Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore

Hope Harbor #2

by Brittanee Nicole

Sparks fly as the leaves fall this autumn…From the superstar romance author of The Boston Bolts hockey series comes a swoony friends-to-lovers fake dating delight.

These old flames are ready to catch fire.

For Penny Darling, love is best enjoyed between the pages of a book. After a very public failed engagement, she’d rather cozy up by the fire with a book boyfriend than a real one any day. And as the owner of Bonfire & Bliss Bookstore, she has her pick.

Then Jake “Monty” Montgomery returns home. Her high school best friend, now a struggling author with inked forearms and wicked green eyes. And he needs her help.

His proposal is She’ll teach him to write the perfect book boyfriend and he’ll pose as her real boyfriend, keeping Hope Harbor’s busybodies—and their obsession with Penny’s love life—at bay.

But when their lessons begin, the line between fiction and reality grows dangerously thin. As pretend kisses in the apple orchard turn into searing ones beneath the autumn moon, Penny begins to wonder if Monty could really love her, or if she’s destined for another broken heart.

Genres: Romance, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary Romance, Fake Dating, Adult, Small Town Romance, Rom Com

Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 11, 2026

Reviews

[cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

“After having craved those copper eyes for so long searching for their color in every cup of coffee, every sunrise, in the dancing flames of a fire, and the evening sunset. How did I think I could do anything but claim her as mine”

When I tell you I ate this up… I mean it. Fully consumed. No crumbs left. 👏🏼 I went in with ridiculously high expectations (which is always a gamble🫣) especially because my first book by this author Darling Daffodils Farm ended up being an all-time favorite… and somehow this one didn’t just meet those expectations, it blew past them.

This story feels like coming home to something you didn’t realize you’d been missing.

Penny is just… everything. She loves so deeply, so selflessly, always showing up for everyone around her without hesitation. And there’s something so devastating about her character because you know how much she deserves in return (and hearing how she was treated in her last relationship makes me want to scream). Watching her navigate her fears, her past hurt, and still continue to love the way she does? I adored her. I rooted for her so hard.

And Monty. *screams in delightttt*

Monty, who has wanted her apparently since he was SEVENTEEN??? AHHHH And when they’re thrown back together?? When fake dating enters the picture?? It’s like striking a match over something that was already soaked in gasoline.

The setup was so good. Every moment, every “pretend” interaction had this underlying tension of this is not pretend, not even a little bit. And the way they slowly start crossing that invisible line??? I was LOSING IT. Especially because Penny is over here trying to guard her heart, convincing herself she’s alone in what she’s feeling…

Meanwhile Monty is internally writing poetry about her existence.

“Penelope Darling’s eyes are pure perfection and the color of a shimmering copper penny.”

LIKE??? HELLO??? 🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼

And when things start to unravel (in the best, most emotionally chaotic way) and he finally starts saying what he’s been holding in???

“Stop thinking you’re too much for me when you are absolutely everything I want.”

“Trust me when I say there isn’t an inch of you that I’m not desperate to worship.”

YUMMM YUMMM YUMMMM 🤭😝

I was not prepared for the spice level in this book AT ALL 😭 The mouth on Monty should be criminal that’s all I’m gonna say.

I will say there were a couple things that I slightly didn’t like. For one, there was no need for Monty to call her by her nickname SO MUCH. 😭 also I’m not sure why Daisy the cow was mentioned so much… But those things weren’t enough to drop a star imo.

Also I can’t not mention the town because the chaos??? unmatched. The meddling, the group chat (forever iconic 😂), the way everyone is just deeply invested in everything… it adds this warmth and humor that balances out the emotional weight so perfectly. And Penny and Tally’s relationship?? I loved it. It felt so genuine and grounding.

But the thing that really stayed with me is the way Monty loves her. Not just loudly, but consistently.

“My story begins and ends with you. Because you, Penny Darling, are my heart. You’re the love of my life, my best friend.”

“Penny is my past, present, and every second of my future.”

*faints* I’m unwell.

This isn’t just friends-to-lovers. This is inevitable love. The kind that refuses to fade no matter how much time passes. And when it finally comes together?? It’s explosive in the best way. 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

Five stars doesn’t even feel like enough.

-•-And now I’m just sitting here, already desperate for the next book. Rosie? Billie? I don’t even care. Just give it to me immediately because I need more of this town and their people-•-

things to know about the book ↓

🧡 friends to lovers
🧡 second chance
🧡 fake dating
🧡 small town chaos
🧡 meddling townspeople
🧡 group chat shenanigans
🧡 writer x bookstore owner
🧡 body positivity rep
🧡 found family energy
🧡 dual POV

spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
swearing: yes

The biggest thank you to NetGalley, Putnam & Brittanee Nicole for allowing me to read this arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

If you're interested in reading my review for the previous book in this series! ↓ ↓
Darling Daffodils Farm Review
⸻⸻⸻

・❥・⁀➷ pre-read

I’ve been waiting for Penny and Monty 👀
I loved Tally and Walkers story so much… so to say my hopes are high is an understatement. Can’t wait to get into this!! Hope Harbor here I come 🧡💛

[BookishKB · Rating 5 out of 5]

🍂Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore🍂

Very cute, very cozy, and such a perfect fall read. Seriously, grab a blanket, make a cup of tea, and settle in because this is the kind of book that feels made for a rainy day.

🍁 What to Expect
• Friends to lovers
• Fake dating
• Small town
• Bookstore owner FMC
• Author MMC
• Second chance
• Cozy fall
_ _ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 4.5 stars
📅 Pub Date: August 11, 2026
📝 Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is in the running for my favorite book of the year. The yearning that starts from the first sentence is palpable. The love story evolution is believable and pure. And the spice is insane! Aka a spicy romance trifecta.

Penny has a great life. She owns the bookstore in her hometown, her sister is back home and found love, and they’re finding their way after their dad’s passing. But, everything’s just a little bit off. She no longer has a fiancé, her bookstore is struggling, and she’s just floating through life without knowing herself and what she wants. When her best friend Monty comes back to town, that safe haven from childhood could just be her safe haven to finding herself— and love.

Monty has writer’s block, so he escapes New York and comes back home for new surroundings. Those surroundings include his best friend and the woman he can describe in writer’s detail and who convinced him to pursue his career. When he sees her again, there’s no going back— especially if a chance to fake date her means a chance to finally act on those longstanding feelings he’s buried.

Every single word of this story was perfect. I’m obsessed and BEGGING for the next book in the series already.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Dozelina 666 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a confession to make :D I may or may not have screamed when I got approved for this book , because I loved book 1.

And I think I liked it even more than the first.

We get friends to lovers plus fake dating and it worked really well for me. Penny and Monty have history, they were close, drifted apart and now they’re finding their way back to each other.

Monty was such a fun character. An excellent fake boyfriend, always there, always helpful… and with a very unexpected dirty mind. I wouldn’t really call him a failed writer, more like someone who lost inspiration or maybe picked the wrong genre.

Penny was great too. I really loved her journey, especially how she slowly regained her confidence and allowed herself to open up again. I liked that she didn’t hold back from trying new things and just went for it.

The small town vibes are still as charming as in the first book, with all the quirky characters that make Hope Harbor feel alive. And honestly, I already can’t wait for the next one.

⭐ 5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the ARC.

[Lauren Votrain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read a book by Brittanee that didn’t have me kicking my feet or genuinely laughing out loud! The things she can do with a group chat 🤣

But also the story of these two, was just beautiful. I love when authors take the best of friends and turn into an epic story, because that’s how relationships should be. That person should be your very best friend.

Their chemistry was on point, the way they loved each other’s families just because they were friends before. - Brittanee always writes an incredible girl group lol i’m hoping we get another two books and I’m hoping I know who they will be lol but I can’t wait to see where else they takes us 💕

[Racheal Alvarado · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Being with her now feels like settling in beside the fire, wrapped in my favorite blanket. It’s soft in all the right places and it feels like home"

If you’re a fan of friends to lovers and fake dating then this is THE book for you! I feel in love with the town of Hope Harbor # 1 Darling Daffodils Farm. That is when we meet Penny and get a mention or two of Monty! In book # 2 Bonfire & Bliss Bookstore we see the old high school besties come together to help each other out. And wowza do the sparks fly! I mean…who doesn’t love a sweet & spicy, curvy bookstore owner with freckles and an obsession with Fall AND a hot writer with dark hair, tattoos, and slutty glasses! The yearning, the tension, the unbelievably hot one liners! They had me positively giddy! I promise you will be falling in love just like I did! To top it off we get the quirky side characters who will keep you giggling and the small town charm that will have you wishing you could jump right in and become a part of the family! I highly recommend this book along with anything else Brittanée Nicole writes!

Super special thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the chance to read this charming, romantic, and spicy book! I can’t wait for book #3

[Jess Hilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is basically a cozy little fantasy life wrapped up in a small-town romance, and I was so here for it. Bookstore owner, tight-knit girl gang, best-friends-to-lovers, author boyfriend who is low-key obsessed with you? Yeah, this book knew exactly what it was doing and I happily went along for the ride. 📚✨

Penny is one of those characters who just loves people, and it shows in everything she does. Her friendships were such a highlight for me, and I loved how much care and support existed in every corner of this story. And Monty… the way he shows up for her, encourages her, and slowly finds his way back not just to her but to the town and a life that actually fits him? So good. Their history made everything feel grounded, but the way they chose each other now is what really made it land.

There were a couple little quirks that didn’t totally work for me, but honestly, the vibes won. This was sweet, swoony, cozy, and full of that “I wish this was my life for a minute” energy. Four stars and a half stars. 💛

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Sequoia Cron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much Putnam Books and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore! All thoughts and opinions below are my own.

Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore is the next romantic story in the Hope Harbor series. The first book is Darling Daffodils Farm featuring Tally, Penny's younger sister, and Walker, the one who took over their family farm.

Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore follows Penelope 'Penny' Darling, an autumn and pumpkin spice-loving reader who prefers her book boyfriends over finding love in reality. And Jake 'Monty' Montgomery, Penny's childhood friend who left Hope Harbor to pursue his dreams of making it big in New York as a thriller author. Those dreams are snatched away when his debut fails to reach enough readers and he is now in a writing slump on what to do next. Monty flies back home to Hope Harbor to reconnect with his roots and the one who got away. Annoyed with the town's pursuit to find Penny a soulmate, she asks Monty if he wants to be her fake boyfriend and in return she'll help him find the words for his next story.

A glimpse inside:
"ruin the friendship" by Taylor Swift
fake dating
second chance/reconnecting childhood friendship
plus-size representation
sl*tty man glass with tattoos
high on the spice scale

Do not be fooled by the gorgeous cartoon cover, this is a very explicit spicy romance. It's way spicier than the first book as Monty re-creates many bookish fantasies with Penny. I enjoyed their chemistry and the reminders of their childhood friendship. I do wish we could have delved deeper into the childhood friendship aspect instead of getting so many s3x scenes. I don't mind s3x and I do love reading them, but when they begin to overtake a story that had/has so much potential to be great, it bothers me a little bit. The plot felt like a second thought to me. I couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed.

There is a lot of repetition throughout the story, which made some of the scenes feel like filler in my opinion. There are many mentions of Monty being a 'book boyfriend', the pet cow (which I am glad Daisy was not part of the plot line for the first book), the word 'sl*t', and so much re-hashing on Eli being a former hockey player for the wrong team. I feel like we are already going to get enough mentions of this in his own story, so it was kind of frustrating to constantly read about that. Some of the repeats were funny and cute at first, but now they are overdone.

The one thing that does annoy me about romance books sometimes is when an author includes a third-act break-up. I'm not going to go into it because of spoilers, but communication is truly the key word. If they all just communicated, it could have been avoided and we could have done without the very short and quickly resolved third-act break-up. I don't mind a third-act break-up moment if it makes sense to this story and builds the character development, but this one didn't in my opinion.

I know I mentioned quite a few negatives, but I am looking forward to reading the next books in the series. I love the sisterhood between Penny, Tally, Billie, and Rosie. Their friendship is so well developed. I enjoyed each of their moments together and I cannot wait to read more about Billie and Rosie in future books. I swear, if Rosie and Fletcher do not get together I might riot. Their tension is so good in these two installments, I can only imagine how great it'll be for their own book.

If you love autumn, bookstores, and childhood friends to lovers romance, you will enjoy Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore. It is a very quick and fast paced read, perfect for those wanting those spicy fall vibes.

3 stars

[Jessie The Great · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of Laurie Gilmore will love this series. This small town romance whose location is Hope Harbor gives off Stars Hallow Vibes with a side of fall. Each business must have a town approved name - to Eli's chagrin - as he's forced to rename his Ice Cream Barn. This story circles around the owner of the Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore and an author returned home to break his writers block. Tally's older sister Penny Darling is being bullied into finding love... Now that I say it, that's very familiar. Anyway... In comes her high school 'bestie' while she's topless AND he's, well, taken with her.

The old biddies in this town are constantly conspiring to pair up the town's youthful adults... And Penny is their current project. Their machinations in grouping these duos end up causing some fun results, such as her topless state in Jake's bedroom or Jake's constant arrivals at Penny's family farm. This makes an easy transition for the two to fake date. I'm going to keep saying it. JUST FREAKING DATE. Let's get past the "fake" part, ya'll are getting to know each other. That's dating. But there's our trope. That and "friends to lovers". These two had a fire kindling back when they were young, but because Monte's family decided to have a break up conveniently as he was leaving for school. In turn, breaking Monte's faith in love.

I liked this book. It was a very good break from a more intense read that I had just finished. It was sweet and spicy in the right spots. I believed the love story. I wish there was less self deprecation on Penny's part. It seems like she may have felt herself not up to Jake's standards - even though, it seems like she was desirable. I did get mad at Jake a few times because he kept mentioning how much he felt he was going to have to end things. I wish these people would just talk to their parents. It always comes down to a miscommunication trope. The reason for their inability love is never as cut and dry as they originally believe. All that being said, there's humor and a good love story. I love the town chats and would do awful things to protect Babs. I loved the callbacks in this story - like the pianist in the airport playing L.O.V.E. when we meet Jake in the beginning. I love the attention to detail. I love that Jake has been calling Penny the sweetest nickname since high school and she never once looked it up. I think we'll move on to Eli and Billie. Billie deserves a possessive hockey player - and I can't wait. Especially, the response that Walker will have to it.

Finally, I love the highland cow as a pet and Monte's Vovo's response to it. Solid comic relief.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🫑

I received an ARC from NetGalley. My opinions about this book are my own.

[BookishMarineMama03 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited when I got the email from NetGalley for this book because I absolutely loved book one and this one. I ADORED this one!! Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore by Brittanée Nicole is book two in the Hope Harbor series. Trying to adult while reading this was impossible. These two pulled me in from page one! If you love a spicy small town romance, with the sexy tattooed, glasses wearing author and the adorable bookstore owner who have been best friends forever, so much funny banter, an adorable cast of characters, did I say so much laughter and SPICE! You need this book AND series!

Penny Darling is just the sweetest. LOVE a curvy fmc! Lover of all things fall and pumpkin. She owns her own bookstore and recently went through a failed engagement. This girl has a vision for her store and her life. She is addicted to reading and book boyfriends, but struggles with insecurity especially towards men. I felt this girl sooo much! Jake, aka Monty, Montgomery, a bestselling author is struggling to write his next story. He decides to go home to Hope Harbor both for inspiration and to see his best friend Penny. These two, they just have that connection and chemistry that clicks. That even in silence you feel the peace with each other's connection. But secretly, these two have always deeply cared for the other. Add in some fake dating to dissuade the town folk from trying to interfere with their love lives and what ensues is the perfect slow burn, angst so thick you can feel it! Monty is the literally the best book boyfriend ever and has a dirty mouth, o my holy hell! PURE FIRE! And the steamy lessons, ummmmm YES PLEASE!

And the town's characters are so adorable! I fell in love with them even more! The Liberty Ladies and the book club will have you rolling in laughter and the Hope Harbor Town Chat, absolutely hysterical! I want this to be a real town I can be a part of!

I just loved the vulnerability of these two. The raw and real way they faced the challenges of falling in love, the fear, the insecurity, all of it. Brittanée has created such a perfect little town and I can’t wait for more! This is going on my favorites list! Now give me Rosie, Billie, Eli and Mayor Fletcher’s stories please! I know exactly who I want together😉

Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

🧡 Best friends to lovers
🍁 Fake dating
🍂 Small town
🧡 Fall vibes
🍁 Bookstore owner x author
🍂 Hope Harbor Chat
🧡Tattoos and Glasses

🎀Thank you Brittanée Nicole, Putnam and NetGalley for my arc!

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a spicy book and this one is spiiiiccccyyyyy! I did not realize this was #2 in a series, I will be going back and reading #1 ASAP, anyway- Penny owns a bookstore store in her hometown in New England where she has lived in the tenish years from finishing high school Penny loves her honetown, all things fall, romance books (all tropes and the spicer the better, her bookstore (if she could just get some traction), her family, and the local ladies - if they would stop trying to fix her up especiallysince her broken engagementa few months ago- her best friend from high school Monty (also known as Jake) left town as soon as the ink was dry on his high school diploma- his parents divorce rocked his world and he fled to the big city (NYC) to be a writer amd he did it, making the New York Times best-selling list, but his last few books have been missing something (in addition to missing the NYT list) - Monty is anti love ( the divorce) so when his roommate gets engaged and he loses his place to live he decides to go home to stay with his dad/grandma at the family home on the lake to try to get rid of his writers block, once there his gma is dead set on playing matchmaker with Penny the have a funny meet cute again on Montys first day back in town- they begin to hang out (especially with gmas help) and she inadvertently tells him his writing sucks in the romance department , so she pitcges an idea she can teach him how to be a good book boyfriend so he can write better romance into the story and he will pretend to be her boyfriend so the ladies of town will leave her alone and stop fixing her up-- so they agree and what entails is such a fun story thr secondary characters are so funny (which is know now I'd probably understand more having read #1- but still not necessary) they both are having fun pushing their relationship to the limits Penny teaching Monty about being a good boyfriend and Monty teaching Penny other things-- until the lines starting getting blurred and Monty'd sidtrust of love due to his parents divorce has him questioning everything- I love a fall story, fake dating trope, second chance at live and spice , not to mention having a mini cow as a pet (read it you'll laugh) plus again the secondary cast is so fun definitely will go back amd read #1 and cant wait for the next one that is hopefully coming .

Thank you netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review

[Amanda Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Hope Harbor series was an unexpected change from the first book in the series. While Walker and Tally had a lot of bickering and will-they-won’t-they, push and pull, Monty and Penny were pretty much destined from the start. He's down bad for her, she's down bad for him, and awkwardness and spice ensure.

Jake Montgomery is a former New York Times bestseller who’s struggling to find his groove after his last three books flopped. What better place to find some inspiration than his idyllic hometown of Hope Harbor? Penny Darling has confidence issues and a failing business to worry about; she can't be thinking about her former best friend walking in on her topless. She certainly can't be thinking about how he's only gotten hotter since high school, least of all how she can't stop embarrassing herself in front of him. When Monty needs inspiration for his newest novel, and Penny needs the entire town to get off her back about dating again, they strike up a deal. But even book boyfriends know that fake dating rarely ever is what it seems.

I really loved Penny and Monty; individually, they were both funny and thoughtful, and together, the chemistry was crazy. I loved how Penny was open to new things and tried to enjoy life more, while Jake, on the other hand, was the absolute greenest flag possible. I did find myself annoyed at Monty a few times because he was living in serious denial about his feelings and kind of being a dick to his sweet dad. Penny really came out of her shell in this book. I loved seeing her relationship with Billie flourish, and she was so much funnier than I thought she'd be. There were also so many hilarious moments with the townspeople; the Liberty Ladies and Eli are always a good time. I absolutely loved the addition of Daisy to the family so many people go with a baby when a cow is clearly the superior choice.

This town gave me Stars Hollow, with quintessential small-town New England vibes that were cozy and sweet. In my opinion, the nickname he gave her was super sweet but took me out of the moment more than a few times in the spicy scenes and felt a bit repetitive. I will say this book was much spicier than the first, considering it's a relatively slow burn. Overall, the book was well paced, the vibes were vibing, and the smut was seriously spicy. I can't wait to see who's next!!

[Michelle VanHuss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore, the second in the Hope Harbor Novel series, is a small town, cozy yet steamy romance with fake dating, second chance, and childhood friends to lovers taking center stage. Penny, a romance bookstore owner whose engagement was broken off, and Monty, an author with an early best seller but falling short since, were childhood best friends that ended up going their separate ways after high school graduation.

Ten years later Monty decides to move back, at least temporarily, to their small town to save money and hopefully write his next best-selling book. They briefly reconnected on his last visit home a few months ago and he can’t get her out of his head. That gets even harder when Monty walks into his childhood bedroom to find Penny topless and holding one of his t-shirts.

The busybody ladies of the town keep trying to set up Penny – turns out no one really liked her ex-fiancé and they want to get Penny back out there! So that she won’t take up another man’s offer, Monty suggests that he be Penny’s fake boyfriend during the town’s annual fall festivities to get her a reprieve from the meddling.

Sparks start flying from there but, of course, they can’t trust each other’s motivations. They each have been pining for the other since high school, they each wonder if they risk losing their rekindled friendship by trying to take it to an actual relationship, and they each can’t keep their hands off the other!

They each have issues they need to work through – Monty must come to terms with whether or not the chance at love is worth the risk of losing love and Penny must learn how to be her own person before being in a relationship again. For each of them, the answer could depend on the person they want to fall for…each other.

The side characters and their text group messages plus all the fall activities add some personality to the town of Hope Harbor. Monty has a side quest of making the spicy scenes from Penny’s favorite romance books come to life. This book is heartfelt without being too emotional but gives us all the bookish, pumpkin-spiced romance for fall.

Thank you to Putnam and Netgalley for an advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.
#BonfireandBlissBookstoreAHopeHarborNovel #NetGalley

[Rebecca Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Publishing for an ARC!


We met Penny Darling in Darling Daffodils Farm. She is the owner of Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore and has recently had an engagement end, leaving her unsure what went wrong and even more unsure about what could and should go right in a relationship.
In Daffodil’s, we get a tiny glimpse of Jake “Monty”. Montgomery. We know that he is an author and we know that he and Penny have history. At the very beginning of Bonfire, we learn that he is suffering from months long writers block and is on his way back to his hometown of Hope Harbor to try to pull himself out of his funk.

Penny and Monty were best friends growing up and we quickly learn that they both wished that they could have been more before life and circumstances separated them.

Ten years later, they are both back in Hope Harbor and, after Penny candidly explains to Monty exactly why she thinks he’s in a writing rut (in her overly honest opinion, his last couple of books suck and lacked chemistry between the character), they agree on a mutually beneficial fake dating arrangement. “Dating Monty” will get the town of her back and hopefully stop trying to set her up with every available (and some unavailable) men over the age of 18 and Penny, a self proclaimed book boyfriend expert, will teach Monty how to build chemistry between his characters.

It’s easy for Monty and Penny to sell their arrangement as real to their friends and the whole town because, from the very beginning, it is obvious, to everyone expect Penny and Monty, that the feelings having always been there and have always been real.
That doesn’t stop everyone in town from melding, investing in their relationship from the first time pictures of them getting cozy make it into the town group chat.

Daffodils was full on SPRING VIBES and Bonfire is the perfect cozy FALL VIBES. There also seems to be set ups for AT LEAST two more couples and I can’t wait to head back to Hope Harbor ASAP.

Brittanee is an instant buy author for me since the Momscoms and this was everything I needed it to be.

Tropes
🍂 Childhood Friends to Fake Dating to Lovers
🎃 Small Town Romance
🍁 Fall/Cozy Vibes
🧡 Spicy Bucket List

Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[The Millennial Mood Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

🍂 ARC Review 🍂
Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore is Book 2 in the Hope Harbor series featuring Penny Darling, the older sister to Tally.

Penny and her love for books, lattes and fall was such a relatable FMC! I connected instantly to her! Owning her own bookstore was a challenge and I loved that it showed how much work she put into it. She’s also a very dedicated to the town and a great friend!

Monty aka Jake was such a dream MMC. He’s an author who recently was struggling with his latest books. He needed to get back to his roots and experience life again and who better to help him than his best friend and romance connoisseur Penny.

Penny and Monty each harbored crushes since high school but never acted on them. The nickname he gave her…..swoon!!

I love a well done fake dating trope especially between best friends and this was PERFECTION!!

The tension between them… holy smokes! Monty is the literally the best ‘book boyfriend’ and him having a dirty mouth only made it better! Their chemistry was smoking hot! Who doesn’t love a spicy check list!👀🥵

Monty does fumble a little towards the end but redeems himself in the best way! (Older millennials will appreciate his gesture) I love how mature they both are.

Things that made me laugh:
Penny always saying the wrong idioms! It’s funny and endearing!
Vovo- She was a matchmaking menace 🤣 Loved her!
Daisy-Poor Walker 🤣
The town group chat! Brittanée always has the best group chats and banter in her books!

This series just feels like home! I love all the side characters, they add so much to the story! I just want to move to Hope Harbor and join this girl gang and the hilarious town group chat! I have thoroughly loved this series and cannot wait for more!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
Small Town
Best Friends to Lovers
Fall Vibes
Romance Bookstore Owner
Struggling Author
Spice & Banter
Hope Harbor Chat
Girl Gang
Tattoos and Glasses


Thank you so much to Putnam Books, Author Brittanée Nicole and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

[Brittany Profit-Rheinwald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adore Hope Harbor, and Bonfire and Bliss had me completely captivated from the very first page. Brittanee Nicole never disappoints -- and this autumn romance set against the backdrop of the Maple Festival is proof of exactly why she is one of my auto-buy authors.

Penny Darling is a protagonist I rooted for wholeheartedly. After a very public failed engagement, she has sworn off love, preferring her pumpkin-spiced everything and her beloved book boyfriends to the real thing. That is, until her old high school best friend and author Jake "Monty" Montgomery reappears in her life, ropes her into co-hosting the Maple Festival, and declares himself her fake boyfriend in front of the town's most dedicated busybodies. Monty and Penny are the perfect pairing, with a history and a chemistry that feel entirely earned.

The fake dating trope is one I will never, ever tire of, and Nicole executes it beautifully here. What begins as a practical arrangement -- Penny teaches Monty how to be the perfect romantic hero so he can save his flailing writing career; Monty shields Penny from pitying glances and well-meaning matchmakers -- slowly, inevitably, brilliantly unravels into something far more real. The pretend kisses in the apple orchard gave way to something that left me genuinely breathless.

The absolute best part of this story, though, was the shared passion for literature at its heart. Watching Penny introduce Monty to the world of romance novels -- seeing him discover what she has always known, that these stories are about so much more than love -- was beautiful and felt like a true dream come true for this bookish reader. It is the kind of detail that makes you feel seen.

If you love cozy autumn settings, small-town charm, friends-to-lovers tension, and a heroine who makes you want to open your own bookstore, Bonfire and Bliss belongs at the very top of your TBR. Brittanee Nicole has done it again -- and I cannot wait to see what Hope Harbor holds next.

[Reanna Abare · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a a 6 star read for me!

The gasp I gasped when I got the NetGalley approval for Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore was loud, and after finishing this book I can confidently say it deserved every bit of that excitement.

I had just read and reviewed Darling Daffodils Farm on March 8th and absolutely loved it, so getting approved for the second book in the series felt like the best surprise!

From the very beginning I connected so deeply with Penny. I don’t think I’ve ever resonated with an FMC more. Her love of books, her curves, and even the way her ex-fiancé made her feel about her reading habits hit so close to home for me. I felt so seen while reading her story, and that kind of connection made this book incredibly special.

Monty was also such a fantastic MMC. I absolutely loved that he was an author (book lovers + authors will always be one of my favorite tropes), and the chemistry between him and Penny was so fun to read. I also loved the cozy fall setting. Fall is my favorite season, and the atmosphere in this book made everything feel extra warm and comforting.

One thing I especially appreciated was that when conflict did come up, it didn’t drag on forever. It was handled and resolved quickly, which made the relationship feel more mature and realistic.

And I absolutely have to mention Daisy Darling Tally and Walker’s pet cow . What an adorable and fun addition to the story! I loved every moment involving them and it added so much charm to the book.

I truly cannot rave enough about this book. It was an easy 6-star read for me and one of those stories that just makes you feel happy while reading.

I’m already so excited to continue this series and I’m still hoping we get an Eli & Billie book… and maybe Fletcher and Rosie too!

Thank you so much to Putnam Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. I’m already counting down the days until the next Hope Harbor story!

[onlyhereforthehea · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore is the second book in the Hope Harbor series and it’s exactly what a friends to lovers, fake dating romance should be.

Growing up, Penny and Monty were best friends. There wasn’t some big falling out, but after Monty moved away, life happened and they drifted. Now ten years later, they reconnect like no time has passed.

Penny now owns a bookshop, while Monty is a New York Times bestselling author dealing with a serious case of writer’s block. The only thing he seems able to focus on? Penny. So when his living arrangements change, he heads back home to Hope Harbor.

What follows is a hilarious, adorable, and spicy story where Monty convinces Penny to fake date, partly to help him get unstuck in his writing and partly to keep the town’s busybodies out of her love life. The fake lessons, the tension, the very real attraction between these two, I loved all of it.

As a reader, you know exactly how they feel. You’re just waiting for them to catch up and realize that what they’re pretending isn’t fake at all. Their mutual pining? So good. The way they both fall so hard without realizing the other feels the same was honestly adorable.

This book hits that perfect rom-com balance. It’s funny, a little chaotic with small town energy, but still grounded in real emotion. The friendship to love progression felt natural, the sweet moments landed and the spice was chef’s kiss. And there’s even a really satisfyingly sweet grovel.

Brittanee did such a great job continuing this Hope Harbor world. The side characters add so much without ever taking away from Penny and Monty’s story. The town group chat had me laughing so much.

If you love small town romance, friends to lovers, and fake dating that doesn’t feel forced, definitely pick this one up. I’m already excited to see where this series goes next.


✨Thank you to Brittanee and NetGalley for the ARC

[Mathilda Otteman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brittanee Nicole does an excellent job of always delivering on the swoon and the spice. The second book in the Hope Harbor series, Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore. follows Penny Darling, lover of all things pumpkin spice and romance novels, as she is pestered by the nosy members of her community about getting back out into the dating pool after her ended engagement. In walks her childhood best friend, Jake “Monty” Montgomery, as he sets out to write a manuscript he has to deliver on, otherwise he’s looking at kissing his career goodbye. Things take an exciting turn when he offers to be her fake boyfriend in exchange for her to give him book boyfriend lessons. When the two get on with faking it for the town, their proximity brings out the pining into full force on both ends and becomes the ultimate plot twist for both Penny and Monty.

I always love how lighthearted and fun these books are as someone who consumed the MomComs, Revenge Era, and Boston Bolts series. Every single one of her books will have you barking with laughter, sighing at the yearning, and kicking your feet at every spicy scene. It’s always such a fun tale to consume. I love seeing how Penny takes the journey of getting back to being unapologetically herself and feeling comfortable and beautiful in her own body. I could never get enough of a trope like this that reminds women how important it is to love the bodies that carry us through our days. The way that this pair of childhood best friends yearned and pined for one another was so insanely sweet, it will have you rooting for them from the get go. You can feel the familiarity and comfortability between the pair throughout their fake dating scheme and the chemistry is undeniable when the story heats up. Such a classic Brittanee Nicole signature book in the best way possible and filled with all the fall vibes.

Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for an early copy of this book, I am so thankful!

[GlacierFrost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you G.P. Putnam's Sons and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

5/5 stars!

Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore is the second novel in the Hope Harbor series, and it has become one of my favorite series right now! Every book feels like the definition of a warm blanket (this installment is no exception with its emphasis on a cozy fall aesthetic that absolutely hits!), and the town comes to life with its cast of characters, feeling so real it leaps off the page. As for this installment in particular, Penny and Monty’s romance was also something I was highly looking forward to, given the little breadcrumbs we got in book 1.

Their romance follows a fake dating trope, and the way it's handled in this book is very unique, to the point where their romance feels so authentic even in the beginning of their ruse. I think their shared pasts together as friends helped make their chemistry pop so early on, in a similar vein to the friendship we see between Simon and Daphne in the Bridgerton TV series. Their dynamic was so fun as a result!

Furthermore, I liked the angle this book took when it came to its indie bookstore element. Readers from Darling Daffodils Farm would know that Penny owns Bonfire & Bliss Bookstore in town, and I feel like this installment really showed the aspects of what it would be like to own and work at an indie bookstore in a way I haven’t seen other books tackle. It highlights the challenges indie authors face with ordering stock to setting up author events, and also shows aspects of the community these places can bring. As someone who has been to several indie bookstores in my area and seen these communities firsthand, I feel like the concept was represented very well and created an authentic experience.

I can’t recommend this series enough, which is something you’ll hear from me repeatedly when new installments come out!

[Paige Vaughn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. (2⭐)
*Potential Spoilers*

I really wanted to love "Bonfires and Bliss Bookstore". The premise, small-town setting, and cozy fall atmosphere had so much potential. While there were elements I genuinely enjoyed, especially the seasonal vibes and moments of friendship, the romance ultimately didn’t work for me and made this a frustrating read.

The biggest issue was the central relationship. The romance between Penny and Monty felt rushed and unconvincing from the start. We’re told they have a shared history, yet their connection doesn’t feel established in a meaningful way. Early on, Monty can’t even remember basic details about Penny, yet we are expected to believe he’s been in love with her all along. That disconnect made the emotional stakes hard to buy into, and the relationship came across more like insta-love than a believable rekindled connection.

Monty’s perspective also didn’t work for me. Much of his narration focused heavily on Penny’s physical appearance and sexual attraction, which felt repetitive and, at times, objectifying. Instead of adding depth to the romance, it made their connection feel surfacelevel and forced.

Because of this, many of the romantic moments felt more cringeworthy than swoony. The emotional development just wasn’t there to support the intensity the story was aiming for.

That said, I did enjoy Penny’s chapters when they focused on her life outside of the romance. The scenes centered around the bookstore, fall activities, and her friendships were easily the strongest parts of the book. Those moments felt warm, genuine, and immersive. The kind of cozy, autumnal storytelling I was hoping for throughout.

Overall, while "Bonfires and Bliss Bookstore" has a charming setting and strong seasonal atmosphere, the forced romance and lack of believable character connection made it a miss for me.

[Nina - the book bugling · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

"Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore" is a cozy, spicy small-town romance and book 2 in the Hope Harbor series. It's just as charming as book 1 - Darling Daffodils Farm. This book follows Tally’s sister, bookstore owner Penny Darling and her longtime best friend Monty, an author back in town to get over his writer’s block. Penny is such an easy character to connect with. Her love of books, everything fall and the way she’s rebuilding her life after a bad relationship feels real and relatable. Monty (oh, Monty - swoon!) is the ultimate book boyfriend. Watching Penny “coach” him on how to write (and be) a better romantic lead is hilarious and swoony. The fake dating setup between them is really fun, especially with their undeniable chemistry, lingering high school crushes and a town full of meddling (but lovable) side characters.

The story has humor, heart and spice. There is emotional depth around grief and trust without weighing things down. The fall atmosphere, quirky town dynamics and wonderful side characters (including a matchmaking grandma and a mini cow) add so much charm. I also really like that the 3rd act conflict didn’t drag on and the payoff is absolutely swoony. This book is a feel-good read with humor, tension and spice. I already can't wait to return to Hope Harbor for more town shenanigans and love stories!🧡🍂🍁

🧡 Best friends to lovers
🍁 Fake dating
🍂 Small town
🧡 Fall vibes
🍁 Bookstore owner x author
🍂 First person dual POV

Thank you Brittanee Nicole, Putnam and NetGalley for a copy of "Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore" in exchange for my honest review.

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I want to say thank you to NetGalley and Brittanee Nicole for this amazing opportunity to read this ARC!

Some of my favorite childhood memories are of watching Hallmark movies with my mom—the kind of stories that felt warm, comforting, and like home. This book captured that exact feeling for me.

From the very first chapter to the last, I was completely immersed. The level of detail in each scene made it easy to visualize everything, but more importantly, it made me feel it. The emotions weren’t just described—they were experienced. I found myself connecting deeply with the characters, as if their feelings were my own.

One line from the book perfectly captures this:

“Reader doesn’t want to be told how the character feels; they want to experience it.”

And that’s exactly what this story delivers. It’s rare to find a book that truly pulls you in and makes you feel like you’re living alongside the characters, but this one absolutely nailed it.

There are also moments of intensity and passion that elevate the story even further. One quote that stood out to me:

“…Tell me, what’s your favorite dirty word? For the record, I think the sexiest word a man can murmur is ‘Mine.’”

I mean…. 😍

This is what I look for in a romance—the ability to not only tell a love story, but to make you feel it. I want to fall in love with the characters, to experience their journey, and to be fully immersed in every moment. This book delivered on all of that and more.

I’m already looking forward to the next installment. Billie’s story has so much potential, and I can’t wait to see her get the love story she deserves.

[NewariMaicha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a special place in my heart for cozy fall books, so this one had my attention immediately. Am I reading it in spring? Yes. Am I still mentally living my best pumpkin-spice, sweater-weather fantasy? Also yes. 🍂

Hope Harbor has the cutest small-town vibes, and Penny owning a bookstore just makes it even better because honestly, what book lover hasn’t dreamed about quitting life and running a cozy little bookshop? One of my favorite parts was the town community chat where everyone is way too invested in Penny’s love life. The gossip and commentary had me laughing a few times.

After her engagement crashes and burns, Penny just wants to avoid the pity looks and town matchmaking… so naturally the logical solution is fake dating Monty. Monty is back in town after his latest book flops and he’s deep in writer’s block. Since he writes thrillers with zero romance, fake dating Penny becomes his “research” for writing romance. Totally professional, obviously. But no..

Their dynamic was really fun, especially with all the mutual pining and the way they both pretend nothing is happening while it’s very obvious something is happening. The plot is pretty predictable and you can see where it’s going early on, but it’s still a cozy, easy read. If you like small towns, fake dating, and two slightly oblivious people slowly catching feelings, this is a cute one, especially for fall. 🍁📚

Rating: 4⭐

Tropes: Small town romance, childhood friends to lovers, writer × bookstore owner, fake dating, fall vibe

Favorite Quote: While a good girl always makes me hot under the collar, a well-placed my girl is my ultimate cat nip.

[Libby Hasse · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW ✨

“I lied when I told you I came back because of my writer’s block.”

“It’s because I couldn’t get the damn color of your eyes out of my head. Since last spring I’d been racking my brain trying to remember the exact shade. But, Penny, I think that was just my brain making up excuses.”

Jake " Monty" Montgomery is a New York Times best selling author whose last few books have been complete flops. Down on his luck and trying to navigate writers block he decides to return home to Hope Harbor. A quaint New England town that his best friend and woman he can't get out his head lives. Penny Darling is the owner of Bonfire & Bliss Bookstore, lover of all literature, especially books with the perfect book boyfriend and maybe an alien or two. Her problem... she recently ended her engagement and the whole town has taken it about themselves to find her a new suitor. Jake and Penny each find themselves in predicaments and their solution is simple, Jake and Penny will fake date to get the down off her back and in return Penny will help Jake write the perfect romance novel and teach him the ways of a perfect book boyfriend.

Seems like an easy fix but when real decades long feelings enter the mix of their fake dating, lines start to blur and hearts start to heal.

“You’re the one who taught me what love means. Just like you said you would. I love you, Xuxuzinho.”

What to Expect:

📚Slutty Glasses
📚 Fierce FMC
📚 Friends to Lovers
📚 Tatted MMC
📚 Fake Dating
📚 Kink Exploration
📚 Perfect Book Boyfriend
📚 Memorable Side Characters
📚 Hilarious Town Chat

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book ☺️

[Kate Laycoax · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore! After how much I adored Darling Daffodil Farms, I was beyond excited for this one and it did not disappoint at all. Brittanee Nicole is such a vivid, talented writer, and this book just pulled me right back into this lovely world.

Fake dating is one of my all time favorite tropes, so I was already sold and Brittanee executed it perfectly. Monty and Penny’s dynamic was everything. I have been WAITING for Penny’s story, and it was so worth it. I loved seeing a curvy woman so confidently loved and Monty being completely down bad for her (like… immediately) was just perfect. The tattoos for her made me unwell in the best way. Brittanee always excels at writing men that are loverboys and I am always here for it.

The small town vibes continue to be one of my favorite parts of this series. The town group chat is absolutely unhinged in the best way, and the side characters really make the story feel alive. Vovo completely stole the show for me; she’s hilarious and easily one of my favorite matchmakers ever. And I cannot forget Daisy the baby highland cow… so cute, so funny, I’m obsessed!

Brittanee always delivers when it comes to banter and spice, and this book seriously blew me away in both areas. It was fun, emotional, sweet, warm, and just so easy to fall into.

I already need the next book ASAP and please let it be Eli’s! And I’m definitely hoping Rosie and Billie get their stories too.

Thank you to NetGalley, Brittanee Nicole, and Putnam/G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the eARC of this book.

[Jazz’s Reads and Rants · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review | I thought Darling Daffodils Farm was a winner, but WOOOOOWEEEEE — this one completely blew me away.

Let’s start with Penny. I looooved her. She was clearly stunning, and her passion and love for her town radiated off the pages, but she also needed someone who could see beyond all of those insecurities.

Enter Monty. I think he may be one of my favourite MMCs I’ve read in a long while. He had me swooning from the moment he stepped off the plane in Hope Harbor. Tattoos and muscles aside, he was soft, mysterious, and just all-around adorable. You could feel his yearning for Penny immediately. By the end of the first chapter, I was already kicking my feet and begging for more of him.

Hope Harbor has become such a comfort place for me, and every character leaves me yearning for their story next (please give us more). Adding Vovo to the mix was the perfect sprinkle of nostalgia. At times, I swear I could taste her cooking right alongside Penny and Monty as they sat together enjoying it.

If you’re looking for spice, this is absolutely the perfect read for you. Monty and Penny bring so many delicious romance tropes to the table as they explore their connection, and every moment leaves you hooked (and maybe a little flushed).

I honestly feel at a loss for all the wonderful things I could say about this book. For anyone who doesn’t believe in love — or is trying to find their way back to it — read this one and prepare to have your world rocked.

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam for the access!

[DomsLitCorner · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️

Bonfire & Bliss Bookstore is book two in the Hope Harbor series and follows childhood best friends Penny and Monty (Jake). Penny’s newly single and running her bookstore in their hometown, while Monty, now an author, moves back home to find his spark again. They’ve drifted over the years, but there’s one thing they’ve never admitted: they both have always wanted more. So obviously, they start fake dating. What could possibly go wrong? What starts as something “convenient” and mutually beneficial quickly turns into something a lot more complicated (and a lot more real).

I loved that this story digs into deeper stuff like self-image and ideas about love. Penny and Monty support each other in a way that actually pushes them to grow, both individually and together, and it’s really beautiful to watch. When I look up ‘yearning’ in the dictionary, I want to see a picture of Jake Montgomery beside the word. The way that man loves and shows up for Penny with everything he says and everything he does? 10/10 — no notes.

The side characters and small-town antics added the perfect mix of humor and chaos. It had that found family vibe where everyone is a little unhinged but always shows up when it matters.

I’m really excited to see where the rest of the series goes next and look forward to more shenanigans from the Hope Harbor crew!

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for an advanced reader copy of Bonfire & Bliss Bookstore (publishing August 11, 2026).

[Madison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore

By Brittanee Nicole

3.5⭐️

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

If you’re looking for fall vibes this is absolutely the book for you!

The town of Hope Harbor is so quaint and quirky. I loved the banter and bickering amongst the citizens (Hope Harborians as the Liberty Ladies put it) and it made you feel like being dropped right in the middle of a tight knit, established community.

Penny is the quintessential bookstore owner who is easy to love and want the best for. Monty is the living embodiment of a boyfriend. Tattoos and slutty little glasses included.

Overall I really enjoyed the story. Friends to lovers isn’t my favorite trope, but this story does it pretty well. My main issue was some of the dialogue. I think we all love a little a little cheesiness when it comes to a rom com, but it felt a little forced. Particularly during some *spicier* scenes where there was so much monologuing that it takes you out of the scene and in a way I felt like cheapened the reality and realistic romance of the moment.

It was also a little spicier than I prefer, but that is just a personal preference and may have to do specifically with these 2 characters and their story.

I will definitely read more of the Hope Harbor series as I’m excited to see where some other characters stories go, and I will likely go back and read the first in the series as well.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️ and that is being generous. This book is not for me. I like contemporary romance as a palette cleanser to the fantasy romance books I read, but this particular “holiday trope” style is not it for me, and now I know that.

It will do well with the “live, laugh, love” crowd and those who adore holiday romances that have over the top, theatrical conclusions. If, like me, you bah humbug this complete farce of reality, you will tolerate it but roll your eyes at the sickly sweet quagmire of emotions dripping off this books pages.

I realize this sounds curmudgeonly. In reality, I would like to visit all of the prominent places in town. I would enjoy the farmers market, the bakery, the brewery, and the book shop. But the mess of interpersonal relationships is nauseating, the “town chat” is ridiculous, the fact that everyone is in everyone else’s business is eye rollingly trite. And seriously, business names have to be agreed upon by a vote from randoms in the town and must have alliteration? Really? It is clear no one here is looking for reality, I’ll see myself out.

Because I want to find something good from each book I read, even if the book is not one I care for: I really like the idea of a safe space (person) where you can try out dating and dirty talk to get yourself comfortable with very low stakes. I think it was clever to include that between people who are friends.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC which in no way influenced my review.