Candy Apple Kisses: A cozy, low-spice fall romance

by Amy Clipston

This autumn, love is in the air.

Artist Emily Carmichael has always considered Splendid Lake her home, but she never imagined she would ever return. However, when she learns her childhood best friend, Jake Hughes, is struggling to save the beloved Hughes Family Orchard, she doesn't hesitate to pack her bags and head back to the North Carolina mountains--even if it means battling a corporate giant and resisting the temptation of too many candy apples.

For Jake, the orchard is more than just a business; it's a living legacy, a bond with his father and a promise to his family. As Jake and Emily work side-by-side to prepare for the orchard's centennial anniversary, long-held feelings, once hidden beneath years of friendship, begin to surface. For Jake, Emily's return illuminates what's been missing in his life, and for Emily, being with Jake stirs long-dormant emotions she's too scared to name. The air is crisp, the apples are sweet, and the sparks? They're flying higher than a bonfire.

But with Jake's ex-girlfriend's dramatic reappearance and the mounting pressure to keep the orchard from failing, their budding romance is put to the test. Can these two best friends turn a season of chaos into a lifetime of love, or will their romance fall flat before the first frost?

Genres: Romance, Autumn, Christian Fiction, Audiobook, Fiction, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary

318 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2026

About the author

Hi! I'm a bestselling author of heartwarming romance and happily ever after.

Contemporary Romance (Non-Amish)
The Heart of Splendid Lake (2021)
The View from Coral Cove (2022)
On the Way to Christmas (Anthology) (2022)
Something Old, Something New (2023)
Starstruck (2023)
Finding You (2024)
With This Ring (2025)
Second Chance at Sunshine Inn (7/2025)
The Lighthouse at the Cove (12/2025)

Stand Alone Amish Fiction
Caring for the Amish Family (4/2025)

Guideposts Amish Suspense
A Heart Set Free (9/2025)


An Amish Legacy
1. Foundation of Love (2022)
2. Building a Future (2022)
3. Breaking New Ground (2023)
4. The Hearts of Shelter (2023)

An Amish Marketplace
1. The Bake Shop (2019)
2. The Farm Stand (2020)
3. The Coffee Corner (2020)
4. The Jam and Jelly Nook (2021)

An Amish Homestead
1. A Place at our Table (2017)
2. Room on the Porch Swing (2018)
3. Seat by the Hearth (2018)
4. A Welcome at Our Door (2019)

An Amish Heirloom
1. The Forgotten Recipe (2015)
2. The Courtship Basket (2016)
3. The Cherished Quilt (2017)
4. The Beloved Hope Chest (2017)

Hearts of Lancaster Grand Hotel
1. A Hopeful Heart (2013)
2. A Mother’s Secret (2014)
3. A Dream of Home (2015)
4. A Simple Prayer (2015)

Kauffman Amish Bakery
1. A Gift of Grace (2009)
2. A Promise of Hope (2010)
3. A Place of Peace (2011)
4. A Life of Joy (2012)
5. A Season of Love (2012)

Amish Anthologies
• An Amish Kitchen (2012) – Spoonful of Love (Stand-alone story)
• An Amish Cradle (2015) – A Son for Always (This story complements A Mother’s Secret)
• An Amish Market (2016) – Love Birds (This story complements The Forgotten Recipe)
• An Amish Harvest (2016) – Love & Buggy Rides (This complements The Courtship Basket)
• An Amish Home (2017) – Home Sweet Home (Stand-alone story)
• An Amish Summer (2017) – Summer Storms (Stand-alone story)
• Amish Sweethearts (2018) –Complements The Kauffman Amish Bakery Series and also has a sequel to my story in An Amish Summer
• An Amish Heirloom (2018) – Complements A Place at our Table
• An Amish Homecoming (2018) – Complements A Place at our Table
• Seasons of an Amish Garden (2019) – Complements The Christmas Cat, novella included in An Amish Christmas Love
• An Amish Reunion (2019) – Complements Room on the Porch Swing
• An Amish Christmas Bakery (2019) – Cookies and Cheer (Stand-alone story)
• An Amish Singing (2021) (Collection of four stories by Amy Clipston)
• An Amish Christmas Wedding (2020) –Evergreen Love (Stand-alone story)
• An Amish Barn Raising (2021)
• An Amish Schoolroom (2021)
• An Amish Quilting Bee (2021)

Young Adult
1. Roadside Assistance (2011)
2. Reckless Heart (2012) (Kauffman Amish Bakery young adult book)
3. Destination Unknown (2014)
4. Miles from Nowhere (2015)

Non-Fiction
A Gift of Love (2014)

Seasonal
• A Plain and Simple Christmas (2010) Naomi’s Gift (2011)
• Kauffman Amish Christmas Collection (2012)
• An Amish Christmas Gift (2015) includes Naomi’s Gift
• An Amish Christmas Love (2017) –The Christmas Cat
• An Amish Christmas Bakery (2019)
• An Amish Christmas Wedding (2020)
• On the Way to Christmas (2022)

Reviews

[cat]

I wanted this to be a perfect cozy fall romance.
Seriously… childhood best friends to lovers? A family orchard? Small-town North Carolina in the fall? I was so ready to eat this up.
Instead, I kept feeling like I was reading the same chapter in different fonts. Every time I thought the story was finally about to move forward, we’d end up circling the exact same issues again. It just felt so repetitive that I started getting frustrated because I genuinely felt like nothing was happening.

What surprised me the most was that I never believed Jake and Emily as lifelong best friends. Forget the romance 😭 I wasn’t even convinced by the friendship. They’re almost in their thirties, but they barely seemed to know each other on a deeper level, and it felt like they never actually talked about anything important. I wanted years of history, inside jokes, effortless comfort… something that made me believe these two had been inseparable since childhood. I just... never felt it 😭

Jake also drove me absolutely insane. 😭 He constantly seemed afraid to have the difficult conversations, and it only made everything messier. I was begging him to stop tiptoeing around everyone’s feelings and just say what needed to be said.

I also wasn’t a fan of the other woman drama involving Jake’s ex, Claire. (i never really like OW drama and this is a good reminder why LOL) Part of my frustration was that Jake never seemed willing to shut things down in a clear, direct way. Watching him keep sidestepping those conversations while Claire kept pushing just made the whole situation feel more frustrating than emotional. And honestly… Claire’s obsession with Jake just never felt believable to me. If she genuinely loved him that much, why not just move back home? The more the story leaned into her trying to win him back, the less invested I became. By the end the things she was doing felt so over-the-top that I was actually laughing instead of feeling any tension. 🤣 i felt like i was reading a children's story

The biggest takeaway for me was Emily rediscovering her passions. I genuinely loved watching her reconnect with that part of herself, and the smalltown setting was decently cute. The fall atmosphere was cozy, and there were definitely moments that reminded me why I picked this book up in the first place.

I hate that this one didn’t work for me because I’ve been gravitating toward more clean romances lately, and I’ve heard so many amazing things about this author. Sadly, the writing style just wasn’t the right fit for me. I needed stronger chemistry, a friendship that actually felt lived in, characters who communicated like adults, and a plot that didn’t feel like it was running in circles.

things to know about the book ↓

🍎 childhood best friends to lovers
🍎 second chance
🍎 clean romance
🍎 smalltown
🍎 written in 3rd person
🍎 OW drama
🍎 3rd act breakup
🍎 cozy fall vibes

swearing: no
spice rating: mild kisses

Thank you NetGalley, publisher & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

─────────
・❥・⁀➷ 🍎🍂 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕

buddy reading with my cutie sis eve 🤭😝
this cover is gorgeous and the trope!? childhood friends to lovers has my heart forever 🥹🥹

[Alya]

✨️ ARC REVIEW ✨️
Candy Apple Kisses by Amy Clipston
NOW AVALIABLE

Thoughts
In my Goodreads 2026 goals I had mentioned ARCs ect till June, however I do like to browse through NG more than normal 😂 I came across this cosy winter / autumn read and couldn't resist, it was such a cute second chance /childhood best friends romance, I felt like I was immersed into their small town, I love losing myself in books like this for a few hours. Even though this read had no spice, it doesn't take away from the heartwarming romance. Although I read across all genres I have come to realise that I don't know many books without spice so this felt like a hidden gem in that sense especially when you're not intentionally searching for no spice recs; also I've been wanting to read from this author and it was a cute first reading experience.

Plot Summary
Emily returns to her hometown of Splendid Lake to help Jake save his family’s struggling orchard, hoping the trip will also reignite her passion for painting. As they work together, old feelings begin to resurface, but Jake’s ex-girlfriend and the uncertain future of the orchard threaten to keep them apart.

Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the ALC

My Bookstagram

[Jonetta]

the setup…
Emily Carmichael and Jake Hughes have been best friends since they were five years old when she and her parents moved to Splendid Lake, North Carolina. But when her parents died four years ago, she moved to Charlotte to grieve alone as she couldn’t hide her feelings for Jake anymore and he was committed to his girlfriend. But he’s asked her to return to help save Hughes Family Orchard from a new commercial threat and plan their centennial celebration. Can she do this without ruining their friendship by exposing her true feelings?

the heart of the story…
One of the reasons I love friends-to-lovers romances is the couples always seem to have such strong bonds stemming from that relationship. That’s the case here as Emily and Jake’s friendship is deeply rooted and real. When she learns he’s split from girlfriend Claire, both are still skittish to own up to their romantic for each other because the friendship is so precious. I liked that but they did quite a long dance.

the narration…
Brittany Goodwin is new to me and I liked her storytelling style and voice distinctions. Her pacing was perfect and she delivery a strong performance.

the bottom line…
This was a sweet romance where I cared about the romance, the family business and the planning to save the orchard. I wasn’t crazy about the last minute communication crisis but did like the resolution. I very much enjoyed my stay in Splendid Lake.

Posted on Blue Mood Café

(Thanks to Libro.fm and Thomas Nelson for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)

[BookLoverAmanda]

Candy Apple Kisses by Amy Clipston
2 Stars

I have enjoyed several of Amy's clean romance reads. This one is a childhood friends-to-lovers romance that sounded cute for fall time. I really liked the orchard and fall vibes, those bits were cozy and had that small town feel. It's like a hallmark movie because there is a struggling family orchard preparing for the towns centennial celebration and they are all working on ways to bring it back to life so I was really interested.... BUT.....Y'ALL.... honestly, this one just didn't work for me.

The romance is between Jake and Emily. They are childhood friends but Jake has been with his girlfriend Claire a super long time, I think they said 14 years? Or he at least knew her for 14 years I think.

Claire is wanting Jake to leave town and go with her to Nashville and spend his life with her but he isn't feeling the relationship anymore, doesn't want to move to Nashville and breaks up with her, asking for time apart and to see other people.

It's been a month apart at least and Claire is not giving up. She continues to pursue Jake but Jake starts to realize he never really had that love for Claire, he's always deep down loved Emily.

I was so frustrated with the Claire storyline. So much of it was unrealistic. First of all, he's almost 30 and they still ain't married? Nah, that wouldn't happen. And then Emily loved Jake this whole time and she been waitin around...listen...I ain't waitin around y'all LOL

This gets the petty pen for the ending alone with the crazy stuff Claire was doing to try and not let Jake break up with her.

This miscommunication, non-communication and 3rd act breakup added to my frustrations.

I've liked some of Amy's books but this storyline just wasn't it for me. I would have liked less of the Claire stuff and more of the family, Orchard details, fall vibes and Jake and Emily together without Claire's intrusions.

Content/Trigger Warnings: No language, clean romance, mild grief from past parental loss, parental health emergency

Thank you to the publisher for a complimentary audiobook to listen to review. All thoughts are my own.

[Gloria]

This is an emotional story of two friends who have been best friends since they were five years old. When Jake asked Emily to come home to Splendid Lake to help him save his family's apple orchard, she did. She has loved him since she was a teenager but he has always had eyes for Claire. There is a lot going on in the story: old hurts, past grief, some underhanded dealings from a competitor, and a mean girl with a conivving plan and doubt. With an uphill battle, Jake and Emily work for what seems an impossible goal. Inspiring and feel good ending.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my thoughts.

[ryliekate_reads]

Review of the Advanced Audiobook Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley.

3.75 stars!
This was so cute, sweet, and heartwarming! Was it cheesy? Absolutely. But cheesy in the best way. With themes of friends-to-lovers, second chances, and healing, Candy Apple Kisses is such a great cozy season read!!!
While, yes, it was predictable and very much followed the classic three act story structure of a romance, it was still really enjoyable! And though at times they didn’t feel fleshed out, the main characters were quite likable.
Candy Apple Kisses is a clean read (no swearing or spice), however there is a lot of physical attraction really toed the line of being a bit lusty (clothes clinging after going swimming and being attracted physically). But nothing too explicit!!!
I definitely recommend reading if you enjoy clean, sweet, and cozy books!
Happy reading :)

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Publishing and NetGalley for providing an audio-ARC in exchange for a free, honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[Stacey Beane]

This was more like a 2.5⭐️ for me but I round up because I liked the cover of the book!

This was definitely a fall read but my goodness I’ve never wanted to slap someone as much as I wanted to slap the MMC & his “girlfriend” Claire! I would’ve taken her out like a linebacker making a tackle at the 5yard line! And he needed to grow a pair! I mean I thought the story was okay but I really disliked some characters!

[vlm]

Candy Apple Kisses is a delightful, heartwarming romance that perfectly captures the beauty and comfort of the fall season. Amy Clipston delivers a charming friends-to-lovers story filled with small-town warmth, family traditions, and the kind of romance that leaves you with a smile long after you've finished reading.

Emily's journey back to Splendid Lake is about more than helping save Jake's family orchard—it's about rediscovering herself. As she reconnects with her artistic passion and the place she once called home, she begins to realize that sometimes the life you were searching for has been waiting for you all along. Jake's dedication to preserving his family's orchard and honoring its legacy made him an incredibly endearing hero, and I loved watching his friendship with Emily blossom into something deeper.

The romance develops at a natural pace, built on years of trust, shared memories, and genuine affection. Their relationship feels authentic, and their unwavering support for one another makes it easy to cheer them on. The challenges they face, from threats to the orchard to unresolved feelings from the past, add just enough tension while allowing the heart of the story to remain hopeful and uplifting.

Amy Clipston brings the setting to life with vivid descriptions of apple orchards, harvest season, and cozy autumn traditions. Splendid Lake is the kind of town readers will want to visit again and again.

This is the perfect book for anyone who loves sweet, clean romance, small-town settings, friends-to-lovers stories, and all the cozy fall atmosphere that comes with apple picking and pumpkin spice season. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reading copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

[eve]

𝓃ℴ𝓌 𝓅𝓁𝒶𝓎𝒾𝓃ℊ 𑣲𝄞
» [me & us] « moira dela torre
0:48 ─〇───── 3:16
⇄ ◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹ ↻

𝕿'𝕞 𝕤𝗮𝙮𝗶𝕟𝗴 𝕥𝗵𝗮𝕥 𝓘 𝕣𝗲𝗴𝕣𝗲𝕥 𝕥𝗵𝗮𝕥 𝗶𝕥 𝕥𝕠𝕠𝗸 𝕞𝗲 𝕥𝙬𝗲𝕟𝕥𝙮-𝗳𝗶𝙫𝗲 𝙮𝗲𝗮𝕣𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝕦𝕣𝗲 𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕥𝗵𝗮𝕥 𝕥𝗵𝗲 𝕝𝕠𝙫𝗲 𝕠𝗳 𝕞𝙮 𝕝𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝕤 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝕟 𝗯𝙮 𝕞𝙮 𝕤𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝕥𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝕟𝕥𝗶𝕣𝗲 𝕥𝗶𝕞𝗲." 🍂🍁🍎


Hmmm…ok guys…it was so back and forth for me through this book. It definitely could have been worse but I wish it would have been WAY BETTER. The cover is SO adorable and I had really high expectations. Sadly, it didn’t reach those expectations but it was still a cute read.

There were so many little things throughout this book that reminded me of different people in my life. It was like a bunch of different people I know just jumped into the book and part of their person came to life in front of my eyes. For instance, the art on the napkins and the orchard picking. It made me smile ☺️

Jake’s ex needs to slither along out of his life. She’s holding him back and the ONLY reason she wants to get back together with him is because she can’t handle the fact that there is a chance of him being with Emily. 👀 what a pickle bum. 😒😒 she could move out to the middle of a deserted landfill, never to be seen again and I don’t think anyone would care….

The friendship between Jake and Emily was sweet. I think my favorite part of the whole book was when they went to their childhood fort. It made my heart warm.
I really appreciated how they pushed each other towards their dreams. They encouraged each other to go after what they wanted in life even though it would’ve be hard.

Let’s get to the fact that they’re childhood besties but….WOULDN’T JUST ADMIT HOW THEY FELT?! it would’ve just taken a couple of words😭😭 I genuinely wanted to scratch my eyes out. JUST SAY IT AND BE IN LOVE.

I did get kind of annoyed with Emily throughout the book. She would always get Jake to say what he was thinking but when it came to her talking about how she felt, she would always say she didn’t want to talk about it😭 like come on girl, tell him what you’re feeling and don’t push him out.
Then she would say “it doesn’t matter”
GIRL IT DOES MATTER. THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE IS TRYING TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOU🤓
bro she also just annoyed me through half of the book….why oh why was she so dramatic?! Like….im a dramatic person and she was to much for me🥲🥲


I felt bad for Jake. He’s trying so hard to save his family orchard. Poor guy doesn’t know what he’s doing and he can’t get it under his feet. While I do feel bad for his dad, cause he’s gone through so many health problems, I found myself getting mad at him a few times😭 Jake is trying to find ways to boost the orchard and his dad always shut down any type of idea. Seriously man…do you want your orchard to prosper or what?!? It was like his dad didn’t actually want the orchard to pick up business again. 🥲🥲

overall—> this wasn’t my favorite read, but it was still cute🤍


╰┈➤ 𝐅𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐐𝐔𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒

𝓑𝕦𝕥 𝗮𝕥 𝕥𝗵𝗮𝕥 𝕞𝕠𝕞𝗲𝕟𝕥, 𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝕠𝕦𝕟𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝕞𝕤𝗲𝕝𝗳 𝙬𝕠𝕟𝗱𝗲𝕣𝗶𝕟𝗴... 𝗶𝗳 𝗵𝗲 𝕝𝗶𝗳𝕥𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝕣 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝕟 𝗮𝕟𝗱 𝕥𝗮𝕤𝕥𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝕣 𝕡𝗶𝕟𝗸 𝕝𝗶𝕡𝕤, 𝙬𝕠𝕦𝕝𝗱 𝕤𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝕤𝕤 𝗵𝗶𝕞 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸?

"𝓔𝕞𝗶𝕝𝙮, 𝓘 𝙬𝗮𝕟𝕥 𝙮𝕠𝕦, 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝗵𝗲𝕣. 𝕸𝙮 𝗴𝕣𝗲𝗮𝕥𝗲𝕤𝕥 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝕣 𝗶𝕤 𝕝𝕠𝕤𝗶𝕟𝗴 𝙮𝕠𝕦.”


𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞—> kissing
𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠—> no



☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ♡ ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

𝙎𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙂𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙣 𝘼𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝘾𝙤𝙥𝙮:) 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙬𝙣!

[pages_that_burn]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC version of this.

Sometimes the sweetest love stories are the ones that have been quietly waiting all along.

Candy Apple Kisses is a cozy, heartwarming romance full of small-town charm and characters you can't help but root for.

Jake and Emily's ending was worth the wait, even if I felt the miscommunication lasted a little too long for two people who had been best friends for so long. Love triangles also aren't my favorite trope, but this one never took away from the warmth and heart of the story. And Claire...let's just say karma doesn't forget.

4🌟
🫑

Cozy Small Town / Friends to Lovers / Love Triangle

[Shelly | VixenReads]

Oy vey! This was a tough one.

While this is a clean romance (which I’m fine with, that’s not the problem at all), and I was here for the fall vibes, that’s literally all I got out of this b

I could not stand either character and I didn’t believe their “romance” much less that they were supposed to be lifelong friends. This was absolutely zero connection or chemistry. There was no depth to them or to their relationship. The MMC genuinely had no backbone. He hardly stood up for himself and after the millionth time, I was over it.
It was nice to see the FMC to realize her dreams for herself

And DO NOT get me started on his ex and the truly outlandish behavior. It made zero sense because there was nothing that really made us possibly understand why she’d act that way.

His parent were honestly just as bad because they were constantly contradicting themselves.

I don’t know. The vibes were there for the fall feels but that’s it. It’s highly disappointing because I truly wanted to love this.

I listened to the audio (single female narrator) and did not enjoy it. The story is told from both the perspective of the MMC & the FMC in third person and it didn’t work for me to only have a female narrator voice. Plus she almost sounded robotic as she spoke.

[Daulton]

Really enjoyed the scratch and sniff sticker to get me in the mood for reading the book. Really wished the main character would’ve had much more of a backbone to stand up to his ex-girlfriend and have her institutionalized, stand up to his mom’s pressure to marry and have kids and just do what he wants, and stand up to his dad’s verbal abuse rather than continuously seek his approval and let him steam roll him.

[Carla]

Artist Emily Carmichael has always considered Splendid Lake her home, but after the death of her parents, she sold their house and heads to Savannah to see if she could make it as an artist. She taught art at the community college for awhile, but now works as a barista. She never imagined returning home, but when she gets an email from her childhood best friend, Jake Hughes, that he needs her help with the Hughes Family Orchard, she packs her bag and heads back to North Carolina. It seems a large company wants to buy them out, and if they don't agree, they will try to drive them out of business. This is Jake's legacy and he doesn't want to give up without a fight, but his dad is not agreeable to make any changes. Jake's parents were like Emily's second family, and they have a wonderful relationship, so she is able to cajole his dad into letting them try new things. As Jake and Emily work side-by-side to prepare for the orchard's centennial anniversary, long-held feelings, once hidden beneath years of friendship, begin to surface. Jake is struggling with his present relationship, and when his girlfriend shows up for a few weeks, she is working in Nashville, she tries to keep their relationship alive, even though Jake is breaking it off. Emily is ready to finally have a relationship with Jake, but with Claire showing up, she isn't sure what Jake really wants to have between the two of them. Lack of communication and assumptions might just end their relationship before it even gets started.

I really enjoyed this sweet story of family, friendship, community, and second chances. Emily is sweet, but has low self-esteem. Jake really builds her up and she begins to think that maybe she can be a successful artist, but then she lets the doubts slip in. Jake is amazing. He wants to save the orchard and the family's legacy, but his dad is stubborn. I was happy when his mother spoke up to support him. Emily had such great ideas to put into place and even when things didn't work out, she was ready to try something new. She often had to pick Jake up and convince him to keep going. Claire was the only unlikable character in this book. She was a piece of work. She had her own plans for her and Jake's life and was not about to take no for an answer. She was like a little weasel, burrowing into Jake's family life and making digs at Emily. I was so glad when she finally understood that he was serious. This book is a romance, friendship and community. There is also an element of grief that Emily has to deal with. I loved how the title fits into the story. It's no secret that I enjoy Amy Clipston's books and this was another winner for me. Brittany Goodwin narrated this audiobook and I enjoyed her performance. With the book being told from both Jake's and Emily's POVs, she does a wonderful job with the voices, tone and expression. I really enjoyed listening to this one.

[Steph]

Candy Apple Kisses was such a sweet and cozy fall read 🥹 I loved the autumn atmosphere throughout this book. The apple orchard, small-town setting, and all the little fall touches made it such a perfect September read. There’s just something so comforting about a story that feels this cozy and welcoming. I really enjoyed the characters and the way the story touched on friendship, family, love, faith, and finding your way back to the things that matter most. It was such a wholesome and heartwarming story, and I loved how easy it was to get lost in the world of these characters. Overall, this was exactly the kind of sweet, feel-good fall read I was hoping for 🍎🍂🤎🌻

[Laura Smith]

CANDY APPLE KISSES BY AMY CLIPSTON
4 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
This book is a cozy low spice fall romance and I just LOVED it
My first book by this author and won't be my last ☺

[Jen 🖤]

Such a cute little fall romance! 🥹🤎 I was here for ALL the cozy fall vibes! 🍁✨

✨ Friends to lovers
🏡 Small-town romance
🍎 All the autumn feels

Such a sweet, cozy read that had me ready for crisp air, candy apples, and all things fall! 🍂📖🤎

⭐️ 4.5 stars! ⭐️

[Anne Wolters]

Emily Carmichael and Jake Hughes have been best friends since they were five years old. During their teen years, Emily developed a deep crush on Jake, but by then he was dating someone else, so she kept her feelings to herself. After the tragic loss of her parents, Emily sold the family home and left Splendid Lake behind, convinced she would never return.
Years later, at twenty-nine, Jake is fighting to save his family’s apple orchard. With the orchard’s 100th anniversary approaching, he reaches out to Emily, hoping her artistic talent and creative vision can help him plan a memorable centennial celebration. As they work side by side, old feelings begin to resurface for Emily — and Jake starts to realize that the sparks between them might be more than friendship. But complications arise when Jake’s ex-girlfriend continues inserting herself into his life and his parents’, stirring up tension and doubt.
Amy Clipston has a gift for crafting heartwarming stories filled with lovable, relatable characters, and this novel is no exception. Once I settled into this delightful tale, I couldn’t put it down. The blend of friendship, second chances, and emotional depth kept me turning pages straight through to the end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

[Rebecca]

Candy Apple Kisses is a sweet, charming, feel-good story with all the fall vibes. Ironically, I read it on one of the hottest days of the year so far, but the whole way through I craved the cool fall breeze, the changing colors of the leaves, warm apple cider and the crisp smell in the air.

This is a story of love, family, found family, partnership and community. With such realistic and flawed characters, it is so easy to connect with and find yourself rooting for them. Of course, no story would be complete without a little drama to shake things up!

This cozy, clean, small town, second chance romance was like a warm hug!

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction for the gifted copy of this audiobook. A job well done by the production team. Narrator Brittany Goodwin was positively delightful. It was so easy to get lost in her voice and the story.

[Sarah Bryant]

4.5 ⭐️ i would like to thank the author for this ARC and in return for my honest review.

I loved this book!! It was such a sweet cozy small town friends to lovers romance!!! It was an easy read and the premise of the story was right in tune with a small town! And the emotional roller coaster was perfect! Definitely recommend!

[shereadswith_coffee]

If you’re anything like me, it’s never too early for a “Fall” read! Thanks to @Thomasnelson for this eARC and ALC in exchange for my review. Congrats to author Amy clipton for this amazing fall read.
Candy Apple Kisses is a cozy, feel-good small town romance filled with nostalgia! It has it all, from the hometown ice cream shop, Scoops, to a family apple orchard and the discovery of what might become of lifelong friends Emily and Jake.

I loved the premise of Emily returning “home” to Splendid Lake to help Jake save his family’s struggling apple orchard from a competitors recent threat. As Emily’s ideas start to take form, jake is not only surprised at her creativity and artistic talent, but he’s seeing a different side of the little girl he once knew. Now almost 30 years old, they realize there might be more than just the banter that has existed for so long.
Standing in their way, is Jake’s ex-girlfriend, Claire, who still is insisting that she loves him no matter what, and she will do anything to prove it.

Best friends to lovers
Childhood friends
Slow burn
Small Town
Fall Harvest
Found family

I loved this heartwarming read with its sweet small town romance, family ties and “Fall” feels including Jake’s apple cider,and even his cat, Dusty!
If you appreciate a charming closed door romance, this one should be on top of your list for Fall!

[A Novel Approach]

⭐️ 2.75/5. Did this book have fall Hallmark rom-com vibes that I enjoyed? Yes. Did I get super annoyed with all of the characters and rant to my best friend as I was reading because of the sheer audacity of some of these people? Also yes.

This story is the classic “we need to save the small family company from being run out of business by the big company that’s swooping in” plotline of many a Hallmark-y story—and I’m here for it. Apple orchard, childhood friends to lovers, cute small town, all things I love.

HOWEVER, there were so many things that made me mad along the way—and I don’t get mad easily 😂

1. The two main characters, Emily and Jake, are hardcore flirting while we as the readers still think Jake is together with his on-again-off-again high school girlfriend, Claire, of 15 years. That really gave me the ick. I know that I wouldn’t have been okay if my husband had a female best friend he hung out with lol the time, especially if they were flirting?!? It just made it hard to root for our friends to lovers storyline.

2. Jake’s parents were kind of the worst. His mom is somehow rooting for both girls to win Jake’s heart—like, make up your mind Diane!! And Jake’s dad complains about everything Jake does to try and save the family orchard, while also doing literally nothing himself?!

3. Jake wants to end things with Claire, but isn’t firm enough about it and lets her keep jerking him around. By the end she’s a total psycho and Jake goes along with it for way too long. Also, they’ve dated for 15 years and I feel like the relationship glimpses we saw didn’t reflect that. Also, I feel like if you’re still choosing your career or your friends over your SO after 15 years together, it’s a sign you need to move on.

4. I’m all for a good cry, but Emily cries way too soon before she does any investigating to see if the reason she’s crying actually exists. I wanted her to get mad and get answers!

Yes there’s a satisfying ending, and yes it did have good fall vibes, but I just COULD NOT with the characters I’m sorry 🙈

[Hannah]

DNF at 56%.

Ok the dynamic between Jake and Emily is something I really struggle with. They’re best friends growing up. She likes him more than that, and he does too. He has a longtime girlfriend (14 YEARS) on and off who is deeply uncomfortable with his close friendship with Emily (rightly so). The girlfriend finds some keepsakes that Jake has kept from Emily, and Jake is angry at the girlfriend insisting that she needs to mind her own business and stop looking through his things. RED FLAG. And somehow I’m supposed to dislike Claire and think she is wrong here? We see more signs throughout the book how Claire is just clingy and grumpy and maybe she is - but Jake is the ultimate doozie for me as of this point.

DNFing because I think I would rage otherwise. 🙈

[hannah | han.nahsbooks]

read this in like a setting lol it was easy to read. i liked the fall vibes and the small town. the orchard was fun too. the characters were good and i enjoyed the romance. i just didn’t like claire and how long it took to get the new romance going. it was good once it did though. it ended off good and i’d recommend for fall reading!

[Holli Roberson]

This book was super sweet and the perfect cozy fall romance. I loved the friends to lovers storyline and the quiet, small-town North Carolina setting. It was one of those easy, feel-good reads that just made me smile. If you're looking for a sweet romance filled with all the fall vibes, definitely add this one to your fall TBR!

[Katja Labonté]

3 stars. Okay, I love the cover. And I've heard so much good about Amy Clipston's books. And I don't like autumn, so I'm looking for cozy fall aesthetic books to coax me over. All very good reasons to give this book a shot.

I didn't dislike it, exactly. I enjoyed several elements. The competition with the corporation. The aesthetic barn remodel. Emily's artistry. The nostalgia and small town vibes. What I wasn't a fan of was the romance—the misunderstanding trope is a particular pet peeve of mine, and I was personally annoyed by how long it took Emily & Jack to communicate. Also, I was really bothered by Jack's parents, who were both either unkind or refused to listen.

That said, this book wasn't my cup of tea, but might be right up someone else's alley. I'll definitely try more by this author.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*

[Natalie]

I have really been enjoying Amy Clipston’s contemporary romances set in the charming town of Splendid Lake.

This story had a wonderful autumn setting as well, which would make it the perfect fall read. As with all of her books set in Splendid Lake, the setting and small town vibes really came to life. I enjoyed all the fall vibes as well, like crisp breezes, candy apples, and cider. It made me long for fall even though it’s not even spring yet!

I really liked Emily and Jake as characters. Jake’s devotion to his family’s apple orchard (that has been in his family for a century!) was really sweet to see and I liked seeing Emily become more confident with her art as well. This is a friends-to-more romance which isn’t typically my favorite but it worked well here. They had a good friendship and were always there for each other. Emily liked Jake for a long time but never acted on her feelings since he had a girlfriend so I appreciated that.

I will say that I found the ending to be a bit convenient but overall this was another sweet romance story by one of my favorite authors!



I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Amber (amberreadsitall)]

Emily Carmichael returns to Splendid Lake, North Carolina to help her childhood best friend, Jake Hughes, save his family's struggling apple orchard. As they prepare for the centennial celebration, their longstanding friendship deepens into something more, but it is complicated by a rival corporate apple farm and Jake's persistent ex-girlfriend.

I enjoyed the cozy, fall vibes of this story. I also loved the apple orchard and the small town setting. Emily’s character was well developed, and I wanted to tell her the she deserved better all throughout this book. Jake was way too old to be letting people manipulate and push him around the way he did, so I was frustrated with his character a lot throughout the story. I did appreciate that this story was low spice (kisses only).

The narration of this story was performed by Brittany Goodwin. She did a good job performing the different voices for this audiobook.

Read this story if you enjoy:
🩷cozy romance
🩷friends to lovers
🩷small town setting
🩷Autumn vibes
🩷low spice romance
🩷save the family business

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

[Rachel]

Candy Apple Kisses by Amy Clipston is A Sweet Romance Novel is a great second chance romance.

This book is a nice example of a good second-chance romance. Both Emily and Jake had a redo to find one another again after their lives took diverting paths.

Both characters were realistic, flawed, and presented with their own past issues, hang-ups, and also hearts willing to love again.

The author presented it all in a way that kept me interested throughout, hoping for that positive ending.

4/5 stars

Thank you NG and Thomas Nelson for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 7/6/26.

[Lizzie Hammerstone]

⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5 Stars)
Candy Apple Kisses was such a cozy, heartwarming read that wrapped me in all the wonderful feelings of autumn.  The moment Emily returned to Splendid Lake, I found myself completely swept up in the charm of the orchard, the small-town community, and the quiet beauty of a love that had been growing for years.
Emily and Jake's lifelong friendship made their romance especially meaningful. Their relationship wasn't built on grand gestures, but on years of trust, loyalty, and showing up for one another. Watching their friendship slowly blossom into something deeper was tender, sweet, and filled with moments that made me smile. Jake's unwavering dedication to his family and preserving the orchard's legacy, paired with Emily's journey of rediscovering where she truly belonged, gave the story so much heart.
The fall atmosphere was absolutely delightful. Fall is my favorite time of the year. From apple cider and candy apples to hayrides, harvest festivals, and the breathtaking orchard, every chapter felt like stepping into the perfect autumn day. It made me want to throw on a cozy sweater, sip a warm drink, and stay in that little town just a bit longer.
I both read the Kindle edition and listened to the audiobook, and Brittany Goodwin did a wonderful job bringing Emily and Jake's story to life. Her narration added warmth and emotion that made the experience even more enjoyable.
While there were a few moments that kept this from being a full five-star read for me, I genuinely loved spending time with these characters. Candy Apple Kisses is a wholesome, closed-door romance filled with friendship, family, healing, hope, and the reminder that sometimes the sweetest love stories are the ones that have been waiting patiently all along.
If you're looking for a cozy fall romance with small-town charm and plenty of heart, this one is definitely worth picking up. 🍎🍂❤️
Thank you Netgalley 🩷

[Melissa Crawford]

If you're anything like me, it's never too early for a cozy fall read! Huge thanks to @ThomasNelson for the eARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review, and congratulations to Amy Clipston on another wonderful story!

Candy Apple Kisses is everything I want in a cozy autumn romance. It honestly felt like stepping into a Hallmark movie with crisp fall air, apple orchards, small-town charm, and all the cozy vibes. I could practically smell the apple cider and hear the crunch of leaves under my boots!

Emily returns home to Splendid Lake to help her lifelong friend, Jake, save his family's struggling apple orchard from a competitor threatening everything they've worked so hard to build. Watching Emily bring fresh ideas to the orchard while Jake slowly realizes she's no longer the little girl he grew up with made my heart so happy. Their chemistry builds at just the right pace, making every little moment feel worth the wait.

And because every good romance needs a little drama, Jake's ex-girlfriend Claire isn't quite ready to let him go. Let's just say... she definitely keeps things interesting!

🍎 Childhood Friends
🍂 Best Friends to Lovers
🤎 Slow Burn Romance
🎃 Small-Town Charm
🍁 Apple Orchard
☕ Cozy Fall Vibes
❤️ Closed-Door Romance
👨‍👩‍👧 Found Family

One of my favorite things about this book was how cozy it felt. From Scoops, the hometown ice cream shop, to Jake's fresh apple cider and even his sweet cat, Dusty, every chapter wrapped me up like my favorite oversized sweater. This is the kind of book that makes you want to light your favorite pumpkin candle, grab a cozy blanket, and pretend it's October—even if it's 95 degrees outside.

If you're already counting down to sweater weather (or you're simply wishing for it!), go ahead and add Candy Apple Kisses to your fall TBR. This sweet, heartwarming romance is the perfect way to kick off cozy reading season, no matter what the calendar says.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️