Settling Home

Alder Creek #4

by Ginnie Carmichael

Blowing up my life to take over the farm seemed smart at the time.

When Uncle Walt offered me Sullivan Farm so he could finally chase love across the country, the timing couldn't have been more perfect. I... well, I needed a fresh start. And how hard could running the farm where I'd spent every childhood summer actually be?

Turns out, very hard. Nostalgia isn't a qualification. Everything is harder than it looks, nothing works like I remember, and the goats have formed some kind of committee dedicated to making my life difficult.

And then there's Callum Sterling. Small-town vet. Professional grump. Dispenser of excellent advice delivered in the most irritated tone humanly possible. He’s exhausted, stubborn, and completely unwilling to slow down. We might have more in common than either of us wants to admit.

I thought the biggest challenge would be keeping the farm afloat. But somewhere between Cal fixing my disasters and me calling him on his workaholic nonsense, something's shifting.

I left Seattle swearing off relationships. He’s kept everyone at arm's length for years. Now we're both standing at the edge of something terrifying.
The smart thing would be to step back.

But when have I ever done the smart thing?

Settling Home is the fourth and final novel in the Alder Creek series. It’s a cozy small-town romance with all the sizzling chemistry and none of the spice. Each book can be read on its own, but you'll see familiar faces along the way.

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 27, 2026

About the author

Ginnie Carmichael writes sweet small-town romance, the perfect blend of cozy and swoon-worthy. After years of traveling as a digital nomad, she’s now happily settled with her two cats, plenty of coffee, and endless love stories to tell.

When she’s not writing, she’s daydreaming new romances, curled up with a book, or unwinding with a cozy video game.

Reviews

[Leah Pretty Pistolz]

✨My Rating:
5⭐️ 1.5🌶️

✨Tropes:
🤍 Grumpy × Sunshine
🏡 Small Town Romance
💖 Found Family
🔥 Slow Burn Romance
🥹 Emotional Healing
💕 Opposites Attract
🌸 Cozy Community


My Review

Settling Home completely stole my heart! I loved this book so much that I flew through it because I simply couldn’t put it down. Every time I finish another book in the Alder Creek series, I fall even more in love with this wonderful small town and the people who call it home.🥰

The chemistry between the characters was incredible, the emotional moments hit all the right notes, and the balance of humor, romance, and heart made this such an unforgettable read. Ginnie Carmichael has a way of making every character feel like an old friend, and by the final page I wasn’t ready to say goodbye.

This entire series holds such a special place in my heart, and Settling Home is another beautiful reminder of why I keep coming back to Alder Creek. If you love romances that leave you smiling long after you’ve finished, this one absolutely belongs on your TBR!🥰❤️

[Reader]

I really enjoyed reading “Settling Home” along with the Bonus Chapter. I love the friendliness and joy from Rosie yet she is very cautious about getting involved with someone again. It is great how she connects back with friends from her time she spent as a teen on the farm. Cal is so very kind and good with the animals yet he hides behind his grumpiness and doesn’t relate to people very well. His co-worker, Sharon is the only one who truly understands him. The story line gives them a fun and exciting adventure. I have truly loved all the books that I have read written by Ginnie Carmichael.

[Kimmy]

The Adler Creek series still has me completely hooked!

Cal and Rosie may have just become my new favorite couple. Their story is a slow burn but you really see how they needed each other in ways they didn’t even realize at first.

This is the FINAL book in the Adler Creek series, but each book can absolutely be read as a standalone. Still, I loved getting those little updates on past couples and seeing where everyone ended up…. it made this series feel so full-circle.

If you love sweet small-town romance with strong character growth and cozy spice-free interconnected stories, this one (and the whole series) needs to be on your TBR.

[Johanna]

'Settling Home is the fourth and final novel in the Alder Creek series. It’s a cozy small-town romance with all the sizzling chemistry and none of the spice. Each book can be read on its own, but you'll see familiar faces along the way.'

The characters were very appealing and likeable and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and well paced. World building was solidly drawn and impressive. All in all a great addition to the series. Enjoyed immensely and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

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

[Nathalie DeSousa]

This is the last book in the Alder Creek series, and a great way to close the series.

The clean and wholesome romance between Cal & Rosie is perfection. He is the grumpy overworked vet who is great with animals not so much with people. Enter Rosie a girl trying to settle back in the small town and the farm after time in the city. She is trying with her sunshiny and optimistic personality to hold onto the legacy of her family. Filled with small town vibes, colorful characters, and a clash of personalities that fit nicely together.

This is the perfect book for a cozy afternoon read!.

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

[DreadQueen CinnamonRoll]

*insert incoherent sobbing here*

THIS BOOK. My heart needed this. The softest grumpyXsunshine meet cute with PUPPY. Oh my goodness. I fully believe the universe gives us books when we need them and WOW has my TBR just been pelting me with books that heal little pieces of my soul. This book was everything I didn't know I needed, and ... talk about a soft girl summer.

This is the I couldn't put it down and I want to read it again right now book. And I couldn't be more happy.

Pretty sure this is my favorite of the series.

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

[Erin]

This was the perfect touch that I didn’t realize Alder Creek needed. Cal is such a dream - a man who pays attention and remembers things, protective, and helpful. Rosie is rediscovering herself and ready to take on the adventure of life. I loved the energy between these two as the vibes started flowing immediately. The group of friends offers so much support and encouragement. I will miss this community.

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

[Teresa]

Great read. I love Cal and Rosie. I loved their meet-cute and how she met Pudding and named him. Great characters. I love how Rosie was able to meet up with her old friends from her summers there and have an instant connection like old times.

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

[Kassandra Johnson]

One of those books that I could not put down! The story was written in such a way that I could perfectly imagine the town, the clinic, the farm and the market! The love story between Cal and Rosie was well paced and sweet. The characters had dynamic personalities and felt relatable, real and genuine.

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

[Jessica OBryant]

Settling Home was an emotionally charged, in-depth, sweet read that knocked my socks off with how incredible it was! I was homerun to the stars kinda blown away!!

If you're looking for a clean romantic read that makes you feel all the feels and is complete brilliance, then this is absolutely the book for you! I'm not gonna say anymore than that, except YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BEAUTY!! PERIOD!

[JM G]

What a great small town romance! Settling home is the story about Cal and Rosie. They are a perfect match and I really enjoyed reading their story. The storyline is engaging and held my interest all the way through. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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

[Louise]

I found this to be a good read. Enjoyed the storyline and characters. Was a sweet read and time reading it. Recommend this book.

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

[Rita]

Likeable characters and a satisfying story. I enjoy grumpy/sunshine when it’s executed well (I.E. the hero is just socially awkward, not an asshole) like it is here. The bonus chapter makes a welcome extended epilogue. Good conclusion to an enjoyable series.

[Bridgette Hernandez]

Great read.

This is one of my favorite series books. I'm usually not a series reader but I've fallen in love with Alder Creek.