Autumn at the Cat Cafe

by Kathleen Fuller

From USA TODAY bestselling author Kathleen Fuller comes a cozy, kisses-only romance about fresh starts, fall leaves, and finding love right next door, perfect for fans of Gilmore Girls and Sarah Adams.

Via Dalton has sworn off men to focus on the two things she loves her quirky cat café, Pawsitive Vibes, and the charming town of Pecan Corner, Ohio. But her peaceful world is shaken when Earl Brewster, the owner of the beloved Second Chapter Books next door, passes away. Via is determined to buy the shop and preserve Earl's legacy, but her plans hit a snag in the form of a tall, handsome, and completely unexpected heir.

Leo Brewster's life is thriving in LA, and the last thing he needs is an inheritance in the middle-of-nowhere, Ohio. But the alternative--letting his estranged mother inherit--has him packing his bags to receive the inheritance, quickly sell it off to the highest bidder, and hightail it back to LA. What he didn't count on was the list of stipulations in the will that has him staying in the small town for a month. Oh, and the determined, sunny café owner next door who refuses to let him destroy the town's heart without a fight.

Desperate to convince Leo the bookstore is vital to her community, Via challenges Leo to complete her Autumn Bucket List. As they navigate corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and fall festivals, Leo begins to see the magic in Pecan Corner--and in Via. Despite her vow to stay single and his plan to leave, the attraction between them simmers like hot cider.

Can a season of small-town charm convince a city boy to stay, or will Via lose both the bookstore and her heart?

Grab a warm drink and curl up with this delightful grumpy/sunshine, opposites-attract story of unexpected love and small-town charm.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Enemies To Lovers

Audible Audio

First published August 1, 2026

About the author

Best-selling author of Amish fiction. Also a wife, mother, crafter, coffee addict, football fan, and chocolate aficionado.

Reviews

[BookishKB · Rating 5 out of 5]

🍂🐈 Autumn at the Cat Cafe 📚☕

This was the perfect cozy fall read! 🍂☕ Very Hallmark-esque, and now I am fully ready for fall to come around! Give me the sweaters, pumpkin patches, and fall festivals immediately. 🍁🎃

Via came on very strong in the beginning, and it took me a little while to warm up to her. But she really grew on me as the story went on, and by the end, I loved her and Leo together! 🥹💕

And naturally, the cats were the best part of the story. 🐈 Obviously.

I also really, really loved the 🎧audiobook narration! It was perfect for this kind of cozy romance.

⭐️ 5 Star Read!

What to Expect
🐈 Cat Cafe Owner FMC
😏 Harvard Boy MMC
📚 Bookstore Setting
😤 Grumpy x Sunshine
🏘️ Small Town
🍂 Autumn Bucket List
🎃 Pumpkin Patches
☕ Cozy Fall Festivals
_ _ _ _

📅 Pub Date: August 4, 2026
Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction, Thomas Nelson Fiction Audio, and NetGalley for the advanced copy and advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Alicia]

Right from the start I was uncomfortable with the overwhelming focus on physical attraction between the two characters. I kept reading because aside from that, the story was quite cute, but still...the physical attraction continued to not sit well with me.

At 51% in I came to this passage and that's when I decided I'd had enough.

"Everything about her was gorgeous. Her curves, her mile-long legs, a derriere that didn't quit -- He almost groaned out loud. What was he going to do about his fascination with her?"

I really have no interest in reading about derrieres that don't quit. And this is yet another Thomas Nelson published book that has left me scratching my head.

These characters seemed to have no genuine chemistry or connection, just lust for each other.

[Melissa (christianbooksandcoffee)]

DNF at 38%. This book mentions attraction WAY too much. They think about how attractive the other is constantly and it’s annoying! Check each other out constantly. Imagine how things look under the clothes like his chest and her birthmark on her butt ….um no! This book has potential to be cute with all the Autumn and cat stuff but it’s constant attention to how attractive the characters are distracts from that.

[nyakhakhu_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The book has all the elements you’d want in a romance: a man inherits a bookstore, but there are conditions attached to it. He enlists the help of the one person he can’t get off his mind. Bonus: she has a bucket list that he’s helping her tick off.

It sacrifices authenticity for coziness. There’s an opportunity to explore the themes more deeply, but that gets lost because the book keeps reminding you (almost every page) that this is about cats and autumn.

I did enjoy it more than I expected. It’s the kind of book I’d revisit now and then for something light and comforting. It’s cute, very cute, and that’s clearly what it’s going for.

The writing didn’t quite work for me. Some lines seem like lazy writing. The characters are cute, but I didn’t connect with them on a deeper level.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eArc.

[Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...)]

Kathleen Fuller is one of my favorite authors of Amish fiction, but sadly that did not translate to contemporary romance for me with this book. It's definitely a cozy story, but I was bogged down with too much mundane detail and lost interest in story. I struggled to connect with Via or Leo, and wasn't feeling the chemistry between them. Maybe I've read too many of this type of story, but the plot of fulfilling bucket list items felt cliche. I gave it until 60% before moving on. I'm sure many will love the book but it just wasn't for me at this time.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

[Katelyn (currently writing) · Rating 4 out of 5]

🤬Language Rating: 0/5
🌶️Spicy Rating: 0.75/5
📖Plot Rating: 4.25/5
⚔️Violence Rating: 0/5
😎Christian Worldview: 2/5
⭐️Final Rating: 4.25/5

✨this is a spoiler-free review✨

🎧Now Playing: This Is Love by for KING & COUNTRY

🎶richer or poorer🎶

This was such a cute fall romance! I didn’t know if this would be my jam, but by page one I already knew I was going to love the story! I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a clean, cute autumn romance with light Christian themes!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Kathleen Fuller and Thomas Nelson for a copy of this book!

🎶better or worse🎶

This story follows Octavia (Via), our incredible FMC who owns the Pawsitive Vibes cat café in the small, quirky town of Pecan Corner, Ohio. When her close friend, Earl Brewster, passes away from a sudden heart attack, things get stirred up in the usually quiet town. Earl’s nephew, Leonardo, comes to inherit his uncle’s home, and with it the town’s charming Second Chapter bookshop. Via is determined to put this arrogant intruder in his place, and save Earl’s legacy…before he puts it all on the market and goes back to the shiny life in California he left.

If only they weren’t so attracted to each other right off the bat. That would make things a lot easier.

🎶could we be together?🎶

I loved the premise of this book! I am not a huge cat person, and so I was worried this book would fall flat, but it did not at all! I loved Sir (Via’s moody kitten), I loved the banter between Leo and Via, I loved the dual POVs, and I loved how realistic the hesitation and miscommunication felt! This is exactly what I pictured when I say I am looking for a fall romcom. Pecan Corner sounds like the coziest town, and I have an urge to go pick out pumpkins after reading this!

🎶could we make it work?🎶

I think Via was a great FMC! Her struggles felt realistic, and I loved how much personality she had! She never felt like a pick-me to me, or like she was acting childish! I wish there were more FMCs like her, who were strong on their own, but also exhibited femininity and grace! I loved the Cat Café concept, and it’s a good thing there isn’t one of those here in PA, otherwise I would have probably ended up adopting a cat! 😂

🎶if love is patient🎶

Leonardo (Leo) had the most character growth in the novel. His character was snarky, and funny, and surprisingly emotional! I loved how his backstory was revealed a bit at a time, and I love how much he cares for Via, right off the bat. I think it was really noble of him not to pursue a relationship in the beginning, and I was cracking up at the camping scene with Fergus (iykyk).

🎶and if love is kind🎶

I think my only true complaint about this book is I wish Christianity was a bit more blunt throughout. The author mentions church multiple times, but it was almost like she didn’t want to commit all the way, because we never hear more about Leo wanting to check out church with Via or Via’s personal faith, despite going to church every Sunday. There were themes of reconciliation and forgiveness and how lying never leads anywhere good, which were well-done, and I appreciated, but I wish Kathleen would have taken the next step. It would have made this book a five star for me.

The plot itself was really engaging, especially because we are waiting for certain things to be revealed about our characters, and for them to discover things about each other. Second Chapter’s ownership and “fate” is also up in the air the entire book. I was invested in this story, and I only put it down when I had to!

🎶oh God, give me a sign🎶

Content wise, there is no spice, only kissing that is kept clean. Mentions of a birthmark, and Via accidentally walks in on Leo shirtless two times. Dora, Via’s sister, teases her about sharing a bed with Leo but quickly apologizes for going too far. No language, and no LGBTQ content.

Definitely would recommend to 13+! Excited to read more by Kathleen Fuller!!

[anzhelika ୨ৎ]

pre-read:
time for an autumn read (it's raining outside).

˗ˋˏ ୨୧ thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction + Audio, and Kathleen Fuller for the digital arc and alc in exchange for an honest review! ୨୧ ˎˊ˗

[ryliekate_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Overall, 3.5-3.75 stars :) This truly is such an adorably cozy, autumnal, cat-filled book! It feels very much like a feel-good movie that begs to be experienced while curled up under a comfy blanket.
As the title suggests, it is Autumn at the Cat Cafe. Every page brimming with fall and cats. Is it cheesy? Yes, very much. But it’s cheesy in the best way— and who doesn’t need a little cheesiness in their life?! Via and Leo’s relationship is so sweet, and they do have some growth as the story progresses.
Sometimes the characters fell a little and it very much followed a Hallmark-esq. storyline, and there is nothing wrong with that! Now, it is marketed as Christian fiction, however they never really discuss their faith beyond mentioning going to church and I wish that it could have been a little more integrated. But the book has NO swearing and is sweet kisses only— thank you Kathleen Fuller!!!
I highly recommend if you enjoy clean, sweet, and cozy reads… and if you wish to read a breezy book that feels like a nice cup of spiced tea. Also, cats (just reiterating that it’s in the title, and yes it’s extremely cheesy, but also adorable). Overall, this was so cute and such an enjoyable read. A definite revisit for cozy season 🍂
Happy reading :)

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for providing this e-copy of Autumn at the Cat Cafe in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars rounded to 3.

This was a easy read/palate cleanser type of book (not in a bad way), and I finished it in one day. I wish I read it closer to fall because the fall vibes were perfect. All the descriptions of fall décor, changing tree colors, and fall activities would definitely scratch my itch that time of year.

The first third of this book was rough. Everything was happening so fast that I was very confused. The first few chapters take place in the span of seemingly 30 minutes. That might not be that bad, but then contrasting that timeline with the rest of the book that skips days at a time, I wish it would have been a bit less jumbled at the start. The vibes are cute with the cats and fall time, but some of the descriptions in the book were really giving me the ick. The two main characters think some weird things sometimes, and they were overly descriptive in their desire for the other character (which I felt a bit odd since this was a no spice book).

I will say I hate a insta love story because they feel so fake, but this one wasn't too bad. The main characters have a deadline on their time together, which makes the timeline go faster than it probably should have. The main characters do have some good conversations and go into their past traumas, so it was nice that it wasn't just a lust story.

Once I hit about 2/3 of the way through the book I was hooked, I really liked the main characters and learning about Earl. Most of the supporting characters were fun, especially the cats. One character that was kind of getting on my nerves was Via's sister Dora. Also, Leo's moms was a good contrast to all the other characters. You always need a good villain, but the ending felt very out of left field for her and I didn't expect it at all. I'm not sure I like how her ending was written, but it does make for a happy ending.

Overall this was a cutesy book and I would recommend it if you like a cheesy romance, particularly with cats, fall vibes, and the state of Ohio.

[Antheia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Netgalley ARC review

It tells the story of Via, a girl who owns a cat café and has to stay really close to Leo, the nephew of her elderly friend who recently passed away. Leo is going to inherit the bookstore, which was supposedly meant for Via.

I really liked Via. She’s super cute, fun, and feels real. She has insecurities from her past and isn’t afraid to show them.

Leo is adorable, I liked him a lot. He had a tough childhood, and it’s really nice to see how that wound starts to heal a little.

It’s a very autumnal story, the perfect mix of sweet and emotional.

[Ilaria · Rating 3 out of 5]

If there are cats and it’s autumn, that’s just my jam! 🐈🍂 The vibes were immaculate, and the small town dynamics were just right. I loved the interactions between Via and Leo, they were really funny and cute.
Keep in mind that the slow burn was veeery slow. At 55% through the book they barely smile at each other but admit the attraction they feel, it was a bit odd but it didn’t ruin the experience!
In the end is a really cute and simple book perfect to read in a rainy October day obviously with a cat curled up on your legs 🐈🍁

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for providing me with an ARC copy.

[Meagan McGee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction Audio for giving me the opportunity to listen to this audio book for an honest review!!

The narrator was perfect!

Sir. Meow was definitely the star of the show! The was he brought these two; Via and Leo, together was just so cute!!

Via Dalton owns Pawsitive Vibes, a successful cat café in small-town Pecan Corner, Ohio.

The store next door, Second Chapter Books, (An amazing name by the way!) is an iconic business in need of TLC, especially after its owner and Via's upstairs neighbor, the crusty septuagenarian Earl Brewster, unexpectedly passes away.

Via, devastated but determined to make sure his legacy lives on wants to purchase the bookstore, something she and Earl had discussed before his death. But his estate has to go through probate, and at the last minute Leo Brewster, Earl's long-lost nephew, shows up.

Leo's life is in a shambles. He lost his lucrative hedge fund analyst job and is convinced he's being framed by someone but can't prove it. Financially leveraged to the hilt and blacklisted in his industry, he ends up losing everything but one suitcase of clothing and his expensive sports car. He finally gets a break when out of the blue he hears that he's the heir to a bookstore left to him by an uncle he didn't even know he had. He leaves LA and heads to Pecan Corner to claim his inheritance.

Via and Leo immediately clash, despite the romantic sparks firing between them.

When Leo refuses to sell the bookstore to her because she can't pay market value, she formulates a new plan. She must show Leo how important Second Chapter Books is to the community. Refusing to take no for an answer, she enlists Leo to help her fulfill her yearly Autumn Bucket List. Despite having her heart broken three years ago and swearing off men, she finds herself fighting her deep attraction to Leo . . . and losing.

As he looks for a serious buyer, Leo finds his uncle's journals and learns about his estranged family. Although he's desperate to sell to the highest bidder and go back to LA to figure out who framed him, he's falling for his Uncle Earl's community--and the spunky ray of sunshine that is Via Dalton.

EEEEEKKKK

You had me at the names of each store, Uncle Earl, and honestly this was such a great book! The chemistry between Leo and Via throughout had me kicking my feet. This is a book that had me craving apple cider, pumpkin pie and that cold crisp autumn air.

It makes me want to move up north so I can experience this. It was such a cozy read that I could stop.

Via is super fun! Spunky and Iconic. I love how chaotic she is with her furniture and the clothes she wears. She is bright and she is the owner of a cat cafe!

Leo, I didn't like him at first with the way he protected his sports car for dear life. But as he got used to the way he lived at Pecan Corner (which is also a favorite name.) he slowly let loose, and became less of a stickler and way more handsome in my eyes!

This is perfect to read during the fall, cozied up on the couch or in a chair to read. If you love Sunshine X Grumpy, cuteness everywhere, cat cats and lots of cats, slow burn romance, then this is for you!

[Marian. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esta historia es la perfecta para leer o escuchar en esta época otoñal que viene y si eres amante de los gatos ¡seguro este libro te encantará!

Nuestra protagonista Via Dalton es propietaria de un Cat Café (si, un café con gatitos) y me encanto todo de ella, su personalidad, sus sueños, TODO, es mi favorita de toda la historia y luego tenemos a Leo Brewster, sobrino del dueño (difunto) de la librería de al lado, el viene de Los Ángeles, un chico de la ciudad que se ve envuelto en una herencia de la cual no sabía nada y que se tiene que quedar en el pequeño pueblo de Pecan Corner para poderla cobrar ¿un poco cliché? si, pero a mi me funciono.

La historia es acogedora desde el minuto uno, llena de referencias al otoño en cada página, llena de ese encanto que solo los pueblos pequeños nos traen y si, un romance lindo que aunque un poco dramático un poco al final, me gusto y mucho.

La narradora, Melissa Moran le dio vida perfectamente a cada personaje y eso es algo que me sorprende cuando son narrados a una sola voz, la destreza que tiene es inmensa y Melissa dio en el punto con cada uno de ellos y en un tono de voz muy entendible.

Esta es de esas historias que lees o escuchas con una sonrisa en la cara y te hace sentir todo acogedor por dentro.

********

This story is perfect for reading or listening to as fall approaches, and if you’re a cat lover, you’re sure to love this book!

Our protagonist, Via Dalton, owns a Cat Café, and I loved everything about her—her personality, her dreams, EVERYTHING—she’s my favorite character in the whole story. And then there’s Leo Brewster, the nephew of the (late) owner of the bookstore next door. He comes from Los Angeles—a city boy who finds himself caught up in an inheritance he knew nothing about and has to stay in the small town of Pecan Corner to claim it. A little cliché? Yes, but it worked for me.

The story is cozy from the very first minute, full of references to fall on every page, full of that charm that only small towns can offer—and yes, a sweet romance that, although a bit dramatic toward the end, I really, really liked.

The narrator, Melissa Moran, brought every character to life perfectly—and that’s something that always surprises me in single-voice narrations. Her skill is immense, and Melissa nailed the essence of each character with a very clear and easy-to-follow tone of voice.

This is one of those stories you read or listen to with a smile on your face, and it makes you feel all warm and cozy inside.

📌 I received an advance listenig copy of this audiobook through netgalley, and this is my honest opinion/review of it.

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 Stars.

The vibes:
- cat cafe
- A cat who acts like a dog
- Autumn setting / timeline
- Closed door (kisses only)

🐈 My thoughts:
This promises a cute fall romance with a bookshop and cat cafe setting. The idea was really cute but the story struggled with quite a bit of telling versus showing.

🐈 The characters have a lot of physical attraction to eachother, and I get that but beyond that I didn’t see much else. Why do these characters want to be together other than that? What makes them work well together? How can their lives actually work together? They both found eachother super hot, had the nicknames of “smitten kitten” and “Harvard boy”, and Leo was constantly taking “cold showers” (😵‍💫), but I needed more depth.

🐈 The plot execution also had me asking a lot of questions. He’s helping her with an Autumn bucket list. She helping him get the shop ready to sell. What’s in it for either person though?? With the way that he isn’t telling her the truth of his intentions, it made even less sense to me that either person would make this trade off. It does create the plot device for them to spend time together, but it just didn’t make sense to me in the story.

🐈 Lastly - I am the biggest cat girl you’re going to find but I was pulled out of the story by some of the wild cat behaviors that didn’t feel organic to me. Sir Meow goes on morning walks on the leash, goes to the pumpkin patch (and anywhere), and uses the potty like a dog outside. I’m willing to accept that cats have different personalities, but this felt like a leap for me.

Note / spice content: closed door (kisses only)
Release date: August 4, 2026.

Thank you so much to Kathleen Fuller, Thomas Nelson, and NetGalley for the gifted copy. I received this eARC from the author/publisher, but this honest review is voluntary.

[aribooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

It really start up soooo well, and I was so into it, I liked the setting of small town vibes, the cat in the story line, and I loved how he was named Sir!! I found him so funny, and it was really cute. And it had really cozy autumn vibes : small town, diff activities, the coffee shop, the friendly neighborhood.
Sadly through the story, I just started getting bored at little bit. It was a slow beginning, and really slow story, which was fine at first, for me, but it kind of just started to be way too slow, and kind of nothing was happening, until it was. And I found the pacing not for me at all…

For the characters, I really enjoyed Via a lot. She was really sweet, but also funny and I loved how she was determined to make the bookstore still live and not sell off and become something else. And how she was so into showing Leo the greatest part of her hometown.
For Leo, it was really different, it took me like half the book to enjoy him just a little bit, because I couldn’t stand him from the beginning at all. That classy guy, with rich vibes and kind of superiority manners really made me hate him a lot. He seemed like a jerk for a really long time, and even when you warm up it’s really not a character I appreciated.
I had a really hard time connecting to the characters because they really missed some depth, and growth through the whole book…

It was marketed as “perfect for fans of Gilmore girls” and of “Sarah Adams”, but sadly i think it’s really not similar at all…
But overall, it was a really easy and at some moments, funny read!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc!

[Kirsten Clason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Via Dalton has built a life she loves in the small town of Pecan Corner, Ohio. She has the best job ever! She runs a cozy cat café. She partners with the animal rescue place. She brings in a few of their cats to the cafe and they interact with the customers in hopes of getting a forever home.
Via was broken up with right before her wedding, so she has decided that romance just isn’t worth the risk. Stability, community, and her café are enough.

But when her elderly neighbor and close friend—who owns the town’s beloved bookstore—passes away, Via’s world changes. The bookstore wasn’t just another shop; it’s part of the heart of the town, filled with memories, friendships, and stories. Via hopes she might be able to buy it and keep it alive. I loved the description of the shop. It was dusty and had books everywhere, including unique ones that no one had heard of before.

A man named Leo comes into town because he is the nephew of the bookstore owner who passed away. He’s from Los Angeles, used to fast-paced city life, and has zero emotional attachment to this town… despite unexpectedly inheriting the bookstore. To Leo, it’s simple: sell the property, settle the estate, and get back to his real life as quickly as possible.

I found this book to be so adorable! It comes out on Aug 4th, but I would recommend reading it in the fall as it will definitely give you those pumpkin vibes.
I gave this book 3.75⭐️, rounded up.

Thanks Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

[Zack ;) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is my definition of comforting and cozy. I was immediately hooked by the title and the cover page- I found it absolutely beautiful and I was immediately entranced.
I devoured this book. A day in and I decided that I had to finish it and I need to see what happens between Via and Leo.
Their little town- Pecan Corner- was absolutely charming. The small town, closely knit vibes and the friendly atmosphere was amazing. Everyone in town was just so so sweet and supportive.
I loved Octavia- I loved how sweet and caring she was. I loved that her clothes were all of these bright, beautiful colors. Her passion and love for rescues and her cafe was beyond wonderful and sometime through my read i fell in love with her character too.
Leonardo was so besotted and I loved it. There were times where he was a prick but an understandable prick. He was caring and so drawn to Via that I couldn’t help but swoon every time something romantic happened between them- and there were a lot. Bonus points for his dimples and nerdy glasses, I found it so so sweet.
Their time together was well spent and I loved how well they worked together. The pumpkin patch, the maze, the camping- all those little things they did together off Via’s bucket list just made me fall more and more in love with them and their dynamic.
This is probably one of the coziest books I’ve ever read and I truly, truly enjoyed it so much.

[Kimberly Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cozy fall day put into a book! This was a cute story. It had a lot of moments that would make this a great made-for-tv romance. The pacing of the romance was nice, considering the short timeline. If you like a cozy, clean romance then this book is for you!
*spoilers*
However, I did not like the FMC and hated the MMC. Both need therapy for their abandonment issues to start. Having their family and friends walk on eggshells and refuse to confront the real issues only made things worse. The third-act break up was flimsy at best. The 'betrayal' of the book being one small thing kept from the MMC, which would have impacted the FMC's financial wellbeing. It was not the countless lies, never truly explained by the MMC which was the basis for the majority of the plot. Cute book, but frustrating romantic ending.

[Karen R · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming clean contemporary romance set in a friendly little Ohio town.

This enjoyable quick read, with nods to a lovely Midwestern Autumn, features an opposites-attract-type couple. Via is a colorful, lively character who had my empathy as all of her hard work is threatened by a person whose life seemed to be easy on the surface. Both she and Leo have issues to work out and the author does a good job bringing them into the plot as the romantic tension grows.
Some funny cats and family members add some humor along the way. There is an underlying theme of family, friendship, and finding a place to call home. Everyone needs a safe place to land with people who genuinely care about them.

Recommend to readers looking for an enjoyable, low-spice romance. 3.5 stars

(An ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.)

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction Audio for a digital copy of this text in exchange for an honest review.

This cozy romance was exactly what I expected, very Hallmark Channel in the best possible way. I’m just not sure I was in the right headspace for a cozy mystery. There was nothing wrong with the writing, the characters, the narrators. It just wasn’t what I was in the mood for. If cozy vibes and sweet romance are what you are in the mood for, give it a go. This one is exactly what it says it is.

[ritα · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audiobook was really refreshing!
I loved the autumn vibes and it made me crave that time of the year. The cat was the star, obviously! 🤏🏼
Except a (really) slow burn romance, cosy vibes and smiling. Grab yourself a hot drink and give this one a go.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the Advanced Listener Copy of this book in return for a honest review.

[Ana Luiza · Rating 2 out of 5]

pt-br:
Autumn at the Cat Cafe nos apresenta Via Dalton, que jurou ficar longe de homens para focar em seu aconchegante café de gatos, o Pawsitive Vibes, na charmosa cidadezinha de Pecan Corner, Ohio. Quando seu vizinho Earl falece, ela fica determinada a comprar a amada livraria dele, que fica ao lado, para preservar seu legado. É aí que entra Leo Brewster — o sobrinho distante da cidade grande que herda a loja e planeja vendê-la para quem der o maior lance antes de voltar para Los Angeles. Desesperada para salvar a livraria, Via desafia o ranzinza Leo a completar sua “Lista de Desejos de Outono”, esperando que a magia da cidade pequena (e alguns gatos adoráveis) o façam mudar de ideia.

Tenho que admitir: este livro me conquistou inteiramente pelo “fator Gilmore Girls”. Geralmente não sou de escolher esses romances clichês de outono em cidades pequenas, que parecem saídos de uma fôrma de bolo e têm capas ilustradas quase idênticas, mas decidi dar uma chance a este porque adoro gatos, a vibe do outono e Gilmore Girls. Além disso, a capa é inegavelmente adorável.

Infelizmente, promover este livro como algo parecido com Gilmore Girls ou com as obras da autora Sarah Adams parece uma tremenda forçação de barra, feita puramente para capitalizar em cima das tendências literárias atuais. Autumn at the Cat Cafe não se parece com nenhum dos dois. Em vez disso, ele se desenrola como um filme que seria facilmente adaptado pelo canal Hallmark. Na verdade, a atmosfera geral me lembrou muito a série de TV Good Witch (e sim, essa é mesmo uma produção da Hallmark).

O estilo de escrita pareceu um pouco infantil demais para o tom real da história. Para começar, achei incrivelmente difícil acreditar que a Via deveria estar na faixa dos vinte anos — ela fala e se comporta muito mais como alguém no final dos quarenta. Quanto ao protagonista masculino, Leo, me perguntei se a autora estava tentando escrevê-lo como um tipo cínico à lá “Harry Burns” de Harry e Sally — Feitos Um para o Outro, mas ela errou feio o alvo. Ele parece apenas um idiota irritante, e o comportamento dele — para ser sincera, o comportamento da maioria dos personagens desta cidade — é simplesmente bizarro.

Pelo lado positivo, a estrutura da história é, na verdade, bem interessante. Dá para notar que a autora fez um esforço genuíno para criar arcos individuais para os personagens secundários e adicionou detalhes atenciosos para dar vida a Pecan Corner. Infelizmente, essa base é desperdiçada porque falta desenvolvimento aos personagens, e a trama ao redor deles parece mal executada. Fiquei com a nítida impressão de ser um projeto do tipo “escrever para pagar os boletos”. Não há absolutamente nada de errado em escrever por um contracheque, mas ainda assim é possível entregar algo decentemente escrito e envolvente.

Se você está procurando uma leitura bem leve, sem grandes dramas, no estilo Hallmark e com uma pitada de estética outonal, este livro pode satisfazer um desejo rápido. Mas se você busca a profundidade real, a sagacidade ou um romance verdadeiramente encantador de Gilmore Girls, talvez seja melhor procurar em outro lugar.

inglês/english:
Autumn at the Cat Cafe introduces us to Via Dalton, who has sworn off men to focus on her cozy cat café, Pawsitive Vibes, in the charming town of Pecan Corner, Ohio. When her neighbor Earl passes away, she is determined to buy his beloved bookstore next door to preserve his legacy. Enter Leo Brewster — Earl’s estranged, big-city nephew who inherits the shop and plans to sell it to the highest bidder before returning to LA. Desperate to save the bookstore, Via challenges the grumpy Leo to complete her “Autumn Bucket List,” hoping the small-town magic (and some adorable cats) will change his mind.

I’ll admit it: this book entirely bought me over with the “Gilmore Girls” factor. I am not usually one to pick up these cookie-cutter, cozy, small-town autumn romances with near-identical illustrated covers, but I decided to give this one a chance because I adore cats, fall vibes, and Gilmore Girls. Plus, the cover is undeniably adorable.

Unfortunately, marketing this book as similar to Gilmore Girls or the author Sarah Adams feels like a massive stretch designed solely to capitalize on current reading trends. Autumn at the Cat Cafe feels like neither of those. Instead, it plays out like a movie that would easily get adapted by the Hallmark Channel. In fact, the overall atmosphere strongly reminded me of the TV show Good Witch (and yes, that is indeed a Hallmark production).

The writing style felt a bit too juvenile for the actual tone of the story. For one, I found it incredibly hard to believe that Via is supposed to be in her twenties—she speaks and behaves much more like someone in her late forties. As for the male lead, Leo, I wondered if the author was trying to write him as a cynical “Harry Burns” type from When Harry Met Sally..., but he missed the mark entirely. He comes across as just an annoying jerk, and his behavior— honestly, the behavior of most characters in this town— is downright bizarre.

On a positive note, the structure of the story is actually quite interesting. You can tell the author made a genuine effort to create individual arcs for the side characters and added thoughtful details to make Pecan Corner feel alive. Sadly, that foundation goes to waste because the character development is lacking, and the plot around them feels poorly executed. It left me with the distinct impression of a “writing to pay the bills” project. There is absolutely nothing wrong with writing for a paycheck, but you can still deliver something decently written and compelling.

If you are looking for a very light, low-stakes, Hallmark-style read with a dash of autumn aesthetic, this might satisfy a quick craving. But if you are looking for actual Gilmore Girls depth, wit, or a truly charming romance, you might want to look elsewhere.

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, and Kathleen Fuller for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

[sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5/5)
Thank you to Kathleen Fuller, Thomas Nelson Fiction | Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this book.

If you're looking for a book that feels like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket with a cup of hot apple cider while the leaves change outside, *Autumn at the Cat Cafe* absolutely delivers. It's full of cozy small-town charm, adorable cats, picturesque fall activities, and a sweet, low-drama romance that left me smiling. While it wasn't a new favourite, it was exactly the kind of comforting read I wanted, and I can definitely see it becoming a seasonal pick for readers who love wholesome romances.

One of my favourite things about this book was the setting. Pecan Corner feels like the kind of town you'd want to visit every autumn. Between the pumpkin patches, corn mazes, harvest festivals, cozy cafés, and friendly neighbours, the entire story is overflowing with fall atmosphere. Kathleen Fuller does a wonderful job of making the town feel lived in, and I honestly wished I could spend an afternoon wandering its streets, browsing the bookstore, and then stopping by Pawsitive Vibes to cuddle cats while drinking a latte.

Speaking of Pawsitive Vibes... how could I not love a romance centered around a cat café? The café itself almost felt like another character. The cats added so much warmth and personality to the story, and every scene there made me want to find my own local cat café. Animal lovers will definitely appreciate how naturally the cats are woven into the story without feeling like they're only there to be "cute."

Via was such an easy character to root for. She's kind, determined, and fiercely protective of both her community and the people she loves. I admired how passionate she was about preserving Earl's legacy and keeping the bookstore as part of the town rather than simply seeing it as another business opportunity. Her love for Pecan Corner was infectious, and it made me care about the future of the bookstore almost as much as she did.

Leo took a little longer for me to warm up to, but I enjoyed watching his character grow. At first, he's very much the classic big-city outsider who's eager to settle the inheritance and get back to his busy life in Los Angeles. As he slowly begins to experience everything Pecan Corner has to offer—and, more importantly, gets to know Via—you can really see his walls come down. His journey never felt overly dramatic, but it was satisfying to watch him rediscover what truly mattered to him.

The autumn bucket list was probably my favourite part of the book. It gave the romance a fun structure while naturally bringing the characters closer together. From pumpkin patches and festivals to quiet moments spent enjoying the changing seasons, every activity added another layer to their relationship. If you love romances where the setting feels just as important as the characters, this book absolutely nails that cozy autumn feeling.

The romance itself is incredibly sweet. This is definitely a kisses-only romance, so readers looking for lots of spice won't find it here. Personally, I didn't mind that at all. The relationship develops through conversations, shared experiences, and emotional connection rather than physical attraction, and there was something refreshing about that. Via and Leo complement each other well, with the grumpy/sunshine dynamic creating plenty of cute interactions without feeling overdone.

That said, I did wish there had been a little more emotional depth. Both characters have interesting personal histories, but I felt like some of those emotional moments were resolved a little too quickly. I also found parts of the story fairly predictable. While cozy romances don't necessarily need huge surprises, I occasionally wanted a little more tension to keep the pages turning.

The pacing was also a little uneven at times. The middle section, while undeniably cozy, lingered on some of the autumn activities longer than necessary, and I found myself wanting the central conflict surrounding the bookstore inheritance to take a slightly bigger role. Even so, I was never bored because spending time in Pecan Corner was simply enjoyable.

Overall, *Autumn at the Cat Cafe* is exactly what its title promises—a warm, comforting, feel-good romance filled with cats, books, small-town charm, and all the cozy magic of autumn. It may not have completely captured my heart, but it certainly made me smile, and sometimes that's exactly what you want from a seasonal read.

If you're a fan of **Gilmore Girls**, Sarah Adams, wholesome grumpy/sunshine romances, charming small towns, lovable animal companions, and stories that celebrate community, fresh starts, and finding home where you least expect it, I think you'll have a lovely time with this one. It's the perfect book to curl up with on a crisp autumn afternoon, preferably with a warm drink nearby—and maybe a cat curled up in your lap.

[January · Rating 5 out of 5]

Autumn at the Cat Cafe by Kathleen Fuller (Aug. 2026) [reading in July]
8h 17m narrated by Melissa Moran, 304 pages
ALC courtesy of Thomas Nelson Fiction Audio, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Cozy Romance, Clean Romance, Seasonal > Autumn & Fall

Movie Rating Equivalent: PG-10 for some mild sensuality and innuendos

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🐈‍⬛️🐈☕️📚

Featuring: Fictional Small Town Ohio near Lake Erie, Post Homecoming, Highlander Cat/Highland Lynx, Cat Cafe, Bookshop, Small Business District, High Street Shops, Big Dog Energy, Chatterbox, Hot Jerk, Grief, Unexpected Inheritance​, Save the Business Trope, Dual POVs, Outsider vs. Local, Gran Turismo Rivals-to-Lovers, Opposing Agendas, Los Angeles, California; Finance Bro, Estranged Family, Siblings, Tricenarians, Over Shop Apartments, Heartbroken, Down on Love, Stipulations, Bucket List, Family Dynamics, Akron, Ohio; New York City, New York; Forgiveness, Found Family, Self-Actualization, Wealth-to-Wisdom

Live Status Updates: 📱5% - somewhere still in chapter one - There was a lot of breed confusion, so I had to stop and do some research. The narrator kept saying "Highland Cat," but Google is saying "Highlander Cat." I discovered there are two completely different breeds: one is a Highland Cat (Scottish Wildcat), and the other is a Highlander Cat (Highland Lynx), which is a crossbreed between a Desert Lynx and a Jungle Curl.​ The more descriptive the story gets, the clearer it is that Sir Meow is a Highlander Cat. However, since I'm at the mercy of the audio, I don't know if the mistake falls on Fuller, or if it is just a mispronunciation by Moran.
📱68% [2h 31m left] Chapter 17 - I love it, but it's 3 am and I need some shut-eye as I had to replay the last chapter three times only to discover I heard it all the second time.

Final Thoughts: ​I was in the 5-star zone within seconds of starting Autumn at the Cat Café. There was a bit of breed confusion because the narrator kept saying "Highland Cat," when it’s clear based on the description that Sir Meow is a Highlander Cat / Highland Lynx. I wasn't sure if the blame fell on the author or the narrator, but it’s a relatively easy mistake to make, so I gave it a quick pass and continued enjoying the setting and characters.
​Set in a fictional small town in Ohio on Main Street, this book has all the cozy autumn vibes. The romance is very clean—so clean that a 10-year-old could easily read it—though there are a few mild innuendos, like a mistaken text message that implies she’s sleeping over or a moment of him checking her out. Even though the main character is a churchgoer, this is definitely a clean contemporary romance rather than an inspirational romance.
​I was only slightly familiar with Kathleen Fuller as a standout author in a few Amish and Christian romance anthologies I've read. She gave both Denise Hunter and Shelly Shepard Gray a run for their money with her amazing stories, so I have been looking forward to reading one of her novels. I was expecting that it would be Amish fiction or Christian romance, so I was thrilled to discover she also writes contemporary clean romance.
​This story was excellent from start to finish. I started around midnight, took a break around 3:00 in the morning, and finished it this morning. It was the best story I’ve encountered this weekend, delivering that same great feeling I got when reading her short stories. Looking at the cover, I actually thought this was a children’s book at first glance, but what I got was so much better. I’m excited to tell my friends about it—especially the cat lovers!

​Recommend to others: Wholeheartedly! This story is fantastic and has everything you’re looking for: coffee, books, family drama, a wholesome community, good but delicate hearts, and cats.

Songs for the Soundtrack: "Bad Girls" by Donna Summer, Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack by Bee Gees, "Stayin' Alive" by Bee Gees, "How Deep Is Your Love" by Bee Gees, "Yellow Ledbetter" by Pearl Jam

Books and Authors Mentioned: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Jack Mendelsohn [ based on] Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, Old Yeller by Fred Gipson, Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare, Theodora, Slave Empress by Rene Wheeler, Claude Accursi, Ranieri Cochetti, and Riccardo Freda; Sesame Street by Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett; The Bugs Bunny Show [based on] Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies by Warner Bros. [and based on] Bugs Bunny by Tex Avery, Chuck Jones, Bob Givens, and Robert McKimson; Batman: The Animated Series by Eric Radomski and Bruce W. Timm [based on] Batman by Bob Kane and Bill Finger; Superman: The Animated Series by Alan Burnett and Bruce Timm [based on] Superman by Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster, and DC Comics; That Darn Cat! by Gordon Gordon, Mildred Gordon, and Bill Walsh [based on] Undercover Cat by Gordon Gordon and Mildred Gordon;

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pecan Corner is one of those fictional small towns where if you accidentally mention liking autumn one time, the mayor appears out of nowhere and hands you a pumpkin, a cider donut, and a schedule of upcoming harvest festivals. And somehow I mean that affectionately.

Autumn at the Cat Cafe has a cat café. It has a bookstore. It has a grumpy city guy. It has a sunshine heroine in orange sweaters. It has enough fall activities to qualify as seasonal employment. At one point I stopped asking whether something autumn-themed would happen next and started wondering if Ohio has laws against this level of commitment.

Via owns Pawsitive Vibes, a cat café she built after her ex-fiancé detonated her trust in men and generally made terrible life choices. She's poured everything she has into her business, her community, and a friendship with her elderly neighbor Earl, who owns the bookstore next door. Then Earl dies, and the bookstore she thought might become part of her future suddenly belongs to a nephew nobody knew existed.

Enter Leo. Leo arrives from Los Angeles with rich-guy energy, a sports car, and a plan so bad that every person in town immediately hates it. He wants to sell the bookstore and leave. Unfortunately for him, Earl appears to have written his will after watching one too many movies and leaves behind enough conditions and scavenger-hunt nonsense to keep Leo trapped in Pecan Corner for a month.

Which means Leo gets assigned Via. Not officially. But in the way small towns assign people to each other. The romance is built around Via's autumn bucket list, which means these two spend an alarming amount of time doing activities that sound like they were generated by a sentient pumpkin spice latte. Corn mazes. Festivals. Apple picking. Cozy nonsense. The kind of stuff that would normally make me roll my eyes except Leo slowly realizing he likes all of it ended up being weirdly charming.

And honestly, Leo was my favorite part of the book. The romance is cute, but the stuff with Earl hit harder. There's something genuinely sad about watching him discover how much he had in common with an uncle he never really knew. Under all the sweaters and cats, this is really a story about lonely people finding connection before it's too late, and sometimes after it already is.

Via and Leo both have baggage, which I appreciated because neither of them feels like they're waiting around to be rescued. They're both carrying old wounds and making decisions because of them. The book doesn't dig quite as deep into that as I wanted, but every time it brushed against those emotional truths, it got noticeably stronger.

My biggest issue is that the book occasionally mistakes coziness for character development. Sometimes it felt like whenever things got messy, another pumpkin patch appeared. There were moments where I wanted less "look at this adorable autumn festival" and more "let these people sit in their feelings for five minutes."

That said, I had a genuinely good time. The cats are delightful. Sir Meow is operating on a level beyond the rest of us. The bookstore-cat café combination is basically catnip for readers. And Leo falling for both Via and this ridiculous town was sweet enough that I stopped resisting.

Autumn at the Cat Cafe is basically a Hallmark movie that got trapped inside a Bath & Body Works autumn collection and somehow came out pretty charming. Not every emotional beat lands as hard as it could, but I finished it wanting to visit Pecan Corner and maybe adopt three cats, which feels like the book accomplished exactly what it set out to do. 3.5 stars.

And thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for the ARC. I came for the cats and stayed because a dead bookstore owner somehow managed to orchestrate an entire romantic comedy from beyond the grave.

[Dotti · Rating 2 out of 5]

Autumn at the Cat Cafe is a cute contemporary romance that was billed as a kisses-only small-town Gilmore Girls style romance. Our female main character, Via, is the owner of a cat cafe in the small town of Pecan Corner, Ohio. Our male main character, Leo, is a hotshot Los Angeles investment broker who inherits the bookshop next door and is forced to live in Pecan Corner for 30 days to receive the inheritance. Sparks fly between these two as they work together to organize the bookshop and fulfill a fall bucket list.

The publishers for this book compared it to author Sarah Adams and the television show Gilmore Girls. That does not feel like the right comparison. The book is far more like a Fall-themed Hallmark movie, full of criticisms of big city life and a warm, somewhat overbearing small town.

I love a small town romance. The premise of this book looked so cute, and I was really excited to start it. The town felt very lived in; I had to check that there weren’t more books in the series, because the backstories for many of our side characters seemed detailed. The relationships and the setting felt like we were stepping into a familiar world.

However, the book had some places that it could use improvement. The male main character started out the book being very unlikable, lying about small things for no real reason. His justification for his falsehoods fell flat, and it set the arc up for the third-act conflict in too obvious a way. His responses to the third act conflict also didn’t make any sense, both in the initial conflict and the final resolution. His larger development didn’t compensate enough for his unlikable initial presentation.

The bucket list idea is cute, but I don’t understand why it made sense in the larger plot. It gave our couple excuses to do fun things together, which is fun, but the list itself isn’t justified well in the story. There’s no reason that Via should reasonably suggest this list and no reason that buttoned-up Leo should accept it. If Leo hadn’t lied about the stipulations of the will, suggesting the bucket list would have made sense, but it didn’t make sense in the narrative structure that was provided.

Our couple has an obvious attraction to one another, but I’m not sure what about them as a couple makes them work. Their priorities and lifestyles and personalities all feel very different, and it seems like Leo has to change himself significantly while Via stays nearly the same. I don’t see how these two people are making their relationship successful when they seem to only have physical attraction pulling them together.

A small detail that bothered me: as a person who spent extensive time in Los Angeles and some time in New York, our main character acts much more like a New Yorker. All of the big-city traits that they describe are very New York and very un-LA. I understand that the author was trying to do something with his backstory, but it would have made so much more sense for our character to grow up the child as a real estate mogul in Los Angeles and move to New York to be an investment banker. If he wanted to fit Los Angeles stereotypes, he should have been working for tech start-ups or in real estate and should have worn clothes that were just as expensive but looked half as formal. However, the discussions about his car are just right.

The setting of this book was fun, but the male main character lied about so much for no real reason that it really diminished my enjoyment. The third act conflict felt frustrating, and the reconciliation even more so. I had a lot of goodwill going into this book, but it unfortunately missed the mark in more ways than I would like.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson publishing, Kathleen Fuller and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy.

[Elizabeth Foss · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s a fine line between charming and contrived, and this novel doesn’t so much cross it as fall headlong over it—taking a basket of pumpkins, a bunch of cats, and cinnamon air freshener along for the ride.

Set in Pecan Corner, the story introduces Via Dalton, owner of a cat café so insistently quirky it begins to feel more like a branding exercise than a setting. Pawsitive Vibes is meant to anchor the emotional heart of the book, but the relentless “cat theme”—from décor to dialogue to (yes) jewelry design—quickly wears thin. What might have been whimsical becomes exhausting, as though every page is determined to remind you, in case you’d forgotten, that this is a cat book. And not just a cat book, but an autumn cat book, where every description seems rolled in pumpkin spice and arranged like a seasonal display at a craft store.

The premise itself has promise. A beloved bookstore owner dies, leaving behind a legacy that matters to the community. Via hopes to preserve it; Leo Brewster, the reluctant heir, arrives from Los Angeles intent on selling it off and leaving town as quickly as possible. A will-enforced stay, a small-town “bucket list,” and a growing attraction between opposites—these are familiar ingredients, but not inherently flawed ones. In a different tonal register, they might have made for a warm, grounded romance about place, belonging, and the unexpected reshaping of a life.

Instead, the execution leans so heavily into cuteness that it undermines its own emotional stakes. Via’s aesthetic—autumn-colored wardrobe, auburn hair, carefully curated coziness—feels less like character and more like caricature. Leo’s resistance and gradual softening follow a predictable rhythm, but without the depth or subtlety needed to make that transformation satisfying. The romance itself stutters forward, punctuated by moments that aim for playful chemistry but land closer to awkward—“cold shower” references included, and repeated often enough to become distracting rather than amusing.

And yet, for all its excess, the novel does reveal something more substantial beneath the surface—almost in spite of itself. The third-act conflict is handled surprisingly well. The conversations in that whole sequence feel more honest and more emotionally coherent than much of what precedes them. It’s as if, having exhausted its enthusiasm for charm, the book finally allows itself to take its characters seriously. In those moments, the author’s strengths become clear. She understands conflict, consequence, and the difficult work of resolution. One is left wishing she had trusted those instincts earlier and more often.

Perhaps the most unintentionally compelling aspect of the reading experience is the reminder that cat cafés are, in fact, real. The impulse to step outside the novel and look them up—curiosity sparked despite irritation—may be its most authentic point of connection to the world beyond its pages.

In the end, this is a book that tries very hard to be delightful and ends up feeling overdesigned, its charm applied with too heavy a hand. And yet, buried beneath the layers of themed décor and seasonal flourish, there is a more serious story struggling to emerge—one that suggests this author might do far better when she allows herself to write not toward “cute,” but toward truth.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are all my own.

[Abby | Life-Giving Library · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Fiction Audio for a complimentary advanced reader and advanced listener copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

2.5 stars.

I want to preface this review by saying that to the correct audience, this book will probably be charming and sweet. It is very reminiscent of a Hallmark movie, and some people really love that! For me, however, this book wasn't a favorite.

The element that was most distracting from the main storyline is the repetitive mention of the cats in this book. I like cats as much as the next person, but the cat obsession in this story is a bit much. The main female character, Via, owns a cat cafe where people can come and drink their coffee while holding cats, which is a cute idea, but her cat "Sir Meow" was mentioned so often that he seemed more like a side character than a pet. She took him everywhere, had him on a leash, and trained him like a dog. Again, to the correct audience, this may be seen as charming and funny, but to me it seemed more...silly.

Another thing that didn't work for me was the descriptions of the attraction between the two main characters, Via and Leo. I can appreciate a good slow-burn romance, but the way each of them described the way they were attracted to each other was extremely awkward for me to read. More than once, Leo was described as needing to "take a cold shower," which felt like an odd, tiresome joke and added nothing of value to the story. These characters also seemed extremely immature. Yes, they both had wounds in their pasts that shaped the decisions each of them made, but their reactions to certain conflicts seemed extreme.

The advertising for this book made it sound like it would capture more of the charm and atmosphere of Gilmore Girls. I did like the small town setting, but it lacked the witty banter and clever dialogue one finds in Stars Hollow.

All of that to say, I think this author's writing shines when she explores more depth in her characters. In the last 20% of the book, the reader comes to understand Via and Leo a bit more, and I just wish there had been more of that to begin with. It seemed like the story was trying too hard to be "cute," but the writing was way better when it went below surface level. I could have done with a lot less "Smitten Kitten" nicknames and a lot more heart.

Like I said at the beginning of my review, I think there is certainly an audience for this book. I know many people who absolutely love this type of story, and it does make for a quick, cozy read. It's not quite my cup of tea, but for the right reader, I can see it being sweet and charming.

Content considerations:
-No language
-Spice: just some kisses and descriptions of attraction and desire

[alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ What a cute, cozy autumn read! This story follows cat café owner, Via, who meets the nephew of the recently deceased bookstore owner next door named Leo. He’s there to fill out stipulation to meet his inheritance that his uncle left them, leading them to tackle a fall bucket list and getting closer in the process 🍁

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ Via Dalton had her heart broken when her ex-fiancé cheated on her the night before their wedding and since then, has devoted all her time away from relationships and building her cat café. She’s very family-oriented and loyal to the community in Pecan Corner. It was cute to see her be so unapologetically herself with all her quirks and cozy presence. She’s the kind of heroine I picture in fall-themed romance books. I like that she learned how to open her heart to trust Leo and remind herself that he isn’t like her ex. I wish we got to explore more of what her relationship with Earl was like because it was touching to see how he treated her like the daughter he never had, maybe in flashbacks 💕

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ Leo Brewster is a serious businessman from California and he’s a fish out of water in the small town of Pecan Corner. He realizes he has a lot in common with his uncle that he never knew, including the fact that they were both lonely in life. I also wish we got to see him exploring what his relationship with Earl could have been like. It breaks my heart that they were the family they needed but never got a chance to meet. Leo goes through character development in realizing that he was always worthy of love even when his parents never showed it to him and that he became vulnerable while getting closer to Via 💗

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ The fall vibes in this book were so heartwarming and cozy. I loved reading Via and Leo go on their adventures, plus their banter and build-up to friends was cute. A little bit faster than I was expecting but it didn’t turn me off from reading like other books. Very cute book about opening your heart to family and friends ✨

What to expect:
- Cat café owner FMC x hedge fund manager MMC 🐱💼
- Small town setting 🏡
- Autumn vibes 🍂🍎
- Clean/closed-door romance 🚪
- Third-person POV written in past tense

Thank you to Kathleen Fuller, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and NetGalley for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Shelly Hammond · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet little book for those that enjoy cleaner romances. I would say it leans sort of like a Hallmark type movie. It's super sweet with characters that are super sweet, for the most part, and a story that just leaves you feeling good after reading it.
Via Dalton has absolutely no interest in men anymore. Well, she's sworn them off at least. She's happy to just take all her time to focus on her quirky little cat cafe and the cute little town of Pecan Corner, Ohio, that she lives in. However, Earl Brewster, the owner of the very much loved bookshop, "Second Chance Books', passes away her little world implodes. Earl was a great guy and she enjoyed knowing him and his shop. She becomes determined to buy his shop and keep his legacy alive. Of course. there is a hiccup in that plan by the name of Leo Brewster. Leo has been thriving in L.A. but when he finds out he has an inheritance, one he has no need of but one he's absolutely not going to let his estranged mother get her hands on it, he packs up and heads to Ohio. All he wants to do is sell it off to the highest bidder and get the heck out of this little town and back to L.A. He is blindsided though when he learns it comes with a stipulation. He will inherit the bookshop but he has to spend one month in the town. He's really not looking forward to having to deal with the happy all the time cafe owner that is refusing to let him destroy the shop in the heart of town without a fight. Desperate to keep the shop as it is Via comes up with a plan. For the month he is there he needs to complete her autumn bucket list and if he isn't charmed with the town, well, then he can leave. As these things go, the two get quite close and even though Via has sworn off men and Leo has sworn off the town of Pecan Corner. the attraction is very hard to deny.
This book is really just cute. It's pretty easy to figure out a good bit of it but it's not really written to be a big surprise or anything, It's written with a good story, fun characters, and a whole lot of cute.
I was lucky to have received the audio version of this book to review. It's really good and the narrator, Melissa Moran, is brilliant. She made the characters come to life in the best ways. This is definitely one for those who like HEA books and especially if you like those without any steam to them.