MM, contemporary romance, rivals to lovers, age gap scenes

Favorite Character ☀️ Lila

Favorite Line 🌟 “And smile. You look like you're attending a funeral.”

“How is this legal? There should be a cap on pumpkin spice consumption.”

“You always this aggressive with inanimate objects?”

“Don't sound so shocked. I'm occasionally capable of intelligent thought”

[angie_bookrecs · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the perfect kind of chaos - sarcastic, steamy, and stupidly soft when you least expect it. Miles? That snarky bastard owns my soul. Derek? Cocky, charming, and absolutely infuriating in the kind of way that makes you want to climb him just to shut him up.

And then the plot twists with the dads? I did not see that coming...at all. Greyson Vale really said, “Let’s mix forbidden tension with emotional depth and then light it on fire.”

The way this book plays with rivalry, desire, and vulnerability had me feral one moment and tender the next.

I enjoyed the vulnerability beneath the sarcasm, the comfort found in connection, the way every kiss felt like a surrender.

The rivalry was hilarious. I was laughing and kicking my feet like an idiot.

What I did not enjoy, was the drawn-out sex scenes. It’s repetitive enough to take you out of the moment...that was the case for me at least. It was hot and filthy, but I ended up skimming through most of it.

Also, weird that nobody mentioned to each other that they slept with each other's dads/sons. But maybe that's just a me thing?

[Max C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pumpkin Crush by Greyson Vale is a quick and steamy Halloween romance. It includes rivalry, s*xual tension, sabotage, dealing with fear,reconnected love, some filthy bedroom talk, and water sports as an added bonus.

Miles and Derek the pumpkin boys are rival coffee shop owners/operators. Everything is a competition between these hunky guys but the more time they spend together the deeper their attraction and lust grows. Love and reconnected love is a beautiful thing and this story is filled with it. I recommend you try this book it was hot and passionate and you will reread several of the scenes ;)

I received this book as an advanced readers Copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Gavin Stephenson-Jackman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miles and Derek are like two sides of a coin. Miles is chaotic while Derek is all about control. Each of them presents as despising the other while still drawn esthetically together. As a pair they compliment each other. A Halloween Festival sees them and their coffee houses competing and the town has already picked up on their rivalry. A corporate competitor forces these two independent rivals together. Their fathers help push them together as well, which results in some very hot private interactions between all four of them. The story still comes through as central and not overpowered by the intimate moments.

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

[Deb Kel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun, light-hearted read with just the right mix of rivalry, humour, and heat. Miles and Derek have brilliant chemistry even though total opposites. They can’t seem to stay away from each other, no matter how much they pretend to hate one another. The coffee shop rivalry, Halloween festival, and small-town meddling all made for a really entertaining setup.

I loved how their banter slowly turned into something more real without losing that spark of competition between them. It’s playful, a bit chaotic, and definitely steamy in places, but the romance still shines through. A great enemies-to-lovers story that’s full of charm and caffeine-fuelled tension.

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

[Cara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pumpkin Crush is an enemies-to-lovers novel set in a small town. The owners of two coffee shops are business rivals, but after constantly giving each other dirty looks, they end up seeing each other in a different light.

I have to say that the first half of the novel isn't for me; it's a case of me being the problem. It's not something I like, but the second half was good. Especially because of the criticism of large corporations. Or maybe it's just me seeing things that aren't there.

I don't want to be in the same room when both families get together to eat at a family celebration. No, I don't want to.

[Kolombina · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF.

It started so well, and I was really looking forward to Miles and Derek getting know each other.

But then the author decided to throw in a curveball I absolutely hadn't seen coming, and completely grossed me out.

I mean I really didn't expect Miles to have a hookup with Derek's father, FFS.. What the hell?? That scene came so completely out of the blue and made zero sense. I had to check several times that I hadn't skipped any pages or mistook one name for the other.. But unfortunately, no. Call me a prude if you want but that was the end for me.

No. Just, no.

[JJ · Rating 1 out of 5]

WTF was this?!

The blurb showed no warning of what was to come: basically each MC slept with the other MC’s dad in some sort of taboo breeding fetish hookup then later got together (they had even similar vibe sex). Oh and then the dads sort of got together too (again the repetitive sex, at this point they should just group up and enjoy a foursome ‘cause why not).

This book was just kinky porn without plot despite attempts to add some feels in the story. I don’t mind reading that if it’s advertised as such so you know what you’re getting into and not pretending to be more than that.

I guess it was too kinky for me but if you’re into this, fair enough.

[L H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, so this was about men who start off in rival shops. Coffee shops that is. Miles is helping his sister in her coffee shop and just across the street there is Derek who owns a rival business. There was no love between these two and it escalates when they have to work near one another at a town festival. When another coffee shop tries to sabotage them both they have to work together and then we see the benefits in working together. Which leads to a different spark between these two.

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

[Marly · Rating 1 out of 5]

wanted an easy Halloween-themed read and I was enjoying this book up until chapter 4. I had to go back and look if I was mixing up the characters names and I wasn't reading what I think I was reading because what in the actual f*ck was that? absolutely-fcking-not. I lost all interest immediately. this ain't what i'm looking for in an enemies-to-lovers plot between two MCs. why did doing this even cross the author's mind? whatever the reasons it happened, I didn't care to find out. onto the next book.

[Ebon Embrace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pumpkin Crush was such a cozy and spicy read. Miles and Derek might be rival coffee shop owners, but under all that teasing and “hate,” there’s something much deeper brewing. ☕🍂
Miles is pure chaos and spontaneity; Derek is perfection and control, and together, they make sparks fly. The story wraps you in the warm, small-town autumn glow where every cozy fall activity feels alive and sweet.
And when the doors close? Let’s just say Greyson knows how to turn up the heat. 🔥
I loved how detailed, alive, and heartfelt it all felt. It’s one of those stories that makes you grin, sigh, and swoon all at once.

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[Jessica Swan]

Thank you to the author for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

DNF @28%

This is not my thing unfortunately. I tried but I didn’t like what has happened so far and honestly dreaded continuing. If you want to read a good Greyson Vale novel, I really recommend Stolen Harmony by this same author. It was so emotional and romantic. I don’t necessarily think this book was bad but it just was not for me. I do think if you want a fall-coded read, you should still give this a shot.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay so the very conventional premise evolved - or devolved - quickly into the unconventional. Very Greyson Vale if you are familiar with his oeuvre.

Just get on this autumny coffee and pumpkin and glitter filled adventure.

Word of advice. Pack your stamina. You will need it for entire chapters full of flesh, fingers and fluids.

[Johanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good, fun, short read. The characters were well written and likeable. Plot was well thought out and held my interest. World building was spot on. All in all a very good read and I enjoyed it. Recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

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

[Lisa C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story of Miles and Derek, rivals at a Halloween Festival competition. Loved the dynamic between these two and couldn't get enough of them. Sexy times are prevalent but its the story that draws you in and won't let you go.

[Dasco · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is for readers who like alternatives to spooky books. Here is the steamy, hot and very autumn(y) Halloween 🎃 alternative to ghosts and creepiness.

Very 🔥 and 💦! Loved it. 🥰
As always Greyson pays (very detailed 🥵) attention when writing the 🌶️.

❤️❤️❤️

[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 Greyson Vale. I recommend.

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

[A reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lighthearted rivals-to-lovers about 2 coffee shop owners. A cute, refreshing yet kinky read. If you've read this author's work before, then you know the 🌶️ is up there 😏 There's also a message about small businesses v. corporations that doesn't come off preachy, love it 🗣️

[Stephanie W · Rating 4 out of 5]

My break from ordinary October reads. Still possessed all the spice, kink, intrigue among characters and fantastic chemistry. Miles and Derek couldn't be more different, yet melded together perfectly.

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

[Bear_reads_romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fun and very spicy read. I loved it and wasn't expecting what happened to happen and it made me love it even more!

[Amanda Grange · Rating 5 out of 5]

The competition and Miles' perpetual bad mood had me cackling! He's so ridiculous and Derek just eats it up. He just LIVES for it. 🤣🤣🤣 This book is so fun.